Late Deals from AMA Waterways

Top European river-cruise operator AMAWaterways have just announced a series of tempting reduced fares for this year, featuring three different cruises on the Rhone, Mosel, Rhine and Danube.

Here are the highlights:

April 13, Black Sea Cruise: Sail from Budapest along the Danube through Romania, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria to the Bulgarian port of Rousse, including passing through the `Iron Gates’, the narrow divide between the Balkans and Carpathian mountains, to conclude the cruise with an excursion to Bucharest.

This week-long luxury cruise now costs from £1,187 per person (previously £1,654), with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes. 

May 24, Rhone cruise: A late evening stay alongside the largely abandoned medieval town of Viviers, including an after-dinner 'ghost walk' through streets that once were home to 30,000 people, is part of this 7-night luxury river cruise from Lyons to Arles on board the luxury cruiser AmaDagio. With plenty of time in each port call, overnight stays during a week of castles, vineyards, wine tastings, fine wine and excellent cuisine include the cobbled medieval towns of Lyon and Touron, the rural riverside town of Vienne for an evening stroll past the waterside cafes, and Arles, home to Vincent van Gogh during his most productive last years, where some of his greatest works were painted. 

The week-long cruise now costs from £1,837pp, (previously £2,277), with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes.

July 18; Cruise past Europe’s steepest vineyards in the Mosel Valley and along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine through the Rhine Gorge, with its castles and medieval half-timbered villages, from Luxembourg to Nuremberg along the Mosel, Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal. The seven-night sailing departs from Remich (Luxembourg) and includes a late evening stay in Rudesheim, with its narrow streets lined with wine taverns, and in the lovely town of Koblenz and city of Frankfurt, allowing time to sample the relaxed evening ambience. 

This week-long voyage now costs from £1,487pp, (was £1,841), again with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes.

For booking details, follow this link to the river cruise specialists of the Cruise Line Ltd.

Wine & Tulips With AMA Waterways

AmaWaterways’ 2012 season of wine-themed cruises gets off to an auspicious start with a President’s Wine Cruise from March 29, featuring the Company’s Provence and Spain itinerary and the debut of the luxury river cruiser MS AmaDagio on the Rhone. 

The itinerary takes guests through some of France’s most renowned wine regions and includes complimentary wine-themed shore excursions and winery visits, onboard lectures, wine tastings and wine pairings at meals. Highlights are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Arles and Avignon; the beautiful villages of Viviers, Tournon, Vienne and Trévoux and excursions to the Beaujolais wine region. 

The cruise is hosted by AMA President Rudi Schreiner and Executive Vice President Kristin Karst, accompanied by Carissa Chappellet of Chappellet Winery in Napa Valley and Archie McLaren, founder of the Central Coast Wine Classic.   

The Wine Cruise takes place from March 29 to April 5 on the Rhone from Arles to Lyon, and costs from £1,645pp based on two sharing a cabin, including port taxes and all meals, excluding flights.

Or you can take in the Dutch bulb fields in bloom in spring time and include a trip to the amazing Keukenhof Gardens, where there are millions of tulips creating a dazzling carpet of colour.  

AMA's seven-night Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle cruise from Amsterdam to Remich (Luxembourg) costs from £1,595pp per person for a French balcony cabin, departing on April 1, based on two sharing a cabin, including port taxes and all meals, excluding flights.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury river cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Sail Into The Festive Season

Escorted tours specialist Titan Travel has an extensive programme of worldwide holidays, including cruises through the waterways of Europe, Alaska, Egypt, China and Scandinavia. In the weeks leading up to Christmas they offer a selection of festive European cruise itineraries to the famous Christmas markets along the Rhine and the Danube and still have space available for passengers to join Titan MD David Wild on an exclusive Rhine Cruise departing on December 14.

The no-fly five-day cruise conveniently departs from Dover and travels by luxury coach to Cologne where the group will board the well-appointed 4-star Regina Rheni II with its elegant and cosy cabins. Highlights of the cruise include a guided tour of Cologne with its majestic cathedral, a masterpiece of the High Gothic period, and a walking tour through the ancient cobbled streets of Koblenz, located on the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers. Christmas is a magical time to explore both cities with their festively decorated traditional wooden Christmas market stalls selling handmade gifts and warming drinks.

The final part of the journey cruises a 40-mile section of the upper middle Rhine through some of its most beautiful scenery with numerous castles strung out along the river valley and the chance to see the famous Lorelei Rock, with a final stop at the pretty Rhine valley town of Rudesheim. The five-day cruise costs from £825 per person and includes four nights full board accommodation in a mid-range cabin, complimentary table wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner, return coach travel from Dover to Cologne, Eurotunnel crossing, excursions with English-speaking guides and the VIP Home Departure Service.

For more info, visit www.titantravel.co.uk or, for more European river-cruises, see the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Viking Announce Two More 'Longships' For 2012

Viking River Cruises have announced two more new-ship builds in 2012 in response to the high demand for bookings in the next two years.

The new ships are in addition to the four already in service. The new builds will copy the design of Viking’s current 'green' Longship vessels, including the Viking Prestige and Legend. The Longships will be 443ft long, feature 95 staterooms per ship and will boast key innovations such as:

Two Explorer Suites — which will be the largest river-cruise suites each, featuring a separate living room, bedroom, bathroom and private wraparound veranda, offering 270-degree views.

Seven 275sq ft Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda from the living room and a French balcony from the bedroom.

Thirty-nine Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas.

A new all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace that reinvents the lounge by bringing the outdoor river scenery indoors with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

Al Fresco dining areas on the Upper deck, adjacent to the lounge to present more dining choices to guests.

And Sustainability upgrades such as energy-efficient hybrid engines, solar panels, efficient, hybrid propulsion system and an onboard organic herb garden.

The six ships are scheduled to sail Viking’s most popular European itineraries, including the 15-day Grand European Tour, 8-day Romantic Danube, 8-day Danube Waltz, 10-day Tulips & Windmills and 8-day Rhine Getaway.

For further info, visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk or consult the river-cruise experts of specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

AmaWaterways to Relocate AmaDagio to the Rhone

Award-winning river-cruise line AmaWaterways will relocate its beautiful 150-passenger MS AmaDagio to the Rhone River in Southern France at the start of the 2012 season. The ship will cruise a 7-night Lyon to Arles (and reverse) itinerary from late March through to the end of the year as part of the company’s popular “Provence” river cruise programme.

AmaWaterways President Rudi Schreiner said: “We are extremely happy our guests in France will be able to travel the Rhone on a ship that we custom-designed and built ourselves. The AmaDagio will enable us to deliver the premium onboard experience and provide the same high level of amenities and services our passengers have come to expect from a cruise on the Danube and Rhine.”

Highlights of the “Provence” cruise itinerary include excursions to the renowned Beaujolais wine region; visits to a winery, local market and olive farm; tours of Roman ruins; and overnights in the UNESCO Heritage sites of Avignon and Arles, where guests will experience the Provencal landscape that inspired poets, painters and writers for centuries.



A week’s `Best of Provence’ sailing on board AmaDagio in 2012 costs from £1,654 per person, based on two sharing, including all meals, wine with dinner, complimentary use of onboard bicycles, free Wi-Fi and infotainment centre and daily escorted tours.



For more info, visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or the river-cruise experts of cruise-agent specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

More Savings With Avalon Waterways

Luxury river cruise specialist Avalon Waterways has increased the number of discounted departures on a selection of its river cruises this summer and autumn with savings of up to £1,400 off per couple. Discounted cruises are now available for departures in July, August and October on itineraries on the Danube and Rhine as well as in Burgundy and Provence.

The 13-day ‘Blue Danube Discovery’ from Budapest to Prague is now priced from £1485 per person with a saving of £1400 per couple for the October 17 departure.

The 11-day ‘Burgundy & Provence’ from Paris to Cote d’Azur or vice versa is priced from £1,865 per person with a saving of £700 per couple, departing from Heathrow on July 25 and 31 and August 8 and 22.

The 14-day ‘Windmills, Vineyards & Paris’ from Paris to Amsterdam or vice versa aboard one of the newest Avalon vessels, Avalon Luminary, is now just £1,915 per person, with a saving of £1000 per couple on August 1 and 13 sailings.

Then there is the 8-day ‘Romantic Rhine’ from Zurich to Amsterdam (or vice versa), now priced from £1,115 per person, with a saving of up to £1000 per couple on July 16, 23 and 30 and October 22.

The 4-day ‘Taste of the Danube’ from Vienna to Budapest costs from £749 per person, with savings of up to £500 per couple on July 16, 23 and 30 and October 22 departures. For a longer itinerary, the 11-day 'Legendary Danube' from Prague to Budapest costs from £1,579 per person with savings of up £1,000 per couple.

All prices include return flights, full board accommodation, regional wines and beers served at dinner, a door-to-door private home pick-up service, guided sightseeing and the services of a professional Cruise Director.

Other discounted itineraries and regional departures are available at a supplement by visiting www.avaloncruises.co.uk or from the UK's specialist cruise agents, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Introducing MS AmaCerto

As a continuation of its investment in custom-designed, state-of-the-art, luxury river cruisers, award-winning AmaWaterways has announced the newest addition to its fleet: MS AmaCerto. The twin-hulled ship will debut in Europe in April, 2012, with exciting features that are not only new to Ama's fleet, but to river cruising generally.

This deluxe, 164-passenger ves­sel incorporates the most advanced design, offering spa­cious staterooms featuring two balconies; a heated swimming pool; and multiple fine dining venues.

Most staterooms will have an innovative ‘twin balcony’ - Ama's hallmark of French balconies, as well as a step-out balcony where guests can sit and watch the river scenery drift slowly by. The most deluxe category, the 350sq ft Suite, features a separate sitting area, large bathroom with separate bathtub, as well as two balconies.

Every stateroom aboard AmaCerto will also feature Ama's exclusive Infotainment system, which includes complimentary Internet access and first-run Hollywood movies, plus complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the vessel.

Public areas include a spacious Main Lounge and Observation Lounge at the forward section of the vessel, as well as an elevator, 24-hour speciality coffee and tea, lounge, fitness centre and sauna, and a massage, hair and beauty salon. Like the other custom-built ‘Ama’ ships, the new vessel will carry a fleet of bicycles for guests to use in port.

One of the most innovative features is the amount of deck space. There are teak loungers on the Sun Deck, as well as a giant chess board, heated pool, whirlpools and a walking track. But this ship also has a Lower Sun Deck and a teak Front Deck, each offering a different vantage point for enjoying the glorious scenery along the Rhine and Danube.

AmaCerto will also offer more dining options than any other ship in Europe. As well as the main dining room, guests can try the Erlebnis Chef’s Table Restaurant, where a private chef will prepare a special tasting menu. Light lunches will be served in the lounge as an alternative to the dining room, while the Wine Room, another unique feature, will seat up to 12 guests for a private dinner. On fine days, lunch will be served on the Sun Deck.

AmaCerto will sail on the Mosel, Rhine, Main and Danube in 2012. A seven-night cruise on 1April 12 costs from £1,591, including full board, all excursions, internet access, wine with dinner, evening entertainment, use of the ship’s fleet of bicycles in port and port charges. Flights are extra.

For more info, visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or the cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

New From Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways has launched its full programme of 2012 river cruises with the announcement of two new ‘suite’ ships, Avalon Visionary and Avalon Vista, both due for delivery in 2012.

Following high demand for the industry’s first ‘suite ship’ Avalon Panorama (launched in May), the new ships will offer the same state-of-the-art sleek design, spacious suites and focus on service as their sister ship. Two full decks of suites; Panorama suites (200 sq ft), Royal Suites (300 sq ft) and deluxe staterooms (172 sq ft) will be available on both new ships.

Continuing to revolutionise river cruising, the suites will feature the same 11ft wall-to-wall panoramic windows that open to create unique ‘open air balconies’, as well as king-sized beds facing the windows, full sized bathrooms and upgrades and enhancements throughout. New for next year, Royal Suite guests will have access to in-room Apple iPads.

Avalon Vista will sail on the 11 day ‘Legendary Danube’ (from £2,199pp), the 13 day ‘Blue Danube Discovery’ (from £2,445pp) and the 15 day ‘Magnificent Europe’ cruise (from £2,749pp). The Visionary will be sailing the 8 day ‘Romantic Rhine’ (from £1,665pp) as well as the new Festive cruises.

New itineraries include the 10 day ‘Paris, Moselle & the Rhine’ (from £2,059pp), 12 day ‘Upper Rhine to the City of Music’ (from £2,519pp), 13 day ‘Rhine & Moselle’ (from £2,599pp) and Jewels of Central Europe (prices from £3,389).

The 2012 programme features 36 river cruise itineraries with prices starting from £999 for ‘A Taste of the Danube’ to the 19 day ‘Danube & Black Sea Coast’ cruise from £3,379pp. Festive cruises to see Europe’s spectacular and atmospheric Christmas markets have been added with four itineraries to choose from in December. Prices lead in at £1,099pp with the ‘Christmas in Alsace & Germany’ from Basel to Frankfurt.

As well as onboard gratuities, a privately chauffeured door-to-door home pick up service (within 75 miles radius of the airport/Eurostar station), port charges and all transfers are included. With a choice of flexible travel arrangements on offer, there is a choice of regional flights and Eurostar options to make the journey as easy as possible.

For more info, visit www.avaloncruises.co.uk or the specialist river-cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Take a Waltz With Johann Strauss in 2012

Noble Caledonia have just released their new MS Johann Strauss brochure for 2012 featuring cruises along the Dutch Waterways, Rhine, Moselle and Danube Rivers.

The vessel has just been refurbished to offer some of the most comfortable accommodation on the European waterways and the company's themed cruises continue to be extremely popular, including some of the best wines of Europe as well as a garden themed cruise.

The ‘Rivers of Music’ cruise went on sale last month and has already sold out, so there are now an additional two dates for this fascinating cruise with the London Festival Opera.

There are also some new inclusions for 2012 along with a greater range of pre and post-cruise extensions, such as Transylvania, Prague and Lucerne.

For more info, visit Noble Caledonia or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Wine-Tasting On The Danube with AMA Waterways

For the first time, AMA Waterways is offering UK guests a wine-themed river cruise hosted by a British celebrity when renowned wine critic, journalist and television personality Jilly Goolden comes on board the cruise line’s luxurious AmaDolce for a Danube cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest on November 14.

Goolden, known for her eccentric descriptions of wine that have included pear drops, liquorice and even rubber, presented BBC’s `Food & Drink’ show for 18 years. She went on to write a series of books on wine and food, and to appear in a number of TV shows, including the fifth series of `I’m a Celebrity – Get me out of here.’

Goolden will join guests on AMA's picturesque `Romantic Danube’ voyage past rolling hillsides, vineyards and medieval castles, through Austria’s captivating Wachau Valley with highlights that include visits to Vienna and Budapest.

While on board, she will present her knowledge of local wines, host wine tastings, accompany guests on a wine-themed shore excursion and mingle with passengers during meals and in the ship’s public areas.

All presentations, wine tastings and excursions are complimentary to guests and are included in the 7-night cruise price, starting from £1,376, which also includes all meals, wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles.

The cruise is one of a series of wine-themed cruises offered by AMA in October and November, timed to coincide with the harvest. The cruises will showcase Europe’s wine regions on the Rhine, Mosel and Danube, and, in addition to Goolden, will feature hosts such as Anthony Dias Blue, one of America's most influential wine, food and lifestyle personalities, and representatives from the Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma, and winemakers from the St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Santa Rosa and Trinchero Napa Valley.

Itineraries include complimentary onboard lectures, wine tastings and excursions to historic vineyards and cellars. Passengers will also enjoy special wine-themed excursions, such as a Medieval Wine Fest in the Mosel town of Zell; a traditional “Heuriger” tasting of new wine in the villages of Grinzing and Neustift on the outskirts of Vienna; a tour and tasting at the historic Bergweiler Winery in Bernkastel; an introduction to Alsatian wines at the “Wunsch et Mann” winery in Wettolsheim and an unforgettable candlelit evening and wine tasting at the Hofkeller, or cellar of the famous Residenz in Wurzburg.

Each of the distinctive wine-themed activities is complimentary and open to all passengers.

For more info, look up www.amawaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

eWaterways Rhine Cruise ‘Taster’

eWaterways, the niche river cruise experts, have launched a 3-day ‘taster’ cruise along the magical Rhine with five-star river yacht Royal Crown. Ideal for those new to cruising or short on free time, the cruise comprises a round trip from historic Cologne to Koblenz for a concentrated mix of German culture, sightseeing and leisure along one of the world’s most beautiful rivers.

It is the first taster cruise to be offered on Royal Crown and represents excellent value for money. At just £229 per person on a full board basis, guests will enjoy a truly luxurious cruise experience on a vessel often described as “the Orient Express on water” and renowned for its bespoke client service.

In addition, there will be no single supplements for the cruise, which takes place on July 26 and 28, with a 4-day option on July 23 that takes in wine-making town Rudesheim in addition to Cologne and Koblenz and costs £339 per person.

Starting in Cologne, the famous cathedral city crammed with museums and art galleries, guests are able to explore the sights and sounds before boarding Royal Crown in the late afternoon and setting sail for Koblenz in the evening.

This lesser known destination is a beautiful Roman town situated on the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) where the Rhine and the Mosel rivers meet. It is a tourist’s dream with numerous castles, palaces and monuments to explore. En route to Koblenz, Royal Crown will sail through the glorious Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before mooring below its ancient fortress walls.

In Koblenz, guests can enjoy the picturesque public gardens, discover the town centre, which is made up of narrow lanes and romantic squares or visit the stunning Federal Horticultural Show, an annual event in July with more than 48 hectares of flowers arrangements.

At full capacity, Royal Crown caters for just 88 guests in 44 luxuriously appointed cabins with flatscreen TVs and fully-stocked mini-bars to promise an all-inclusive and sophisticated cruise holiday. The river yacht’s design exudes 1930s glamour and the 52-strong team caters to individual needs, with every comfort onboard considered, from the choice of pillow to a favourite tipple.

The traditional ambiance and décor is propelled into the 21st century with modern facilities, including a spa, golf putting area, well-equipped fitness room and 24-hour multimedia business lounge. Those new to cruising or cruise lovers in need of a quick battery recharge can relax and enjoy a luxurious mini break inclusive of exquisite fine dining, entertainment and the Rhine’s stunning vistas.

For more info, vist www.ewaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Gardening and Cruising for Summer 2011

This summer, gardening enthusiasts can indulge in their hobby while enjoying a luxury European river cruise that takes in one of the world’s most spectacular flower shows, the `Bundesgartenschau’ Germany’s famous Federal Horticultural Show. Award-winning AmaWaterways is offering complimentary entry to the show on seven of its luxury Rhine river cruises during summer 2011 as part of a range of complimentary shore excursions.

The Bundesgartenschau ('BUGA') is a major event in Europe’s horticultural calendar and takes place every two years in different cities in Germany. This year’s venue, Koblenz, is one of the most popular cultural centres on the Rhine, and the show runs from April 15 to October 16. The venue allows guests on seven of AmaWaterways’ luxury river cruises to spend a day wandering around hundreds of stunning landscapes and floral garden displays which take over the whole town, normally better known for its wood-timbered houses and many wine taverns.

Dazzling displays of exotic gardens will be created at the Kurfürstliches Schloss (Electoral Palace) and the Blumenhof (Flower Garden) at Deutsches Eck in Koblenz itself, but the most dramatic exhibits will be at the Ehrenbreitstein Castle, perched high on a hilltop on the opposite bank, with sweeping views down over the Rhine and Moselle. Lavish exhibitions and romantic gardens will turn the castle’s plateau into a floral paradise, with themes including nature and the environment and even wine-growing. As an added bonus, large parts of the Prussian fortress have been opened to the public for the first time.

The seven-night `Enchanting Rhine’ cruise from Amsterdam to Basel costs from £1,763pp, excluding flights.

For more info, visit www.amawaterways.co.uk or the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd

AMA's Great River-Cruise Savings

AmaWaterways is offering savings of £175pp and complimentary flights and transfers up to £250 per person on selected luxury Rhine river cruises this summer, a total saving of £425 on a flight-inclusive river cruise package, with prices now from £1588 per person, based on a 7-night sailing from Remich (Luxembourg) to Nuremberg on May 6.

All of the sailings also include complimentary entry to Germany’s famous horticultural festival, The Bundesgartenschau (`BUGA’), which this year takes place in Koblenz, turning the half timbered town into a floral paradise.

Departing on June 24, AMA also has a saving of £425pp off a flight-inclusive seven-night luxury river cruise, taking in some of Europe’s most fascinating cities along the scenic Mosel and Rhine from Amsterdam through the Rhine Gorge to Mainz, before returning to Koblenz, and on to the Mosel River Valley to Cochem and Bernkastel. Now £1588 per person (was £2013), including return UK flights to the value of £250pp, and 7 nights cruising, including champagne breakfasts, lunch and gourmet dinners with wine, daily complimentary shore excursions and entry to the BUGA horticultural festival, free wi-fi and free use of bicycles.

Contact AMAWaterways at www.amawaterways.co.uk river-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Great Rail Journey's New Brochures

Why fly to start your cruise when you can go by the relaxing and sedate way of rail travel, as did the travellers of a bygone age? Great Rail Journeys are specialists in escorted holidays by train. They offer more than 200 individual rail tours to over 40 countries. With in excess of 30 years of experience, they understand exactly what makes a holiday by train - or a 'land cruise' - successful.

There is nothing quite as relaxing as a cruise combined with a gentle rail journey. Savour ever-changing scenery along the tranquil banks of the Seine or travel effortlessly past the majestic castles and enticing views of the Rhine, Seine and Elbe. Head out into the open sea across the crystal-clear Mediterranean or the Norwegian coast, stopping at fascinating port towns along the way. There, rail cruises offer the best of both worlds. Train and cruise holidays that combine the luxury of a cruise with the relaxing convenience of a train.

For more info, see www.greatrail.com.

A 'Royal' European River Cruiser

eWaterways, the niche and river cruise experts, continue to expand their luxury cruise portfolio with the addition of five-star river yacht Royal Crown. The luxury cruiser renowned for its private members’ club feel and bespoke client service will begin a new sailing programme with eWaterways this April, offering an authentic exploration of some of Europe’s most iconic cities via historic rivers and lesser known waterways. To promote the launch, there will be NO single supplement for solo travellers throughout 2011.

Royal Crown will launch 10 thoughtfully assembled itineraries across 12 European countries for a rediscovery of popular destinations such as Prague, Vienna and Budapest from a more intimate, relaxing perspective. Taking in the myriad sights along the enchanting Rhine; encountering the less familiar but infinitely beautiful Mosel as it winds through the Black Forest or enjoying the magnificent Danube as it traverses fairytale landscape on its way to the Black Sea, each cruise ensures that every stage of the journey is an awe-inspiring and integral part of the travelling experience.

On the Dutch Golden Age Journey, guests will see up close the charming canals and gabled town houses of 17th century Amsterdam onboard the Royal Crown II, the river yacht’s private sloop, before setting sail on the Ijsselmeer for the picturesque port towns Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Volendam. Those opting for a longer cruise holiday, such as the two-week Grand Europe Journey. will follow in the steps of the Romans as they voyage to celebrated cities including Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava and the Bavarian region.

At full capacity, Royal Crown caters for just 88 guests in a total of 44 luxuriously appointed cabins with flatscreen TVs and fully-stocked mini-bars to promise an all-inclusive and sophisticated cruise holiday. Often described as an 'Orient Express on Water', the river yacht exudes 1930s glamour and style with Art Deco design and bespoke butler service.

The 52-strong team caters to each individual’s needs with every comfort onboard considered, from the choice of pillow to a favourite drink, everything is taken care of. The traditional ambiance and décor is propelled into the 21st century with modern facilities, including a deluxe spa, golf putting area, well-equipped fitness room and 24-hour multimedia business lounge. On each cruise, guests - and particularly solo travellers - will enjoy a luxurious offering: exquisite fine dining, classical music concerts and, of course, Europe’s most stunning vistas, all at great value.

For more info, visit www.ewaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Uniworld's Fabulous New River Cruiser

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises have christened their latest vessel, SS Antoinette at the Port of Amsterdam, bringing a new class of super-ship to the world of river cruising.

In a first for the industry, the Antoinette boasts unique conservatory balconies in its top deck suites and staterooms. Each has a full open-air private balcony that, with a touch of a switch, raises the glass to create a completely enclosed conservatory, ensuring a connection with the open air and the river’s scenery, whatever the weather.

There are many other innovative features designed not only for the guests’ ultimate comfort and enjoyment, but also to ensure it is among the most environmentally friendly ships in river cruising.

The swimming pool, designed with stunning blue mosaic tile, is enclosed and provides the perfect place for a quiet nap, an invigorating swim or a place to simply watch the passing scenery as the entire area is enclosed in glass with floor-to-ceiling windows that open up. On the Sun Deck, guests can enjoy the Leopard Lounge and the elegant L'Orangerie, an indoor/outdoor dining venue. Both venues’ ceilings and windows can collapse on demand if the ship needs to pass under a low bridge. There is also a 22-seat cinema with Dolby Surround sound, the first movie theatre on any river cruise ship.

The Antoinette has just begun her inaugural season on Uniworld’s popular ‘Castles along the Rhine’ itinerary. Prices for this 8-day itinerary start from £1,850 and include accommodation in a category 5 room, shore excursions with local guides, all meals with complimentary European wines, beer and soft drinks during dinner, return flights, UK private car door-to-door transfers, and airport transfers on arrival and departure day.

For more info, see http://www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk/ or the river-cruise specialists of cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

AMA Waterways Offers - Save Up To £867pp

AmaWaterways have cut the cost of a 7-night luxury river cruise through Holland's spectacular bulb-fields, departing on April 1, to £1,299pp, saving £624pp (was £1,923). The spring flowers are at their best from mid-March through to mid-May, and this is the perfect time to discover the beauty and history of the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Prices include all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner; free Wi-Fi and free use of onboard bicycles and daily excursions.

A 7-night cruise on May 1 and 7 along the Rhine and Moselle, from Amsterdam to Luxembourg visiting Cologne, enjoying wine-tasting in Rudesheim, passing half timbered towns and villages, castles andvineyards, can now be booked from £953pp, saving £867pp (again including all meals, wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi, use of on board bicycles and daily excursions).

Departing May 14, there are savings of £348 off a 7-night Rhone River cruise from Arles to Lyon, with prices from £1479 per person (was £1827). The sailing cruises to Avignon through beautiful wine-growing regions producing grapes for famous wines as Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Or try a June 3 river cruise along the Rhine and Moselle, again on the Luxembourg-Amsterdam route, from £956pp, saving £871pp (was £1827).

For more information, contact http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/ or the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

The Uniworld Difference

The S.S. Antoinette is Uniworld's new ship in 2011. At 443ft long and 37.5ft wide (the longest in the river cruise industry), she boasts 82 staterooms, a 164-passenger capacity, European officers and crew, and offers 7-night cruises in the Netherlands and Germany along the Rhine River.

What makes Uniworld different from most other river cruise companies is the unique relationship and bond they have with sister company, the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Their shared passion for excellence and caring sincerely about each and every guest is embodied by their philosophy "no request too large, no detail too small."

Red Carnation’s award-winning collection of family-run, world-class hotels is renowned for its expertise in operating luxury boutique hotels. Their loyal, dedicated professional team offers warm and discreetly attentive personalised service, and they take immense pride in making every effort to fulfill and exceed guests’ expectations, making guests feel truly “at home.”

Combining this same professional expertise with decades of outstanding nautical experience, Uniworld say this makes the company stand apart from its competitors.

For further information, visit www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk/ or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

AMA Waterways River Cruise Offers

The following offers from AMA Waterways are now available.

3rd April, 1st & 7th May: Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle, saving up to £867pp

A 7-night luxury river cruise along the Rhine and Moselle, from Amsterdam to Luxembourg, visiting Cologne, with wine tasting in Rudesheim, passing half-timbered towns and villages, castles and vineyards, can now be booked from £824pp, saving £738pp (was £1562), departing on 3rd April, or on 1st May for £953pp, saving £867, and on 7th May for £925, saving £838. Prices include all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner; free Wi-Fi and free use of on board bicycles and daily excursions.

14th May: Lavender, Wine and the Rhone with £348pp saving

Departing 14th May, this 7-night Rhone River cruise from Aries to Lyon now costs from £1479 per person (was £1827pp), fully inclusive. The sailing departs from Aries and cruises to Avignon through beautiful wine-growing regions producing grapes for famous wines like Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

3rd June: Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle with £871 saving per person

This 7-night luxury cruise along the Rhine and Moselle, from Luxembourg to Amsterdam and visiting Cologne, with wine-tasting in Rudesheim, can now be booked from £956pp, saving £871pp (was £1827).

30th July: Europe's Rivers and Castles with £839pp saving

Another 7-night Rhine cruise is now from £924 per person (was £1763pp). The cruise begins in scenic Nuremberg and meanders through Europe’s most beautiful scenery along the Mosel, Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal, concluding in Luxembourg. Again, the price includes all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi, use of onboard bicycles and daily excursions.

For more details, visit the river-cruise agents of The Cruise Line or http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/

AVALON WATERWAYS LAUNCHES FIRST PREVIEW BROCHURE FOR 2012

Avalon Waterways has launched its first ever preview brochure with five of its most popular European river cruise itineraries for 2012. The selection includes the ‘Magnificent Europe’ (15 days from £2489), ‘Burgundy and Provence’ (11 days from £1999), ‘Romantic Rhine’ (8 days from £1445), ‘Black Sea Discovery’ (11 days from £2115) and the ‘Legendary Danube’ (11 days from £1685) river cruises.

A series of great value early booking offers will be available on 2012 cruises including £400 off per couple and free travel insurance for all bookings made before 20 May 2011 as well as half price upgrade supplements (excluding suites) for bookings made by 30 April. Included in the price for the first time are onboard gratuities for the Cruise Director and crew to provide even better value.

Avalon Waterways’ hassle-free river cruise holidays feature a range of benefits included in the price. As well as onboard gratuities, a privately chauffeured door-to-door home pick up service, port charges and all transfers are included. With a choice of flexible travel arrangements on offer, there is a choice of regional flights and Eurostar options to make the journey as easy as possible. Based on a full board basis, the fine dining onboard includes a range of international and regional dishes with local wines, beers and soft drinks served on complimentary basis with dinner. Sightseeing with local guides with individual audio sets means visitors get the most of shore excursions.

For further information visit http://www.avaloncruises.co.uk/ or The Cruise Line