European Waterways Bring in 2012 with Panache!

European Waterways is delighted to announce a new addition to its fleet, the 12-passenger luxury vessel Panache, bringing its portfolio of luxury hotel barges on offer to 21.

The 128ft Dutch hotel barge will embark in April and May 2012 on 6-night round-trip ‘Tulip Cruises’, starting and finishing in Haarlem, visiting the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens with the largest display of flowers in the world, the world-famous Delft pottery and the cheese centre of Gouda. There will also be an optional excursion to the amazing Floriade 2012, World Horticultural Expo in Venlo (April 5 to October 7).

Panache will then reposition via Belgium, Paris and Champagne to cruise the beautiful Canal de la Marne au Rhin from Mittersheim to Strasbourg in Alsace-Lorraine between June and October. This is a region with a unique mix of French and German cultures, Baroque and Romanesque architecture.

The new vessel is a beautifully-appointed hotel barge with spacious public areas and six air-conditioned double/twin en-suite cabins, each bathroom having twin hand-basins and oversize showers with massage jets. There are large panoramic windows in the saloon for viewing the passing countryside and the barge has been fitted out in traditional yacht style with brass and mahogany fittings. A large sundeck and heated spa pool complete the picture.

The on-board crew of six comprise the Captain, Master Chef, Deck Hand, Tour Guide and Hostesses. Their extensive knowledge of the region, escorted private excursions, together with the availability of 12 bikes and even a tandem, combine to ensure passengers will have the opportunity to explore the surrounding areas in detail.

Guests can expect to enjoy regional dishes such as Sea Bass with Cucumber and Smoked Eel and Roasted Duck à l’Alsacienne, accompanied by fine wines such as Gewurztraminer Reboltz and Sylvaner Cuvée Réserve. The all-inclusive prices lead in at £2,790 per person in a twin/double suite and at £25,600 for a whole boat charter.

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

AMA Go Christmas Market Cruising

During November and December, AmaWaterways is offering the opportunity to cruise Europe’s finest Christmas markets from the comfort of a festive luxury river cruiser. As well as being able to shop for traditional crafts, gifts and decorations, guests on board this winter’s Christmas market cruises will enjoy a festive atmosphere as the ships are decorated with trees, garlands, swags and lights, and festive fun includes carolling performances, hot spiced mulled wine and seasonal entertainment.

Here are two prime examples:

Danube Christmas Market Cruise: This seven-night voyage sails between Nuremberg and Budapest, allowing guests time to browse the markets at Nuremberg, Regensberg, the numerous different markets in Vienna and finally in Budapest, where the ship cruises past the city’s dazzling Christmas illuminations. AmaWaterways has nine departures for this itinerary, which operates in both directions, on November 27 and December 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18 and 19. It costs from £995 (saving £381) per person, including breakfast, lunch, dinner with wine, soft drinks and beer, free wi-fi and use of on board bicycles.

Rhine Christmas Market Cruise: These voyages from Basel and Amsterdam (and vice versa) include the many and varied markets in Freiburg, Strasbourg, Worms, Rudesheim and Cologne, from the medieval themes of French Strasbourg to the pretty market in Rudesheim and the impressive display in Cologne, with more than 160 wooden stalls in the shadow of the magnificent Cathedral. AMA has five Rhine departures, every Saturday from November 26 to December 17 with prices from £1,285 (saving £91).

For more booking details, be sure to contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on this link.

Cruise & Shop on a Christmas Market Voyage

Why visit one Christmas Market, when you can take in several? This November and December luxury river cruise operator AmaWaterways is offering the opportunity to cruise Europe’s finest Christmas markets from the comfort of a festive five-star river cruiser.

As well as being able to shop for traditional crafts, gifts and Christmas decorations guests on board this winter’s Christmas market cruises will enjoy a festive atmosphere as the ships are decorated with Christmas trees, garlands, swags and lights, and festive fun includes carolling performances, hot spiced mulled wine and seasonal entertainment.

DANUBE CHRISTMAS MARKET CRUISES: AmaWaterways’ seven-night 'Christmas Time Cruise' sails between Nuremberg and Budapest allowing guests time to browse the markets at Nuremberg, Regensberg, the numerous different Christmas markets in Vienna and finally in Budapest, where the ship cruises past the city’s dazzling Christmas illuminations.

There are nine departures: November 27 and December 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18 and 19. The itinerary operates in both directions, Nuremberg-Budapest and Budapest-Nuremberg and costs from £995 (saving £381) per person, including breakfast, lunch, dinner with wine, soft drinks and beer, free wi-fi and free use of onboard bicycles.

RHINE CHRISTMAS MARKET CRUISES: AMA's 'Rhine Winter Voyages' from Basel and Amsterdam (and vice versa) include the many and varied Christmas markets in Freiburg, Strasbourg, Wurms, Rudesheim and Cologne, from the medieval themes of French Strasbourg to the pretty market in Rudesheim and the impressive display in Cologne, in the shadow of the magnificent cathedral with over 160 wooden stalls.

There are 5 departures weekly, every Saturday from November 26 until December 17, with prices from £1,145 (saving £231) including including breakfast, lunch, dinner with wine, soft drinks and beer, free wi-fi and free use of onboard bicycles.

See more at www.amawaterways.co.uk or the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Cruise Through Your Christmas List With eWaterways

Dating back to 15th century Germany and the Alsace region of France, Christmas markets are a fantastically traditional way to prepare for the festive season and, with eWaterways, the niche and river cruise specialists, stress-free Christmas shopping combined with a spectacular winter cruise holiday is guaranteed.



The Amadeus Brilliant and the Royal Crown, two of Europe’s finest river cruise ships, will both sail the German and French waterways this November and December to offer cruisers an authentic Christmas Market experience.



The brand new luxury river ship Amadeus Brilliant, which launched this April to much acclaim, will take in Cologne, Koblenz, Strasbourg, Basel and Speyer for the 6-day 'Magic of Advent' cruise on the Rhine. Starting and finishing in Cologne, guests will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds: luxurious surroundings of the cruise ship and the delights of arriving in cities bursting with festive colour, aromas and sounds.



Stopping in Strasbourg, there will also be time to enjoy France’s eastern-most city on the border of Germany, where the Christmas market takes place on Grande Ile, a UNESCO Heritage Site and the first city centre to be granted world heritage status. Guests will be able to make the most of the ambiance and excitement of the markets, each selling a plethora of hand-made and unusual gifts, whilst sipping on a steaming mug of mulled wine. This is how Christmas should be!



The 'Magic of Advent' 6-day cruise takes place on 27 November, 2 December, 7 December and 12 December. Prices start from £465 including taxes and charges per person (cruise only) and include 5 nights on the Amadeus Brilliant on a fullboard basis, the Captain’s Gala Dinner and daily onboard musical performances.



The five-star river yacht Royal Crown will embark this November on a series of round trips to Mainz for the 4-day 'Historic Christmas Markets' cruise. A major highlight of this voyage is the breathtaking city of Rüdesheim. The Christmas market here brings a distinctly festive feel to the romantic old quarter and its popular Drosselgasse – a cobblestone lane with more than 120 stalls, which, during the festive season, showcases Christmas traditions from across the globe.



Sailing along the Middle Rhine Valley - a photographer’s dream, with numerous castles, palaces, vineyards and picturesque villages - guests can opt for an optional walking tour that includes visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites Ehrenbreistein fortress and Stolzenfels Castle. The historical port city of Cologne, with its horse drawn carriages, sparkling lights and medieval churches, offers fabulous shopping opportunities at eight different Christmas markets all within walking distance of each other.



The 'Historic Christmas Markets' 4-day cruise takes place on 28 November, 5 December and 12 December. Prices start from £400, including taxes and charges per person (cruise only) and 3 nights on the Royal Crown on a full board basis, with welcome and farewell dinners.



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