New ports of call in Europe for Viking cruises

VIKING cruises today announced the addition of two new itineraries and a variety of new pre- and post-cruise extensions to its river cruise offerings for 2019. 

Debuting in March 2019, the new 10-day Holland & Belgium itinerary will sail between Amsterdam and Antwerp, allowing guests to explore the inland waterways of the Low Countries and visit new ports of call for Viking: Rotterdam, Maastricht and Nijmegen.

Also, in commemoration of World War II and D-Day, Viking will offer a new 11-day cruisetour, Paris & D-Day 75th Anniversary, with two special departures that coincide with the June 6, 2019 anniversary. On this historic journey, guests will travel from London to the maritime city of Portsmouth before boarding their ship in Paris and sailing through Normandy, where they will visit and honor D-Day landing sites.


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Business or pleasure afloat on the Thames

CITY Cruises has acquired its first dedicated events boat, named the Erasmus. The 300-capacity boat is City Cruises only private-hire corporate and leisure event venue in #London.

The 38-metre vessel has several versatile indoor and outdoor spaces including, three alfresco decks, a formal 130-seater dining space with booth and table seating, plus a large inside mid-deck room which increases the inside vessel capacity to 300 guests.

The flexibility and technology capabilities of the boat allows event organisers to host corporate product launches, award ceremonies, company gatherings and personal celebrations from weddings to birthday parties.

Erasmus’ galley and kitchen team will cater to a wide variety of dining styles, from casual fare to canapés, fine dining and upper deck BBQs during the summer months.



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Solo Sojourn on the Yangtze River

CHINA'S landscapes are vast, its history and monuments epic. Complex and energetic – this is a country which must be experienced at least once in a lifetime. And the Yangtze River, the world’s third longest river at 6,280 kilometres (3,900 miles), is its symbolic lifeline. Flowing from Tibet to Shanghai and cutting through the dramatic mountains of the Yangtze River basin, the river’s fortunes are inextricably entwined with those of the country itself. 

Historically, the Yangtze served as a divider between northern and southern China, a natural barrier against invaders, and a waterway for transport and commerce. Today, the river basin is the country’s heartland, home to 500 million people – a tenth of the world’s population. One of the best ways to experience the #Yangtze is by #boat. And the luxuriously appointed Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer is hard to beat. 

Exploring the very best stretches of this immense waterway, this elegant vessel introduces a new standard of cruising in #China. More intimate and luxurious, with the largest cabins and suites on the river, all with private balconies and floor to ceiling picture windows, as well as the highest crew to passenger ratio on the river of 1:1, the atmosphere is more private club than cruise ship. 

www.sanctuaryretreats.com

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Cruise to the city of Three-Frontiers

CONSTRUCTION of the new La Jangada catamaran began In April 2018. The 12 and 13-day adventure itineraries expect to be operational by April 2019 and will cruise through Brazil, Peru and Colombia. 

 La Jangada, which means The Raft in Portugese will have 12 luxurious and spacious cabins on board, each with a private bathroom and large windows that look out on to the river. This cruise is the only luxury tourist catamaran operating in the Amazon region. 

Cruise from Manaus, Brazil to Tefe, Brazil or from Manaus, Brazil to Leticia, Colombia. Leticia is also known as the city of Three-Frontiers, as it borders Brazil, Peru and Colombia.

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Contribute to sustainable tourism in the Ecuadorian Amazon

CEO of Advantage Travel and Anakonda Amazon Cruises, Raul Garcia, has been nominated for PURE Awards 2018’s Contribution to Experiential Travel honor. Garcia is one of five contestants shortlisted for the award. The annual trade show describes the honor as going to an “individual whose efforts have directly influenced the development of the experiential travel movement.”

Driven by a desire to conserve and explore the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest, Raul Garcia has spent over 40 years promoting responsible tourism and introducing people from all over the world to the ancestral communities of the Amazon. Raul founded the first and only luxury river cruise in the Ecuadorian Amazon—the Anakonda. On the 25th anniversary of his successful travel agency, Advantage Travel, Raul unveiled a second vessel, the Manatee, in July 2017. By developing a model where the local communities of the rainforest share in the profits of the industry, Raul has helped to promote sustainable tourism in the region.


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First modern riverboat departs from New Orleans

AMERICAN Song, the 1st modern riverboat in U.S. history, departed from the Port of New Orleans on October 6, 2018. Underway at 100% capacity, this historic new riverboat is off to a great start and is cruising the Mississippi River on its 8-day inaugural sailing between New Orleans and Memphis. An unforgettable cruise with stops at Oak Alley, Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, Natchez, and Vicksburg, arrives in Memphis October 12th.

American Song is the first ship in American Cruise Lines’ new modern #riverboat series—the 2nd ship in the series, American Harmony, is already well under construction and will be launched in a few weeks. American Cruise Lines is pleased to offer American Song and its new series of modern riverboats in addition to its current fleet of authentic paddlewheelers.

American Song will continue to cruise the #Mississippi throughout 2018. In 2019, American Song will reposition out West to the Columbia & Snake Rivers and 2nd modern riverboat, American Harmony, will begin cruising the Mississippi.

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Hit the Links in France

WITH interest in this year’s Ryder Cup at an all-time high, the biannual event is raising the profile of France as a golfing destination, says European Waterways. Scheduled for L'Albatros Course in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, just 20 miles from Paris, the #RyderCup pits the best of European golfers against top American players. It is being held in #France for only the second time in history, bringing new appreciation for the country’s many world-class golf courses. 

A number of vessels cruise just hours from the site of this year’s Ryder Cup, allowing guests to “hit the links” in regions that include Burgundy and the Canal du Midi, as well as neighboring courses in the Loire Valley. Between rounds of golf, guests can also participate in culinary excursions, wine tastings and exclusive tours of castles and stately chateaux.


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Colonial chic river cruising

CRUISING is an attractive option to experience corners of exotic Southest Asia landscapes, mysterious World Heritages and colonial history - a leisurely relaxing trip on the tranquil waters of some most stunning rivers. The intimate cruises experience take deeply to the water on a relaxed voyage to explore far flung destinations from the river. 

Experience the sights and sounds of Burma’s Ayeyarwady River or the World Heritage Site of Vietnam’s Halong Bay on a elegance wooden yacht. Sail between Vietnam and Cambodia in a colonial style vessel. Ciao Travel offer amazing journeys for 2018 and 2019, either Cruises or experience land destinations around magical Southest Asia.

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Picture credit: Ciao Travel

On the water . . .

AFTER releasing selected 2020 Europe river cruising itineraries on 6 June 2018, Viking has opened all Europe river cruises for 2020. The line has done this in response to unprecedented demand, and is the only company to have 2018, 2019 and 2020 all on sale at the same time. Guests can lock in a 2020 cruise at 2018 prices with just a $500 deposit. Viking had already opened 2020 sailings of Pharaohs & Pyramids and Oberammergau, The Passion Play in March, due to strong demand.

This announcement comes on the heels of an impressive list of recent accolades for Viking: 

• In February, Viking swept Cruise Critic’s 8th Annual Cruisers’ Choice Awards with 10 First Place honours. 
• In 2017, the company was named the #1 ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s 2017 World’s Best Awards 
• Viking was voted the Best River Cruise Line by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards.

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Water way to relax

HOTEL barge cruising specialist European Waterways announced the completion of its recent upgrade and refurbishing program across the company's fleet as it prepares to launch its 2018 season.

Hotel Barging is a boutique, unique experience which offers an immersive, all inclusive "gentle voyage of discovery" that focuses upon the culture, history, fine wine and gourmet cuisine of the region. 

With a 6 to 20 person capacity and 1:2 crew to guest ratio, European Waterways are able to provide an impeccable level of on board service and can transport their guests on the intimate inland waterways that are inaccessible to larger vessels. This fascinating network of smaller canals allows for flexibility, spontaneity and ample opportunity to hop off and explore the beautiful surroundings via bicycle or on foot. 

In addition to this there are daily chauffeured excursions "off the beaten track" to a wide variety of enthralling locations, from exquisite wine tastings to private tours of stately homes. With over 40 years' experience and a fleet that spans nine countries it is the largest luxury hotel #barging company in #Europe.

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Climb aboard for spring savings

SPRING is an ideal time to visit Burgundy. Warming temperatures are perfect for sightseeing and cycling alongside the canals. The hillsides are in bloom with colorful flowers, market squares return to life as town folks set up their open-air shops again, and the scenic waterways reward travelers with the lively songs of birds. The nearby city of Paris is also a prominent spring destination. 

European Waterways is jump-starting its spring 2018 hotel #barge cruising season by offering up to 20% off cabins and charters in #Burgundy, #France. The offer is available for select departures in April on some of its most popular cruise routes in the famed wine-making region. Eligible hotel barges include L’Impressionniste, La Belle Epoque, L’Art de Vivre, Finesse, and Renaissance. Cruises must be booked by February 19, 2018 to be eligible and other restrictions may apply. 

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Picture Credit: Burgundy

Christmas market cruises in demand

A huge demand for Christmas market cruises in 2017 has prompted European river cruise line, Riviera Travel, to expand its yuletide cruise offering in 2018 by 167 per cent and add a new and longer festive season cruise in eastern Europe. 

As one of Europe’s major river cruise operators, Riviera Travel increased the number of its first-ever Christmas market cruises in December, 2017, from six to nine to meet burgeoning demand but will offer a total of 16 sailings across four of its five-star river ships in December, 2018.

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Cruise the Chicago River

SET to open in Summer 2018 is the new Odyssey Chicago River Experience. This single-level, glass-enclosed boat will ply the waters of the Chicago River, offering stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding architecture. 

The vessel is available for full and partial charters, accommodating a maximum of 200 guests. Operating year-round, the climate-controlled Odyssey will offer upscale brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktail menus. 

The cruise boards on the north side of the #Chicago River, near NBC Tower.


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Boutique Adventure on the Irrawaddy Delta

BOUTIQUE river cruise company Pandaw Expeditions has announced the launch of a brand-new expedition, sailing into the heart of the vibrant and varied landscape of the Irrawaddy Delta, exploring its maze of tributaries which remain untouched by tourism. 

‘The Great Irrawaddy Delta’ itinerary will set sail from and return to Rangoon, weaving through the complex labyrinth of waterways on a fascinating seven-night river cruise. Explore the contrasts of indigenous village life, markets, ancient trading ports, temples, churches and mosques, and have the chance to spot a plethora of birdlife and wildlife. On the waterways, fishermen and turtle egg hunters ply their ancient business, while exotic migratory water birds paddle in the shallows.

This expedition is truly a step back into a bygone era. Since the Raj, life in the Delta has seen little change, although British civil engineering increased the cultivatable land through dykes and barriers, connecting the Delta with the Yangon River. 

In the heyday of the Raj, the Delta’s rice production fed vast swathes of the British Empire. In the early 1900’s The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company operated over 100 creek steamers across the Delta connecting these rice towns and villages when there were neither roads nor bridges.

Departures start from 10 March 2018. Prices are from US$2,117pp (currently £1,695pp), based on sharing a twin cabin.

For more information go to www.pandaw.com


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Zambezi River sunset cruises

A cruise is a great way to relax and enjoy the spectacular Zambezi River in #Zimbabwe with opportunity to see a variety of game; including hippo, crocodile, and elephant as well as enjoy the many different bird species that can be found living along the river.

Wild Horizons started their summer sailing schedules for sunset cruises on the Zambezi River on September 1st.

The fleet consists of three pontoon style boats and the 2 hour cruise includes the knowledge of a guide, finger snacks and local beverages. Transfers are included in the rate and guests are collected from all hotels and B&B’s in Victoria Falls town.

http://www.wildhorizons.co.za/zimbabwe-activities/zambezi-sunset-cruise/

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Thames cruises with a Shakespearean twist

#CITYCRUISES is marking the 400th anniversary of William #Shakespeare’s death by treating passengers on the #Thames Circular cruise to spontaneous theatrical performances.  

Throughout April, actors will entertain passengers with renditions of each and every one of his plays.

The sightseeing cruises, departing from Bankside next to the Globe Theatre, will be filled with sonnets, sketches, and scenes, including a montage of Shakespeare’s insults from a variety of plays including a Winter’s Tale and Much Ado About Nothing.

The performers will demonstrate how regularly we use Shakespearean language in our lives, and re-enact the story of Hamlet in just five minutes.

Passengers can relive Romeo and Juliet, take part in The Tempest and mingle with Macbeth as the boat sails past London’s most famous landmarks, from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to Shakespeare’s Globe and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

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Amazon trips for soccer fans

RAINFOREST #CRUISES will be running #OlympicGames-linked #Amazon River trips from Manaus – the city which will host three Olympic soccer matches – next August. The cruises depart between the opening and closing ceremonies of the games and range from two to 10 days in length.

Says Jeremy Clubb, owner of Rainforest Cruises: ‘Similar to the World Cup, where we experienced a 130% increase in bookings, we forecast another spike in demand for Amazon Cruises during the Olympics. We noticed groups of friends and families would charter vessels as accommodation and to explore the Amazon … essentially a two for one.’

On-board activities will include expert talks from naturalists, nightly entertainment, and Brazilian cuisine. Expeditions on the trips include a visit to the Anavilhanas Archipelago – home to some of the wildest waterfalls in the region – Piranha fishing. guided jungle walks, visits to traditional villages, and the opportunity meet people whose lives revolve around the Amazon River and rainforest. 

Types of vessels range from traditional wooden boats and classical schooners to modern boats with swimming pools.

Prices range from $539/£352 per person (2-day) to $2,389/£1,560 per person (10-day).

www.rainforestcruises.com

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Travel facts . . .

FRED. OLSEN CRUISE LINES’ 929-guest ship Braemar will for the first time ever be based in Southampton for a six-month cruise season next year. 

Due to Braemar’s shorter and shallower draft, the line is able to offer a series of #RiverCruises in 2016 to destinations including Seville in Spain, Rouen in France, Lisbon, and cities in Germany. 

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Picture Credit: Braemar (ship, 1993) by Ivan T. - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Popularity of river cruising rising among Brits

THE popularity of river cruises has continued to grow with the number of UK passengers taking a holiday on waterways in Europe and further afield growing by 6% in 2014, according to figures released by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The number of British travellers taking a river cruise grew by almost 8,000, taking the total number to 139,400 last year.

Europe remains by far the most popular region for UK travellers to take a river cruise, accounting for 86% of all passengers. On the continent, the River Danube’s (see top) popularity continued to soar, with passenger numbers rising 41%.

Cruises on Russia’s rivers also grew in popularity, climbing by 15%.

Andy Harmer, director of CLIA UK & Ireland, says: ‘With the continued investment in new ships and the ever-increasing choice and diversity of itineraries in Europe and further afield, it’s no surprise that more UK passengers than ever are opting for river cruises as their holiday choice.’

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