Mar 18, 2010 by Elina Vaysbeyn - 1 comment
Amber Nolan is on deck with the latest cruise deals, industry news, ship reviews, and advice on finding the perfect voyage to suit your personality.
The Luxury Experience Avalon Waterways, whose unique cruise/land tours, combined with outstanding service and a sleek, modern fleet, landed the company one of Sherman’s Travel 2009 Smart Luxury Awards. The 138-guest Avalon Scenery glides along the Saône and Rhône rivers through the French countryside of Burgundy and Provence on 7-night sailings to Arles, in Provence (followed by a one-night hotel stay in Nice). Guests board the ship in Chalon-sur-Saône (about 185 miles from Paris) after bunking down for two evenings in the French capital (premium hotels are included in rate). Port highlights include the Beaujolais wine region, Lyon, Avignon, and others –complimentary shore excursions and guided sightseeing are offered for each. Read the rest of this post »
The hardest part of planning a trip to South America? Trying to fit its far-flung cities and sites into one doable itinerary. From well under $3,000 to over $4,000, these cruises visit both popular and remote spots, while adding on exciting excursions and amenities without breaking the bank. Read the rest of this post »
This year, French Country Waterways is tipping their glass to married couples everywhere by offering a quinquennial wedding anniversary special (for those that have been together for five or more years). The luxury river-barge line is reducing rates by five percent for each quinquennial anniversary celebrated. The longer couples have been married, the more they’ll save (it almost makes up for those brief moments when they may have wanted to kill each other). Lovebirds celebrating their golden anniversary will save 50 percent! This offer is valid from April through October, however to get the most bang-for-the-buck, as part of shoulder-season savings, sailings in April are already reduced up to $1,000 – starting from $4,845.
After a night stranded in Vienna airport due to the winter storm in Washington, D.C., I’ve made it back safe and sound from my Viking Christmas Market cruise along the Danube. Although it was bitter cold throughout my trip, there was a gentle snow fall in every port that made this unique voyage a bit magical. I had traveled from one snow-globe city to another, stopping for a mug of rich hot chocolate or mulled wine in each bustling marketplace while the season’s spices lingered in air.
After embarking from Amsterdam on July 5, the new Viking Legend is nearing the end of its inaugural voyage. During the 15-day Grand European Tour, the new ship has been navigating the water of five nations, including the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary. As the ship sails down the Rhine and Danube Rivers passengers can enjoy the scenery in nearly every public area of the ship, from the panoramic windows in the atrium to the 360 degree views on the outdoor sundeck. Of the ships 97 staterooms, an impressive 74 percent offer French balconies, and all of the remaining rooms contain a picture window.
Yesterday, the luxury cruise line Peter Deilmann made a surprising announcement that it will be discontinuing its river cruises in 2010, as reported by Travel Weekly and others. The German cruise line has been offering four and five star niche cruises for nearly 25 years now, and has collected an impressive list of awards.
The company cited economic conditions, fluctuating exchange rates, and a drop in passenger numbers as reasons for the decision, and all eight of the river ships will be sold after the summer sailing season has ended. Although this is the end of its river cruise program, it plans on continuing ocean cruising with luxury liner, the ms Deutschland.
It is disappointing to see another casualty of the difficult times, especially one that was so well revered in the cruise industry.