Balconies on River Cruises
An Australian cruise operator is making waves on the Rhine and the Danube, writes Mike Heard.
APT World Discoveries has criticised the advent of full-size balcony areas on some European river ships, saying they make cabins less comfortable and don't get much use anyway.
The criticism is seen to be aimed at fierce rival Scenic Tours, which has been heavily promoting new-design balcony cabins on the so-called spaceships it will operate on the Rhine, Danube and other European rivers next year.
The balcony areas are big enough for a table and two chairs. Vessels of most other river-cruise companies, including APT, have only french doors opening on to a railing.
Scenic's advertising invites Australians to experience Europe river cruising in a "whole new way" by seeing Europe from a private balcony. APT says other river cruise operators have rejected the private balcony concept "because of the adverse impact on the comfort inside the cabins caused by narrowing the interiors and the limited time passengers spend on balconies".
APT says balconies are fine for ocean cruising, where passengers are at sea for several days at a time. But river cruising offers sightseeing on both sides of a vessel, so passengers using private balconies are going to see only half of the action.
The company has just announced plans to build two more 150-passenger vessels in partnership with European operator Amadeus Waterways, giving it a fleet of eight by 2010.