Avalon Waterways Sets New Ships, Itineraries for 2010

Avalon Waterways in 2010 will christen two new ships in Europe and will increase its vacations by nearly 20 percent with more than 30 itineraries of five to 23 days in Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos. Avalon Waterways has created five new river cruises for 2010. “Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches” is an eight-day trip roundtrip from Paris, while “Grand France” is a 16-day vacation between Paris and the Côte d’Azur. The 13-day “Castles on the Rhine to the City of Music” travels from Zürich to Vienna, while the four- or five-day “A Taste of the Danube” sails between Vienna and Budapest. In the winter, the 12-day “Christmastime in Germany and Austria” sails between Frankfurt and Vienna.

In 2010, the company will christen its fifth new ship in less than 36 months, bringing Avalon’s Europe fleet total to 10. The company serves passengers unlimited complimentary local wine with all onboard dinners and features regional entertainment, land programs and an English-speaking staff.

To celebrate its new offerings, and to encourage travelers to book the cruise of their dreams, Avalon is offering early-booking incentives. Guests receive $150 per person off any 2010 Egypt, China, Galapagos or “Taste of the Danube” cruise-and-land-only vacation or $300 per person off when booking air on the same itineraries. For most Europe cruise vacations, the deal increases. Guests can receive $250 per person off select Europe river cruise-and-land-only vacations or $500 off per person when booking air on the same itineraries. Bookings must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between March 25 and June 30 for travel through Dec. 31, 2010. The offer applies to new 2010 bookings and will not be applied to existing bookings.  Call 800-640-4899

New Vessel for Galapagos 2010 - Cruise West

In celebration of Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday, Cruise West, one of the world’s leading providers of small-ship exploration cruises to the most fascinating destinations on earth, has updated its popular Galapagos itinerary. During the 2010 season, the 10-day/9-night cruises will journey throughout Darwin’s inspiring islands on the elegant, 100-guest Galapagos Explorer II, sister ship to Cruise West’s Spirit of Oceanus. The itinerary to this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been rearranged, ensuring that visitors receive maximum exposure to the Islands’ diverse wildlife and spectacular scenery. Save up to $600 per person by booking and paying in full by May 22, 2009.

Galapagos cruises depart March 29 and April 5, 2010; prices begin at $4,999 per person, double occupancy. Three tiered early booking and final payment savings are available - book and pay in full by May 22, 2009 and save $600; by July 16, 2009, save $400 and by September 11, 2009, save $200 per person. The cruise plus optional six-day Peru land tour starts at $9,499 per person. Travel Agents are encouraged to participate in Cruise West’s live online training programs.

More Information 800-640-4899

AMAWATERWAYS Launches new ship

 Award-winning European river cruise line AMAWATERWAYS will celebrate the newest addition to its fleet, MS Amalyra, with an Easter Sunday christening along the spectacular Danube River. The luxurious MS Amalyra will sail its inaugural cruise on the newly-introduced, 7-night “Romantic Danube,” itinerary departing April 6, 2009 from Budapest, Hungary. Christening ceremonies will take place on Sunday, April 12 in the quaint town of Vilshofen, Germany and will include local dignitaries, entertainment, and a festive spring-time atmosphere.

Michelle Morgan, president of the Signature Travel Network, will serve as the ship’s godmother. A highly-regarded travel industry visionary, Morgan heads the prestigious retail travel cooperative that generates close to $4 billion dollars in annual sales. In addition to Morgan and members of the board of directors of the Signature Travel Network, distinguished guests onboard the sailing will include AMAWATERWAYS chairman, Jimmy Murphy.

ABOUT AMAWATERWAYS

Industry leader AMAWATERWAYS is the fastest-growing river cruise line in Europe known for its innovative product and state-of-the art vessels. The 148-passenger MS Amalyra joins a distinguished fleet that includes MS Amacello and MS Amadante (2008), MS Amalegro (2007) and MS Amadagio (2006). An additional new vessel, the MS Amadolce, will debut in May, 2009. And, two exciting new vessels will be under construction for the line in 2010.

Like its sister ships, MS Amalyra will boast a sleek, upscale design and décor; high-tech amenities (such as complimentary Wi-Fi); and traditional European service and ambiance. The AMAWATERWAYS vessels feature an unparalleled array of features and complimentary services, including: spacious, 170-square-foot standard cabins, with over eighty percent boasting French Balconies; plush bedding with down duvets; flat-screen TVs; in-room “Infotainment system” with complimentary Internet access; marble-appointed bathrooms; spa-quality bath amenities; terry robes; and slippers. Gourmet meals in the restaurant are accompanied by complimentary local wines and specialty coffees. The vessels also feature a fitness center, beauty salon, whirlpool, walking track on the Sun Deck, and a fleet of bicycles for passenger use. An elite AMAWATERWAYS cruise director accompanies passengers. And expert local guides conduct complimentary city tours at each location.

RiverDiscounts 800-640-4899

AmaWaterways Offers Free Air to Europe for April

AmaWaterways is offering free air to Europe during April from New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Seattle. The free air is valid only on new bookings made between Jan. 13 and Feb. 14, and is not combinable with other offers. Reservations must be paid in full at the time of booking. Solo passengers can choose either the free air or elect to have the single supplement waived. The promotion is available to passengers who book the following April departures: “Tulip Time,” April 3, April 5 and April 10, nine days, Holland and Belgium; “Spring Time Cruise,” April 8 and April 18, 12 days, Amsterdam to Paris; “Romantic Danube,” April 3 and April 7, 12 days, Prague to Budapest; “Europe’s Heartland Cruise,” April 22, 14 days, Paris to Prague; and “Cruising Portugal & Spain,” April 14, 12 days, Douro River Valley.

AmaWaterways offers outside staterooms, of which 82 percent have French balconies; hotel-style beds; TV and complimentary Internet in every stateroom; complimentary Wi-Fi in public areas; wine, beer and soda with every dinner; complimentary espresso and cappuccino; champagne breakfast daily; bottled water in every stateroom; all-inclusive daily shore excursions; nightly onboard entertainment; and complimentary bicycles for exploring. For more information, call 800-640-4899

New River Cruise from Calcutta to Benares

Pandaw are thrilled to announce a new river expedition sailing between Calcutta and Benares on the Ganges and Hugli rivers starting September 2009.



The RV Bengal Pandaw was launched in Burma as Pandaw IV in 2004 and has twenty-eight promenade deck staterooms.  The eight hundred mile expedition will be of fifteen days duration. Only ten sailings are planned for the coming season.



The expedition takes in a number of the most important historical sites in India including the colonial splendours of Calcutta, the sacred places of Buddhism around Bodh Gaya and Benares, now called Varanasi, the great cultural centre of Hinduism.

In addition, the Pandaw will stop daily in smaller towns and villages to see handicrafts, rural life and a variety of local cultures as we pass from region to region.



Given the practical difficulties of crossing India by land, a river cruise makes the best sense covering a vast landscape in comfort and safety and exploring the real India well off the beaten track.

SPECIAL OFFER US$1000 OFF ALL CABINS FOR THE TWO MAIDEN VOYAGES -

28 SEPT AND 12 OCTOBER

More Information

River Cruising returning to Italy

Here's an exciting new development in Italy.  Noting, no doubt, the enormous growth in river and canal cruising in Europe, Italy has decided to get a piece of that action, and will be reopening some of its medieval and renaissance waterways to allow craft to navigate 300 miles from Lake Maggiore to Venice via Milan.

The Italians want to eventually be able to navigate all of the 14th-century, 90 mile stretch of waterways from Locarno in Switzerland to Milan.  The canal system would eventually connect to the River Po and then to Venice.  Engineers are to start work on the first five miles from Lake Maggiore to Somma Lombardo shortly.

In total, the project will cost about $1.5 billion.  It is not thought the waterways will provide commercial freight carrying services, but will be for tourism.

Asian River Cruises for less launched

A new River Cruise site for Asia has just been launched. Containing information for China, Burma, Thaliland, India, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The rivers include the Yangtze, Kwai, Chindwin, Irrawady, Brahmaputra, Mekong and Rajang.

The name of the site is  Asian River Cruises for less

Delta Queen nominated as endangered historic site

CINCINNATI (AP) -- The historic riverboat Delta Queen has been nominated to become one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

Landing on the exclusive annual list could save the steamboat from likely decay. On Oct. 31, a congressional exemption that allowed the wooden boat to carry more than 50 overnight passengers expired.

Owners say the boat, which can carry 176 overnight passengers, can't survive financially if it can only carry 50 passengers.

So Boone County Historic Preservation Review Board member Don Clare nominated the Delta Queen for inclusion on the list compiled by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The list raises awareness of preservation efforts. Only six sites on the list have been lost in two decades.

The steamer is currently anchored in New Orleans.

Tahitian Princess 5th cruise ship to leave Tahiti in 21 years, 2nd in 3 years

(Tahitipresse) - The 670-passenger Tahitian Princess, which was based in Papeete since December 2002, left French Polynesia for good over the weekend, becoming the fifth cruise ship to leave in 21 years and the second to leave in three years.

Renamed the Ocean Princess, the Tahitian Princess is headed for a new cruising life elsewhere in the world, remaining part of the P&O Princess Cruises fleet. Its sister ship, the 670-passenger Pacific Princess, is due to arrive in Tahiti next October for three months of cruising.

Both Princess ships originally started out as Renaissance Cruises' 684-passenger R-4 and R-3 vessels based in Papeete for weekly cruises from October 1999 until September 2001 when Renaissance filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The R-3 and R-4 vessels were sold to Princess Cruises, becoming the Tahitian Princess and the Pacific Princess respectively.

Thus, the Tahitian Princess, whose capacity was reduced from 684 to 670 passengers, spent altogether some five years cruising in French Polynesia. That does not count the one-year it and the R-3, later to become the Pacific Princess, spent in between Renaissance and P&O Princess Cruises ownership.

No reason has ever been given publicly for P&O's decision to stop the Tahitian Princess cruises among Tahiti and Her Islands. It's most common cruise was a 10-day voyage to the Leeward Island of Huahine, the Tuamotu atoll of Rangiroa, the Leeward Islands of Raiatea and Bora Bora and Tahiti's sister island of Moorea.

The ship first left Tahiti for four months earlier this year when it operated cruises in Alaskan waters from June through September.

When operating in French Polynesia for a full year, the Tahitian Princess carried some 22,000 passengers in 2007 and some 15,500 this year. Since the majority of the passengers were American, that provided Air Tahiti Nui with a regular passenger volume for its Los Angeles-Papeete-Los Angeles flights.

Leaving Papeete for the last time over the weekend, the Tahitian Princess headed for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, via Moorea, Bora Bora, Pitcairn Island, Easter Island, Peru Ecuador, the Panama Canal, Panama and Costa Rica.

The ship is scheduled to make a world cruise and a season of unique Northern Europe sailings, followed by a series of Asian voyages. In announcing the Tahitian Princess' departure almost a year ago, Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises' senior vice president of customer service and sales, said, "As this ship is now sailing on itineraries around the world, we felt its name should reflect a more global theme." That explains its new name of Ocean Princess.

The Tahitian Princess' departure leaves two foreign-flag cruise ships based in Papeete for regular cruises. One is the 330-passener M/S Paul Gauguin, which celebrated its 10th anniversary of cruising in French Polynesia earlier this year.

The other is the 170-passenger, four-masted sailing ship Star Flyer, which began four years of 10- and 11-night cruises among Tahiti and Her Islands a year ago.

The Tahitian Princess is the fifth cruise ship to pull out of Tahiti since 1987, or 21 years ago. The four other ships were:

--American Hawaii Cruises' 715-passenger SS Liberté, which was based in Papeete from December 1985 to January 1987, and then was returned to Hawaii.

--Exploration Cruise Lines' 88-passenger Majestic Explorer, which was based in Papeete from October 1982 to November 1988 and then repositioned elsewhere.

--Wind Star Cruises' 148-passenger Wind Song, which was based in Papeete from July 1987 to November 1997 and from May 2002 until December 2002. It was replaced in January 2003 by the Wind Star, which left Tahiti in January 2005, ending 14 years of Windstar Cruises' presence in French Polynesia.

--The 439-passenger Club Med 2, which was based in Papeete from March 1995 until December 1997 and then was repositioned elsewhere.

Renaissance Cruises' 684-passenger R-3 operated out of Papeete from October 1999 to September 2001, later becoming the Tahitian Princess. The R-4 operated out of Papeete from January 2000 to September 2001, later becoming the Pacific Princess.

Viking River Sponsors Terracotta Warriors Exhibit in Atlanta

Viking River Cruises is supporting the efforts of Atlanta’s High Museum of Art to bring a display of Chinese terracotta warriors and related artifacts to Atlanta. The exhibit -- which recently ended a seven-month run at the British Museum followed by a record-breaking five-month run at the Bowers Museum in California -- opened to the public in November. It will remain at the High for more than five months before moving on to Houston’s Museum of Natural Science, then continuing to the National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall in Washington, D.C. “The First Emperor” was inspired by one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Featuring more than 100 works, including 15 terracotta figures, the exhibition is one of the largest groups of works relating to the First Emperor ever loaned to the U.S. by the Museum of the Terracotta Army and the Cultural Relics Bureau of Shaanxi Province in Xian, China. The exhibition will provide insight into the legacy of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, who reigned over a united China from 221 to 210 B.C.

“We have been taking travelers to see the terracotta army in Xian, as well as other key attractions in China, for the past five years,” said Torstein Hagen, founding chairman of Viking. “Our guests always tell us that seeing the terracotta warriors is one of the highlights of their China experience. We are thrilled to be helping Americans see some of China’s treasures that they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to see.” Viking River Cruises offers three China itineraries for 2009; each includes visits to Beijing and Shanghai and a Yangtze river cruise through the Three Gorges Area in addition to a stay in Xian to visit the terracotta army. The 12-day “Imperial Jewels of China” covers the highlights mentioned; the 16-day “China’s Cultural Delights” includes extra destinations on the Yangtze River; and the 16-day “Roof of the World” includes three days in Lhasa, Tibet.