Globus’ Avalon and Monograms Partner on Cruise Tours

The Globus family of brands’ Avalon Waterways and Monograms have put together seven- to 10-day pre- and post-cruise packages for river cruise itineraries in London, Paris, Nice, Amsterdam, Vienna, Prague, Munich, Zürich, Interlaken, Lucerne and Berlin. Monograms’ A Week in Paris vacation interlocks perfectly with Avalon Waterways’ Burgundy & Provence itinerary. And the seven-day Vienna & Prague vacation package is good fit with Avalon’s A Taste of the Danube itinerary, post-cruise. In 2010, Avalon Waterways and Monograms are offering nearly 15 pre- and post-cruise packages to fit many river cruise itineraries. Additional examples include Paris & Nice -- seven days, priced from $1,599, combining pre-cruise with Avalon Waterways’ Burgundy & Provence; Amsterdam, Paris & London -- seven days, priced from $1,389, combining post-cruise with Avalon Waterways’ Romantic Rhine, European Splendor, Magnificent Europe, Windmills, Vineyards & Paris or North Sea-Black Sea Cruise; and Vienna, Munich & Berlin -- 10 days, priced from $2,429, combining post-cruise with Avalon Waterways’ A Taste of the Danube

“Monograms is independent travel made simple and a perfect choice for first-time travelers to a destination. We pair travelers with local hosts in European cities to provide guided sightseeing and point them in the right direction on trip,” said Steve Born, vice president of marketing for the Globus family of brands. “We also ensure travelers are staying in hotels located in the heart of each city for easy access to sites. Booking a Monograms vacation pre- or post-cruise is a safe and easy way for agents to not only build business but also to enhance client satisfaction.”

To encourage travelers to book the cruise of their dreams, Avalon Waterways is offering early booking incentives. Receive $150 off per person on any Egypt, China, Galapagos or Taste of the Danube cruise/land-only vacation in 2010, or $300 off per person when booking air on the same itineraries. For most Europe cruise vacations, the deal increases. Receive $250 off per person on select Europe river cruise/land-only vacations, or $500 off per person when booking air on the same itineraries. Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus family of brands, a travel industry leader with 80 years of international travel expertise. Monograms offers travelers packaged vacation options, enabling them to embark on getaways in cities around the world, without any pre-planning. For information on Avalon Waterways, call 800-640-4899

Bengal Pandaw experiences ‘adventures a-plenty’ on her journey to the Ganges

Pandaw River Cruises’ 28-stateroom Bengal Pandaw has experienced ‘adventures a-plenty’ on her journey to her new life on the Ganges River.

Scheduled to leave Burma for Calcutta last month, a tug sent to pick up the luxury vessel in Rangoon ran into a cyclone on the India coast and had to seek refuge until the storm abated.

 When a second attempt was made to cross to Rangoon, the tug broke down and was forced to return home for repairs.

The tug finally made it to Rangoon on the third attempt, however, coming back across the Bay of Bengal a monsoonal storm hit the tug and Pandaw, and they didn’t reach the safety of India’s Hugli River (a tributary of the Ganges) until May 15.

“The last time a Pandaw river boat crossed the Bay of Bengal was ninety-odd years ago when a number were sent to support allied troops on the Tigris River during the First World War,” a spokesman said.

“But several were lost in a monsoonal storm on the Bay, which probably explains why we couldn’t get insurance for our tow this year!”

 

After storm repairs and a refit, Bengal Pandaw will be put back in service with an iron-clad promise to passengers that they will undergo “one the greatest river journeys in the world.”

Bengal Pandaw will set sail on spectacular 14-night sailings in September from Calcutta to Varanasi in the upper reaches of the Ganges, a luxury experience of over 1600 kilometres via a near-dozen ports.

For full details of her itinerary, daily sightseeing and prices for just 28 pampered couples 800-640-4899

Swan Hellenic’s new River 2010 itineraries

Fresh from the success of their return to European river cruising, Swan Hellenic is extending their river programme in 2010 with the Rhine as a new destination. Swan Hellenic’s River cruises in 2009 featured the Rhone and the Danube – destinations that also feature in the 2010 programme.

The Rhine has a host of surprises in store – passengers on A-ROSA Aqua enjoy a rich array of scenery as they sail a round trip from Cologne past Moselle vines to half-timbered towns and turreted historic castles. A vast array of inclusive excursions are offered, such as a visit to the magnificent Schwetzingen Palace Gardens and a walking tour of Basle that includes of a visit to the Pflaz royal residence.

As with their ocean cruises, Swan’s distinctive approach to discovery cruising allows passengers to gain greater insights and a further appreciation of each destinations history. Through knowledgeable on board guest speakers passengers hear about Roman campaigns to the South of France on the Rhone, whilst along the Danube, an exploration of the origins of Baroque art and architecture and stories behind the Cold War will be on agenda. Whilst on the Rhine hear about finds dating back to Neolithic man, military campaigns fought over the Alsace region or the story behind Martin Luther and the Diet of Worms – all promise to fascinate!

With A-ROSA’s modern vessels matching the style and luxury of ocean-going vessels, passengers will travel in comfort aboard A-ROSA’s sophisticated fleet of river vessels that have been designed with Europe’s great rivers in mind. With less that 200 passengers on each cruise every one will benefit from an outside cabin, which with all the spacious public rooms and decks, allow travellers to soak up the cultural feasts of these three great rivers.

Swan’s River cruising is going from strength to strength as Colin Stone, Swan Hellenic’s Managing Director comments, "We’ve expanded the 2010 programme to include the Rhine due to the success of the 2009 programme. Swan River cruising is popular with passengers as they experience the same ocean-going standard, whilst seeing some of the most spectacular sights that Europe has to offer. A Swan Hellenic River cruise allows passengers to discover the heart of Europe in comfort and style."

An 8 day river cruise starts from just £1325 per person - fares are inclusive of flights and transfers. What’s more, Swan’s price promise means that once a cruise is booked, if prices go down in future brochures, they will refund the difference – plus they guarantee no fuel or currency surcharges.

Rajang River Cruising

We are delighted to announce the safe arrival of the ORIENT PANDAW in Sibu on 2nd May after a 72 hour crossing from Saigon under her own steam. All is on schedule!

The maiden voyage on the mighty Rajang River is on 1st July. This is an eight day journey deep into the Borneo jungle where few travellers have gone before. Jungle tumbles off the mountains into the muddy eddies of this little explored river. Incredible flora and fauna in this the most bio diverse place on the planet, long houses of ex head hunters, colonial vestiges, all  conspire to make this a very unusual journey.

For the maiden voyage the explorer and travel writer Redmond O'Hanlon will be joining us and will give a series of talks on his own Rajang expedition, described in his classic book INTO THE HEART OF BORNEO.

More info on Borneo Cruises

AMA Waterways Sets New River Itineraries for 2010

AMA Waterways announced a new lineup of itineraries for 2010. In addition to its recently announced “Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong” program in Southeast Asia, the line’s European offerings has increased to 20. The AMA Waterways lineup for 2010 includes itineraries on the Danube, Main, Rhine and Mosel rivers, as well as the Douro River in Portugal, the Rhône in France and the Volga-Baltic waterways in Russia. New land programs also have been added.

New for 2010 is the seven-night “Romantic Christmas Cruise” with two nights in Prague; the seven-night “Enchanting Rhine” cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, plus two nights in Luzern and two nights in Zurich; the seven-night “Rhine Winter Voyage” from Basel to Amsterdam with two nights in Zurich and two nights in Luzern; and the “Heart Of Portugal & France,” a combination of the “Cruising Portugal & Spain” and “Provence & Spain” itineraries. Also new is the optional pre-Prague land program -- two nights in Berlin and two nights in Dresden -- now available on spring and fall “Romantic Danube,” “Legendary Danube” and “Christmas Time” cruise itineraries.

The previously announced “Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong” cruise-tour, launching this fall, includes two nights in Hanoi, an overnight junk cruise in Ha Long Bay, three nights in Siem Reap/Angkor, a seven-night Mekong River cruise aboard the new La Marguerite, and one night in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Contact RiverDiscounts 800-640-4899

Canadian Travel Company Offers Great Lakes Cruises

The Great Canadian Travel Company is offering seven-night cruises on the Great Lakes aboard the 100-passenger, all-suite Clelia II. The cruises operate on four of the five Great Lakes from Toronto, Ontario, to Duluth, Minn. The cruise includes welcome and farewell receptions; all meals; house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; and open bar throughout the cruise. Tours and excursions also are included, as are educational programs and guest lecturers. Fares start at $5,595 per person, including transfers between pier and airport, port and embarkation taxes, and gratuities to porters, guides and drivers. There are 12 departures this year between June 27 and Sept. 12.

The cruise starts in Toronto and travels on Lake Ontario and bypassing Niagara Falls with time for an excursion. There’s a day at sea while cruising past Detroit and onto Lake Huron. The cruise then visits Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island, where the Wikwemikong Reserve is a thriving community that has never ceded authority to Canada. Next is a visit to Mackinac Island and passage through Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie. The cruise continues through the Portage Waterway to call at Houghton and Thunder Bay before concluding in Duluth. For more information

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

It’s That Time of Year Again!

It's time for the major cruise lines to release their next year's set of itineraries! Spring is in the air, so of course you're beginning to think of your 2010 winter cruises, right? Well, the cruise lines are, and often with their itinerary announcements comes some wonderful offers (such as for Princess past passengers who book early), or best savings for those looking for specific time frames like Christmas or New Year's, or certain cabins for itineraries like Alaska.

It's also when we start to see trends in the industry, such as fewer ships seasonally in Alaska, South America and Australia/New Zealand, and get to learn what new itineraries may be announced for familiar ports or even ships sailing from new ports. Even if you're not actively planning for 2010/2011, it is interesting to watch the announcements to see if something new pops up which catches your fancy.

First up in the long series of releases will be Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara. Azamara kicks off the series on March 4 with their 2010 European deployment schedule, followed by Celebrity on March 5 with the opening of their much-anticipated Bermuda and Canada/New England itineraries.

The full opening schedule (subject to change) for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara can be found below:

Royal Caribbean 2010/2011 Deployment Opening Schedule

• March 12 - Europe/Transatlantic
• March 19 - Alaska
• March 24 - Asia Summer
• March 25 - Northeast (Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada/New England)
• March 31 - Panama Canal
• April 9 & 16 - Caribbean Year Round and Summer
• April 22 - Short Caribbean, Bahamas
• April 28 - Mexico
• April 29 - Seasonal Caribbean
• May 5 - Dubai
• May 6 - Winter Europe
• May 12 - Australia, Hawaii
• May 14 - Asia Winter
• July 15 - South America

Celebrity 2010/2011 Deployment Opening Schedule:

• March 5 - Bermuda, Canada/New England
• March 10 - Europe, Transatlantic
• March 17 - Alaska
• April 2 - Panama Canal
• April 14 - South America
• April 23 - Short Caribbean, Bahamas
• April 30 - Seasonal Caribbean

Azamara 2010/2011 Deployment Opening Schedule

• March 4 - Europe, Transatlantic
• April 8 - Exotic Winter

I usually get the schedule of sailings a day or two prior to the official opening, so if there's an itinerary in which you're interested, or a port which you want to watch for new ships or itineraries, let me know! And of course, when you're ready to book one of the new dates, I'm here to assist you.

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