Peter Deilmann Cruises Bale out

Peter Deilmann Cruises has withdrawn from the river cruising market with the division of the German-based company declared insolvent.

The decision will impact “hundreds” of group and charter Australian bookings, Sydney-based general sales agent Classic Voyages said.

A statement from Peter Deilmann said that its “river ship division has been moved into insolvency which is the German for corporate reorganisation”.

“The 2010 river cruise program has been cancelled and charter and group operators involved have been advised of this situation,” the company said.

The 2009 season will go ahead as planned.

The move does not affect voyages of its cruise ship ms Deutschland, which is separately owned and operated.

Peter Podesta, managing director of Classic Voyages, said the river cruising vessels have independent owners and it remained to be seen what decision they will make over future bookings. “As more information comes to hand we will advise the trade,” he said.

The operation has been losing money in a tough market which the cruise company could no longer sustain.

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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

Uniworld leverages a hotel partner on Europe’s rivers

River cruise ships are often described as floating hotels. Uniworld River Cruises has gone a step further in making its newest ship, the River Beatrice, just that.

Uniworld has a unique resource in that parent company TravCorp also owns the Red Carnation Hotel Collection of luxury boutique hotels. Red Carnation's designers were employed to make the ship's interior look less like that of a ship and more like that of, well, a boutique hotel.

"It's been our philosophy that we want to position Uniworld at the top end of the market," said Guy Young, president of the Los Angeles-based Uniworld. "We want to be a luxury boutique hotel group on the waters. Certainly, what we've done with the Beatrice is set the standard for the company going forward."

Consequently, Young said that Uniworld "spent a lot more on the ship" than on any previous Uniworld ship, most of which went to interior design details and extras such as the made-to-order Savoir Beds (an English bed company established in 1905).

And while the Red Carnation team has weighed in on the interiors of previous Uniworld ships, Young said the company really "kicked it up a notch" with the Beatrice.

For instance, the ship is filled with all original artwork that was scouted at auctions and antique stores -- the owner's suite features art by 20th century English Impressionist Paul Maze. Staterooms have Egyptian cotton bedding and towels from Christie's of Manchester.

With 15 suites and 65 staterooms, the vessel has far more suites than any other Uniworld ship. The most suites on any Uniworld ship until now had been four.

The 160-passenger Beatrice, which launched softly in April, is Uniworld's 10th ship in Europe, and at 410 feet it is the river cruise operator's longest ship to date.

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

Uniworld’s new River Beatrice

Uniworld’s new River Beatrice set sail on March 24, and hosted the godmother and namesake of the ship, Beatrice Tollman, founder and president of Red Carnation Hotel Collection, a sister company of Uniworld. Tollman christened the ship in the medieval, walled city of Nuremberg, Germany. In attendance were Guy Young, president of Uniworld; Christine Sustreanu, director of European operations for Uniworld; Mike Ness, CEO of The Travel Corp. (the parent company of Uniworld); and the entire Tollman family. The River Beatrice sails a nine-day “Enchanting Danube” program from Budapest to Passau, visiting Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Durnstein, Melk, Linz (Salzburg) and Passau. Uniworld is offering 2-for-1 air and $300-per-couple savings off of the “Enchanting Danube and the “Danube Holiday Markets” river cruises. Prices start at $1,799 per person, cruise only. For more information, call riverdiscounts. 800-640-4899.

Tauck launches new river cruise ship

 On April 27, the Tauck family, along with local dignitaries and business colleagues, gathered in Passau, Germany to christen Tauck World Discovery's third new riverboat since 2006, the MS Swiss Jewel.  

The Swiss Jewel joins its sister ships in Tauck’s growing riverboat fleet, comprised of the MS Swiss Sapphire launched last April, and the MS Swiss Emerald launched in 2006.  

“Our goal is not to be the biggest river cruise line, but to be the best,” said Dan Mahar.  “Having the Swiss Jewel enter service is another exciting milestone in our efforts.  She lives up to the same award-winning standards set by the Swiss Sapphire and the Swiss Emerald, and we look forward to hosting our first Tauck guests aboard the Jewel in the coming days.” 

Guests aboard the 361-foot Swiss Jewel will enjoy a relaxed and casually elegant atmosphere, as the ship accommodates just 118 guests, versus 150 or more on other similarly sized vessels. The Jewel offers a total of 59 outside-facing staterooms, including 14 suites and seven junior suites.

As on Tauck’s other vessels, the Jewel’s 300 square-foot suites are highlighted by floor-to-ceiling windows, French balconies, walk-in closets and marble baths with full size tubs. The additional 45 junior suites and cabins range from 150 to 183 square-feet, with 85 percent of all accommodations including floor-to-ceiling windows and French balconies. Each of the Jewel’s suites, junior suites and cabins feature plasma TVs, mini-bars, terry cloth robes, radios, safes, individual air conditioning and L’Occitane toiletries. 

The Jewel also provides guests with a second onboard dining option, the Lido bar, where bistro-style food is offered as a more casual alternative to the ship’s main dining room. Other onboard amenities include a 24-hour Jacuzzi, lounge and wellness center. Along with a ship’s crew of 29, the Jewel also has an onboard staff of three Tauck Directors and one Tauck Cruise Director.

Those interested in learning more about the Swiss Jewel and Tauck’s river cruises can call RiverDiscounts.com  1 800 640 4899

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

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

Pacific Delight Tours Posts Early Bird Special

Pacific Delight Tours introduced an Early Bird Special with up to $1,000 off per couple for bookings received by Feb. 28. The discount applies to all tours available via Pacific Delight’s Gold Experience Exclusive Collection, which includes the 13-day Historic Cities and Yangtze River Gold Exclusive. The luxury program guarantees intimacy and exclusivity as each departure is limited to 16 participants, and features the tour operator’s FiveStarPlus program with upgraded hotel rooms at five-star properties in Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Shanghai, as well as a Junior Suite with private balcony and top deck, a la carte dining on a five-star cruise provided by Victoria Cruises, the pre-eminent line on the temple-lined Yangtze River. Also included are meals (12 breakfasts, eight lunches and 12 dinners), all intra-China air/land transportation, as well as comprehensive sightseeing, special cultural activities and performances.

Pricing for 2009 departures of Pacific Delight Tours’ 13-day Historic Cities and Yangtze River Gold Exclusive begins at $4,490 per person double occupancy for Early Bird bookings made by Feb. 28, and $4,990 per person double, for bookings received after Feb. 28. International air is not included but can be purchased from Pacific Delight at the time of booking. Pacific Delight Tours is a market leader in escorted and independent tours to China, the Orient and Southeast Asia. For more information, call 800-640-4899