RiverDiscounts.com extends Viking early booking discounts

Join us in 2009!

River cruising is the best way to travel through many of the world's most fascinating places, and there has never been a better time to explore the world with Viking River Cruises. To provide our guests with a relaxing enjoyable experience, we have designed our journeys to include accommodations, meals, shore excursions and cultural enrichment. Plus, to provide an even greater value, RiverDiscounts clients can now save up to $2,700 per couple or get all-inclusive international airfare from only $199 per person.



Europe



GRAND EUROPEAN TOUR

15 days: Amsterdam to Budapest

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ROMANTIC DANUBE

8 days: Budapest to Nuremberg



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PORTRAITS OF SOUTHERN FRANCE

8 days: Chalon to Avignon

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RHINE GETAWAY

8 days: Amsterdam to Basel

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EASTERN EUROPEAN ODYSSEY

16 days: Bucharest to Nuremberg

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TREASURES OF THE RHINE

15 days: Basel to Antwerp

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ELEGANT ELBE

12 days: Berlin - Magdeburg to Melnik - Prague



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CITIES OF LIGHT

12 days: Paris - Trier to Nuremburg - Prague



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PARIS & THE HEART OF NORMANDY

8 days: Paris to Le Havre



China

IMPERIAL JEWELS OF CHINA

12 days: Shanghai to Beijing

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CHINA'S CULTURAL DELIGHTS

17 days: Beijing to Shanghai





Russia

WATERWAYS OF THE CZARS

13 days: St. Petersburg to Moscow

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FOOTSTEPS OF THE COSSACKS

11 or 12 days: Kiev to Odessa







Act today-Get first choice of destination and cabin category. Your savings expire Sep 30, 2008



RiverDiscounts.com 800-9640-4899

Uniworld Epicurean Adventurer Program

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is introducing an Epicurean Adventurer Program in 2009. The Epicurean Adventurer Program will include private wine tastings, wine and food pairings, cooking demonstrations and unique onshore excursions. Each Epicurean Adventurer cruise will feature a special dinner prepared with regional ingredients and learn how to select the perfect wine to complement the meal. Guests can participate in cooking demonstrations led by master chefs. Guided shore excursions will take guests into castles and vintners' homes for private wine tastings or to local food markets.



The Epicurean Adventurer Program will be available on the following 2009 cruises: "Danube Discovery," nine days between Vienna and Nuremberg with fares starting at $2,099 per person; "Rhine Discovery," nine days between Nuremberg and Basel starting at $2,099; the 16-day "Grand European Discovery" between Basel and Vienna from $4,049; the 14-day "Legendary Rhine & Moselle" between Amsterdam and Basel from $3,599; "Paris & the European River Romance," 11 days between Paris and Nuremberg from $1,999; "Paris & the Heart of Europe, 18 days between Paris and Vienna from $4,059; the 32-day "Paris & the Grand European Waterways" between Paris and Bucharest from $7,259; "Burgundy & Provence," nine days between Arles and Chalon from $2,059; and "Grand European Explorer, 30 days between Basel and Bucharest from $8,199. For more information, call 800-640-4899 riverdiscounts.com.

Ambassadors Declares Loss

Ambassadors International, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMIE) has reported a net loss of $2.4 million on revenues of $80.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2008, compared to net income of $5.8 million on revenues of $80.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007.

Marine revenues in the second quarter of 2008 increased $2.7 million over the second quarter of 2007 as a result of an increase in sales in Bellingham Marine, the Company's marina construction business. Travel, incentive and event related revenue in the second quarter of 2008 increased $0.1 million over the same period in 2007 primarily due to an increase in program volume. Cruise revenues decreased $2.4 million in the second quarter of 2008 over the same period in 2007 due to $1.6 million decline in revenue from Windstar Cruises which was acquired in April 2007 and $0.8 million decline in revenue from Majestic America Line. Additionally, a decrease of $0.2 million in insurance premiums earned on existing insurance programs as a result of not entering into any new programs in 2008 also offset the increase in revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2008.

Costs and operating expenses were $81.5 million in the second quarter of 2008, a decrease of $0.1 million from the second quarter of 2007. Costs and operating expenses in the second quarter of 2008 included a $5.9 million decrease in Majestic America Line operating costs. This decrease was offset by a $2.4 million increase in operating costs for Windstar Cruises and a $3.4 million increase in costs in the marine division, primarily due to the increase in cost of marine revenue resulting from increased revenues generated during the period.

Avalon Waterways Invests in More River Cruise Growth

Avalon Waterways is investing millions of dollars in the fast-growing river cruise segment. The company inked a five-ship deal with the Den Breejen Shipyard in Holland. The Avalon Scenery, launched in April, was the first ship delivered as part of this deal, with four sister vessels scheduled for christenings in the next two years: The Avalon Affinity and Avalon Creativity in 2009 and two more ships in 2010. With these deliveries, Avalon will boast 10 luxury vessels in Europe, averaging two years in age. "In five short years Avalon has established itself as a major European river cruise operator," said Patrick Clark, managing director of Avalon Waterways. "Our ships are more modern in design, showcasing contemporary appointments and state-of-the art technology. They also house the largest staterooms available. Except for our junior suites, all staterooms measure 172 square feet, and 90 percent boast floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic sliding glass doors."

Other amenities and features on Avalon's new ships include flat-screen televisions, large closets, beds that can be configured as two twins or one queen, Egyptian cotton linens, mini-bars, safes, laundry and ironing services, a fully equipped fitness room, library, hair salon and gift shop, as well as a club lounge and large Jacuzzi pool on the Sky Deck. "Avalon serves passengers unlimited complimentary local wine with all onboard dinners and features regional entertainment, as well as provides the most impressive land programs available, coupled with a ‘best-in-class' English-speaking staff that caters to our clients' desires," said Steve Born, vice president of marketing and customer care for the Globus family of brands. "It's no wonder nearly 100 percent of our cruisers say that we've met or exceeded their expectations on trip."

Avalon also has focused its efforts on a wide range of cruise itineraries in Europe, Egypt, China and the Galápagos, including themed offerings such as music-inspired getaways, holiday vacations and a Food & Wine cruise series, created with Burt Wolf. "The investments we've made in Avalon -- from ships and itineraries to staff support -- are delivering great returns, not only in customer satisfaction but also in sales," Clark said. "Our 2008 bookings are up 20 percent over 2007 and 2009 numbers are looking even better, already up 30 percent, year over year." Earlier this month, Avalon unveiled website enhancements, including a virtual tour of the Avalon Scenery to showcase the "Avalon Difference," as well as new print advertising. Those booking a cruise between now and Aug. 31 can receive $400 off the air-inclusive price or $225 off the cruise-only price of a 2009 Globus or Avalon Waterways cruise. For more information, call RiverDiscounts.com 800-640-4899

Pacific Delight Rolls Out Post-Olympic Tours

Pacific Delight Tours is unveiling four autumn 2008-spring 2009 SuperValue China packages that enable travelers to explore the country's ancient and historic attractions, but without having to grapple with post-Olympic crowds, which will have departed by the end of August. The 12- to 19-day locally guided tours offer guests an easy and affordable way to see the Imperial cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an, as well as a host of other destinations, with land-only prices ranging from $1,588 to $3,638 per person double. The three longer programs include Yangtze River cruises aboard Victoria Cruises Premier Series of five-star ships, in outside staterooms with balconies and private baths; on land, guests stay in deluxe and superior first class hotels. Air is available at competitive rates. Government-imposed taxes and fees of up to $60 are additional. Prices are subject to change.

In Beijing, guests visit the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City's Imperial Palace, which for nearly five centuries served as the home of the Emperor. Other highlights include an excursion to the Summer Palace to see the largest and most complete Imperial garden in existence, and a cruise on Lake Kunming. A visit to ancient Xi'an provides guests with the opportunity to witness one of the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century, the unearthing of life-size terra-cotta warriors and horses arranged in battle formations, buried in the first Emperor of China's mausoleum. For its part, cosmopolitan Shanghai features innumerable shopping opportunities, with visits to Nanjing Road, considered the premier commercial road in Shanghai; and HuaiHai Road, boasting stores with top-end designer brands. Cultural attractions include the Bund, or embankment, boasting dozens of historic buildings that stretch a mile down the Huangpu River.

The 12-day Golden Route, beginning in Beijing and ending in Shanghai, adds a visit to Guilin, considered the pearl of China's tourism industry. Travelers enjoy a cruise along the placid Li River, enjoying lunch aboard and breathtaking landscapes featuring dramatic cone-shaped peaks. A stop is made at Yangshuo, whose landscape is dotted with karst peaks, caves, pristine lakes and traditional villages adhering to long-held customs. Prices range from $1,648 to $1,818.

The 13-day Historic China Cities & Yangtze River Cruise package adds a four-night upstream cruise from Yichang, visiting San Dou Ping, the site of the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric dam, and Wu Gorge, thought to be the most beautiful section of the Yangtze. A Fengdu excursion visits the Mingshan Hill temples, with statues of ghosts and devils. Travelers disembark in Chongqing, visiting the Stilwell Museum and its collection of World War II memorabilia. The program is priced from $1,588 to $2,128. Six nights of downstream cruising on the 17-day Grand Yangtze River Cruise & Huangshan Mountain vacation calls at Wuhan, the capital of the Hubei province, and an amalgamation of three smaller cities -- Hankou, Hanyang and Wuchang. Travelers visit the Hubei Provincial Museum, housing more than 200,000 cultural relics; the Guichi area, including an excursion to Huangshan Mountain; and Nanjing, for visits to a Qing Dynasty-style bazaar and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Mausoleum. Rates are set at $2,518.

In addition to a three-night downstream Yangtze cruise, the 19-day Scenic China & Yangtze River vacation adds two nights in Hangzhou, which in the 13th century Marco Polo declared "the most beautiful and elegant city in the world." The land portion also visits Guangzhou and the ancestral Chen Clan Temple, now the Chen Clan Academy. A three-night stay in Hong Kong includes excursions to Stanley Market, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen's floating community and an excursion up Victoria Peak. Prices range from $3.258 to $3,638. The programs include pre-confirmed hotels; all intra-China air/land transportation, most meals, sightseeing, local tour escort, hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling. Government-imposed taxes and fees of up to $60 are additional. Prices are subject to change. For more information, call RiverDiscounts.com 800.640-4899

UNIWORLD EXPANDS IT EUROPE PRODUCT OFFERING IN 2009

From the enchanting, romantic sights of Paris to the ancient castles and colorful holiday markets of the Rhine, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will introduce five new European itineraries in 2009. Uniworld’s brand new voyages range from nine to 32 days and showcase Europe’s most fascinating, and historically rich destinations. Following is the list of Uniworld’s new 2009 itineraries:

***Paris and European River Romance – 11 days – Paris to Nuremberg***

***Paris and the Heart of Europe – 18 days – Paris to Vienna***

***Paris and Grand European Waterways – 32 days – Paris to Bucharest***

***Parisian Winter Holiday – 9 days – Paris to Paris***

***Rhine and Main Holiday Markets – 11 days – Nuremberg to Cologne***

In addition to the new itineraries, Uniworld will introduce a beautiful new boutique hotel-style cruise ship, the River Beatrice, in March of 2009. “By adding the River Beatrice to our fleet, we are able to expand our product offering and provide guests with cruises that range from slightly over a week to over a month visiting some of Europe’s most spectacular sights,” said Guy Young, president of Uniworld. “Our cruises offer travelers in-depth experiences and levels of hospitality that simply aren’t available on large cruise ships.”

In 2009, Uniworld will incorporate some exciting new enhancements, especially for food and wine connoisseurs. A new “Epicurean Adventurer” program will be available on select itineraries, and will offer private wine tastings, special wine and food pairing dinners, and culinary demonstrations designed to reflect the flavors of the regions visited. Uniworld will also offer a new “Al Fresco” evening dining program on the sun deck.

Uniworld provides all-inclusive vacation packages that protects travelers from currency fluctuation, maximizes their vacation dollars, and ensures travelers aren’t faced with surprise expenses for transportation, meals or accommodations while they’re on vacation.

On every Uniworld river cruise, guests enjoy elegant riverview staterooms, gourmet cuisine with fine wine served during dinner, award-winning hospitality, fully hosted shore excursions by English-speaking guides, and all transfers on arrival and departure days. Plus, with Uniworld’s Pay-In-Full and Early Booking Discount programs, couples who book a 2009 Uniworld Europe river cruise and pay-in-full for their trip before September 30, 2008, can save up to $2,200 and those who simply would like to place a deposit on a 2009 river cruise can save up $800 per couple by booking and depositing by November 30, 2008.

For reservationss, contact your Preferred Travel Professional RiverDiscounts.com. Call 800-640-4899

Amadeus Free Air

Uniworld Increases Company-Owned Fleet To Ten With Launch Of The Majestic River Beatrice

Globus Offers New Portugal River Cruise

For the first time, Globus is offering a Portugal river cruise-tour. To celebrate, the company is offering a discount of $100 per person on the air-inclusive price of the 2009 Portugal Cruise when booked by Oct. 7, 2008. The 11-day cruise vacation begins with free time in Lisbon before traveling to Oporto to embark on a seven-night cruise. Cruisers will float along the Douro River and experience cultural programs like flamenco and authentic Portuguese shows onboard. Additional highlights include a Portuguese meal at the 14th-century former Benedictine monastery in Bitetos; visits to Lamego's Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies shrine and the Mateus wine estate; wine tasting in Pinhão; and a walking tour of Salamanco, Spain. Back in Oporto, passengers will take a guided sightseeing tour, then travel along the Atlantic coast and stop at a Port wine lodge to visit the cellars and sample the wine. Upon return to Lisbon, they will take a guided sightseeing tour. The cruise=tour is priced from $2,549 per person, double, not including air. To receive the $100 discount, clients must pay the deposit by Oct. 7, 2008, for travel commencing by Dec. 31, 2009. The offer is not valid with any other offer and is reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Call RiverDiscounts 800-640-4899

AMA Waterways Christens Amacello, Amadante in Germany

AMA Waterways christened it two newest river ships, the Amacello and the Amadante, in the medieval town of Regensburg, Germany. More than 80 percent of the ships' staterooms feature French balconies. All of them feature plush bedding with down duvets; flat-screen TVs; in-room "infotainment systems" with complimentary Internet access; marble-appointed bathrooms, spa-quality bath amenities; terry robes; and slippers. Each vessel also offers complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as a complimentary specialty coffee and tea station. Gourmet meals in the restaurant are accompanied by complimentary local wines. Each ship also features a fitness center, a beauty salon, a whirlpool, a walking track on the Sun Deck and a fleet of bicycles for passenger use. Next year, AMA will debut the Amadolce and the Amalyra; and two additional ships will join the fleet in 2010. More Information RiverDiscounts 800-640-4899