River & Small Ship Cruising News 2008-03-28 18:18:47

Pearl Seas Cruises' new ship met water for the first time at the Irving Shipyard in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This is the first of several ships the company plans to build for world service. The ship will carry no more than 214 guests and feature 108 suites, all with private balconies. The suites will range in size from 320 to 640 square feet. The ship will be outfitted with Rolls Royce active wing stabilizers, which the company says will create the optimum ship -- small enough to sail to places inaccessible to larger cruise ships while also providing a smooth, comfortable ride in the deep ocean. The 2009-10 schedule is detailed on the company's website and showcases 29 itineraries that will visit more than 100 ports throughout Eastern Canada, New England, Canadian Maritimes, Caribbean, Central America, Panama Canal, and the Great Lakes. The ship will feature a spa, elevators to all six decks, and Internet access throughout the ship. 800-640-4899

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.

Discounts for all river cruise lines