Uniworld Debuts Two New European Itineraries

Uniworld Debuts Two New European Itineraries
Published on: June 6, 2007

Uniworld Grand River Cruises is offering 10-day “Rhine Rhapsody” cruise from Amsterdam to Speyer on the River Queen. The company also is promoting its “Delightful Danube and Main” program, which operates as an eight-day sailing from Vienna to Wurzburg (Frankfurt) or nine days from Wurzburg (Frankfurt) to Vienna, on the River Countess. The Rhine cruise explores such ports as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Cologne, Luxembourg and Speyer. The “Delightful Danube and Main” cruise sails from Vienna to Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Bamberg and Wurzburg (Frankfurt). The “Rhine Rhapsody” is priced from $1,599 per person, cruise only. The “Delightful Danube and Main,” is priced from $1,399 per person, cruise only. Uniworld cruises include river-view staterooms, all meals and entertainment onboard, the services of a Uniworld cruise manager, and shore excursions lead by English-speaking guides.

For more information or to make your reservation, contact Amy at A Room With A View.

Deilmann Offers Free Air, Shore Excursions

Deilmann Offers Free Air, Shore Excursions
Published on: April 16, 2007

Peter Deilmann Cruises is again offering U.S. travelers free air and free shore excursions on September and October ocean voyages aboard the 513-passenger Deutschland to the British Isles, Western Europe and the Mediterranean. Two sailings are from Hamburg and the other two are from Lisbon and Monte Carlo. Destinations and dates of the four sailings are: England and Scotland, Sept. 3-17; Western Europe, Sept. 17-Oct. 1; Lisbon to the Spanish Balearic Islands, Barcelona and Monte Carlo, Oct. 1-10; and Monte Carlo to major Italian cities, the Amalfi Coast and Corsica, Oct. 10-17. Free roundtrip air transportation for these cruises is available from New York and 16 other U.S. gateways and air supplements of $110 and $150 are available from an additional 34 cities. The sailings also provide free shore excursions, valued up to $600 per person, and free airport-ship transfers.

Deilmann also offers an expanded program of pre-arranged Wellness packages on the ship that start at $150 for women’s facial beauty treatment, body bath with rose petals, milk and oil, and a back massage. Gentlemen’s grooming and relaxation packages start at $155 for a two-hour treatment. There are also daily classes in Pilates, Nordic walking and aqua jogging, make-up and fitness consulting sessions. The Deutschland offers 36 single cabins for solo travelers and charges less for single supplements than other cruise lines. Free airport-to-ship transfers are included in any air arranged by Deilmann. For those who would prefer to use frequent-flyer miles, Deilmann will deduct $750 per person from cruise rates. Canadians receive a $1,000 air allowance deduction from cruise rates through Exclusive Tours, Deilmann’s general sales agent in Canada (www.exclusivetours.ca). Prices start at $3,355 per person for a twin-bedded cabin. Single cabin rates start at $3,701.

For more information, or to make your reservation, contact Amy at A Room With A View.

Silversea Launches New Spa Concept

Silversea Launches New Spa Concept
Published on: March 28, 2007

Silversea Cruises is launching a new spa concept throughout its four-ship fleet, starting with the Silver Shadow. The new spa brand, known as The Spa at Silversea, will replace the line’s existing Mandara Spas and will feature new treatments and ceremonies designed to offer a more personalized and holistic spa experience that focuses on the guest’s individual needs and lifestyle. Recently unveiled during the Silver Shadow’s World Cruise, The Spa has a refurbished décor of new artwork and contemporary furnishings in a color palette of white and silver with subtle hints of color. The new spa will be implemented aboard Silver Wind in July, and will be expanded to the Silver Cloud and Silver Whisper in the following months.

“This is a further step in the evolution of our comprehensive Wellness Program, which we introduced across our fleet last year,” said Erling Frydenberg, Silversea’s chief operations officer. “Being able to maintain a healthy lifestyle away from home is becoming increasingly important to today’s affluent traveler.”

In conjunction with the new spa concept, the Silver Shadow now offers a cutting-edge body age assessment technology that tests body fat, cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility to see how the guest’s body age compares with his or her actual chronological age. Based on the results, The Spa’s personal trainers can design an accurate lifestyle program for the guest and recommend an onboard fitness regimen complemented by dining options developed specifically for the Wellness Program. Among the enhanced spa treatments and services is a new selection of “Wellness Ceremonies” designed to address specific concerns such as aging skin, cellulite, arthritis, poor circulation, sore muscles and more.

The Spa has also incorporated more grooming services for men, including facials and barbering services. The Spa at Silversea also offers a new ceremony that involves a half-day of pampering for the male face and body. Plus, joint treatments were added for couples, such as an in-suite massage and calming bathing ritual of choice. The new spa is operated by Steiner Leisure Ltd., which also operates the Mandara brand. The new Silversea spa will feature Steiner’s Elemis products and treatments, although they will be tailored to Silversea’s upscale standards. For example, the Silver Shadow is the first cruise ship to offer the Elemis Visible Brilliance Facial, touted to firm, rejuvenate and plump up the skin, while reducing dark circles from around the eye contour after just one treatment.

Regent Seven Seas Expands Food and Wine Circles

Regent Seven Seas Expands Food and Wine Circles
Published on: March 15, 2007

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering eight new Food and Wine Circles of Interest in 2007. Developed to emphasize the culinary delights of Regent’s itineraries, the 2007 Food and Wine Circles of Interest offer guests an epicurean discovery of Italy, Scandinavia and France, with private tastings of local delicacies, hands-on cooking workshops and private tours with special guest hosts. Also new for 2007, many of the Le Cordon Bleu culinary workshops have been expanded to become Circles of Interest. The 700-guest Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager will offer following Food and Wine Circles of Interest on select voyages in the Mediterranean, Western Europe and Asia beginning May 26 and continuing through Dec. 3. Each Circle includes several exclusive components, both on board and on shore; full descriptions can be found on the company’s website.

For more information or to make a reservation, call Amy at A Room With A View - Cruise & Travel.

Uniworld Offers Basel-Vienna Cruises on River Countess

Uniworld Offers Basel-Vienna Cruises on River Countess
Published on: March 12, 2007

Uniworld is featuring 14-day “European Discovery” cruises between Basel and Vienna on the River Countess. The cruise sails the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers through Switzerland, France, Germany and Austria. Port stops include Strasbourg, Aschaffenburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Melk and Vienna. The River Countess has outside staterooms furnished with hotel-style beds and Egyptian combed cotton linens. Private bathrooms are stocked with thick towels, plush robes and aromatherapy bath amenities. The “European Discovery” cruise is priced from $3,298 per person, double occupancy, exclusive of airfare. Uniworld offers two cruise extensions with four days in Lucerne or four days in Vienna. Each of these add-ons is $699 per person, double; the single supplement is $299.

For more information or to make a reservation, call Amy at A Room With A View - Cruise & Travel.

Avalon Waterways Sets Wine and Music Cruises

Avalon Waterways Sets Wine and Music Cruises
Published on: March 8, 2007

Avalon Waterways is expanding its series of wine and music themed cruises. The 11-day “Legendary Danube” vacation allows travelers to cultivate their wine knowledge on a journey between Prague and Budapest. Guests can participate in private tastings, special food pairings, visits to a local winery, or attend a lecture at the Austrian Wine Academy of Und. A food and wine expert will accompany the voyage and give shipboard lectures. All of the wine-themed activities are included at no additional cost. A similar wine-themed cruise sold out in 2006, so Avalon Waterways is offering this vacation on two departure dates, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, at prices starting at $1,849. The 15-day “Magnificent Europe” vacation along the Danube and Rhine rivers features a culinary theme. Guests can attend private on- and off-board concerts by La Strada Trio, the Avalon Youth Choir, the Musikverein Ansfelden and the Aphrodites women’s chamber orchestra. All performances and lectures are included. Departing on Nov. 4, this itinerary is priced from $2,999.

Amadeus Waterways Releases 2008 Schedule

Amadeus Waterways Releases Preliminary 2008 Schedule
Published on: March 8, 2007

Amadeus Waterways has released its 2008 Preliminary Cruise Schedule, presenting a selection of 15 vacation programs in Europe, Russia and Egypt. The year will feature a new 10-night program from Amsterdam to Paris, with November and December dates featuring Christmas markets. Additionally, to cater to the growing demand for new destinations among its repeat passengers, Amadeus Waterways has designed a 13-night Provence & Spain program with three nights in Paris, the TGV high-speed train from Paris to Lyon, a seven-night Provence cruise and three nights in Barcelona. Reservations for 2008 will be available starting the beginning of March. Those who book 2008 river cruise vacations by Sept. 30 receive a 5 percent early booking discount; that applies to individual bookings only. For dates and prices, visit www.amadeuswaterways.com, where a PDF of the Preliminary Cruise Schedule can be downloaded.

The detailed 2008 Europe & Russia Brochure will be available in May. Amadeus Waterways owns and operates the new Amadagio, christened in April 2006; its sister ship, the Amalegro, due to enter service in March. Two new sister ships, the Amacello and the Amadante, will be added to the fleet in 2008 and 2009, respectively. These ships are designed exclusively for the English speaking market and feature cabins with flat-screen TV and Internet access, French Balconies on the top two decks, an elevator, a sun deck with walking track, a whirlpool and bicycles to explore on your own. Amadeus Waterways offers daily shore excursions on cruises on the Rhine, Main, Danube and Mosel rivers. The company also offers a Russian Waterways cruise on the Tolstoy, and a Nile River Cruise on the Tamr Henna, combined with land programs in Cairo and Alexandria.

Regent Seven Seas 107 Night Asia Cruise

Regent Seven Seas Sets 107-Night Asia Cruise
Published on: February 21, 2007

Regent Seven Seas Cruises will operate its longest-ever “Grand Asia Pacific Voyage,” a 107-night journey featuring calls to 53 ports in 19 countries. Sailing from Vancouver on Sept. 5, guests aboard the 700-guest all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner will follow the “Ring of Fire” from Alaska, visiting Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, the Far East, New Zealand and Australia, and the islands of French Polynesia. In addition to several complimentary shore events, onboard enrichment programs and Concierge Choice shore excursions, each segment offers either two-for-one savings or free economy air from 86 North American gateways.

Select segments feature optional Le Cordon Bleu Circles of Interest, hands-on cooking workshops and chef-guided local market tours. There are eight segments. They are: Vancouver to Seward, Sept. 5-12, priced from $3,697 including free economy air; Seward to Osaka, Sept. 12-26, from $5,297; Osaka to Hong Kong, Sept. 26-Oct. 10, from $8,236 include complimentary economy air; Hong Kong to Laem Chabang (for Bangkok), Oct. 10-22, from $6,746 including air; Laem Chabang to Singapore, Oct. 22-Nov. 4, from $7,496 including air; Singapore to Sydney, Nov. 4-19, from $7,276 including air; Sydney to Auckland, Nov. 19-Dec. 3, from $8,236 including air; and Auckland to Los Angeles, Dec. 3-21, from $5,449.

Available to a limited number of participants are Concierge Choice shore excursions, including a tour of Bangkok’s historic homes, lessons in coral preservation and snorkeling in Bora Bora, a private motor cruiser and picnic lunch in Sydney Harbor, and from Christchurch, an exploration of the volcanic landscapes of Banks Peninsula. Guests may also choose from a number of multi-night, overland Concierge Collection adventures ashore or two- to four-night pre- and post-cruise land packages available through The Regent Travel Concierge.

Per-person prices for the entire 107-night Asia Pacific voyage start at $42,995. Cruise fares include all shipboard gratuities; complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits served throughout the ship; complimentary 24-hour room service; refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water replenished daily; and an in-suite bar setup in butler suites. As with all Regent Grand Voyages, guests partaking in the entire 107-night voyage receive special savings and gifts, including complimentary first-class roundtrip airfare from 86 North American gateways, and $1,000 to $2,000-per-suite shipboard credits. Guests sailing individual segments receive shipboard credits depending upon suite class. Segments three through eight also feature a complimentary, exclusive shore event.

Regent Seven Seas Plans 2008 South America Circle

Regent Seven Seas Plans 2008 South America Circle
Published on: February 13, 2007

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 700-guest Seven Seas Mariner will operate a 60-night circumnavigation of South America in 2008. The “Circle Around South America” cruise will depart from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 4, 2008, and features calls to 30 ports in 15 countries including Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, the Falkland Islands, Uruguay, Brazil and French Guyana, as well as several Caribbean islands. The cruise includes six onboard overnights and four complimentary shore events. The voyage will circumnavigate the continent counter-clockwise in four combinable segments.

The first segment is a 12-night journey from Fort Lauderdale to Lima, Peru, with calls at Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; Fuerte Amador, Panama; Manta, Ecuador; and Salaverry, Peru. There is a daytime passage through the Panama Canal. The second 19-night segment departs Lima on Jan. 16 and concludes in Buenos Aires, calling at Pisco, Peru; Valparaiso and Punta Arenas, Chile; the Falkland Islands; and Ushuaia and Buenos Aires, Argentina. The third segment is a 17-night voyage from Buenos Aires to Manaus, Brazil, Feb. 4-21. Calls include Montevideo, Uruguay; Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia and Alter Do Chao, Brazil.

The final segment is a 12-night cruise from Manaus to Fort Lauderdale. It departs Feb. 21 and follows the coast of Brazil with calls in Parintins and Santarem, Brazil; Devil’s Island, French Guyana; Barbados, Dominica, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk. Per-person prices start at $27,995 for the entire 60-night cruise and $5,995 for a segment. Cruise fares include shipboard gratuities; complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits; refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water replenished daily; and an in-suite bar setup in butler suites.

Guests taking the entire 60-night voyage receive special savings and gifts, including complimentary first-class roundtrip airfare from 86 North American gateways, $500-$1,000-per-suite in shipboard credits and a bon voyage event the evening before disembarkation. Guests sailing individual segments receive $100-$200 shipboard credits and a commemorative gift. Segments one and four also feature air fare offers

Crystal Cruises Offers 679 European Excursions

Crystal Cruises Offers 679 European Excursions
Published on: February 7, 2007

Crystal Cruises this summer will introduce more than 100 new Crystal Adventures in Europe. On Feb. 15, all 679 shore excursions will be posted online for preview and booking. From April 7 through Nov. 9, the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will offer 29 itineraries ranging from seven to 14 days. All shore tours can be researched, priced and pre-reserved online prior to departure.

New tour highlights include an overnight journey to Berlin by train from Hamburg, a visit to the new Porsche Factory Leipzig for a Cayenne test drive on the factory’s race track from Warnemünde, a MiG fighter jet flight over Moscow extended to a two-night overland adventure from St. Petersburg, a speedboat adventure in the Baltic Sea from Helsinki, and bicycling excursions in Amsterdam, Hamburg, Funchal and the South of France. Crystal’s European cruises depart from Athens, Greece; Copenhagen, Denmark; Istanbul, Turkey; London, England; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Rome, Italy; Stockholm, Sweden; Toulon, France; and Venice, Italy. Pre- and post-cruise hotel stays are available in all cities except Toulon. Depending on itinerary selected, per person, double occupancy fares begin at $2,780.