COVER STORY OTHER CRUISE OPERATORS
Abercrombie & Kent (
www.abercrombiekent.com/co.uk): the luxury travel and tours people feature a terrific variety of different cruise options, notably Adventure-style to South- East Asia, the Amazon, Antarctica, Australasia and the South Pacific, the Galapagos Islands and Alaska. All tours are fully escorted and impeccably organised, with the addition of an excellent river and canal cruise programme in Europe, on The Nile, where they have their own fleet of luxury river-boats, and the Yangtze in China. More info: 0845 618 2200 (in the UK) or 1800 554 7016 (in the US).
AMA Waterways (
www.amawaterways.com): head for the rivers of Europe and Russia with this deluxe operator, with a huge range of choice from Portugal and Spain to the classic Rhine and Danube voyages, year-round. Their 10 different vessels (plus two new in 2011) are all modern, well-fitted and with real touches of luxury, and the cuisine and service are among the best. Their European cruises feature some of the newest riverboats while the 12-day Russian Waterways voyage is a real highlight. More info: call (in the US) 1800 626 0126.
Aqua Expeditions (
www.aquaexpeditions.com): this specialist river-cruise operation on the Upper Amazon in Peru features 2 superb riverboats operating 7-day round-trips out of Iquitos. Taking just 24 guests at a time, it offers a highly personal close- up deep into the heart of the Amazonian rainforest, opening up a whole new world of rarely-seen scenery (like the amazing Pacaya Samiria Reserve) and native cultures. Expert guides, great food, friendly service and a unique cruise environment complete the picture for those who like to get off the beaten cruise track yet still enjoy a relaxed, casual five-star style. More info: in the UK, call the Adventure Cruise Collection of the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.
Avalon Cruises (
www.avaloncruises.co.uk): the UK’s newest river-cruise operation is also one of the smartest with a high- quality fleet of 9 spacious riverboats – the majority of which are less than 5 years old – on the Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Main, Seine and Moselle. Many voyages also come with a theme, notably Jazz (Vienna), Classical Music (Salzburg), Wine (Paris) and Flowers (Amsterdam), plus an array of Christmas voyages to the festive markets in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. They also feature voyages on the Nile in Egypt and Yangtze in China, plus a charter operation to the Galapagos Islands on the MV Santa Cruz. More info: call (in the UK) 0800 668 1802, or 1877 797 8791(in the US;
www.avalonwaterways.com).
European Waterways (
www.gobarging.com): own and operate barges on European rivers and canals through 7 countries, including Britain and Ireland. Most carry from 6-15 guests and are ideal for a family or house-party holiday. Most vessels are first class or superior first rated. They operate in 16 regions throughout Scotland, Ireland, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany, plus the Venetian Lagoon in Italy. More info: call 01784 482 439 or (in the US) 1800 394 8630.
Haugan Cruises (
www.haugancruises.com): with 2 small, luxury catamaran-style vessels carrying just 16 passengers (and a third arriving in 2011), Haugan offer a blissful way to discover the Galapagos Islands. Based here year-round, they feature an in-depth view of this natural wonderland but in a fully eco- friendly manner. Five-star onboard style is matched by their accompanying naturalists and tour guides in an all-inclusive operation that is extremely good value for money. Guest feedback is unfailingly high and they offer 5, 6, 8 and 15-day cruises. More info: in the UK, call the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677 or (in the US) call 1877 268 9402.
Noble Caledonia (
www.noble-caledonia.co.uk): this British- based tour operator features various excursions by land, sea and river cruise, with a huge variety of chartered expedition- style vessels, from ice-breakers (Polar Star) to small boutique ships (Island Sky and Clelia II). They feature some of the most adventurous programmes to far-flung corners of the world – including both ice-caps – as well as luxury cruise-tours. More info: 020 7752 0000.
North Star (
www.northstarcruises.com.au): Australian operator North Star specialise in high-quality adventure cruises for the discerning traveller along the magnificent Kimberley coast, across to Darwin, Sydney and the South Pacific. The 36-passenger True North operates with a luxurious touch, featuring fine dining and personal service while offering true adventuring style, with its own onboard naturalist, expedition boats and even a helicopter. More info: call (in Australia) 61 8 91921 829.
Pandaw Cruises (
www.pandaw.com): sail the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Irrawaddy in Mynmar or into the heart of Borneo with this specialist south-east Asia operator. With 5 new, genuinely luxurious ships – all replica colonial steamers – taking just 48-66 guests, they offer sumptuous accommodations, first-class service and fine dining while traveling some of the most exotic waters in the world. The adventure aspect of voyages is guaranteed, too, with local guides to provide first- hand insights at every stop, including places rarely travelled by outside visitors. More info: in the UK, call the Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677; in the US, call 1800 798 4223.
Scenic Tours (
www.scenictours.com): European river cruising in style (plus tours of Australia and New Zealand) is the guarantee of this Australian operator, based in Vancouver. Their fleet of 4 new ships (5 in 2011) are some 20 per cent more spacious than the norm and feature private balcony suites and an all-new interior design with larger public rooms, including an open-air teak deck adjoining the observation lounge. Operating on the Rhine, Moselle and Danube, plus a Black Sea explorer voyage, inclusive of gratuities and shore excursion programme. Their land tours Down Under include an amazing range of landscapes and cities, from the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock to ‘Crocodile Dundee’ territory and a Grand New Zealand Rail Tour. More info: call (in the US) 1866 689 8611.
Tauck Tours (
www.tauck.com): worldwide land travel, small- ship cruises and high-quality European river-boats are the speciality of this American company, who focus on culturally immersive tours. Their fleet of 3 genuine luxury river cruisers is the highlight, offering a superb range of 7-21-day voyages through the heart of Europe, from Amsterdam to the Black Sea. All-inclusive shore excursions, outstanding cuisine and service, drinks with lunch and dinner, and sumptuous onboard style add up to a feast for the senses, and their onboard lecture programme is arguably the best around. Suites measure up to 300sq ft and all boats include a fitness centre. More info: call (in the US) 1800 788 7885.
Viking River Cruises (
www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk): this joint tour operator/river cruise operation (winner of the Best River Cruise Line in the 2010 British Travel Awards) is the biggest brand in Europe, with a large fleet, most of which are superior first-class rated. They feature a huge programme across Europe and even to Russia and China. They operate on: Rhine, Main, Danube, Mosel, Elbe, Seine, Rhone, Saone, Dnieper (Russia and Ukraine) and Yangtze (China), plus a magnificent new 15-day Mekong River voyage through Vietnam and Cambodia. Christmas cruises are another speciality, along with itineraries rich in culture and history. More info: call 020 8780 7998.
Winter 2010 / 2011 I WORLD OF CRUISING 95
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