SS ANTOINETTE FACTFILE
Entered service: March 2011 Length: 443ft Beam: 37.5ft Passengers: 164
Crew: 55
Passenger decks: 4 Staterooms: 1 at 391sq ft; 8 at 294sq ft; 53 at 196sq ft; 20 at 163sq ft
ITINERARIES: Various 7-day itineraries on the Rhine from Amsterdam or Basle.
MORE INFO: In the UK, call 0845 678 8558 or visit www.
uniworldrivercruises.co.uk; in the US, call 1800 733 7820 or www.
uniworldrivercruises.com.
expert on-ship tour leaders, who stay with passengers for pre and post-cruise segments. The
beds draped in the finest and highest thread-count Egyptian combed cotton linens, cashmere blankets, European duvets, a choice of pillows, robes and slippers, flatscreen TV with CNN, BBC, CNBC and movies on demand, hair-dryers, phones, private safes, ice buckets (ice machines are located in the public areas), and marble bathrooms with glassed- in showers, bathrobes and L’Occitane products, all distinctly superior to other river vessels.
I
was impressed by the numerous innovations in the public areas, which included an elevator that serviced each deck; an enclosed, glassed-in atrium with a heated, mosaic-blue tile swimming pool, a shower and massage room; a small fitness room with a variety of cardio machines (finally, a chance to exercise off a few meals!); a fleet of bicycles; the L’Orangerie, a sky lounge on the Sun Deck for semi-outdoor dining; and a 20-seat movie theater with plush seats and state-of-the-art equipment. Salon de Grand Trianon, the main bar and lounge, featured fine antiques and inspirational paintings in carved gilt frames with windows dressed in striped silk taffeta. The Leopard Lounge also located on Sun Deck was an intimate, imagina- tively decorated venue with leopard-inspired décor. Here again, there was free WiFi, as well as a self-service launderette with an ironing board as an alternative to the full laundry service. Having travelled on all the latest additions to the
major riverboat companies during the past two years, I would have no hesitation in pronouncing the Viking Legend and SS Antoinette the most innovative and beautifully appointed vessels presently plying the waters of Europe.
Viking and Uniworld are just two of a distinguished group of European river-cruise operators these days. Here are some more worth considering:
Scenic Tours: This Australian tour operator with offices in the UK and Canada own six boats on the Rhine, Moselle and Danube. The latest, Scenic Pearl (2011), sports two full decks of spacious suites with real outside balconies, unusually generous storage and large bathrooms. Wine, beer and soft drinks are included, along with airport transfers, gratuities and tours; 0800 690 6987, www.
scenictours.co.uk.
Tauck European River Cruises: This division of highly regarded Tauck Tours leases four riverboats exclusively from a Swiss company and operates them throughout Europe. Highly rated for pre and post-cruise packages, as well as interesting, all-inclusive excursions. Some 85 per cent of accom- modations have French balconies and there are 14 300sq ft suites; 0800 961 834 or
www.tauck.com.
Avalon Waterways: Operating 10 boats with lineage from 2004-11, they are well appreciated for their
166-passenger Panorama was new in 2011 offering 66 spacious suites (including two at 300sq ft), all with sitting areas adjacent to adjustable windows that open to give the feeling of a balcony. Wine, beer and soft drinks are also gratis at dinner; 0800 668 1802,
www.avalonwaterways.co.uk.
AMAWaterways: Formed in 2002 by several cruise veterans and in partnership with APT (an Australian tour company), they operate seven modern boats that entered service from 2006-10. Facilities include a glassed-in wellness area featuring a fitness centre with sauna, massage and beauty salon and a sun deck with a whirlpool and walking track. Also charter four vessels in Russia, France, Spain/Portugal and on the Mekong River; AMA, 0808 223 5009,
www.amawaterways.co.uk; or APT, 0845 603 6738 www.
apttouring.co.uk.
Sea Cloud Cruises: Although best known for its sailing ships, the Hamburg-based company also owns the 88-passenger River Cloud II (which entered service in 2001). The ship is somewhat smaller than other riverboats but includes all of the facilities and amenities; +49 40 30 95 9250,
www.seacloud.com.
Autumn 2011 I WORLD OF CRUISING
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