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Stateroom aboard the S.S. Antoinette


Koblenz At the confl u- ence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers, this medi- eval town features narrow streets, lovely squares and whimsical fountains such as the “spitting boy.”


Cologne A royal city that offers more than 30 muse-


ums and the tallest Gothic structure in the world—a cathedral that houses the remains of the Three Kings of the Magi. Cologne is also famous for being the birthplace of Eau du Cologne.


Holland


Amsterdam Plan to stay post-cruise in this city of bikes and boats. An intricate network of canals crisscrosses Amsterdam and bicycles swarm the streets. We regretted not buying tickets to the Anne Frank House before arriving since the lines wrapped around the building. The luxurious InterContinental Amstel provided a restful sleep. It is in a quiet part of town close to a tram station, yet far from the red light district.


Queenly ship


Uniworld thoughtfully designed the décor and fl oor plan of the year-old Antoinette. An airy two-story lobby features Brazilian marble fl oors and walls, a double staircase of iron and brass, and a 10-foot Baccarat crystal and cobalt blue chandelier that once graced New York City’s Tavern on the Green restaurant. The décor is fashioned after France’s Chateau de Versailles, with opulent fab- rics and furnishings. Original artwork hangs on the walls of the public spaces and in each guest room. The ship houses a 20-person movie theater, top-deck bar, as well as a large and tastefully deco- rated lounge area. The Restaurant de Versailles offers open seating, so guests can mingle if they choose. After a greeting from friendly staff, my husband and I climbed


the stairway to our cabin. The room featured fl at-screen televisions (which we never watched), iPod docking stations and Vox tour guide systems. We unpacked bags, and organized clothes and per- sonal items in effi cient storage spaces. On previous trips to Europe, we changed hotels nearly every night. It was a relief to know we would traverse four countries and experience nine cities without lugging bags and living out of a suitcase. Before our arrival, I had been concerned about size. My 6-foot,


8-inch husband spent most of his time on a previous ocean cruise hunched over or banging his head. He couldn’t close the shower door and his feet hung two feet off the bed. However, the spacious- ness of Uniworld’s Antoinette, the newest and largest in the fl eet, surprised us. Although my husband had to weave through the hallway to avoid fi re sprinklers, he cleared the ceilings and door- ways, and was able to shower and sleep comfortably. We also enjoyed the moveable feast onboard; a cornucopia of


gourmet meals and snacks throughout the day. Some afternoons we grabbed a light lunch while enjoying the panoramic views on the top deck, then headed downstairs to the main dining room for dessert. On those days I was thankful I could work off the extra


calories in the pool and fi tness center. The last night of the cruise,


the captain invited my husband and me to dine at his table. It was a festive meal. After a week together, the 116 passengers developed friendships while touring on buses, mini-trains and canal boats. We walked in the rain through tree-canopied parks and attempted to solve the problems of the world while smoking cigars on the Antoinette’s top deck. The chef outdid himself with a


multi-course meal that included foie gras and grilled tournedos of Black Angus beef. As we waited for the grand fi nale—baked Alaska lit with sparklers—an elderly man wandered over to a table where a group of women from Mexico City clinked wine- fi lled glasses. Only one of the six spoke fl uent English, yet the friends had grown close to the man and his wife. The din of lively conversations bounded off the hard surfaces of the dining room, making it diffi cult for me to hear comments from the captain two seats over. However, as the seven broke into spontane- ous song, the restaurant quieted. It was a fi tting tribute to our time together. 


Shelly Steig (www.ShellySteig.com) is a freelance writer from Parker, Colo., who still reads fairy tales to her grandchildren. She’s found her Prince Charming in husband and travel partner, Jeff Steig (www.JeffSteigPhotos.com).


EnCompass March/April 2012 35


Courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection


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