MARCH 2013 | WWW.SELLINGLONGHAUL.COM


TRAINING FOR THE TRAVEL TRADE


EUROPE AND BEYOND CASH FLOW


All-inclusive river cruising is working its magic


“River cruises are attracting a new type of client”


Europe Cruise


The Rhine gave birth to Europe’s river cruising industry and this thriving waterway still reigns supreme as the most popular river, says Sara Macefi eld


S


tretching from Switzerland through Germany and Holland to the North Sea, the Rhine


follows a memorable route past some of Europe’s most picturesque towns and landscapes. The Rhine’s tributaries link up


with the Main and Moselle rivers; increasing its appeal as boats can sail along all three or through the Main- Danube Canal and on to the Danube. This is the second-longest river


in Europe (after the Volga) fl owing nearly 1,800 miles from Germany’s Black Forest to Romania and the Black Sea, cutting through some of the continent’s most beautiful cities. A Danube cruise brings alive the history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and a reminder of when the countries enroute, including Hungary and Bulgaria, were covered by the cloak of communism.


• WHY RIVER CRUISE? 34 • RIVER CRUISE IN EUROPE 39 • RIVER CRUISE LONG HAUL 41 • REVIEWS 40 • AT A GLANCE 42 •


the Saone and the Rhone as they converge in Lyons, with sailings following the Saone through Burgundy and the Rhone through Provence further south.


sellingcruisingtraining.co.uk


Packages 01756 704704


Another central European river is the Elbe, but while it boasts beautiful


Portugal’s Douro River is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to Europe’s more tried and tested options. The river cuts right through the heart of the picturesque Douro Valley – the centre of the country’s


HEBRIDEAN RIVER CRUISES –


A seven-night Rhine sailing from Basel to Amsterdam including fl ights starts from £2,475pp, twin share, for a deluxe cabin, departing June 8. hebridean.co.uk


AMAWATERWAYS - 0800 954 0063 A one-week Danube sailing from


0844 824 6351 A six-night round-trip Venice sailing that explores the city, the lagoon and the River Po starts at £808pp twin share, for a March 21 departure, with fl ights. shearings.com SWAN HELLENIC - 0843 316 1715 A one-week round-trip from Lyons sailing along the Rhone costs from £1,695pp twin share, for a September 7 departure, fl ights included. swanhellenic.com


www.sellinglonghaul.com • March 2013 39 Cruise in Europe.indd 39 28/02/2013 13:47


sights and fascinating history, it is more of a backwater, overshadowed by its better-known neighbours. Flowing from the Czech Republic through Germany, it cuts through major cities such as Berlin, Dresden and Prague. River cruises in France are


concentrated on the Seine, which combines the pretty countryside of Normandy with the glitzy appeal of Paris, while the Saone and Rhone showcase the south of the country. Itineraries generally feature


port- producing region – as it fl ows from Spain to Oporto, from where sailings depart.


Riverboats travel towards the Spanish border at Vega de Terron, but then have to retrace their steps as the river is not navigable beyond this point.


On the fringes of Europe lie the Russian waterways, including the Volga, that link the cultural gems of Moscow and St Petersburg. Another option that highlights the rich history of the region is the Dnieper which fl ows from Russia through Belarus and the Ukraine to the Black Sea. And as if this isn’t enough, a


number of smaller rivers are starting to appear in itineraries. These


include the Po in Italy, where sailings include the Venice Lagoon, and the Guadalquivir in Andalucia.


Nuremberg to Budapest costs from £1,499pp twin share, for a November 4 departure, cruise-only. amawaterways.co.uk VIKING RIVER CRUISES -


020 8780 7972 A nine-night Elbe voyage from Prague to Berlin costs from £1,495pp twin share on November 9, including fl ights. vikingrivercruises.co.uk TITAN - 0800 988 5867


A 10-night package that includes a three-night stay in Lisbon and a one- week round-trip from Oporto sailing along the Douro leads in at £1,899pp twin-share, departing on November 7, including fl ights. titantravel.co.uk SHEARINGS HOLIDAYS -


R I V E R C R U I S I N G: Long Haul Cruise


Make no mistake, river cruising is becoming more exotic and the choice of far-fl ung waterways that are ripe for exploration continues to grow, says Sara Macefi eld


T


he rising star of this sector has to be the Mekong, which has proved incredibly popular


and attracted most of the major river cruise companies into the region. Flowing from China’s Tibetan


Plateau through Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, the majority of sailings concentrate on the Mekong Delta region in Cambodia and Vietnam, but there are sailings along the less-explored section of the river through Laos, between the capital Vientiane and the atmospheric town of Luang Prabang.


Another river growing in popularity


is the Irrawaddy in Myanmar as the country opens up to Westerners keen to see the ancient pagodas, temples nd palaces in a land virtually uched by tourism. a, sailings along the Ganges


are a perfect way to absorb the fascinating backdrop of day-to-day life. Passengers can watch holy men gather in its waters and explore Mughal forts and Sikh temples. Lesser known is the Brahmaputra river where cruises delve into the relatively undiscovered state of Assam. Enroute there are national parks where rhinos, tigers and elephants can be seen, plus sixth century temple ruins and tea estates for which the area is renowned. When it comes to wildlife spotting so-called ‘safari cruises’ operate on the Chobe river in Africa, namely the stretch bordering Botswana and Namibia, while sailings into the


South American jungle are offered on the Peruvian and Ecuadorian sections of the Amazon.


China is known for the natural


spectacle of its Yangtze River sailings, notably the series of limestone ledges famously called the Three Gorges, while customers with an appetite for nostalgia can take paddle-steamer cruises along Australia’s Murray River or Old Man River himself, the Mississippi in America’s Deep South. There’s no forgetting the longest-


established exotic river, the Nile. Cruising is by far the best way to explore the key sights of Egypt as many are not easily accessible by land. Cruising allows clients to combine the hustle and bustle of stops along the route with pure relaxation on board. Since the section between Cairo


and Luxor reopened to tourist boats last summer, some companies are now offering sailings along the 600-mile stretch of the Nile between Aswan and the capital.


Packages AVALON WATERWAYS - 0800 668 1843


A 12-night southern USA tour with a seven-night cruise on the Mississippi leads in at £3,699pp for a December 4 departure, fl ights included. avaloncruises.co.uk


DISCOVER INDOCHINA - 0844 880 0985 A 10-night package which includes a fi ve-night cruise along the Mekong in Laos costs from £1,995pp twin share departing on August 17, fl ights included. discoverindochina.co.uk ASSAM NAVIGATION


A 17-night trip comprising a three- night hotel stay and a 13-night cruise on the Brahmaputra starts at £4,725pp twin share, departing November 21, fl ights included. assambengalnavigation.com WENDY WU TOURS - 0844 875 2433 A 13-night China trip that includes a four-night Yangtze sailing costs from £2,290pp twin share, departing on November 3, fl ights included. wendywutours.co.uk SANCTUARY CRUISES- 020 7190 7728 Cruises in the Galapagos, on the Yangtze and in Egypt including a themed Nile cruise this September celebrating Agatha Christie’s birthday. From £2400 for pre- September 13 bookings. sanctuaryretreats.com


www.sellinglonghaul.com • March 2013 41 28/02/2013 13:44


R I V E R C R U I S I N G: S H I P R E V I EWS


Take two Selling River Cruising reviews two very different river cruise vessels CROISI EUROPE’S Infante Don Henrique


BY SARA MACEFIELD Launched: 2003 Cabin Count: 71 Vessel Length: 74 metres My itinerary: Round-trip sailing from Oporto along the Douro River in Portugal to the Spanish border


Cabin: Cosy and comfortable, but the décor was rather dated and the walls were paper thin, so I could hear my neighbour’s conversations! It was tight on space for two


people, with limited storage. There was no balcony, but a huge picture window, that slid open. The ensuite shower was small and modern. Dining: The dining room was pleasant and had a more up-to- date feel, with shared tables at mealtimes lending a convivial atmosphere. Cuisine was limited as the three-course lunches and four-


course dinners were pre-set, with just one choice of dish offered. However, the standard of food


was good and dietary requests were accommodated by the friendly and effi cient crew. Entertainment: There was something to suit everyone on most nights, ranging from a fl amenco evening to a performance by a local guitar and singing duo, but the highlight was the crew show which proved to be imaginative, fun and, in parts, highly amusing. Activities: An exercise class on deck and a daily programme of excursions. There was also a 'swimming pool' on deck that was more like a giant paddling pool than a swimming pool! Family fun: Children are allowed on board and children up to 16 years go free in summer.


“Comfortable, but not


luxurious, with a Gallic feel"


PRICES FROM


£267 (318 euros) for a four-day Seine sailing to Paris


RESERVATIONS 020 8328 1281 croisieurope.co.uk


TAUCK TOURS MS Swiss Emerald Launched: 2006; refurbished 2013


BY JO AUSTIN No. of cabins: 59 Vessel Length: 110 metres


My itinerary: 'French Escapade' A 14-day trip from Monte Carlo to Paris via Nice, Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Vienne, Chalon,-sur-Saone, Tournon, Macon and Lyon


Cabin: The ms Swiss Emerald has a total capacity of just 118 guests (compared with 150 guests or more on other ships of similar size), so Tauck guests enjoy an intimate, club- like atmosphere. Accommodation includes 14,300-sq ft suites, plus seven junior suites and 38 cabins (measuring 183 and 150 sq ft, respectively).


Dining: Fine dining in the main restaurant along with more casual bistro-style fare in the Lido, with complimentary wine and beer


40 March 2013 • www.sellinglonghaul.com 40 Croisi_Tauck Review.indd 40 2/26/13 10:37 AM


accompanying onboard lunches and dinners. Guests can also enjoy local dining experiences ashore.


Entertainment: Takes place every evening in the lounge, and includes French cultural performances, piano music, and for those who like the sound of their own voice, karaoke. Activities: All shore excursions are included, with 'insider access' revealing local history and culture. All excursions are in small groups featuring the industry’s highest guide-to-guest ratio, and each is led by a Tauck director or a local expert. Aboard ship, guests’ needs are attended to by a dedicated Tauck Cruise Director and a team of three Tauck Directors.


Family fun: Tauck offers another Rhone River cruise on the ms Swiss Emerald, its 'Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise' itinerary, designed specifi cally for families.


PRICES FROM


£3927pp (plus transportation to/ from) for 14 days, including two-night hotel stays with guided sightseeing in Monte-Carlo and Paris


RESERVATIONS Cruise Portfolio 020 7399 7673; reservations@cruiseportfolio.co.uk Tauck 0800-961-834; info@tauck.com www.tauck.co.uk


HEBRIDEAN


Luxury River Cruises Danube • Maine • Moselle • Rhine • Rhône • Seine • Yangtze • Mekong • Mississippi • Galapagos


Save up to £600* per couple on fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong


Save up to £900* per couple on Tulip Time


Save up to £1,200* per couple on Capitals of Central Europe


Save up to £600* per couple on Romantic Rhine


Cruise in spacious luxury with views of stunning passing landscapes. You can save up to £1,200 per couple on selected 2013 departures. Plus our new 2014 cruises are available to book from 19th March 2013 with plenty of early booking rewards.


Save up to £800* per couple on Burgundy and Provence


Great value discounts are available on a range of Avalon cruises for 2013. To fi nd out more call 0800 668 1865 or contact agencysales@avaloncruises.co.uk


All air-inclusive packages are protected by ATOL. AvalonWaterways is a trading name of Cosmos Coach Tours Ltd; Registered in England No. 1175122. Registered Address: Avalon Waterways (trading name of Cosmos Coach Tours Ltd), Prospect House, ProspectWay, London Luton Airport, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 9NU. Offers apply to new bookings only, are subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. *Discounts available on selected departures. AvalonWaterways reserves the right to withdraw offers at any time. Correct at time of print (February 2013)


Untitled-1 1 Avalon Europe 20Feb Travel Bulletin 150x210.indd 1


20/02/2013 12:55:46 20/2/13 12:26:46


An incredible 20 new river cruise vessels are launching this year, confi rming – if proof were needed – that river cruising is the hot topic in the cruising sector, says Jane Archer


BoomRiver


Why book with AmaWaterways? What’s included... • Luxurious cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom


• Excellent commission rates • Dedicated Trade Support Team • UK Based Reservations Team • Marketing support • Fam trip opportunities • Industry rates


• Flexible pricing – offering cruise only, flight / train packages and land tours


• Gourmet dining including complimentary wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch* & dinner


• Complimentary bicycles and guided bike tours* • Life enriching tours and excursions daily


• Infotainment System in all staterooms & free Wi-Fi access on board


*Excluding Douro & Russia europe, russia, africa, vietnam & cambodia FREEPHONE (0800 954 0063 | agents@amawaterways.co.uk | www.amawaterways.co.uk Why river cruise.indd 35


This page: Budapest from the deck, on Luefter Cruises’ Amadeus. Opposite: The Croisi Europe crew


Welcome to


WH Y R I V E R C R U I S I N G?


www.sellinglonghaul.com • March 2013 35 2/28/13 10:56 AM


£1,200* Saveup to


per couple on 2013 departures


... plus many more


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76