product update
RIVER CRUISING 63
SECOND VESSEL FOR AMERICAN QUEEN
THE American Queen Steamboat Company has acquired a second vessel – American Empress – to operate river cruises in America’s Pacifi c Northwest. The 223-passenger riverboat
formerly Majestic Cruise Line’s Alaska- based Empress of the North – has been refurbished in line with the company’s fl agship American Queen.
It will
navigate Columbia and Snake Rivers on seven-day cruises between Portland, Oregon and Clarkston, Washington. Eight-night cruise packages cost £3,495pp
from sharing an outside
cabin, including ex-UK fl ights, one night pre-cruise hotel stay and onboard soft drinks and wine with dinner.
americanqueensteamboatcompany.com
How is river cruising selling? Myanmar top for exotic cruising
RELATIVELY undiscovered Myanmar (formerly Burma) is set to become 2014’s big hit on the exotic river cruise scene, with Amawaterways launching its first Irawaddy River cruise vessel this year and Sanctuary Retreats also building a new boat for the destination. Amawaterways'
new 56-passenger river cruiser
AmaPura starts cruising the Irrawaddy in November, with prices from £4,999pp for a Golden Treasures of Myanmar itinerary including return flights from London, internal flights, two nights’ pre- and one post-cruise stay in Yangon, transfers and a 10-night cruise. The price also includes all tours and meals, plus wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, onboard entertainment including cultural shows and lectures, and port charges. November is also launch month for Irawaddy cruises
aboard Sanctuary Ananda, the new custom-built, all-suite river cruiser from Sanctuary Retreats. UK senior VP Marco Rosa says the new 48-passenger vessel will be completed ahead of schedule and that 2015 rates will be held at 2014 levels. Sanctuary Ananda will offer six itineraries, ranging in duration from three to 10 nights so as to be easily packaged into longer itineraries. All cruises will be escorted by local Burmese guides and will combine `must-see sights’ with offbeat trips to villages where passengers can meet local families and learn traditional Burmese crafts. Prices start at £1,350pp for two people sharing for three nights and include sightseeing trips, all meals, soft drinks and local beer.
amawaterways.co.uk;
sanctuaryretreats.com
Customers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to book early. With only 65–80 staterooms, dates soon sell out. We have reaped the benefi t of launching our 2015 brochure two months earlier than last year with savings of up to £1200 per couple (booked by June 30). This has led to a doubling of sales. Particularly popular are our spacious Panorama suites sized at 200 square feet.
Which river is showing most growth?
The Rhine and Danube remain the most popular rivers but we have seen most growth on the Seine and Rhone cruises. The Seine has benefi ted from coverage surrounding the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, with visits to the landing beaches included on our cruise. We see this continuing for 2015 when we will have Suite Ships on both the Seine and Rhone.
What is river cruising's key appeal?
There is no more relaxing way to see the sights and luxury operators such as Avalon offer fi ve-star accommodation, gourmet dining and great docking locations as well as informative excursions with local guides if you want them. The ever- changing scenery is great too – with no ‘days at sea’ as with ocean cruising.
Sample Package The eight-day Romantic Rhine Amsterdam
to Zurich cruise in April 2015 is priced at £1,329pp if booked by June 30. 0808 115 2927
avaloncruises.co.uk
www.sellinglonghaul.com
OPINION
EXPERT’S DAVID BINNS
General Manager, Avalon Waterways –
the
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