Cruise Adviser - River 2015 guide by Cruise Adviser

RIVER GUIDE 2015–16

Scenic cruising holidays on the beautiful Rhine, Danube, Rhône and Saône rivers aboard the premium Bellejour, Belvedere and Bellefleur.

River Cruises of Distinction All this is included in the fare: Flights (or rail travel Rhône & Mediterranean Experience) Transfers airport/station to/from ship Full board cuisine House wine &beer plus soft drinks with lunch & dinner Entertainment including local folkloric at selected ports

Rhine & Moselle Experience 19th Jul, 2nd & 30th Aug 2015 7 nights Full Fare 1st Adult River View fr

£1979

£1589

2nd Adult

£799

Danube Experience to the Delta 24th May & 10th Aug 2015 11 nights Full Fare 2nd Adult 1st Adult River View fr

£3069

£2459

£1229

Rhône & Mediterranean Experience 24th Apr, 3rd Jul & 9th Oct 2015 7 nights Full Fare 2nd Adult 1st Adult River View fr

£2109

£1689

£849

Book online at: www.cruiseandmaritime.com • Call: 0844 414 6161 Agency Sales: 0844 414 6140 • Brochures: www.trade-gate.co.uk Prices are per person based on two adults sharing a double/twin cabin. Subject to availability. Terms & Conditions apply. Offered for sale in the UK by South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd trading as Cruise & Maritime Voyages. ABTA V9945. ATOL 4619. 1886

WELCOME

Welcome to Cruise Adviser’s guide to river cruising for 2015-16. Look out for Family, Luxury, Expedition and Ex-UK specials coming later in the year

Cruise Adviser

— River 2015-16

CRUISE ADVISER RIVER GUIDE 2015–2016 CA-2

The idea behind Cruise Adviser is to challenge perceptions about a commonly misunderstood industry in an engaging and colourful way. While stereotypes abound across the industry, river cruising is perhaps the most frequently under-sold or overlooked sector. As this magazine – a selling guide aimed at UK travel agents – hopes to prove, river cruises are some of the most enticing, interesting and often unique holidays on offer. As the only publication aimed squarely at front-line travel agents, Cruise Adviser aims to keep you up to speed with industry news. We offer analysis (our interview with Viking Cruises, p7), in-depth features (Adventures in Myanmar, p14), a platform for selling cruises (the How To Guide, p33, and the Rivers of the World map, p50), as well as listings for the biggest players in the river cruise industry (Directory, p60). This guide hopes to provide you with all the information you need to sell river cruises from now into early 2016 – and provide incentives, too. Look out for our monthly challenge, via the Cruise Adviser mail-out, which gives you the chance to win vouchers, iPads and even cruising holidays. Sign up at cruise-adviser.com/subscribe. We hope you enjoy reading. RIVER GUIDE 2015–16

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CONTENTS

Cruise Adviser

— River 2015-16 CRUISE ADVISER

Cruise Adviser is here to entertain and inform. In the first half of this guide you will find in-depth features on the joys of cruising – from new ships to old cities – while the second half of the guide has our extensive listings – from the operators to the rivers.

RIVER GUIDE 2015–2016 CA-2

Features

RIVER GUIDE 2015–16

Continental drift: Euro cities 10 City-hopping doesn’t have to be about backpacks and B&Bs: here are the river cruises that offer you the chance to see the jewels of the Rhine, Danube and Douro while travelling in luxury Adventures in Myanmar 14 Once a pariah state, the Southeast Asian country – with its ancient temples and majestic forests – is now a tourist hotspot. We travel down the Irrawaddy river with Pandaw River Expeditions to explore its beauty The class of 2015 20 The new ships coming into service this year: we look at who’s launching what and when

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Listings

The how to sell guide 33 Our unique, 16-page walk-through guide of how to get customers on board. The questions you need to ask and the answers you need to know

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In numbers 49 The facts and figures behind the river cruising industry Directory 55 Who’s who in the world of river cruising? The vital stats and contact details of the lines operating in the market CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

Europe’s Finest River Cruising Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Elbe, Rhône, Seine or Douro

8 days from £1,299pp, 14 days from £1,849pp Selected departures from April to November 2015 • Modern luxurious four-star superior and five-star ships • Eleven stunning itineraries • Beautiful cabins with hotel standard beds, private bathrooms and river views • Full board cuisine throughout

• • • • • •

Many excursions included ABTA & ATOL protected Transport by Eurostar or Air* Unrivalled quality to price ratio No surcharge guarantee Escorted by an experienced Cruise Director

For more information, email us at agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk Reservations now open Saturdays 9am-2pm for Travel Agents 01283 744370 Holidays organised by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel, ABTA V4744 and ATOL 3430 protected. Price based on two people sharing a twin cabin. *Supplement may apply for certain regional stations/ airports. Single cabins and optional insurance available at a supplement. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. Additional entrance costs may apply. Cruise duration dependant on selected itinerary.

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ANALYSIS TITLE

Neil Barclay, head of sales for Viking – one of the few lines to offer river and ocean cruises – explains to us the difference between the two and how to sell the former

City breakers

Neil Barclay, head of sales, Viking River Cruises 8

you can experience it like a local. Other days, you’re sitting onboard and you’ve got a talk about these places you’re going to – or you’re sat on deck with a glass of wine watching this great scenery go by.”

Ocean movers “What we’re finding is that a lot of people are moving on from ocean cruising over to river. That’s down to one of two reasons: firstly, they’ve done basically every itinerary that’s out there and they want to do something a bit closer to home, and want to see a bit more of the country. The second thing is, customers who get a reasonable price for an ocean cruise sometimes then find there are all these extras, which defeat the purpose of a low-price cruise in the first place. The main thing we are

trying to get over is that with river cruises there’s so much included in the cost. The tag price – the price we sell to the customer – may be higher than what you pay for an ocean cruise, but when you think about the inclusions – which are daily excursions, your drinks, your lunch and dinner, your lectures onboard and your free wifi – they make a huge difference.”

Stay another day “At the start and end points of the majority of our itineraries, you’ve got an overnight stay. For example, in Budapest you’ve got a day and a half there. The difference between ocean and river cruises is that you’re docked right in heart of town. Within ten minutes of coming off the ship you’re right in the centre of Budapest. You’re not waiting on tenders – CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

Jordan Tan / Shutterstock.com

“The bottom line is that river cruising is more destination focused. Not everyone who walks through an agent’s door will want a river cruise, but some people will want a series of city breaks. We find that a lot of people have already been to Europe by coach, years and years ago, or they went independently – they either camped or took a motorhome – and they’re just looking for something different. With a customer who comes in looking for a city break or asking for a lakes and mountains holiday, you can actually say, ‘Have you ever thought about a river cruise?’ “We’re not trying to make money from people by having endless days at sea. The fact is, you’re in a different town or city every night and sometimes you have overnight stays – so

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what draws the agents and the customers in.”

Within ten minutes of coming off the ship you’re right in the centre of, say, Budapest Euro vision – you’re not waiting on tenders “In terms of launching on

everyone is off the ship within five minutes. “Even where we don’t have overnight stays, you tend to find you have quite a long time at ports. You might find that you’re visiting one town in the morning, then doing a bit of scenic cruising, and then you arrive in another town late afternoon and you’re there until midnight or one in the morning. That means you can just step ashore and have a wander around. “You do get a lot of customers that are thinking, ‘Well is it going to be up at 8 o’clock in the morning, on the tour, and back?’ – that it’s going to be quite functional – but there is a massive degree of flexibility. “If there are customers out there who want to be independent, and they’re in, say, Vienna, and they just CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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want to go off and wander on their own they can do, because they know they can get back to the ship as they know there’s no hour-and-ahalf bus in and out of town.”

Luxury travel “We’re trying to get away from the misconception that river cruises, in general, are going to be on small, box-like ships. Actually, they’re like boutique hotels. “The money that’s been spent on ships in terms of advancements makes a huge difference. When we’ve taken travel agents out they’re overwhelmed from the minute they get on board with the crew, especially on our ships, where there’s a lot of marble and understated Norwegian elegance, and it’s all very casual and relaxed. I think that’s

new rivers, there’s more capacity now coming out of Southeast Asia, but we find people want the mainstay rivers – the Danube, the Rhine – and that’s where we’re adding capacity to cope with demand. We’ve also found the Douro in Portugal is very popular. Everyone talks about Vietnam and Myanmar, and we’ve got a presence there, but our bread-and-butter itineraries are where we need the capacity, which is over in Europe. “When we go in to ocean [sister company, Viking Ocean Cruises, begins sailing in May] it’s following exactly the same format, in terms of inclusion and being in the centre of a city as possible.”

Turn over for more information about European river cruises 9

EURO CITIES

Hang up the backpack and explore Europe’s most alluring cities from a cruise ship

here are faster and cheaper ways to get around Europe, but few more scenic. While roadtrips and train journeys are not without their charms, there’s an elegance to many of Europe’s waterways – and many of its most enchanting cities are divided by rivers. Unsurprisingly, there is a wealth of itineraries available: trips that take in the historic cities of Budapest, Vienna and Prague, the vineyards of Provence and Burgundy, or the fairytale castles of the Rhine. Many cruises include an overnight stay at one of the ports of call – and there’s always the chance to stick around before or after the cruise, too. Here are three cities you can see by ship.

Amsterdam The Rhine is the second longest river in Europe and one of the most popular among cruisers. As the Amsterdam-Rhine canal connects the Dutch capital to the river, many cruises begin there and head south. The city, pictured above, is of course as pretty as it is cultural; as famous for its museums, bicycles and canals as its nightlife. The Van Gogh museum and Anne Frank’s house are perhaps the city’s best known attraction, while the idyllic Vondelpark and 14th 12

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With its historic Ribeira quarter specked with terracotta roofs, Porto is a magnificent sight from the Douro river

century Begijnhof courts suggest a city with much to offer. Viking River Cruises’ Legends of the Rhine itinerary (from £2,695) takes in both Germany and the Netherlands over eight nights. The first two nights are in Amsterdam, before the Longship heads towards Frankfurt, taking in the likes of Heidelberg and Cologne. Avalon’s Tulip Time Cruise takes in Belgium and the Netherlands over eight days, spending its seventh and final night in Amsterdam (from £1,582). Titan, meanwhile, offers a similar Rhine cruise, once again beginning in Amsterdam, but this time heading to Basel, visiting Bonn, Cologne, Heidelberg and Strasbourg (from

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£1,329), while Riviera’s Amsterdam, Volendam & the Dutch Bulbfields river cruise (from £819) begins in the city’s canals and heads to Keukenhof Park.

Budapest and Vienna As the Hungarian and Austrian capitals are just 150 miles apart and share a river, it’s no surprise many cruises take in both. Budapest, above right, and Vienna are brimming with life and culture. The former is relatively inexpensive and full of hidden gems (‘pop up’ night spots and simple but tasty restaurants), and the Thermal Spas are undoubtedly the finest in the world. Vienna, by contrast, is a parade of the CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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country’s former imperial might, featuring endless statues and magnificent buildings (see the Hofburg palace), plus its fair share of fine restaurants and alternative bars. CroisiEurope’s fournight cruise from Vienna to Budapest takes in the delightful Slovakian city of Bratislava. The cruise, which sails throughout March and April and again in October, starts at £515. Luftner Cruises offers itineraries from the charming Bavarian town of Passau, including a round-trip through Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest over eight nights. CMV’s fantastic Danube Experience to the Delta (from £2,229) heads from Budapest through Croatia, Serbia, Romania and back. Then there’s AmaWaterways’ Magnificent Europe: CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

beginning in Amsterdam and ending in Budapest, the trip takes in Miltenberg, Regensburg, Passau, Vienna and Bratislava. Emerald Waterways’ blockbuster 15-night Christmas Markets of Europe cruise takes in Amsterdam, Cologne, Vienna and Budapest.

Porto With its historic Ribeira quarter specked with terracotta roofs, Porto is a magnificent sight from the Douro, the 550-mile river that runs through it. The regenerated city, as the second largest in Portugal, rivals Paris for romance and Madrid for culture. It is bursting with architectural delights – from the neoclassical Palácio da Bolsa to the Ponte de Dom Luís. Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river, is home to some of the world’s finest port-makers and is the

city’s most famous quarter, despite being its own municipality. One option is Titan’s eight-night Douro cruise, which includes flights from London (from £1,899) and takes in the likes of Bitetos and Vega de Terrón before heading back to Porto. Viking’s Rivers of Gold cruise (from £1,645) begins in Lisbon, heads through Porto to Salamanca in Spain, before returning through the port-making area of Pinhão. Extend the cruise by two nights and take in Braga, and Santiago de Compostela in Spain. AmaWaterways’ Enticing Douro includes three nights on land in the beautiful city of Libson, a transfer to Porto and a seven-night cruise up and down the river, with wine-tasting in Pinhão and Régua.

See How To Sell, p33 13

––––– ADVENTURES IN MYANMAR –––––

MYANMAR

Once a pariah state, the Southeast Asian country – with its ancient temples and majestic forests – is now a tourist hotspot. Sam Ballard travels down the Irrawaddy with Pandaw River Expeditions to explore its beauty and uncover its history

he rise of Asia isn’t exactly an undocumented tale. Eastern economies – led by emerging superpowers China and India – have worked hard to beat a path for themselves on a global stage. The likes of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia are not far behind. One name that appears absent from the headlines, however, is Myanmar. The former British colony (then known as Burma) has had a turbulent history. Fought over by British and Japanese forces, the country gained independence in 1948 – only to be subjected to a military coup in 1962. The army has had a stake in Myanmar ever since and has guaranteed itself 25 per cent of parliament, while demanding that any changes to the constitution

have more than threequarters of the vote. To many commentators this has meant stagnation. Speak to a local and you will be told how Myanmar was once one of the strongest economies in Asia. The military junta led Myanmar into economic mismanagement and impoverishment. The country closed down. It is within this stasis which it has existed, untouched by tourism – and rather perversely touted as “unspoiled” by many. The turbulent country is now opening up, people say. The human rights concessions mean the military cannot go back to its heavy-handed style of governance. Members from the National League for Democracy boycotted the 2010 election but have since ran in by-elections and won almost every seat contested. However, its chairwoman, Aung San Suu Kyi, is unable to be president after the constitution was amended to decree that no leader could have a foreign child or spouse.

New beginnings

Shwedagon Pagoda 16

We opted to take a sevenday Pandaw River Cruise from Mandalay to Bagan. The company currently has a fleet of 12 ships – all modelled on those owned by The Irrawaddy Flotilla

Company, which operated during the 19th and 20th centuries. The company – which once had 650 ships – scuppered its entire fleet in 1942 to stop any of its vessels being utilised by the invading Japanese Army. For our cruise, we were onboard the Kalaw Pandaw, on its inaugural voyage. The 20-cabin vessel boasted a passenger-to-crew ratio of two-to-one – enough to rival ships with a far higher price point. It is often said that the cruise industry has some of the best service in tourism. Pandaw certainly didn’t disappoint – its staff always went above and beyond. Having boarded in Mandalay we spent two days in Myanmar’s second biggest city before heading north. Immortalised by writer Rudyard Kipling, Mandalay was the country’s last royal capital before British forces invaded. Mandalay is an exceptionally pretty town. Home to a wealth of temples, stupas and pagodas the entire city is bathed in marble, gold and teak. We visit Mahamuni Buddha Temple, where men (and only men) stick gold leaf onto a statue of Buddha. We are also taken to Sagaing, which sits on the opposite bank of the river and is an important centre CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

for Buddhist teaching. While touring the region we are taught about the influence that religion has over the country. Monks are a constant presence during our stay in Myanmar. In the morning they can be seen queuing up to collect food for the poor and they also act as welfare providers – housing people who are down on their luck and offering an education to many across the country. The respect that people have for them was evident during the Saffron Revolution in 2007. The monks led protests over fuel subsidies, with the subsequent government backlash causing international condemnation. Many people credit the Saffron Revolution with focusing the world’s attention on Myanmar. The itinerary is packed CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

with well-timed experiences and excursions, which are all included in the price of the cruise. In Sagaing we see young nuns form orderly queues to enter their dining hall. In Amarapura we are taken to the U Bein Bridge, which at 1.2 kilometres is the longest teak bridge in the world. Pandaw organised

communities where the way of life has not changed for decades. In pottery towns such as Yandabo tradesmen make pots from the riverbank clay, which are then shipped all over the country. It is a selfsustained existence that is typical of village life across the republic.

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Pandaw has created a phenomenal experience. The food, service and itinerary play perfectly to Myanmar’s strengths”

gondolas to row us out onto the surrounding lake at sunset, with a crew member producing champagne flutes and sparkling wine; impressive detail that goes down well with the passengers. As we travel north towards our final destination, we stop off and visit rural

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Myanmar is a country which suits river cruising very well. It’s a great thing to just sit on deck and watch the world go by. It’s the one major advantage river cruising has over its ocean counterpart; the size of the vessel reduces the impact on your surroundings and thus

MYANMAR a river ship can seamlessly become part of the landscape â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a feat that ocean cruising cannot always match. Bagan was always going to be spectacular and it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disappoint. Roughly 40 square miles, the vast plain is dotted with the ruins of thousands upon thousands of temples and pagodas, all built around the 13th century. The area is popular with tourists. Companies offer everything from traditional tours to bike rentals and trips in hot air balloons. Our tour guide leads us to one of the biggest temples to watch the sun go down. It seems as if everywhere in Asia has magnificent sunsets but to watch it from a temple in Bagan, as it sets behind the silhouettes of the ancient city, was something special. Pandaw has created a phenomenal experience: luxurious without any pretentious notions. The food, service and

01. A traditional pagoda near Bagan 02. Lunch on board the Pandaw ship 03. A longyi shop in Mandalay 04. A nun bows her head in Sagaing 05. The plains of Bagan at sunset 06. Villagers make a kiln in Yandabo 07. The U Bein bridge in Amarapura 08. Mahamuni Buddha Temple 09. A monk stands outside a temple in Mandalay 10. Our ship, the Kalaw Pandaw 05 18

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MYANMAR itinerary play perfectly to Myanmar’s strengths and a few of our passengers were discussing taking another cruise with the company – something I didn’t expect with an exotic cruise specialist. There are undoubtedly still issues that the country needs to overcome but the spirit of the Myanmar people gives cause for optimism. That’s not to say that it will be easy though, and one of the country’s biggest tasks will be how to sustainably manage the predicted growth in tourist numbers. One thing seems certain: there is a drive for change. The world is ready for Myanmar; the only issue is whether Myanmar is ready for the world.

Seven-night Myanmar cruises with Pandaw Exhibition from £620 – see p61 for more details

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––––– THE CLASS OF 2015 –––––

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NEW SHIPS

River cruising is an industry that refuses to stand still, with dozens of new itineraries – from the rivers of Southeast Asia to the European mainstays – and as many new vessels launching each year. We look at the riverboats entering in to service in 2015

onsidering cruising is enjoyed for its leisurely and comfortable style, the river cruising industry doesn’t half move quickly. Each year dozens of new itineraries are added by cruise lines – some taking in previously neglected waters, be it the Red River in Laos or the Irrawaddy in Myanmar; others, to cope with the increasing demand for the ‘classics’, the Danube, the Rhine and, now more than ever, the Douro in Portugal. And, each year, many new ships set sail for the very first time. The growth is spectacular: in 2015 alone, almost 40 new river cruise ships will be added to around 13 different operators’ fleets.

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The 164-passenger AmaSerena and AmaVista ships will feature twin balcony staterooms and heated swimming pools with swim-up bars

As Neil Barclay at Viking points out (Analysis, p7), one of the commonly held misconceptions about river cruise ships is that they are small, “box-like” things. In reality, as he puts it, they’re more like boutique hotels. They are, however, smaller than ocean cruise ships (as we discuss on p49, with a handy infographic), meaning they are built more frequently and more speedily. With that in mind, we look at those ships coming in to service in 2015, one cruise line at a time.

AmaWaterways

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AmaWaterways has three new ships ready for 2015. Sister ships AmaSerena and AmaVista will sail in Europe on the Danube, Main (the longest tributary of the Rhine) and the Rhine itself. The 164-passenger vessels will feature twin balcony staterooms, heated swimming pools with swimup bars, salon services, fitness rooms, elegant glass elevators and more. The 124-passenger AmaDara will sail the Mekong river (joining its sister ship, AmaLotus,

AmaWaterways will welcome AmaDara, sister ship to AmaLotus, below, to its fleet in 2015

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Avalon’s luxury Myanmar, built by local craftsmen

which has been sailing the river since 2011), with a 15-night itinerary through Vietnam and Cambodia, stopping off and staying in the likes of Siem Reap and Hanoi. The ship’s itinerary will feature an overnight experience on an authentic yet contemporary ‘junk’ in Vietnam’s Halong Bay, as well as stops at Unesco World Heritage Sites and time exploring the ancient Khmer empire. The ship will feature 48 standard staterooms, all of which will have private twin balconies.

American Cruise Lines

and cocktail bar, the Magnolia Lounge.

The American Eagle, American Cruise Lines’ new paddlewheel riverboat, and sister ship to the Queen of the Mississippi, will launch in March 2015 and sail on the 2,320-mile American river. The 150-passenger ship boasts staterooms that range from 300 to 600 sq ft in size, and feature 60 sq ft balconies. The ship also features a number of guest spaces, from the paddlewheel lounge to the glassenclosed sky lounge

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Avalon Myanmar promises to be as elegant as its European counterparts but capable of accessing parts of the river larger ships cannot

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Avalon The luxury river cruise company will introduce two suite ships in France this year, the Avalon Tranquility II and the Avalon Tapestry II, as well as the 36-passenger Avalon Siem Reap and Avalon Myanmar on the Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers respectively. The suite ships will feature 200 sq ft staterooms, free wifi, a fitness centre and Sky Bistro. Built by local craftsmen, the Asian ships promise to be as elegant as their European counterparts but capable of accessing narrower parts of rivers that larger ships cannot.

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An artist’s rendering of CroisiEurope’s Loire Princesse, which will operate on the French river

CroisiEurope

Emerald

Haimark

The family-owned French river cruise company has a busy April planned. It will debut the 96-passenger Loire Princesse, which will become the first vessel with overnight cabins to operate on the Loire; its innovative paddlewheel technology will enable it to navigate the river’s shallow waters. Joining the fleet will be the 132-passenger Gil Eanes, which will operate on Portugal’s Douro river, and the “contemporary and elegant” Camargue, which will sail roundtrips from Lyon. Similar in design to the Lafayette, which launched in 2014, the ship will sail on the Rhône.

Emerald Waterways has two ships launching for 2015, the Emerald Sun and Emerald Dawn. Both ships will hold 182 guests and feature 20 staterooms and 72 suites, including those with ‘drop down’ balconies (where, at the push of a button, the upper part of the cabin’s floor-to-ceiling window drops down to unveil views of the outdoor scenery). The ship will also house the line’s Reflections restaurant, a heated pool and evening cinema. The Emerald Sun’s maiden voyage is on the Splendours of Europe, while the Emerald Dawn will begin with the Jewels of the Rhine cruise.

Haimark, the luxury river cruise operator, was founded in Colorado in 2013 and is among the fastest growing companies in the river cruise sector. The line is adding two more ships to its fleet in 2015 – the 44-passenger Amazon Discovery and 24-passenger Mekong Princess – following the launch of the Ganges Voyager in January. The latter, a 56-passenger, 28-suite ship now operates seven-night roundtrips from Kolkata in India. The all-suite Amazon Discovery will sail sixnight return trips through the Peruvian Amazon following its June

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NEW SHIPS launch, while the Mekong Princess – an all-suite “spa concept” ship – will sail the Mekong river through Vietnam and Cambodia from September. The ship, according to Haimark, will feature “the most extensive spa menu of any ship on the Mekong river”.

the number of cabins will be dropped down from 90 to 84 in order to create more space for larger

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will be joined by the 20-passenger Kha Byoo Pandaw and Kaladan Pandaw. The ships will

The Mekong Princess, according to Haimark, will feature the most extensive spa menu of any ship on the Asian river

Luftner Luftner Cruises’ Amadeus fleet is named accordingly: the Brilliant, Diamond and Elegant are among the luxury cruise line’s ships, and the latest – the Amadeus Silver II – continues the theme. The 135-metre vessel will implement both new and familiar concepts, according to Luftner. The Café Vienna and outdoor glass-shielded River Terrace are included, while

cabins and public areas. The ship, which launches in April, will sail on the European classics, the Rhine, Main and Danube.

Pandaw Built in 2014, the Laos Pandaw will set sail in November 2015 – making Pandaw the first river expedition operator to offer a Laos itinerary. The 32-passenger ship, built in Yangon,

both feature a shallowdraft design, which will allow them to sail from Mandalay to Bhamo on Myanmar’s Irrawaddy, where the company has enjoyed such success.

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Riviera Riviera, the Burton upon Trent-based river cruise operator, wins the prize for the best-named fleet with each of its ships bearing the name of a

Pandaw’s Laos, pictured, will be joined by the 20-passenger Kha Byoo and Kaladan

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A look inside Riviera’s Jane Austen – sister ship to the Lord Byron

world-famous writer. In 2015, two five-star ships will launch. First, there’s the MS Jane Austen – sister ship to the Lord Byron – which was completed in early January and will set sail for the first time on a seven-night Rhine and Moselle river cruise. The second new, fivestar ship entering the fleet is the Charles Dickens – sister ship to the William Shakespeare – which will sail for the first time in July on a seven-night Rhine cruise to Switzerland. A perfect opportunity to start that novel you’ve always wanted to write.

Scenic Scenic Tours has two ships launching in 2015 – the 169-passenger Scenic Jasper and Scenic Opal – and both will sail the

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Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, bringing Scenic’s fleet to a total of 12. The new ships will feature the largest suites on the rivers with the Royal Panorama Suites, which the line refers to as the “ultimate in private balcony accommodation”. Scenic’s ‘Space Ships’, as they have been dubbed, are designed and built by acclaimed Dutch river cruise shipyard, Den Breejen, and will feature a new vitality pool on the sun deck. The ships will have 85 cabins and a crew of 53.

Tauck Tauck, which provides “enriching” guided tours, small ship cruises and river cruises, is launching its 118-passenger Esprit ship in April. The vessel will become the fifth in the line’s Jewel-

class and will operate on the familiar European rivers of the Rhine, Main and Danube, including Basel to Amsterdam and Amsterdam to Budapest itineraries. The ship will feature 14 suites – each 300 sq ft in size – that include brocade upholstery, walk-in closets and large marble baths with full-size tubs, and two French balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows. The standard cabins (150 sq ft in size) feature similar décor to the larger suites – with the majority of them including the aforementioned balconies.

Uniworld Again evoking European elegance with its Boutique River Cruise Collection, the Los Angeles-based company has named its latest ‘Super Ship’ the

NEW SHIPS Maria Theresa – after the Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia – which joins sister ships the SS Catherine and Antoinette. The 150-passenger ship will feature ten 105 sq ft suites, plus one royal suite, decked out in the luxurious style the line is known for. The riverview staterooms and suites will boast openair and French balconies on the main and upper decks, while a heated swimming pool, fitness centre, free wifi and Viennese café are some of the lavish features. The ship’s life begins with the ‘Tulips & Windmills’ ten-night Amsterdam to Antwerp cruise.

Viking Leading the way with new ship launches, Viking – which also launches its ocean-cruise operation this year – has an unbelievable 12 new river ships joining its fleet in 2015. Included are the Viking Astrild and Beyla – both 98-passenger ships set for the Elbe, where the line is doubling its capacity – and ten 190-passenger Longships: the (tonguetying) Viking Eir, Gefjon, Lofn, Mani, Mimir, Modi, Skirnir, Ve, Vidar and Vili. These Longships feature new all-weather indoor/ outdoor Aquavit Terraces – which Viking says “reinvents the onboard

“

Uniworld has name its latest ‘Super Ship’ the Maria Theresa after the Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia

An artist’s rendering of Viking’s Elbe-bound Astrild

”

lounge experience by bringing the panoramic river scenery indoors” with retractable floor-toceiling glass doors. Each of the ten ships features 95 staterooms: two 445 sq ft Explorer Suites; seven two-room Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom; 39 Veranda Staterooms once again with full-size verandas; and 22 French Balcony Staterooms. The Eir will concentrate on the Rhine alone, while the other nine Longships will sail the Rhine, Main and Danube.

For contact details and information about river cruise operators, see Directory, p55, and consult our How To Sell guide on p33

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––––– THE BELLY OF THE BEAST –––––

SHIPYARDS

How many hours go in to building a luxury river cruise ship? We travel to Amsterdam to find out how AmaWaterways’ latest vessels were constructed Do you ever stop midcruise and think about the ship you are travelling on? We mean really think about it: the number of man-hours involved in designing, trialling, constructing and fitting together the hardware? The planning and preparation behind the intricate details that make up the collective bigger picture of your holiday? Maybe you don’t but we certainly do. So when luxury river line AmaWaterways asked us if we wanted to go to Amsterdam and see first-hand how their vessels are built, we jumped at the chance. Founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and the late Jimmy Murphy, AmaWaterways now has 19 ships operating across Europe, Asia and Africa. Its rapid expansion has been in line with a 22 per cent rise in European river cruising in 2013, according to figures released by Clia UK & Ireland. Schreiner himself has played a pivotal role in the renaissance of river

cruising, culminating in the foundation of AmaWaterways. The company typifies the high standards he has set across his career, from postings at Uniworld and Viking River Cruises.

Setting sail This year will see the company add a further two ships to its European river stock, the AmaVista and AmaSerena (for more details, see Class of 2015, p25). Constructed by Dutch shipbuilding company Vahali, the shell of both vessels was forged at the shipyard’s Serbian

“

A river ship is limited by its width, height and length because of the locks and bridges on European rivers. But that’s not to say we can’t be creative within those limitations

”

facility before engines and essential components were installed. The ships then made the four-week journey to Holland. When they arrive in Gendt, an hour outside Amsterdam, the hard work begins, Koert Kamphuisen, the shipyard’s owner, tells us. Each ship takes between 18 and 24 months to complete from design through to completion. The biggest tool that Vahali has? Its team of highly-skilled engineers. “We build all the suites on board by hand,” Kamphuisen explains. “We do that because of the craftsmanship involved, despite the fact that it costs more compared to slotting in pre-made units.” The hard work shows. As we walk through the belly of AmaWaterways’ two unfinished vessels

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Vahali’s shipyard in Gendt where the AmaSerena and AmaVista were built

it’s interesting to note the varying degrees of completion on show. The one constant is that there is always something being scrutinised or tinkered with by one of Kamphuisen’s team. “A river ship is limited by its width, height and length because of the locks and bridges on European rivers,” Kamphuisen says. “However, that’s not to say we can’t be creative within those limitations.”

Adventure in comfort A river ship is never going to be the destination itself – unlike some of the largest and most extravagant ocean ships – but that’s missing the point. While river ships are designed to be extremely

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comfortable they are made for those who want to go out and experience a destination as much as possible. It’s also telling that cabins are often decked out to a far higher standard than most ocean ships. Luxury river cabins have a modern décor that’s more akin to a highend hotel room than what you would associate with a cruise ship. Other innovations on board the new ships include twin balconies, interconnecting rooms and a glass pane between the bathroom and stateroom that can be ‘frosted’ at the click of a button. During our tour, it’s striking to see in person the degree of craftsmanship that goes

in to these ships. As AmaWaterways continues to grow within an industry that is already rapidly developing, the quality being put into their hardware will continue to keep people coming. The jury is out as to where new passengers are coming from – whether river attracts its own, new-to-cruise market or if they migrate from ocean cruising – but if Kamphuisen, and the wider AmaWaterways team, keep up the standards they’re already setting, then the future is looking very rosy indeed.

For more information about AmaWaterways and new vessels see Class of 2015, p25, and Directory, p55

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Founded in 2014, Cruise Adviser brings together the most insightful commentary, news and analysis for those looking to sell cruise holidays

You can find us at cruise-adviser.com (compatible with smartphone and tablet), on Twitter (@cruiseadviser) and Facebook

Published five times a year, Cruise Adviser is aimed at front-line British travel agents and other sellers of cruises

Following this River guide, look out for Family, Luxury, Expedition and Ex-UK cruise specials in 2015

For more information about print and online marketing, please email advertising@cruise-adviser.com

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––––– THE HOW TO SELL GUIDE –––––

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HOWTITLE TO SELL

START

Q1.

HAVE YOU EVER TAKEN A RIVER CRUISE BEFORE?

elcome to our How To Sell River Cruises Guide. It is no secret that some travel agencies are making a lot of money from river cruises. But is your branch? If you don’t know your Douro from your Danube then this guide is perfect for you – and this How To Sell walk-through is a great place to begin. Start by asking your customers whether they have ever been on a river cruise before. If not, why not? And if they have, who was it with? All of their answers can be used to give you an indication of the perfect holiday for them. We have divided the industry as simply as we possibly can – into Europe, Asia and Surprise Me. We have then made recommendations based on whether customers are travelling on their own, as a couple or with a group of friends. If you know your product inside out and can confidently tailor packages accordingly, then the sales will come. Good luck!

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HOWTITLE TO SELL

YES

Discuss with your customer: where have you been before? Would you like to go somewhere similar? Who did you travel with?

(GO TO PAGE 36)

Discuss with your customer: why are you interested in a river cruise?

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ASIA

EUROPE

Q2.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO?

SURPRISE ME

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JUST ME

Q3.

COUPLE

WHO IS TRAVELLING?

FRIENDS

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JUST ME

COUPLE

EUROPE

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ASIA

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SURPRISE ME

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FRIENDS

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EUROPE

hink that Europe’s rivers are just for couples and groups? Think again. River cruise lines are offering single cabins and reduced single supplements. You just have to do a bit of digging and soon your client could be winding their way up the Danube, Rhine or Seine and enjoying their time as a solo traveller. We’ve highlighted three cruises that take in the entire spectrum of the European river industry.

Line: CMV Signature River: Rhine and Moselle Departure port: Dusseldorf Duration: Seven nights Date: July 19, 2015 Price: £2,297

Line: Scenic River: Garonne Departure port: Bordeaux Duration: 11 nights Date: October 5, 2015 Price: £4,808

Line: Shearings River: Danube Departure port: Passau Duration: Seven nights Date: July 29, 2015 Price: £1,049

This cruise, on CMV Signature’s Bellejour, starts in Dusseldof and winds its way through some of the rich and luscious Rhine region. Calls include visits to fairytale castles and gothic cathedrals. There will also be ample opportunity to taste some of that famous Moselle wine.

This itinerary with luxury operator Scenic is tailor-made for the most accomplished and seasoned traveller. Taking passengers through some of the most renowned wine country in the world, all in the absolute lap of luxury.

Shearing’s tour takes guests through south Germany and into Austria’s medieval cities – falling into not just wine but beer country, too. Calling points include Wurzberg’s palace and the remarkable 16 locks of the Danube-Main canal.

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ASIA

ho ever said that solo travellers aren’t adventurous? Asia is a region seemingly made for river cruising, as our cover feature on Myanmar proves. It’s a bucket-list destination and one that offers everything you could want: ancient history, great food, luxury accommodation and a sense of adventure.

Line: APT River: Yangtze Departure port: Beijing Duration: 13 days Date: June 18, 2015 Price: £5,080

Line: Mekong River Cruises River: Mekong Departure port: Siem Reap, Cambodia Duration: 12 days Date: August 29, 2015 Price: £3,670

Line: Amadeus Luftner River: Irrawaddy Departure port: Prome Duration: Ten days Date: September 21, 2015 Price: £3,618

This once in a lifetime trip down the Yangtze includes pretty much everything – from flights to China to three nights in the Raffles Beijing and three nights in the Fairmont in Shanghai. The luxury vessel will sail through bucket list sites including the Three Gorges Dam while you will also get the chance to see the famed Terracotta Army.

This phenomenal itinerary takes in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and is one for adventurous solo travellers. Starting in Cambodia, the cruise will include tours of Angkor Wat, hot air balloon rides and learning about the ancient Khmer empire. The tour tends to avoid the mass tourist spots – and comes at a reasonable price too.

There is a huge amount of buzz about Myanmar, arguably the hottest river cruise destination in the world right now. A river cruise is the ideal way to see the former British colony, a country that is still developing its road network. This ten-day itinerary calls at both Bagan and Mandalay and can be easily paired with a pre- or post-cruise stay in Yangon or Inle Lake.

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SURPRISE ME

acing a customer not taken in by either a famous European river or one of the Asian waterways? Well, there’s plenty more out there, including some of the best value itineraries in the business. Many regional operators have done away with the idea of single supplements – so guests can enjoy some surprising destinations without having to break the bank.

Line: American Queen Steamboat River: Mississippi Departure port: Memphis Duration: 12 nights Date: November 20, 2015 Price: £2,500

Line: Discover Egypt River: Nile Departure port: Luxor Duration: Seven nights Date: September 21, 2015 Price: £1,000

Line: Into Russia River: Russian waterways Departure port: Moscow Duration: 12 days Date: May 29 2015 Price: £2,970

This fantastic itinerary on board an American paddle steamer has the wow factor. Starting in Memphis, the tour snakes up the Mississippi, ending in New Orleans. The added extra here? You will also get to experience that most indulgent of American holidays: Thanksgiving. Save some turkey for us!

At the time of writing Discover Egypt was offering no single supplement on its Nile cruises, which is an offer that really should be taken up. Cruises in Egypt are down following the Arab Spring, with many tourists heading elsewhere. However, that means the prices are cheap and those world-famous sites are virtually deserted.

Take a trip from Moscow to St Petersburg and visit two of Russia’s most important cities. From the Kremlin and Red Square to the European beauty of St Petersburg and the tiny settlements dotted along the way. This cruise includes flights, meaning it’s a great value way for the solo traveller looking to visit the country.

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EUROPE

urope has been the traditional home of river cruising for years – and for good reason too. From the Danube to the Rhône, Seine and Rhine – river cruising is great for customers who just want to see that little bit more of a country. The calling points are fascinating and there is nothing more relaxing than watching the world go by as you sail through the rural heartland of Europe.

Line: : Emerald Waterways River: Danube Departure port: Prague Duration: 11 days Date: August 8, 2015 Price: £2,095

Line: A-Rosa River: Saone Departure port: Lyon Duration: Seven nights Date: April 25, 2015 Price: £1,900

Line: Tauck River: Seine Departure port: Paris Duration: Ten days Date: June 18, 2015 Price: £3,360

Have customers looking for a romantic getaway? They could do a lot worse than this itinerary with Emerald Waterways. Starting in Prague and sailing through Passau, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, this is a cruise that takes passengers right through the cultural heart of Europe on ships that even have their own cinemas.

This cruise is perfect for passengers who want to sample the finest wines in the world in one of the most idyllic countries. Stopping points include beautiful Avignon, Chateauneuf-du-pape where the Pope relocated in 1308 and Arles, where Vincent van Gogh painted 187 of his works.

What could be more romantic than starting off your river cruise in Paris? The city of lights and a mecca for doughy-eyed lovers the world over. Sail past the Eiffel Tower through one of Europe’s greatest cities and on to Versailles, Honfleur, Normandy, Jumieges Abbey and a visit to Claude Monet’s home and gardens.

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ASIA

or the couple that have either ticked off Europe’s rivers already or want somewhere a little bit more exotic, the waterways of Asia are full of mysticism and a sense of adventure. From the mighty Mekong to the Yangtze, Brahmaputra, Ganges or Irrawaddy, there is a world of choice – and each river has its own special sights and history.

Line: Riviera River: Mekong Departure port: Siem Reap Duration: 15 days Date: October 6, 2015 Price: £3,099

Line: Far Horizon River: Brahmaputra Departure port: Jorhat Duration: Seven days Date: August 8, 2015 Price: £1,960

Line: Pandaw River: Irrawaddy Departure port: Bagan Duration: Ten nights Date: August 16, 2015 Price: £2,385

Did you know that only the Amazon basin boasts a higher biodiversity than the Mekong? This cruise is for the couple who want something a little more adventurous than a European sailing. Calling points include Phnom Penh, Saigon and Vietnam and all on board a five-star river vessel.

This cruise along the Brahmaputra river takes passengers through the luscious Assam region of India. Take yoga classes on deck or sip Assam tea and watch the landscape roll by with this destination that heads off the main tourist map. However, that’s not to say there’s not plenty to see and do while on the cruise: guests can enjoy an elephant back safari or try to spot a Gangetic dolphin.

This tour from Myanmar specialists Pandaw River Cruises takes passengers from the splendour of Bagan all the way to Bhamo, the most navigable northerly point of the Irrawaddy River. Calling points along the way include Katha, once home to George Orwell and the inspiration for Burmese Days. And remember, there is nothing more spectacular than an Asian sunset.

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SURPRISE ME

here are more rivers on offer than the renowned waterways of Europe and even the more mystical arteries of Asia, you know. Guests can take a cruise on an authentic paddle steamer, journey down the Amazon or take a river cruise on a safari. There really is a world full of options out there, so make sure you brush up on your river knowledge.

Line: Aqua Expeditions River: Amazon Departure port: Iquitos Duration: Seven days Date: August 14, 2015 Price: £5,125

Line: AmaWaterways River: Chobe Departure port: Cape Town Duration: 14 days Date: June 26, 2015 Price: £3,099

Line: American Queen Steamboat Company River: Snake & Columbia Departure port: Vancouver Duration: Nine days Date: October 31, 2015 Price: £2,500

Travel the Amazon river in absolute luxury with Aqua Expeditions. This roundtrip from Iquitos includes a journey through the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve where you can see dolphins, monkeys and piranha as you travel deep into the heart of the lush Amazon Rainforest.

While the cruise element of this trip is only three days it’s the perfect example of what can be achieved through preand post-cruise options. Starting in Cape Town this tour includes three days enjoying the city’s beaches and luxury sites before joining the Zambezi Queen for a tour down the Chobe River for a waterway safari that ends with a tour of Victoria Falls.

Travel on the largest riverboat to operate in the Pacific Midwest with this huge paddle steamer that’s sure to draw some attention as it meanders from Vancouver down to Clarkston. See some of the dense landscapes that don’t appear to have changed since the days of explorers Lewis and Clarke.

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EUROPE

cruise around Europe is the perfect holiday for friends who want to take a trip together. Whether that’s a club, group or society or a family that want to share an adventure. There are often charter opportunities where guests can take over an entire ship (with crew) or make a block booking with one of the larger cruise lines.

Line: Viking River Cruises River: Douro Departure Port: Lisbon Duration: Ten days Date: August 11, 2015 Price: £5,695

Line: The River Cruise Line River: Elbe Departure Port: Berlin Duration: 11 days Date: April 18, 2015 Price: £1,099

Line: European Waterways River: Champagne region Departure Port: Lisbon Duration: Six nights Date: August 30, 2015 Price: £36,805 for 12 people

Taking passengers from Lisbon, Portugal’s beautiful capital, through to Porto, Regua and Baca D’Alva, Viking enters Spain and visits Salamanca Vega de Terron before returning to Porto. The trip to the port and wine-making region could make the perfect booking for a local wine tasting group, supper club or any club that enjoys the odd glass.

The reason we have chosen this cruise in particular is that the River Cruise Line will provide return flights or – interestingly – return travel by Eurostar, opening up a no-fly river cruise option. Perfect for groups that include someone with a fear of flying, or even passengers that just enjoy a slower pace. The cruise will include calls at Wittenberg, Meissen, Dresden and Prague.

For those with deep pockets and who want something a little more private, European Waterways offers the option of chartering a private luxury barge. The tour will take passengers deep into France’s Champagne region and includes a tasting in the Moët cellars with a personal chef on board.

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ASIA

ur three cruises under this category all come under the bucket-list heading: trips of a lifetime spent with friends and those with a shared interest. People interested in travel are invariably intrigued by Asia. Highlight the advantages of a cruise to them – they will be met at airports, have English speaking guides and enjoy a different world in complete comfort.

Line: Pandaw River: Kerala Backwaters Departure port: Cochin Duration: Seven days Date: December 2, 2015 Price: £980

Line: APT River: Ganges Departure port: Kolkata Duration: 16 days Date: September 5, 2015 Price: £5,995

Line: Viking River: Yangtze Departure port: Chongqing Duration: 13 days Date: June 26, 2015 Price: £3,495

Pandaw Expeditions’ growth in Asia has been phenomenal. The company, which now has its own tour operating division, is running trips through the peaceful Kerala Backwaters. The ship only takes 18 passengers, meaning it is possible to take an entire group on the trip, although it’s advisable for agents to contact Pandaw’s UK sales office.

This amazing itinerary includes return flights to the UK, a pre-cruise tour that takes in the Taj Mahal and Delhi, and even allows your guests to play in an elephant polo match. India is a country that holds a huge fascination for many – this type of once in a lifetime tour is one that friends and families alike will want to enjoy.

In 13 days this tour will show you a huge amount of Chinese history and culture. There is no doubt that large groups want to see the Terracotta Army, Great Wall and Forbidden City. This cruise will appeal to those with an interest in history – especially those who have ties to the country. A very lucrative proposal to agents who can make the right sell.

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HOWTITLE TO SELL

SURPRISE ME

he great thing about river cruising is that there are surprises everywhere and, for friends, there are ample opportunities to charter out entire ships. You just need a little imagination and knowledge of your customer to sell them: pitch a Unesco site-heavy cruise to a historian, a canal cruise to an engineer. The possibilities are endless and the rewards are potentially enormous.

Line: Avalon River: Amazon Departure port: Iquitos Duration: 12 days Date: November 14, 2015 Price: £5,885

Line: Gota Kanal Steamship Company River: Gota Canal Departure port: Gothenburg Duration: Six days Date: June 2, 2015 Price: £1,500

Line: Sanctuary Retreats River: Nile Departure port: Luxor Duration: Four nights-plus Date: Charter only Price: £1,610 per night for 12 guests

An amazing tour that starts in Lima, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu before embarking on an Amazon cruise. What better place for a group of horticulturalists than the garden of the world? There is also an option to add a two-night journey in the ancient Nazca Lines for any agent that is feeling especially enterprising.

This is one off the beaten path and tailor-made for clients who want something a little different. Taking passengers right through the heart of rural Sweden, the Gota Kanal Steamship Company operates these vessels for passengers who haven’t got to be anywhere in a rush – guests are encouraged to turn off their mobile phones – as the itinerary takes in Gothenburg and Stockholm. Charters are also available.

Sanctuary Retreats luxury dahabiya, the Zein Nile Chateau, is available for private charter only. Capable of handling 12 guests in its six cabins, this vessel is certainly on the high-end of things. Past occupants of the vessel have included some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. So you’re looking for some affluent clients who like the finer things in life – and have the budget to match.

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WORLD CRUISERWEIGHT CLASH The new kid on the block

Tale of the tape

‘RIVER’ CRUISE

The seasoned veteran

‘OCEAN’ CRUISE

Number of passengers Oasis of the Seas

6,360

‘Average river ship’

140–190

passengers

Distance to destination From: Paris river cruise terminal To: Eiffel Tower

From: Le Havre (advertised as Paris) To: Eiffel Tower

3KM

194KM

Itineraries Less busy itineraries

Port intensive itineraries

= sea days

= no ‘sea’ days

Seasickness

No waves = no seasickness Booking patterns RIVER Cruise Early booking recommended

ocean Cruise Last minute can be available

Waves = Possible seasickness What’s included? RIVER Cruise

ocean Cruise

Usually everything!

Dependent on company

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The world by rivers Cruise Adviserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to the waterways perfect for sailing down

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EUROPE

River Rhﾃｴne Best for castles Top tip go in spring

River Danube Best for city breaks Top tip stay in Vienna

River Loire Best for small villages Top tip hire a bike

River Volga Best for something different Top tip head to Astrakhan

River Garonne and Dordogne Best for wine and food Top tip stay in Bordeaux

River Rhine Best for Europe-wide cruises Top tip go for two weeks

River Seine Best for romance Top tip indulge yourself in Paris

VOLGA

ELBE RHINE

SEINE MOSELLE LOIRE

DORDOGNE GARONNE DOURO

River Douro Best for sunshine Top tip visit port-makers

DANUBE

RHﾃ年E

River Po Best for culture Top tip tour Venice by foot

River Elbe Best for architecture Top tip stay in Prague

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NORTH AMERICA

SNAKE AND COLUMBIA

MISSISSIPPI

River Mississippi Best for country music Top tip take in Mardi Gras River Snake and Columbia Best for feeling like an explorer Top tip go in summer

SOUTH AMERICA

AMAZON

River Amazon Best for exotic wildlife Top tip be prepared for rain

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ASIA River Irrawaddy Best for discovering Myanmar Top tip carry US dollars River Yangtze Best for China and more China Top tip research shore excursions BRAHMAPUTRA

YANGTZE

GANGES

RED RIVER IRRAWADDY

MEKONG

River Ganges Best for holy adventure Top tip donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect mass tourism

River Mekong Best for exploring Southeast Asia Top tip Angkor Wat is a must-see River Red River Best for new itineraries Top tip take in Halong Bay

River Brahmaputra Best for yoga, tea and elephants Top tip look out for big wildlife

AFRICA

NILE

River Nile Best for ancient Egypt Top tip go while prices are low River Chobe Best for safari cruises Top tip add to wider holiday

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––––– RIVER CRUISE LINE DIRECTORY –––––

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DIRECTORY

A-Rosa offers travellers an informed, intimate experience of Europe’s most beautiful riverside cities, villages and landscapes. The sleek, streamlined ships have been designed not only to elegantly ply some of the world’s most historic and storied rivers, but to offer guests a true sense of luxury, comfort and a feeling of home-away-from-home.

Amadeus River Cruises ranks among the best-known organisers of river cruises on European waterways. Founded more than 30 years ago, the company has set new standards in luxury river cruising and offers excellent value. Innovative while rich in tradition, this Austrian shipping line offers outstanding comfort and quality.

CONTACT DETAILS

Lucia Rowe, head of sales UK & Ireland

Stuart Perl, director

A-ROSA River Cruises Loggerweg 5, 18055 Rostock, Germany

Amadeus River Cruises PO Box 619 Farnham, GU9 1GX

TELEPHONE +44 (0)7842 026 013

TELEPHONE +44 (0)1252 714 477

EMAIL l.rowe@a-rosa.de

EMAIL info@amadeusrivercruises.co.uk

WEBSITE arosa-cruises.com

WEBSITE amadeusrivercruises.co.uk

CA OVERVIEW

RIVERS

DANUBE RHINE RHONE & SAONE MOSELLE

DANUBE RHINE RHONE & SAONE SEINE DUTCH & BELGIAN WATERWAYS MOSELLE IRRAWADDY MEKONG

FACILITIES

One free shore excursion per cruise; open bar around the clock; two-three overnights per cruise; smoking areas on sun deck

Drink packages available; free drinks with meals; gym; hairdresser; spa; bicycles available

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DIRECTORY

AmaWaterways boasts the Best Fleet on Europe’s Rivers as rated by the Berlitz Guide to European River Cruising and is known for its custom-designed ships, extensive complimentary amenities and personalised service.

The American Queen is the world’s largest riverboat sailing the length of the mighty Mississippi. Antebellum décor, exquisite cuisine and genuine southern hospitality combine to provide a unique experience. The American Empress is slightly smaller but no less grand – and will sail the Columbia and Snake rivers.

CONTACT DETAILS

Natalie Ford, UK sales manager

Katrina Weston, general manager

AmaWaterways Olympus House, 2 Olympus Close, Ipswich, IP1 5LN

American Queen Steamboat Company 1 Longview Terrace, Histon Road, Cambridge, CB4 3JH

TELEPHONE +44 (0)8081 499 567

TELEPHONE +44 (0)1223 568 904

EMAIL agents@amawaterways.co.uk

EMAIL k.weston@aqgsa.com

WEBSITE amawaterways.co.uk

WEBSITE lightbluetravel.co.uk

CA OVERVIEW

RIVERS

DANUBE RHINE DOURO RHONE & SAONE

MISSISSIPPI SNAKE/ COLUMBIA RIVERS

SEINE DUTCH & BELGIAN WATERWAYS MOSELLE IRRAWADDY MEKONG ZAMBEZI

FACILITIES

Free shore excursions; free drinks with meals; overnights; discretionary gratuities; smoking areas; gym; swimming pool; hairdresser; spa; bicycles available

Free shore excursions; free drinks with meals; beer and wine with dinner (unlimited soft drinks, water, teas and coffees all day); overnights; smoking areas; gym*; swimming pool; spa*; bicycles available *American Queen Only

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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A river cruise with APT is the most relaxing and stylish way to discover the world’s greatest waterways. Enjoy everchanging views, exceptional dining and stylish surroundings on board your river ship. On shore, you’ll enjoy carefullycrafted excursions led by expert local guides who will bring the history and culture of each destination to life.

Avalon Waterways offers the ultimate in luxury river cruising. You’ll eat, sleep and dine in comfort on board Avalon’s modern river cruise ships. And you’ll experience the excitement of new surroundings. Expect nightly entertainment on board and daily discoveries on our well-planned, included shore excursions with expert local guides.

CONTACT DETAILS

Ashleigh Barton, trade sales executive

Sharon Earls, senior trade sales executive

APT 5 Hill Avenue, Amersham, HP6 5BD

Avalon Waterways 1st Floor, Wells House, 15-17 Elmfield Road, Bromley, BR1 1DE

TELEPHONE +44 (0)1494 736 149

TELEPHONE +44 (0)2083 154 545

EMAIL ashleigh.barton@aptouring.co.uk

EMAIL searls@avaloncruises.co.uk

WEBSITE aptouring.co.uk

WEBSITE avaloncruises.co.uk

CA OVERVIEW

RIVERS

DANUBE RHINE DOURO RHONE & SAONE

DANUBE RHINE RHONE & SAONE SEINE

SEINE DUTCH & BELGIAN WATERWAYS MOSELLE

DUTCH & BELGIAN WATERWAYS MOSELLE

GIRONDE, GARONNE OR DORDOGNE YANGTZE

IRRAWADDY MEKONG

MISSISSIPPI MEKONG IRRAWADDY

AMAZON

YANGTZE

RUSSIAN WATERWAYS LOWER GANGES

FACILITIES

Free shore excursions; drink packages available; free drinks with meals; vernights; gratuities included; smoking areas; gym; swimming pool; hairdresser; spa; bicycles available

Free shore excursions; free drinks with meals; overnights; gratuities included; smoking areas; gym; hairdresser

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

DIRECTORY

CMV is delighted to present a selection of Signature River Cruises on the beautiful Rhine, Danube, Rhône and Saône rivers in association with our sister company TransOcean Kreuzfahrten on board the premium Bellejour, Belvedere and Bellefleur. These ships carry between 150 and 180 guests in style and comfort.

Emerald Waterways ‘Star-Ships’ aren’t like other river cruise ships, they’re designed to impress and inspire with every meticulous detail. Boasting striking décor and ingenious onboard features that bring the highlights of ocean cruising to the rivers of Europe, an Emerald Waterways ship is comparable to a boutique hotel.

CONTACT DETAILS

Laura Cann CMV Signature River Cruises Gateway House, Stonehouse Lane, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1NS

Angela Sloan, national sales manager UK Emerald Waterways 13th floor, 111 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2HY

TELEPHONE +44 (0)8444 146 140

TELEPHONE +44 (0)1612 331 988

EMAIL laura.cann@cruiseandmaritime.com

EMAIL info@emeraldwaterways.co.uk

WEBSITE cruiseandmaritime.com

WEBSITE emeraldwaterways.co.uk

CA OVERVIEW

RIVERS

DANUBE RHINE RHONE & SAONE MOSELLE

DUTCH & BELGIAN WATERWAYS

FACILITIES

Free drinks with meals; gym; spa

Free shore excursions; free drinks with meals; gratuities included; gym; swimming pool; hairdresser; spa; bicycles available

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

DIRECTORY

Far Horizon Tours was created to provide a unique, fresh and personal approach for travel to the Indian subcontinent. Its philosophy is to enjoy “Experiencing the Living Cultures of India”, through rivers, deserts, mountains, forests, islands, villages and festivals.

With years of expertise, trusted contacts throughout the largest country in the world and beyond, IntoRussia (formerly IntouristUK) is naturally the ‘go to’ company for travel to Russia and her neighbours. City breaks, river cruises, Trans Siberian trips and adventure tours are all on offer.

CONTACT DETAILS

Stuart Perl, director

Dagmara Corrigan

Far Horizon Tours & Cruises PO Box 619 Farnham, GU9 1GX

IntoRussia Ltd Suite 3/4 , 135 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 2JA

TELEPHONE

+44 (0)1252 714 477

+44 (0)8448 754 026

admin@perlrivercruises.co.uk

info@into-russia.co.uk

WEBSITE

perlrivercruises.com

into-russia.co.uk

CA OVERVIEW

RIVERS

BRAHMAPUTRA

RUSSIAN WATERWAYS

FACILITIES

Free shore excursions; drink packages available; overnights; smoking areas; gym; swimming pool; hairdresser; spa

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

DIRECTORY

Mekong River Cruises is pleased to offer unique cruises on the formerly inaccessible Mekong River through the beautiful country of Laos and neighbouring Thailand. Discover the diversity of the most exciting river in Southeast Asia and the cities, towns and temples along its shores.

Each Pandaw vessel is a replica of a colonial steamer in teak and brass. The company offers expeditions in Burma, on the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia, Laos Mekong, Halong Bay and Red River and new with partner ships on the Ganges and Brahmaputra in India.

CONTACT DETAILS

Stuart Perl, director

Sven Zika, sales and marketing manger

Mekong River Cruises PO Box 619, Farnham, GU9 1GX

Pandaw River Expeditions 20 Mortlake High St, London, SW14 8JN

TELEPHONE

+44 (0)1252 714 477

+44 (0)2037 738 796

admin@perlrivercruises.co.uk

sven@pandaw.com

WEBSITE

perlrivercruises.com

pandaw.com

CA OVERVIEW

RIVERS

MEKONG

HALONG BAY/ RED RIVER GANGES MEKONG BETWEEN SGN & REP BRAHMAPUTRA IRRAWADDY & CHINDWIN LAOS MEKONG

FACILITIES

Free shore excursions; drink packages available; free drinks with meals; smoking areas

Free shore excursions; free drinks with meals; overnights; gratuities included; smoking areas; gym; spa

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

DIRECTORY

The River Cruise Line operates great value European and worldwide escorted river cruises. This independent company has been established for over ten years and enjoys an admirable reputation with a high level of repeat business. All of its cruises are expertly planned and managed, with the advantage of flexible travel options.

Riviera Travel have been operating Escorted tours for 30 years and, in addition to that, European River Cruises for almost six years. It focuses on customer experience, in terms of quality, accommodation and sightseeing excursions, resulting in a comfortable, relaxed and sociable onboard experience.

CONTACT DETAILS

Tim Fleming, head of sales UK and Ireland

Joseph Grimley

The River Cruise Line Anson House, Compass Point, Northampton Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9HW

Riviera Travel 328 Wetmore Rd, Burton upon Trent, DE14 1SP

TELEPHONE +44 (0)7780 456 750 EMAIL tfleming@diamondhols.co.uk WEBSITE rivercruiseline.co.uk/agents

TELEPHONE +44 (0)1283 744 307 EMAIL agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk WEBSITE rivieratravel.co.uk/agents

CA OVERVIEW

RIVERS

DUTCH & BELGIAN WATERWAYS ELBE

DANUBE RHINE DOURO ELBE RHONE & SAONE

MOSELLE DANUBE SEINE RHINE

DUTCH & BELGIAN WATERWAYS SEINE MEKONG

RUSSIAN WATERWAYS

IRRAWADDY MOSELLE

FACILITIES

Free drinks with meals; overnights

Free shore excursions; smoking areas; gym*; swimming pool*; hairdresser*; spa*; bicycles available*

*selected ships

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

DIRECTORY

Scenic Tours are Europe’s ultra-allinclusive luxury river cruise line. With over 28 years’ experience and multiaward winning service, they continue to surpass expectations with ease – ensuring every guest on board their opulent Scenic ‘Space-Ships’ enjoys a truly unforgettable five-star experience.

Shearings’ River Cruise programme is packed full with wonderful river cruises throughout Europe and beyond, with a total of 49 itineraries, 22 of which are new for 2015. New trips include an Amsterdam to the Rhine mini-cruise option, a tour sailing the Loire, France, and rail options to the Danube

CONTACT DETAILS

Angela Sloan, national sales manager Scenic Tours 13th Floor, 111 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2HY

Shearings Holidays Miry Lane, Wigan, WN3 4AG

TELEPHONE +44 (0)1612 331 988

TELEPHONE +44 (0)8448 246 359

EMAIL angela.sloan@scenictours.com

EMAIL sales.support@shearings.com

WEBSITE scenictours.co.uk

WEBSITE shearings.com

CA OVERVIEW

RIVERS

DANUBE RHINE RHONE & SAONE SEINE

DANUBE RHINE DOURO ELBE MISSISSIPPI

DUTCH & BELGIAN WATERWAYS MOSELLE

SEINE DUTCH & BELGIAN WATERWAYS

GIRONDE, GARONNE OR DORDOGNE

LOIRE PO RUSSIAN WATERWAYS YANGTZE

RUSSIAN WATERWAYS MEKONG MISSISSIPPI

GIRONDE, GARONNE OR DORDOGNE NILE RHONE & SAONE MOSELLE

FACILITIES

Free shore excursions; free drinks with meals; gratuities included; smoking areas; gym; hairdresser; spa; bicycles available

Drink packages available*; free drinks with meals*; overnights; gratuities included; smoking areas

*selected ships

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

DIRECTORY

Tauck’s European river cruises are allinclusive in one upfront price – from gratuities to ship staff and the four director-level Tauck staff on every cruise – to unlimited complimentary beverages aboard ship, private shore excursions for Tauck guests only, with more exclusive experiences ashore than any company on Europe’s waterways.

Titan has been offering escorted touring holidays for more than 35 years. It has won countless awards for quality and customer service, including nine at the most recent British Travel Awards. It is still the only travel company to offer complimentary door-to-door holiday transfers wherever you live in the UK with no mileage supplements to pay.

CONTACT DETAILS

Kathryn Coles, UK and Ireland sales manager

Edwina Coppock, agency sales manager

Tauck 301 Watling Street, Radlett, Herts, WD7 7LA

Titan Travel Titan House, Crossoak Lane, Salfords, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 5EX

TELEPHONE +44 (0)8008 108 020

TELEPHONE +44 (0)1293 450 726 +44 (0)7834 652 135

EMAIL tauckreservations@tauck.co.uk WEBSITE tauck.co.uk

EMAIL edwina.coppock@titantravel.co.uk WEBSITE titanagents.co.uk

CA OVERVIEW

RIVERS

DANUBE RHINE RHONE & SAONE SEINE

DANUBE RHINE DOURO ELBE RHONE & SAONE

DUTCH & BELGIAN WATERWAYS MOSELLE

SEINE DUTCH & BELGIAN WATERWAYS MOSELLE LOIRE PO GIRONDE, GARONNE OR DORDOGNE RUSSIAN WATERWAYS IRRAWADDY MEKONG MISSISSIPPI

FACILITIES

AMAZON

NILE YANGTZE

FACILITIES

Free shore excursions; drink packages available; free drinks with meals; overnights; gratuities included; smoking areas; gym; jacuzzi; hairdresser; spa; bicycles available

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

DIRECTORY

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection offers all-inclusive European river cruises that sail the continent’s most legendary waterways on board luxurious boutique ships. Each European itinerary features elegantly appointed riverview staterooms and suites; all gratuities on board and ashore; expertly planned shore excursions and more.

Viking is the world’s leading river cruise line with the largest and most contemporary fleet of ships on Europe’s waterways. Inspiring cruises, spacious and comfortable staterooms, unrivalled food and service and fantastic value for money are all reasons why Viking is consistently voted your favourite cruise line.

CONTACT DETAILS

Emily Francesca Powell, reservations agent

Andrew Schweitzer, agency sales executive UK and Ireland

Uniworld Travel House, Rue du Manoir, Guernsey, GY1 2JH TELEPHONE +44 (0)8001 689 110 EMAIL reservations@uniworld.co.uk WEBSITE uniworldcruises.co.uk

CA OVERVIEW RIVERS DANUBE RHINE DOURO RHONE & SAONE

Viking Cruises Nelsons House, 83 Wimbledon Park Side, London, SW19 5LP TELEPHONE +44 (0)2087 807 926 EMAIL andrew.schweitzer@vikingcruises.com WEBSITE vikingcruises.co.uk

CA OVERVIEW RIVERS DANUBE RHINE DOURO ELBE

SEINE MOSELLE PO HALONG BAY/ RED RIVER

SEINE MOSELLE HALONG BAY/ RED RIVER

GIRONDE, GARONNE OR DORDOGNE

MEKONG IRRAWADDY RHONE & SAONE

RUSSIAN WATERWAYS MEKONG YANGTZE

RUSSIAN WATERWAYS YANGTZE

NILE GANGES DANING RIVER THREE GEORGES

GIRONDE, GARONNE OR DORDOGNE

FACILITIES

Free shore excursions; drink packages available; free drinks with meals; overnight extensions; gratuities included; smoking areas; gym; swimming pool*; spa; bicycles available

Free shore excursions; drink packages available; free drinks with meals; overnights; smoking areas

*selected cruises

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

Viking is the world’s leading river cruise line, offering a choice of award-winning cruises. From an 8-day river cruise along the Rhine to a 17-day cruise and stay journey in Vietnam and Cambodia. WHERE: Europe, Russia and Asia SHIPS: 52 STATEROOMS: All outside rooms with river-view GUESTS: 190* WHAT MAKES VIKING DIFFERENT? We are the world’s most awarded river cruise line. And we are the only river cruise line who directly employs and trains our own crew. There are lots of benefits and rewards when you book with Viking, including: • GREAT COMMISSION • ONE PRICE POLICY • SEVEN-DAY SUPPORT from our UK-based call centre team • DEDICATED AGENCY SALES EXECUTIVE to assist with business development • BROCHURE SUPPLIES through www.trade-gate.co.uk

To find out more, call us on 020 8780 or email agents2@vikingcruises.com * Viking Longships

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