The Cruise Adviser River Guide 2018

RIVER GUIDE 2018

THE UNSTOPPABLE RISE OF

RIVER CRUISE

Exploring the world’s inland waterways in 2018

Want to

grow?

Amadeus River Cruises provide amazing 5-star river cruises throughout Europe, travelling along the waters of The Rhine, Main, Mosel, Rhone, Saone, Seine, Danube and Dutch & Belgian Waterways. Amadeus’ fleet of ships are designed with contemporary luxury in mind. They are spacious and offer fantastic panoramic views to their passengers.

What’s on offer for agents?

• Rail and flight options • Door-to-door service available on request • Excellent commission rates and possible override for exceeding targets • Dedicated Trade Support Team • UK based Reservations Team • Fam trip opportunities • Industry rates • Marketing support • Flexible pricing – offering cruise only, flight/train packages and land tours.

• Group opportunities - bespoke flyers for you to mail to your database

Claim a £10 Love2Shop voucher for every

• Over branding opportunities

simply email your booking reference to

• Advertising collaboration

booking made! If you’re ready to claim, agency.sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk.*

• Agent training

For Reservations Call 0800 035 6411

www.amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk | agency.sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk www.facebook.com/amadeusrivercruisestrade/ This incentive is valid from 1st March 2018 until further notice and all rewards must be claimed by this date. Fred.\ River Cruises reserves the right to withdraw the scheme at any time. The reward cannot not be transferred or exchanged for cash. T&Cs apply

EDITOR’S LETTER

Why you should go with the flow There’s a renaissance happening in the river cruise sector. It’s no longer dominated by three-star ships sailing along the Rhine and the Danube. Modern ships have five-star accommodation worthy of a boutique hotel, speciality restaurants and a range of innovative RIVER CRUISE shore excursions. And there’s also a far wider choice of rivers to explore, from the Amazon in South America to the Mekong in Southeast Asia. The Nile is on its way back and the Volga in Russia and the Brahmaputra in India are fast emerging as rising stars.

One-third of all river ships currently in service were built in the past 10 years and, with more ships on order, the sector’s meteoric rise is set to continue. Perhaps most interestingly it is gaining traction with younger travellers, who are cottoning on to the benefits of easy access to city centres in a floating hotel.

There’s more buzz than ever around river cruise, and with this guide, we intend to give you all the tools you need to convert those enquiries into bookings.

In the following pages we highlight where you will find new ships this year and we address the burning question: can a river cruise be adventurous? We discuss the many reasons to take a river voyage, with a spotlight on the Rhine, Danube, Rhône and Douro waterways. We look at the rise of Asia and the return of the Nile and also provide a snapshot of the different cruises that varying budgets can buy on the Seine and the Amazon.

The river cruise sector presents a world of opportunity for those agents who get behind it. So make sure you are going with the flow, not against it.

THREE THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT RIVER CRUISE P8

RIVER GUIDE 2018

THE UNSTOPPABLE RISE OF

Exploring the world’s inland waterways in 2018

THERE ARE LOTS OF NEW SHIPS

This year alone 17 new vessels will be taking to the waterways around the world. We look at where to find some of the best P12

EXCURSIONS ARE GETTING BETTER

U by Uniworld includes a unique rooftop tour of Paris, while Crystal offers a helicopter tour of the Wachau Valley P30

If you would like to receive another copy of this guide for your office, just email info@cruise-adviser.com with the subject line ‘River Guide 2018’ and we’ll send one out

NILE BOOKINGS ARE UP BY 50 PER CENT Business on the Egyptian river suffered after the unrest of 2011, but it’s on its way back with new ships and itineraries

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

3

ALL

E X C LU S I V E

TM

THE WORLD’S BEST IS NOW EVEN BETTER

INTRODUCING CRYSTAL RIVER CRUISES.™ THE WORLD'S BEST IS NOW EVEN BETTER. From The World’s Best Cruise Line™ comes an entirely new way to travel. Experience the unrivalled standard in all-inclusive luxury, while exploring the timeless waterways of Europe with unforgettable overnight stays aboard five spacious, all-suite river yachts. Indulge in ever-changing scenery and lush landscapes with uniquely curated shoreside discoveries designed to surprise, enrich and fascinate. And complimentary butler service in each and every suite will make you feel like royalty each and every day. Welcome to the new Crystal®.

CRYSTAL CRUISES – VOTED WORLD’S BEST MORE THAN ANY OTHER CRUISE LINE, HOTEL OR RESORT IN HISTORY Best River Cruise Line 2017

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING, PLEASE CALL:

020 7399 7604 ©2018 Crystal Cruises, LLC. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas.

www.crystalcruises.co.uk

ABTA No.V8548

CONTENTS RIVER GUIDE 2018

Cruise Adviser River Guide 2018

Editor’s letter Why you should get on board with river cruise as the sector continues to grow.

3

Infographic There are lots of new ships in 2018 – here’s where you can find them.

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THE UNSTOPPABLE RISE OF

RIVER CRUISE

Exploring the world’s inland waterways in 2018

6. Mekong

INFOGRAPHIC

Can river cruise be adventurous?

Jane Archer argues that river cruise is working hard to lose its old and staid image with all manner of interesting itineraries and adventurous add-ons.

12

Why take a river cruise?

It seems a simple question, but the answer can be tricky. Read our guide to Brits’ four favourite waterways and which one is best for which customer

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With river cruise on the rise, a number of new vessels are being introduced all around the world. Here’s where you can find them…

2. Elbe

1. Seine

CroisiEurope’s Elbe Princesse II will cruise from Berlin to the heart of Prague. In order to navigate the notoriously shallow waters of the Elbe, the 80-passenger ship features modern paddle-wheel technology and an ultra-low draft.

U by Uniworld’s The B will cruise down France’s Seine river from April. The chic style of the 120-passenger ship will be influenced by its Paris home.

CroisiEurope’s Renoir, based on the Seine, is set for refurbishment.

3. Rhône / Saône CroisiEurope’s 105-passenger Van Gogh is being refitted for this summer.

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5

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CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

For the first time Viking River Cruises has invested in its own ship on the Nile, having used charters there previously. The 48-passenger Viking Ra was stripped down to its steel frame and fully reconfigured to become a state-of-the-art all-suite ship with sun deck, pool and two Jacuzzis.

5. Rhine / Danube / Main 4. Douro Riviera Travel’s Douro Splendour has been purpose-built to fit through the Douro’s five locks.The 126-passenger ship will join the Douro Elegance, which started operating in 2017.

AmaWaterways will launch the AmaLea. Crystal Cruises will add two 106-passenger ships, Crystal Debussy in April and Crystal Ravel in May. New brand U by Uniworld, aimed at millennials, makes its debut this spring. The A will make its home on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, with itineraries making the most of the nightlife in Amsterdam, Koblenz, Regensburg and Frankfurt.

Riviera Travel adds the 169-passenger Robert Burns and Amadeus River Cruises the 162-passenger Amadeus Queen, which will also make forays into the Dutch waterways. Refurbishments come from Tauck (Treasures and Esprit) and Uniworld (SS Beatrice).

8. Zambezi Following CroisiEurope’s debut in Africa in 2017, the line is building a second ship to sail on the Chobe and Zambezi rivers. African Dream II will accommodate 16 passengers in eight riverfacing cabins. The upper deck has a panoramic lounge and bar, rooftop patio and hot tub.

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FANTASTIC FOUR

Why take a river cruise?

The rise in demand for river cruise is leaving some agents in the backwaters when it comes to knowing the product and who to sell it to. Jane Archer offers a quick guide to four of the most popular waterways with UK customers

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Head of sales Simon Leeming simon@cruise-adviser.com 020 3865 9337 Sales executive Bryan Johnson bryan@cruise-adviser.com 020 3865 9338

Publisher Anthony Pearce anthony@cruise-adviser.com

7. Nile

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4

MONEY

Budgeting for a river cruise However modest or generous your clients’ budgets, there will be a river cruise to suit their needs. We pick out three contrasting suggestions for the Seine and the Amazon

The Seine

Graphic design Matthew Coles Sub-editor Nathaniel Cramp

The Amazon

A Seine cruise starting in romantic Paris travels to historic Normandy and right through the heart of the picturesque region that inspired a generation of impressionist painters

Cruise the Amazon in either Peru, Bolivia, Brazil or Ecuador and discover one of the most biodiverse environments in the world, as well as the tribes and communities who call it home

Affordable

Expensive

Extravagant

Affordable

Expensive

Extravagant

Company: CroisiEurope Itinerary: Paris to Normandy, taking in the Palace of Versailles, Honfleur, Deauville and the cliffs of Etretat Duration: Five days Price: From £779pp Departure: Paris, May 6, 2018

Company: Avalon Waterways Itinerary: Paris to Normandy, via Vernon, Les Andelys, Caudebec, Rouen, Conflates and back to Paris Duration: Eight days Price: From £1,999pp Departure: London Gatwick, November 5, 2019

Company: Uniworld Itinerary: Paris and Normandy, via Chateau La Roche-Guyon, Monet’s gardens at Giverny, Rouen, Honfleur or Etretat, Normandy beaches, Versailles, and back to Paris Duration: Seven days Price: From £4,369pp Departure: Paris on September 2, 2018

Company: G Adventures Itinerary: Fly from Lima to Iquitos, gateway to the Amazon, explore the town of Naut before cruising down the Amazon and some of its tributaries into Papaya Samiria National Reserve, then fly back to Lima Duration: Seven days Price: From £959pp Departure: Lima, July 2, 2018

Company: Anakonda (with Latin Routes) Itinerary: Travel from the Ecuadorian capital of Quita, to Coca and then through the Yasuni National Park. Including visits to a local family and a canopy observation tower Duration: Five days Price: From £4,300pp Departure: London Heathrow, October 15, 2018

What’s included?

• All meals, unlimited beverages onboard including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, speciality coffee and tea, and mineral water • Excursions including Choice is Yours options • Guided Go Active, Do As The Locals Do and Gentle Walking programmes • Quietvox portable audioheadset on all excursions • Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks • Wi-fi, gratuities, transfers and cultural enrichment

What’s included?

• Six breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners • Local indigenous family visit and local shaman visit • Arrival transfer • Orientation tour of Iquitos • Internal flights • Transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Company: Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Itinerary: Starting in Barbados and taking in St George’s, Grenada; Belem, Brazil; cruising the river Amazon (meeting of the waters); Santarem, Brazil; Parintins, Brazil; Manaus, Brazil.

Duration: 14 nights Price: From £2,299pp Departure: Bridgetown on January 17, 2019

What’s included?

• All meals (French cuisine), plus drinks with meals and at onboard bar • Free wi-fi in lounge and bar • Excursions (with headsets), including a walking tour of Honfleur and day trip to the Normandy landing beaches What’s not included?

Champagne and drinks from the wine list, or drinks ordered during excursions; optional excursions and transfers and travel to/from departure and arrival points

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Publisher Sam Ballard sam@cruise-adviser.com

Asia

Africa

Return of the Nile 30 Bookings are finally on the rise following the recent years of unrest in Egypt and with new ships the future looks bright.

The Cruise Adviser River Guide is brought to you by Waterfront Publishing

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Rise of Asia 24 River cruises are the perfect way to experience Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, China and India in comfort and style.

Budgeting for a river cruise A guide to cruises for different sized wallets on the Seine and the Amazon.

Avalon Waterways is expanding in Southeast Asia, with Avalon Saigon, a new 36-passenger ship, cruising from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh and vice versa. In November, Pandaw River Expeditions will launch Sabei Pandaw on the Upper Mekong between Laos and China.

The company is describing it as an “incredible pioneering 14-night river expedition through an undiscovered region”.

Where to find new ships in 2018

What’s included?

• Full-board dining. Soft drinks and tea and coffee. Regional wine and beer with meals • Return regional flights or rail travel, transfers and VIP home pick-up service (within 100 miles of departure point) • Gratuities • Three types of excursion: Classic, including a walking tour of Rouen; Active, including a hike to the ruins of Chateau Gaillard; Discovery, including a traditional French lunch and pastry demonstration

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

What’s not included?

International flights; drinks and tips onboard

What’s included?

• Five-course a la carte dinners, breakfast, lunch buffets, afternoon tea and late night snacks • Unlimited self-service tea and coffee • Evening entertainment, Captain’s Drinks Party and Gala Buffet • Flights

What’s included?

• Return flights from the UK • All transfers • Four-star hotel stay in Quito • Guided city tour of Quito • All onboard meals • Daily excursions • Local bilingual guide What’s not included?

Internal flight from Quito to Coca; communities entrance fees; wi-fi; beverages; gratuities and personal expenses.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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Waterfront Publishing Arch 462, Kingsland Viaduct 83 Rivington Street London, EC2A 3AY info@waterfront-publishing.com 020 3865 9360 The Cruise Adviser River Guide is published once a year

by Waterfront Publishing Limited (registered number: 08707515). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

Printed by Wyndeham Grange

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Our 2019 River Cruise collection is out now We’re delighted to launch our new 2019 River Cruise collection, which features great-value voyages along Europe’s famous rivers and lesser-known waterways. There’s 13 brand-new river cruises, including a voyage along the historic Kiel Canal that coincides with the world’s largest sailing event – the Kieler Woche Regatta, and an itinerary that combines a cruise along the Danube with a tour of Croatia, which is sure to prove popular.

Win a VIP Race Day at Aintree

and see Craig David live or

at Newmarket and see Paloma Faith live

Every Saga holiday or cruise booked between April 1 and May 31, 2018 gains you automatic entry into our weekly prize draw. Long-haul holidays gain two entries. The prize is one of ten complimentary places at our VIP Race Day at Aintree (June 15) or at Newmarket (June 22).

The prize is not transferable. The mode of transport is at our discretion. For terms and conditions visit saga-trade/incentives.*Offer available on new bookings only. One case of wine per booking. Customers will receive their voucher during their cruise. No monetary alternative given. Saga’s holidays and cruises are exclusively for the over 50s (but a travelling companion can be 40+). Saga Holidays is a trading name of ST&H Ltd (registration no.

2174052), which is a subsidiary of ST&H Group Ltd (registration no. 0720588). Both companies are registered in England and Wales. Registered Office: Enbrook Park, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE. With respect to general insurance products sold in the UK, ST&H Ltd is an appointed representative of Saga Services Limited, registered in England and Wales (company no. 732602), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. NHA-RC5649

Our new collection features…

• Free case of wine worth £60 for your customer when they book any 2019 river cruise by April 27, 2018* • Cruises starting from just £399 per person • A wide choice of exclusively chartered ships • VIP travel service included on cruises of 11 nights or more • 13 new cruises, plus 2019 dates now available on many more itineraries • Hundreds of single cabins at no extra cost, on selected dates and departures, subject to availability • A large selection of all-inclusive cruises

Call FREE on 0800 074 8021 or visit saga.co.uk/agents Become a Saga expert, visit sagaexperts.com Saga Trade Team Find us on social media

INFOGRAPHIC

Where to find new ships in 2018

With river cruise on the rise, a number of new vessels are being introduced all around the world. Here’s where you can find them…

2. Elbe

1. Seine

CroisiEurope’s Elbe Princesse II will cruise from Berlin to the heart of Prague. In order to navigate the notoriously shallow waters of the Elbe, the 80-passenger ship features modern paddle-wheel technology and an ultra-low draft.

U by Uniworld’s The B will cruise down France’s Seine river from April. The chic style of the 120-passenger ship will be influenced by its Paris home.

CroisiEurope’s Renoir, based on the Seine, is set for refurbishment.

2

3. Rhône / Saône CroisiEurope’s 105-passenger Van Gogh is being refitted for this summer.

1

3

5

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5. Rhine / Danube / Main 4. Douro Riviera Travel’s Douro Splendour has been purpose-built to fit through the Douro’s five locks.The 126-passenger ship will join the Douro Elegance, which started operating in 2017.

AmaWaterways will launch the AmaLea. Crystal Cruises will add two 106-passenger ships, Crystal Debussy in April and Crystal Ravel in May. New brand U by Uniworld, aimed at millennials, makes its debut this spring. The A will make its home on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, with itineraries making the most of the nightlife in Amsterdam, Koblenz, Regensburg and Frankfurt.

Riviera Travel adds the 169-passenger Robert Burns and Amadeus River Cruises the 162-passenger Amadeus Queen, which will also make forays into the Dutch waterways. Refurbishments come from Tauck (Treasures and Esprit) and Uniworld (SS Beatrice).

6. Mekong Avalon Waterways is expanding in Southeast Asia, with Avalon Saigon, a new 36-passenger ship, cruising from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh and vice versa. In November, Pandaw River Expeditions will launch Sabei Pandaw on the Upper Mekong between Laos and China.

The company is describing it as an “incredible pioneering 14-night river expedition through an undiscovered region”.

6

Asia

7. Nile

Africa 7

For the first time Viking River Cruises has invested in its own ship on the Nile, having used charters there previously. The 48-passenger Viking Ra was stripped down to its steel frame and fully reconfigured to become a state-of-the-art all-suite ship with sun deck, pool and two Jacuzzis.

8. Zambezi 8

Following CroisiEurope’s debut in Africa in 2017, the line is building a second ship to sail on the Chobe and Zambezi rivers. African Dream II will accommodate 16 passengers in eight riverfacing cabins. The upper deck has a panoramic lounge and bar, rooftop patio and hot tub.

THE UK’S FAVOURITE

• We are the only British company offering 5* European river cruises and therefore tailor them towards British customers

WHY ARE RIVIERA TRAVEL THE UK’S FAVOURITE RIVER CRUISE COMPANY?

• Direct regional flights from up to 15 UK airports, or Eurostar options

• Relaxed, well balanced itineraries with included excursions • One of the youngest fleets of state of the art 5* river cruise ships

• No sole occupancy supplement on lower deck cabins • We never discount, so you don’t have to • Static pricing • Unrivalled price to quality ratio

Call: 01283 744307 Visit: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents Email: agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk

2019 ITINERARIES NOW ON SALE AMSTERDAM, KINDERDIJK & THE DUTCH BULBFIELDS

THE BLUE DANUBE VIENNA, BUDAPEST & SALZBURG Extension available

5 DAY RIVER CRUISE from only £699pp

8 DAY RIVER CRUISE from only £999pp

Departures in April 2019

Departures up to October 2018 and April to October 2019

BUDAPEST TO THE BLACK SEA

THE DOURO, PORTO & SALAMANCA Extension available

15 DAY RIVER CRUISE from only £2,299pp

8 DAY RIVER CRUISE from only £1,299pp

Departures from April to September 2019

Departures up to November 2018 and April to November 2019

Book early to secure your clients’ first choice for their 2019 river cruise, safe in the knowledge that they won’t see a cheaper price later - we never discount. There are a limited number of lower deck cabins available on all ships with no sole occupancy supplement. Superb value for your solo customers. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!

CONTACT OUR FRIENDLY AGENCY SALES TEAM...

• • • •

We don’t discount Joseph We hold options for 5 working days Product video clips available: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents Agent online training: www.rivieraexpert.com

Riviera Travel booking terms and conditions apply. Prices correct as of 19.03.18.

Darren

Tamzin

ABTA No. V4744

Mia

COMMENT

Can river cruise be adventurous?

The river cruise industry is trying hard to shrug off its old and staid image with exciting new itineraries and tours for would-be adventurers, says Jane Archer

I’m balancing gingerly on a wooden plank on a floating fish farm in Halong Bay, wondering just what the Vietnamese have against handrails. One false step and at best I’m fish food, at worst my pride will have taken a severe battering.

It’s probably not how most people would expect to spend day one of a river cruise, which most think to be rather staid.

Maybe it’s the names of some of the cruises – Castles on the Rhine doesn’t even hint at adventure – or because most river cruisers are retired.

Whatever the reason, the simple fact is that people who think that are so wrong. River cruise might have been an old person’s pastime a decade or so ago, but not any more.

I was in Halong Bay with Pandaw, an Asian river cruise specialist that lives and breathes adventure, at the start of a cruise along the Red

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River in Northern Vietnam that would see me testing my nerves crossing streets in Hanoi that were swarming with motorbikes (just keep walking, they say, but it is a real leap of faith) and dodging scooters and lorries on a cycle ride along dusty roads as the thermometer soared past 30.

More excitement is promised on Pandaw’s cruise on the Upper Mekong in Laos and China, which visits hill tribes and sails through gushing gorges. The website even warns would-be explorers that this is an expedition and only for travellers who are “up for a real adventure”.

Or maybe clients would like to head to Northeast India, for a cruise with Saga on the Brahmaputra River, where they’ll find themselves looking for tigers on an elephant-back safari at dawn in Kaziranga National Park.

Going west, budding adventurers can sail the Mississippi and the Amazon – not the unexciting bit that the ocean cruise ships can navigate, but the upper reaches, where the river narrows and passengers can walk through the rainforest, getting up close to the wildlife.

Not that river cruisers have to go a long way to find adventure. In Europe, river cruise lines are reinventing their excursions, adding more exciting options to cater for the new generation of retirees who want more from their holidays than a sightseeing tick-box and also to persuade younger people that you do not have to be old to go on a river cruise.

Leading the way is U by Uniworld, a sister brand to Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection that was initially designed for millennials, but opened to all CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

ages in a surprise decision in early March, just weeks before the first cruise had set off.

It seems that people aged 46 and over were actually most attracted by the idea of a river cruise with a difference and, understandably, Uniworld did not want to turn down their business. Realistically, they are probably also the only ones who can actually afford the cruises, which cost from £1,329 per person. That is for half-board (no lunches provided) and excludes flights and most excursions.

U really is very different.

Not only are its two river ships black (no jokes about U boats, please) but the excursions on offer would get Ben Fogle champing at the bit. There’s paragliding, kayaking and a walk over the rooftops of Paris for those sailing the Seine. On the Rhine and Main, passengers can go blokarting, rock-climbing, canoeing and climb into a disused coal mine; on the Danube there’s whitewater rafting and ice skating (the latter in winter only).

AmaWaterways, Scenic, CroisiEurope and Emerald Waterways have all pepped up their tours with hiking, biking and canoeing. Even Viking, which generally only offered walking tours, has noticed that river cruisers are more adventurous these days and broadened its excursion offerings accordingly.

Passengers cruising the Rhine can now cycle around the Kinderdijk windmills in Holland and through Germany’s Black Forest.

There’s cycling in the Wachau Valley on the Danube, canoeing on the Seine in CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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France and even a trip to a sauna in Russia where they can get beaten with birch leaves.

Crystal River Cruises has helicopter tours over the Wachau Valley and canoeing in Strasbourg, while Avalon Waterways has themed Active Discovery cruises on the Rhine and Danube (and the Rhône starting 2019) with lots of cycling, hiking and canoeing, and even running tours in Amsterdam and Vienna.

So what next? Canyoning in the Ardèche? Zip-wiring in the Black Forest? Who knows.

One thing is for sure, though, alongside the guided walking tours and wine-tasting that many river cruisers still want, there is a growing thirst for adventure. It is now up to ground operators and river cruise lines to work together to satisfy that demand.

If you would like to receive another copy of this guide for your office, just email info@cruise-adviser.com with the subject line ‘River Guide 2018’ and we’ll send one out

THREE CRUISES Enchantment of Eastern Europe

Enchanting Rhine

Halong Bay & The Red River

Emerald Waterways – Emerald Dawn Bucharest to Budapest June 1, 2018 From £2,195pp

AmaWaterways – AmaKristina Basel to Amsterdam September 10, 2018 From £2,511pp

Pandaw – Pandaw Angkor Halong Bay-Hoa Binh July 21, 2018 From $3,069pp

Who says river cruises are for old people? Emerald Waterways passengers can get active on bike tours and hikes while exploring parts of Eastern Europe that were once hidden behind the Iron Curtain.

Strap on those walking shoes because there’s a steep fivemile hike up Holy Mountain in Heidelberg. For those who prefer cycling, there are guided tours in Strasbourg and a 35km ride in Mannheim.

Clients need to pack a sense of adventure as they set out to visit towns and villages in northern Vietnam where Westerners are an oddity on rivers they’ll likely never have heard of.

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CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

THERE'S MORE THAN ONE REASON TO CHOOSE

AMAWATERWAYS

OFFICIALLY THE TOP TEN HIGHEST RATED SHIPS IN EUROPE

0800 520 2250

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FANTASTIC FOUR

Why take a river cruise?

The rise in demand for river c leaving some agents in the bac when it comes to knowing the and who to sell it to. Jane Arch quick guide to four of the mos waterways with UK custom

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cruise is ckwaters e product her offers a st popular mers

Rhine Typical itineraries: A one-week sailing between Basel and Amsterdam (or vice versa) that follows the route of the Rhine as it flows from Switzerland into France, Germany and Holland is the best introduction for newcomers to river cruise.

However, there are plenty of variations, including cruises that start and end in Cologne, or combine the Rhine with the Moselle or Main Rivers (its two key tributaries).

There are also two-week sailings from Amsterdam to Budapest, seven-night tulipthemed cruises in Holland and Belgium in spring and Christmas markets cruises in November and December.

Why go?

The draw for many is the Rhine Gorge, a scenic stretch of river that passes beneath more than 40 medieval castles and fortresses. Cruise directors point out key sights during the sailing, and also reveal the legend of the Lorelei, a beautiful maiden said to have thrown herself to her death in the gorge over a faithless lover.

Rhine itineraries usually include a night in Amsterdam, where a canal cruise and the Rijksmuseum are top attractions. There’s also Cologne, with its magnificent cathedral, chocolate museum and a beer called Kölsch.

Clients will cruise past steep vineyards; see a 450-year-old bible printed

by Johannes Gutenberg, the father of printing; ride a cable car in Rüdesheim and explore Strasbourg – a

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The Rhine Gorge is one of river cruise’s most spectacular sights

beautiful city with canals, halftimbered houses and a grand cathedral with a magnificent astronomical clock.

Highlights for those pairing the Rhine with the Moselle include Reichsburg Castle in Cochem, the imposing Porta Nigra (Black Gate) in Trier and the house where Karl Marx was born 200 years ago.

Tulip cruises visit Keukenhof Gardens, where more than seven million flower bulbs bloom each spring.

CroisiEurope, Crystal River Cruises, Emerald Waterways, Fred River Cruises, Riviera Travel, Saga, Scenic, Shearings, The River Cruise Line, Tauck, Titan Travel, TravelMarvel by APT, U by Uniworld, Uniworld River Cruises, Viking* Sell to: First-time river cruisers, city-break clients, wine lovers, keen gardeners, history enthusiasts, art connoisseurs

Cruise lines: Amadeus River Cruises, AmaWaterways, APT, A-Rosa, Avalon Waterways, CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

s 19 uise w 0 2 cr no er ale v i r s on

2019 RIVER CRUISES Portugal’s River of Gold 10 days, 8 guided tours Departing March to December 2019

From £1,395pp Elegant Elbe 10 days, 7 guided tours Departing March to November 2019

From £2,095pp Rhine Getaway 8 days, 6 guided tours Departing March to December 2019

From £1,195pp Romantic Danube

2019 Viking River Cruises

on sale now – prices from £1,095pp With the world’s largest fleet of innovative river ships – including our multi award-winning Viking Longships – only Viking can promise you more. More comfort, more quality, more style and more choice of cruises across Europe, Russia and Asia. Relax in spacious, contemporary surroundings. Indulge in fabulous, freshly cooked food and thoughtfully selected wines. Explore the cultures, customs and cuisines of the places you visit on expertly led tours.

And discover a unique and exciting new view of the world.

GREAT VIKING VALUE – SO MUCH INCLUDED

8 days, 6 guided tours Departing April to December 2019

From £1,095pp Châteaux, Rivers & Wine 8 days, 7 guided tours Departing March to November 2019

From £1,445pp Waterways of the Tsars 13 days, 10 guided tours Departing May to October 2019

From £2,795pp Passage to Eastern Europe 11 days, 7 guided tours Departing March to November 2019

From £1,845pp

P Free Wi-Fi on board*

Imperial Jewels of China

P An included excursion in almost every port

15 days, 11 guided tours Departing March to November 2019

P River-view stateroom

P Free tea, coffee and snacks any time on board

P All meals on board including wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner

Magnificent Mekong

P All port charges, government taxes and overseas transfers

P Return scheduled flights from London and a choice of up to 14 regional airports at no extra cost

From £2,895pp 17 days, 14 guided tours Departing January to December 2019

From £3,535pp

Call now on 020 8780 7985 or visit vikingcruises.co.uk Prices correct at time of going to print but are subject to availability and change. From prices are per person and based on two people sharing the lowest grade stateroom available, departing on selected dates in 2019. Prices valid until 31 May 2018. Single supplements apply. *Restrictions apply. Please note on selected cruises a visa may be required and is at the passengers own expense. For more information please visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us.

The Danube flows through five capitals, including Budapest

Danube Typical itineraries: The Danube flows from the Black Forest in Germany to the Black Sea in Romania, passing through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania along the way.

Cruises are invariably one-week sailings between Budapest in Hungary and Passau or Vilshofen in Germany. There are also cruises between Budapest and Nuremberg, also in Germany, and round-trips from Passau or Budapest.

Cruises on the Lower Danube between Budapest and Romania take passengers on a fascinating journey through Eastern Europe.

Why go?

While not as blue as Johann Strauss would have us believe, the Danube is one of the most attractive rivers in Europe, flowing past five capital cities and through the beautiful

20

Wachau Valley in Austria and the Iron Gate Gorge separating Serbia and Romania.

Vienna is the jewel in the crown, with monumental architecture and grandiose palaces – the Hofburg in the centre of the city, from where the Habsburgs ruled Austria for 700 years, and Schönbrunn, their summer residence, as well as many ornate private residences. Most river cruise lines stay in the city late so passengers can attend Mozart and Strauss concerts.

Budapest is memorable for its waterfront, beautiful by day but spectacular after dark; Bravtislava, the capital of Slovakia, has quirky statues and a pretty old town; in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, highlights include Sveti Sava, the world’s biggest Orthodox church. Tours in Bucharest visit the Palace of the Parliament, a vast building that was built by former Romanian dictator Nicholas Ceausescu.

Away from the capitals, clients can see where Mozart was born on trips to Salzburg, hear the largest cathedral organ in world in Passau and climb to the rock fortress of Belogradchik in Bulgaria.

Cruise lines: Amadeus River Cruises, AmaWaterways, APT, A-Rosa, Avalon Waterways, CroisiEurope, Crystal River Cruises, Emerald Waterways, Fred River Cruises, Riviera Travel, Saga, Scenic, Shearings, The River Cruise Line, Tauck, Titan Travel, TravelMarvel by APT, U by Uniworld, Uniworld River Cruises, Viking* Sell to: First-time river cruisers, city-break clients, history enthusiasts, music lovers, foodies

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Rhône/Saône Typical itineraries: The Saône rises in France, meets the Rhône at Lyon and together they flow south, emptying into the Mediterranean near Arles.

Most cruise lines offer oneweek sailings between Lyon and either Avignon or Arles.

A few include a couple of nights on the Saône as well.

Why go?

Known as the gastronomic capital of France, Lyon is a delightful city where foodies can tuck into Michelin-starred meals or try local dishes in a bouchon restaurant while sightseers tick off the white Basilica of Notre Dame that sits high above town and a Roman theatre next door, and explore the narrow streets and alleys in the old town.

In fact, Lyon would be the highlight of the cruise if there weren’t so many others, including the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, where seven pontiffs lived in the 1300s, France’s smallest working cathedral in sleepy Viviers and the remains of what was once the largest church in the world in medieval Cluny. There are Roman amphitheatres and temples in Vienne and Arles, while 30 minutes outside Avignon clients can visit the stunning Pont du Gard aqueduct – three tiers of arches 49m high and all built in the first century AD. There’s wine-tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape and Tain L’Hermitage, delectable chocolates at Valrhona chocolate shop in Tournon and reminders of Van

Gogh throughout Arles as storyboards highlight scenes from his famous paintings, including The Café Terrace and The Yellow House.

Cruise lines: Amadeus River Cruises, AmaWaterways, APT, A-Rosa, Avalon Waterways, CroisiEurope, Emerald Waterways, Riviera Travel, Scenic, Tauck, TravelMarvel

by APT, Uniworld River Cruises, Viking* Sell to: Experienced river cruisers, wine lovers, Van Gogh enthusiasts, foodies, history buffs, Francophiles

Avignon’s famous Pont Saint-Bénézet

The Douro valley promises great weather and spectacular views

Douro Typical itineraries: The Douro flows through northern Portugal, emptying into the Atlantic at Porto.

Vessels can only follow one route, sailing from Porto to Vega de Terrón on the border with Spain and back, a distance of 210km. Most river cruise lines do it in a week, some take a few days more by adding extra nights in Porto.

A couple offer one-way cruises and pair the river cruise with a few nights in Madrid.

Why go?

The scenery is the star on the Douro, with craggy cliffs, picturesque valleys and acres and acres of vineyards that produce the grapes used to make port wine. Summer months promise gloriously sunny days and blue skies.

Porto at one end and the Spanish city of Salamanca at

22

the other (the city is reached on an excursion from Vega de Terrón) are spectacular, with beautiful churches, imposing architecture and grand squares. Tours in Porto make a bee-line for Gaia, across the river from the city, for tastings in one of the port wine lodges.

In Salamanca, clients can peek inside the ‘old’ 12th-century Romanesque cathedral and ‘new’ Gothic-style basilica, which dates back 500 years.

Outside the big cities, life on the Douro slows down, visiting sleepy towns and medieval villages. There’s Guimarães, where Portugal was ‘born’ in 1128 when Afonso I became the country’s first king, and Regua, which has an excellent wine museum. In Lamego, tours visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies pilgrimage church built atop a baroque staircase with 680 steps.

Tours visit Mateus Palace, the manor house depicted on the label of bottles of Mateus rosé wine, but anyone expecting a tasting will be a tad disappointed as the wine isn’t actually made there.

Cruise lines: AmaWaterways, APT, CroisiEurope, Emerald Waterways, Riviera Travel, Saga, Scenic, Titan Travel, TravelMarvel by APT, Uniworld River Cruises, Viking* Sell to: Older couples, port wine lovers, sun worshippers, citybreak clients * The list includes companies that sell through the trade in the UK and own river cruise vessels as well as key operators that take whole-ship charters. Other operators might take allocations on the vessels listed

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

CRUISING BY RAIL...

IRELAND

Padborg

UK

FLEXIBLE TRAVEL OPTIONS TO THE MAJOR CRUISE DEPARTURE POINTS

Voyages-sncf puts the high speed European rail network at your fingertips, allowing you to book rail travel across France, Spain, Italy, Germany and beyond.

Bookings can be made through our website or call centre.

Morlaix Quimper Lorient

Belgium

Rouen Mantes-la-Jolie PARIS

St-Malo Rennes

Vitré Vannes St-Nazaire Le Croisic

La Souterraine Limoges

Gijón

Monforte de Lemos

Oviedo

Ourense Puebla de Sanabria Zamora

Palencia

Valencia de Alcántara

LISBON

Badajoz

Valladolid Medina del Campo

Salamanca

Altsasu Vitoria/ Gasteiz

Burgos

Fuentes de Oñoro

Portugal

Miranda de Ebro

Dax

Pamplona Tudela de N.

Spain

Pau

Biarritz Irún Hendaye

Mérida

Tarbes

Valence

Geneva

Lucerne

Perpignan

Avignon Aix-en-provence

Marseille

Figueres

Brig

Turin

Brescia

Cremona

Antequera

Bologna

Hungary

Trieste

SNCF

Ravenna

Thalys

Rimini

Florence

Eurostar Ancona

Perugia

ICE

Siena

TGV Lyria

Italy ROME Fiuminicino Aeroporto

Renfe-SNC

Pescara

RENFE Trenitalia

Caserta

Foggia Matera

Italo / NTV Bari Lecce

Salerno

Murcia

BUDAPEST

Villach Tarvisio

Udine

Venice Padova Rovigo

Naples

Potenza

Taranto

Alicant

Granada Málaga

Mantova

Girona Barcelona

Córdoba

Algeciras

VIENNA

Salzburg

Treviso

València

Linares

Cádiz

Austria

Bolzano

Verona

Final Ligure

Albenga Modena Diano Genova Monaco Cannes La Spezia Nice Vintimille Pisa St-Raphaël Toulon Livorno

Jaén

Huelva

Mittenwald

Lugano Bergamo Trento

Milan

Castelló Sagunt

Albacete

Passau Munich Rosenheim

Interlaken Switzerland

Requena

Alcazar de San Juan

Katowice

Czech Republic

Stuttgart

BadenBaden Ulm Augsburg Freiburg

Tarragona

Cuenca

Ciudad Real

Sevilla

Béziers Narbonne Lleida

Teruel

Toledo

Nîmes Montpellier

Lourdes Carcassonne

Guadalajara

MADRID

Cáceres

France

European rail network

Italy-Germa

London - Marseille (direct Eurostar) Journey time from 6h28 Paris - Nice Journey time from 5h45 Madrid - Barcelona Journey time from 2h30

Paris - Bordeaux Journey time from 2h04

Venice - Rome Journey time from 3h33

Paris - Basel Journey time from 3h11

Milan - Naples Journey time from 4h18

Thello Nigh

Italy-Switze

Rail is the ideal way to get to the major ocean cruise departure points in Europe, not only from London but from cities across Europe too. Here are some examples of journey times:

To Book:

Agency Sales Support:

www.voyages-sncf.eu 0844 848 4066

salesteam@voyages-sncf.com 0207 0766 333

VSNCF_UK_AGENTS

Berlin-War

Reggio di Calabria

TOP OCEAN CRUISE DESTINATIONS BY TRAIN

London - Lyon (direct Eurostar) Journey time from 4h41

RENFE Lus

Thello Day

Lamezia Terme

Travelling by train is a great way to reach river cruise departure points on the continent. Transport your customers by train from any number of major European cities to connect with river cruise embarkation points:

London - Cologne (via Brussels) Journey time from 5h17

RZD

Internation Cartagena

Almería

POPULAR RIVER CRUISE DESTINATIONS BY RAIL

London - Amsterdam (NEW - direct Eurostar service, on sale now!)

Journey time from 3h41

WARSAW

Poland

PRAGUE

Nürnberg

Zurich

Toulouse

Huesca

Zaragoza

Würzburg

Basel

Brive-la-Gaillarde

Montauban

Segovia Calatayud

Ávila

Lyon

Agen

San Sebastián/ Donostia

Kutno

2Q\PCĞ Konin

Heidelberg

Karlsruhe

Strasbourg

BERN Lausanne

Mâcon

Bordeaux

Arcachon Santander Bilbao

León

Frankfurt

Mannheim

Mulhouse Dijon Belfort Besançon

Châteauroux

Angoulême A Coruña

Vigo

Nancy

Les AubraisOrléans Vierzon

Poitiers Ruffec

Pontevedra

Forbach

Moscow

İ wiebodzin Rzepin Dresden

Leipzig

Saarbrücken

Tours

Niort

Metz

Moscow

BERLIN Magdeburg Göttingen

Germany Fulda

Bonn

LUXEMBOURG Reims

Laval Le Mans Angers

Nantes

Les Sables d’Olonne La Rochelle

Santiago de Compostela

Netherlands

Le Havre

St-Brieuc Redon

Ostseebad Binz

Rostock Lübeck

Hamburg Bremen

Ebbsfleet Hannover Rotterdam Oberhausen Ashford Essen Calais Antwerp Hamm Duisburg Dunkerque Calais-Frethun Dortmund Boulogne/mer BRUSSELS Düsseldorf Etaples-Le Touquet Wuppertal Lille Rang-du-Fliers-Verton Liège Aachen Cologne

Lannion

Brest

Oldenburg

AMSTERDAM

LONDON

Rail is the smart way to travel to the continent. It’s high speed, hassle free and allows your customers to travel in comfort and in style whilst avoiding long airport check-ins and luggage restrictions. Once there, train stations are ideally located for ocean or river cruise departures and your customers will arrive rested, relaxed and ready for their holiday.

Puttgarden Kiel Warnemünde

Flensburg

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GLOBE

Issue One

December 2016

CRUISE ADVISER THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

PREVIEW EDITION

DECEMBER 2016

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

F E AT U R E S | R O O M SERV ICE MENU | SHO RE EXCUR SIO NS

ISSUE ONE

FEBRUARY 2016

CRUISE ADVISER

EX-UK 2016

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

WATERMARK

ADVENTURE 2016

YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST HOLIDAYS IN THE WORLD

EX-UK GUIDE 2016–2017

ADVENTURE 2016

WHY ARE CRUISES M A K I N G WAV E S ?

SAILING SOLO O F F T H E B E AT E N T R AC K WHY ARE CRUISES M A K I N G WAV E S ?

SAILING SOLO

RIVER GUIDE

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

Solus

I SS U E 0 N E

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HOW TO SELL

Sam Ballard sails the Mississippi on a musicthemed tour from New Orleans to Memphis

Gary Buchanan takes in two of expedition cruise’s great destinations: Antarctica and the Galápagos

A brief history of the Norwegian shipping company that has been sailing the fjords since 1893

Our unique walkthrough guide featuring 14 fantastic adventure cruises

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thevillagepost Amazing Grace Introducing Tauck’s new ship on the mighty Rhine

Turning the tide An in-depth look at MSC Cruises’ forthcoming Seaside

Issue two

A world of luxury We consider the benefits of all-inclusive river cruising

O F F T H E B E AT E N T R AC K

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CRUISE ADVISER

WONDERFUL WORLD FOUR BUCKET-LIST STOPS

FIRE & ICE

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APRIL 2016

LUXURY 2016

ON THE HORIZON THE LATEST CRUISE NEWS

EMERALD WATERWAYS AN IN-DEPTH LOOK

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THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE ADVISER

CRUISE & MORE HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME

CA-10

FJORD FOCUS A JOURNEY TO WEST NORWAY

AMERICAN QUEEN

Eastern promises Sailing Asia’s majestic Mekong with APT Touring

thevillagepost American Queen A music-themed tour of the Deep South on the mighty Mississippi

Fire and ice Explore the Galápagos and Antarctica with our handy guide

Issue three

Capital concerns Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest with Scenic on the Danube

COPENHAGEN WITH CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES

EXTENSIVE EX-UK DEPARTURE LISTINGS

EUROSTAR RIVER CRUISE SPECIAL

INTERVIEW: P&O’ CRUISES' PAUL LUDLOW

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SECRETS OF THE DOURO Explore the wonders of Porto with our new itinerary for 2017

MEET THE FLEET Introducing a trio of new ships: Emerald Radiance, Liberté and Destiny

RAISE A GLASS Enjoy the world’s finest wines during our new cruise on the Rhône

WHICH RIVER ARE YOU? Find out which Emerald Waterways cruise best suits your personality

EMERALD EXPLORER

All around the world These epic cruises and flights will take you across the globe

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Planning a holiday with the kids? We reveal the secrets to travelling in style

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WHY TRAVELLERS OF ALL AGES ARE HEADING OUT ALONE

WINE COUNTRY WITH UNIWORLD

INFOCUS: EMERALD WATERWAYS

UNUSUAL RIVERS SPECIAL

UNIQUE HOW TO SELL GUIDE

issue 3

SEABOURN

Sam Ballard takes a closer look at the history of Carnival’s exquisite ultra-luxury brand

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issue 2

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Jeannine Williamson speaks to Edie Rodriguez about the cruise line’s lightspeed developments

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THE GREAT BEYOND CA-8

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SCENIC

From Passau to Budapest, Anthony Pearce takes in the wonders of the beautiful Danube

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H E L P I N G YO U S E L L S O L O T R AV E L

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MARCH 2017

PREVIEW GUIDE 2016

Where next for cruise?

PREVIEW GUIDE 2016

The new ships, destinations and innovations arriving in 2017

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INDIAN SUMMER WE EXPLAIN WHY THE COUNTRY IS BACK ON THE MAP FOR SOLOS

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Jeannine Williamson joins Viking Sky in Rhodes

CMV’S NEW FLAGSHIP

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ENDS OF THE EARTH

ADVENTURE ON THE DOURO

THE 5 MOST INNOVATIVE ROOMS AT SEA

By Gary Buchanan PLUS:

Daniel Allen travels along the Mekong with Scenic

By Adam Coulter

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ABTA ON BREXIT

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JO RZYMOWSKA ON CELEBRITY EDGE HOW TO MAKE A £100,000 BOOKING THE INDUSTRY’S MOST LUXURIOUS SHIPS

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By Gilly Pickup

SILVER MUSE: FIRST LOOK

Adam Coulter explores Chile’s rugged wilderness

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GILES HAWKE ON THE COSMOS RELAUNCH

PLUS LUXURY BARGE HOLIDAYS IN EUROPE THE 10 BEST ADVENTURE DESTINATIONS INTERVIEW: VIKING FOUNDER TORSTEIN HAGEN

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Exploring the Galápagos Islands – the land that time forgot

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The new launches, innovations and destinations to look forward to in 2018 PLUS VIKING RIVER CRUISES ON THE DANUBE HOW TO SELL: YOUR FIRST CRUISE PORTS OF CALL: SYDNEY

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PARADISE FOUND We return to the Caribbean with P&O Cruises and find it very much open for business after last year’s hurricanes

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Rise of Asia

River cruises are the perfect way to experience Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, China and India in comfort and style. Katherine Lawrey looks at some of the best Acre upon acre of rice paddy fields, dense jungle brimming with exotic wildlife, colourful floating markets, gilded temples and village life being played out along the river banks. An Asian river cruise has layer upon layer of rich experiences, all framed by beautiful scenery.

With the leisurely pace of a river cruise, the adventure travel experience can be slowed right down, letting guests revel in their surroundings. An attentive crew, comfortable cabins, onboard catering and a tour guide service make a river cruise the easiest way to tour Asia for many who might balk at the idea of travelling independently in the region.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

One of the most obvious choices is the Mekong, which runs for almost 5,000km from its source high up on the Tibetan plateau to Vietnam, through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.

The most popular section to explore is between Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia, with the spectacular 12th century temple complex of Angkor Wat a highlight.

Cambodia and Vietnam have a limited dry season from November to February before it heats up in March and April.

Monsoon season lasts from May to October but it does not have to be a deterrent. It generally rains for an hour a day, in the

afternoon, and with excursions scheduled for the morning, you can be back onboard and under cover, cocktail in hand, by the time the heavens open.

All the leading river cruise lines operate ships on the Mekong including AmaWaterways, Avalon, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises, Heritage Line and CroisiEurope.

Most ships can accommodate between 50 and 70 passengers but there are some boutique experiences out there. Tom Tiou, featured by eWaterways, and Pandaw Cruises’ Laos Pandaw have just 10 double cabins each, while Avalon will debut Saigon this September, with 18 en suite cabins.

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Uniworld’s Mekong Navigator is one of the many ships operating on the Mekong

Of course not all Asia’s highlights are conveniently located near a navigable river.

Look at Titan, Wendy Wu, APT and Riviera Travel for land and cruise tour combinations.

Titan’s Charms of the Mekong combines seven nights in hotels with a seven-night cruise on AmaDara and even one night on a junk in Halong Bay. The Mekong may flow through six countries, but the title of Asia’s longest river goes to the Yangtze, stretching over 6,000km from Shanghai through China’s heartland.

The most popular area is Three Gorges, a 160km stretch between Nanjin Pass in the east and White King City in the west. The impressive scenery is matched by a world-class engineering project. A series of staircase locks bypass a hydroelectric dam, which is the world’s largest power station, going by the amount of electricity generated.

China can be neatly packaged to combine a Yangtze river cruise (from Chongqing to Wuhan) with must-see sights – the Great Wall of China (at Beijing), Shanghai and the Terracotta Army at Xian, which is what Viking River Cruises’ Imperial Jewels of China does.

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Wendy Wu’s Majestic Yangtze adds Chengdu’s Panda Conservation Centre into the mix, while Uniworld’s Grand China & the Yangtze itinerary features another iconic snapshot straight from a Chinese scroll painting.

The landscape around Guilin and the Li River in Yangshuo appears frozen in time, with terraced rice paddies, grazing water buffalo and conicalhatted fishermen against a backdrop of limestone karsts and misty mountains.

It’s best to avoid the Yangtze in July and early August, when it’s hot and humid.

The temperatures are more agreeable from May to June and late August to October.

Another epic Asian river that’s becomingly increasingly popular is the Irrawaddy, which runs 2,000km through central Myanmar, from its source in the Himalayas to the Andaman sea.

Myanmar is often referred to as the Golden Land due to the number of pagodas covered in gold. From Bagan’s famous golden-topped temples, rising above the jungle treeline, to Yangon’s reclining Buddha and 99m high Shwedagon Pagoda, a passage along the Irrawaddy is a treasure hunt with obvious

clues. APT’s Hidden Wonders of Myanmar includes the spellbinding experience of gliding underneath the world’s longest teak bridge, U Bein Bridge, in a traditional sampan at sunset.

It was constructed more than 150 years ago and stretches 1.2km across a lake, perched on more than 1,000 pillars.

It’s handy to have a watch in Myanmar – it’s one of the few countries in the world to operate in an offset time zone, making it 30 minutes behind the majority of Southeast Asia.

The best time to plan a visit is from November to February when it’s the cool, dry season, but days remain warm and evenings are pleasantly balmy.

Those who have ticked off these rivers may be tempted by India and a cruise along Hindu’s holy river. Spiritual, chaotic and colourful, a Ganges river cruise is an assault on the senses and will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Pollution is a problem, but that doesn’t detract from its fascinating sights.

For something a little more refined, tour the palm treefringed rice paddies of Kerala’s backwaters by house boat. The Oberoi’s MV Vrinda is one way to do it in style with 24-hour butler service and wi-fi.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

Relaunching May 1, 2018 In May, Waterfront Publishing will relaunch ABTA Magazine, the official title for ABTA, the travel association, with an exciting new design, size, feel and ethos.

The relaunched magazine, published six times a year, will act as the voice of the travel industry, providing in-depth features, news, comment, analysis and interviews.

Reporting on aviation, entertainment, hotels, cruise, ski, and more, the magazine will cover the breadth of the travel industry. The new-look title will feature readers’ letters, an advice column, games and competitions, as well as dedicated business travel and UK holiday sections.

ABTA Magazine will also be available online at ABTAmag.com, bolstered by breaking news, more reactive comment pieces and longer-form insights.

The magazine will form the centrepiece of a range of ABTA publications including an ABTA Magazine World Travel Market special edition; a series of ABTA Magazine destination and trend supplements; ABTA Golf; and the ABTA Handbooks.

Email info@ABTAmag.com to subscribe

MONEY

Budgeting for a river cruise However modest or generous your clients’ budgets, there will be a river cruise to suit their needs. We pick out three contrasting suggestions for the Seine and the Amazon

The Seine A Seine cruise starting in romantic Paris travels to historic Normandy and right through the heart of the picturesque region that inspired a generation of impressionist painters

Affordable

Expensive

Extravagant

Company: CroisiEurope Itinerary: Paris to Normandy, taking in the Palace of Versailles, Honfleur, Deauville and the cliffs of Etretat Duration: Five days Price: From £779pp Departure: Paris, May 6, 2018

Company: Avalon Waterways Itinerary: Paris to Normandy, via Vernon, Les Andelys, Caudebec, Rouen, Conflates and back to Paris Duration: Eight days Price: From £1,999pp Departure: London Gatwick, November 5, 2019

Company: Uniworld Itinerary: Paris and Normandy, via Chateau La Roche-Guyon, Monet’s gardens at Giverny, Rouen, Honfleur or Etretat, Normandy beaches, Versailles, and back to Paris Duration: Seven days Price: From £4,369pp Departure: Paris on September 2, 2018

What’s included?

• All meals (French cuisine), plus drinks with meals and at onboard bar • Free wi-fi in lounge and bar • Excursions (with headsets), including a walking tour of Honfleur and day trip to the Normandy landing beaches What’s not included?

Champagne and drinks from the wine list, or drinks ordered during excursions; optional excursions and transfers and travel to/from departure and arrival points

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What’s included?

• Full-board dining. Soft drinks and tea and coffee. Regional wine and beer with meals • Return regional flights or rail travel, transfers and VIP home pick-up service (within 100 miles of departure point) • Gratuities • Three types of excursion: Classic, including a walking tour of Rouen; Active, including a hike to the ruins of Chateau Gaillard; Discovery, including a traditional French lunch and pastry demonstration

What’s included?

• All meals, unlimited beverages onboard including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, speciality coffee and tea, and mineral water • Excursions including Choice is Yours options • Guided Go Active, Do As The Locals Do and Gentle Walking programmes • Quietvox portable audioheadset on all excursions • Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks • Wi-fi, gratuities, transfers and cultural enrichment

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The Amazon Cruise the Amazon in either Peru, Bolivia, Brazil or Ecuador and discover one of the most biodiverse environments in the world, as well as the tribes and communities who call it home

Affordable

Expensive

Extravagant

Company: G Adventures Itinerary: Fly from Lima to Iquitos, gateway to the Amazon, explore the town of Naut before cruising down the Amazon and some of its tributaries into Papaya Samiria National Reserve, then fly back to Lima Duration: Seven days Price: From £959pp Departure: Lima, July 2, 2018

Company: Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Itinerary: Starting in Barbados and taking in St George’s, Grenada; Belem, Brazil; cruising the river Amazon (meeting of the waters); Santarem, Brazil; Parintins, Brazil; Manaus, Brazil.

Duration: 14 nights Price: From £2,299pp Departure: Bridgetown on January 17, 2019

Company: Anakonda (with Latin Routes) Itinerary: Travel from the Ecuadorian capital of Quita, to Coca and then through the Yasuni National Park. Including visits to a local family and a canopy observation tower Duration: Five days Price: From £4,300pp Departure: London Heathrow, October 15, 2018

What’s included?

• Six breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners • Local indigenous family visit and local shaman visit • Arrival transfer • Orientation tour of Iquitos • Internal flights • Transport between destinations and to/from included activities What’s not included?

International flights; drinks and tips onboard

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

What’s included?

• Five-course a la carte dinners, breakfast, lunch buffets, afternoon tea and late night snacks • Unlimited self-service tea and coffee • Evening entertainment, Captain’s Drinks Party and Gala Buffet • Flights

What’s included?

• Return flights from the UK • All transfers • Four-star hotel stay in Quito • Guided city tour of Quito • All onboard meals • Daily excursions • Local bilingual guide What’s not included?

Internal flight from Quito to Coca; communities entrance fees; wi-fi; beverages; gratuities and personal expenses.

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Return of the Nile

Numbers dropped off after political unrest in Egypt, but with travel to the region deemed safe, more lines are adding Nile itineraries, says Katherine Lawrey Following the Arab Spring in 2011, and the ensuing unrest in Egypt, the Nile cruise business almost ceased to exist. By 2016 just 3,600 Brits took a cruise in the country, down 95 per cent from 58,000 in 2010.

However, the Nile now appears to be on its way back.

There is currently no Foreign Office advice against travel to Cairo and the tourist areas – including Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings – are also considered safe.

Orbital Travel’s managing director John McCallum reports that the Nile river cruise specialist started to see a turnaround at the end of 2016.

From April 2017 to March

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2018, passenger numbers and turnover have increased by 50 per cent. “The level of activity between January and the first week of March was the highest since the downfall of President Mubarak in 2011,” he said.

Viking River Cruises will begin Nile river cruises this year, investing in its own vessel for the first time. A newly renovated all-suite ship, the Viking Ra, is sailing an eightday round-trip cruise on the Nile as part of Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids cruise tour that begins in Cairo.

Riviera Travel now has two Nile itineraries – including the 11-day Wonders of the Nile (from Cairo to Luxor) which

can also be extended from Cairo to Aswan for 15 days.

The Nile also makes its debut appearance in a Scenic brochure – the luxury river and escorted tour operator has introduced an 11-day tour, which has a four-night charter on the 36-guest Sanctuary Sun Boat III from Luxor to Aswan.

With Uniworld, Sanctuary Retreats, Orbital Travel, Red Sea Holidays and Discover Egypt all having kept faith with the region, there’s every reason to feel optimistic for the Nile.

Discover Egypt has held most of its prices for 2018 and 2019 at 2017 levels, with seven-night cruises starting from £898, with excursions included.

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