Stowaway 16th edition

STOWAWAY
RIVERS
RIVER CRUISE SPECIAL MARCH 2019 Issue 16
CRUISE DIARY 2019 | 2020
EUROPE | ASIA | AFRICA | USA | LONG HAUL | EXOTIC
StowawayMedia.com

CONTENTS
What an amazing few years it has been for river cruising, with exciting new vessels launching and ever-growing
demand as more and more British passengers discover this is a fine way to travel. In 2017 alone, numbers rose
24% to top 210,000 for the first time, according to Clia UK & Ireland, the UK's official cruise industry association.
FREE FLIGHTS ON ALL
RHINE RIVER CRUISES
PLUS SAVE UP TO £1,850 PER COUPLE
Book by 28 February 2019
This year is shaping up to be another fantastic 12 months, with more new river ships on the horizon and many
cruises in 2020 available for booking already.
What is the attraction? Quite simply being able to travel in a first-class floating hotel and discover spectacular cities
and little-known towns and villages around Europe, Asia and the US that all have fascinating stories to tell.
So where can you go? Look at the river destinations chart and the end of this Stowaway to see who goes where.
If you’d like more detailed information on the world’s rivers and the attractions they offer, read the comprehensive
river destination pages in our River Cruise Diary – you’ll find it on the Home page of our late getaways website
www.cruiselates.com together with our recently published Luxury and Expedition Cruise Diaries
Keith Ellis, Publisher
Basel ~ Strasbourg ~ Rüdesheim
Rhine Gorge and Lorelei Rock ~ Cologne
Published by ..............Stowaway Publications
10 Tadorne Road, Tadworth
KT20 5TD Surrey
Award-winning suites with
open-air balconies
Full-board dining with wine
and beer included
Private home
pick-up service
avaloncruises.co.uk | visit your local travel agent
Publisher ................................................. Keith Ellis
.................................. +44 (0)1737 81 2411,
.................................kmellis@btinternet.com
Written and Edited by: ................ Jane Archer
.............................................Janearc@aol.com
Creative .... Andrew Reeves, Oddsock Design
.....................Andrew@oddsockdesign.com
Front cover image courtesy of Avalon Waterways
READER
RECOMMENDED
UK 2019
We are a member of ABTA and our flight-inclusive holidays are protected by the ATOL scheme. Prices shown are based
on two people sharing a Panorama Suite. Free flights offer valid on all new Rhine cruise bookings made between 20 Dec
2018 and 28 Feb 2019, departing the UK between 1 Jan 2019 and 30 Nov 2019. Offer valid for bookings departing London
Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham or Glasgow airports, on either British Airways, KLM or EasyJet
operated fl ights, subject to availability. Alternative airlines / flight times are available at time of booking for a supplement. Prices shown includes saving. Offer subject to
stateroom availability; for full terms and conditions, see avaloncruises.co.uk/offerstcs. Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended survey of Avalon panoramic views,
112 Good Housekeeping readers, 2018. Prices correct at time of print (12 January 2019).
RIVER DIARY | JANUARY 2019
StowawayMedia.com
3

Europe’s
most luxurious
river cruises
Why
TAKE A RIVER CRUISE
WHY TAKE A RIVER CRUISE
At Scenic, we take what you would
expect from a 5-star river cruise to a
whole new level.
Even the luxuries you would expect
to pay extra for are included from the
moment you step on board.
All-Inclusive Highlights
ü Flights from up to 16 UK airports
ü Award-winning Scenic Freechoice
shore excursions
ü Once-in-a-lifetime Scenic Enrich
events and experiences
ü Casual to fine dining in a choice of up
to five on board venues
ü Unlimited premium branded drinks and
in-suite mini bar*
ü Complimentary Wi-Fi
ü Butler service for all guests
ü All tipping, transfers and taxes
Unlock luxury for less
Both on board and on shore, luxury comes as
standard with Scenic. With state-of-the-art
Space-Ships, we offer 5-star luxury across
everything - from luggage unpacked by a
personal butler, to a choice of gourmet meals
across a range of on board dining venues.
Scenic is truly all-inclusive; return flights,
premium branded drinks, excursions and
gratuities, not forgetting the free in-suite
mini bar, replenished daily, are all included
in the price.
All-inclusive dining & beverages
Scenic Freechoice excursions
Award-winning excursions
Scenic Enrich experiences offer exclusive,
once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to delve into
local history and culture. Guests can dine in
palatial settings or discover hidden gems with
the guidance of an expert.
Scenic Freechoice excursions, carefully selected
by our Journey Designers, encourage you
to explore beauty spots and landmarks at a
pace that suits. Our GPS-fitted e-bikes allow
you to discover independently off the beaten
track, while group hikes help to acquaint more
active explorers with areas of outstanding
natural beauty.
Luxury suites
Scenic Enrich experiences
State-of-the-art Space-Ships
Our state-of-the-art Space-Ships have been
designed to redefine luxury river cruising. With
innovative new technology, a wide selection of
dining options, an on board Wellness Centre,
and the most spacious suites on Europe’s
waters, you won’t be disappointed.
Each balcony suite features our exclusive
Scenic Sun Lounge system, transforming the
window into a balcony at the touch of a button.
Guests can enjoy a 1:3 crew to passenger ratio
with a butler service for everyone.
Contact your Local Travel Agent
River cruising is the holiday hit of the decade, gaining
thousands of new followers each year who are drawn to
the alluring mix of easy adventure and discovery that
awaits on the world’s waterways.
It is a very different style of travel to ocean
cruising. The ships are smaller, carrying
an average of just 150 passengers, and they
navigate rivers and canals rather than sailing
vast oceans, enabling passengers to really
get under the skin of places instead of just
visiting.
There is always something to see along the
river banks - churches and castles in Europe,
remote villages in Asia - and when vessels
dock, it is often in the heart of a big city or
town. As they don’t need clearance by local
authorities, once the gangway is in position,
passengers can just walk ashore and discover
new sights, sounds and tastes.
All that and the ease of just unpacking once
as your floating hotel glides from once place
to another.
As the number of river cruise passengers has
grown (the UK market alone rocketed 24%
in 2017 to reach a record 210,400 in 2017,
according to official figures, and numbers
from the US and Australia are way higher), so
the river ships and product have adapted to
suit changing expectations.
Most modern river ships now offer cabins with
balconies, additional places to eat and larger
spas. AmaMagna, a new vessel being built by
AmaWaterways and launching in May 2019,
is twice the width of other river cruise vessels,
has four places to eat, a wellness studio and a
rear watersports platform. The only other river
ship of the same size is Crystal River Cruises’
Crystal Mozart.
Crucially, cruise fares now include a lot of
things that once cost extra. It does mean that
river cruising is not a cheap option, but it
is great value and very appealing to mature
passengers (the majority of river cruisers
are retired) as they don’t have to think about
extra costs while travelling.
A seven-night Rhine cruise in June costs
from £2,345 per person with Scenic and from
£2,239 per person with Uniworld. Both are
among a few river cruise lines that include
everything from flights and transfers to
drinks, excursions and gratuities in the price.
Even those that are not all-inclusive usually
incorporate one or two perks in the price,
whether it be free drinks at meal times,
excursions or gratuities. Emerald Waterways
includes all three, but usually only one
excursion per port (with others at extra cost);
AmaWaterways includes drinks with meals
and a choice of excursions.
Saga includes drinks with meals and some
excursions, A-Rosa charges for excursions
but includes drinks. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
charges for both drinks (beverage packages
are available) and excursions.
Most include alternative dining where
available as well as Wi-Fi. Exceptions include
the Vintage Room on Crystal Cruises’ river
ships, where a handful of passengers can
enjoy wine-themed lunches and dinners
for an extra fee, and the waiter-service
restaurants on A-Rosa vessels.
Inclusions and ship features may vary.
*All drinks are included except for a very small number of rare and vintage spirits, wine and champagne.
For full terms and conditions visit scenic.co.uk
StowawayMedia.com
5

WHY TAKE A RIVER CRUISE
THE BEST NEVER
GOES ON SALE
Welcome aboard...
where the ambiance is charming...
the exclusive shore excursions go beyond the ordinary...
and if it means a better travel experience, it’s included.
INSPIRED BY THE DESTINATION
On Tauck river cruises, deep destination knowledge and longstanding local relationships create
exclusive cultural experiences ashore. Delivering truly inspirational travel experiences has defined
Tauck for 90+ years... and Tauck river cruises connect you with people, places and daily life along
Europe’s great rivers – with you at the very heart of it.
2019 itinerary details are available at tauck.co.uk or call your preferred travel
agent or Tauck on 0800 810 8020
www.tauck.co.uk
WHO INCLUDES DRINKS
The following river cruise lines
include all drinks in the prices:
APT
A-Rosa
CroisiEurope
Crystal River Cruises
Pandaw (local brands only)
Scenic
Uniworld River Cruises
Tauck
The following river cruise lines
include drinks with lunch and dinner:
Amadeus River Cruises
AmaWaterways
Avalon Waterways
Emerald Waterways
Saga (exclusive charters only)
Titan Travel
Travelmarvel
Viking
WHO INCLUDES GRATUITIES
APT
Avalon Waterways
Crystal River Cruises
Emerald Waterways
Pandaw
Scenic
Tauck
Travelmarvel
U by Uniworld
Uniworld River Cruises
FOLLOW THE TRENDS
The trend for more rigorous excursions and
activities is growing fast among river cruise
companies as 60 becomes the new 40 and
lines look to attract a younger generation.
Companies including Uniworld, Crystal,
AmaWaterways, Scenic and Emerald
Waterways carry bikes that passengers can
borrow for guided cycle rides or to explore
alone, and hiking tours increasingly figure
among the choice of excursions on offer.
Avalon Waterways has dedicated active
cruises on the Rhine, Danube and, new
for 2019, the Rhône in France, while
CroisiEurope has cycling and walkingthemed
departures with 30-mile bike rides
and hikes of five to eight miles most days.
AmaWaterways has wellness instructors
on all its cruises this year. Those sailing the
Seine, Rhine or Danube with U by Uniworld
can go kayaking and walking across the
rooftops of Paris.
Family river cruises are also becoming more
popular. Children can go on most cruises
with most lines, but Uniworld, Tauck and
A-Rosa have dedicated family departures
with special activities and excursions to keep
youngsters amused. On A-Rosa, children
aged up to 15 travel for free when sharing a
cabin with an adult.
ROOMS WITH A VIEW
Cabins on river ships all face the water but
have a multitude of different designs.
On Scenic, Emerald Waterways, Uniworld
River Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Amadeus
River Cruises, the rooms have panoramic
windows that are split horizontally and open
downwards at the touch of a button. In their
top suites, Scenic, Uniworld and Emerald
Waterways use a combination of panoramic
windows and internal glass doors to create
sun lounges.
AmaWaterways’ vessels, which are also used
by APT, have split balconies so passengers
can sit either inside or out, depending on the
weather.
Avalon Waterways vessels have two decks
of cabins with wall-to-wall glass windows
that open two-thirds the width of the room
(pictured above) and give the impression of a
balcony when opened up on sunny days.
Tauck’s newest river ships, Joy, Grace, Inspire
and Savor, have traditional French balconies
that open to a fixed rail. Suites, which occupy
almost an entire deck on each of these vessels,
have two such balconies and are about half
the size of a squash court.
Demand for suites is so high that Tauck,
Scenic and Uniworld have created larger
rooms on some of their vessels by knocking
two cabins into three. The latest to get the
refurb is Uniworld’s River Royale, which
relaunches in March with four new suites.
Crystal River Cruises’ Crystal Mozart and
AmaWaterways’ new AmaMagna have suites
that are more than three times bigger than an
average cabin.
Most river ships have a handful of lower deck
cabins that are below the waterline and have
a high fixed window. These are targeted at
clients on a budget and often designated as
single cabins with no supplement.
CLASSIC LAND JOURNEYS • RIVER CRUISING • SMALL SHIP CRUISING • FAMILY ADVENTURES
RIVER DIARY | JANUARY 2019
7

NAME
WHY TAKE A RIVER CRUISE
NEW
NEW
NEW
SHIP
SHIP
SHIP
FOR 2019
FOR 2019
FOR 2019
Amadeus
Amadeus
Amadeus
STAR
STAR
STAR
The Danube is best known for itineraries
that tick off the cities of Budapest, Vienna
and Bratislava, but you can also venture to
the lower reaches, visiting lesser-known
towns and cities in Romania, Bulgaria,
Serbia, Croatia and Hungary, where
Romans, Ottomans and the Soviet Union all
left their mark.
And in case you can’t choose which to do,
two-week itineraries between Amsterdam
and Budapest tick off the Rhine, Main, Main-
Danube Canal and Danube.
The art of River Cruising
The The art art of of
in
in in 2019
2019 2019
Explore Europe in style and comfort aboard our award-winning Amadeus
ships Explore in 2019. Europe From in style Amsterdam and comfort to the aboard Danube our Delta award-winning and the Black Amadeus Sea,
Explore to ships the in north 2019. Europe and From in south style Amsterdam of and France comfort to and the aboard the Danube beautiful our Delta award-winning scenery and the of the Black Amadeus Rhine Sea,
ships and to the Danube in north 2019. and rivers, From south our Amsterdam of cruises France are to and designed the the Danube beautiful to showcase Delta scenery and our the of European the Black Rhine Sea,
to heritage. and the Danube north Free and rivers, from south our transfers of cruises France and are and hassles, designed the beautiful full to of showcase personal scenery choice our of European the and Rhine
and freedom, heritage. Danube Free the rivers, possibilities from our transfers cruises are and endless are hassles, designed with full an to of Amadeus showcase personal River choice our Cruise. European and
heritage. freedom, Free the possibilities from transfers are and endless hassles, with full an of Amadeus personal River choice Cruise. and
freedom, Highlights the for possibilities 2019 include are a endless new ship with - the an Amadeus River Star, Cruise. offering
a Highlights total of 70 for spacious 2019 include deluxe a cabins, new ship 12 Amadeus - the Amadeus Suites Star, and will offering travel
Highlights on a total the of Rhine, 70 for spacious Main 2019 and include deluxe Danube a cabins, new rivers ship 12 as Amadeus - well the Amadeus as Dutch Suites and Star, and Belgian will offering travel
a waterways. on total the of Rhine, 70 We spacious Main will and also deluxe Danube refurbishing cabins, rivers 12 as Amadeus well as Dutch Suites Diamond and and Belgian for will 2019 travel
on sailing waterways. the Paris, Rhine, We Normandy Main will also Danube & the refurbishing River rivers Seine. as Amadeus well as Dutch Diamond and Belgian for 2019
waterways. sailing Paris, We Normandy will also & be the refurbishing River Seine. Amadeus Diamond for 2019
sailing
Included
Paris,
in your
Normandy
fare:
& the River Seine.
Return Included flights in your • Non-UK fare: transfers • Accommodation on board your river cruise
ship Return Included • Gourmet flights in your • Non-UK dining fare: with transfers wine, beer • Accommodation and soft drinks on at board lunch and your dinner river cruise
ship Return 24-hour • Gourmet flights tea and • Non-UK coffee dining station with transfers wine, • Complimentary beer • Accommodation and soft drinks Wi-Fi on at • Complimentary board lunch and your dinner river bicycles cruise
ship 24-hour • Gourmet tea and coffee dining station with wine, • Complimentary beer and soft drinks Wi-Fi at • Complimentary lunch and dinner bicycles
24-hour tea and coffee station • Complimentary Wi-Fi • Complimentary bicycles
FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 0800 035 6411
sales@amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk FOR RESERVATIONS | CALL www.amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk
0800 035 6411
FOR
or
sales@amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk
See
RESERVATIONS
Your Abta Travel
| CALL www.amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk
Agent
0800 035 6411
sales@amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk
or See Your Abta Travel
| www.amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk
Agent
DANUBE | RHINE · MAIN · MOSELLE or See Your | Abta RHÔNE Travel · Agent SAÔNE
SEINE DANUBE | THE | RHINE DUTCH · MAIN AND · BELGIAN MOSELLE WATERWAYS
| RHÔNE · SAÔNE
DANUBE SEINE | THE | RHINE DUTCH · MAIN AND · BELGIAN MOSELLE WATERWAYS
| RHÔNE · SAÔNE
SEINE | THE DUTCH AND BELGIAN WATERWAYS
The Elbe
Elbe river cruises operate
between Berlin and Prague
and call at Wittenberg, the
birthplace of the Protestant
Reformation; Meissen, the
town that gave its name to the
world-famous porcelain; and
Dresden, the city destroyed by
heavy Allied bombing in the
Second World War, but now
restored to its former glory. It
is a brilliant itinerary, but the
river suffers from low water so
passengers often end up being
coached to the sights.
Tauck’s Inspiration-class vessels each have
four lower deck Loft Suites (pictured above)
with a raised seating platform and deep
window that can be partially opened.
Exceptionally, Crystal River Cruises has
got rid of lower-deck cabins altogether on
Crystal Bach, Debussy, Mahler and Ravel.
All their cabins are above the water line
and have panorama windows that open
horizontally.
You can expect cabins and suites on all river
ships to have hairdryers, safes and en-suite
facilities Most have showers rather than
baths. Scenic and Crystal River Cruises
provide butlers for all passengers. Cabins
and suites on Amadeus River Cruises and
Crystal’s vessels have walk-in wardrobes.
EUROPE’S RIVERS
The Rhine and Danube are the top-selling
rivers in the UK, between them attracting
more than half of all British river cruise
passengers in 2017 on account of the many
things to see and do along the way.
The Rhine is popular for the many
castles along a deep gorge that runs 58
miles between Koblenz in the north and
Rudesheim in the south but returning
passengers will find plenty to enjoy on
itineraries that also explore its tributaries, the
Moselle and Main.
The Moselle is a narrow waterway that flows
through one of Germany’s top wine-growing
regions and is lined with vineyards and
picture-postcard villages; the Main is also
narrow and takes passengers to towns and
cities with centuries-old history and culture.
Once you have done those, there are plenty of
other rivers to explore. In France, the Rhône
and Seine are the big two, but there are also
one-week sailings on the Garonne, Gironde and
Dordogne Rivers in Aquitaine that visit some
of France’s leading wine-growing regions, and
barge holidays along the Loire Valley.
The Douro in Northern Portugal was
2017’s sales star, recording an incredible
85% growth in the UK to a total 20,700
passengers. You can choose itineraries that
sail round-trip from Porto or combine a
one-way cruise from Porto to the Spanish
border at Vega de Terron with a few nights
in Madrid. Either way you’ll have tours and
tastings in port wine lodges and take in a
flamenco show.
There are also spring-time cruises through
the Dutch and Belgian waterways timed for
when the tulip fields are in bloom, voyages
along the Elbe between Berlin and Prague
that combine stories of Martin Luther,
porcelain and the World War Two bombing of
Dresden, and sailings on the Guadalquivir in
Spain and the Po in Italy.
In Russia, you can combine a cruise on the
rivers, lakes and canals that link Moscow and
St Petersburg with a few nights in both cities.
DISCOVERING THE REST OF
THE WORLD
Those who are prepared to travel further
afield have even more choice. Voyages along
the Mekong River between Siem Reap and
Ho Chi Minh City are the top-sellers when it
comes to long-haul river cruises thanks to an
exhilarating combination of ancient temples,
exciting cities and exotic markets.
Staying in Asia, three or four-night cruises
through the towering three gorges on the
Yangtze in China offer a moment to relax
on tours that take in the cities of Beijing and
Shanghai. In Myanmar, golden pagodas, trips
to workshops and balloon rides over Bagan
await on voyages on the Irrawaddy.
RIVER DIARY | JANUARY 2019
9

Cruise itinerary
Day 1: Embark in Paris, cruise to
Les Andelys
Day 2: Les Andelys to
Caudebec-en-Caux
Day 3: Caudebec-en-Caux
Day 4: Caudebec-en-Caux to
Rouen
Day 5: Rouen to Vernon
Day 6: Vernon to Paris
Day 7: Paris
Day 8: Disembark in Paris
PARIS & VERSAILLES
5 DECEMBER 2019 • 6 days by coach from £746pp
6 DECEMBER 2019 • 5 days by air from £981pp
6 DECEMBER 2019 • 8 days by rail from £886pp
River Cruising by
SAVE UP TO
£100
PER COUPLE
ON BOOKINGS MADE
BEFORE 28 TH FEBRUARY
FOR HOLIDAYS DEPARTING
BETWEEN 1 ST APRIL –
27 TH OCTOBER 2019
More Parisian Escapes
NEW YEAR IN PARIS
26 DECEMBER 2019 • 8 days by air from £1,726pp
26 DECEMBER 2019 • 8 days by rail from £1,696pp
For more information or to book, call 01942 412802
or visit shearings.com/rivercruises using code VRD902
Subject to Shearings T&C’s and availability. Prices are 'From' and are per person based on 2 people sharing a standard cabin. Flights/cabin supplements may apply. Saving of up to £100 per couple
is available on holidays departing between 01/04/2019 – 27/10/2019 only, for new bookings only made between 11/01/2019 – 28/02/2019. *Selected postcodes. Alternatively Home Connect
to your local airport or railway station may be an option if the service is unavailable where you live. ∆Subject to availability, terms & conditions apply. Prices correct as of the 11/01/2019. E&OE.
PARIS
& THE SEINE
VALLEY TO
NORMANDY
8 DAYS by Air
£1,634pp
Departing June 7th 2019
Sailing on the MS A-ROSA VIVA
9 DAYS by Coach FROM £1,399pp
8 DAYS by Rail FROM £1,539pp
Both departing June 8th 2019
Why choose A-ROSA...
3 All inclusive board basis
3 Return coach travel, with FREE Wi-Fi on board,
regional flights from local airports or rail travel from
St Pancras
3 Services of a Shearings Cruise Manager
3 A-la-Carte Speciality Dining available in addition to
the Gourmet Buffet Dining with LIVE Cooking Stations
3 Facilities on board include a SPA, Gym, lounge areas
and extensive sun decks
3 On board entertainment
FREE
Home Connect
Service
on all A-ROSA
Cruises*
Children
Cruise
FREE
On all A-ROSA
Cruises ∆
What’s new for 2019
Amadeus River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Riviera Travel and Viking River
Cruises are all launching new river ships on the Rhine and Danube in 2019.
AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna will be twice the width of other river ships and have
four complimentary places to eat including Chef’s Table, which serves a taster
menu, Al Fresco, an outside/inside venue at the front of the ship, and Jimmy’s
Wine Bar.
Saga has a new 23-night river cruise through the heart of Europe, from
Amsterdam to the Black Sea. The cruise, exclusively for Saga customers, is on
the river ship Amadeus Royal on five dates next summer and includes a postcruise
hotel night in Bucharest in Romania.
Uniworld River Cruises’ River Royale re-enters service on the Garonne, Gironde
and Dordogne Rivers in spring after a massive refit that will add a pool, four
suites and two dining venues. It will also have a new name, Bon Voyage.
CroisiEurope, AmaWaterways and Viking are building new vessels to sail the
Douro in Northern Portugal in 2019, while A-Rosa is making its debut on the river
with the new A-Rosa Alva. Starting 2020, Tauck will be cruising the river on the new
Andorinha.
Emerald Waterways is launching its first river ship in Asia. Emerald Harmony will
accommodate 84 passengers, have an outdoor pool and bar, two inside lounges
and sail the Mekong between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City.
Passengers sailing the Seine with U by Uniworld can sleep under the stars on the
top deck of The B starting 2019. The €60 per person price tag for the ‘rooftop
camping’ includes an evening cocktail and breakfast hamper.
APT has seven new Signature Experiences in Europe for 2019 including a journey on the
Grand Empress steam train in Budapest on Magnificent Europe itineraries and a Lido
de Paris dance show on Seine cruises. There’s a private cocktail reception at the Pont du
Gard on the Rhône and cocktails and Fado music at Palácio da Bolsa on the Douro.
CroisiEurope has new one-week culinary cruises on the Rhone with included
tours to the Valrhona chocolate factory in Tain L’Hermitage and Les Halles
in Lyon, and dinner (extra charge) at Paul Bocuse’s Abbaye de Collonges.
Departures are weekly between April and October 2019.
Crystal River Cruises’ 2021 itineraries include a new 11-night Eastern Danube
Discoveries voyage round-trip from Vienna that visits Hungary, Serbia and
Croatia, and includes a cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge.
A-Rosa is putting 11 e-bikes on its Seine river ship A-Rosa Viva. It offers 3.5-hour
bike tours to Monet’s Garden from Vernon and around Normandy. They cost
extra and can be booked on board.
WHY TAKE A RIVER CRUISE
WHO INCLUDES EXCURSIONS
AmaWaterways
American Cruise Lines
APT
Avalon Waterways
Belmond
Crystal River Cruises
Emerald Waterways
Pandaw
Riviera Travel
Saga (selected tours only)
Scenic
Tauck
Travelmarvel
U by Uniworld
Uniworld River Cruises
Viking
The Po
The Po is the longest river
in Italy, flowing 652 miles
from the Cottian Alps and
emptying into the Adriatic
south of Venice. However,
river cruises sail only about
60 miles upriver to Polesella.
As well as spending time in
Venice, there are excursions to
Padua, one of the oldest cities
in Italy, Bologna and Ravenna,
notable for the 5th and 6thcentury
mosaics that adorn
its churches and Basilicas.
Ferrara, also visited, is a
medieval town with ancient
cobbled streets.
StowawayMedia.com
11

A NEW
DIMENSION
IN RIVER CRUISING
WHY TAKE A RIVER CRUISE
WHO GOES WHERE - EUROPE (Clia members only)
AmaMagna
AT TWICE THE WIDTH OF A TRADITIONAL EUROPEAN RIVER SHIP,
A WIDER CHOICE OF LUXURY AND ADVENTURE AWAITS...
MORE LUXURY MORE CHOICE MORE ACTIVE
Cruise line
Dutch waterways/Rhine
Danube
Rhone
Seine
Bordeaux
Douro
Elbe
Po
Russia
Guadalquivir
Website
Amadeus River Cruises ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk
AmaWaterways ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ amawaterways.co.uk
APT ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ aptouring.co.uk
A-Rosa ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ arosa-cruises.com
Avalon Waterways ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ avaloncruises.co.uk
CroisiEurope ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ croisieurope.co.uk
Crystal River Cruises ✔ ✔ crystalcruises.co.uk
Emerald Waterways ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ emeraldwaterways.co.uk
Fred River Cruises (GSA) ✔ fredrivercruises.co.uk/volga-dream
Fred Olsen River Cruises ✔ ✔ fredolsencruises.com
Riviera Travel ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ rivieratravel.co.uk
Saga (exclusive whole season
charters only)
✔ ✔ ✔ saga.co.uk
Scenic ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ scenic.co.uk
Shearings (exclusive whole
season charters only)
✔ ✔ shearings.com
Tauck ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ tauck.co.uk
Titan Travel ✔ ✔ titantravel.co.uk
U by Uniworld ✔ ✔ ubyuniworld.com
Uniworld River Cruises ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ uniworld.com
Viking ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ vikingcruises.co.uk
WHO GOES WHERE - REST OF THE WORLD (Clia members only)
♦
♦
Balcony Suites ranging
from 355 to 710 sq. ft.
Just 196 guests,
served by 70 crew
♦
♦
Four unique dining
venues & five bars
A choice of immersive
guided shore
excursions in every port
SAILING THE DANUBE FROM MAY 2019
AmaRes-Intl@amawaterways.com | 0800 520 2250
♦
♦
The only open-water
Sports Platform on the
rivers
One-of-a-kind Zen
Wellness Studio
Cruise line
Mekong
Yangtze
Irrawaddy
Ganges/
Brahmaputra
Nile
Chobe/Lake
Kariba
Mississippi/
Columbia River
Website
AmaWaterways ✔ ✔ amawaterways.co.uk
APT ✔ ✔ ✔ aptouring.co.uk
Avalon Waterways ✔ ✔ avaloncruises.co.uk
Belmond ✔ belmond.com
CroisiEurope ✔ ✔ croisieurope.co.uk
Emerald Waterways ✔ ✔ emeraldwaterways.co.uk
Fred River Cruises (GSA) ✔ ✔ fredolsencruises.co.uk
Pandaw ✔ ✔ ✔ pandaw.com
Riviera Travel ✔ ✔ ✔ rivieratravel.co.uk
Scenic ✔ ✔ scenic.co.uk
Uniworld River Cruises ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ uniworld.com
Viking ✔ ✔ ✔ vikingcruises.co.uk
ABTA No.Y6393
s RIVER DIARY | JANUARY 2019
13

Galleria
STOWAWAY
A cut above the others at dinner
New menus prepared each evening by
the on board chefs
How many guests?
156 guests in just 79 suites, most with
Juliet balconies
Fred Olsen's
Brabant
Which European rivers?
The Rhine, Danube, Moselle and Main
Rivers for exploration, culture and sheer
relaxation in like minded company
Evening delights
Fine dining in the single sitting
Panorama Restaurant with attentive
service and late evening ‘lite bites’ in
The Panorama Bar
Relaxing lunch times
A buffet with a wide choice of hot and
cold dishes – serve yourself or helpful
staff to serve you with a lighter lunch
option in The Panorama Bar
And after dinner?
Relaxing and stylish entertainment in
The Panorama Bar (or simply enjoy the
evening air on the outside River Terrace)
Good cruise length choice?
From 6 to 26 days, across diverse areas
of Europe including The Netherlands,
Germany, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland,
Serbia and Romania
Keep fit and look good
There’s a fitness room, the Vital-Club
offering massage and other treatments,
plus the hair salon