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Monday, May 09, 2011

While most first-time river cruisers are drawn to the experience because of the itinerary, and the opportunity to conveniently explore the interior of a country, it's the on board experience that transforms them into avid river cruisers.   

SERVICE

Enjoy service that can be compared to how you might treat your best friends and family, which means “no request too large, no detail too small.”

Plus, because the ships are small, you will enjoy getting to know the on board staff and crew, all of whom take pride in offering guests truly personalized, gracious, and consistently exceptional service and hospitality.

STATEROOM AMENITIES

Each stateroom and suite is furnished with quality that you would find at the best luxury and boutique hotels of the world.  Luxurious appointments include: Supremely comfortable beds draped in lavish linens and other modern conveniences such as flat-screen televisions with satellite, a vanity, generous built-in closets, hair dryer, safe, individual climate-control thermostat, direct-dial telephone, and bottled water in staterooms.

CUISINE

The European-influenced cuisine is excellent and often inspired by local dishes of the towns or region you are visiting.  Breakfast and lunch are usually buffet style. Breakfast usually consists of cereals, yogurt, fruit, pastries, egg dishes, meats, juices, tea and coffee.  At lunch there is often a salad bar, soups, several hot and cold dishes and desserts.  Dinners are generally three-course meals with table service and complimentary beer and wine.

The majority of meals are served on board in the restaurant or in alternative dining areas like the smaller aft lounge or on the top deck. Sometimes meals will be at restaurants or other dining venues at various ports of call.

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT

Cruising from one destination to the next often takes place at night while passengers are sleeping, but sometimes the cruises will also sail during the day, giving passengers an opportunity to relax or enjoy the scenery.

Also, depending on the itinerary, there could be local performers or musicians offering entertainment onboard the ship.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

We had been to France before, of course, but now we had renewed purpose. Last Christmas, we discovered magic: a river cruise on the Seine, departing from and returning to Paris with Uniworld River Cruises. View more details about the 8 day Parisian Winter Holiday.

This was not our first cruise, but it was our first river cruising experience – and it will not be our last! From the moment we settled into our stateroom, we began to feel less like tourists and more like extremely fortunate residents of the City of Light. When the ship was in port, we strolled on and off as if we had our own pied à terre; when the ship was underway, we had more fascinating views than we could possibly enjoy from a taxi. And the service…no detail was overlooked.

That first full day in Paris, we re-discovered old friends – Notre Dame Cathedral, the jewel-like Sainte Chapelle, the Musée de la Conciergerie – and, Gerry’s passion, the wonderful bridges of Paris.

Following the meandering loops of the Seine approximately northwest, our next stop was the village of Les Andelys. All the way, we had seen signs of Christmas – lights and decorations and other river boats decked out in holiday cheer. After the cosmopolitan hubbub of Paris, Les Andelys seemed to transport us to another age and culture. Gerry read me passages from Ivanhoe as we explored the fascinating fortress and castle of Richard the Lionheart. Narrow streets and half-timbered houses invite strolling in this green river-side town.

Then it was on to Rouen, an exquisitely preserved medieval city, where the highlights of our stay were a holiday choir recital in the gothic magnificence of Rouen Cathedral and, not to be missed, the Marché de Nöel, Christmas Market, in the Place de la Cathedrale. Beneath a galaxy of twinkling lights, stalls offer an array of trinkets, handmade goods and signature edibles, such as roasted chestnuts, crêpes and the spiced wine known as vin chaud. Returning to the ship carrying bags of treasures, Gerry felt like Père Noël himself!

On our return journey, we disembarked at Conflans Sainte Honorine to tour the incomparable Palace of Versailles, with its Hall of Mirrors and wall-to-wall opulence. Finally we returned to Paris, feeling enriched and fulfilled, calmed by our stately progression up- and down-river and excited to share the city’s dazzling display of holiday lights and to open presents with Julia, Paul and 3-year-old Cammy, whose welcoming “Joyeux Noël, grand-maman!” was truly a grandmother’s delight.

This is just a sample of the hundreds of river cruises we can offer to fit your preferences. Call us today.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Travelers are realizing that river cruises offer comfort, convenience and variety. The ship is both a hotel and a means of transportation. You don't have to get up early like you do when on a traditional tour or cruise to see the sites. Your ship will be in a new and exciting place every day. Ranging from picturesque villages, breathtaking riverbanks with castles, colorful fields with windmills or vibrant capitals, every day will be a unique experience on your European waterways cruise.

Over the years, we have found that consumers desire more choices when traveling. Cruise lines responded with open dining, tour operators with more leisurely trips, but until recently, the river cruise industry did not offer the choices that seem to attract new clientele. Now the newer river cruise ships with modern decor, larger cabin options and added amenities have helped the river cruise industry experience considerable growth in a short amount of time. In the age of technology, we also find more clients asking for WiFi, which is not available on many of the older ships. You now travel in more style and comfort than with the older riverboats. Staterooms are spacious and most include floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balconies. You can enjoy fine linen on your hotel-style beds, flat screen satellite TV and radio, safes, hairdryers and many other amenities that make you feel at home. On many ships you even have the convenience of elevators.

From the time you arrive to your first destination you are escorted, guided and waited on by English speaking staff. Once you unpack you are ready to enjoy your wonderful adventure. From medieval castles, to Monet's Giverny gardens or perhaps Egypt's Mysterious Nile, you will not only be awed by the sights but you will also have qualified tour directors and specialist to guide you during your excursions. Many ships also offer theme departures that provide you with a unique opportunity to experience a destination focusing on its music, food and wine, to enrich your subject knowledge by including expert presentations, special concerts and top chefs.

All meals on board are carefully chosen to give you the variety of the region you are visiting along with many of your favorites. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily. The meal presentation is outstanding as is the service. You can also enjoy the complimentary wine with dinner along with coffee or tea. After dinner you will be pleasantly surprised by the on board entertainment provided by both local entertainers and the crew.

It is small ship cruising at its best. It provides you with the opportunity to experience history, art and culture unhurried and at a relaxed pace. Rather than having to take a bus to see the sites, in most cases you walk right off of the river cruise and you are already in the center of it all.

River Cruise Sites:
Avalon Waterways | Uniworld River Cruises | River Cruises 
 

Sunday, September 05, 2010

A River cruise is defined as a voyage along inland waterways, often stopping at multiple ports along the way. River cruises are a unique experience in cruising reaching places that the larger cruise ships can not. Ships or vessels are no larger than 38-by-410-foot dimensions to meet the requirements of assorted locks and bridges the vessels must past through. River cruises are considered a luxury cruise category with very high service standards and staff to passenger ratios. These cruises offer an intimate look at the destinations and passages between them.  You learn all about the history and culture of the sights you see.
Some of the fascinating destinations a river cruise can take you: 

Europe: Travel along the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Elbe and other great rivers of western, central and eastern Europe

Russia and Ukraine: Travel along the Dnieper from Kiev to Odessa.

China: Highlights of Beijing, Shanghai, and/or Xian and the Yangtze River

Click here to learn more about River Cruising
River Cruise Operators : Avalon Waterways | Uniworld River Cruises | River Cruises

Monday, January 11, 2010

There's a new Nile River Cruise Boat, and believe me, the Nile needs some new ones. I know first-hand, as I've been there, done that. I did have the opportunity to sail on one of the nicer boats, but viewed soooo many old, old ones. At times I wondered how they were held together.  

The River Tosca, by Uniworld, is a beautiful, 82-passenger luxury ship. She sailed her maiden voyage just a month ago. The lobby and lounge areas exemplify modern Nile luxury. The marble lobby floors with Arabesque detailing lead to a wood-paneled lounge with a colonial Egypt feel, complete with club chairs. A sophisticated, Arabesque shisha/cigar and game room houses an impressive collection of Egyptian literature. The cabins are roomy designed in Uniworld's trademark boutique-hotel design. Cabins have all-white armchairs, decadent fluffy beds, and marble bathrooms. The sundeck, complete with pool and shaded cabanas, is a blissful location to watch the Nile River gliding by.

Egypt is one of our most popular destinations. The beautifully intact and complex hieroglyphics tell all the stories dedicated to a multitude of pharaohs and Egyptian gods. Whether you take an Egypt tour, a Nile River cruise, or a combination of both, Think Egypt for 2010. It's awesome. 

Learn more about Uniworld river cruises