AMA Waterways Offers Free April Air

AMA Waterways is offering free air to Europe on its river cruise departures in April. The offer is good on flights departing New York, Boston, Washington, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Seattle.

The Free April Air Promotion is available to clients who book the following AMA Waterways April depatures:

• Tulip Time - April 3, 5 and 10, 9 days, Holland & Belgium;


• Spring Time Cruise - April 8 and 18, 12 days, Amsterdam to Paris;


• Romantic Danube - April 3 and 7, 12 days, Prague to Budapest;


• Europe's Heartland Cruise - April 22, 12 days, Paris to Prague;


• Cruising Portugal & Spain - April 14, 12 days, Douro River Valley.

Call me Mike at (706) 579-5005 or 877-Cruise1 or mziegenbalg@cruiseone.com to take advantage of these great rates. They won't last long!

Uniworld River Cruise Reintroduces Pay-In-Full Savings

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is reintroducing its Pay-In-Full Savings program that gives savings of $600 to $2,000 per couple on 2009 itineraries throughout Europe. The deal is good for those who pay in full by Jan. 31. “In the current challenging economic environment we want to give our customers every incentive to travel. With the reintroduction of the pay-in-full savings, coupled with the all-inclusiveness of a Uniworld river cruise, consumers now have a very compelling reason to travel to Europe and the other destinations we offer,” said Guy Young, president of Uniworld.

Viking River Cruises said it will debut Viking Legend, featuring cutting-edge technology and largest suites in Europe river cruising. The new ship will be introduced on the 15-day Viking River Cruises Grand European Tour itinerary, which takes guests along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers between Amsterdam and Budapest; its official launch is expected to occur in May 2009. To further entice travelers to experience the new Viking Legend and all of the ships in its fleet, Viking has rolled out an incentive offer to encourage people who have taken at least one ocean cruise to try river cruising. “If you like ocean cruising, you will love river cruising,” said Tor Hagen, Viking chairman and CEO. “That is why we are offering anyone who has taken an ocean cruise a special Ocean Cruisers discount of $500 per person/$1,000 per couple on any 2009 Viking itinerary.”

Viking Legend will feature two suites measuring 310 square feet each -- the largest river cruise suites in Europe. “While all our staterooms are deluxe, with hotel-style beds, European linens and high-quality amenities, these suites are truly magnificent,” said Hagen. “Their size and configuration are comparable to high-end American hotel rooms, so guests can relax in unprecedented comfort.” Suites will have complimentary room service (in-room dining) available during all mealtimes. The new ship will be powered by an innovative propulsion system, allowing it to achieve an estimated 20 percent boost in fuel efficiency over any other river cruising vessel in the region. The new ship will also provide a quieter ride for guests by using four smaller propellers instead of two large propellers.

In addition to reducing emissions and engine noise, Viking Legend will provide the latest security features such as double hulls, multiple exits in all public areas and backup generators. At 443 feet, the three-level Viking Legend will be the longest in the Viking fleet, and will accommodate 189 guests in 98 staterooms. Additional amenities include 26-inch flat-screen televisions, refrigerators, hair dryers and in-room safes. Aboard Viking Legend, guests will enjoy fine dining at the ship's restaurant featuring seasonal menus and local specialties, a library, sun deck with 360-degree panoramic views, souvenir shop and an observation lounge.
For more information or to take advantage of these special rates, call me at (706) 579-5005 or Toll Free (877) CRUISE1

Amadeus Waterways Unveils 2009 Expansion

Six year-old Amadeus Waterways unveiled its plans for 2009 this week, and they're as ambitious as ever, bringing an increase in voyages in central Europe, Russia, Portugal and Egypt.
The river ship operator's expansion includes the rollout of two new, 150-passenger luxury vessels, the fifth and six in a series the line began launching in 2006. The Amalyra will debut in March, 2009. The Amadolce will arrive in May, 2009.
The two new river ships are on top of two sister vessels the line will bring out this year, the Amadante and the Amacello. Amadeus launched the first two ships in the series in 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Amadeus says it will offer 17 itineraries in 2009. Among the highlights: A trip down the Mosel and Main River from Trier to Nuremberg; an epic voyage from Amsterdam all the way to Budapest; and a cruise through Eastern Europe to the Black Sea.
Like the earlier ships in the series, the new vessels arriving in 2009 will have luxury-appointed cabins with flat-screen TV and Internet access, among other amenities. Cabins on the top two decks of the ships will have French balconies. The vessels also will boast a sun deck with walking track, a whirlpool and a supply of bicycles that cruisers can use to explore the countryside during port calls.
Amadeus, for those of you who don't recall, was launched in 2002 by two veterans of the river cruise and tour business: Rudi Schreiner, the former president of Viking River Cruises, and Jim Murphy, the former owner of Brendan Worldwide Vacations.
The line is taking bookings for 2009 starting this week. Cruisers who book by Sept. 30 will get a 5% "early booking" discount.

Information courtesy of USA Today.