Top river cruise `lates’ from AmaWaterways

SAVE £800pp

Russian Waterways cruise, with free flights and £800pp saving

Departing on 30^t September 2014 AmaWaterways is offering an 11 night cruise through Russia’s waterways and lakes, sailing from St. Petersburg to Moscow.  The sailing now costs from £1,999 per person, saving £800pp, including free return flights from London, transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner on board the river cruiser ‘AmaKatarina’ with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, daily excursions and tours. ,

SAVE £390pp

Mekong river cruise with £390pp saving

Departing on 3 October 2014 AmaWaterways is offering a £390pp saving off a 9 night land-cruise holiday from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh, including a 7 night Mekong cruise aboard AmaLotus, return flights from London, two nights pre-cruise hotel in Siem Reap, transfers and all meals on board, now from £2,879pp. The price includes complimentary wine with lunch and dinner, house brand spirits, local beer and soft drinks throughout the sailing. 

SAVE £485pp

Enchanting Rhine, free flights and £485pp saving

Departing on 20 October 2014 AmaWaterways is offering a 7 night Rhine cruise from Basel to Amsterdam on board the award winning luxury river cruiser AmaDolce, for £1,769pp, saving £485pp (was £2,254), including free return flights from London, transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner on board with free flowing wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner, daily excursions and tours, free wi-fi, complimentary use of on board bicycles.   

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Variety & Value From AMA

As our regular readers will know, we love a good cruise offer here at Time Spent At Sea (especially with all the late deals we can't fit into the magazine), and the latest from AmaWaterways highlight both their terrific worldwide variety - from Paris to Phnom Penh - as well as some stonking good value.

Take your pick from:

August 16, Rail & Sail to Paris & Normandy; now from £2,089pp (saving £426) 

Take the Eurostar from Ebsfleet to Paris and cruise the Seine to Rouen on a 7-night voyage on board AMA's luxury river cruiser AmaLegro. The price includes free Eurostar travel, non-UK transfers, all meals, daily sightseeing tours, and complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner.

August 16, 9-night Mekong cruise; now from £2,199pp (saving £339)

Visit the temples, floating markets, monasteries, historic pagodas and rural villages of south east Asia, spend a day in Phnom Penh, two nights in Siem Reap and a day in Ho Chi Minh City. AMA's 'Riches of the Mekong’ adventure includes the 7-night cruise and 2 nights hotel in Siem Riep, with return London flights, transfers, all meals, complimentary house spirits, beer and soft drinks and daily tours and excursions.

September 17, Douro Valley river cruise; now from £2,279pp (saving £104) 

AMA is offering this 7-night Douro river cruise with free return flights from London and transfers. The cruise embarks and disembarks in Porto and meanders through vineyards and past fishing villages along the picturesque Douro valley and the price includes all meals, daily sightseeing tours, and complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner. 

September 27, Rhine cruise now from £2,085pp (saving £300pp)

This luxury 7-night luxury Rhine cruise from Amsterdam to Basel visits Cologne, Heidelberg, Strasbourg and the Black Forest and the price includes free flights from London, non-UK transfers, all meals, daily sightseeing tours, and complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury river cruising specialists.

  

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Take a River Cruise - And Save!

AmaWaterways have a new series of worldwide river-cruise special offers this week, with savings of up to £391 per person for their distinctive voyages in Russia, France, along the Danube and in the Far East.

Here are the full details:

July 26: Cruise Russia’s waterways, saving £271pp 

Discover Russia’s waterways and her vast and spectacular lakes, dine traditional style with a Russian family and discover the cities en-route between St Petersburg and Moscow. This 11-night sailing is now £2,979pp (was £3250pp).

August 9: Cruise through Provence, saving £391pp 

This one-week luxury river cruise from Lyon to Arles along the Rhone takes in famous wine growing regions, historic towns and the spectacular Provencal countryside. The price is now £2,299 per person (was £2,690).

August 16: Vietnam, Cambodia & Riches of the Mekong

Departing on August 16, AMA has a magnificent 7-night cruise along the Mekong between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City, including a 2-night pre-cruise stay in Siem Reap (B&B basis) in Cambodia, for just £2,299pp, saving £239. The cruise is on board the La Marguerite, and visits floating markets, exotic villages, temples, monasteries and historic pagodas along the way.

August 26: Cruise the Danube, save £281pp 

Or how about a week’s Danube cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest, highlighting the very best of this region from Austria to Hungary. The price is now £2,064 per person (was £2,345). 

All prices include return UK flights, transfers, full board, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, complimentary daily tours and excursions, plus use of onboard bicycles on Provence and Danube routes. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury river cruising specialists.

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Take A 'Secret Retreat' To Asia

The Floating World of Asia - Sojourn the Seas in Search of Mystery, Adventure, Dragons and Mythical Wonder

Travel like the explorers of centuries past who sailed the seas of the Far East eager to discover the great unknown. Embark on a voyage to Eastern Indonesia, where you will find the famous Spice Islands or encounter the primeval looking Komodo Dragons. Experience the exotic cultures of South East Asia as you cruise along the Mekong that runs through China's Yunnan province, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Savour a slice of Kashmiri lifestyle on board a luxury houseboat on Dal Lake and approach the "venerable city" of Srinagar. All these experiences are possible with the deluxe touch of Secret Retreats, who invite guests on a journey of adventure and mythical wonder as they explore the floating worlds of Asia. Silolona Sojourns - Indonesia The Silolona is a modern incarnation of Indonesia's majestic sailing ships which were used by the Bugis people for centuries. Made from tropical hardwoods and constructed using the indigenous methods of the Konjo people of Sulawesi, the Silolona offers the discerning traveller comforts of the highest standard while preserving the charm and elegance of timeless travel. Special Offer: Solely operating on charter basis, Silolona is generously offering individual travellers the opportunity to experience their beautiful vessel from June 1-6 for a "Cruise throughout the Komodo Archipelago." The voyage starts from Labuanbajo, sailing north up the eastern coast of Komodo Island to Sabolon Island, the Rinca island park to see the Komodo Dragons in their natural habitat, then the Padar for sea kayaking, water skiing, diving and snorkeling, Batu Muncul for some stunning crescent-shaped beaches with pristine white sand and Banta Island known for its large population of giant turtles and manta rays. And finally back to Labuanbajo. Rates are $2,136 per day/person in the Master Cabin or $1,495 per day/person (all taxes included). The Jahan - Mekong River Cruise A product of a hopelessly romantic tale, the Jahan was the original name of a boatin which the mesmerising Lady Kashmira and British poet Lord Byron eloped when their love was not accepted by her aristocratic ancestors. A harmonious blend of luxury, elegance and sensuality, it is hard not to feel of noble descent as you are served your Royal High Tea, prepared to perfection every afternoon. Special Offer: Get 30% off public rate in June and July by booking via Secret Retreats, now from $2,800 for 7 nights, with additional benefits, including FREE upgrade from Superior to Deluxe (subject to availability); $100 redit voucher per cabin for Spa treatments; a 10% discount on bar bills. And for August 2013: Get 20% off public rate by booking via Secret Retreats, from $3,140 for 7 nights, with free upgrade from Superior, Deluxe to higher category (subject to availability) and $100 credit voucher per cabin for Spa treatments. Sukoon Houseboat - Dal Lake, Kashmir Valley, India Sukoon, a Sufi term for an elevated state of mind that combines peace, wisdom, and contentment, is Kashmir's first ecological houseboat, created as a haven where you can relax and revitalise. Surrounded by lotuses and the pristine mountain ranges of the Himalayas, Sukoon is moored on the tranquil Dal Lake in the heart of Kashmir Valley. Lotus Houseboat - Kerala Backwaters, India The Lotus houseboat offers you serenity and relaxation while cruising through the languid backwaters of Malabar, the undiscovered jewel of northern Kerala. Embark on a blissful journey that offers an exceptional combination of four days at Neeleshwar Hermitage, a stylish retreat on a peaceful palm-fringed beach, and a two-day cruise through the tranquil Malabar backwaters. For more info, visit www.secret-retreats.com; for more luxury river and adventure cruising, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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Save On Luxury River Voyages With AmaWaterways

It's always great to start the week with some major cruise savings - and these are especially noteworthy from AmaWaterways, for their grand Mekong River voyages in Vietnam and Cambodia, the wine regions of France and the Danube:

19^th March: Mekong cruise, £1,295pp, saving £328pp

From exotic floating markets to bustling cities, AmaWaterways’ cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City meanders along Asia’s magnificent Mekong, taking in life along its banks with daily included excursions to temples, markets, cities and riverside villages. A week's stay on board the majestic La Marguerite, the most luxurious ship on the river, now costs £1,295pp on March 19, a saving of £328pp. The price includes all meals on board, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, daily excursions and nightly entertainment on board.

29th March: Wine-themed cruise with £389pp saving
 
Take a wine-filled voyage from Arles to Lyon through some of France’s most renowned wine regions, inclusive of complimentary wine-themed shore excursions and winery visits; onboard lectures, wine tastings and wine pairings at meals. Highlights are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Arles and Avignon; the beautiful villages of Viviers, Tournon, Vienne and Trévoux and excursions to the Beaujolais wine region. The week-long cruise now costs from £1,265pp (a saving of £389pp), including all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, complimentary daily tours, free wi-fi and complimentary use of onboard bicycles.

 
13^th April: Black Sea cruise, £1175, saving £479pp

Cruise from Budapest along the Danube through Romania, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria to the Bulgarian port of Rousse, including passing through the 'Iron Gates’, the narrow divide between the Balkans and Carpathian mountains, to conclude the cruise with an excursion to Bucharest. The week-long luxury voyage costs from £1,175 per person (was £1654pp), with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of onboard bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury river-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Lindblad's Latest Adventure Options

Starting this month, Lindblad Expeditions' Peruvian Amazon expedition will be the first to offer kayaking in the Upper Amazon, providing guests even more accessibility to the lagoons, small tributaries and creeks of this pristine region.

The intimate and stately vessel, the Delfin II, will be equipped with five 2-person kayaks to provide this in-depth experience. Guests will be able to enjoy the signature Lindblad Expedition, a combination of elegant accommodation, knowledgeable experts and uniquely close encounters with the nature and culture of the region.

Or how about this fabulous itinerary: Vietnam & Cambodia — Along the Mekong River, including Angkor and Saigon. Lindblad's 14-day voyage takes in the sublime temples of Angkor Wat, the floating villages and vibrant markets along the Mekong, and the cities of Phnom Penh and Saigon. Sail aboard the new 48‐guest Jahan, with accommodations of a standard not available here before. Rates begin at $7,980 per person, based on double occupancy.

To find out more, see this link to visit the UK's adventure cruise specialists, the Cruise Line Ltd.

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Avalon's New Mekong River Adventures

Luxury river cruise specialist Avalon Waterways has announced the delivery of a new river cruise ship, the Avalon Angkor, as it launches a dedicated Vietnam, Cambodia & China brochure with a fascinating choice of river cruises and tours in the region.

The new brochure will go on sale on November 24, including a tour of Vietnam & Cambodia with a Mekong river cruise as well as two China tours, including a Yangtze River cruise. Tour and cruise departures are from April 2012 to March 2013.

Due for delivery in 2012, Avalon Angkor (above) has been specially designed to be the first ship in the industry to cruise all the way from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, avoiding more than 7 hours travelling time by coach. Built by local craftsmen with a colonial design, the boat is the first Avalon vessel to be launched outside of Europe but will feature all the modern amenities the company is renowned for.

Accommodating just 32 guests in 16 deluxe staterooms over two decks with a Sun Deck, this small and intimate ship will feature the standard spacious 172sq ft staterooms as on all Avalon ships. The floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors provide an open-air experience without losing any space in the stateroom and are the best way to enjoy the passing scenery.

All Avalon cruises are fully packaged with flights, transfers, airport taxes, port charges and gratuities, as well as a private door-to-door transfer service (within 75 miles of your chosen international airport), local guided sightseeing and a full board cruise with complimentary wine served at dinner.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out the UK's luxury river cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Uniworld's New Vietnam Venture

River-cruise specialists Uniworld are launching an exciting 14-night itinerary to Vietnam and Cambodia on the Mekong River featuring the new River Saigon cruise ship with a limited capacity of just 60 guests. The comprehensive itinerary starts at Ho Chi Minh City, where guests will stay for three days exploring the city and visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels.

From there, guests sail down the narrow canals of the Mekong River stopping off for excursions at small towns and visiting floating markets and homes. The cruise continues down to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, where guests learn about the violent Khmer Rouge regime, as well as a visit to the National Museum.

Guests continue on their cruise up the Mekong towards Siem Reap, stopping off at small towns along the way. At Siem Reap, two days are dedicated to exploring the UNESCO heritage site of Angkor Wat and then there is a short flight back to Hanoi, where guests will stay in the luxury of the Inter Continental Hotel before departing for home. UK prices for this package are still to be confirmed but will be finalised shortly.

The package will include: 7-night Mekong River Cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard the beautiful new River Saigon; 7 nights in centrally located deluxe hotels featuring luxurious accommodations, buffet breakfast, and all services charges; taxes and porterage; fully escorted excursions with English-speaking local guides made up of more than 20 people; 14 buffet breakfasts, 9 lunches and 11 dinners; complimentary wine with dinner onboard, and complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, local beer and local spirits throughout the day; domestic flight from Siem Reap to Hanoi or Hanoi to Siem Reap; all transfers on arrival and departure days.

For more info, see www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk or luxury river-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Orion's Flavours Of Asia

From the flash of saffron robes in a Buddhist temple to the remote crystalline beaches of Tioman Island and the bustle of floating market stalls on the Mekong, the whiff of durian, the silence of a misty dawn in Halong Bay or the buzz of motor bikes in Ho Chi Minh City, Orion Expedition Cruises now offer two superb seven-night voyages that combine the sensory contrasts of Asia into never-to-be forgotten experiences of sights, sounds and smells that encapsulate South-East Asia.

Enjoy an inclusive overnight stay and visit to the world’s largest religious complex, the World Heritage listed temples of Angkor Wat. Take an early morning elephant ride through the temples to see first-hand the technological and architectural wonder of the ancient Khmer kingdom, with its canals and reservoirs and a rice economy able to support a million people.

Cross the broad muddy waters of the Mekong Delta and mix it with the locals on an exclusive Zodiac exploration of the river and floating markets – Orion II being the first foreign ship to be granted permission to do this.

Bargain for batik, beaten brassware and shot silk in dazzling colours, sip a dry martini, lounge on an untouched beach, snorkel transparent waters and photograph sampans with their distinctive timber hulls and sun-bleached yellow sails. These two itineraries reveal a balance of history, culture and relaxation that capture the energy of bustling modern Asia balanced by the serenity of the ancient.

· The seven-night Gulf of Siam Explorer departs October 10 and December 22 and February 27, 2012. The voyages alternate between Singapore and Bangkok and visit Tioman Island, Kuala Terengganu, Ko Samui, Ang Thong Marine Park and Ko Kut. Priced from £3,340 per person, including seven nights on board Orion II, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

· The seven-night Thailand, Temples & The Mekong expedition departs October 17 and December 15, and March 5, 2012. The voyages alternate between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City and visit Ko Kut, Sihanoukville (for an overnight trip and stay at Angkor Wat), Phu Quoc and Can Tho (Mekong Delta). Priced from £3,340 per person, including seven nights on Orion II, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

For more info, visit www.orionexpeditions.com or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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AMA's New Brochure

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Award-winning river cruise line AMA Waterways has launched its 2011 UK brochure, featuring luxurious voyages in Europe, Russia, Cambodia and Vietnam with a lead-in price of £1,422pp for a seven-night cruise, including all meals, wine with dinner (in Europe), daily excursions and free Wi-Fi.

Eighteen itineraries take in the Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Saone and Moselle, as well as the Volga-Baltic Waterway in Russia and the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. Next year will also see AMA Waterways introducing two new vessels, special events ashore and a wide range of pre- and post-cruise options.

Steve Williams, managing director of Fred. Olsen Travel, which represents AMA in the UK, says: “We are very excited about the launch of a new brochure for 2011 which embraces the introduction of a new ship, AmaLotus, on the Mekong and the AmaKatarina, destined to be the best ship on the Volga."

For maximum flexibility, as many guests prefer to choose their airline or travel by train to join their ship, AMA offers cruise-only pricing. These prices can, however, also be packaged with flights, train, transfers and hotels. For example, Prague, Budapest or Istanbul can be added to the Grand Danube voyage, while hotels in Paris and Barcelona can be combined with the Provence and Spain itineraries. Guests visiting South-East Asia can choose between an eight-day cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa) or a 16-day itinerary combining the cruise with accommodation in Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City.

Oh, and don't forget to come along to the Cruise Show at the Birmingham NEC this weekend!

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