AmaWaterways offering savings of up to £1,000 per cabin off selected 2015 river cruises

On board AmaWaterways' twin-balconied AmaCerto

To mark CLIA’s Cruise Week, AmaWaterways is offering exclusive savings of up to £1,000 per cabin off selected 2015 river cruises, a free Berlitz river cruise guide for all bookings received during Cruise Week, and free access to airport lounges when flight-inclusive cruise packages are booked.

Rhone & Provence, a 7 night sailing from Lyon to Arles, departing on 3 September 2015, with prices from £2,209 per person, was £2,662pp, saving £453pp (balcony cabin £2,599pp, was £3,146pp, saving £547pp), including return UK flights, non UK transfers, all meals, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, free wi-fi, free use of on-board bicycles and daily tours and excursions. 

Melodies of the Danube, departing on 14 September 2015, a 7 night cruise on board the Berlitz top rated luxury river ship, AmaPrima, sailing from Budapest to Vilshofen. Prices from £2,049pp, was £2,464pp, saving £4,15pp, and balcony cabins from £2,439pp, was £2,948pp, saving £509pp. Prices include return UK flights and non UK transfers, all meals, free-flowing wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, free wi-fi, free use of on-board bicycles and daily tours and excursions. 

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Wine & Christmas With AMA

Enjoy Europe’s vineyards during the wine harvest on a wine-themed luxury river cruise with AmaWaterways, during a 7-night sailing from Budapest to Vilshofen on board one of the newest and most advanced river ships in Europe, the AmaPrima. 

Departing on November 6, AMA's "In Celebration of Wine" sailing includes wine-themed tours and presentations, visits to wineries and wine tastings, and the price of £1,599pp includes a generous saving of £373pp.

Or save £734pp off a week-long cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg, departing on November 20. The AmaPrima sails to Bratislava, Vienna, Melk, Linz, Passau and Regensberg, before arriving in Nuremberg, home of Europe’s largest Christmas market. The price is now from £2,159pp .

AMA's Christmas markets river cruise has a saving of £388pp on  a week-long sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest, with the numerous and varied Christmas markets in Vienna and the picturesque stalls and wares for sale in Linz and Passau. This "Christmas Time Cruise" departs on December 16 and now costs from £1,779pp.

And two more great festive season river-cruise ideas:

December 28: Recuperate from Christmas and Celebrate New Year!

Get Christmas over and done with and head off for a week on a luxury river cruiser, sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest. See Europe in its festive finery, visit the regal cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, spend New Year’s Eve in picturesque Linz and enjoy a relaxing New Year’s Day in the spectacular surroundings of the Baroque Melk Abbey, followed by a cruise through Austria’s Wachau Valley. The week-long sailing now costs from £1769pp, saving £469pp.

December 25: River cruise solves Christmas AND New Year!

Spend Christmas Day in festive Nuremberg and New Year in Amsterdam, where fireworks will light up the sky for miles around and the city will be partying right into New Year’s Day. Embark on the luxury new river cruiser AmaPrima on December 25, sail along the Main and Rhine waterways, visiting picturesque towns and villages each day and enjoying five-star cuisine and comfort all the way, to arrive in Amsterdam for New Year. The price of £1,649pp saves £431pp.

NB: All prices include return flights from London, ship transfers, all meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, complimentary daily tours and excursions, wi-fi and use of onboard bicycles. 

More info: Contact AmaWaterways on (freephone) 0808 223 5009 or online at www.amawaterways.co.uk.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Avalon's 2014 European Preview

Avalon Waterways has launched its 2014 European River Cruise Preview Brochure with a range of early booking offers as well as announcing three new Suite Ships for delivery in the spring next year.

A range of great value early booking offers are available; the earlier the booking, the better the saving.  Those booking by May 22 can save up to £1,400 per couple; by June 30, the saving is £1,200 per couple; or book by September 30 to save £600 per couple.

The new preview brochure features 10 of Avalon’s most popular itineraries on the Rhine, Danube, Main, Rhone and Dutch Waterways. The choice includes the Romantic Rhine (8 days from £1,255pp), A Taste of the Danube (8 days from £1,109pp), Capitals of Central Europe (10 days from £1,665pp), Burgundy & Provence (11 days from £1,909pp) and Balkan Discovery (10 days from £1,815pp). Ten other non-brochured 2014 cruises available to book via the website include Paris to Normandy Beaches (8 days from £1,135pp), Rhine & Moselle (13 days from £2,605pp), Grand France (16 days from £2,855pp) and Upper Rhine to the City of Music (12 days from £2,490pp).

Avalon’s flexible approach provides passengers with more of a personalised experience.  Included sightseeing with individual audio sets is available at three different levels all led by expert local guides. Leisurely sightseeing shows each destination’s highlights in a relaxed and unhurried way; traditional sightseeing explores a wide range of sights at a moderate pace and essential sightseeing shows the must-see sights, with plenty of time to explore on your own. Alternative sightseeing options are also on offer for those with different interests or for those who have visited the area before.

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

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Tauck's Rhone Revels

Tauck's fabulous new 'A Taste of France' river cruise on the River Rhone celebrates and explores the rich culinary traditions of the country and offers a novel way to appreciate the local food and wine.  

The 10-day itinerary begins in 2013 and starts with a two-night hotel stay and exploration of local food culture in Paris, followed by a seven-night cruise through the Rhone Valley aboard Tauck’s exclusive MS Swiss Emerald riverboat. 

It opens with guided culinary-themed sightseeing in Paris and a two-night stay at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe. Guests will enjoy a Tauck-exclusive, hands-on introduction to French sauces with a tasting at the new Alain Ducasse culinary school, Ecole de Cuisine. They will also attend a workshop and blind tastings highlighting “The Joy of Chocolate” led by Chloe Doutre-Roussel, author of “The Chocolate Connoisseur,” and visit the former haunts of chef Julia Child and learn about contemporary Parisian life during a walking tour of the Left Bank.

Other culinary-themed experiences include:

• A market visit in Provence with local chefs, who will buy ingredients and prepare regional specialties for tasting, such as tapenade, anchoiade and stuffed tomatoes Provencale.
• A visit to Lyon’s famous market, Les Halles, with tastings of local meats and cheeses.
• A memorable Provencal evening featuring dinner, local wines and entertainment in the shadow of Pont du Gard, the incredible Roman aqueduct.
• A wine tasting in Beaujolais.
• A demonstration of French culinary techniques at a cooking school operated by a three-star Michelin chef. 

Included in the $5,390 price per person (double occupancy basis) are all sightseeing, activities and shore excursions, two nights' hotel accommodations in Paris, all gratuities, complimentary wine with onboard meals, all taxes and port charges, airport transfers and luggage handling.

The stylish Swiss Sapphire was launched in 2006 and recently enhanced with new décor and other improvements. As with Tauck’s other riverboats, she accommodates just 118 guests to ensure a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, compared to other lines that accommodate up to 160 passengers on ships of a similar size. 

For more info, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury river-cruise specialists.

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Canal du Midi Next Spring

With the thought of those cold winter months fast approaching, planning a trip to the stunning Canal du Midi next spring is a highly appealing option. Luxury hotel barge operator European Waterways offers a range of relaxing, 6-night cruises on the waterways of France, including aboard the 8-passenger Enchanté, with its spacious cabins, which are the largest of any hotel barge on the 300-year-old Canal du Midi, a UNESCO world heritage site.

One of the most luxurious barges in the fleet, Enchanté, with its double decks, is contemporary in style, with 4 beautifully-appointed, en-suite twin, or double suites, air-conditioning, a large lounge/saloon, sun deck with hot tub, al fresco dining area, and a demonstration galley where guests can watch the skilled chef at work. The tastefully furnished interior features exotic hardwoods and a remodelled dining area with a stylish, contemporary twist,

Known locally as Le Midi, this region of Southern France is one of the most picturesque and popular holiday destinations in the world, particularly in the spring, when the weather is warm and an abundance of wild flowers such as poppies and mimosa adorn the banks of the tree-lined canal.

During a classic cruise from Puichéric to Sallèles d’Aude, guests will experience excursions to Cathar hilltop towns like Minerve; historic Narbonne and the fortified medieval city of Carcassonne; wine tastings at a renowned vineyard; and all with the backdrop of a widely diverse landscape overlooked by the distant Pyrenees Mountains. Bikes are available for guests to explore the towpaths and the barge is also equipped with DVD/TV, a computer with internet access and a CD/iPod sound system.

While on board, guests will be pampered by the professional crew – Captain, Master Chef, Tour Guide and Housekeeper – and enjoy gourmet cuisine, accompanied by expertly-selected wines, including fine examples of the local Minervois and Cotes de Roussillon.

Prices in 2013 for a 6-night cruise aboard Enchanté, with departures between March and May, are from £3,670pp in a twin/double suite, including all meals, wines, an open bar, excursions and local transfers. Full boat charters also available from £25,380 (6 people).

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's river-cruise specialists, or for more information, visit www.gobarging.com.

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New Tauck Bridges River Cruise

Featured prominently in Tauck’s 2013 Bridges collection is its new river cruise itinerary, “Bon Voyage: France Family River Cruise.” The 10-day itinerary (from $4,690 per person, cruise only) begins with an included two-night hotel stay with guided sightseeing in Paris that highlights the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and a special dinner at Fouquet’s. Guests then travel on the high-speed TGV train to Lyon, where they’ll board Tauck’s MS Swiss Emerald (above) for a seven-night cruise on the Rhone.

Tauck is including a number of fun and engaging activities for families throughout the itinerary, including a scavenger hunt in Paris’ Louvre, a lesson in “petanque” (a ball game similar to bocce) in Viviers, a hayride in the Camargue, bicycling in Avignon, and a hands-on French culinary experience in Tournon. Three departures of “Bon Voyage: France Family River Cruise,” will be offered in 2013, on July 11, 25 and August 1.

In all, for 2013 Tauck will operate departures of 17 Bridges itineraries highlighting destinations in Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa. Each Bridges trip is fully inclusive, with all accommodations, ground transportation, entertainment, sightseeing, gratuities, most meals, airport transfers, luggage handling and much more built into the price.

Returning Tauck Bridges travellers can also benefit from the company’s Gift of Time offer, which allows them to extend their 2013 journey with a complimentary hotel night. Guests can choose to redeem their free night at either the beginning or end of their journey, at the hotel normally featured on the first or last night of their itinerary. To qualify for the Gift of Time, returning guests must book no later than December 28. Other restrictions may apply.

For bookings in the UK, consult The Cruise Line, the UK's river-cruise specialists, on 0800 008 6677.

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AMA's Autumn Specials

River-cruise specialists AMA Waterways have three bumper special offers to tempt savvy travellers this autumn, with a diverse choice of eastern Europe, France and Vietnam.

Take your pick from the following tempting trio:

Black Sea Voyage with up to £445pp saving

Cruise the lower Danube through five countries, from Rousse in Bulgaria to Budapest, Hungary, with daily port calls and complimentary tours and excursions on a 7-night voyage on board the luxurious 5-star river cruiser AmaDolce. AMA's Black Sea sailing now costs from just £1,395 per person (was £1,840pp) with all meals, wine with dinner, free use of onboard bicycles, free Wi-Fi and all port taxes. 

Autumn wine-themed cruise, saving £499pp

This blissful 7-night voyage sails from Lyon to Arles (and in reverse) on board the luxury river cruiser, AmaDagio, cruising through legendary wine regions such as Beaujolais and Cote du Rhone. The cruise departs on October 11 and 18 and costs from £1,591pp (was £2,091), including wine tastings at local vintners, daily tours and excursions, all meals, wine with dinner, free use of onboard bicycles, free Wi-Fi and all port taxes. 

Cruise the Mekong  
Experience the exotic villages, towns, markets and temples of the mighty Mekong River on a 7-night river cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City in Cambodia and Vietnam. This 10-night adventure departs on November 10 and includes a night stay in Siem Reap, a 7-night cruise, two overnight UK flights and all necessary transfers. It now costs from just £2,695pp, a saving of some 30 per cent.

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

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Save With AMA This Autumn

Here are a couple of great autumn holiday deals today from AmaWaterways, with their stylish river-cruise offerings featured at savings of up to £500 per person.

Autumn river cruise with £445pp saving

AMAs has a big saving on a 7-night cruise from Lyon to Arles on board the luxury river cruiser, AmaDagio, cruising through legendary wine regions, producing wines such as Beaujolais and Cote du Rhone. The cruise departs on October 4 and now costs from £1,895pp, including wine tastings at local vintners, daily tours and excursions, wine with dinner, free use of onboard bicycles, free Wi-Fi and all port taxes. 

Cruise the Mekong, saving up to 500pp 

Experience the exotic villages, towns, markets and temples of the Mekong on a 7-night river cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City. This 11-night departure sails on November 12 with a big saving, and includes a two-night stay in Siem Reap, the full 7-night cruise, two overnight UK flights and transfers. Price now from £2,399pp, departing from the UK on November 9. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's river-cruise experts.

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Swan's Last-Minute Rhone Bargain

Looking for a last-minute European getaway? Try out an 8-day river cruise with Swan Hellenic from just £1,495, departing May 19.

Their 'Cruising the Rhone' itinerary visits Lyon, Vienne and Arles, exploring Europe’s former largest church Benedictine Abbey, driving through the picturesque Ardéche region and discovering Avignon’s Palais des Papes

The voyage departs from the UK by air or rail to Lyon and also calls at Chalôn-sur-Saône, Tournus, Mâcon (overnight) and Viviers before returning to Lyon (overnight).

Prices for all cruises include return air or rail travel, transfers, a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent Guest Speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

For booking follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading luxury river-cruise experts. 

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AMA's New Seine Cruises

AmaWaterways will introduce Seine cruises for the first time in 2013, commencing in March with two itineraries, a 7-night voyage and a combined 14-night cruise of the Seine and the Rhone.

The standard one-week itinerary aboard the AmaLegro visits the enchanting riverside towns and cities of Vernon, Rouen, Les Andelys and Conflans before arriving in Paris.

Excursions include the village of Giverny, where Monet lived for 43 years, the artists’ haven of Honfleur, a stroll through Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy and an unforgettable excursion to the famous Normandy beaches. 

The week-long cruise costs from £1,654 per person, including all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, complimentary wi-fi and free use of onboard bicycles.

The new 'Jewels of France' cruise combines two itineraries, AMA's seven-night Rhone River cruise and the seven-night Seine voyage, showcasing some of France’s most charming cities. Embarking in Arles, guests will board the AmaDagio to cruise through the legendary wine regions. 

Excursions include wine tastings, exploring Roman ruins at Pont du Gard & Uzes and visits to the Renaissance palace in Grignan. Disembarking in Lyon, passengers travel to Paris aboard the high-speed TGV train to join the 7-night Seine cruise before returning to the capital. The two-week voyage costs from £3,370 per person.

The AmaLegro and AmaDagio feature luxurious cruise accommodations with spacious staterooms, most with French balconies. Other amenities include a massage and beauty salon, complimentary Internet and Infotainment System with music library and Hollywood movies. Special highlights include lectures, themed dinners, cooking demonstrations and onboard music performances. For guests wishing to explore the serene paths along the rivers, there are also bicycles onboard.

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

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A Wine Cruise Debut For AmaDagio

Cruising through the captivating Provencal wine regions, AmaWaterways will debut its luxury river cruiser AmaDagio on the Rhone on March 29, following her relocation from the Rhine and Moselle.

This cruise is also the first wine-themed cruise of the 2012 season on the Rhone, the Rhine and the Danube, featuring onboard wine experts and vintners and including complimentary tours to vineyards and cellars, wine lectures, wine tastings and fine dining with wine pairings. 

The 7-night Rhone voyage includes the Beaujolais wine region, tours of Roman ruins and stops at UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Avignon and Arles, where many artists spent much of their life, including Vincent Van Gogh. Departures are on March 29 and November 8 and 15, with prices from £1,645 per person, including all meals, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, daily tours, presentations and wine tastings by wine hosts and free use of onboard bicycles to explore on shore.

The `In Celebration of Wine’ cruises also feature in-depth cruises along the Rhine and Danube in the company of winery hosts, who will present regional wines and host wine-paired dinners, tastings and lectures and accompany guests during excursions. These special sailings feature excursions, such as a traditional “Heuriger” tasting of new wine in the villages of Grinzing and Neustift on the outskirts of Vienna; an introduction to Alsatian wines at the “Wunsch et Mann” winery in Wettolsheim and an “Oktoberfest” in the village of Vilshofen created specifically for AmaWaterways’ guests.

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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Wine & Tulips With AMA Waterways

AmaWaterways’ 2012 season of wine-themed cruises gets off to an auspicious start with a President’s Wine Cruise from March 29, featuring the Company’s Provence and Spain itinerary and the debut of the luxury river cruiser MS AmaDagio on the Rhone. 

The itinerary takes guests through some of France’s most renowned wine regions and includes 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 cruise is hosted by AMA President Rudi Schreiner and Executive Vice President Kristin Karst, accompanied by Carissa Chappellet of Chappellet Winery in Napa Valley and Archie McLaren, founder of the Central Coast Wine Classic.   

The Wine Cruise takes place from March 29 to April 5 on the Rhone from Arles to Lyon, and costs from £1,645pp based on two sharing a cabin, including port taxes and all meals, excluding flights.

Or you can take in the Dutch bulb fields in bloom in spring time and include a trip to the amazing Keukenhof Gardens, where there are millions of tulips creating a dazzling carpet of colour.  

AMA's seven-night Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle cruise from Amsterdam to Remich (Luxembourg) costs from £1,595pp per person for a French balcony cabin, departing on April 1, based on two sharing a cabin, including port taxes and all meals, excluding flights.

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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Great Springtime River Cruise Offers From Swan Hellenic

With the popularity of river cruises surging, Swan Hellenic is proud to offer a selection of diverse itineraries next spring from as little as £1,525 per person. The rich mix of culture and history can be easily enjoyed at a leisurely pace on one of the elegant vessels from the A-Rosa fleet.

Take your pick between the Rhone or Danube and discover the heart of Europe, visiting its famous abbeys, palaces and cultural hotspots. With plenty to see and do, find out for yourself why river cruising is fast becoming the preferred alternative holiday.

Cruising the Danube – Sail from £1,525 per person; price includes return flights to Munich, transfers and a 8-day cruise departing from Passau (Germany) and calling at Melk (Austria), Esztergom (Hungary), Budapest (Hungary), Bratislava (Slovakia), Vienna (Austria) and Durnstein (Austria) before returning to Passau. Price is based on April 29 departure.

Cruising the Rhone – Sail from £1,725 per person; price includes return flights or rail, transfers and a 8-day cruise departing from Lyon and calling at Chalon-sur-Saone, Tournus, Mâcon (overnight), Viviers, Arles, Avignon (overnight) and Vienne before returning to Lyon (overnight). Price is based on May 19 departure. 

Prices for all cruises include meals and entertainment on board, meals, entertainment, gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

For more info and 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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AmaWaterways Launches New Ship On Rhone

AmaWaterways will launch the debut of its luxury river cruiser AmaDagio on the Rhone next year along with a new season of its 'In Celebration of Wine Cruises' with a President’s Wine Cruise featuring its Provence and Spain itinerary.

The cruise takes place from March 29 - April 5 on the Rhone River from Arles to Lyon and costs from £1645pp (based on two sharing a stateroom,) including port taxes and all meals, but excluding flights.

The specially-crafted 'In Celebration of Wine' itineraries include complimentary wine-themed shore excursions and winery visits, onboard lectures, wine tastings and wine pairings at meals. Highlights of the President’s Wine Cruise also include 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.

For more info, see www.amawaterways.co.uk or contact the UK's luxury river cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd, on 0800 008 6677.

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A Luxury Hotel Barge Cruise

A cruise through Provence with European Waterways aboard luxury 8-passenger hotel barge Enchanté is genuinely like no other. After some Spring cruises along the 300-year-old Canal du Midi, she embarks in June on a series of delightful cruises through Provence, known for its gorgeous climate and fine cuisine.

Passengers joining Enchanté for any of these 6-night cruises along the Canal du Rhône à Sete can be sure of a fascinating voyage of discovery, whichever itinerary they choose.

On the Beziers and Aigues Mortes cruise, they will visit Pezenas, home of the playwright Moliere and cruise through the Camargue National Park, with its wild horses and pink flamingoes. On the Agde to Avignon route, highlights will include a cruise across the Thau Basin, an inland seawater lagoon full of oyster beds, and a tour of the impressive Palais des Papes in Avignon itself.

And on the Avignonto Marseillan voyage, there will be an excursion to see the amazing three-tiered Pont du Gard aqueduct built by the Romans, and a private wine tasting in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. To really make it a special cruise, passengers will enjoy gourmet Provencale cuisine prepared by their onboard chef and fine local wines.

Prices for an all-inclusive 6-night cruise aboard Enchanté start from £3,300pp in an air-conditioned, en suite cabin, and from £23,500 for a full boat charter. The price includes gourmet meals, fine wines, an open bar, all excursions and local transfers.

For more info, visit http://www.gobarging.com/ or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Noble Caledonia's Burgundy & Provence Special

Leave the crowded roads behind and relax onboard Noble Caledonia's first class river vessel through Provence and Burgundy on a seven-night river journey along the Rhone and Saone Rivers - at a special reduced rate this June.
This sailing has been chartered by the company's US associates, Travel Concepts. Due to some late availability, the remaining cabins can be offered at very special prices. The 78-passenger MS Rembrandt will sail all the way from the enchanting town of Arles to Chalon-sur-Saone near Beaune.

Enjoy time in historic Avignon and Arles, forever associated with some of the greatest impressionist artists. From here, there will be the opportunity to visit some of the great Roman sites for which Provence is justly famous. Continue to the ancient town of Vienne with its dramatically sited medieval cathedral, then visit the gourmet capital of Lyon before cruising through the vine-covered hills of Burgundy, ending in the historic town of Beaune, the region's wine capital.

The 7-night voyage now costs from just £995 and departs on June 30. For more info, visit www.noble-caledonia.co.uk or contact the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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AMA Waterways Offers - Save Up To £867pp

AmaWaterways have cut the cost of a 7-night luxury river cruise through Holland's spectacular bulb-fields, departing on April 1, to £1,299pp, saving £624pp (was £1,923). The spring flowers are at their best from mid-March through to mid-May, and this is the perfect time to discover the beauty and history of the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Prices include all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner; free Wi-Fi and free use of onboard bicycles and daily excursions.

A 7-night cruise on May 1 and 7 along the Rhine and Moselle, from Amsterdam to Luxembourg visiting Cologne, enjoying wine-tasting in Rudesheim, passing half timbered towns and villages, castles andvineyards, can now be booked from £953pp, saving £867pp (again including all meals, wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi, use of on board bicycles and daily excursions).

Departing May 14, there are savings of £348 off a 7-night Rhone River cruise from Arles to Lyon, with prices from £1479 per person (was £1827). The sailing cruises to Avignon through beautiful wine-growing regions producing grapes for famous wines as Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Or try a June 3 river cruise along the Rhine and Moselle, again on the Luxembourg-Amsterdam route, from £956pp, saving £871pp (was £1827).

For more information, contact http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/ or the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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AMA Waterways River Cruise Offers

The following offers from AMA Waterways are now available.

3rd April, 1st & 7th May: Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle, saving up to £867pp

A 7-night luxury river cruise along the Rhine and Moselle, from Amsterdam to Luxembourg, visiting Cologne, with wine tasting in Rudesheim, passing half-timbered towns and villages, castles and vineyards, can now be booked from £824pp, saving £738pp (was £1562), departing on 3rd April, or on 1st May for £953pp, saving £867, and on 7th May for £925, saving £838. Prices include all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner; free Wi-Fi and free use of on board bicycles and daily excursions.

14th May: Lavender, Wine and the Rhone with £348pp saving

Departing 14th May, this 7-night Rhone River cruise from Aries to Lyon now costs from £1479 per person (was £1827pp), fully inclusive. The sailing departs from Aries and cruises to Avignon through beautiful wine-growing regions producing grapes for famous wines like Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

3rd June: Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle with £871 saving per person

This 7-night luxury cruise along the Rhine and Moselle, from Luxembourg to Amsterdam and visiting Cologne, with wine-tasting in Rudesheim, can now be booked from £956pp, saving £871pp (was £1827).

30th July: Europe's Rivers and Castles with £839pp saving

Another 7-night Rhine cruise is now from £924 per person (was £1763pp). The cruise begins in scenic Nuremberg and meanders through Europe’s most beautiful scenery along the Mosel, Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal, concluding in Luxembourg. Again, the price includes all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi, use of onboard bicycles and daily excursions.

For more details, visit the river-cruise agents of The Cruise Line or http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/

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More Savings With AMA Waterways

AMA Waterways have some really good savings on offer for the spring and early summer. Departing on April 4, with a saving of £153pp off a 7-night cruise of the Dutch and Belgian waterways, now costs from £1,409pp (was £1,562pp), including all meals, champagne breakfasts and free-flowing wine with dinner, free wifi and free use of onboard bicycles and daily excursions. The 'Tulip Time' cruise passes carpets of colourful flowers and lush green countryside dotted with windmills, while the tours take in historic towns and cities, including the medieval cities of Antwerp and Ghent.

A 7-night luxury spring river cruise on one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers, the Rhine River, departs May 7 and can now be booked for £924pp (was £1,763), saving £839pp. The cruise departs from Amsterdam and meanders along the Rhine, through Cologne to Luxembourg, and includes all meals, excursions, etc.

Departing May 14, AMA has savings of £348pp off a 7-night Rhone River cruise from Aries to Lyon, with prices now from £1,479 per person (was £1827pp), again including all meals, wine with dinner, etc. The sailing departs from Aries and cruises to Avignon through beautiful wine-growing regions where such famous wines as Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape originate.

Departing on July 30, there are savings of £839 off a 7-night Rhine cruise, now £924 per person (was £1763pp). The cruise begins in scenic Luxembourg and meanders through some beautiful scenery along the Mosel, Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal, concluding in Nuremburg. The price again is all-inclusive of meals, champagne breakfasts, wine with dinner, wifi and use of on board bicycles and daily excursions.

For more information, visit http://www.amawaterways.co.uk/ or contact one of the river-cruise specialists of agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

More River-Cruise Choice

It seems river cruises are definitely the flavour of the month. No sooner do I detail the great advantages of this option compared to their big-ship, ocean-going brethren, than a new operation arrives dedicated to river cruising.

US-based Avalon Waterways is now available to a UK audience for the first time, bringing another array of high-quality riverboats to the attention (and availability) of an interested public. A new British office, website and countrywide marketing, highlight their drive to broaden their passenger base - and make river-cruising even more popular.

To start with, Avalon boast one of the youngest fleets in Europe, with eight boats dating back no longer than 2004 and two more due to come on line in 2010. They feature six main European rivers (Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhone and Seine), as well as a range of themed cruises, and their newest six are powered by a state of the art, pod-propulsion, Silent Drive System. Two of their vessels, Avalon Poetry and Artistry, feature aft navigational bridges, which earned them an innovative design award as they allowed for more spacious public rooms and a Sky Deck.

Since their inauguration in 2004, Avalon have earned an enviable reputation for outstanding service, cuisine and onboard style, as well as featuring an attractive array of itineraries from 4-15 days (although most are in the 10-12 day range).

It's no wonder UK Managing Director Alan MacLean says: “Having become the most recognised and fastest growing river cruise brand in the world, we are delighted to launch our first class product on to the UK Market. River cruising is definitely bucking the trend in the recent economic downturn, being enjoyed by a largely recession-proof sector of the population who are prepared to pay for the highest level of quality and service.”

Their staterooms are currently the largest available on European rivers, from 172sq ft for standard rooms to a massive (by river-cruise standards) 258sq ft for suites. Virtually all have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balconies, affording panoramic views of the areas they cruise through. They are also superbly appointed, with state-of-the-art amenities and décor, such as flatscreen satellite TVs, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens and individual climate control.

Their high-class cuisine is prepared by an impressive range of chefs, who include classic dishes and regional specialities, while the full board arrangement includes complimentary regional wine with dinner, taking advantage of the numerous classic varieties to be found close to Europe’s principal rivers.

Importantly, most excursions are also included, with personal headsets provided for all guided tours ashore. To add to the first class experience, Avalon offers complimentary round-trip door-to-home pick-up service in chauffeur-driven executive cars within 75 miles of the chosen international departure airport or Eurostar station.

If all that doesn't tempt you, then wait for the prices, which are all extremely value-conscious, especially for continental Europe (try getting four-star full-board accommodation in Germany, France or Austria for £160 a day!):

Prices for 2010 start from £915 for the five day ‘Taste of the Danube’ cruise on board Avalon Tapestry. Other itineraries include the ‘Legendary Danube’ (Prague-Budapest, 10 days from £1635), ‘Danube & Black Sea Coast’ (Prague-Bucharest, 13 days from £2949), ‘Romantic Rhine’ (Basel-Amsterdam, 8 days from £1369), ‘Burgundy & Provence’ (Cote d’Azur-Paris, 11 days from £1669), ‘European Splendour’ (Vienna-Amsterdam, 13 days from £1789) and the ‘Central European Experience’ (Paris-Prague, 12 days from £1955).

For music and wine connoisseurs there is also a range of themed cruises on specific departures such as the Burgundy & Provence Wine cruise or the Magnificent Europe Music Cruise with shore excursions to include a Strauss concert in Vienna, an organ recital in Melk and a visit to the Opera House in Bayreuth.

Interested yet? It certainly gets my attention, and the Danube & Black Sea Coast would definitely be my idea of a memorable trip. Now, where's their phone number...........!

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