Voyages of Discovery Cruises Into Rivers For 2012

Voyages of Discovery has launched its first-ever river cruising programme, European River Cruises. Cruise through central European rivers, the Rhine and the Danube, or discover Russia’s waterway, the River Volga, whilst experiencing a tailor-made programme of shore excursions.

Prices for all river cruises include flights or rail travel and overseas transfers from/to the ship (where applicable), all meals on board and house wine with lunch and dinner. Shore excursions, gratuities and visas are not included. European River Cruises recommended by Voyages of Discovery include:

· Romantic Rhine Cruise – a seven-night cruise of the Rhine onboard Royal Crown from £1,195 per person. Departing from Amsterdam and calling at Düsseldorf, Königswinter, Koblenz (overnight), Rüdesheim and Cologne (overnight). Price based on a 2 June departure.

· Grand Danube Journey – a seven-night voyage on Royal Crown from £1,795 per person. Departing from Budapest and calling at Bratislava, Vienna, Melk, Linz, Passau, Regensburg and Nuremberg. Price based on a 7 July departure.

· St Petersburg-Moscow – an 11-night cruise on board Volga Dream from £2,395 per person. Departing from St Petersburg (overnight x 3) and calling at Svir River and Mandrogi, Kizhi, Goritsy, Yaroslavl, Uglich and Moscow (overnight x 2). Price based on a 29 July or 11 August departure.

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

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Viking Unveils the Crown Jewel in Russian Cruising

To meet the growing demand for travel to Russia and exceed the expectations of today’s traveller, Viking River Cruises is setting a new standard with their Russian fleet: fully refurbishing each vessel from bow to stern and creating new and inviting interiors — spacious staterooms, elegant dining rooms and comfortable lounges.

The final ship to be fully refurbished is the Viking Rurik, which will launch in 2012 and offer two-room Suites that are an impressive 405sq ft, as well as spacious Junior Suites and 60 Staterooms with full verandas. The completion of this ship also marks the full transformation of all four vessels in Viking’s Russian fleet.

To commemorate the Viking heritage and Russian history, the four ships will be renamed after Rurik and his family, Helgi, Ingvar and Truvor, who were the original Russian explorers. Rurik, a leader of the Vikings in the 9th century, ventured along the rivers of what is now Russia and founded the Rurikid Dynasty, which ruled over Russia for many centuries. Specially designed to cruise Russia’s great waterways, Viking ships are built for around 200 guests, offering a more intimate holiday.

Comfort and quality, along with stunning river views in every stateroom, ensures there is no more relaxing or rewarding way to discover Russia than on board these beautiful ships.

For more info, visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk or the river cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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A Volga Adventure with eWaterways

eWaterways the niche and river cruise experts have a new itinerary for 2012 on Europe’s largest and longest river - the Volga. The exceptional 11-day Russian Cruise-and-Stay package takes place on the Volga Dream, a well-appointed ship which journeys along this emblematic river and other important waterways to Russia’s ‘Golden Ring’ cities.

Starting in Peter the Great’s ‘Window on the West’ St Petersburg and ending in the medieval yet modern capital Moscow, this cruise promises a real exploration of this vast country’s vistas, history and culture.

The all-inclusive Volga Discovery Holiday is crammed with excursions, informative tours and the best of Russian cuisine. The impressive programme includes visits to the remarkable Palace Square and a tour of the Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace in St Petersburg; a tour of the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration with its 22 ‘onion’ domes on Kizhi Island; a trip to the Cyrilo-Belozersky Monastery in Goritsy and the 16th-century Monastery of the Transfiguration and Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl, as well as a city tour of the beautiful 10th century town Uglich - all before a visit to the renowned Kremlin, the Flea Market and the Dmitry Blood Church in Moscow.

The Volga Dream accommodates just 109 passengers in 56 well-appointed, spacious cabins, each of which feature a window, individually controlled air-conditioning, satellite flat-screen televisions, mini-bars and a welcome fruit basket. With a crew of 60, including an expert tour guide, the standard of service is impeccable.

One of the highlights is the onboard dining experience. With the à la carte evening dinner taking a different theme everyday, the Chef brings fine dining to each guest night after night. From the fresh steamed sturgeon to a rack of lamb or steak au poivre, tiger prawns and authentic Russian Borsch, every meal is a chance to marvel at the culinary excellence of the kitchen. The onboard facilities include a single sitting dining room where complimentary wine is served with meals, a chic lounge and bar, fitness centre, spa treatments and library with internet access.

The 11-day Volga Discovery Cruise will run from May-September 2012. Prices start at £2,059 per person (including taxes), which includes 5-star hotel stays in Moscow (2 nights) and St Petersburg (2 nights), a 6-night deluxe cruise aboard the Volga Dream (full board basis), all transfers, tours and excursions, house wine and soft drinks with meals onboard and lunches and dinners in local restaurants. Flights and visas are not included.

For more info, visit www.ewaterways.co.uk or contact the river-cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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