Titan's New Look For 2014

Titan Travel and their exclusive partnership with deluxe river cruise line Uniworld has launched the first edition of their new 2014 river cruise brochure, with three brand new itineraries and savings of up to £600 per person on bookings made before the end of September. With a new format showcasing all 24 itineraries to the most scenic waterways of Europe, Russia, China, Vietnam and Cambodia, the brochure highlights Uniworld’s fleet of superbly appointed floating boutique-style hotels. With an average capacity of 130 guests and the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, all the 5-star vessels are designed by Red Carnation Hotels and include original works of art, antiques and furnishings. For the first time in 2014, every European itinerary (excluding Russia) is all-inclusive, with prices covering all gratuities (on-board and ashore), unlimited wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks throughout (excluding premium wines and spirits) and on-board Wi-Fi. This enhancement invites guests to relax in the knowledge there are no hidden extras once on board and these extras are offered in addition to the existing range of Zagat-recommended river-view staterooms, full board fine dining, a choice of expert-guided shore excursions at every port of call and unique door-to-door transfers from any UK address as part of Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service. New for 2014 is the expansion of Uniworld’s award-winning fleet of vessels with the addition of the new SS Catherine. Set to raise the bar even higher than sister ship SS Antoinette, this beautiful vessel will replace the River Royale along the Rhône and Saône through southern France on the perennially popular 8-day ‘Burgundy & Provence’ itinerary from Lyon to Avignon, with prices starting from £2,099 per person based on a November 2014 departure (saving £300 if booked by September 30). For more info, visit www.titantravel.co.uk and for more river-cruise ideas, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxuring cruise specialists.

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Side-By-Side - A River-Cruise Comparison

Guest Blog by US cruise expert Steven B Stern, author of Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation.

In conducting research for my new guide, which will be devoted exclusively to European river boats and barges, I have attempted to cruise on the entire gamut of the new and more upscale ships that the various cruise lines are racing to build.

Last summer (2011), we did back-to-back cruises on the SS Antoinette of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and on the Viking Legend of Viking River Cruises (you can also see fuller reviews in the Autumn issue of World of Cruising magazine). This summer, we cruised back-to-back on the Avalon Panorama and AMACERTO, the newest ships of these two specialist riverboat cruise lines.

Avalon Panorama (top) entered service in 2011, the first of what the company refers to as their “suite ships.” AMACERTO entered service in 2012, the latest of three identical sister ships.

Our 14-day cruise on Panorama (above, right) commenced in Budapest and traversed the Danube, Main/Danube Canal, River Main and Rhine all the way up to Amsterdam. We spent only seven days on AMACERTO covering a portion of the same itinerary.

In the final analysis, I could not say that one was superior to the other. Each had features that impressed, and others that didn’t. The non-suite accommodations were similar on both with limited storage, as is the situation on all riverboats. However, we preferred our cabin on the AMA ship because of the fact most of the cabins had both a real outdoor balcony as well as a French-style balcony whereas the Panorama only had the French balconies. The bedding on the Panorama also did not adequately adapt itself to a matrimonial bed arrangement. 

Service on both ships was outstanding with exceptional cruise directors and hotel managers. Dining was similar, but not outstanding. The speciality restaurant on AMACERTO represented a nice diversion. The excursion program on AMA was a better deal, since almost every tour was included. The amount of nightly entertainment on both ships was a pleasant surprise. 

Both were physically beautiful ships, well maintained, and more modern in décor than some of the older ships in both fleets. In the final analysis, I would have to say it is a toss-up - you can’t really go wrong with either one.

See more about Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation on this link.

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Uniworld's Fabulous New River Cruiser

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises have christened their latest vessel, SS Antoinette at the Port of Amsterdam, bringing a new class of super-ship to the world of river cruising.

In a first for the industry, the Antoinette boasts unique conservatory balconies in its top deck suites and staterooms. Each has a full open-air private balcony that, with a touch of a switch, raises the glass to create a completely enclosed conservatory, ensuring a connection with the open air and the river’s scenery, whatever the weather.

There are many other innovative features designed not only for the guests’ ultimate comfort and enjoyment, but also to ensure it is among the most environmentally friendly ships in river cruising.

The swimming pool, designed with stunning blue mosaic tile, is enclosed and provides the perfect place for a quiet nap, an invigorating swim or a place to simply watch the passing scenery as the entire area is enclosed in glass with floor-to-ceiling windows that open up. On the Sun Deck, guests can enjoy the Leopard Lounge and the elegant L'Orangerie, an indoor/outdoor dining venue. Both venues’ ceilings and windows can collapse on demand if the ship needs to pass under a low bridge. There is also a 22-seat cinema with Dolby Surround sound, the first movie theatre on any river cruise ship.

The Antoinette has just begun her inaugural season on Uniworld’s popular ‘Castles along the Rhine’ itinerary. Prices for this 8-day itinerary start from £1,850 and include accommodation in a category 5 room, shore excursions with local guides, all meals with complimentary European wines, beer and soft drinks during dinner, return flights, UK private car door-to-door transfers, and airport transfers on arrival and departure day.

For more info, see http://www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk/ or the river-cruise specialists of cruise 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.

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