Grand Circle Cruise Line® the Leader in River Cruising Worldwide 1 Grand Circle Cruise Line ® 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
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GCCL TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE Romantic Blue Danube: Budapest to Prague 2022 Learn how to personalize your experience on this vacation Grand Circle Cruise Line® The Leader in River Cruising Worldwide 1 Grand Circle Cruise Line ® 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210 Dear Traveler, At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. Soon, you’ll once again be discovering the places you’ve dreamed of. In the meantime, the enclosed Grand Circle Cruise Line Travel Planning Guide should help you keep those dreams vividly alive. Before you start dreaming, please let me reassure you that your health and safety is our number one priority. As such, we’re requiring that all Grand Circle Cruise Line travelers, ship crew, Program Directors, and coach drivers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure. Our new, updated health and safety protocols are described inside. The journey you’ve expressed interest in, Romantic Blue Danube: Budapest to Prague River Cruise Tour, will be an excellent way to resume your discoveries. It takes you into the true heart of Europe, thanks to our groups of 38-45 travelers. Plus, our European Program Director will reveal their country’s secret treasures as only an insider can. You can also rely on the seasoned team at our regional office in Bratislava, who are ready to help 24/7 in case any unexpected circumstances arise. Throughout your explorations, you’ll meet local people and gain an intimate understanding of the regional culture. Join a Slovakian family in their home for a Home-Hosted Dinner, where you’ll learn about everyday life and sample the city’s cuisine; and visit a local school supported by Grand Circle Foundation in Bratislava. Plus, a portion of our proceeds goes toward the charitable efforts of Grand Circle Foundation: inside you’ll also see how your travel dollar helps make the world a better place. We understand that no two people are the same. That’s why more than 80% of our travelers take advantage of the freedom to personalize their experience. Join the 48% of travelers who extend their time abroad. Add the pre-trip extension to Hungary: Budapest, post-trip extension to Germany: Dresden & Berlin or Poland: Warsaw & Krakow, or a combination of these extensions to your European vacation. I hope you find this Grand Circle Travel Planning Guide helpful. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact one of our Travel Counselors at 1-800-221-2610. Warm regards, Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman Overseas Adventure Travel P.S. For further peace of mind, please know that we are EXTENDING our Risk-Free Booking Policy through 12/31/21. Learn more at www.gct.com/riskfree-booking. 2 WHAT’S INSIDE TRIP SUMMARY It’s Included . 4 Departure Dates and Prices . 5 Deck Plans. 6 Freedom to Personalize Your Experience . 8 DETAILED DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY . .9 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION . 33 Travel Documents & Entry Requirements . 35 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health . 38 Money Matters: Local Currency & Tipping Guidelines . 41 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch . 46 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 50 Climate & Average Temperatures . 57 Aboard Your Ship: Cabin Features, Dining & Services . 60 About Your Destinations: Culture, Etiquette & More. 65 Demographics & History . 81 Resources: Suggested Reading & Movies . 93 Health & Safety Measures – Vaccines Required . 102 MAP . 103 3 Romantic Blue Danube: Budapest to Prague Hungary: Budapest | Slovakia: Bratislava | Austria: Vienna, Krems, Linz | Czech Republic: Cesky Krumlov, Prague Countries: 4 | Cities: 7 | 10 Nights Aboard Our Privately Owned 162-Passenger M/S River Aria or M/S River Adagio Wachau Valley, Krems, Austria Discover three of Europe’s legendary capital cities—Prague, Vienna, and Budapest $ IT’S INCLUDED 15 days from 4495 Including international airfare International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline from New York fuel surcharges, unless you choose to make your own air arrangements Travel from only $300 per day Accommodations for 10 nights aboard a private river ship with wireless Internet access in all common areas and cabins, and 3 nights in the Grandior Hotel Prague or similar 14 days from $ 3495 — River Cruise Tour only 34 meals: 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 12 dinners including 3 meals in local restaurants—plus all onboard house beer, wine, and soft drinks Travel from only $250 per day 11 included tours with personal headsets and 2 Exclusive Discovery Series Events—Home-Hosted Visit • School visit Single Supplement: $ 595 Local Program Directors, a Grand Circle Cruise Line exclusive: Our MAXIMIZE YOUR dedicated experts are with you and your group of 38-45 travelers from DISCOVERIES & VALUE beginning to end to provide an insider’s knowledge and perspective Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers OPTIONAL EXTENSION S All port charges all with FREE Single Supplements Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips Budapest, Hungary 3 nights pre-trip from $745 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next trip Dresden & Berlin, Germany 5 nights post-trip from $995 Highlights of Poland: Warsaw & To get a richer view of the Included Features on this trip, Krakow watch our Trip Itinerary video at www.gct.com/edr2022 5 nights post-trip from $1095 Romantic Blue Danube: Budapest to Prague 4 ROMANTIC BLUE DANUBE: RISK-FREE BOOKING POLICY: RESERVE WITH CONFIDENCE—NOW THROUGH 12/31/21 BUDAPEST TO PRAGUE We will waive any change fees if you transfer to another departure date for any reason—up until 24 hours prior to departure. 2022 DATES & PRICES See details at www.gct.com/riskfree-booking. To calculate your trip price with airfare, add deck price to air add-ons below. CABIN CATEGORY MARCH APRIL JULY AUGUST OCTOBER A Serenade Deck $4195 $5195 $4795 $4995 $5395 B(Top Deck w/balcony) $4095 $4995 $4595 $4795 $5195 C Sonata Deck $3995 $4595 $4295 $4495 $4895 D(Middle Deck w/picture window) $3895 $4495 $4195 $4395 $4795 E Cantata Deck $3795 $4395 $4095 $4295 $4695 F(Middle Deck w/picture window) $3695 $4295 $3995 $4195 $4595 G Prelude Deck $3595 $4095 $3795 $3995 $4395 H(Lower Deck w/small window) $3495 $3795 $3595 $3795 $4195 AIR ADD-ONS MARCH-APRIL; OCTOBER JULY; AUGUST New York $1000 $1300 Baltimore $1100 $1400 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Washington, DC $1200 $1500 Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Newark, $1300 $1600 Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Phoenix $1400 $1700 San Diego $1500 $1800 Additional departure cities are available. Upgrade to Business Class may be available for the international portion of your flight. Call for details. EDR2022 SHIP & CRUISE DIRECTION Prices are per person. Airfare prices include Budapest to Prague Prague to Budapest government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges. Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our Departure Ship Departure Ship website: www.gct.com/tc. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the 7/3; 8/12 M/S River Aria 7/10; 8/19 M/S River Aria right to correct errors. 3/31; 10/7 M/S River Adagio 4/7 M/S River Adagio Low-cost Single Supplement is $595 on your main trip & FREE on all extensions. For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.gct.com/edr2022pricing SAVE UP TO 10% WITH OUR GOOD BUY PLAN SHARE CRITICAL YOUR LOVE AIR OFINFORMATION TRAVEL Your travel time will be 8-17 hours and will have at least one The earlier you reserve your departure and pay in full, the more New travelers you refer will instantly save $100, and you’ll earn connection (depending on your gateway city). Connecting times increasing rewards—up to a FREE trip! you’ll save—up to 10%—plus, you’ll lock in your price. in each city will be between 2-3 hours. Visit us online for more information on average flight times and number of connections. For details, visit www.gct.com/gbd For details, visit www.gct.com/va Learn more at www.gct.com/edr2022 Publication Date 10/28/20 1-800-221-2610 • www.gct.com/edr2022 5 Your Rhine, Mosel, Main, and Danube river ships Sail aboard our privately owned 140- to 162-passenger vessels Grand Circle Cruise Line’s Rhine, Mosel, Main, and Danube ships were designed specifically to create an unforgettable European river cruise experience for American travelers. Explore storybook landscapes with up to four groups of no more than 38-45 travelers, each with one of our dedicated, local Grand Circle Program Directors, and enjoy the attentive onboard service of our top-notch English-speaking ship crew. Shipboard Features • Dining room with single, open seating: Enjoy • Sun Deck: Sit outside and enjoy the view as your ship regionally-inspired cuisine in your ship’s dining room. glides past the European countryside. • Bar & lounge: Relax with friends old and new. • English-speaking crew: Our crew is dedicated to your comfort, and all shipboard announcements are made • Complimentary beverages: Enjoy house beer and in English. house wine—as well as soft drinks—at any time of day while onboard. • Smoking/non-smoking: Smoking is not permitted indoors, but is permitted on the Sun Deck. • Complimentary wireless Internet access: Connect online in cabins and common areas. Please note: Wireless • Shipboard security: State-of-the-art shipboard radar Internet access may be limited at certain points throughout ensures safe navigation at night and in low visibility; your River Cruise. safe docking space; onboard security staff; state-of- the-art fire safety system; and secured entryway doors. 6 M/S RIVER HARMONY R E RESTAURANT BAR LOUNGE SHOP SERENADE DECK E FITNESS MASSAGE SAUNA/ WHIRL– POOL SONATA DECK CANTATA DECK PRELUDE DECK Registry: Malta Length: 366 ft.