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 Grand European Cruise 2021 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, Grand European Cruise 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. Enter the home of a local family in Wertheim for a Home-Hosted Kaffeeklatsch where you will share coffee and cake, and experience what life is like for a typical German family; and chat with a member of Serbia’s Roma community to gain insight into the stigma facing this culture in Europe—and how they are paving the way for a new future for their people. 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 62% of travelers who extend their time abroad. Add the pre-trip extension to Belgium: Bruges, post-trip extension to Romania: Transylvania, or both 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 . 38 Travel Documents & Entry Requirements . 40 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health . 42 Money Matters: Local Currency & Tipping Guidelines . 45 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch . 51 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 55 Climate & Average Temperatures . 62 Aboard Your Ship: Cabin Features, Dining & Services . 66 About Your Destinations: Culture, Etiquette & More. 71 Demographics & History . 86 Resources: Suggested Reading & Movies . 104 Health & Safety Measures – Vaccines Required . 118 MAP . 119 3 Grand European Cruise The Netherlands: Amsterdam | Germany: Cologne, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Heidelberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau | Austria: Melk, Vienna | Hungary: Budapest | Croatia: Osijek, Vukovar | Serbia: Novi Sad, Belgrade | Bulgaria: Vidin, Ruse | Romania: Constanta, Bucharest Countries: 8 | Cities: 22 | 25 Nights Aboard Our Privately Owned 162-Passenger M/S River Adagio Heidelberg, Germany Voyage from the North Sea to the Black Sea—experiencing 8 different countries—on an epic River Cruise IT’S INCLUDED 29 days from $ 8095 International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline Including international airfare fuel surcharges, unless you choose to make your own air arrangements from New York Accommodations for 25 nights aboard a private river ship with wireless Travel from only $280 per day Internet access now in all common areas and cabins and 2 nights at the Sheraton Bucharest or similar $ 28 days from 6795 78 meals: 27 breakfasts, 25 lunches, 26 dinners—including 6 meals in local River Cruise Tour only restaurants—plus all onboard house beer & wine, as well as soft drinks Travel from only $243 per day 19 included tours with personal headsets and 8 Exclusive Discovery Series events—Gender Equality in the Netherlands conversation • Glassblowing demonstration • Home-Hosted Kaffeeklatsch • Rhine-Main-Danube Canal Limited low-cost Single Supplement transit & conversation • Home-Hosted Lunch • Gypsy conversation • Life Under Communism conversation • Danube-Black Sea Canal transit & conversation MAXIMIZE YOUR Local Program Directors, a Grand Circle Cruise Line exclusive: Our DISCOVERIES & VALUE dedicated experts are with you and your group of 38-45 travelers from beginning to end to provide an insider’s knowledge and perspective OPTIONAL EXTENSION S Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers all with FREE Single Supplements All port charges Bruges, Belgium Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips 3 nights pre-trip from $795 Transylvania, Romania 5% Frequent Traveler Credit on your next trip 3 nights post-trip from $695 To get a richer view of the Included Features on this trip, watch our Trip Itinerary video at www.gct.com/gec2021 Grand European Cruise 4 GRAND EUROPEAN CRUISE RISK-FREE BOOKING POLICY: RESERVE WITH CONFIDENCE—NOW THROUGH 12/31/21 2021 DATES & PRICES We will waive any change fees if you transfer to another departure date for any reason—up until 24 hours prior to departure. To calculate your trip price with airfare, add deck price to air add-ons below. See details at www.gct.com/riskfree-booking. CABIN CATEGORY APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER A Serenade Deck $9295 $8695 $8295 $7995 $8495 $10195 B(Top Deck w/balcony) $9095 $8495 $8095 $7795 $8295 $9995 C Sonata Deck $8695 $8095 $7695 $7495 $7995 $9595 D(Middle Deck w/picture window) $8595 $7995 $7595 $7395 $7895 $9495 E Cantata Deck $8495 $7895 $7495 $7295 $7795 $9395 F(Middle Deck w/picture window) $8395 $7795 $7395 $7195 $7695 $9295 G Prelude Deck $8195 $7595 $7195 $6995 $7495 $9095 H(Lower Deck w/small window) $7895 $7295 $6895 $6795 $7295 $8795 AIR ADD-ONS APRIL; SEPTEMBER MAY-AUGUST New York $1000 $1300 Baltimore, Boston $1100 $1400 Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Miami, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington, DC $1200 $1500 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Orlando, Portland, $1300 $1600 San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Denver, Phoenix, San Diego $1400 $1700 Additional departure cities are available. Upgrade to Business Class may be available for the international portion of your flight. Call for details. GEC2021 Prices are per person. Airfare prices include SHIP & CRUISE DIRECTION government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges. Amsterdam to Bucharest Bucharest to Amsterdam Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our website: www.gct.com/tc. Every effort has been made Departure Ship Departure Ship to produce this information accurately. We reserve the 5/25; 7/15; 9/3 River Adagio 4/28; 6/17; 8/7 River Adagio right to correct errors. Low-cost Single Supplement is $1195 on your main trip & FREE on all extensions. For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.gct.com/gec2021pricing SAVE UP TO 10% WITH OUR GOOD BUY PLAN SHARE YOUR LOVE OF TRAVEL The earlier you reserve your departure and pay in full, the more New travelers you refer will instantly save $100, and you’ll earn you’ll save—up to 10%—plus, you’ll lock in your price. increasing rewards—up to a FREE trip! For details, visit www.gct.com/gbd For details, visit www.gct.com/va Publication Date 1/5/21 1-800-221-2610 • www.gct.com/gec2021 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.