River Cruise Collection 2012-2013 GREAT VALUE RIVER CRUISES 30 ITINERARIES TO 15 COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT EUROPE & BEYOND What the passengers say... “We have just returned from a super cruise on the Rhine – it’s our second this year!” Mr & Mrs Wrighting, Northamptonshire ...to our latest collection of River Cruises, which includes our 2013 programme together with our festive cruises departing in 2012. Whether you are new to the River Cruise Line or you have travelled with us before, our exciting range offers something for everyone – choose from long and short cruise itineraries to European and worldwide destinations and across all seasons running from February to December. And with so many great reasons to book with The River Cruise Line as detailed below – we look forward to welcoming you on board. Contents Welcome to The River Cruise Line 2-3 Explore Famous Rivers & Fascinating Sights 4-5 Joining Your Cruise 6 Cruise Calendar 2012–13 7 Cruise the Rhine, Moselle & Dutch Waterways mps Lady Anne 8-9 mps Amsterdam 10-11 Amsterdam & Bulbfields Spectacular 12 NEW Bulbfields Spectacular & Amsterdam 13 Dutch Towns & Waterways 14 NEW Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent & Bruges 15 Rhine Discovery 16 Rhine Explorer Magical Moselle 17 18 Rhine Explorer – Especially For You 18 Rhine & Moselle Highlights 19 Cruise the Rhine to Switzerland 20-21 WWW NEW Scenic Rhine & Switzerland 22-23 Majestic Four Rivers Cruise 24-25 1 2 3 Rhine in Flames 26 Expertly planned Over 250 FREE Flexible travel options Cruise the Danube, Elbe, Yangtze, Not only do we offer Dover as a port of At your service 24 Mekong, Seine & Scottish Waterways 27-39 holidays with so much nationwide pick-ups departure, we have made travelling even Speak to our knowledgeable Holiday Festive Cruises 40-51 included On our Rhine and Moselle Cruises you can easier and reduced UK coach journeys by Advisors on 0844 544 6580. We are choose from over 250 FREE regional here to help Monday to Thursday 9am Our reputation has been built on providing offering the ports of Newcastle, Hull and Travel Arrangements & Coach Routes 52-53 departure points and travel in comfort to 5.30pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to quality holidays at competitive prices along Harwich. In addition to this, on many cruises Insurance 54 aboard our modern executive coach to the 5pm. Or you can visit our website with an excellent service throughout, which you can travel by Eurostar or fly from a Optional Excursions & Special Occasions 55 port of departure. For a complete list of www.rivercruiseline.co.uk is why many of our customers travel with us choice of airports. Just check the Travel Booking Conditions 56-57 departure points please see page 53. Options available for your cruise, which will again and again. winner of ‘Best Important Holiday Information 58 be shown on the cruise itinerary page. Group travel – Majestic Four Rivers Cruise Group Tour Operator’ 2011 Booking Form 59 All our cruises include: River Cruising is ideal for groups of l Return travel from the UK friends or family travelling together 4 5 and, as proud winners of ‘Best Group l En-suite cabin accommodation Carefully selected ships Peace of mind Tour Operator’ 2011 at the Group l Full board during your cruise Travel Awards – as voted for by group NEW The quality of the ship is essential to a river And finally, there’s no hiding away from the organisers, you can be sure you’re l Expertly planned cruise itinerary cruise, that’s why we are very selective with fact that we live in uncertain times so you booking with the best. So if you have a l On board entertainment the vessels we use. For the majority of our want to travel with a company you know and group of 20 or more, call our dedicated cruises we use our exclusively chartered trust. Book with us and you can be assured Group Travel Services Team on 44 programme ships, which offer excellent service and that your holiday and your money are fully 0844 544 6587. l Services of our experienced accommodation – see pages 8 to 11. protected by our membership with ABTA and our ATOL licence. Our insurance Cruise Manager All of our additional ships are carefully Travel insurance is a vital aspect to selected to ensure excellent standards are and much more... booking a holiday, giving you protection met. Information for these ships is given on against unforeseen circumstances that the page with the relevant cruise itinerary. Mekong River Cruise & could potentially spoil your holiday. Highlights of Vietnam We offer a comprehensive policy at & Cambodia Christmas Markets Extravaganza competitive prices – see page 54. 34 2 2 To book call 0844 544 6580 The UK’s largest cruise information websiteBook online – www.rivercruiseline.co.uk 3 Danube Rhine Seine Explore Famous Rivers & Fascinating Sights Cruising aboard a well appointed ship is simply the finest way to travel, taking in the scenery at a gentle pace. Negating the need to check in and out of different hotels, you simply take your bedroom with you! None of the highlights of your cruising route will be missed either, since each itinerary is meticulously planned to allow plenty of sightseeing opportunities, either within the visited port or on separately organised excursions. In between ports simply soak up the scenery gliding by from your seat upon the ship’s Sun Deck. We offer superb itineraries along the following rivers – which one will you choose? River Rhine The Rhine was our first choice of inland waterway when we began our river cruise programme back in 2001. River Danube It was an obvious choice since the Rhine offers such diversity. From the northern mountain slopes of The second longest river in Europe, the Danube, flows through eight countries to reach the Black Sea. The Switzerland, through the lush Rhine Plains, down the dramatic, narrow German river gorge, and into the section of the Danube’s waters that we cruise along takes in three countries; Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, flatter landscape of the Netherlands; visitors are swept along on a tide of beautiful scenery, ancient folklore and features valleys and vineyards as well as beautifully preserved medieval cities such as Bratislava and and mouth watering white wines. So popular is the Rhine, that you will find a number of itineraries in this Budapest, known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. Of course, a cruise along the River Danube cannot ignore brochure featuring all, or part of it. majestic Vienna; the river did after all inspire Strauss’ memorable waltz of the same name. Moselle River Dutch Waterways The magical Moselle meanders through a beautiful valley whose steep slate hillsides are swathed with The Dutch Waterways are the densest network of inland waterways in Europe, fed by the Rhine. The grapevines bearing the fruit that is turned into those lively and refreshing Rieslings. Nothing’s done in too number of canals, rivers and lakes are countless and, as most of the country is flat, there are almost no hurried a fashion along the Moselle Valley; we simply spend wonderfully relaxing hours following the twists locks, except for the ones protecting the cities. This intricate system gives access to many areas of Holland and turns of the river with always an air of expectation as to what the next corner might reveal. and Belgium, passing through a variety of gentle landscapes, quaint villages and ancient towns which were built on the water. River Main Scottish Waterways The River Main is one of the main tributary rivers that feed the River Rhine; meeting up with the Rhine in Scotland’s 137 mile network of inland waterways is the perfect way for visitors to see the magnificent the broader waters of the upper Rhine Plain before she plunges through the narrow Rhine Gorge. At the countryside and amazing wildlife, not to mention the fabulous Scottish tradition and hospitality. This 200 confluence of the two rivers stands the majestic city of Mainz. year old system has undergone huge development in recent years to become a major attraction for locals and visitors alike. Yangtze River River Neckar The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world. Originating in the Another main tributary of the Rhine is the Neckar, which rises in the Black Forest and runs 228 miles in Tanggula Mountain Range, it flows through 11 regions from east to west before meeting the East China length. This meandering river is celebrated for its scenery and charm and shares many features of the Rhine; Sea at Shanghai. The most impressive sections of the river are the Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling lined with pretty towns, vineyards, orchards, woods and castles. Gorge, collectively known as the Three Gorges, which forms one of the world’s largest canyons and offers breathtaking scenery combined with fascinating sites of ancient Chinese tradition. Mekong River Elbe River The Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia. Running over 2500 miles, it flows through China, The Elbe River rises in the Krkonoše Mountains and flows through Bohemia, the lowlands of the Czech Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, into a rich delta before emptying in the South Republic, and into Germany. The Elbe Valley is home to some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in China Sea. From armies and explorers to fishermen and farmers, this once inaccessible river has been the Europe and a cruise along its waters is one of the best ways to see Germany and the Czech capital of Prague. lifeline of generations of people for thousands of years.