Delta Queen Steamboat Company
RiverBarge Excursion Lines
Delta Queen Introduces New Brochure And
New Itineraries
The Delta Queen Steamboat Company is introducing
a new look with its 2005/2006 brochure-"This is Our America.”
Inside this exciting new brochure you'll discover new rivers
to explore in 2006, from Civil War and Fall Foliage cruises
on the Black Warrior River, with visits to Tuscaloosa and Birmingham
to the first all-Texas cruise aboard the Delta Queen.
The company’s New Orleans & Riverboat
Adventure Week has evolved into three new Adventure America
Vacations, allowing you to visit other venues with the Cajun
Country
& Riverboat Adventure Week; the Gulf
Coast & Riverboat Adventure Week; and
the Golf, Gaming & Riverboat Adventure
Week, beginning in November 2005.
Taste of New Orleans Odyssey Vacations -
Combine any back-to-back 3- and 4-night New Orleans round trip
vacation on the grand American Queen and receive additional
discounts, different ports each cruise, and a Taste of New Orleans
experience in the middle of the cruise-lunch at a famous New
Orleans restaurant and admission to a historic New Orleans attraction-including
transportation to both.
"This is Our America" brochure
will be available the first week of August. Call 800/543-1949
or visit www.deltaqueen.com
for a complimentary copy.
RiverBarge Excursions Offering Special
Incentive For A Winter Getaway
RiverBarge Excursion Lines, Inc., is enticing
travelers to take a break from the holiday “hoopla” by offering
a Best Barging Buy on a Delta South New Orleans round-trip
journey. Taking place December 11-15, guests can enjoy a savings
of up to $200 compared to the same trips offered at a different
time of the year. Travelers also receive a $50 “Barge Bucks”
on board credit, per stateroom, good towards alcohol and gift
shop purchases as well as complimentary parking in New Orleans
(space is limited).
The five-day Delta South New Orleans round-trip
from December 11-15 begins with a late evening departure from
New Orleans, giving plenty of time to peruse the shops at the
French Quarter, hear live Dixieland Jazz or visit the Riverwalk
Marketplace. The next day is spent barging the Lower Mississippi
River, followed by a visit to Plantation Country to see an Antebellum
Plantation. The journey continues to St. Francisville, Louisiana
where travelers can visit the restored Grace Episcopal Church
and Myrtles Plantation. The vessel then makes its way to Baton
Rouge, La., the state capital, before returning to New Orleans.
Travelers can visit the National D-Day Museum and Mardi Gras
World. The all-inclusive price, which includes the Best Barging
Buy savings, is $1,275 per person, based on double occupancy,
for the Royal Deck and $1,345 for the Platinum Deck, featuring
balconies.
For further information and reservations,
call a travel professional or 1-888-GO BARGE, ext. 1 (1-888-462-2743,
ext. 1); send an e-mail to rel@riverbarge.com or visit the web
site at www.riverbarge.com .
RiverBarge Excursion Lines, Inc., owner
and operator of the 198-guest R/B River Explorer, the only hotel
barge traveling America’s inland waterways, offers four to ten-day
excursions to six regions of the country’s rivers, including
the Lower and Upper Mississippi River, the Cumberland River
Valley, the Tennessee River, the Atchafalaya River Basin, the
Ohio River Valley, the Illinois River and along the inland Texas-Louisiana
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Offering a complete vacation experience,
each Barging Through America® excursion allows guests to experience
the heritage and culture of nearby towns that celebrate their
past, live in the present and have their eye on the future.
‘Victoria Empress’ Earns Five-Star Rating
From China National Tourism
In recognition of its superior amenities
and exceptional service along China’s Yangtze River, the Victoria
Empress, a member of the Victoria Cruises’ fleet, earned
the coveted five-star rating from the China National Tourism
Administration. Evidence of its overall high quality product,
Victoria Cruises maintains the largest number of five-star rated
ships on the Yangtze River (a total of five; the Victoria
Star earned the five-star rating in late 2003, and the Victoria
Katarina, Victoria Prince and Victoria Queen received
the distinction in 2004).
The China National Tourism Administration
bestows the five-star rating (the organization’s top honor)
on cruise ships with the highest quality accommodations, amenities
and services. “In addition to maintaining the largest number
of five-star rated ships on the Yangtze, the majority of our
fleet holds this impressive rating, which is a testament to
our investment in China’s tourism and the level of offerings
that travelers can find while exploring this exciting part of
the world,” said Benson Wu, vice president of Victoria Cruises.
In 2004, Victoria Cruises launched a new
generation of state-of-the-art sailing vessels with premier
and classic ships. Premier ships (the Victoria Katarina, Victoria
Empress, Victoria Prince, Victoria Queen and Victoria Star)
are new or newly-rebuilt ships featuring enhanced facilities
such as private balconies in every cabin, more spacious public
areas, and a higher level of comfort, sophistication and décor
throughout the ships. In the Classic ship category is the Victoria
Rose (rebuilt in 2001). Although smaller than the other ships
in the fleet, the Victoria Rose maintains the same high-quality
standards of the company’s other vessels.
In April 2006, Victoria Cruises will welcome
the Victoria Anna, the largest ship in the company’s
fleet boasting the highest passenger capacity and the most suites
of all vessels on the Yangtze.
All vessels in the new generation of ships
boast the same deluxe style and décor from tastefully-appointed
cabins and elegant atriums with sparkling chandeliers and gleaming
woods to an overall décor throughout of American and European
influences with Asian accents. Each ship features Internet access,
HBO and BBC broadcasts, the Dynasty Dining Room, beauty salon,
fitness room, library, gift shop and elegant Yangtze Club for
colorful cultural presentations, traditional fashion shows,
and the sounds of traditional Chinese music. All ships maintain
the highest international safety standards.
Victoria Cruises’ vessels are completely
air-conditioned, including all cabins. Each ship is smoke-free,
except for a small, designated smoking area in the Yangtze Club.
Excursions with Victoria Cruises culturally
enlighten travelers with informative lectures, painting demonstrations,
acupuncture demonstrations, Tai Chi and lessons in the Mandarin
language, calligraphy and the making of silk kites.
Superbly-prepared Chinese cuisine and Western
selections are served (during a single seating) in the Dynasty
Dining Hall on each ship with American-style breakfasts, buffet
luncheons, and Chinese banquet-style dinners including a welcome
cocktail party and a sumptuous Captain’s farewell feast on the
last evening. Afternoon tea is also offered to passengers.
New York Based Victoria Cruises Offers
Variety of River Itineraries In China
Victoria Cruises offers a variety of itineraries
of varying length, with journeys between four and nine days.
The nine-day Grand Yangtze Discovery itinerary brings travelers
on an intriguing journey between Chongqing and Shanghai. In
addition to the Three Gorges, highlights include exploring the
city of Nanjing, with its historical significance as the seat
of the imperial court by the first Ming emperor, and shore excursions
to cloud-misted Mt. Huangshan, a beloved retreat of emperors
and poets boasting unusual rock formations and cliff-side pine
trees.
The Three Gorges Highlights itinerary between
Chongqing and Yichang encompasses the famed Three Gorges – Qutang,
Wu and Xiling – showcasing dramatic scenery, deep valleys, verdant
landscapes and stunning vistas; shore excursions of the Small
Gorges with visits to either Daning River or Shennong Stream
Gorges; Shibaozhai; and the Three Gorges Dam Site, the world’s
largest construction project and an engineering marvel.
The eight-day Three Gorges Explorer program
takes travelers roundtrip Chongqing-Yichang-Chongqing and offers
different shore excursions in each direction. In addition to
the Three Gorges and Three Gorges Dam, guests can visit Shibaozhai,
known for its 400-year-old, 12-story wooden pagoda, the “ghost
city” of Fengdu, Yichang, and New Zigui, a new city built to
accommodate families relocated as a result of rising Yangtze
waters.
Based in New York, Victoria Cruises established
new standards of excellence for Yangtze River cruising in 1994
with the inaugural sailing of the Victoria I. Since that time,
the number of ships has grown year-by-year, and the company
has achieved great success by introducing the majesty of the
Yangtze River to travelers worldwide.
American West Steamboat Company (AWSC) is
offering special fall discounts for selected river cruises aboard
its two sternwheelers, Empress of the North and Queen
of the West.
For October departures, passengers will receive
free airfare when booking a river cruise on selected dates.
Departing Portland on October 16 and 23, the Empress of the
North takes passengers along the seven-night “Path of the
Explorers” itinerary. New this year, this itinerary includes
1,000 miles of cruising along the Columbia, Snake and Willamette
Rivers from Astoria to the Pacific Ocean, through the Columbia
River Gorge and all the way to Idaho at the union of the Snake
and Clearwater Rivers. Prices start at $2,629 and the
Free Air offer can be combined with the $150 discount offered
by AWSC for booking four months in advance.
On October 22, aboard the Queen of the
West, passengers depart Portland on the seven-night Three
Great Rivers journey, following the footsteps of Lewis &
Clark nearly 1,000 miles along the great western rivers. Highlights
include natural sites such as the Columbia River Gorge and Hells
Canyon, as well as historic riverside towns. Prices start
at $2,149 and, along with the Free Air offer, passengers can
also save $400 per person on this Very Best Buy voyage by asking
for the savings code VBB. The savings code for all October
Free Air offers is CRS.
At various ports of call, passengers have
the opportunity to enhance their vacation experience with included
shore excursions. Motorcoach trips to sites such as Mt.
St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and exciting outdoor adventures
such as a whitewater jet boat ride in Hells Canyon National
Recreation Area, are just a few of the shore tours that are
included in each port of call. Combined with the casually
elegant atmosphere of the dining rooms, gourmet chefs work around
the clock to prepare delicious meals with a distinctive Northwestern
flair. Onboard historians make daily presentations about the
history along the cruise route. In the evenings, the showrooms
are host to live showboat-style entertainment and different
musical themes each night.
Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, American
West Steamboat Company has operated the 150-passenger sternwheeler
Queen of the West year round on the Columbia, Willamette
and Snake Rivers. In 2003, the company launched the newly
built, 235-passenger sternwheeler Empress of the North,
with cruises featuring Alaska’s Inside Passage from May to September.
For reservations, more information or to
request a free, full-color brochure, call 1-800-434-1232, write
to 2101 4th Avenue, Suite 1150, Seattle, WA 98121, or visit
www.AmericanWestSteamboat.com
.
Note: All rates
are per person and based on double occupancy.
Travelers interested in taking a unique vacation
while still watching their budget this holiday season are in
luck. American West Steamboat Company (AWSC) is offering special
discounts this season for selected Lewis & Clark and holiday
theme cruises aboard its two sternwheelers, Empress of the
North and Queen of the West.
For November departures, AWSC is offering
50 percent off companion rates aboard selected dates and itineraries. Selected
dates for the Path of the Explorers journeys aboard the Empress
of the North are November 6, 13, as well as a Thanksgiving
cruise on November 20.
Aboard the Queen of the West, passengers
can receive the discount on the Three Great Rivers voyage on
November 5, 12, and a Thanksgiving cruise on November 19.
These special savings cannot be combined with any other offer.
Rates for “Path of the Explorers” cruises start at $2,269 and
rates for the Three Great Rivers itinerary start at $1,799.
Groups (5 cabins at double occupancy) will receive a 35 percent
discount on the November 5, 12 and 13 departures, and a 30 percent
discount on the November 6 departure.
Theme cruises aboard the Empress of the
North in December present passengers with additional travel
options. AWSC offers a Big Band themed cruise departing from
Portland on December 4, allowing passengers to relive the timeless
music of the ‘40s and ‘50s with performers reminiscent of the
era, like Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo, the Dorsey Brothers, Harry
James and Artie Shaw. On this cruise, passengers follow
the “Path of the Explorers” itinerary and swing along with bands
such as the 10-piece Russ Morgan Orchestra.
This particular departure is also one of AWSC’s Very Best Buys,
which provides passengers with savings of up to $400 per person
when asking for the savings code VBB. Rates start at $1,799
per person for the Big Band themed cruise.
At various ports of call, passengers have
the opportunity to enhance their vacation experience with included
shore excursions. Motorcoach trips to sites such as Mt.
St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and exciting outdoor adventures
such as a whitewater jet boat ride in Hells Canyon National
Recreation Area, are just a few of the shore tours that are
included in each port of call. In addition to nature’s
wonders, dining and entertainment options are also never in
short supply. Combined with the casually elegant atmosphere
of the dining rooms, gourmet chefs work around the clock to
prepare delicious meals with a distinctive Northwestern flair.
Onboard historians make daily presentations about the history
along the cruise route. In the evenings, the showrooms
are host to live showboat-style entertainment and different
musical themes each night.
For reservations, more information or to
request a free, full-color brochure, call 1-800-434-1232, write
to 2101 4th Avenue, Suite 1150, Seattle, WA 98121, or visit
www.AmericanWestSteamboat.com.
Note: All rates are per person and based
on double occupancy.
The French cruise company CroisiEurope is
currently offering these specials for travel in Europe:
--PORTO, la vallée du DOURO (Portugal), SALAMANQUE
(Espagne)
Eight day cruise with individual cabins
offered. Ports of call:
FRANCE - PORTO - REGUA - SALAMANQUE* - PINHAO
- BRAGA* - PORTO - FRANCE
+ Vol régulier (avec escale) A/R vers Porto
au départ de Strasbourg ou Mulhouse ** inclus
+ Pension complète à bord
+ Soirées fado, flamenco et folklorique
à bord
* Excursions facultatives
**Vol régulier au départ de Frankfort avec
acheminement de Strasbourg ou Mulhouse (hors taxes d'aéroport)
--AMSTERDAM (Pays-Bas) - BRUXELLES (Belgique)
Six day cruise to FRANCE - AMSTERDAM -
ROTTERDAM - ANVERS - BRUXELLES - FRANCE
+ Transfert aller/retour de Mulhouse, Colmar
et Strasbourg inclus !
+ Itinéraire inédit
+ Escales dans les grandes villes d'Europe
du Nord
+ Pension complète à bord
-- LA CHINE DES CHANGEMENTS
18-day voyage August 13 to 30, 2005. Other
dates available
PARIS - PÉKIN - GRANDE MURAILLE - TOMBEAUX
MING - XI’AN - CHONGQING - DAZU - CROISIÈRE SUR LE YANG TSÉ
- WUHAN - SUZHOU - TONLGLI - SHANGHAI - PARIS
+ un guide national chinois francophone
+ 4 jours à Pékin
+ Croisière de 3 jours et demi à bord d’un
bateau 5 ancres sur le fleuve yang Tsé Kiang
+ Toutes les visites sont incluses
+ Pourboires inclus
+ Départ de certaines villes de Province
sans supplément
-- AU FIL DU MEKONG CIRCUIT / CROISIERE au
VIETNAM et
au CAMBODGE de 14 JOURS from November 16
to 29. Other dates available.
PARIS - SAIGON - MY THO - CAÏ BE - CHAU DOC
- PHNOM PENH - KAMPONG CHAM - WAT HANCHEY - KAMPONG-CHAM -
RIVIÈRE TONLÉ - LAC TONLÉ - SIEM REAP - ANGKOR - PARIS
+ un guide national chinois francophone
+ 4 jours à Pékin
+ Croisière de 3 jours et demi à bord d’un
bateau 5 ancres sur le fleuve yang Tsé Kiang
+ Toutes les visites sont incluses
+ Pourboires inclus
+ Départ de certaines villes de Province
sans supplément
*Hors taxes et frais de visa en pont
inférieur
