This was published 5 years ago
Tauck announces new European river cruises for 2019
Tauck's river ship MS Savor Europe, in Bavaria, Germany.
SCENIC SOUTHEAST ASIA
Scenic is offering an extended program of cruising through Vietnam and Cambodia on Scenic Spirit and Myanmar on Scenic Aura in 2019-2020. Both ships feature all-balcony suites, sundeck and bar, resort-style pool, spa and wellness centre, outdoor cinema and guest laundry. Scenic Spirit also has a sauna and steam room. Among shore excursions are a guided Vespa food tour of Hanoi, early-morning alms collection with monks in Bagan, gala dinner at Angkor Wat, and sunset visit to Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. Book before October 31, 2018, for early-bird offers including free flights and upgrades.
Phone 13 81 28. See www.scenic.com.au
FAMILY FESTIVITIES
Tauck has announced three new European river cruises for 2019: a new family river cruise along the Danube timed for the holiday season, a 10-day autumn journey along the Rhine highlighting Oktoberfest in Munich, and an eight-day exploration on the Seine that takes in Paris, Versailles and Normandy's D-Day beaches. Of these, the new Tauck family "Holiday Magic" itinerary has two departures, on December 22, 2019, sailing on Savor from Vienna to Munich via Budapest, and December 23, 2019, on Joy from Munich to Budapest. It features special holiday-themed activities, workshops and dinners aboard the Christmas-decorated ships.
Phone 1300 732 300. See tauck.com.au
GRAPE EXPECTATIONS
Silversea is offering a series of four wine-themed voyages in 2019, the first departing January 20 from Auckland to Sydney on Silver Muse, with excursions to New Zealand's Gisborne and Marlborough wine regions and top wineries in Picton. On February 2, a cruise on Silver Whisper between Sydney and Benoa (Bali) includes a private tour of Sirromet Winery in Queensland. The other wine-themed cruises sail Lisbon to Amsterdam on May 1, taking in the Porto and Bordeaux wine regions, and London to Barcelona on May 19, during which passengers can take an on-board, accredited sommelier course.
Phone 1300 306 872. See www.silversea.com
ASIAN HARMONY
Evergreen Cruises has announced it will be launching its first Star-Ship on the Mekong River in August 2019. The 42-cabin Emerald Harmony will fuse contemporary and Asian-inspired decor and have features that include a pool and sun deck, Asian-themed Horizon Bar and Lounge, a Lotus Lounge at the aft of the ship, and a restaurant called Reflections with a locally-inspired menu. Unlike most similar-sized Mekong river ships, Emerald Harmony is built to allow access to the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, avoiding the need for the usual coach journey before boarding.
Phone 1300 383 747. See www.evergreentours.com.au
MORE EUROPE
Europe's largest river-cruise operator CroisiEurope has launched its 2019 program, featuring 170 itineraries on 39 waterways in 37 countries. New offerings in Europe include new ship Amalia Rodrigues launching on Portugal's Douro River, a three-night Paris cruise, a five-night cruise round-trip from Amsterdam onto the Ijsselmeer, and a six-night cruise and bike itinerary on France's chateaux-rich Loire River. Among small, more unusual waterways, CroisiEurope also sails the Saar, Neckar and Marne rivers, as well as the Marne-Rhine, Burgundy and Rhone-Rhine canals. The company also has cruises on the Mekong and southern Africa's Lake Kariba and coastal cruises in the Adriatic.
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