It's an Egyptian Thing

I've not been highlighting the many, many river cruises which have special offers recently (if I did, I could fill this blog with nothing but), but rest assured if you are interested in river cruising, you won't find a better time to book!

However, one came across my email this morning which I had to pass on as it's a terrific deal, but it's also during a period when many of you have time off from work.

It's a 13-night Uniworld Egyptian land package and Nile cruise, departing December 25. You'll start with a 7-night cruise that takes you along the riverbanks of the Nile. Travel in style on board the new, ultra-luxurious, all-suite River Tosca. From the impressive temple complex of Karnak to the temple of Hatshepsut and the fabled Valley of the Kings, you will be amazed every step of the way. With professional guides sharing insight into the places you will be visiting, you will have the most well-rounded travel experience possible.

You’ll also spend a total of four nights in Cairo, where you’ll be taken to the famous Egyptian Museum to see the treasures recovered from the tomb of King Tut. You’ll journey to see the mighty Pyramids of Giza and the very face of ancient Egypt, the Sphinx. Get ready to gaze in awe at these extraordinary creations that define Egypt—a land of complexity, marvels, and mythology.

Who will enjoy this cruise: Most people are attracted to this tour by the prospect of eight days onboard a luxury Nile River cruise ship, with ever-changing scenery and frequent stops at ancient monuments. It also suits those with an interest in ancient history and those who wish to experience Egypt in a relaxed and refined way.

The deal? FREE round-trip air from New York! That's a savings of approximately $2,100/person.

The offer is available only for this week, September 2-9. If you've dreamed of visiting Egypt, December is the perfect time, and this is a great opportunity. River cruises are a wonderful way to travel, with all excursions included, all-inclusive on the ship, your flights, transfers, hotel and other arrangements part of the package price.

Sound interesting? Call or email for more details! This could be the perfect way to spend the holiday break!

Uniworld Removes Single Supplement on Select Sailings!

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced they are removing the single supplement on selected sailings for Spring, 2009! While river cruises often have a few reduced single supplement cabins, this is the most sweeping elimination of single supplements I've seen for river cruises! While supply lasts, cruises must be booked and deposited by December 31.

River cruising is a wonderful way to see Europe. So much is included, such as wine with dinner, beer and soda with meals, bottled water in your cabins, most tours, even bicycles if you want to explore on your own. Uniworld is a true luxury line with terrific itineraries. I've sailed her twice, once for a Christmas Markets sailing, and a second time round-trip from Paris. Both times were exceptional, and I'm a big fan of river cruising.

For solos, river cruising is especially nice, as the ships are small, socializing is in groups and constant, and you're with others from the ship as you explore each destination. Dinner is open seating, and the conversation flows. If you've ever been intimidated about taking a traditional ocean cruise solo, because of fears of being one out of thousands, this is exactly the way to get into cruising.

Since river cruising often attracts extremely well-traveled passengers, the conversations onboard are fascinating. But don't be intimidated if you haven't traveled extensively yet; all are welcome with a sense of adventure. In fact, many who wouldn't consider an ocean cruise love river cruising for the value, quality, ease and ability to be a true traveler.

The itineraries are fabulous. You're right in the heart of your destinations, places ocean cruises can't get to without long bus rides. You see what's special about each location - and it's all included!

Did I mention that English is the language onboard and on the tours?

And with the Dollar gaining ground almost daily with the Euro right now, and at favorable rates not seen in several years, it's a perfect time to be exploring Europe again!

The sailings which have the no single supplement offer are:

• Tulips and Windmills - Amsterdam to Antwerp 11 days
• Enchanting Danube - Budapest to Passau 9 days
• Eastern Europe Explorer - Vienna to Bucharest 16 days
• Grand European Discovery - Basel to Vienna 16 days
• Rhine Discovery - Nuremberg to Basel 9 days
• Danube Discovery - Vienna to Nuremberg 9 days
• Paris & Normandy - Paris to Paris 9 days
• Burgundy & Provence - Arles to Chalon 9 days
• Grand France - Paris to Arles 16 days
• Portugal, Spain, & the Douro River Valley - Lisbon to Porto 11 Days
• Paris & European River Romance - Paris to Nuremberg 11 Days
• Paris & the Heart of Europe - Paris to Vienna 18 days
• Paris & Grand European Waterways - Paris to Bucharest 32 days

If you're interested in getting more information, and specific dates please call me immediately at 303-690-8937 or toll-free at 888-SAIL-123 (888-724-5123) or email me at amber@singlescruiseresource.com. This offer is capacity controlled, and I'm sure the applicable sailings will go quickly.

2009 Season Itineraries Released - Uniworld, Crystal, Regent and Princess

Tis the season... for new itineraries! More 2009/2010 itineraries are being released. Up now are Uniworld, Crystal, Regent and Princess!

Citing people wanting to schedule bookings farther in advance, this week Uniworld opened their 2009 European schedule of river cruises. Their full schedule is available for booking now.

Crystal, too, has opened their entire 2009 schedule, with the exception of the 2010 World Cruise, which will come later. The 57 destination-rich itineraries call on 185 different ports with an extensive mix of cruises ranging from seven days to a 106-day World Cruise. New for 2009:

• A return to cruising the Amazon for the first time since 2006;
• Virtually all Mediterranean cruises feature overnight calls in cities including Barcelona, Istanbul, Monte Carlo, Venice and Sorrento;
• Two ships cruising Asia, including cruises in China/Japan, Southeast Asia and India with overnight stays in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Osaka, Kōbe, and Bangkok among many others;
• A choice of exotic and tropical holiday voyages in South America and Antarctica or Caribbean.

Most itineraries feature at least one overnight stay allowing for greater exploration into some of the world’s most fascinating destinations. In addition to attractions like Dubai, Athens, Stockholm, Sydney and Vancouver, there are 11 maiden calls in Kiel, Germany; Rangiroa, French Polynesia; Napier, New Zealand; Komodo, Indonesia; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Petropavlovsk, Russia; Kotor, Montenegro; Lipari, Italy; Sinop, Turkey; Patmos, Greece; and Trogir, Croatia.

Regent has opened their bookings for two sailings in Antarctica on their new Minerva (formerly Exlorer II) expedition ship, currently undergoing renovation. (Gee, there seems to be a theme here - we've recently reported on similar acquisition and renovation of an expedition ship by Silversea. I think we can conclude that expedition cruising is getting extremely popular! But back to Regent Minerva.)

Setting sail Jan. 14-25 and Jan. 25-Feb. 8, 2009, both voyages begin with visits to the Falkland Islands' wildlife-rich shores and the village of Port Stanley. Minerva then cruises to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula (with opportunities for disembarkation and exploration as weather permits), followed by a transit of the Drake Passage. Before returning to Ushuaia, Argentina, Minerva will sail along Cape Horn, at the confluence of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The 14-night cruise on Jan. 25 adds a call at South Georgia Island, which features large colonies of king penguins, fur and elephant seals.

Both itineraries include a one-night, pre-cruise stay in Santiago, Chile; roundtrip charter flights from Santiago to Ushuaia; a city tour and Patagonian lunch on embarkation day in Ushuaia; and a complimentary backpack and parka. Minerva has an ice-strengthened hull. Inside, Minerva offers all ocean-view suites and staterooms, two open-seating restaurants, a full-service health club and a salon. Designed to carry up to 394 guests in Antarctica, Regent limits the ship's capacity to just 198 guests for maximum comfort.

Finally, Princess has announced they will open bookings for their 2009 summer European program on March 14. With 6 ships (Ruby, Emerald, Crown, Grand, Royal and Tahitian Princesses), 90 voyages on 36 different itineraries, visiting 132 ports and destinations, Princess definitely has one of the most varied and comprehensive programs in Europe.

As was posted here previously, there will be two mid-summer "top of the world" itineraries between New York and London on the Tahitian Princess which offer calls in Greenland and Iceland. The Ruby Princess, also making her European debut, will operate cruises in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles. Emerald Princess takes over the Scandinavia and Russia itineraries, while Crown Princess sails in Northern Europe, British Isles and the Mediterranean. Grand Princess will offer itineraries to the Mediterranean from London (primarily marketed to residents from the UK, but a nice, different itinerary for those from North America as well), along with late season sailings to the Greek Isles and Egypt which proved extremely popular in 2007 and already for 2008. Finally, Royal Princess will focus on sailings to the Holy Land, Mediterranean and Black Sea.

Accompanying this launch announcement from Princess is a new promotion for their past passengers. Princess' Europe cruises will be the first to offer Captain's Circle Launch Savings, a new discount for past passengers. This $100-per-person discount is available to Captain's Circle members who make their Europe bookings by Sept. 30, 2008, and will remain combinable with subsequent promotions. Princess is the first line to offer such broad discounts to their past passengers, available to bookings on all their ships, in any type of cabin. Way to go, Princess!

A full list of itineraries is available at www.princess.com/news/article.jsp?newsArticleId=na935.

If you're interested in any of these itineraries, give me a call soon so we can plan your 2009 cruises!