River Cruise Refunds And Cancellations
All river cruises booked in the UK and lasting more than 24 hours are protected by the Package Travel Regulations. So, if your provider cancels your cruise, whether that’s due to coronavirus or for any other reason, you’re entitled to a full cash refund within 14 days.
However, not all river cruise operators have been meeting their legal obligations on refunds, so if you’re thinking of booking a river cruise, it pays to do your research. Thankfully, all our WRP river cruise providers are refunding promptly and also put on exceptional cruises, so that’s where you should start.
But the Package Travel Regulations don’t protect you if you decide to cancel the cruise, so only book if you’re sure you’ll want to travel when the time comes. And always take out travel insurance as soon as making any travel booking.
Amadeus Amawaterways Cruise On European Rivers
Amadeus Amawaterways is a new riverboat cruise line but with very experienced management. Amawaterways have amongst the newest and most luxurious boats cruising on European rivers the oldest boat dates from 2006. All Amawaterways boats have whirlpools and gymnasiums as well as spa treatments and massages.
Amawaterways are commonly all-inclusive vacations with many excursions included. Amawaterways have bicycles on board for onshore exploration. On Amawaterway cruises, three meals are served on board most days with unlimited free wine during meals.
What Should You Not Buy On A Cruise
4 Overpriced Items You Shouldnt Buy on a Cruise Ship Mainstream Liquor. Unless youre shopping for a rare vintage, local liqueur or brand thats not available where you live, we suggest not spending your money on booze. Personal Care Products. Forget toothpaste, sunscreen or feminine care products? Medication. Electronics.
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River Cruise Cancellation Fears Loom As Rhine Threatens Closure
Water levels on the Rhine River are set to fall close to the point where the river cannot hold ships anymore. This would mean that river cruise lines could face severe disruptions over the coming weeks.
The river has been slowly dropping since early July as the European heatwave rages. The river at Kaub, Germany is set to drop to 47 centimetres by the weekend taking it to within 7 centimetres of being all but impassable, according to Bloomberg.
A spokesperson from The Scenic Group, which includes both Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises, told Travel Weekly that it is closely monitoring the ongoing record high temperatures across Europe and how this impacts the water levels in some sections of the river it operates its cruises.
The river conditions can change significantly, depending on rain fall and other local factors, the spokesperson said.
Thus, we are adjusting guest travel arrangements when required and altering some river cruises to allow for the safe navigation of our ships.
This is to ensure the minimal disruption to our guests experience and itineraries.
Viking Cruises released a statement yesterday saying that guests and their travel advisors will continue to be notified directly by customer relations if the cruise line thinks itineraries on the Rhine and Dunabe Rivers might be impacted.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Whilst you may not have heard of this much awarded company , you should certainly add it to yourroster of the best river cruise vessels in the world.
When you step on one of their vessels, you immediately start toappreciate the Uniworld difference. The concept is all aboutrecreating the feel of a small boutique hotel on board anall-inclusive river vessel, and every ship is different, personallydesigned by members of the Tollman family who own Uniworld’sparent, TravCorp.
If you’ve seen pictures of Uniworld’s ships then you’ll probablyhave been struck by the slightly garish interiors depicted in theofficial photography but in reality, the decor is a lot moresubtle than it appears in the oversaturated promo shots. Quirky,yes, but elegant and tasteful with it.
In design terms, it is all about the detail – depending on thevessel, you will find hand crafted mirrors, lavish staircases,original collections of antique oil paintings, hand-painted trompel’oeil ceilings, faux marble columns and ornate murals, all bearingtribute to the skills of artisans from all over Europe. Within thestaterooms and suites, the lavish décor is enhanced by the latesttechnology.
To match the décor, attention to detail is the watchwordthroughout the vessel: charming and attentive service by stafftrained to Uniworld’s exacting standards, gourmet dining, exclusiveshore excursions included in the fare, all combine to make aUniworld river cruise something quite different from the norm.
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Enchanting Rhine & Yuletide Cruise
If you want to cruise in Europe, try the Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Cruise. This is a great way to see some of Germanys most beautiful towns and cities during this particular time of year.
Youll enjoy an enchanting river cruise along the romantic River Main. Besides, you go through charming medieval villages with quaint shops lined by ancient buildings.
It is luxurious accommodation aboard. The elegant ship that will take you on your journey from Frankfurt, Main to Koblenz. The cruise begins at 7:00 pm and ends around 10:30 am the next day.
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Rhine River Cruises: Best Things To Do On The Rhine
Go wine tasting
German wine is seriously underrated, especially as the country produces the delicious, aromatic varietal that is Riesling. The banks of the Rhine are bursting with vineyards and wineries, so make sure to book a tour for when you dock.
Visit a castle
The Rhine river houses many castles on its grand banks, with the most fairy-tale facades being in Germany. Some of the top castles along a Rhine river cruise to visit include the grand ruin of Heidelberg Castle, ruined Rheinfels Castle and grand Stolzenfels Palace.
Catch a concert
The banks of the Rhine are steeped in musical history, in fact, Bonn the home of Beethoven, is sits on the river. Youâll find many classical concerts taking place along the river, in the likes of Cologne and Koblenz and many cruise lines offer concerts as excursions.
Go hiking
Between exciting ports, the Rhine has magnificent natural scenery, and itâs worth hiking up a hill or jumping on a bike and exploring the shore. Lots of river cruise lines off complimentary or to-hire bikes.
Take in the Rhine Gorge
Whether youâre sailing or docking, make sure to be outdoors when passing through the Rhine Gorge â a Unesco World Heritage Site in the Middle Rhine between Koblenz and Bingen. The gorge is lined with castles, vineyards and traditional towns and is absolutely breath-taking.
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Best River Cruise Companies
With the average price of a European cruise coming in just shy of £280 per night, river cruising might not look like a budget holiday. But factor in food, drinks and daily excursions, which are all typically included as standard, and the figures start to sound more reasonable.
Take Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, top of our annual river cruise survey. It promises an all-inclusive experience, so you wont face any on-board surprises. Plus, youll get free beer and wine with lunch and dinner, as you do with APT Luxury River Cruises, Emerald Cruises and Viking River Cruises, three of our other WRPs this year.
Of course, you wont find the range of on-board facilities of the vast ocean liners, but then you wont be spending whole days at sea either. River cruises get you straight to city centres, so theres more time for sightseeing and excursions. That said, with nearly all meals taken on board and usually only one dining option youll want to be sure the food and drink pass muster.
In the table below, we show the results from our latest survey. They were first published in January 2020 and represent pre-pandemic experiences. To determine WRPs for 2022, we applied extra scrutiny to our existing WRPs, ensuring that your money is safe if you book with them and travel regulations change. We’ve provided links for all the companies with a customer score of 75% or higher.
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Rhine River Cruise Itineraries
There are almost as many itineraries along the Rhine River as there are departures. Here are some of the most common types you’ll see.
Related:
Short Rhine River cruises: Short and sweet, these sailings last three, four or five nights and are a great alternative to a city break, as your “hotel” travels with you and shows you a range of places instead of just one. A typical three-nighter will run roundtrip from Strasbourg to Koblenz, with an overnight at Rudesheim, while a five-night trip might run from medieval Andernach to Cologne via Rudesheim, Boppard , Koblenz and Bonn.
Christmas Market cruises: Short cruises are particularly popular in November and December, when thousands flock to the banks of the Rhine to enjoy the region’s spectacular Christmas markets. If you love sugar and spice and all things nice — and want a festive experience straight off a Dickensian Christmas card — you should definitely go.
Make sure any Christmas markets cruise you choose spends time in Cologne. It’s a great place to be at Christmastime, as it has seven markets to choose from, each with a different theme. A small floating market set on a riverboat and selling mainly Christmas tree trinkets might be the most convenient for river cruisers, but the prettiest is set around Cologne Cathedral, a 10 minute walk from the riverbank.
Related:
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Burg Rheinfels Castle In St Goar
Burg Rheinfels is the largest of the Rhine river Germany castles. Even so, historically it used to be around five times larger than it is now.
During periods of conflict, Burg Rheinfels could hold up to 4,500 people while being besieged. Sadly, it was deliberately ruined by French Revolutionary Army troops at the end of the 18th century, after five hundred years of operation.
Contrary to its original purpose, the castle now contains a relaxation and wellness centre, and a luxury hotel.
Set Your Sights Higher
Between Rudesheim and Koblenz along the magnificent Rhine Gorge, more castles reach toward the sky than anywhere else on the planet a towering castle appearing an average of every two-and-a-half kilometers. Along the way, youre invited to step across centuries-old drawbridges and into storybook settings to experience the majestic and magical days of yore. Yet with Avalon, its not just about the views its about the to dos! Here are a few of the formidable fortresses you can experience up close when you set sail with Avalon:
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More About The Sights Not On Board Entertainment
River cruising is a much more intimate experience, with unreserved seating at meal times so you get to mix and mingle with almost everyone on board by the end .
Theres less on-board entertainment but each evening people congregated in the lounge by the bar and Viking had an on-board pianist.
A couple nights during the week, Viking hosted either singers, dancers or local activities.
My favorite was the glass blowing demonstration by a glass master from Germany! He was quite an artist and had different glassblowing techniques than what I saw when I went to Venice.
What Is The Testing Process
The testing process is conducted in various ways, depending on the number of qualified candidates, and the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job. The exam procedure may consist of one or more of the following:
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Arosa Riverboats On The Rhine
Arosa is a German riverboat cruise line that is famous for its service, good food, and luxury but without a formal atmosphere. The dress code on Arosa boats is always casual.
Arosa has grand new boats with many facilities such as spas and pools. Arosa cruises mostly on the Danube and Rhone but from 2009 will also have cruises on the Rhine River.
The various luxury riverboat cruise lines use different routings on the Rhine riverboat cruise itineraries. Special deals are available on most lines and it is worth considering other practical details before making reservations. Always compare different offers available online and read the fine print before booking a cheap cruise where many additions may have to be added to the fare.
Best Time For Rhine River Cruises
The Rhine can be hot and busy in the peak summer months, so although this is a good time for sun worshippers to peg out on the top decks of their riverboats, some travelers prefer to cruise in the more temperate spring and autumn. A particularly good time to go is Easter, when local markets feature brightly-painted real eggs, pretty wooden decorations and beautiful circlets of flowers to hang outside your door.
Another good time to plan a Rhine cruise is during one of the region’s spectacular “Rhine in Flames” events in the summer and fall. Generally linked to local wine festivals or other celebrations, these take place at different locations along the Middle Rhine and involve spectacular fireworks displays and much jollification, music and dancing. After joining in the fun ashore, passengers take to the river for the best view of the late-night pyrotechnics.
Related:
For details of river cruises tying in with these events — and for general Rhine cruise information — useful websites to visit include www.gorivercruise.com and the German Tourist Board site www.germany.travel.
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Best Time For A River Cruise In Europe For:
- Rhine River: Despite the risk of high water levels during spring , a river cruise at this time of year can be a rewarding experience due to blossoming tulip gardens along the river. If you want to play it safe, avoid the rainy months from April to June.
- Danube River: River cruises on the Danube are increasingly popular in December thanks to vibrant celebrations and cities dressed up beautifully for Christmas.
- Amsterdam to Budapest cruise: If you want to view Dutch tulip gardens, April and May are the best months to take a cruise. If you prefer Christmas markets, December is the right time for your trip. Take the cruise in September for pleasant weather and reliable water levels.
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The Best Christmas Cruises
Whether you need a break from holiday overkill or are contemplating a new family travel tradition, cruising for Christmas may be exactly what you need. You can utilize the kids long winter break to explore new cultures or escape on your own while letting the cruise line handle the party planning. The best way to ho-ho-ho might be to go-go-go. Here are five options to consider as you make your holiday cruising plans.
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Rocklin And Mission Viejo Make Moneys 50 Best Places To Live
For more than 30 years, the personal finance brand Money has published a list of the best places to live in America. Two California locales have made the list for 2021-2022: Rocklin at no. 45 and Mission Viejo at no. 48 out of 50.
Rocklins population has jumped over 20% in the last decade, and its not hard to see why. The Sacramento suburb seemingly has it all: top-rated schools, ample entertainment and recreational opportunities in spades. There are even 20 historical sites designated by the towns own Rocklin Historical Society within its boundaries, according to Money.
Rocklin has a population of 70,893 a median household income of $104,836 and an unemployment rate of 5.4%.
Money had this to say about Mission Viejo:
Things are pretty picture-perfect in sunny Mission Viejo a town of 97,000 just outside of Anaheim. The master-planned community has pristine beaches, top-rated schools and more than four dozen parks across its 18 miles. Even its bathrooms are a wonder.
Mission Viejo, population 97,124, has a median household income of $127,558 and an unemployment rate of 6.4%.
Chanhassen, MN is the best city nationwide according to the website. Carmel, IN and Franklin, TN took the no. 2 and no. 3 spots.
In determining the rankings, Money looked at data for cities and towns with populations between 25,000 and 500,000. Learn more about the methodology and see the full rankings here.
List and data were compiled by Money and do not reflect statistics on all cities.
Integration Means Better Protection
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 integrated with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint means better protection for your organization. Heres how:
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Microsoft Defender for Office 365 safeguards your organization against malicious threats posed in email messages, email attachments, and links in Office documents.
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Microsoft Defender for Endpoint protects your devices from cyber threats, detects advanced attacks and data breaches, automates security incidents, and improves your security posture.
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Once integration is enabled, your security operations team can see a list of devices that are used by the recipients of any detected URLs or email messages, along with recent alerts for those devices, in the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.
If you havent already done so, integrate Microsoft Defender for Office 365 with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
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Avalon Waterways: Active & Discovery On The Rhine
Cost: From $2,849 per personDays: 8 daysDeparture Port: Amsterdam, the NetherlandsFinal Port: Frankfurt, Germany
The Avalon Waterways Active & Discovery on the Rhine itinerary incorporates an array of customizable excursion options that emphasize physical activity. Choose from guided tours like kayaking the canals of Amsterdam, hiking through the Netherlands De Hoge Veluwe National Park , jogging while sightseeing in Cologne, or biking through Düsseldorf. Or set out on your own in ports with loaner bikes and Nordic walking sticks on hand. The river cruise operator also offers a series of discovery excursions, hands-on, interactive experiences that often focus on culture and cuisine.
