Ocean cruise specialist Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) is planning to start river cruises in Europe due to rising interest by voyagers.
The planned river cruises on the Rhine and Danube will start in May 2014 using a chartered vessel. CMV will be issuing a 12-page standalone brochure to market the new venture, which will be available for sale through travel agents and will also be available online at www.cruiseandmaritime.com.
Chris Coates, Commercial Director, CMV, said ‘We are entering the European river cruise market next year chartering the stylish Vienna 1 river ship. This premium plus vessel has been operated by a number of luxury river cruise operators in 2013 offering a high level of comfort and decor with most cabins having French balconies.’
He added: ‘CMV are specialists in offering scenic ocean cruise holidays on board smaller sized classic ships providing a leisurely and friendly style of cruising with high levels of customer service. Our on board customer questionnaires indicate that over 80% of our passengers would consider taking a river cruise. We also know that our current cruise programme, that includes many European ports situated on rivers, is already popular. It is therefore a natural progression for CMV to add river cruises to our portfolio.’
The first departure – ‘Magical Rhine’ – will start on May 19 for seven nights from Nuremberg through to Amsterdam. On a ‘Grand European Discovery’ cruise departing May 26 for 14 nights the ship will sail from Amsterdam down to Budapest – cruising the Rhine and Danube.
On June 9, a reversed itinerary will operate between Budapest and Amsterdam. These 14 night itineraries are also available as seven night sectors to/from Nuremberg. Optional pre- and post- cruise city stays are also available in Amsterdam, Prague (from Nuremberg) and Budapest.
Prices start at £1,199 per person for seven nights including flights and transfers, full board cuisine, selected drinks with lunch and dinner, entertainment and a range of half-day excursions. Two week prices start from £1,999pp.
