The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection was due to set sail in February 2020 but due to Covid and some other factors, the new Ritz Carlton cruise line has yet to sail on their maiden voyage.
The new start date is now July 24, 2021 on their Venice to Athens itinerary. There are very limited available rooms on this 7 night sailing. If you might be interested in this sailing (or any other sailing), please contact me.
See below attachment for the full sailing schedule from July 24 into the spring of 2023.
AmaWaterways is a family owned and operated river cruise line that’s been in business since 2002.
Year in and year out they win countless awards, here are some of the recent awards:
Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards for Best River Cruise Line, Best River Cruise Line for Active Cruisers, Best New River Ship
Travel Weekly Magellan Awards for Overall River Cruising, Overall Cruise Ship (AmaMagna), Luxury Ship (AmaMagna)
Porthole Cruise Readers’ Choice Awards for Best River Ship (AmaLea)
Travy Awards for Best Overall River Cruise Line, Best River Cruise Line in Africa/Egypt, Best River Cruise Line in Asia, Best River Cruise Line in Europe.
Much much more….
At the Travy Awards 2020. Me with AmaWateways owners Kristin Karst and Rudi Schreiner
AmaWaterways sails in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Egypt.
They offer Wine Themes Cruises, Christmas Cruises (Magical!!!), and they have a Golf Program!
They have a fleet of 22 ship – including the revolutionary new AmaMagna (which is twice the width of a normal river ship).
AmaWaterways falls into the category of ALMOST ALL-INCLUSIVE (Europe):
All your meals on board are included
Beer & wine is served with lunch and dinner (very generous pours. No skimping!)
Sip & Sail cocktail hour every day offering beer, wine, and spirits
Gourmet coffee, teas, bottled water 24 hours a day
All land tours included (available to reserve 60-90 days prior to sailing but you can wait to book on board. Not capacity controlled so you will not miss out!)
Special Interest Tours included (these are capacity controlled so book them the minute you get on board on your first day)
Bikes on board all ships (there are a certain number on board so book ahead of time when you know you’ll want to use them)
WiFi included (AmaWaterways knows people want to stay connected and they put a lot of money into WiFi technology)
Not included in your rate:
Gratuities
Spa services
Alcohol drinks outside of beer & wine with lunch & dinner and daily cocktail hour.
If you have any questions about AmaWaterways or anything else, please feel free to call 646-276-2727 orsend us a note.
In the old days of cruising, when I say this, I mean in the last decade or so, a cruises ship was the destination. You booked a cruise for all the activities on board (and the food). Sometimes, you didn’t even get off the ship at your ports of call. More and more, people craved something different from their cruise. Better food and more of an enriching experience.
After all, a ship can access some of the worlds most intriguing and unique ports of call. But sometimes a day is not enough to experience a destination. You need more time to explore.
Seabourn has taken this to a new level.
Seabourn is an ultra luxury cruise line that takes you to all 7 continents with top notch service and intimate ships.
They introduced 4 new Seabourn Journeys in 2020 to exceptional destinations in Europe. These are extensions that you can add to your cruise before or after your voyage. These are not your ordinary single day excursions from the ship. They can last from 6 to 13 days.
These journeys enable you to combine exceptional land and sea experiences seamlessly. They’re kept small, between 2 and 10 guests. This offers a more intimate and personalized adventure.
There are 14 options and most visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
UNESCO Banff National Park & The Rocky Mountaineer
UNESCO SOUTH AMERICA: RIO, IGUAZU FALLS & BUENOS AIRES
UNESCO Splendors Of Peru: Lima, Cuzco & Machu Picchu
UNESCO Sydney, The Red Centre & Great Barrier Reef
UNESCO Lakeside Gems Of The Swiss Alps
UNESCO Treasures Of Tuscany
UNESCO Cambodia: Phnom Penh & The Temples Of Angkor
UNESCO Treasure Of China: Beijing, Xi’an & Hong Kong
UNESCO India’s Golden Triangle: The Taj Mahal & Jaipur
UNESCO Imperial Heritage Of Europe
South Africa: Cape Town & Kruger Park Safari Lodge
South Pole Quest
The Denali Experience 2020
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
These are some fantastic pre and post cruise options. Many cruise lines offer extensions, although not all on this grand level. Whether you book your extension with the cruise line or set something up on your own, I always recommend adding a couple days before and or after.
Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries with it’s shimmering lakes, scenic mountains, medieval villages, and high peaks of the Alps. With bordering neighbors like France, Germany, Austria, and Italy, Switzerland can often be overlooked. But it shouldn’t be!
There’s a new itinerary offered by Cox & King, Switzerland & Snow-Capped Alps. The full itinerary is below.
Highlights of this wonderful itinerary include:
High Class rail trip through Switzerland
Horse drawn carriage ride in the Val Fex valley
Exploring Chillon Castle
A medieval fortress on an island in Lake Geneva
A private sledding ride crosses alpine meadows and frozen waterfalls ending at a small local restaurant for dinner
A chocolate making workshop and tasting traditional fondue
Enjoy sublime views of mountains and glaciers and take in the local culture as you travel by train through Switzerland on this journey. Begin your journey with a tour of life in Zermatt. Ride into the idyllic Fex Valley on horse-drawn carriage. Rise above 29 peaks on the Gornergrat Railway and revel in the breathtaking views. Learn to make chocolate in the Swiss Alps. In Lucerne, discover hidden valley and town squares. Travel through the country at ease with high class rail.
Day 1
Arrive Zurich
Welcome to Zurich! This afternoon, meet your private guide and embark on a highlights walking tour of Zurich. During your exploration of old town, you will uncover the secrets of Bahnhofstrasse, find out what a “procession axis” is, and visit a church with a clock that has a minute-hand that jumps a record-breaking half meter every minute.
Unique Hotel Post
Day 2
Sils-Maria
Enjoy a scenic first class train ride to St. Moritz. Upon arrival, you will be assisted to your elegant hotel.
This afternoon, you can choose to book an optional scenic helicopter flight with a culinary stopover, or explore on your own. Spend the night in Sils-Maria.
Hotel Waldhaus – 2 Nights (B)
Day 3
Sils-Maria
A trip by horse-drawn carriage into the Val Fex is one of the most romantic experiences far and wide. Enjoy your ride, and then try fondue in the area around the beautiful Fex Valley. Later on relax by taking advantage of the hotel’s spa facilities.
Hotel Waldhaus (B)
Day 4
Sils-Maria to Zermatt
After breakfast, meet with your driver who will take you to St. Moritz train station. There, you will board the famous Glacier Express. Enjoy a 3-course meal while taking in the breath-taking sights. Spend the night in your elegant hotel in Zermatt.
Grand Hotel Zermatterhof – 2 Nights (B, L)
Day 5
Zermatt
Enjoy a stroll through Zermatt before taking the Gornergrat Railway to an altitude of 10135 above sea level, with a breath-taking mountain panorama overlooking 29 peaks over 4,000m high. This afternoon, take some time to explore Zermatt or relax in the hotel spa.
Grand Hotel Zermatterhof (B)
Day 6
Zermatt to Vevey
Take the train from Zermatt to Vevey. Upon arrival, we suggest to either enjoy a private tour of the world famous Charlie Chaplin Museum. Another option is to explore the wine region Laveaux which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Grand Hotel Du Lac – 2 Nights (B)
Day 7
Vevey
Explore Chillon Castle, a medieval fortress on an island in Lake Geneva. Listed as “Switzerland’s most visited historic monument,” this is a stop you cannot miss on your journey through this beautiful and mountainous country.
Grand Hotel Du Lac (B)
Day 8
Vevey to Interlaken
Take the train to Interlaken and enjoy the beautiful snow covered mountain resort which is presided over by the three mighty mountains of Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. Upon arrival, participate in a Chocolate Workshop, in which you will produce your own masterpiece of 400 g chocolate. After the chocolate workshop, you have the option to book a private sledding night in the Swiss Alps.
Along the way the trail winds through the woods, crosses alpine meadows and passes majestic frozen waterfalls. The sled run finishes at a small local restaurant where you can enjoy a traditional Swiss cheese fondue dinner.
Victoria Jungfrau – 2 Nights (B)
Day 9
Interlaken
Visit Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe, on a self-guided tour. Enjoy breath-taking views of the Aletsch Glacier as you travel.
Victoria Jungfrau (B)
Day 10
Interlaken to Lucerne
Travel by train over the Brunigpass, towards picturesque Lucerne, on the famous Golden Pass Line. The afternoon is at your leisure, spend it exploring the city, or else enjoying your hotel spa.
Grand Hotel National – 2 Nights (B)
Day 11
Lucerne
Lucerne is the gateway of central Switzerland. Situated on Lake Lucerne, it is embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama. Today, enjoy a private walking city tour as well as an excursion to Mount Pilatus. On the tour you will learn important and humorous facts about the history of Lucerne and the everyday life of its residents. You will discover hidden alleys, visit town squares teeming with activity and even catch a glimpse of the city’s “crown,” the Musegg Wall.
Grand Hotel National (B)
Day 12
Depart
Travel by train back to Zurich or Geneva for your onward journey or your return flight home.
(B)
Interested in more information? Please feel free to call me at 305-814-8184 orsend me a note here!
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