River Cruise Collection

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River Cruise Collection

2012-2013

GREAT

VALUE RIVER

CRUISES

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WWW

...to our latest collection of River Cruises, which includes our 2013 programme together with our festive cruises departing in 2012.

Whether you are new to the River Cruise Line or you have travelled with us before, our exciting range offers something for everyone – choose from long and short cruise itineraries to European and worldwide destinations and across all seasons running from February to December.

And with so many great reasons to book with The River Cruise Line as detailed below – we look forward to welcoming you on board.

What the passengers say...

“We have just returned from a super cruise on the Rhine – it’s our second this year!”

Mr & Mrs Wrighting, Northamptonshire

18 44 34

NEW

At your service

Speak to our knowledgeable Holiday Advisors on 0844 544 6580. We are here to help Monday to Thursday 9am to 5.30pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to 5pm. Or you can visit our website www.rivercruiseline.co.uk

Group travel –

winner of ‘Best Group Tour Operator’ 2011 River Cruising is ideal for groups of friends or family travelling together and, as proud winners of ‘Best Group Tour Operator’ 2011 at the Group Travel Awards – as voted for by group organisers, you can be sure you’re booking with the best. So if you have a group of 20 or more, call our dedicated Group Travel Services Team on 0844 544 6587.

Our insurance

Travel insurance is a vital aspect to booking a holiday, giving you protection against unforeseen circumstances that could potentially spoil your holiday.

We offer a comprehensive policy at competitive prices – see page 54.

24 2 3

4 Expertly planned 1

holidays with so much included

Our reputation has been built on providing quality holidays at competitive prices along with an excellent service throughout, which is why many of our customers travel with us again and again.

All our cruises include:

l Return travel from the UK l En-suite cabin accommodation l Full board during your cruise l Expertly planned cruise itinerary l On board entertainment programme

l Services of our experienced Cruise Manager

and much more...

Over 250 FREE nationwide pick-ups

On our Rhine and Moselle Cruises you can choose from over 250 FREE regional departure points and travel in comfort aboard our modern executive coach to the port of departure. For a complete list of departure points please see page 53.

Carefully selected ships

The quality of the ship is essential to a river cruise, that’s why we are very selective with the vessels we use. For the majority of our cruises we use our exclusively chartered ships, which offer excellent service and accommodation – see pages 8 to 11.

All of our additional ships are carefully selected to ensure excellent standards are met. Information for these ships is given on the page with the relevant cruise itinerary.

5 Flexible travel options

Not only do we offer Dover as a port of departure, we have made travelling even easier and reduced UK coach journeys by offering the ports of Newcastle, Hull and Harwich. In addition to this, on many cruises you can travel by Eurostar or fly from a choice of airports. Just check the Travel Options available for your cruise, which will be shown on the cruise itinerary page.

Peace of mind

And finally, there’s no hiding away from the fact that we live in uncertain times so you want to travel with a company you know and trust. Book with us and you can be assured that your holiday and your money are fully protected by our membership with ABTA and our ATOL licence.

Rhine Explorer

Majestic Four Rivers Cruise

Mekong River Cruise &

Highlights of Vietnam

& Cambodia Christmas Markets Extravaganza

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Explore Famous Rivers & Fascinating Sights

Cruising aboard a well appointed ship is simply the finest way to travel, taking in the scenery at a gentle pace. Negating the need to check in and out of different hotels, you simply take your bedroom with you! None of the highlights of your cruising route will be missed either, since each itinerary is meticulously planned to allow plenty of sightseeing opportunities, either within the visited port or on separately organised excursions.

In between ports simply soak up the scenery gliding by from your seat upon the ship’s Sun Deck. We offer superb itineraries along the following rivers – which one will you choose?

River Rhine

The Rhine was our first choice of inland waterway when we began our river cruise programme back in 2001.

It was an obvious choice since the Rhine offers such diversity. From the northern mountain slopes of Switzerland, through the lush Rhine Plains, down the dramatic, narrow German river gorge, and into the flatter landscape of the Netherlands; visitors are swept along on a tide of beautiful scenery, ancient folklore and mouth watering white wines. So popular is the Rhine, that you will find a number of itineraries in this brochure featuring all, or part of it.

Moselle River

The magical Moselle meanders through a beautiful valley whose steep slate hillsides are swathed with grapevines bearing the fruit that is turned into those lively and refreshing Rieslings. Nothing’s done in too hurried a fashion along the Moselle Valley; we simply spend wonderfully relaxing hours following the twists and turns of the river with always an air of expectation as to what the next corner might reveal.

River Main

The River Main is one of the main tributary rivers that feed the River Rhine; meeting up with the Rhine in the broader waters of the upper Rhine Plain before she plunges through the narrow Rhine Gorge. At the confluence of the two rivers stands the majestic city of Mainz.

River Neckar

Another main tributary of the Rhine is the Neckar, which rises in the Black Forest and runs 228 miles in length. This meandering river is celebrated for its scenery and charm and shares many features of the Rhine;

lined with pretty towns, vineyards, orchards, woods and castles.

Elbe River

The Elbe River rises in the Krkonoše Mountains and flows through Bohemia, the lowlands of the Czech Republic, and into Germany. The Elbe Valley is home to some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in Europe and a cruise along its waters is one of the best ways to see Germany and the Czech capital of Prague.

River Seine

The River Seine flows through Paris to reach the Channel at Le Havre. It is navigable to river cruise vessels via a series of locks, the result of which means that the river is fairly slow moving. The section we feature between Paris and Honfleur encompasses fascinating locks, picturesque riverside towns, the boatman’s capital of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, the beautiful fishing port of Honfleur and the Pont de Normandie, one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world.

River Danube

The second longest river in Europe, the Danube, flows through eight countries to reach the Black Sea. The section of the Danube’s waters that we cruise along takes in three countries; Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, and features valleys and vineyards as well as beautifully preserved medieval cities such as Bratislava and Budapest, known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. Of course, a cruise along the River Danube cannot ignore majestic Vienna; the river did after all inspire Strauss’ memorable waltz of the same name.

Dutch Waterways

The Dutch Waterways are the densest network of inland waterways in Europe, fed by the Rhine. The number of canals, rivers and lakes are countless and, as most of the country is flat, there are almost no locks, except for the ones protecting the cities. This intricate system gives access to many areas of Holland and Belgium, passing through a variety of gentle landscapes, quaint villages and ancient towns which were built on the water.

Scottish Waterways

Scotland’s 137 mile network of inland waterways is the perfect way for visitors to see the magnificent countryside and amazing wildlife, not to mention the fabulous Scottish tradition and hospitality. This 200 year old system has undergone huge development in recent years to become a major attraction for locals and visitors alike.

Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world. Originating in the Tanggula Mountain Range, it flows through 11 regions from east to west before meeting the East China Sea at Shanghai. The most impressive sections of the river are the Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge and Xiling Gorge, collectively known as the Three Gorges, which forms one of the world’s largest canyons and offers breathtaking scenery combined with fascinating sites of ancient Chinese tradition.

Mekong River

The Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia. Running over 2500 miles, it flows through China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, into a rich delta before emptying in the South China Sea. From armies and explorers to fishermen and farmers, this once inaccessible river has been the lifeline of generations of people for thousands of years. Today it is a dream river cruise destination which tells an incredible story.

Russian Waterways

The old imperial capital of St Petersburg and the current Russian capital of Moscow are linked by scenic waterways which pass through rolling rural landscapes dotted with farms, towns and villages. Travelling between these cities was once no easy task, since Moscow lies 400 feet above sea level. But an engineering feat involving dozens of locks and the construction of a series of canals facilitated such a route which has become a river cruiser’s dream.

Rhine Danube

Seine

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By coach

On many of our cruises you can take advantage of this included service, travelling aboard our modern executive coach from a town or city near you to the port of departure and onwards to meet the ship. Choose from over 250 FREE regional departure points but rest assured with our Pick-Up Promise that after you’ve boarded your tour coach there will be no more than five additional pick-up stops en route to the UK port of departure (excluding motorway services and overnight hotel stops). For a complete list of departure points please see page 53.

By car

Travel at your own pace, in the comfort of your own vehicle and meet our coach at the port of departure, where you can leave your car in a secure environment until your return. For departures from Dover you can make the journey even more relaxing with overnight bed and breakfast accommodation close to the port. See page 52 for more information.

By air

Air travel is included on our Moscow to St Petersburg Cruise, Yangtze River Cruise & Highlights of China and Mekong River Cruise & Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia. Air travel from selected UK airports is available on our Cruise the Danube to Vienna & Budapest and Elegant Elbe, Berlin

& Prague Cruises. For other popular cruises we offer the opportunity to fly from selected UK airports. Prices start from just £139 per person which includes taxes, one item of checked-in baggage per couple and return transfers from the airport to the ship (please note your Cruise Manager will meet you on the ship). Look out for the flight option symbol on the relevant cruise itinerary page.

By rail

Since its introduction over a decade ago, Eurostar has put Europe on our doorstep and has fast become one of the most popular ways to travel.

From London’s stylish St Pancras International Station, you join this high- speed, efficient service and can relax and take advantage of the facilities on board as you cross the channel. On arrival in Paris, Lille or Brussels, you join the local rail network to reach your destination.

Transport by coach*

Joining Your Cruise

We offer a number of ways for you to join your cruise, whether you want to travel to the port of departure or directly to the ship.

Our pick-up promise

We now include a choice of 4 ferry crossings:

Dover, Hull, Newcastle

& Harwich

g g

g

The River Cruise Line Calendar 2012–2013

Convenient flight options

DFDS Seaways ferry

The Rhine

Budapest

Eurostar

g

Ramada Hotel, Dover The Moselle Valley

Cologne Christmas Market

Christmas & New Year Departure No. of Page

2012 dates Cruise from Ship days no.

13, 17 & 21 Nov Rhine Valley Turkey & Tinsel Dover mps Lady Anne 5 41

25, 28 Nov & 1 Dec Dover mps Lady Anne 4

42 German Christmas Markets

3 Dec Hull 6

26 Nov, 2, 5, 8 & 14 Dec

Christmas Markets Extravaganza Dover

mps Amsterdam 4

28 Nov & 10 Dec Hull/Newcastle 6 44

10 & 14 Dec Magical Moselle Christmas Markets Dover mps Lady Anne 5 43

21 Dec Christmas Rhine Cruise Hull/Newcastle mps Horizon 8 46

22 Dec Christmas in Venice London Gatwick ms Michelangelo 5 45

23 Dec Christmas Rhine Cruise Dover Lady Anne/Amsterdam 7 47

23 Dec Christmas Seine Cruise St Pancras Int’l ms Botticelli 5 48

27 Dec Twixmas Cruise on the Rhine Dover mps Horizon 4 49

29 Dec New Year Rhine Cruise Dover Lady Anne/Amsterdam 5 50

29 Dec New Year Rhine Cruise Hull/Newcastle mps Horizon 7 51

2012–2013 dates

21 Aug 2012 Moscow to St Petersburg Cruise London Heathrow ms Z Shashkov 12 32-33 16 July & 27 Aug 2013

23 Oct 2012 Mekong River Cruise & Highlights London Gatwick Toum Tiou I 16 34-35 5 Feb 2013 of Vietnam & Cambodia

8 Sept 2012 Yangtze River Cruise & Highlights London Heathrow mv Sunshine 14 36-37

3 Mar 2013 of China

17, 21 Mar, 23 & 27 Oct Rhine Explorer – Especially For You Dover mps Lady Anne 5 18

27 Mar & 2 Apr

Dutch Towns & Waterways Dover

mps Lady Anne 7

14

1 Apr Hull 9

27 Mar & 2 Apr

Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent & Bruges Dover

mps Amsterdam 7

1 Apr Hull 9 15

1 Apr & 11 May Elegant Elbe, Berlin & Prague Rail from London or Air from LGW ms Princess 9 or 10 30-31

8, 15 & 22 Apr Dover

5 13

15 Apr

Amsterdam & Bulbfields Spectacular Edinburgh Airport

Lady Anne/Amsterdam

11 & 25 Apr Hull/Newcastle 6

12, 19 & 26 Apr Dover 4 12

30 Apr, 24, 31 July & 14 Oct

Magical Moselle Dover

Lady Anne/Amsterdam 7

18 May & 3 Sept Hull/Newcastle 9 17

30 Apr, 20, 27 July, Dover

31 Aug, 6 Sept Lady Anne/Amsterdam 5

5 May & 9 Oct Rhine Discovery Hull/Newcastle 7 16

6 May & 31 August Air from MAN/EDI mps Lady Anne 5

4, 28 May, 12 July, Dover

29 Aug & 1 Oct

24-25

27 May & 28 Aug Majestic Four Rivers Cruise Hull/Newcastle 11

28 May & 1 Oct Air from STN/EDI 9

9 May, 4 June & 17 July Hull/Newcastle

9 May & 8 Oct Harwich 12

10, 19 May, 21, 30 June, Cruise the Rhine to Switzerland Dover mps Lady Anne

10

20-21 9 July, 13, 22 Aug & 9 Oct

5 June, 9 July & 22 Aug Air MAN/EDI/STN

12 May, 30 July & 24 Sept Dover 8

13 June Rhine & Moselle Highlights Hull/Newcastle Lady Anne/Amsterdam 10 19

30 July Edinburgh Airport 8

14 May, 9 July & 17 Sept Heart of the Highlands Join at ship mv Lord of the Glens 8 38

25 May, 2, 18 June, 4 July, Dover 10

22-23 13, 21 Aug, 24 Sept & 2 Oct

Scenic Rhine & Switzerland

mps Amsterdam

24 May, 9, 25 June, 12 Aug Hull/Newcastle 12

& 23 Sept

22 June & 10 Aug Paris to Honfleur, Seine Valley Cruise Rail from London ms Botticelli 5 39

24 July, 31 July,

Cruise the Danube to Vienna Coach from Dover

mv Esmeralda 8 or 10

28-29 7 & 14 Aug

& Budapest or Air from STN

29 July Hull/Newcastle 12

5 Aug & 16 Sept

Rhine in Flames Hull/Newcastle

6 Aug, 10 & 17 Sept Dover 8 26

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mps Lady Anne

Described as a floating ‘home from home’, owner and Captain of the mps Lady Anne, Wido Arts, has brought together an experienced and amiable crew whose priority is your comfort and enjoyment. Indeed, it is greatly due to the warm and relaxed atmosphere on board that our passengers return year after year, even several times in the same year!

Captain Wido

Captain’s Quote

As many of you will know, last year was a huge highlight for me being the 10th year as Captain of my beautiful ship and I am so pleased to have shared this with those of you that joined us in 2011.

During each and every cruise I find myself thinking

‘it doesn’t get better than this’, but somehow it always does – there’s just so much to enjoy and 2012 is equally exciting as my friends at the River Cruise Line and I have spent much time reviewing our cruise itineraries, making improvements for your best interest. For the Majestic Four Rivers Cruise we will spend more time along the beautiful Rhine, ports of call have been adjusted for the Cruise the Rhine to Switzerland so we can enjoy more convenient sailing times (longer lie-ins for me maybe?!) and we have included stops in Koblenz, for the chance to see magnificent views from the cable car, which will only be available until 2013.

The River Cruise Line firmly believe in putting the customer at the heart of everything they do and I can certainly vouch for this, indeed it is a principle my crew and I share and we hope you will join us for what is set to be a wonderful season.

Captain Wido Arts

Cabin Accommodation

All cabins, from single berths to triple berths, have outside views, heating, a safe and private facilities with washbasin, shower and toilet; two superior cabins on the Promenade Deck also offer a bath with shower attachment. Please note: the ordinary stairs are quite steep and those to the Passenger Deck are particularly steep, therefore the cabins on the Passenger Deck are NOT RECOMMENDED for people with any sort of difficulties with stairs.

Please also note that 3 berth cabins are 2 lower bunks and 1 upper bunk.

Lounge Bar

This is the social hub of the ship, with comfortable seating and panoramic windows to enjoy the views in the day and a dance floor and well stocked bar for the evening – the perfect ingredients for the Captain’s Party Night!

Restaurant

Delicious meals are freshly prepared on board and served in the cosy restaurant. Breakfast is a hot and cold buffet, lunch is also a buffet and dinner is generally a set four course menu. Please note:

vegetarian options and dietary requirements can be catered for on request.

mps Lady Anne – Reception

Chartered exclusively to The River Cruise

Line

Welcome...

mps Lady Anne

...to our cruises on the Rhine, Moselle and the Dutch Waterways, aboard the mps Lady Anne, mps Amsterdam, ms Princess and ms Switzerland II.

Sun Deck

Enjoy the passing scenery from this open area, where you can relax on garden-style seating and sun loungers whilst the ship’s crew wait on you.

There is also a small souvenir shop on the Main Deck which keeps you supplied with postcards, maps and a selection of souvenirs.

Stair lifts lead from the Sun Deck to the Promenade Deck, Promenade Deck to the Main Deck and the Main Deck to the restaurant area of the Passenger Deck (the lift does not give access to the Passenger Deck cabins).

The holidays featured on pages 16-26 are aboard our exclusively chartered ships, some of which we have been working alongside for over ten years and have gained a reputation for providing an excellent service throughout. All offer a superb selection of cruise itineraries that include popular destinations along the Rhine and Moselle.

Profile

Promenade Deck

Main Deck

Passenger Deck

Deck Plan

Promenade Deck

Code Deck Berths Cabin facilities

P2S Promenade 2 Shower/WC

P2X Promenade Superior 2 SH/Bath/WC Main Deck

Code Deck Berths Cabin facilities M3S Main Standard 3 Shower/WC M2S Main Standard 2 Shower/WC M2L Main Superior 2 Shower/WC Passenger Deck

X3S Passenger 3 Shower/WC

All prices quoted are based on 2 people sharing a twin cabin. Cabins for sole occupancy are subject to availability and there is a 50% supplement for single occupancy of X2S, M2S, M2L, P2S and P2X cabins. X3S and M3S for twin occupancy are charged as X2S and M2S.

NB: Stairways to the Passenger Deck cabins are very steep and not suitable for anyone with mobility difficulties.

Cabin

Restaurant

Sun Deck

What the passengers say...

“Once again it’s time tell you how much we enjoyed our river cruise on the Lady Anne in April, with the very entertaining Captain Wido and his lovely, hard working crew and staff.”

Mrs Taylor, East Sussex

Lounge Bar Captain Wido on board

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mps Amsterdam

Captain Arnold, Purser Marloes and the crew take great pride in making our passengers feel at home. From the moment your luggage is lifted on board to the time it is delivered back on shore, your comfort, well being and enjoyment is their priority. Accommodating 98 passengers, a warm atmosphere surrounds the ship with passengers and crew soon becoming friends.

Captain Arnold

Captain’s Quote

Earlier this year my crew and I were busy getting the ship ready for your arrival. In particular we spent a lot of time over the winter months renovating the dining room to make it an even more inviting space to relax, where you can gaze out at the passing scenery as you enjoy your meal. The hard work has certainly paid off – we are delighted with the end result and can’t wait to share it with you! We are also looking forward to some new additions to our sailing programme – in particular the 5 day cruise around Holland as featured on page 13, which will take us onto the beautiful IJsselmeer and surrounding waterways, and the exciting new version of the cruise to Switzerland on pages 22 and 23. If you read the latest news from The River Cruise Line in their February mailing, you will know that my favourite cruise is the Rhine in Flames. Well, now I am looking forward to it more than ever before because we have secured berthing points close to the festivals and will even be sailing as part of the flotilla! Turn to page 26; I am sure it will be at the top of your list too!

Captain Arnold

Cabin Accommodation

All cabins offer air conditioning and en-suite facilities with a shower, wash basin and toilet. Twin cabins have a practical fold up bed so it can be transformed into a seat during the day. All of the Promenade Deck cabins benefit from panoramic windows; whilst the Main Deck Standard cabins have sliding windows placed at a higher level which permits plenty of natural light, but due to the height it makes them more difficult to see out of. The Main Deck Economy cabins at the front part of the ship on this deck level also have their view obscured in part by the ship’s bulwarks. Very little time is spent in the cabins anyway; there’s too much going on around the Sun and Promenade Decks!

Lounge Bar

If you’re not relaxing on the Sun Deck then the spacious lounge bar is the perfect place to be, with comfortable seating and panoramic windows so you can still enjoy the passing scenery. This is also where the nightly entertainment and get-togethers take place.

What the passengers say...

“The food was of a very high standard and plenty of it. Refreshments were served at various times during the day.

We certainly did not expect the high level of service and food for the price we paid.”

Mrs Larner, Kent

Bar Lounge

Chartered exclusively to The River Cruise

Line

Profile

Promenade Deck

Main Deck

Deck Plan

Promenade Deck

Main Deck

Code Deck Berths Cabin facilities M2E Main Economy 2 Shower/WC M2S Main Standard 2 Shower/WC M3S Main Standard 3 Shower/WC

All prices quoted are based on 2 people sharing a twin cabin.

Cabins for sole occupancy are subject to availability and there is a 50% supplement for single occupancy of M2E, M2S and P2S. M3S for twin occupancy is charged as M2E.

Restaurant

Benefitting from panoramic windows, you can enjoy your meals and still admire the passing scenery.

Breakfast is a hot and cold buffet, lunch is a set three course menu and dinner is generally a set four course menu. Please note: vegetarian options and dietary requirements can be catered for on request.

Sun Deck

With plenty of seats you can relax and admire the passing scenery in this open area, which also has a partially covered terrace.

There is also a small souvenir shop by the reception which keeps you supplied with postcards, maps and a selection of souvenirs, and if you feel the need for some quiet time with a good book the small library is the perfect place.

The entire ship, including cabins, benefits from air conditioning.

A stair lift interconnects the cabins and public rooms on the Promenade Deck with the Sun Deck.

Please note: there is NO STAIR LIFT between the main Deck and the Promenade Deck – the 36 cabins on the Main Deck are only accessible via a stairway.

Lounge Bar

Promenade Deck cabin A warm reception mps Amsterdam

On board service

Restaurant

Restaurant Kitchen

WC

Bar Shop

Rec

Kitchen Restaurant PROMENADE DECK MAIN DECK

Hall Bar Lounge

Engine Room

61 59 57 55 53 51 60 58 56 54 52 50 48

39 37 35 33 31 29 27 25 23 21 19 17 15 11 9 7 5 3 1 32 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 34

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-

Amsterdam &

Bulbfields Spectacular

Whirling windmills set amongst fields of tulip blooms await on our spring itinerary, featuring the heart of the Dutch bulbfields, Amsterdam and the IJsselmeer. Nowhere is springtime better celebrated than at Holland’s magnificent Keukenhof Gardens – the spring gardens of Europe, where awakening trees and a huge palette of floral colours are reflected in the shimmering lakes. Our cruise begins and ends in Amsterdam, the sparkling diamond centre of the world that glistens on its labyrinth of canals and waterways. After the dull days of winter, bring a sparkle to the eye with a riot of colour on this gem of a cruise.

Day 1: UK – Amsterdam – Volendam We travel to Amsterdam where we board our ship and cast off towards the scenic IJsselmeer, stopping along the way at the quaint former fishing port of Volendam. A stroll around the picturesque harbour and a Dutch beer in one of the local bars may be the perfect way to round off the first day.

Day 2: Volendam – Kampen

From Volendam, we cruise over to the eastern shores of the IJsselmeer to the historical town of Kampen. The remainder of the day can be spent exploring Kampen, with its medieval touches of

What the passengers say...

“We have just returned from yet another excellent cruise aboard the Lady Anne.”

Mr & Mrs Slater, Berkshire

mps Amsterdam The IJsselmeer

4 day option from

£289

architecture, or you can take the opportunity to visit Het Loo Palace, a former home of the Dutch Royal Family, on our optional excursion.

Day 3: Kampen – Leylstad – Amsterdam Casting off from Kampen, we cruise back across the IJsselmeer to the lively little port of Leylstad for our included excursion to view the breathtaking Keukenhof Gardens. We rejoin our ship in Amsterdam, where you can discover Amsterdam by canal on our optional cruise taking in views of historic merchant houses and other points of interest – the perfect way to round off this rejuvenating spring break.

Day 4: Amsterdam – UK

This morning we bid farewell to our Captain and crew and disembark for the return journey to the UK.

Keukenhof Gardens

IJsselmeer

Day 1: UK – Amsterdam – Volendam We travel to Amsterdam where we board our ship and cast off towards the scenic IJsselmeer, stopping along the way at the quaint former fishing port of Volendam. A stroll around the picturesque harbour and a Dutch beer in one of the local bars may be the perfect way to round off the first day.

Day 2: Volendam – Kampen

From Volendam, we cruise over to the eastern shores of the IJsselmeer to the historical town of Kampen. The remainder of the day can be spent exploring Kampen, with its medieval touches of architecture, or you can take the opportunity to visit Het Loo Palace, a former home of the Dutch Royal Family, on our optional excursion.

Day 3: Kampen – Lelystad – Amsterdam Casting off from Kampen, we cruise back across the IJsselmeer to the lively little port of Lelystad for our included excursion to view the breathtaking Keukenhof Gardens. We rejoin our ship in Amsterdam, where you can discover Amsterdam by canal on our optional cruise taking in views of historic merchant houses and other points of interest.

Optional & Included Excursions

l Het Loo Palace £25

l Keukenhof Gardens Included l Amsterdam Canal Cruise £35 l Amsterdam City Tour &

l Diamond Factory £18

Special pre-book package price £62

Saving per person £16

Day 4: Amsterdam

Enjoy a full day in Amsterdam starting with our optional bus tour, which takes you around the city centre to see the major highlights and includes a visit to the Amsterdam Diamond Factory. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore at leisure.

Het Loo Palace

Keukenhof Gardens

mps Lady Anne

l Keukenhof Gardens Included l Amsterdam Canal Cruise £35

Special pre-book package price £48

Saving per person £12

BELGIUM

GERMANY Amsterdam_start

Kampen

Keukenhof Volendam

NETHERLANDS NORTH

SEA

IJsselmeer

Leylstad

NEW

5 day option from

£369

BELGIUM

GERMANY Amsterdam_start

Kampen

Keukenhof Volendam

NETHERLANDS NORTH

SEA

IJsselmeer

Leylstad

Amsterdam at night Joining Your Cruise

l Free regional departure points – see page 53 for details l Return sailings from Dover

l Overnight sailings from Hull and Newcastle, 2 nights on board a ferry which is reflected in the price chart below – see page 52 for details

l Eurostar from London St Pancras – see page 52 for details

2013 Coach Ferry

Dates Routes Crossing Ship Price 11 Apr H1 H2 H3 H4 Hull Lady Anne £409 11 Apr H1 H2 H3 H4 Hull Amsterdam £449 12 Apr D1 D11 D12 Dover Lady Anne £289 12 Apr D1 D11 D12 Dover Amsterdam £329 19 Apr D2 D3 D7 D8 D9 D10 Dover Lady Anne £289 19 Apr D2 D3 D7 D8 D9 D10 Dover Amsterdam £329 25 Apr N1 N2 Newcastle Lady Anne £439 25 Apr N1 N2 Newcastle Amsterdam £479 26 Apr D4 D5 D6 Dover Lady Anne £289 26 Apr D4 D5 D6 Dover Amsterdam £329 Cabin Supplements per person – mps Lady Anne

Code Deck Berths Supplement

X3S Passenger 3 -£20

X2S Passenger 2 Nil

X1S Passenger 1 £60

M3S Main Deck Standard 3 £40 M2S Main Deck Standard 2 £80 M2L Main Deck Superior 2 £120

P2S Promenade 2 £160

P2X Promenade Superior 2 £200 See pages 8-9 for deck plan and cabin occupancy Cabin Supplements per person – mps Amsterdam

M2E Main Deck Economy 2 Nil

M3S Main Deck Standard 3 -£20 M2S Main Deck Standard 2 £40

See pages 10-11 for deck plan and cabin occupancy All prices shown are per person

Insurance – See page 54 for insurance details

Joining Your Cruise

l Eurostar from London St Pancras – see page 52 for details l Travel by air – 15 April from Edinburgh, from

only £139 per person – see page 52 for details

Dates Routes Crossing Ship Price 8 Apr D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 Dover Lady Anne £369 8 Apr D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 Dover Amsterdam £419 15 Apr D7 D8 D9 D10 Dover Lady Anne £369 15 Apr D7 D8 D9 D10 Dover Amsterdam £419 22 Apr D1 D11 D12 Dover Lady Anne £369 22 Apr D1 D11 D12 Dover Amsterdam £419 Cabin Supplements per person – mps Lady Anne

X2S Passenger 2 Nil

M2E Main Deck Economy 2 Nil M3S Main Deck Standard 3 -£25 M2S Main Deck Standard 2 £75

Insurance

See page 54 for insurance details

Full day in

Amsterdam

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Dutch Towns & Waterways

Our relaxing springtime cruise around the IJsselmeer and its tributaries will reveal a variety of attractions that are all within easy reach of our berthing ports. The quaint harbours and fishing villages that we moor at are attractions in themselves with their rows of brightly painted gabled buildings. Who would have thought that the forests of Gelderland conceal priceless works of art, or that the sleepy little medieval town of Franeker houses one of the world’s oldest working planetariums? These are just two surprises waiting to be revealed on our terrific range of excursions which also feature the springtime splendour of Keukenhof Gardens and the sparkling beauty of Amsterdam.

Day 1: UK – Arnhem

We travel to Arnhem where we board our ship for a relaxing evening.

Day 2: Arnhem – Zutphen

Arnhem is the site of one of the fiercest battles of World War II and home of the John Frost Bridge. You have free time to explore this historical town or you can join our optional excursion to the De Hoge Veluwe National Park, home to the Kröller-Müller Museum. During the excursion our ship continues along the river IJssel berthing overnight at the attractive Dutch town of Zutphen.

Day 3: Zutphen – Kampen – Lemmer Our next port of call is Kampen on the edge of the IJsselmeer. From here we offer an optional excursion to visit the beautiful Het Loo Palace, sometimes known as a mini Versailles and a former home of the Dutch Royal Family, whilst the ship cruises on up the eastern shoreline along to the traditional fishing port of Lemmer.

Day 4: Lemmer – Franeker – Harlingen Casting off in the early morning, we cruise to the historic town of Franeker for our optional excursion to one of the world’s oldest working planetariums. We rejoin the ship in Harlingen where we spend a relaxed evening in this old Friesian seaport. Located within a preserved zone, Harlingen delights all visitors with its 16th and 18th century buildings and traditional Dutch sailing barges.

Day 5: Harlingen – Enkhuizen – Hoorn The picturesque former seaport of Enkhuizen, across the IJsselmeer on the opposite peninsula, is our destination this morning. Whilst berthed here for the afternoon you can relax on board or explore the town and its famous marina, whilst learning about the town’s maritime history. Also worth exploring is the well known

Zuiderzeemuseum. We cast off in the early evening and cruise to the lively little port of Hoorn, where we berth for the night.

Day 6: Hoorn – Volendam – Amsterdam We continue our route down the IJsselmeer to the quaint former fishing port of Volendam.

Here you can join our optional excursion to the magnificent Keukenhof Gardens – the spring garden of Europe. Keukenhof is famous for its spectacular floral displays of springtime colour.

We rejoin our ship in Amsterdam where you can take an optional cruise along Amsterdam’s canal system, the best way to appreciate this beautiful city.

Kindedijk Windmill

GERMANY Amsterdam

Kampen Volendam

Lemmer

NETHERLANDS

HoornEnkhuizen

Harlingen Franeker

BELGIUM NORTH

SEA

IJsselmeer

Zutphen Arnhem_start

7 days from

£489

Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent & Bruges

Discover a magical blend of sparkling waterways and chocolate box towns on this exciting new cruise which visits the best of Holland and Belgium. Belgium may be one of the smallest nations in Europe but it has so much to offer alongside its fame for chocolate, fries and lace, as we reveal on our visits to Antwerp, Ghent and the medieval masterpiece that is Bruges. And we’ve added a sparkle to your cruise with a visit to Amsterdam, known as the City of Diamonds for over 400 years.

Day 1: UK – Amsterdam

We travel to Amsterdam and board our ship, where you can relax on board or venture into this exciting city.

Day 2: Amsterdam – Rotterdam Explore Amsterdam at leisure or join our optional canal cruise excursion, a wonderful way to experience the city; we continue to one of Amsterdam’s famous Diamond factories for a short visit. Later today we cruise towards Rotterdam.

Day 3: Rotterdam – Dordrecht – Willemstad This morning you can join our included excursion visiting Delft, one of the prettiest cities in Holland and renowned for the pottery of the same name. We return to our ship and cruise to Dordrecht where a further optional excursion is available to Kindedijk Windmills, which gives a fascinating insight into Dutch water management through the ages and is inscribed on the World Heritage list in recognition of its unique character. Our final port of call is Willemstad where we berth for the night.

Day 4: Willemstad – Antwerp

We set sail early this morning to reach Antwerp around midday. Join our optional excursion for a city tour and a visit to the Diamond Museum, before spending the rest of the day at leisure.

From historic monuments to leading fashion designers, Antwerp has so many different facets and also boasts the second biggest port in Europe.

Day 5: Antwerp – Ghent

Another early cast off takes us to Ghent for around midday. Our optional guided tour is the perfect introduction to this beautiful city, which has found its place in the top 10 must-see places published in Lonely Planet’s 2011 edition of the

‘Best in Travel’ guide. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax and explore.

Day 6: Ghent – Bruges

Today’s destination is Bruges where we arrive around midday. Known as the ‘Venice of the North’ this picture-perfect city is entwined with cobbled streets and canals and filled with monuments, museums, cathedrals and churches.

Our optional excursion takes you on a guided tour before visiting the Halve Man Brewery to learn about the history of the brewery and try the tasty beer. The rest of the day can be spent at leisure.

Day 7: Bruges – UK

Please note: 1 & 2 April itinerary operates in reverse.

GERMANY NORTH

SEA IJssel

Wadden Sea

NETHERLANDS

Amsterdam

Antwerp Dordrecht Willemstad Rotterdam

BELGIUM

Bruges Ghent

start

Optional Excursions

l De Hoge Veluwe National Park £22

l Franeker Planetarium £16

l Keukenhof Gardens £25

l Amsterdam Canal Cruise £35

Special pre-book package price £98

Saving per person £22

Ghent at night Volendam

NEW

7 days from

£569

Het Loo Palace

Bruges

l Overnight sailings from Hull; 2 nights on board a ferry which is reflected in the price chart below – see page 52 for details

Dates Routes Crossing Ship Price 27 Mar D3 D4 D7 D9 D10 Dover Lady Anne £509 1 Apr H1 H2 H3 H4 Hull Lady Anne £609 2 Apr D1 D11 D12 Dover Lady Anne £489 Cabin Supplements per person – mps Lady Anne

X2S Passenger 2 Nil

P2X Promenade Superior 2 £350 See pages 8-9 for deck plan and cabin occupancy All prices shown are per person

Insurance

See page 54 for insurance details

l Overnight sailings from Hull; 2 nights on board a ferry which is reflected in the price chart below – see page 52 for details

Dates Routes Crossing Ship Price 27 Mar D3 D4 D7 D9 D10 Dover Amsterdam £589 1 Apr H1 H2 H3 H4 Hull Amsterdam £689 2 Apr D1 D11 D12 Dover Amsterdam £569 Cabin Supplements per person – mps Amsterdam

Insurance

See page 54 for insurance details.

Keukenhof Gardens

Optional Excursions l Amsterdam Canal Cruise &

Diamond Factory £18

l Delft Included

l Kindedijk Windmills £15 l Antwerp City Tour &

Diamond Museum £18

l Ghent Guided Tour £18

l Bruges Guided Tour &

Half Man Brewery £20

Special pre-book package price £75

Saving per person £14

(9)

Rhine Discovery

The beauty of the Rhine River Valley is enhanced with a kaleidoscope of year round colour, from the lush greens of spring, to vibrant reds and oranges heralding the autumn. Amongst this canvas of colour are rich vineyards and the castles – an unmistakable feature of the landscape – which reveal a long history, entwined with myths and legends. Nestling at the River’s edge, picturesque towns and villages extend a warm welcome and tempt us to pause and sample their delicious harvests of local wine. There is so much to discover that this cruise will leave you with a promise to return.

Boppard

What the passengers say...

“This trip was very intimate, warm and friendly, scenery breathtaking, food excellent and the service couldn’t have been better.”

Mrs Lloyd, Worcestershire Day 1: UK – Andernach

We travel to Andernach and settle aboard our ship. The remainder of the evening is free for strolling through the delightful streets and along the riverside promenades of this attractive walled town.

Day 2: Andernach – Rüdesheim Casting off this morning we cruise up river through the dramatic narrow Rhine Gorge to reach the attractive, typical Rhineland town of Rüdesheim. Whilst berthed here, you surely won’t want to miss our optional Rüdesheim Highlights excursion that features an awesome ride to the heights of the gorge by cable car. Later, why not join our optional evening excursion to seek out the captivating inclined street called the Drosselgasse and enjoy some local wine tasting.

Day 3: Rüdesheim – Boppard – Koblenz We retrace our route back down the Rhine Gorge as far as Boppard, the meeting place of six valleys, where you have free time to explore. After lunch you can join our optional coach tour into the Moselle Valley or relax on board as our ship sails to the walled city of Koblenz for our overnight stop. Why not meet up with your new friends in the popular medieval centre of the city for a welcome beer, or stay a while at the Deutsches Eck where the Moselle flows into the Rhine?

Day 4: Koblenz – Bonn – Cologne

The former capital of Western Germany, Bonn, is our destination this morning. You could seek out the birthplace and museum dedicated to the life of Ludwig van Beethoven. After lunch you can join our optional coach excursion visiting the beautiful Ahr Valley, whilst we complete our cruising itinerary to arrive in fragrant Cologne where you have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with its famous monuments and churches. Be warned; Cologne is revered as a

‘mecca’ for shoppers!

Day 5: Cologne – UK

Magical Moselle

Fall under the spell of the magical Moselle as we follow its meandering course between the cities of Koblenz and Trier. Valley hillsides, fine vineyards that produce world class wines and fairy tale castles that stand high above the water are the centrepieces of this beautiful region, which is highlighted by seasonal colours that capture the eye and the imagination. Our time spent ashore gives you the chance to obtain vintage Rieslings that are far superior to anything in the supermarkets back home. Even if you don’t know your Bernkastel from your Hochheim, this powerful combination of attractions will simply enchant and leave you with a taste for more.

What the passengers say...

“I can see why you named this cruise

‘magical’ – it was, and mps

Amsterdam and all who looked after us kept the magic going... first class.”

Mr & Mrs Waite, Kent Day 1: UK – Andernach

We travel to Andernach and board our ship where you can relax or venture into the attractive Rhineland town.

Day 2: Andernach – Cochem

Cutting through the steep hillsides of vineyards, we join the Moselle and cruise round an idyllic bend in the river to reach the Celtic-Roman town of Cochem, which lies in the shadow of its fabulous Castle. From here you can join our optional Magical Moselle Towns and Castles excursion, visiting the medieval village of Beilstein, known as ‘The Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle’, and the magnificent Reichsburg Castle. Later this evening you can relax on board after dinner or explore Cochem’s maze of little streets and maybe sample their local wines and apple strudel.

Day 3: Cochem – Bernkastel Relax in beautiful surroundings on our meandering course to Bernkastel, passing the pretty wine town of Zell. Bernkastel is in the heart of the central Moselle and is famed for its half-timbered houses and medieval market place. Our optional walking excursion helps you discover this ‘wine capital’ of the river.

Day 4: Bernkastel – Trier

Our destination today is Trier, Germany’s oldest city, not far from the Luxembourg border. Here you can join our optional excursion into the Saar Valley, stopping at the city of Saarburg, so named because of its lovely hilltop castle.

Day 5: Trier – Traben Trarbach After breakfast you can join our full day excursion to Luxembourg, known as the ‘Gibraltar of the North’, before we return to Trier for a guided tour of this former residence of Roman Emperors, with its Imperial Baths, famous ruined amphitheatre and the Porta Nigra (a packed lunch will be provided). We re-join the ship in the twin town of Traben Trarbach, where you can take a stroll along the Promenade and relax in the cafés and wine bars.

Day 6: Traben Trarbach – Cochem – Koblenz Departing Traben Trarbach soon after breakfast, we cruise to Cochem where you can join our optional Magical Moselle Wine and Castles Trail.

First we travel to Winningen, which boasts some of the finest vineyards in Germany, and enjoy some wine tasting before we visit the medieval fortress of Lahneck Castle, where you will find beautiful and precious collections and wonderful views. We return to the ship in the walled city of Koblenz, where you can take a walk to view the popular Deutsches Eck (German corner).

Day 7: Koblenz – Andernach – UK We cruise back to Andernach this morning, where we bid farewell to our Captain and crew and disembark for the return journey to the UK.

mps Lady Anne mps Amsterdam

BELGIUM

^Cologne

^GERMANY

FRANCE

Bonn

Andernach

start

Koblenz Boppard

Rüdesheim

Rhine Moselle Rhine

Moselle BELGIUM

5 days from

£439 The Rhine The Moselle

The Rhine Valley Cochem

BELGIUM ^GERMANY

FRANCE

Andernach_start

Koblenz Cochem

Trier

Traben Trarbach Rhine

Moselle BELGIUM

Bernkastel

Optional Excursions

l Magical Moselle Towns & Castles £18 l Bernkastel Highlights £15

l Saar Valley £20

l Luxembourg & Trier £20 l Magical Moselle Wine & Castles Trail £19

Special pre-book package price £75

Saving per person £17

7 days from

£619

l Rüdesheim Highlights £25

l Rüdesheim by Night £25

l Heart of the Moselle Wine Tasting £20 l Ahr Valley with Wine Tasting £20 l Cologne Highlights Included

Special pre-book package price £72

Saving per person £18

l Overnight sailings from Hull and Newcastle; 2 nights on board a ferry which is reflected in the price chart below – see page 52 for details

Dates Routes Crossing Ship Price 30 Apr D1 D11 D12 Dover Lady Anne £619 18 May H1 H2 H3 H4 Hull Amsterdam £829 24 July D7 D8 D9 D10 Dover Amsterdam £739 31 July D2 D3 D12 Dover Lady Anne £669 3 Sept N1 N2 Newcastle Lady Anne £789 14 Oct D4 D5 D6 Dover Amsterdam £699 Cabin Supplements per person – mps Lady Anne

X2S Passenger 2 Nil

Insurance

See page 54 for insurance details Joining Your Cruise

l Overnight sailings from Hull and Newcastle; 2 nights on board a ferry which is reflected in the price chart below – see page 52 for details

l Eurostar from London St Pancras – see page 52 for details l Travel by air – 6 May from Manchester*,

31 August from Edinburgh, from only £139 per person – see page 52 for details

Dates Routes Crossing Ship Price 30 Apr D2 D3 Dover Amsterdam £459 5 May H1 H2 H3 H4 Hull Lady Anne £549 6 May – Manchester* Lady Anne £439 20 July D1 D11 D12 Dover Amsterdam £489 27 July D4 D5 D6 Dover Lady Anne £439 31 Aug D7 D8 D9 D10 Dover Lady Anne £449 6 Sept D4 D5 D6 Dover Amsterdam £479 9 Oct N1 N2 Newcastle Amsterdam £609 Cabin Supplements per person – mps Lady Anne

X2S Passenger 2 Nil

Insurance – See page 54 for insurance details

River Cruise Collection