European river cruise operators are expanding their products and fleets in 2007 to meet growing demand in the Australian market.
Trafalgar Tours’ new River Cruise Book for 2007 features a selection of 20 European cruises, including three new itineraries and a variety of optional pre- or post-cruise extensions.
Trafalgar managing director Paul Wiseman said regional cruising was proving particularly popular, with much of the interest focused on France.
In response the company has introduced a new eight-day Paris to Normandy cruise along the River Seine, priced from $2525pp twin share (all prices exclude airfares).
It has also created a 15-day Grand France cruise, priced from $5175pp twin share, which amalgamates the new Paris-Normandy itinerary and an existing eight-day Burgundy and Provence journey along the River Rhone.
“Also new to the program is the 15-day European Discovery, which travels along the Rhine and Main rivers exploring Switzerland, Germany and Austria (from $4625pp twin share).
Prices include guided city tours, overland shore excursions and walks, all meals and accommodation onboard the ship and all transfers.
Trafalgar is also offering earlybird discounts on 2007 river cruises. Couples booking and depositing by December 31, 2006 will receive up to $500 off the brochure price. The saving can be doubled to $1000 per couple, if clients book and pay up front by October 31, 2006.
Avalon Waterways, part of the Globus group, claims to have seen dramatic growth out of the Australian market.
“With figures up 225 per cent from last year, we’re struggling to keep up with unprecedented demand and as a result new ships are being built to accommodate future growth,” marketing co-ordinator Christian Schweitzer said.
The company is currently constructing two new vessels, Tranquility and Imagery, at a cost of EUR20 million each, with both scheduled to cruise Germany’s rivers by early next year.
Schweitzer said the 2006 World Cup football tournament had elevated interest in Germany, with increased passenger numbers for cruises along the Moselle, Rhine and Main, all of which bisect the country.
He said Germany also offered extensive land-based experiences, including vineyards in Trier and Bernkastel, situated on the Moselle River, and the UNESCO World Heritage villages of Wurzburg and Bamberg on the Main River.
A new addition to Avalon Waterways’2007 small ship and river cruise brochure is the 12-day Central European Experience.
Passengers spend two nights in Paris then transfer to Trier, Germany to embark on a seven-night cruise aboard Tranquility on the Moselle, Rhine and Main (as well as the Main-DanubeCanal). The cruise ends in Nuremberg, where clients transfer by motorcoach to Prague. Prices start from $3,523pp twin share.