AmaWaterways Aids Los Angeles

In an unusual connection, Europe cruises and an USA hospital, AmaWaterways has donated two European river cruises to support the Los Angeles California Hospital Medical Center.

In recognition of the 125th anniversary of the California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC), AmaWaterways donated two 7-night Paris & Normandy river cruises to benefit the nonprofit at its recent black-tie gala, the 22nd Annual La Grande Affair. The event was attended by more than 500 of Los Angeles’ top business and community leaders, with proceeds to benefit the Los Angeles Center for Heart Health at the California Hospital Medical Center.

Two bidders amicably battled it out over an AmaWaterways Paris & Normandy cruise for two.

AmaWaterways Vice President of Marketing Rob Rothmann stepped in and made an on-the-spot decision to contribute a second cruise.

“This is one of our newest itineraries and it’s great to see how excited people are about it,” Rothmann said. “Donating another cruise was truly a win-win for everyone, as it raised a significant amount of money for a good cause.”

Amawaterways 7-night Paris & Normandy cruise on the Seine River includes visits to the village of Giverny, where artist Claude Monet spent decades cultivating his iconic water gardens; Honfleur, a charming French harbor town made famous by generations of artists;  Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy; an excursion to Normandy’s D-Day beaches; the charming town of Les Andelys; and two nights in Paris. The cruise embarks aboard the AmaLegro, which offers spacious staterooms and suites, most with French Balconies, as well as Chaîne des Rôtisseurs culinary creations, free-flowing wine and beer at every dinner, unforgettable shore excursions, flat-panel TVs and an in-room Infotainment System featuring hit movies, music channels and complimentary Internet access, live nightly entertainment, onboard salon and spa services and much more. AmaWaterways even provides a complimentary fleet of bicycles for guests to use on their own or on a guided bike tour.

For more information about AmaWaterways visit:
Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine - all about AmaWaterways

or take a look at:
www.amawaterways.com

CLIA National Cruise Vacation Week

An annual cruise event coming up again soon is CLIA’s National Cruise Vacation Week.

Planned to take place from October 21 to October 27, this special event offers the cruise industry’s most  exclusive promotions and features a wide array of special events and offers from twenty-five CLIA member cruise lines representing more than 200 cruise ships.

Planned special deals include up to $13,000 in bonus savings on a luxury cruise, $1,500 per couple savings on a river cruise in Europe, two-for-one pricing, free airfare, complimentary shore excursions, and up to $500 in shipboard credits.

Visit CLIA’s special NCVW page, www.cruising.org/vacation/welcome to find impressive potential savings as well as credits for shipboard spending valued at up to $500, upgrades to suites, or other incentives such as complimentary shore excursions, free airfare, free hotel packages, deposit waivers and more. 

Some of the cruise lines involved are AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, Avalon Waterways, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, Louis Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Windstar Cruises.

Keep track of the Prow's Edge blog here for actual details of the special cruise deals.

River Cruises Benefits

Choosing a river cruise instead of the usual ocean cruise has many benefits, including:

· River cruising emphasizes the destination, rather than the on board experience, allowing guests to reach more cities and attractions than they could access via ocean cruising or bus tours and to focus on them in greater depth
· River cruising can take travelers to the heart and soul of their destinations because so many great cities and towns were established along the banks of rivers
· Calm and shallow river waters afford passengers a smooth and safe journey devoid of uncomfortable seasickness
· The size and configuration of river cruising vessels mean that every stateroom is an “outside” stateroom with a river view
· River cruising offers the antithesis of the “herd mentality” often associated with larger ocean vessels. AmaWaterways ships, for instance, accommodate between 30-100 passengers, allowing for a truly intimate experience
· Because river cruise ships are constantly moving, guests enjoy new scenery and vistas all day, every day, whether from their stateroom or other parts of the ship
· Unlike ocean cruises, AmaWaterways always include guided shore excursions in the price of the itinerary


For more information about AmaWaterways take a look at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-amadeus-waterways.html or for the latest news take a look at the latest Prow’s Edge news item about AmaWaterways exploring Africa

River Cruises on the Rise - Who Knew?

Who knew that river cruises would be one of the top growth sectors of the cruise industry, or that luxury cruises would also be up there at the top of the list.

But that is exactly what has happened.

In our latest news item about CRUISE LINE GROWTH SECTORS the Cruise Lined International Association (CLIA) reveals the results of their survey of cruise lines and travel agents and what’s new in cruise trends and consumer attitudes.

They all agree that the demand for luxury and river cruises is growing and that the main motivating factor is the “destination”.

It shouldn’t be a surprise then to also learn that 3 new river cruise boats are being launched this year, and that a further 5 new vessels will be setting sail next near in 2011.These include:

2010
AmaWaterways: ms Amakaterina
Avalon Waterways: Felicity and Luminary

2011
AmaWaterways: ms Amabella, ms Amaverde, ms Amalotus
Avalon Waterways: Panorama
Uniworld Grand River Cruises: River Antoinette

For more information about river cruises visit the RIVER CRUISES page at Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine

Photo: AmaWaterways’ brand new ms Amakaterin built for the Russian Rivers

TRAVEL AGENTS CAN WIN A TRIP TO THE MEKONG

Exotic Southeast Asia is the newest destination in the award-winning AMAWATERWAYS river cruise vacation lineup and now agents have an exciting opportunity to sample a 7-night Mekong river cruise aboard the brand-new MS La Marguerite, with a new “Learn, Book and Win” contest.

Details as follows:
THE PRIZE:
Win an unforgettable 7-night cruise for two aboard the brand new MS La Marguerite, the most luxurious vessel on the Mekong River. Cruise from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Siem Reap with calls at Sa Dec, Tan Chau, Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang and the Tonle Sap River. Experience the richness of life on the great Mekong River, from small rural villages to vibrant capitals. Visit temples, floating markets and much more along the way during your Mekong River odyssey.

HOW TO WIN: 

Each “Vietnam, Cambodia & The Riches of The Mekong” booking made between now and September 28, 2009 entitles the booking agent to one chance at the drawing. It’s simple. The more an agent BOOKS, the more chances to WIN.

For information agents can log on to www.amawaterways.com

DRAWING DATE:
September 30, 2009. Winner will be notified shortly thereafter.