February 26, 2004 -- River cruising is a quiet little corner of the cruise world that deserves more attention, offering the ultimate leisurely retreat. The pace is slow, the waters calm, the ambience generally informal, and, unlike most cruise ships, there's something to look at besides water out the window of your stateroom.
This month, three of the major river-cruise companies have announced new routes and deals.
Viking River Cruises (tel. 877/66-845460, www.vikingrivercruises.com), which operates some two dozen riverships, is promoting its Asia cruisetours by offering $99 roundtrip airfare to China from four U.S. cities (Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle). Flights from the east coast are available for $199. Four different tours are available:
- The 12-night Imperial Treasures tour sails begins with visits to Beijing and Xian, then sails the Yangtze River from Chongqing to Shanghai. Highlights include Beijing's Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Summer Palace, Xian's Terra Cotta Army, and the Three Gorges Dam. Prices start at $2,448.
- The 16-night Footsteps of Marco Polo expedition sails from Shanghai, crossing much of the same territory as the Imperial Treasures tour but with additional visits to Wuhan, Suzhou (center of Chinese silk production), and Dongting Lake, the second largest freshwater lake in China, famous for its scenic beauty and tea production. Prices start at $3,018.
- The 16-night Ancient Kingdom of Siam cruise starts in Beijing, then moves south along the Yangtze and then into Thailand, with highlights including Xian, Kunming's Stone Forest of Lunan, and Bangkok's Grand Palace. Prices start at $3,308.
- The 16-night Roof of the World tour takes travelers from Beijing and Xian west into Tibet, spending four days in Lhasa before returning for a Yangtze cruise to Shanghai. Highlights include the Potala Palace, former home of the Dali Lama. Prices start at $4,018.
All prices above include roundtrip air from the $99 "Zone 1" gateways, shore excursions, hotel stays, and intra-Asia air. Offer expires March 31, 2004.
Uniworld (tel. 800/733-7820, www.uniworld.com), a California-based firm that offers river cruise itineraries in Western Europe and Russia, announced an expanded series of 9-night cruises on Italy's Po River, running from March 27 through October 23.
- Highlights of the Renaissance Treasures cruise include the famous gourmet city Parma and a comprehensive visit to Venice and its out-islands of Murano and Burano.
- The Romantic Northern Italy cruise combines Venice and Parma with visits to Mantua (setting of Verdi's Rigoletto) and Cremona, home of incomparable violin maker Antonio Stradivari.
- The Splendors of Italy tour adds Ferrara, one of the most enchanting cities along the Po.
Several departures aboard the line's river ship Venezia are themed on food, wine, and art, with onboard lecturers, wine-tastings, and special excursions. Travelers can also opt for a variety of extensions to any of these itineraries, including an elegant journey on the Venice Simplon Orient-Express. Prices start at $1,998 per person, including airfare from New York or Boston (other gateways entail and additional $100-$200 fee), all shore excursions, and local guides.
Were you born in 1954 or have you been married a long, long time? If so, French Country Waterways (tel. 800/222-1236, www.fcwl.com), a firm that operates small luxury barges accommodating 6 to 18 passengers, has a deal for you.
- The line's 50th Jubilee discount lets individuals born in 1954 celebrate their birthday by cruising France's Burgundy region aboard the on the 8-passenger Liberté for $1,798, double occupancy, or the 18-passenger Esprit for $1,648 to $1,848.
- With the line's anniversary discounts, the longer you're married, the bigger the reward, from a 5% discount for those married five years to a 60% discount for those married sixty. The discounts are valid for every 5th anniversary along the way (5, 10, 15, 20... up to 60). Savings range from $179 to $2,157 on the Liberté and from $164 to $2,877 on the Esprit (Burgundy sailings), the Nenuphar in the Upper Loire Valley, and the Princess in Champagne and Alsace-Lorraine. The cruises are normally priced at $3,295 to $4,795.
French Country Waterways' season runs from late March to late October. Cruise need not coincide exactly with the birthday or wedding date, but the line does require proof of age or a wedding certificate. Rates include daily sightseeing excursions, private wine tasting, and escorted transfers between Paris and the barges.
For more on European river cruises, click here.