CIE Tours has expanded its offerings to include its first-ever River Cruise Collection, with sailings on two of the world’s great rivers – the Rhine and Danube.
The new river cruises add sought-after destinations in five European countries – Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland and Hungary. To reward early bookings, CIE Tours will give North American travellers a $300 air credit per couple when they reserve a 2020 river cruise by Sept. 30.
CIE Tours’ eight-day river cruise offerings include a one-way Rhine Cruise to Switzerland, travelling from Cologne to Basel, and a round-trip The Blue Danube from Budapest to Linz and back.
Tour itineraries include:
Rhine Cruise to Switzerland (eight days starting at $3,470 per person): Setting sail from Cologne, CIE Tours’ Rhine Cruise lets travellers explore storybook palaces and quaint medieval villages while treating them to spectacular views of the Rhine Gorge, the Black Forest and Swiss Alps. It includes stops in Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach, Titisee, Lucerne and Basel. Guests will enjoy a special Captain’s Dinner one night, showcasing culinary specialties from each region the cruise passes through.
The Blue Danube (eight days starting at $2,027 per person): This cruise takes guests through the heart of three historic capitals – Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna – as it wends its way to the Baroque city of Linz and back. A wealth of attractions await travellers along the way, from magnificent castles to quiet abbeys, mighty fortresses to elegant gardens, and ancient villages to thriving cities. From Linz, guests have the option of a guided walking tour of Salzburg, whose timeless architecture served as the backdrop for The Sound of Music. Among the onboard highlights of this cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime private recital by a Viennese string quartet.
Guests are accommodated in spacious, beautifully appointed suites with en-suite bathrooms and river views. Most suites include a French balcony. Onboard dining ranges from an early risers’ breakfast to midnight snacks, as well as tea and coffee in cabin. WiFi is available throughout the ship. All are included in the price of the tour, as are daily excursions, port charges and airport tax. Other on-ship amenities include optional massages, steam and sauna, a nail and hair salon, fitness room and heated sun-deck plunge pool.