CR24-25 nov21 18/11/08 14:20 Page 78
knowledge cruise
ttglive.com
VIKING RIVER CRUISES.
Who is it? Founded in 1997 by its current
chairman and industry veteran Torstein
Hagen, Viking started with four boats and
expanded in 2000 by acquiring KD River
Cruises. It is now one of the biggest river
cruise companies with 19 boats, including
15 in Europe.
What does it offer? Operates the longest
boat on the Rhine, the Helvetia, but all ships
have a bar, library and most have satellite
TV and internet access. Some also have a
shop and a swimming pool, sauna and hot
tub, gym, elevators and two restaurants.
Viking River Cruises operates Helvetia, the longest passenger boat on the Rhine Nearly all excursions are included.
■vikingrivercruises.co.uk
CROISIEUROPE. fitness area and sauna. Dining has a more
Who is it? French family-owned company casual ambience as the dining room operates UNIWORLD GRAND RIVER.CRUISES.
set up by Gerard Schmitter in 1976 and now open seating. Who is it? Californian-based company that
run by his four children. The fleet of 26 ■seacloud.com is owned by the Travel Corporation which
boats have capacity for 100-180 passengers also owns Trafalgar, Insight, Contiki and Red
and most vessels are under five years old. SCENIC TOURS. Carnation Hotels. In the UK it is represented
What does it offer? Facilities vary and may Who is it? The Australian touring company by Connections (part of Titan Travel group)
include a swimming pool, elevator, library has two “Space-Ships”, the Scenic Emerald which is its general sales agency. It has a
and gift shop. One boat has its own marina and Scenic Sapphire, with two more to fleet of 25 boats, with 10 sailing in Europe.
platform, giving access to the water. Cabins follow in 2009. What does it offer? Boats are modelled on
are air-conditioned and have satellite TV. What does it offer? Suites and staterooms boutique hotels. There is open seating at
■croisieurope.com are claimed to be up to 25% larger than meal times, al fresco evening dining where
average; free wine with meals; excursions possible and free wine with dinner. Cabins
PETER DEILMANN. and gratuities included in the price. The have flatscreen TVs, air-conditioning, safe
Who is it? A family-owned line run by Gisa boats have a walking track, outdoor lounge and free bottled water. Facilities include
and Hedda Deilmann, the twin daughters areas, spa, beauty salon, gift shop and free library, fitness centre, boutique, speciality
of the founder after whom the company is bikes for passengers’ use. Staterooms have a coffee bar and beauty salon. Shore excur-
named. It has eight river boats. pillow menu, and an “infotainment” system sions are included along with Quietvox, a
What does it offer? Onboard that includes more than 1,000 movies. Suites portable lightweight audio headset offering
facilities can include a cafe, have butler service and offer in-room dining. real-time commentary for passengers who
beauty salon, library, gift The dining room is open dining and there is have difficulty hearing the guide.
shop, boutique, fitness also a fine-dining Italian restaurant. ■uniworld.com
centre, spa, indoor pool, ■scenictours.com
sauna, whirlpool, laundry,
conference room and infirmary.
There are also original works of art onboard.
The luxury vessels are noted for gourmet
dining with seven-course dinners.
■deilmann.co.uk
SEA CLOUD CRUISES.
Who is it? Mainly known for its luxurious
tall ships, it also has two river cruisers,
River Cloud and River Cloud II, which are
described as floating five-star hotels. Sea
Cloud is owned by German-based shipping
giant Hansa Treuhand Group.
What does it offer? Passengers can step
aboard to fine champagne and fresh fruit
in their cabins. River Cloud has a putting
green, a chess set and a lido bar on deck
while River Cloud II has a deck chess set and
shuffleboard. Both vessels have a boutique,
hair salon and library, and River Cloud has a Uniworld Grand River Cruises says its boats are modelled on boutique hotels
78 21.11.2008
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