River Cruise Newsletter

Below is a copy of our current river cruise newsletter. To subscribe to our weekly newsletter, absolutely free of charge, please click here. To email this newsletter to friends or family, click here. Please note that the FastDeals are subject to availability and sell out quickly.

Dear Vacations To Go Customer,

This week, I'm pleased to present these fantastic offers from Riviera River Cruises. The company operates 11 river vessels in Europe and is known for personalized service and highly experienced tour managers.

Save 20% on river cruises departing this year. Departures in August also receive 500 euro per stateroom in onboard credit. Book by June 16.

Save 10% on 2024 sailings. Book by June 30.

Pay no single supplement on special sailings dedicated to solo travelers.

Along with the above savings, Vacations To Go customers receive a free drinks package that includes beer, wine and soft drinks during lunch and dinner on all cruises. The package normally costs $89 to $259 per person, depending on the length of the cruise.

The upfront price of a Riviera cruise includes all onboard meals, bottled water, coffee, tea, Wi-Fi and daily guided shore excursions. Most ships have a pool, fitness room, sauna, steam room, salon and library. Vessels also carry complimentary bicycles that passengers can use to explore ashore.

Riviera launched a brand-new itinerary this year, Lyon, Provencal Rhone & the Camargue. This 11-day cruise is filled with southern France delights, from Burgundy and its fine wines to France's gastronomic capital of Lyon. In 2024, the company will introduce three new cruises: Paris, Normandy & Historic Treasures of the Seine, The Moselle, Luxembourg & the Majestic Rhine and Cologne, the Rhine Gorge & Medieval Germany.

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Cruises along Germany's famed rivers often feature grand castles, and each of these photogenic sights has a fascinating story to tell.

To see photos of these attractions, click the castle name below.

Castles are common along the Rhine River -- a stretch known as the Upper Middle Rhine is home to more than 40 fortifications. Many Rhine itineraries include an excursion to the city of Heidelberg, where the red sandstone Heidelberg Castle looms over the old town center. Once a grand Renaissance palace, the castle was destroyed during the Nine Years' War of the late 17th century. Some rebuilding was done (though never completed), and the edifice was later damaged by lightning strikes in 1764. The ruins caught the attention of 19th-century poets and artists and soon came to symbolize German Romanticism. Click here for Rhine River cruises that visit Heidelberg.

On the Mosel River, travelers can explore Cochem Castle, or Reichsburg, in Cochem. In 1294, King Adolf of Nassau pawned the castle and about 50 surrounding villages on royal land to the archbishop of Trier in order to finance his coronation as German emperor. Neither the king nor his heir could come up with the funds to reclaim the castle, and it remained with the Trier archbishops until 1794. The original structure fell to ruin, but in 1868, Berlin businessman Louis Ravené bought the site and rebuilt the castle around its Gothic foundations. Click here for Mosel River cruises that visit Cochem.

Climb up to the Imperial Castle for splendid views of Nuremberg, featured on Danube River sailings. It was one of the most important castles of the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages. One of its oldest remaining parts is the double chapel -- two chapels with the same floor plans, one sitting atop the other. They are connected by an opening in the middle that allowed the congregation in either chapel to hear the service in the other one. Click here for Danube River cruises that visit Nuremberg.

Danube River itineraries that include a stay in Munich also can provide an opportunity to visit the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps. Neuschwanstein was built on its spectacular mountain perch from 1869 to 1886 by Ludwig II, sometimes called "Mad King Ludwig." After losing sovereignty in his kingdom, Ludwig withdrew into his own world of myths and legends and built elaborate royal residences where he could feel like a true king. Neuschwanstein is the most famous, and among its highlights is the Byzantine-style throne room with frescoes and cobalt blue columns and a grotto built to resemble a natural cave. Click here for itineraries that include a visit to Neuschwanstein.

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Some companies offer shorter river cruises that provide customers with an opportunity to sample the experience. For example, Avalon Waterways has itineraries of four to six days on the Danube and Rhine and CroisiEurope offers a variety of four- and five-day cruises, including sailings on the Rhone and Seine. American Cruise Lines offers Mississippi and Columbia river cruises that are less than a week long.

Click here to see all departures of four to six days.

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In case you missed any of our recent river cruise newsletters, I've provided links below for the last 10 topics we've covered. Click any link to read more.

Huge Savings on River Cruises -- Take advantage of these deals for Vacations To Go customers.

Cruising with AmaWaterways -- Read about the upscale experience offered by this leading cruise company.

France River Cruises -- Discover top sights along the Seine, Rhone, Saone and other waterways.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Themed Sailings and More -- Get a few ideas that may help you plan your next vacation.

Viking River Cruises -- Read about special offers from the world's largest river cruise operator.

Rhine River Cruise Attractions -- Explore impressive castles, charming towns and lush vineyards on this popular route.

Avalon Waterways -- Learn about new cruises and flexible excursion options.

Highlights of the Danube -- Check out the best places to visit on the Danube River.

American Queen Voyages -- Explore cities and towns in the U.S. on a cruise along one of its famed rivers.

Emerald Cruises -- Enjoy new experiences at an exceptional value.

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Here are this week's Top 10 River Cruises. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability.

1) The Blue Danube River Cruise, 8 days with Riviera River Cruises. Begins and ends in Budapest. Save 20%, plus receive a free drinks package. Starting at $1,839. Departures from July 6, 2023 through October 27, 2023.

2) Romantic Rhine, 8 days with Avalon Waterways. Travels between Basel and Amsterdam. Save 50%. Starting at $1,850. Departures from June 24, 2023 through October 14, 2023.

3) Gems of Southeast Europe, 8 days with AmaWaterways. Begins in Giurgiu and ends in Budapest. Save 50%. Starting at $1,850. Departs August 7 and October 30, 2023.

4) Tulip Time River Cruise, 9 days with Gate 1 Travel. Begins and ends in Amsterdam. Save $800 per couple. Starting at $1,899. Departures from March 28, 2024 through April 25, 2024.

5) Sensations of Lyon & Provence, 8 days with Emerald Cruises. Travels between Nice and Lyon. Save up to 72%. Starting at $1,929. Departures from June 24, 2023 through October 26, 2024.

6) Rhine Getaway, 8 days with Viking. Travels between Amsterdam and Basel. Save with special cruise rates, plus get reduced airfare and a $25 deposit offer. Starting at $1,999. Departures from June 19, 2023 through November 19, 2024.

7) From Portugal to Spain, 8 days with CroisiEurope. Begins and ends in Porto. Save up to 30%. Starting at $1,999. Departures from July 4, 2023 through August 6, 2023.

8) Charming Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle, 8 days with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Travels between Frankfurt and Basel. Save up to 72%. Starting at $2,545. Departures from July 26, 2023 through October 2, 2024.

9) Paris & Normandy, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Begins and ends in Paris. Save 10%. Starting at $3,439. Departures from March 17, 2024 through November 3, 2024.

10) Tennessee Rivers Cruise, 8 days with American Cruise Lines. Travels between Nashville and Chattanooga. Fly for free, plus save up to $1,200 per couple off the cruise price. Starting at $3,525. Departures from July 19, 2023 through August 23, 2023.

Customers in the US and Canada can call us toll-free at 800-510-4002. For a list of our other toll-free numbers worldwide, click here.

Please e-mail me your comments, suggestions and questions at alanfox@rivercruise.com and I will respond the same day.

Sincerely,

Alan Fox
Executive Chairman
Vacations To Go