Each issue, cruise expert Jane Archer shares her tips on selling a specific area of cruise. This time, she looks at river cruise
A river cruise is a river cruise is a river cruise, right? Wrong. Every river cruise is different, even those on the same waterway, because all companies have their own take. Let’s take the Rhine. One cruise might have a history theme, another might focus on gentle sightseeing, another still could go for activities galore. That mix of attractions goes for all rivers. Be it wine, wellness, war, music, flowers, wildlife, there is a river cruise to suit everyone – even families. Agents who take time to successfully match first-time clients with the right river are onto a winner – especially as history shows that having enjoyed one river cruise, customers will check out other waterways in Europe and then graduate to waterways around world. This week we look at three different ways agents can sell the Rhône in France, the Danube, which flows from Germany all the way to the Black Sea, and the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Whether clients love food or wine, are into art, fascinated by Roman remains or are looking for a family holiday, there is a cruise on the Rhône to suit. The river flows through Provence in France, meeting the Saône at Lyon (several itineraries take in both rivers). Demand is increasing steadily as companies move new tonnage here and an ever-growing cohort of river cruisers look for alternatives once they have ticked off the Rhine/Danube options.
Roman history
Who? Scenic
Where? Rhône
When? August 29, 2021
How long? Eight days
How much? From £2,695pp including flights
What did the Romans ever do for river cruising? Scenic’s cruise from Lyon to Tarascon on the 149-passenger Scenic Sapphire reveals all, with trips to ancient amphitheatres, temples and the stunning Pont du Gard aqueduct along the way. Price, valid for bookings made by March 31, includes transfers, excursions, drinks, tips, speciality dining and wi-fi.
Staying active
Who? Avalon Waterways
Where? Rhône
When? August 24, 2021
How long? Seven nights
How much? From £2,438pp
With hikes through vineyards and nature reserves, biking in the Camargue and kayaking in the Ardèche on the menu, Avalon’s ‘Active’ Rhône cruises promise to please even the itchiest feet. The cruise, from Lyon to Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, is on the 128-passenger Avalon Poetry II. The price, valid until April 26, includes excursions, tips and drinks with lunch and dinner.
Family favourite
Who? A-Rosa Cruises
Where? Rhône
When? August 28, 2021
How long? Seven nights
How much? From £1,427pp
A-Rosa not only offers free cruises for children aged 15 and under, but on its Rhône ship, the 174-passenger A-Rosa Stella, a family of four will be allocated a second cabin at no charge. Talk about fab for the family finances. The cruise is fun for all ages, with villages to explore, cycling tours, kayaking and trips into the wild Camargue. Price includes drinks and wi-fi.
Don’t adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to selling rivers; instead ensure the sales process is nuanced to suit your client’s interests
With its something-for-everyone appeal, the Danube is a gift for agents. Great cities, wonderful scenery, fun activities, history, culture, music, dance, wine, art, architecture, wildlife. You name it, the Danube has it and river cruise lines offer it. Clients can cruise the upper reaches of the river from Germany to Hungary, or sail on through Eastern Europe, visiting Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania as they journey all the way to the Black Sea.
Classical music
Who? Tauck
Where? Danube
When? June 15, 2021
How long? 12 days
How much? From £5,760pp
This is a lesson in how to do special-interest cruises, with music-themed tours and private concerts most days, and even a chance to sit in on an orchestra rehearsal and attend the opera in Vienna. The holiday combines seven nights on the 130-passenger Joy with hotel stays in Budapest and Prague. Price includes transfers, all tours and concerts, drinks, tips and wi-fi.
Wildlife spotting
Who? Amadeus River Cruises
Where? Lower Danube
When? September 22, 2021
How long? 10 days
How much? From £1,996pp including flights
Binoculars at the ready because Amadeus is off to the Danube Delta, dubbed the Amazon of Europe by the WWF on account of all the wildlife that lives there. The safari into the Delta comes on day eight of the cruise from Vienna to Bucharest on the 164-passenger Amadeus Star, with calls in Bratislava, Belgrade and Svistov. Price includes drinks with meals and wi-fi.
Wine lovers
Who? AmaWaterways
Where? Upper Danube
When? November 13, 2021
How long? Seven nights
How much? From £2,689pp
Experts from Kent winery Chapel Down will be hosting wine tastings, vineyard tours and wine-paired dinners on this cruise from Budapest in Hungary to Vilshofen in Germany. On the 162-passenger AmaCerto, it also includes plenty of wine tastings ashore and ends with a mini Oktoberfest in Vilshofen. Price includes excursions, pre-dinner drinks, wi-fi and drinks with lunch and dinner.
Think beyond age. River cruise does appeal to the over 60s, but it’s a great holiday for 30 or 40-somethings, and even for families
Most Mekong river cruises are seven-night voyages between Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Siem Reap in Cambodia (or vice versa) that include pre and post-cruise city stays, and deliver shed loads of history, culture and colour. Simply find out what your client likes and tailor the sales pitch accordingly. There are numerous lines to choose from, all offering something different. Consider this cruise also for Asia newbies nervous about going it alone.
Wartime memories
Who? Uniworld River Cruises
Where? Mekong
When? December 8, 2021
How long? 15 days
How much? From £4,499pp including flights
Passengers visit the Cu Chi Tunnels used by the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War, meet a retired VC general and discover the horrors of the Khmer Rouge as Uniworld pairs city stays in Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap with a cruise between the two cities on the 68-passenger Mekong Jewel. The price, valid until March 31, includes tours, drinks, tips, wi-fi and one-way business-class flight.
Think of a river cruise as an escorted tour on water. Clients see a lot of places, as they would on a coach tour, but a floating hotel is a much easier way to travel
Food lovers
Who? APT
Where? Mekong
When? October 1, 2021
How long? 15 days
How much? From £4,440pp including flights
Menus created by leading Australian chef Luke Nguyen, an exclusive night out at Vietnam House, his restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, and cooking classes await on APT’s foodie-themed cruise-and-stay holidays on the Mekong. The stays are in Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, the cruise on the new 88-passenger Mekong Serenity. Price includes all tours, drinks, tips and wi-fi.
Cultural extravaganza
Who? Pandaw
Where? Mekong
When? October 23, 2021
How long? Seven nights
How much? From £2,680pp
Pandaw’s cruises between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap turn the spotlight on the lives of the people living along the banks of the Mekong. This cruise, on the 52-passenger Tonle Pandaw, includes visits to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, walking tours around villages and trips to temples and traditional workshops. Price includes pre and post-cruise transfers, excursions and tips.