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Historic Travel And Tours
Steamboat & Small Ship Cruises
River Cruises in US and Europe
Travel Specialists in Historic Tours and Small Ship, Steamboat / River Barge Cruises
Small Ship Cruises -- American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines offers small ship cruising in the Eastern United States, in the South between Charleston, SC and Jacksonville, FL, and on the waterways of Florida.
True to its name, this cruise line sails on the smooth inland rivers and coastal waterways of the United States of America.
Ships are new and fully comply with the new USA safety regulations.
Because the ships are small, with no more than 100 passengers, they are able to offer unique personalized voyages. The ambiance is initiate, relaxing, and gracious.
The ships visit quaint villages along the east USA coast, charming Southern towns, and vibrant Florida cities. There is an emphasis on history, culture, and the natural beauty of the United States. Lecturers, authors, historians, and wildlife experts treat guests to behind the scenes tours and provide area information during the cruise.
Dining is an event all guests look forward to. In the spacious dining room, every table overlooks the water. Meals are informal. Don't like to dress for dinner -- you'll love the resort casual attire. Food is purchased from ports of call so it is always fresh, and it is always cooked to order.
Tastefully designed staterooms are all ocean view, spacious (over 200 square feet), and comfortable. Each room has 2 twin beds or a king bed, a large picture window and/or balcony, private bath, hair dryer, remote-controlled satellite TV, individual climate control, writing desk, full-length mirror, spacious closet, dresser, and twice-daily service by an all American crew.
Small Ship Cruising on Rivers and the Intercoastal Waterway in the Eastern United States, South USA, and Florida
Because the ships are small, with no more than 100 passengers, they are able to offer unique personalized voyages. The ambiance is initiate, relaxing, and gracious.
Majestic America (Steamboats)
Small Ship Cruises -- Sea Dream Yacht Club
SeaDream Yacht Club emphasizes that it's yachting -- not crusing. We also label it as small ship cruising.
The ultra-luxury yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream 2 offer a casual, intimate, elegant, luxury cruises. Ships are clean, chic, and sophisticated. Past guests love their experiences, and many have taken several cruises on these yachts. In 2006, Conde Nast Traveler's Readers Choice gave SeaDream Yacht Club the highest overall score for any passenger ship large or small and it was the only cruise line rated in the Top 100 Best Travel Experiences For 2006.
So, why is it called a yachting experience instead of a cruise? SeaDream says yachting features an open and unstructured ambience that provides each guest the opportunity to enjoy the trip at their own pace and in their own style. No clocks, no crowds, no lines, no stress. Unstructured! Guests feel as though they are on their own yacht, and with only 110 guests and 89 crew, each guest receives personal attention.
SeaDream yachting is perfect for independent travelers who don't like to dress up formally and don't need a lot of scheduled entertainment to have a good time. The age ratios are: 1/4 of passengers are under 40; 1/2 of the passengers are in their 50's to early 60's; 1/4 of the passengers are over 65.
There are scheduled 7 day itineraries, and the yachts depart from scheduled ports and return to scheduled ports. However, what happens in between the departure and arrival is flexible. Captains have the authority to adjust the itinerary for local opportunities. For example, the yachts may make unscheduled calls at small ports that have an interesting event or may stay longer in a secluded bay so guests can continue to enjoy water sports. SeaDream yachts also overnight at many ports of call so guests can enjoy their time ashore to the fullest.
Food is 5* gourmet; caviar and Champagne are included -- as well as wine with lunch and dinner. All dining is open seating. Rooms are spacious with luxury amenities and abundant storage. All rooms are ocean view. The yachts feature an Asian spa and wellness center, small well-appointed fitness center, golf, simulator, small casino, piano bar, pool, hot tub, first run films in the main lounge or on deck, dancing. There is a complimentary open bar policy in public rooms and on deck.
Cruise itineraries are 7 or 14 night cruises. From May through October SeaDream I and SeaDream II sail to yachting ports in the French and Italian Riviera, Costa del Sol in Spain, the Amalfi Coast in Italy, the Greek Islands, and the Adriatic and Black Seas, including Nice, Monte Carlo, Cannes, St. Tropez, Santorini, Barcelona, and Portofino.
From November through April, the yachts visit harbors in the Caribbean such as St. John, St. Croix, St. Martin, Virgin Gorda, St. Barts, Jost van Dyke, Barbados, the Grenadines, Saba Nevis and more.
Small Ship Cruising -- The Yachting Experience in the Caribbean Islands and in Europe. Guests feel as though they are on their own yacht, and with only 110 guests and 89 crew, each guest receives personal attention.
Why choose a European river cruise or a barge cruise? Besides the casually elegant surroundings and intimacy of a small ship
- Your cabin is your hotel and it almost always enjoys a location in the heart of town
- Travel from one village to another in style. Don't contend with the hassles of driving yourself, cramped motor coaches or early morning train departures.
- Pack and unpack only once.
- Excellent meals, good company and comfortable accommodations all at one attractive price.
Explore Europe's castles, cathedrals and picturesque villages. Discover fascinating history and authentic experiences with comprehensive sightseeing plus your own exploration. It's a simple way to travel.
Enjoy a river cruise in Europe that features a theme of music, golfing, gardening, cycling or walking. Experience a cruise with classical music along the Danube, traditional performances or perhaps a Viennese waltz. Listen to the songs made famous by Edith Piaf on the Seine or indulge in a visit to the ship's wellness spa.
European River and Canal Cruises:
River Cruises: For those travelers to Europe who have not yet experienced the enriching culture and the breathtaking scenery, combined with the peaceful environment and total relaxation that a European river cruise offers, well, all we can say is, ONCE YOU TRY IT, YOU'LL LOVE IT. These luxury vessels carry between 100 and 180 passengers.
Welcome to a revolutionary floating hotel concept where your 12 hour days on a cramped motorcoach, packing and unpacking day after day, staying in a different hotel room every night while racing through 7 countries in 6 days, is now officially a relic of the past. There is a much better idea.
River cruising affords you the opportunity to experience several countries in one program, to stay in the same comfortable cabin every night, to enjoy wonderful local cuisine, to shop for local specialty products and souvenirs, while doing so in a unique format that you will want to experience over, and over again. But that's quite all right because we have lots more rivers to show you.
Most of your sightseeing can be experienced from comfortable lounge area with large picture windows or from the top deck of 100+ passenger ships while relaxing in the sunshine, marveling at the scenery and breathing in the fresh air. This is the absolute best way to visit Europe, via legendary rivers like the Rhine and its tributaries, Danube, Rhone and Saone, Holland Waterways, Seine, Po, Elbe, Tiza, Nile, Gota Canal in Sweden, and Douro that are the cradles of transportation, culture and history on two to 28 night cruises. See Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Scandinavia, Egypt and more. Where there is a major river, there most likely is a cruise.
Plus, there is always an opportunity to go on specialized optional sightseeing excursions, city walking tours or just to take a stroll around quaint villages and historic towns after dinner. Every night, these small ships dock in a different location that is nearly always within a few minutes walking distance of interesting sightseeing, shopping or the local pub, where you can sample the regional spirits.
Pricing can run between $2800 and $6500 per person, depending on the cruise itinerary and ship.
Canal and River Barge Cruises in Europe: European Waterways operates a significant numer of floating boutique hotels on the rivers and canals of France, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Most of these barges hold 6 to 12 persons comfortably. The cruises are all inclusive, and include accommodations, meals onboard and ashore, open bar, wine and soft drinks, and excursions. The fascinating excursions visit quaint medieval villages where you can meet locals, majestic castles, chateaux, abbeys, and cathedrals. Wine tasting generally is on each itinerary. As your barge glides along you can walk or bicycle along the tow path or relax on deck, reading or watching forests and farmlands pass by. Optional activities include hot air ballooning, golf, tennis, and horseback riding. Theme cruises are also available: Family cruises, wine appreciation, art, golf, tennis, antiques, fishing, walking, cycling, Venice Regatta, and holiday cruises.
Pricing can run between $4900 and $6500 per person for the cruise.
Contact us today at 877-658-2582 for more details
Cruise West guests are immersed in outdoor and cultural experiences on their small ships. On each Cruise West sailing, nature is the entertainer. There are no artificial amusements when all of God's creation beckons. Cruise West cruises provide up-close travel that focuses on the destination - its scenery, wildlife, natural history and culture - all in the company of limited numbers of like-minded travelers.
Cruise West destinations include Alaska, Columbia & Snake Rivers in Northwest USA, Mexico Sea of Cortes, Panama Canal & Costa Rica, South Pacific, Japan, Asia, Galapagos Islands, Europe Rivers, Theme Cruises: Photography, Steinbeck Literary Cruises, History of Panama Canal.
Cruise West offers small ship cruises all over the world
- Mexico's Sea of Cortes -- Whales and Wildlife Cruise
- Columbia & Snake River Cruises
- Epicurean Cruises in the Pacific Northwest
- Alaska Cruises
- California Wine Country Cruises
- Costa Rica and Panama
- Asia
- South Pacific
Are You a Cruise West Cruiser?
Cruise West guests would rather watch for whales than spend the afternoon in a casino. They linger outside on deck as the Captain noses under a waterfall, rather than watch a video. On a small ship, the focus is outside where Nature provides the entertainment, rather than on artificial amusements conjured up to occupy your attention during long hours of open water.
With Cruise West, you're not just a visitor, you're a participant. Whether you're kayaking off a wilderness island in Mexico, hiking in a rainforest in Alaska, or enjoying a spectacular spring garden in British Columbia, each small-ship cruise is an engaging experience for all your senses.
The casual style onboard encourages relaxation and congenial interaction between guests and crew alike. And the experience is personally enriching, through onboard narratives and lectures, special local guests from a wide variety of backgrounds, and the library provided on each vessel. The stateroom ambiance is rustic -- kind of like luxury camping. Two ships, the Oceanus and Yorktown have a bit more luxury.
In many of the remote waterways visited, small ships are the only way to explore the area. The ships are able to stay away from the wider shipping lanes, opting for channels just a few hundred feet wide, sharing waterways with local fishermen and perhaps a few private yachts. The ships carry inflatable excursion craft to take you to where the action is.
The Spirit of Peoria is a small paddle-wheel steamboat that offers two and three day trips on the Illinois River. Day trips and riverboat charters are also available. Sit back and relax as the Spirit of Peoria gently paddles its way along the scenic Illinois River Valley. Enjoy the wonder of natural beauty and history on this unique mode of transportation.
Riverboat trip prices include:
- All Taxes and gratuities
- All meals, lodging and snacks featuring:
- Signature entrees such as chef carved prime rib
- Gourmet cheeses accompanied with a glass of wine
- Unlimited soft drinks, coffee, and tea aboard the cruise
- Old-fashioned entertainment featuring:
- Professional Storytelling
- World-class ragtime piano
- River history
- Baggage handling
- Friendliest crew on the river
So many times in our lightening fast world there's a pause, to dream of a time when life moved at a different, slower, more refined pace. If we look, many of those times can still be found in vacations and cruises that offer us the spirit of yesteryear or the opportunity to cruise to interesting ports in the United States, Caribbean and Europe -- but without clocks, crowds, lines or stress.
How can we know our present unless we know our past! We offer paddleboat river steamboat cruises and small ship ocean and river cruises that emphasize history. Small ship cruises allow guests to experience their natural surroundings, with ecological experiences.
SHE'S BACK!
7-Night Steamboat River Cruises in the United States Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Passengers who have had the pleasure of cruising on Queen of the West paddleboat in the past can still expect the same unparalleled experience they had aboard this grand ship. But now they can discover the additional features, such as exceptional cuisine and the highest level of personalized service, for which American Cruise Lines is known, making it the most successful small ship cruise line today.
Steamboat Cruise: Queen of the West
Queen of the West was formerly owned by the defunct Majestic America Cruise Lines. American Cruise Lines who operates small ship cruises in the eastern United States in the south, in Florida, in the northeast off the coast of Maine, Rhode Island, on the Hudson River, and on the intercoastal waterway between Baltimore and Charleston purchased the Queen of the West paddleboat. It is a perfect compliment to their eastern river cruises.
Seven-night cruises will begin in August of 2010. Reservations are open for cruises between August and October 2010. If you're interested, don't wait. This boat will fill up quickly on all sailings.
One of the reasons the Queen of the West itineraries won't start until August is because it is being completely refurbished to make sure it is of the high standards required for all American Cruise Lines vessels. The boat used to have 140 staterooms. When it returns to service, it will have 120. All rooms will be of the same size as on the other American Cruise Lines small ships currently in operation.
The Queen of the West steamboat is currently the only paddleboat operating that has staterooms for onboard accommodations.
Several different itineraries are planned. They will depart from Portland, Oregon and Clarkston, Washington with stops along the route that will include the Columbia River Gorge, Multonomah Falls, Mt. St. Helen’s, The Dalles, Hells Canyon and Astoria.
Photo by Europeforvisitors.com Used with permission
