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Click
here to make a Reservation or request a Quote
| Cruise
Fares Per Person / Sharing a twin cabin in Category "C"
2009 Prices are in |
| Vessel |
Embark
|
Disembark
|
Cruise
only
|
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|
20
April |
30
April |
|
|
|
10
May |
20
May |
|
|
20
May * |
30
May * |
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|
06
June |
17
June |
|
|
26
June |
07
July |
|
|
16
July |
27
July * |
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|
25
August* |
05
September |
|
|
15
September |
26
September |
|
|
25
September * |
05
October * |
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|
05
October |
16
October |
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|
15
October * |
25
October* |
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25
September |
05
November |
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*
Reverse itinerary : Bucharest-Vienna -
First
night in Bucharest Hotel, Second night embark the ship
Port
charges and cruise fuel surcharges ) -
**
Fuel surcharges -
based on maximum
barrel. In case of fuel fluctuations
surcharges
will be adjusted accordingly.
Cabin
Upgrades:
Cat
C ( MainDeck )
per person
Cat B - upper deck
per person
Cat A - upper deck
per person
Twin Cabin for Single Occupancy: Add %75 of the cabin rate,
subject to availability
|
Rates,
additional charges and conditions are subject to change,
and to
currency fluctuation, without notice - Errors and Omissions Excepted 110808CM |
Click
here to make a Reservation or request a Quote
CRUISE INCLUSIONS & HIGHLIGHTS
-
Arrival
and departure transfers*
-
1
night first class hotel with buffet breakfast in Bucharest.
(Minerva, Phoenicia or similar)
-
Accommodations
for 10 nights/11 days in all outside cabins in category of
your choice
-
On
board - three meals daily starting with dinner/ending with
breakfast
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Daily
afternoon tea, late night snacks and early morning coffee
free of charge
-
Shore
excursions, daily sightseeing programs, onboard lectures
and folklore performances/music
concerts
as well as wine
tasting and other surprises as outlined in
the itinerary (excludes optionals)
-
Live
Gypsy band playing each evening
-
Professional
English speaking Cruise Directors and local, English speaking
guides throughout.
-
Port fees and cruise fuel surcharges (listed
separately)
-
Transfers if purchasing Cruise Only (must
be arranged and paid for in advance)
-
Any travel and document fees including
Visa requirements (none currently required)
-
Costs of a personal nature such as laundry,
telephone, liquor, souvenirs, etc.
-
Tips to Crew, Cruise
Directors, local guides and other staff along the route.
-
Any increases in costs due to unforeseen
circumstances such as; additional fuel
surcharges, exchange
rates or Government imposed taxes and
fees not known
at this time.
INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING TOURS AND SHORE EXCURSIONS
-
VIENNA, AUSTRIA: City tour
including Belvedere Palace
-
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA: City tour including
Hilltop Fortress
-
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: City tour
and excursion to St Andrej
-
PESC,
HUNGARY: City tour & Wine Cellar
with wine tasting
-
NOVI SAD, SERBIA: Walking tour of the city
center
-
BELGRADE, SERBIA: City tour including Kalemegdan
Fortress
-
TURNU
SEVERIN, ROMANIA: City tour including Trajan’s History
Museum
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VIDIN,
BULGARIA: City Tour including Baba Vida’s Fortress
-
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA: City tour including Parliament
House (outside
ON BOARD SPECIAL CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
-
Welcome drink on arrival
and info meeting
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Wine tasting party with concert of Gypsy Music
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Lectures on Balkan History and Modern Balkans
today
-
Serbian Folklore performance and fashion show
(on board)
-
Farewell classical concert (on board)
-
Farewell
cocktails and Captains Gala Dinner
SAMPLE
ITINERARY
| Day 1: Overnight flights to Vienna, Austria |
Day 2: Vienna, Austria EMBARKATION
Welcome to Austria! Upon arrival to Vienna airport meet our
guides outside of the customs area. Board the buses for a
short spin through the city before arriving to the ship for
check-in. Prior to dinner, meet your fellow passengers and
Cruise Staff for an information meeting. Then enjoy your
first dinner on board, followed by a well deserved rest (D)
|
Day 3: Vienna
Your morning city
sightseeing tour will introduce you to the most attractive
sights of this “Imperial” capital.
Starting with Hundertwasserhaus, you will continue on to
Belvedere Palace, for a tour of the grounds and gardens.
Then it’s on to the city center via the Vienna Ringstrasse
to view famous architectural gems such as the State Opera,
the Parliament, the Burgtheatre, the Votiv-Church and others.
The next stop will be in the old center of Vienna to view
St. Stephan’s Cathedral and take a walk through the
pedestrian zone from Graben and Kohlmarkt to Michaela Square
ending at the entrance of the Hofburg (Imperial Palace).
From this point, continue past the Spanish Riding School
to Albertina Square, where you will see the State Opera and
the famous Hotel Sacher. Then it’s back on board the
bus for a drive past the famous "Prater" with its
Giant Ferry Wheel. Return to the ship in time for lunch.
The balance of the day is at leisure. You may choose to explore
Vienna on your own or purchase an optional tour available
on board. Set sail for Bratislava, Slovakia around midnight.
|
| Optional: Schönbrunn Castle (Afternoon)
After lunch - visit to Schönbrunn Castle, the home of
Maria Theresa. The tour includes a stroll in the gardens and
a visit to the imperial rooms of the former summer residence
of the Hapsburg Royal Family. Estimated Price: 50 EU pp |
| Optional: Classical
Vienna Concert (evening) Experience ”The Vienna Residence Orchestra”, founded
to perform the music of the "Wiener Classic" in its
purest form. The program consists of works by Mozart and Johann
Strauss, played by anywhere from 14 to 40 musicians. The concert
will take place at The Auersberg Palace, the so-called Garden
Palace, designed in 1710 by Johann Lukas von Hildebrand. Mozart
presented the first performance of his opera “Idomeneo” here. Estimated Price: 55 Euro pp |
Day 4: Bratislava, Slovakia
Welcome to Slovakia!
Enjoy a morning panoramic city sightseeing tour, including
St. Martin's Cathedral, the Castle and Primate's
Palace. The sightseeing will end with a walk through the
Old Town – Michael's Gate, Michael's Tower, Main Square,
Old Town Hall and Slovak National Theatre. Some free time
for shopping and strolling. Return to the ship and set sail.
Lunch on board. In the afternoon enjoy a wine tasting party
featuring a selection of high quality but lesser known wines
from Hungary, Serbia and Romania, accompanied with live music
from our on board Gypsy Band! Dinner on board and evening
free to waltz the night away! |
Day 5: Budapest, Hungary
Welcome to Hungary!
After breakfast a 3-hours city sightseeing tour of Budapest
will include the most popular sights: The
Parliament Building, St. Stefan Cathedral, the Opera, the
Square of Heroes, (the Millennium monument) and the town
park with the Vajdahunyad Castle etc. There will be stops
at the Square of Heroes, the Fisherman’s Bastion and
Gellert Hill. Return to the ship for lunch. The balance of
the afternoon is free to explore on your own or participate
in one of our optional excursions.
|
Optional 1: Walking Tour of Downtown Pest (2.5
hrs- afternoon)
We highly recommend this casual yet delightful walking tour
led by our Cruise Directors! From the dock you will first visit
the largest open air market in Budapest where you can purchase
anything from superb Hungarian salami to a nightgown! Then
you will proceed down Vaci Utca, the city’s main pedestrian
promenade full of shops, cafes and beautiful people! Your tour
will end at the historic 140 year old Gerreboud Coffee House
where you can enjoy a delicious cup of brew or home made ice
cream. Estimated Price: 10 Euros pp |
Optional 2: Evening
Cultural Performance (20:00 – 23:30)
Enjoy a rousing performance of the Hungarian national Folklore
Ensemble. After the performance, a short bus tour will take
you across the Chain Bridge and up to Fisherman’s Bastion
where you will be able to witness the gorgeous bridges over
the Danube under the night’s illumination! Truly beautiful!
Estimated Price: 50 – Euro
pp |
Day 6: Budapest
After breakfast depart on your excursion to St. Andrej (Szentendre)
a small picturesque village (17th century), 25 km away from
Budapest. Renowned as a sanctuary for artists, painters and
hand crafted arts, the tour will include the Main Square
with the memorial cross, the first teaching school in Hungary,
Preobrazenska Church, and the Church of the Hill, etc. On
the way back to the city, you will stop at a diamond cutting
factory for a refreshment and to view artists at work. Return
to the ship in time for lunch. The balance of the day is
at leisure.
|
Optional: PUSZTA
HORSE FARM & EQUESTRIAN
SHOW ; (3.5 hrs afternoon) Recommended!
In the afternoon, depart for the renowned Lazar Lovas Puszta,
one of the largest horse breeding farms in Hungary! After an
unforgettable performance of the Czikos (Hungarian Cowboys)
you will have the opportunity to tour the stables, home to
more than 100 horses. Then you will enjoy an authentic “ride
to the Puszta” in several teamed oxen carts to a nearby
outpost where you will have a chance to taste local “palinka” and
wine along with typical Hungarian snacks. Estimated Price:
40-Euro pp |
Day 7: Pesc (Mohac), Hungary
From the port of
Mohac, a short bus ride will take you to visit the town of
Pesc, a gem of old world architecture, often
referred to as the “city for art lovers”. Here
you will tour Szecheni Square, Kaptalan Street and the Palace
of Lorant. Then, visit old Roman catacombs and a wine cellar
were you will enjoy tasting some popular local wines and
spirits. Upon your return to the ship set sail on to Serbia.
Weather permitting, a buffet and barbecue lunch will be held
on the Sun Deck enabling you to enjoy gorgeous views of the
passing countryside. In the afternoon enjoy lectures on the
Balkans held by our Cruise Managers and end the day with
a delightful concert of Gypsy music performed by our on board
band!
|
Day 8: Novi Sad, Serbia - Belgrade,
Serbia
Welcome to Serbia!
Your first stop in this “newly” minted
country will be in Novi Sad, Serbia’s third largest city
after Belgrade and Nis. You will be delighted with this pedestrian
friendly town as you join your local guide for a walking tour
through the town center. After the tour you will have free
time to explore the many nooks and crannies of the town or
enjoy a cappuccino and some people watching from the terrace
of one of the many open air café’s. Return to
the ship for lunch as you continue sailing towards the “White
City” – Belgrade, Serbia’s vibrant capital!
On arrival to Belgrade, the day will end with another special
treat! After dinner, you will enjoy a private folklore show
performed by members of Belgrade’s renown “Frula” (“Flute”)
ensemble. In between the dances, a special fashion show will
introduce you to the wonderful hand made sweaters of “Sirogojno” – made
with special wool and local motifs. These sweaters are sold
in some of the most fashionable world wide boutiques for hundreds
of dollars as each one is an individual work of art. If you
live in cold climates back home – one of these sweaters
would be a wonderful gift to family members – or yourself!
|
Optional: Serbian
Countryside & Wine tasting
(Krushedol, Sremski Karlovci, Petrovaradin)
If people watching and shopping is not your thing, we highly
recommend this delightful bus excursion which will include
a visit to Krushedol Monastery, located on the nearby mountain
of Fruska Gora. Renowned for its fresco paintings dating from
the 15th century, the monastery is also a burial place for
legendary personalities from Serbian history, including King
Milan Obrenovic and Duchess Ljubica. After the monastery visit
you will continue on to the small town of Sremski Karlovci,
the center of wine
production of the region. Here you will visit the Zivanovic
family, whose members have been producing their private label “Bermet” wine
for over a century and whose products have been enjoyed by
members of the Hapsburg Monarchy as well as the Russian Tsars!
Your hosts will welcome you to their home, where you will tour
their wine cellars and “Museum of Honey” which
they also produce. In the lovely
ambiance of their
large garden, they will serve you several varieties of “Bermet” accompanied by honey and
snacks. It’s truly a great way to meet and experience
Serbian hospitality. Returning to Novi Sad, your last a stop
will be at Petrovaradin Fortress, affectionately called the “Gibraltar
of Danube”. Located on the west bank of the Danube across
from the city, the fort offers magnificent views of the Danube
and surrounding country side. Estimated Price: 30 Euro pp
The day is not over
yet! On arrival to Belgrade, the day will end with another
special treat! After dinner, you will enjoy
a private folklore show performed by members of Belgrade’s
renown “Talia” ensemble. In between the dances,
a special fashion show will introduce you to the wonderful
hand made sweaters of “Sirogojno” – made
with special wool and local motifs. These sweaters are sold
in some of the most fashionable boutiques worldwide for hundreds
of dollars as each one is an individual work of art. If you
live in cold climates, one of these sweaters would be a wonderful
gift for a family member – or yourself!
|
Day 9: Belgrade
After breakfast on
board, your morning sightseeing tour of this lively and vibrant
city will include all of the major
attractions: Kalemegdan Fortress, looming over the confluence
of the Danube and Sava rivers; St. Sava’s Orthodox
Cathedral, perched on a hill which can be seen from every
part of the city; the Parliament Building; Princess Ljubica's
Manor; Mark's Church; and others. The tour will end with
a stroll through Knez Mihajlova Street, the main pedestrian
zone full of boutiques, open air cafés and galleries.
Return to the ship for a short “pit stop” prior
to continuing with your Serbian experience with an excursion
to Jarak – where you will meet an authentic Serbian family
and enjoy a home hosted lunch.
Considered by many past passengers as the highlight of their
cruise experience – this once optional tour is now INCLUDED in your program. Not to be missed - see details below!
|
| Authentic Serbian Village and Home Hosted Lunch
(Substitutes lunch on board) 13:00-17:30
Instead of lunch on board, this tour which will take you
from downtown Belgrade to the little village of Jarak, where
3 generations of the Serbian Tosic family will welcome you
to their farm! Here you will tour their home, their barns
with various farm animals and their fruit orchards from which
they brew their own “slivovitz’, or plum brandy,
Serbia’s national drink (also known as “rocket
fuel”).
Then its time for some homemade “grub” and festivities!
Under a tent in their garden, the family and their neighbors
will serve you a buffet lunch consisting of a vast array
of Serbian delicacies – from “pita” (cheese
pie) to homemade “kulen” (special salami) to
numerous fresh salads and the house specialty – chicken
paprikash! And while Grandpa Tosa enlivens you with his toasts
(with Grandma keeping an eye on him!), and their two daughters
serve you delicious treats, their sons in law and grandkids
will pick up the harmonica and other instruments and entertain
you with classic Serbian songs and dances! You may arrive
as a tourist – but we guarantee you will leave as a
friend! All your food, wine, slivovitz, soft drinks and hospitality
galore are included!
After the Serbian feast, return to your ship around 6 pm for
some alka-seltzer and a well deserved rest! After dinner, do
not miss our classical concert performed for you by our on
board band in the Panorama lounge! At around 11 pm bid Belgrade
farewell as you set sail for Romania.
|
Day 10: “The Iron Gate” & Turnu
Severin, Romania
In the morning
hours, you will enjoy viewing a great natural attraction,
as the ship passes through the highest natural
gorge on the Danube, aptly named the "The Iron Gates".Over
100 km long, this canyon (gorge), was a gigantic obstacle
to navigation because of its pointed rocks and cliffs, surrounded
with very wild yet attractive nature. This danger was finally
overcome in 1972, with the building of the “Djerdap” Hydroelectric
and Navigation System, the largest of its kind in Europe.
The Romanian/Yugoslav builders carried out this gigantic
construction project by building a huge concrete dam which
raised the level of the water by 30 to 80 meters. On both
sides of the dam, two locks and two hydroelectric stations
were built which today produce an average annual output of
10 billion kWh and enable safe passage for passenger and
cargo ships all the way to the Black Sea. A lecture on local
history will complement an unforgettable morning. Lunch on
board. In the afternoon, you will arrive to the Romanian
port city of Turnu Severin renowned for its Museum of Ancient
History and as the site of archaeological excavations from
Roman times, including the remains of the ancient Emperor
Trajan’s bridge. After the tour return to the ship
for dinner followed by a lively concert of Gypsy Music performed
by our superb Gypsy band! |
Day 11: Vidin, Bulgaria
Welcome to Bulgaria!
After breakfast, embark on a walking tour of this delightful
Bulgarian river port highlighted by a
visit to the 13th century fortress named “Baba Vida” (“Grandma
Vida”) the best preserved medieval fortress in the
country. Then enjoy some free time for strolling and shopping
before returning to the ship for lunch and continued sailing.
The afternoon is free to enjoy the passing countryside, prior
to preparing for our festive Captain’s Gala dinner
accompanied by the “wailing”
sounds of our Gypsy violins! |
Day 12:
Giurgiu/Magurele – Bucharest, Romania
As all good things
must come to an end – so does your
wonderful cruise adventure! Disembark after breakfast, and
depending on water levels, transfer from either Giurgiu or
Turnu Magurele to the “Paris of the East” – Bucharest,
Romania’s lovely capital! (2 hrs). Upon reaching the
city, a panorama tour will highlight the major attractions
including; Revolution Square, Arch de Triumph, the National
Theatre, the Romanian Athenaeum and others. Stop for photographs
at President Ceausescu’s humongous "People's House" (today’s
Parliament) the second largest building in the world after
the Pentagon. Then it’s on to to your first class hotel,
where after check-in you will have free time to explore this
lovely city at your leisure and enjoy dinner at one of the
local restaurants on your own. (NOTE: If taking the optional
Dracula Extension you will enjoy your last night in Bucharest
AFTER returning from Brasov). |
Day 13 – Bucharest, ROMANIA – FLY
HOME (B)
Enjoy a final breakfast before transferring to the airport for
flights home. BON VOYAGE! |
PLEASE NOTE: All optional prices are estimated
per person rates in Euros and are subject to change.
Optional programs include transportation, entrance fees and
English speaking local guides.
A final list of available optionals with their final costs
will be given once on board. |
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