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,

I have two things to report this week that could have a significant impact on the restart of international travel.

First, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, new cases of COVID-19 reached an all-time peak in the U.S. on January 11 and have plunged since then.

As seen on Worldometers.info, the 7-day moving average of new cases in the US was 254,862 on January 11 and has since fallen by 33% to to 171,283 as of January 26. Click here to see current stats and follow in the future.

Similarly, the 7-day moving average of new cases in Canada peaked on January 9 at 8,885 and has fallen 40% to 5,325 as of January 26. Click here to see Canada's numbers.

It's important to recognize that the peak and decline happened before the rollout of vaccines had any significant impact. With multiple vaccines now approved and the delivery of vaccinations expected to accelerate, perhaps the battle against COVID-19 has reached the turning point.

New mutations in COVID-19 have raised the possibility that vaccines may someday have to be tweaked to be effective against new strains, as flu shots are, but according to Anthony Fauci, America's chief medical adviser for Covid-19, "We don't need to do that right now."

The chief science advisor of Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. government's expedited search for development and delivery of a vaccine, has said that every American who wants a vaccine will be able to get one by June. Health officials in Canada have said that all Canadians who want a vaccine will receive one by September. Even if those dates slip a bit due to vaccine delivery glitches, the end of the tunnel is in sight.

The reopening of the international travel industry will occur on a country-by-country basis and it is not yet clear whether vaccinations will be required to travel.

Qantas Airways of Australia has said that once a COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available, it may require passengers to have proof of a vaccination before allowing them to fly internationally. Korean Air and Air New Zealand have echoed the comments and have stated that they expect some countries will require proof of vaccination from incoming international visitors. United has stated that it might require its own employees to be vaccinated.

Just last week, UK-based Saga Cruises announced they will require all guests to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before sailing. Saga sells exclusively in the UK and caters exclusively to a 50+ clientele. With sailings suspended until May 4^th, Saga said they believe all passengers booked on future cruises will have ample opportunity to get inoculated, but any passenger who wishes to change their cruise plans may select a different sail date or choose to get a full refund.

Saga Cruises' new policy will enable a safe, early and economical return to service. Passengers will not have to worry about catching COVID-19 onboard and the cruise line will avoid the costly measures needed to prevent COVID-19 cases onboard and quarantine and care for passengers infected with COVID-19.

Moreover, destination countries that have not yet distributed vaccines to their citizens can welcome Saga Cruises without the risk of admitting potentially infected passengers.

As of today, no other cruise line has announced a vaccine requirement for its guests but Norwegian and Regent Seven Seas have just announced they will require all crew members to be vaccinated before boarding their ships. I would not be surprised to see more cruise lines and countries adopt a vaccination requirement until the threat from COVID-19 has substantially subsided.

Either way, we will let you know in this newsletter when travel restrictions in the U.S. and other countries are removed and when river cruise ships resume operating.

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Today, I've listed the best discounts and deals available to Vacations To Go customers from the world's top river cruise companies. I've organized them below by sailing region.

Many of these specials expire this week, so call right away if you see a deal you like. Just click the links for itineraries, departure dates and rates.

Discounts on Rhine River cruises:

Save up to 30% off sailings with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Plus, receive an additional $400 per couple discount off the cruise, an extra $1,000 per couple off airfare and a free private car transfer from the airport to your ship. Book by January 29.

Fly from $295 per person from select gateways or save $2,000 per couple on Emerald Waterways departures. Plus, receive $250 per couple in additional discounts. Book by January 29.

Fly from $299 per person from select gateways and save up to $2,000 per couple off Avalon Waterways cruises. Plus, receive an extra $200 per couple discount. Book by January 29.

Click here to see all discounts and departures on the Rhine.

Discounts on Danube River cruises:

Fly for free from select gateways or save $2,400 per couple on sailings with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Plus, receive $300 per couple in additional savings. Book by January 29.

Save $650 per couple on departures with Riviera River Cruises, plus, receive a free drinks package. Book by January 29.

Save up to $1,500 per couple on AmaWaterways river cruises.

Click here to see all discounts and departures on the Danube.

Discounts on other European river cruises:

Fly from $295 per person from select gateways or save $2,000 per couple on Emerald Waterways itineraries on the Douro River. Plus, receive an extra $250 per couple discount. Book by January 29.

Fly from $499 per person from select gateways, plus save $1,000 per couple off Viking cruises on the Elbe River. Book by January 29.

Fly for free from select gateways or save $2,400 per couple on Bordeaux cruises with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Plus, receive $300 per couple in additional savings. Book by January 29.

Click here to see all discounts and departures in Europe.

Discounts on U.S. river cruises:

Save up to $3,000 per couple on American Queen Steamboat Company departures.

Save up to $2,000 per couple off American Cruise Lines sailings.

Click here to see all discounts and departures in the U.S.

Discounts on Mekong River cruises:

Save $2,000 per couple off Avalon Waterways river cruises.

Save up to $1,500 per couple on AmaWaterways departures.

Click here to see all discounts and departures on the Mekong.

Discounts on Nile River cruises:

Save up to 30% off departures with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Plus, receive an additional $400 per couple discount off the cruise, an extra $1,000 per couple off airfare and a free private car transfer from the airport to your ship. Book by January 29.

Save $1,000 per couple off Viking sailings, plus get an extra $1,000 per couple off round-trip airfare from select gateways. Book by January 29.

Click here to see all discounts and departures on the Nile.

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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) Enchanting Rhine, 8 days with AmaWaterways. Begins in Basel and ends in Amsterdam. Save up to $2,000 per couple, plus receive a $100 per couple onboard credit on select departures. Starting at $3,099. Departures from April 27 through December 30, 2021.

2) Southern Sampler, 9 days with American Queen Steamboat Company. Begins and ends in New Orleans. Save $1,000 per couple. Starting at $1,499. Departs April 3 & 10 and November 14 & 27, 2021.

3) The Seine Valley, 8 days with CroisiEurope. Begins and ends in Paris. Starting at $2,391. Departures from April 6 through October 4, 2021.

4) Pacific Northwest Splendor, 9 days with American Queen Steamboat Company. Travels between Vancouver, WA and Clarkston or Spokane. Save $1,000 per couple. Starting at $2,699. Departures from April 18 through November 14, 2021.

5) Romantic Rhine, 8 days with Avalon Waterways. Travels between Amsterdam and Zurich. Fly from $299 per person and save up to $1,500 per couple. Plus, receive an extra $200 per couple discount. Starting at $2,899. Departures from April 3 through November 27, 2021.

6) Danube Delights, 8 days with Emerald Waterways. Travels between Budapest and Nuremberg. Fly from $295 per person or save $2,000 per couple. Plus, receive $250 per couple in additional discounts. Starting at $2,995. Departures from May 9 through October 25, 2021.

7) Burgundy & Provence, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Travels between Lyon and Marseille. Save up to 30%, plus receive an additional $400 per couple discount. Save an extra $1,000 per couple off airfare and get a free private car transfer from the airport to your ship. Starting at $3,149. Departures from April 11 through October 31, 2021.

8) Gems of Southeast Europe, 8 days with AmaWaterways. Begins in Giurgiu and ends in Budapest. Receive a free pre- or post-cruise hotel package. Starting at $3,199. Departures from August 1 through November 21, 2021.

9) Lower Mississippi River Cruise, 8 days with American Cruise Lines. Travels between Memphis and New Orleans. Save up to $1,000 per couple. Starting at $3,795. Departures from March 21 through December 20, 2021.

10) Black Sea Explorer, 8 days with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Travels between Bucharest and Budapest. Fly for free or save $2,400 per couple. Plus, get $300 per couple in additional discounts. Starting at $4,595. Departures from May 26 through October 18, 2021.

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