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,

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, river cruises around the world temporarily stopped operating. Some ships are now planning to resume sailing on U.S. rivers in December or January, and we will let you know as soon as they are operating again.

In Europe, a limited number of river cruises are already operating but for Europeans only. The European Union began accepting visitors from select non-EU countries in July, which is a step toward a larger restart of river cruising. The list of approved countries, which is said to be reviewed every two weeks, does not yet include the United States.

Today, I'll tell you about the best places to visit on the Danube River. Flowing from the fabled Black Forest to the Black Sea, cruises along this river lead to historical sites, picturesque villages and beautiful Old World cities on a route through 10 countries.

Before we get to the highlights, here are some 2021 Danube cruise offers for our customers.

Fly for $295 per person from select gateways or save $1,500 per couple on 2021 Emerald Waterways departures. Plus, receive up to an additional $1,050 per couple discount and free DiscoverMore shore excursions. Save an extra 50% off cabin upgrades. Book by October 22.

Fly for free from select gateways or save up to $3,600 per couple on 2021 sailings with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Plus, receive up to an additional $1,300 per couple discount when you book by October 29.

Save up to 10% off 2021 Uniworld cruises, plus receive an additional $1,500 per couple discount when you book by October 30.

Save up to $1,300 per couple on 2021 departures with Riviera River Cruises. Book a cabin on the middle or upper decks and save up to $2,500 per couple. Plus, receive a free $300 per couple gift card, a drinks package and a cabin upgrade when booking select categories. Book by October 30.

Companion flies for free from select gateways on 2021 AmaWaterways river cruises when you book by October 31.

Fly for free from select gateways on 2021 Viking river cruises, plus save $1,000 per couple off the cruise price and receive a free Silver Spirits beverage package when you book by October 31.

Save up to $2,000 per couple on 2021 Avalon Waterways departures. Book a suite and save up to $5,600 per couple.

For all available discounts and deals on Danube departures, click here.

Many Danube itineraries start in Nuremberg, a lovely medieval city in Germany. Built on a rocky hill, Imperial Castle was one of the most important castles of the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages and provides great views. The city was the location of the Nuremberg war crimes trials in 1945 and 1946, and local guides show travelers the Palace of Justice, where the trials took place.

Originally a Celtic settlement and then a Roman garrison, Regensburg is a cultural hub in eastern Bavaria. Here you can see the old Roman gate, explore the well-preserved medieval center and stand upon the 12th-century Old Stone Bridge. The Wurstkuchl (Sausage Kitchen) is one of Germany's oldest restaurants.

In Passau, Germany, you may be treated to a concert on the 17,974-pipe organ in St. Stephen's Cathedral. Passau also has some fine examples of Gothic and Baroque architecture.

Many Danube River itineraries include an excursion to Salzburg in Austria, where you can seek out the yellow building where Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 and stroll through the manicured gardens of Mirabell Park, used in the filming of "The Sound of Music."

During a port call in Melk, most passengers head for the Benedictine abbey that sits high above the town on granite cliffs. The monastery was founded in 1089; be sure to check out the stunning ceiling frescoes, the large library filled with nearly 16,000 books and the terrific views from the terrace.

Austria's Wachau Valley is one of the most scenic parts of the Danube, lined with terraced vineyards and picturesque villages like Durnstein, centered around the pretty blue and white tower of an abbey church.

In Vienna, highlights include Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Ringstrasse, a broad avenue lined by stately buildings. Your itinerary may offer the opportunity to attend an optional concert of classical music in the Austrian capital.

Bratislava in western Slovakia is the only national capital that borders two other countries, Austria and Hungary. It has an attractive Old Town, Baroque palaces and a massive white castle with red roofs sitting above the Danube.

The Hungarian capital of Budapest is divided by the Danube. River cruise passengers usually visit the Fisherman's Bastion, a large terrace that overlooks the city and river, as well as the ornate parliament building and Heroes Square, one of the most visited sites in Budapest.

Belgrade, Serbia's capital, is one of Europe's oldest cities, perched at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Top sites include its fortress, the 1920s-era Royal Palace and Knez Mihailova -- the pedestrian-only, main shopping street. Upon leaving Belgrade, Danube riverboats sail through the Iron Gates, a spectacular gorge that forms the boundary between Serbia and Romania.
 

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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) Charms of the South, 9 days with American Queen Steamboat Company. Travels between Memphis and New Orleans. Enjoy special reduced rates, plus receive a free $140 per cabin onboard credit. Starting at $899. Departures from February 7 through March 14, 2021.

2) The Blue Danube River Cruise, 8 days with Riviera River Cruises. Begins and ends in Budapest. Save $1,200 per couple. Book a cabin on the middle or upper decks and save up to $2,200 per couple. Plus, receive a free $300 gift card, a drinks package and a cabin upgrade. Starting at $2,099. Departures from April 8 through October 22, 2021.

3) Pacific Northwest Splendor, 9 days with American Queen Steamboat Company. Travels between Vancouver and Clarkston or Spokane. Save up to $3,000 per couple, plus receive a free $140 per cabin onboard credit. Starting at $2,699. Departures from March 14 through November 14, 2021.

4) Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps, 8 days with AmaWaterways. Begins in Amsterdam and ends in Basel. Companion flies for free. Starting at $2,799. Departures from March 18 through December 25, 2021.

5) Brilliant Bordeaux, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Begins and ends in Bordeaux. Save up to 10%. Plus, receive up to an additional $1,500 per couple discount. Starting at $2,849. Departures from March 21 through October 31, 2021.

6) Sensations of Lyon and Provence, 8 days with Emerald Waterways. Travels between Lyon and Nice. Fly from $295 per person or save $1,500 per couple. Plus, receive up to an additional $1,050 per couple discount and free DiscoverMore shore excursions. Save an extra 50% off cabin upgrades. Starting at $2,995. Departures from April 17 through October 30, 2021.

7) Jewels of the Rhine, 8 days with Emerald Waterways. Travels between Amsterdam and Basel. Fly from $295 per person or save $1,500 per couple. Plus, receive up to an additional $1,050 per couple discount and free DiscoverMore shore excursions. Save an extra 50% off cabin upgrades.  Starting at $3,295. Departures from May 1 through October 6, 2021.

8) Active & Discovery on the Danube, 9 days with Avalon Waterways. Travels between Budapest and Linz. Save $1,500 per couple. Book a suite and save up to $2,800 per couple. Starting at $3,658. Departures from May 27 through October 20, 2021.

9) Mississippi River Cruise, 8 days with American Cruise Lines. Begins and ends in New Orleans. Save up to $1,000 per couple. Starting at $3,795. Departures from March 7 through August 27, 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, receive up to an additional $1,300 per couple discount. 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