Combining bikes and boats is growing in popularity

Tours that combine biking and barging are all the rage, tourism operator UTracks reports.

Bike and boat holidays aim to combine the comfort of river and canal cruising with the freedom to explore well beyond the riverbanks.

And Europe’s waterways, from the flats of the Netherlands to France, Germany and the along the Danube, enable small vessels to glide into lesser-known ports while cruisers spend days cycling through river towns, vineyards and picturesque landscapes.

The Mediterranean, particularly along the coasts of Greece and Croatia, offer similar experiences at sea.

Guests can cycle village lanes, and rural backroads before heading back to their ship for dinner.

A range of routes are available and for the less energetic (raises hand), electric bikes are available for a supplement.    

https://www.utracks.com/bike-boat-information

Tauck talk: growing demand for river cruises

River cruising is booming, with travellers embracing the concept of exploring Europe while sleeping in the same space.

Tauck has this week today announced five new European river cruises for 2027, released earlier than ever, driven by what it describes as "exceptional demand".

Tauck’s growing fleet will also welcome two new river cruisers: the ms Saudade, sister ship to the ms Andorinha on the Douro (above), and the ms Reverie, sister ship to the ms Serene on the Seine (below).

Designed to meet evolving guest preferences, Tauck will also introduce a new six-day river cruise format, set to launch in late 2026, and will expand shorter itineraries for 2027.

To be offered primarily during the shoulder seasons, these journeys provide guests with the added benefits of milder weather and fewer crowds along Europe’s most popular rivers.

These shorter itineraries will also make river cruising more accessible to travellers with tighter schedules (read Americans who only get limited vacation time).

David Clark, Tauck's managing director Australia, said: “Our guests can now book these highly sought-after river cruises for 2027, providing earlier access than ever, which I know will be well received by the Australian market.

"Our growing fleet continues to unveil Tauck’s innovation, unique access and trusted expertise as we prepare to embark on our second century."

The business reports ever-increasing demand.

“We’re seeing extraordinary growth across our river portfolio, and that inspires us to find new ways for guests to experience Tauck,” said Tauck CEO Jennifer Tombaugh.

"River cruising continues to be one of the most popular ways to experience Tauck for the first time, and with these new shorter itineraries, we can now offer that exceptional entry point to guests with limited time."

With departures in March and November, Essence of the Seine is a six-day journey round trip from Paris debuting the launch of the ms Reverie. Sailing through the heart of Normandy, visits will include Rouen and the D-Day Beaches of Normandy, a cider and calvados tasting in Vernon, and a gala evening at a historic château. (From $5,290 per person double-occupancy, plus airfare).

Essence of the Danube is a six-day sailing journey between Budapest and Vienna aboard the ms Joy. Highlights include guided sightseeing in Vienna and Bratislava, a gala dinner with live music and performance at Vienna’s Palais Pallavicini, and a wine tasting in Dürnstein. Departures are available in October and November. (From $4,540 per person double-occupancy, plus airfare).

Tauck is also deepening its commitment to Portugal’s Douro River, where demand remains strong and cruises often sell out well in advance.

For the first time, Tauck is opening reservations for these 2027 itineraries earlier than ever, allowing guests to secure preferred departures with risk-free deposits while final details are being completed.

For more details see www.tauck.com.au.

River cruise specialist no longer afloat

The travel business may be bouncing back but there are still some victims of the pandemic coming to light.

River cruise specialist American Queen Voyages has just ceased operations, although the company's website is still live.

The business is up for sale and if that fails it will be wound up.

American Queen Voyages ceased all operations as of February 20 and all future voyages have been cancelled, TravelMarketReport.com said.

The news follows on the heels of several large travel agencies suspending sales of the company's cruises after repeated problems with commission payments and customer service issues.

The line conducted expedition cruises in Alaska and British Columbia, as well as river cruises on the Ohio, Mississippi and other rivers. It was represented by Journey Beyond in Australia. 

Travel Market Report first heard reports of the closure on Facebook and confirmed it by calling the main reservations number. 

When calling the main number, a message says: "American Queen Voyages has made the difficult decision to shut down and all future cruises have been cancelled. Guests and customers should expect to be fully refunded for cancelled cruises."

American Queen Voyages is owned by the Hornblower Group. Earlier this month AQV cancelled several sailings onboard the flagship American Queen, as well as the American Countess, claiming it needed time in dock to ensure the ships were ready to deliver the best possible experience.

Employees and crew were told the shut down was due to “unfortunate business circumstances and an inability to obtain sufficient capital at a commercially reasonable rate to continue operations.”

The company's flagship American Queen is the largest steamboat ever built

How to explore the Mekong at a slow pace

 

River cruising can be a lot of fun - and is a good way to get up close to the locals in south-east Asia.

CF Mekong River Cruises (CFM) has just launched its 2023-24 New Discovery Program with special pricing for its nine-day/eight-night Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap (and vice versa) cruise on the 14-cabin Toum Tiou 2 (TT2) riverboat.

Pricing begins at $2,799 per person for the May to September cruises, rising to $3,495 for November to March bookings.

All cruise prices include all meals, on-land tour features, English speaking guides and wifi.

The TT2 New Discovery itinerary includes light-adventure walking tours, biking, kayaking, sampan/rowing boat/motorboat experiences and optional Vespa tours.

Also included are visits to traditional villages, the Tra Su Forest and Udong Hills, as well as highlights of bustling Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh.

The maximum 28 passenger riverboat cruise sounds like a delightful step back in time.

Features include air-conditioned double cabins with private en-suite bathrooms, large lounge areas, panoramic viewing and strolling spaces.

CFM has been navigating the Mekong River and waterways of Vietnam and Cambodia since 2002.

Tour details can be found at www.cfmekong.com