Grand Circle's River Ships Make Conde Nast Traveler's 2011 List of Top 80 Cruise Ships

BOSTON, Jan. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Seven of Grand Circle Small Ship Cruise's river ships have made Conde Nast Traveler's 2011 list of "Top 80 Cruise Ships," which includes a river ship category for the first time.  This is the 11th year that Conde Nast Traveler has issued its top cruise ship list, which reflects the votes of thousands of the magazine's readers who participated in its annual Readers' Choice Survey.  

Conde Nast Traveler's river ship category ranks 20 ships, including the following seven Grand Circle ships: the M/S Concerto, Provence, Chardonnay, Harmony, Aria, Adagio, and Bizet.  Ships make the list depending on their scores from Conde Nast Traveler readers, who are asked to rate each ship based on itineraries/schedule, shore excursions, crew/service, cabins, food/dining, activities/facilities, and design/layout.  In 2011, Grand Circle's M/S Provence was the only ship to achieve more than one perfect score, which it did for itineraries/facilities (100) and crew/service (100).  All Grand Circle ships scored at 89.7 or higher in both of these categories.

Grand Circle's river cruise success stems from its unique itineraries that engage passengers with local people, cultures and ways of life and from the unparalleled value it offers them, at rates that are typically hundreds and even thousands of dollars less than comparable cruises that are offered by others.  Both Grand Circle's insightful itineraries and proven ability to create strong value stem from the Grand Circle's presence of local, knowledgeable staff and guides in more than 35 offices worldwide.

Established in 1998, Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises® has grown from a single river ship to more than 50 small ships today, ranging from a series of custom-built river ships, four-star plus 50-passenger ocean-faring ships, and exclusive private charters.  The fleet is part of Boston-based Grand Circle Corporation, and it serves the company's two travel brands, Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, both of which offer unique international vacations to Americans aged 50 and older.  Grand Circle Foundation, the company's charitable arm, has donated or pledged more than $50 million to educational, humanitarian, and cultural organizations worldwide since 1992.

SOURCE Grand Circle