Great Rivers of Europe River Cruise is Grand Circle's Most Popular Vacation for 15 Years in a Row

BOSTON, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For 15 years running, The Great Rivers of Europe river cruise has been the most popular vacation choice of among 80+ vacations offered though Grand Circle's three travel brands: Grand Circle Cruise Line, Overseas Adventure Travel, and Grand Circle Travel.  More than 100,000 people have embarked on this affordable Grand Circle Cruise Line classic cruise along the fabled Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, providing Americans an ideal introduction to river cruising in Europe.

Classic Cruise & Cultural Connections.

The Great Rivers of Europe charts a course through three European countries (the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria) at a leisurely pace—past romantic castles, magnificent cathedrals, and breathtaking landscapes, and drawing into port at quaint villages that are inaccessible to larger vessels. In addition to excellent value, what differentiates this cruise from those offered by others is Grand Circle's exclusive Discovery Series that connects passengers with local people and cultures. On Great Rivers of Europe, passengers enjoy a Kaffeeklatsch at a local home, a silversmith demonstration, an Apfelstrudel baking lesson, and discussions around European life and history.

What's Included:

The 15-day river cruise begins at $2295 (or $153 a day) and includes: accommodations for 14 nights aboard a private Grand Circle river ship in an outside cabin; all meals (14B, 14L, 14D) with complimentary wine at dinner onboard; 11 tours; exclusive Discovery Series; personal wireless headsets; up to four resident Grand Circle Program Directors; Captain's Welcome and Farewell receptions and dinners; 5% frequent traveler credit; and baggage handling for one piece of luggage per person, including tips. Tours include Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Mainz, Heidelberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg & Room 600, Regensburg, and Passau. 

Grand Circle Cruise Line can make air arrangements for travelers from $3095 (or $194 per day), which includes international airfare from New York or Newark and transfers, and can also arrange (for a fee) airport transfers for passengers who wish to make their own air arrangements.

Travelers may choose to extend their stay with extensions that include Brussels & Bruges, Belgium (3 nights from $595); Vienna, Austria (3 nights from $595); and Prague, Czech Republic (4 nights from $595). 

Good News for Solo Travelers.

For 2012, Grand Circle Cruise Line offers FREE single supplements for solo travelers on the base cruise as well as on all pre-and-post-extensions (savings of $595 per extension over 2011). Because space is limited, Grand Circle also offers a free Roommate Matching program and an online Travel Companion Program.

Grand Circle's Private River Ships.

Grand Circle Cruise Line's custom-built river ships have capacities of 140-164 passengers, with all outside cabins and an English speaking staff. Each ship has a open-seating dining room, lounge, bar, library, and sun deck with complimentary wireless Internet access in select common areas. Each cabin features a flat-screen TV with CNN and movies, direct-dial telephone, individual heating and A/C controls, twin beds that convert to sofas, and private bath with shower and hair dryer.

The Great Rivers of Europe cruises operate from March-November, with shorter Christmas cruises offered from late November through early January. For 2012, two special departures have been added in September (9/17, 9/24) to allow travelers to experience the region's Oktoberfest festivities, which begin mid-September. 

For more information about Great Rivers of Europe, please click here or for a free Grand Circle Cruise Line catalog, please call at 1-800-248-3737 or visit www.gct.com

ABOUT GRAND CIRCLE CORPORATION

Established in 1958, Grand Circle Corporation is the leader in international travel, adventure and discovery for Americans aged 50+.  It includes brands Grand Circle Cruise Line (est. 1997), Overseas Adventure Travel (est. 1978) and Grand Circle Travel (est. 1958).  Grand Circle Cruise Line is an award-winning fleet of owned and privately chartered small ships, including 14 river ships, three 4-star plus 50 passenger ocean vessels, and more than 40 small ship charters.  The fleet has made Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List of World's Best Cruise Lines for the past six years and has been listed as one of the "World's Best Small-Ship Cruise Lines" by readers of Travel + Leisure for five years running. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Grand Circle has more than 30 offices throughout Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Its charitable arm, Grand Circle Foundation, has donated or pledged more than $91 million USD to more than 300 educational, humanitarian, and cultural organizations worldwide since 1992, including 100 schools in 60 villages in 30 countries.

SOURCE Grand Circle Cruise Line