CroisiEurope Turns 40

CroisiEurope is turning 40 in style with new itineraries, a new partnership and a special savings offer.

Anniversary Sailing

CroisiEurope recently unveiled its first multi-week itinerary to mark its 40th anniversary. The new all-inclusive itinerary covers 40 days of sailing through continental Europe from May 5 to June 15, 2016. During the six weeks, guests visit 12 countries, including the line’s more popular destinations, such as Spain, Portugal and France, in addition to experiencing new ports of calls. Not only will guests be hopping from country to country, but they will also have a total of six ship transfers. The 40-day itinerary features the La Belle de Cadix, Cyrano de Bergerac, Botticelli and Gerard Schmitter vessels. On shore, English-speaking guides lead guests around to the burial site of Leonardo da Vinci, Beethoven’s childhood home, and the Chateau Versailles, plus the Alhambra palace, the Lafite-Rothschild vineyard and more than a half-dozen UNESCO World Heritage sites. Onboard meals, complimentary WiFi and shore exursions are included. Rates start at $10,900 pp dbl. For more information, call (800) 768-7232 or visit croisieuroperivercruises.com.

Pedal to the Metal
Beginning April 2016, CroisiEurope is launching three new cruise and bike programs along three European waterways, including the Loire River, the Garonne River and the Saone/Rhone rivers. When guests aren’t enjoying unlimited beverages, meals and WiFi on board, they can participate in cycling excursions with stops for wine tasting and sightseeing.

The 8-day Loire River Biking Cruise, starting at $4,879 pp dbl, sails aboard the new Loire Princesse and features scenic bike routes in France, plus excursions to riverside towns, an ancient chateau, and the famous Villandry gardens. On the 8-day Garonne Biking Cruise, starting at $4,492 pp dbl, guests see the tallest sand dune in France, taste wine from some of the most expensive vineyards in the world and visit the largest area of appellation d’origine controlee or AOC vineyards. Countryside cycling, tours of historical French landmarks, and gourmet meals, meanwhile, are featured on the 8-day Saone/Rhone Biking Cruise itinerary, starting at $4,791 pp dbl. Guests can save 10 percent pp on select 2016 river cruises, including these new cruise and bike itineraries, when they book by Oct. 31, 2015 using the code BOOK2016. For more information, call (800) 768-7232 or visit croisieuroperivercruises.com.

A Pleasant Union
Pleasant Holidays is expanding its European vacation portfolio to include all-inclusive CroisiEurope river cruises. Guests can now book a river cruise in conjunction with a Pleasant Holidays vacation package, including airfare from major U.S. cities, hotel accommodations, pre- and post-cruise stays, transfers, rail tickets, sightseeing tours and excursions. The new CroisiEurope portfolio includes voyages ranging from three to seven nights in Naples and The Amalfi Coast, Paris and Normandy, as well as the Rhine and Moselle. As with any CroisiEurope cruise, all onboard meals and beverages, including beer, wine, cocktails and specialty coffees, are included. Additionally, guests who book a 2016 voyage also receive inclusive shore excursions. For more information call (800) 448-3333 or visit pleasantagent.com.

2016-2017 Ship Launches
CroisiEurope is also introducing four new ships—two river ships and two canal barges—for its upcoming 2016-2017 season. The 80-passenger paddlewheeler, Elbe Princesse, sets sail on the Elbe and the Moldau between Berlin and Prague in spring 2016, with visits to Berlin, Magdeburg, Wittenberg, Meissen, Dresden, Litomerice and Prague. A new colonial-style boat, the 60-passenger Apsara Princesse, will join four other vessels along the Mekong River in Asia as it sails to Siem Reap, Angkor, Tonle Sap, Kampong Chhnang, Ho-Chi-Minh City and other popular spots. The 24-passenger Daniele Barge, meanwhile, sails along the Briare Canal between Burgundy and the Loire Valley; ports of call include Briare, Lere, Menetreol-sous-Sancerre, La Chapelle-Montlinard, Marseilles-Les-Aubigny and Nevers. Deborah Barge will be the first CroisiEurope vessel to navigate the Garonne Canal in France with stops in Toulouse, Castelsarrasin, Moissac, Valence-d’Agen, Agen, Serignac-Sur-Garonne and Damazan. For more information, call (800) 768-7232 or visit croisieuroperivercruises.com.