BY CHRIS MEYER(cmeyer@cruiseshipcenters.com (800) 745-4015)
Have you heard of river cruises – the best way to immerse yourself in Europe? Our first one was so great that we’re going back for more.
This time we’re combining a three-day sojourn on picturesque Lake Como, Italy with a 7-day cruise down the Rhine River from the Swiss Alps through the German countryside and on to Amsterdam, Holland. We were originally scheduled for May 2020 and canceled twice by Covid. Undeterred, we’re set for 2023. Everything about this itinerary is epic – the gorgeous scenery, the castles, the windmills, the beautiful Viking ship, the awesome food, and our group of Joyful Travelers, who make everyone else on the ship jealous because they are having so much fun. Plus, everything is included and organized from the time you leave your home airport – round-trip flights, transfers, internet, meals, drinks, and daily shore excursions. So we can spend the entire time on vacation – mentally and physically.
One reason I am so excited is because my colleague Jane’s group so enjoyed this itinerary in 2018. You might think it is early to be thinking about a trip so far in the future, but two years of canceled cruises means 2023 already is filling, So it’s a good idea to claim the best value staterooms now, while they are available.
Here’s a look at the Itinerary.
May 12: Depart Los Angeles (or other US metro airport)
May13: Arrive in Milan, Italy, transfer to Lake Como hotel.
May 14: Walking tour of Como including funicular ride for panoramic views.
May 15: Boat ride throughout the lake including an extended stop in Bellagio, the crown jewel.
Daily breakfast included in hotel nights. Once on the ship three meals a day plus wine or beer with lunch and dinner are included.
Lake Como
May 16: Transfer across the Alps to Basel, Switzerland, and embark on Viking Hermod.
May 17: Breisach, Germany, gateway to the Black Forest and the Alsace wine region. Take a electric bike ride through the Black Forest or go wine tasting at local vineyards.
May 18: Strassbourg, France. Experience this blend of French and German cultures, resplendent churches, medieval covered bridges, verdant parks and handsome Art Nouveau and modernist architecture.
May 19: Heidelberg, Germany; Rudesheim, Germany. Tour Heidelberg, home of Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city’s many red rooftops from a hilltop post. Afterward, set on a walking tour through Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates. Later, in Rüdesheim spend free time in the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse and sample a glass of locally produced wine at one of the restaurants or wine bars. Optional Medieval castle dinner.
May 20: Middle Rhine Scenic Cruising; Koblenz, Germany. Sail along the most scenic stretch of the Rhine, where turreted castles and fortresses overlook the river from their hilltop posts. You will want to be on the top of the ship for 360-degree views. Arrive in Koblenz this afternoon and disembark for a tour of 700-year-old Marksburg Castle.
Castles on the Rhine
May 21: Cologne, Germany. Begin your day with a morning tour of Cologne, Germany’s fourth-largest city. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church and visit the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend your free time enjoying Cologne’s atmospheric waterfront.
May 22: Scenic cruising; Kinderdijk, The Netherlands. We sail along the Rhine during the morning hours. Admire scenic views and enjoy a morning of enjoyable Dutch diversions: sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and take in a culturally enriching presentation on the Dutch Golden Age. In Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, join an afternoon tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters.
May 23: Disembark in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Check into a central Amsterdam hotel and then take an insightful walking tour of the city.
May 24: Amsterdam options include a canal cruise, a foodie tour, the Anne Frank House, and the Rijksmuseum.
May 25: Fly home
The Viking ship has various levels of staterooms at different price points. The entire trip including including round-trip economy flights from Los Angeles is about $6,000 per person double occupancy for a French Balcony stateroom. You can save money with a lower deck river-view stateroom or gain more space with a full veranda stateroom or suite. There also are options for premium economy and business class air. Our Expedia pricing is $325 below Viking’s direct price. If you pay by electronic check rather than a credit card, you receive a 3.3% discount. We can determine your exact desires and provide a detailed quote.
Inclusions:
- All meals plus wine and beer with lunch and dinner on the cruise portion. Daily breakfast on the hotel portion.
- Daily shore excursions.
- Nightly entertainment.
- All transfers.
- Taxes
- Two Expedia Rewards points for every dollar spent.
Not included: Gratuities.
CONTACT US TODAY ABOUT THIS SPECTACULAR CRUISE – (800) 745-4015
Dinner
Breakfast
ALASKA CRUISE TOURS: You know the 49th state is big, but you might not know how awesome it is. Unless you have been there. If you have not, you should know that his destination consistently exceeds expectations as pictures can not do justice to majestic eagles, massive glaciers, impressive whales and other natural wonders surrounding you. The best way to experience this is a cruise tour that combines the archipelago accessible by sea with exploration of the vast land mass highlighted by impressive Denali National Park. We particularly love Celebrity’s cruise tour packages that come with Expedia discount pricing and through Jan. 31 two perks ($300 onboard credit, beverage package, unlimited internet, prepaid gratuities). Suites offer even more bang for the buck with all four amenities, more spacious accommodations, a private restaurant plus other amenities.
NEW SHIPS: Innovation in the cruise industry marches on unabated. Norwegian Bliss, a ship custom-built for Alaska and displaying hull art by Orange County’s Wyland will launch as the first brand new ship on the West Coast in many years. You can experience Bliss on a 7-day Alaska cruise out of Seattle during the summer, a 7-day Mexico cruise from Los Angeles during October or repositioning cruises through the Panama Canal and between Los Angeles and Seattle. Elsewhere, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are adding innovative ships to their Florida fleets while highly acclaimed Viking Ocean continues its impressive expansion. Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas displaces its 2-year-old sister ship as the largest at sea with 10-story water slides, rock-climbing walls, Broadway shows and a plethora of other exciting features. Celebrity’s Edge ushers in revolutionary ship design that brings focus on the ocean to more public spaces. Viking’s clean, destination-focused ocean ships continue to visit more ports and more regions.
HOSTED GROUPS: You may want to travel with a fun group from our community in a group hosted by one of our travel consultants. In addition to the Rhine River Cruise mentioned earlier, we are hosting groups on a 9-day Baltic Sea cruise on the Norwegian Breakaway in July and a 10-day Alaska Cruise Tour on the Celebrity Millennium in July. When you join one of our hosted groups, you receive unbeatable preferred pricing, the security of your local host from our team and the added enjoyment that comes with traveling in a group.
that anchors inside breathtaking lagoons, is staffed by Polynesians who immerse you in their romantic culture, and tantalizes with the freshness expertly prepared cuisine. The verdict of the group I hosted: Best vacation ever and one that needs to be repeated. You not only get to experience more of Polynesia than at a single land resort, but you save money with all-inclusive pricing that includes round-trip air from LAX, an open bar and gratuities.
Chris and Susan Meyer are hosting a nine-day Baltic Sea cruise July 13-22, 2018. This epic adventure combines a fascinating itinerary, amazing ship, and super fun and joyful group to share the adventure. In July 2017, 22 of us had a blast in Berlin, Prague and on a Danube River cruise. If you love exploring with adventurous, fun-loving folks, this is the trip for you. 
rd the ship in shorts and flip flops, but pack warmer clothes as you will will be chilling with massive glaciers as well eagles, bears and whales. These 12- and 14-day itineraries are the easiest and most economical way to experience the Great Land.