Trafalgar launches 2008 Uniworld Luxury 5* river cruise programme

If your clients want to experience five-star luxury afloat then according to Paul Wiseman, Managing Director of Trafalgar Tours, their Trafalgar Uniworld 2008 European River Cruises programme is the way to do it.

Launching the programme yesterday in the fitting location of Rose Bay’s Pier restaurant to a select group of Australia’s leading travel writers, the 2008 Trafalgar Uniworld River Cruise Book, is the latest offering in its portfolio of luxury European river cruises, exploring some of the world’s greatest rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle, Rhone, Saone,  Seine, Volga and Nile rivers.

The collection of 26 luxury itineraries includes two new eight-day cruises, the Danube Discovery and the Rhine Discovery and other new features of the 2008 program include complimentary fine wine during dinner, café-style coffees such as cappuccinos and lattes available onboard 24 hours a day and state-of-the-art Quietvox audio headset systems to enhance onshore sightseeing experiences.

The new Danube Discovery, cruising between Vienna and Nuremberg, takes in the stunning cities and towns of Germany and Austria that lie along the great Danube, cruising through the lush Wachau Valley and treating passengers to the picturesque countryside and medieval villages that form the scenery lining the Danube.  It also includes visiting fascinating towns and cities such as Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Krems and Vienna.  Priced from $2299 per person, departures are available from April to November, 2008.

On the new Rhine Discovery, sailing between Nuremberg and Basel, passengers will witness stunning castles and ancient palaces, visit famous wine regions, explore medieval towns and stop at Bamberg, Wurzburg, Miltenberg, Heidelberg and more. Priced from $2625 per person, departures are available from May to November, 2008. Prices for both cruises are based on double cabin occupancy (excluding airfares).

Paul said, “The new inclusions for the 2008 season, coupled with the already five-star product, makes Trafalgar Uniworld’s river cruises the leader in the marketplace.”

“Trafalgar Uniworld European river cruises are guaranteed to exceed your clients’ expectations, with a guest satisfaction rating of 98% and as a result of 90 years combined experience between Trafalgar and Uniworld, the product has been refined over time to reach the very highest standard.”

“With luxurious hotel-grade accommodation, discrete yet attentive service (with one crew member for every three guests), outstanding cuisine and exciting diverse on-shore excursions, Trafalgar Uniworld has created an experience of lasting quality.”

“The breadth of Trafalgar Uniworld’s cruises is unparalleled, with three options in France, two cruises along the Volga River in Russia, one itinerary along the Douro River in Portugal and Spain and two cruises along the Nile.”  “Nobody else offers this range of programmes”

“If your clients are seeking to explore the classic central and eastern European countries, Trafalgar Uniworld has itineraries cruising through countries such as Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, Austria and more, ranging from between eight and 28 days in length.”  “With often challenging language and cultural barriers in some of these regions, river cruising presents hassle-free options for clients heading to this region for the first time.”

“Finally, clients who wish to see the vibrant coloured tulips in full bloom throughout the Netherlands and Belgium in spring can choose from two itineraries cruising the Dutch and Belgian waterways.”

Trafalgar Uniworld says that clients will enjoy pure relaxation onboard, as they unpack just once into their luxury cabin and travel from one exciting destination to the next with expansive panoramic windows at every turn to showcase the breathtaking scenery.

The price of all Trafalgar Uniworld river cruises includes all meals onboard the vessel, wine during dinner, shore excursions, state-of-the-art Quietvox audio headset system on all locally guided shore excursions, Captain’s welcome and farewell dinner, enriching onboard entertainment and lectures, an experienced Cruise Manager and English speaking crew and transfers.

Trafalgar says that their Uniworld “floating five-star hotel” concept represents the ultimate way to discover the fascinating sights and cultural wonders of Europe in complete luxury and it is the result of combining the expertise of the award winning luxury five star hotel collection, Red Carnation Hotels, Uniworld’s 30 years European river cruising experience and Trafalgar’s 60 years experience providing first-class escorted holidays around the world.

Trafalgar Uniworld offers savings to clients looking to book early, with “The Pay-in-Full Discount” enabling clients to save up to $2500 per couple when they book and pay in full for their 2008 river cruise by 30 September 2007.

The Early Booking Discount also enables clients to save up to $750 per couple when they book and pay the deposit for their river cruise by 30 November 2007.

These discounts are proportional to river cruise duration and cabin category selection.

Uniworld Grand River Cruise Club Program enables past Trafalgar or Uniworld guests to save an additional $100 per person, plus they will receive a stateroom upgrade on European Grand River Cruises at the time of departure (based on availability), plus an exclusive Cocktail Reception hosted by the Captain, and more.

For more information, Trafalgar has launched a dedicated website www.trafalgar.net.au/RiverCruise with detailed information regarding the program.

To top the day off, Trafalgar innovatively provided each and every member of the select media group present with a ticket to experience any one of their river cruises in 2008 – now if that is not way to expose and test their product and if it all works OK, get great coverage then I don’t know what is! 

Well done Trafalgar!

Report by The Mole