The beauty of river cruising is the unique combination of history, cultural treasures, and culinary immersions with stress free travel. Perfect for curious learners who like to explore the world with like-minded travelers.
Along with exploring bigger cities, you will experience, smaller hidden gem towns with authentic experiences where cruise lines offer exclusive activities you'd rarely find on your own. And when you have a few hours to explore on your own, your cruise manager can steer you to even more "secret places."
You enjoy more of the region around you without the stress of being your own navigator. Travel between cities, luxury accommodations, gourmet dining, local tours, and more - all included on ships that typically have fewer than 200 guests.
.
On a Christmas Market Cruise, the Magic of Christmas comes alive. Glittering Christmas trees, children singing carols, handcrafted toys and gifts, and hot mulled wine are all waiting for you. These cruises start in late November and run through Christmas and some through New Year's.
Major cities, small towns, and villages all have their own versions of a Christmas market. What makes it so special is that no two are completely alike. Each artisan market has its own regional foods and artisans, making a visit to each a unique experience.
Christmas market itineraries are on the Rhine, Main, and Danube. And while the theme is Christmas, many of the sites visited during other times of the year are still part of the experience.
This cruise is perfect for the entire family—grandparents, parents, and children.
The Rhine River starts in the Alps of Switzerland and flows northward until it reaches the North Sea. The river has been a major hub of transportation for hundreds of years, dating back to the Romans, and is now one of the most traveled waterways in Europe. You typically cruise between Basel, Switzerland, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, visiting some of Europe's most iconic regions and historic cities and towns. This includes the Black Forest (home of the cuckoo clocks), the Alsace wine region, the UNESCO-designated Upper Rhine Gorge, its hillsides dotted with castles, Heidelberg's Renaissance castle, Cologne's beautiful cathedral, and Amsterdam's canals and museums.
The Danube River is Europe's second-longest river, flowing 1785 miles from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. The entire river flows along the borders of 10 countries, is an important transportation route, and has played a significant role in the region's history. Upper Danube cruises sail between Budapest, Nuremberg, Regensburg, or Passau offering incredible experiences in iconic capitals (Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna); the Wachau Valley; Melk and its beautiful Benedictine Abbey; Hapsburg era sites; and visits to medieval towns and castles.
The Moselle River is typically an extension of the Rhine River cruise. Though it's not a secret, the itinerary is less traveled and considered to be one of Europe's hidden gems. The route is very scenic, with hillsides dotted with beautiful castles and steep vineyards. This itinerary includes a visit to Trier, Germany's oldest city, dating back to the Roman Empire, and experiencing the famous regional wine.
The Main River is the longest tributary of the Rhine River. It is also typically an extension of a Rhine River itinerary or on a "grand" itinerary combining the Upper Rhine and the Danube. The highlights on the Main are Bamberg (the UNESCO Old Town and the famous smoky beer) and the beautiful city of Wurzburg.
The Seine River flows through Paris northward to the English Channel. This a favorite itinerary for anyone interested in WWII history and Normandy Landing Beaches. It also offers time in Rouen (of Joan of Arc) and the Gardens of Giverny. Typically, itineraries are a round trip Paris, new itineraries between Paris and Le Havre give you time in Brittany and visit to Mont St. Michel.
These cruises are available in the Spring to coincide with the blooming of the tulips. You visit Dutch and Belgium treasures, including Antwerp, Burge, Brussels, Zaandam, and Amsterdam. The highlight - Keukenhof Gardens with over 7 million blooming tulips.
A Bordeaux cruise had you exploring 3 waterways - the Garonne, Dordogne, and Gironde estuary. The region is home to 300,000 acres of vineyards, exceptional wines, French heritage sites, hundreds of chateaux, the UNESCO medieval town of Saint-Emilion and of course the city of Bordeaux - also a UNESCO World Heritage site. This cruise is paradise for lover of wine and foodies.
The Rhone and Saone are truly French gems. This itinerary sails between Lyon and Avignon in Provence. Perfect for foodies, Lyon is France's culinary capital and has no shortage of exceptional restaurants to tease your taste buds. Lovers of wine will also appreciate this itinerary, as Burgundy, Cote du Rhone, and Chateauneuf du Pape wines are all possibilities. This itinerary, though, isn't just about food and wine. Incredible Roman-era sites like the Pont du Harde await you, along with the Palace of the Popes in Avignon and the beautiful lavender fields of Provence.
The Douro, in Portugal, is gaining popularity as more people discover the river. Roundtrip itineraries start and end in Porto, Portugal 's second largest city and famous for its Port wines. This cruise takes your through the dramatic landscapes of the UNESCO designated Douro Valley, from Porto to the border of Spain (where you visit Salamanca, another UNESCO site and home to the world's second oldest university) with plenty of opportunities to visit charming quintas and winemakers.
Lower Danube: itineraries sail between Budapest and the Black Sea, through countries that were all formally part of the Iron Curtain. While not yet developed as Western Europe, amazing sites and cities await you, including the Iron Gates, Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress, centuries old wine growing hills, Bucharest, the rich history and beauty of Transylvania, the Daube Delta and Black Sea.
Upper and Lower Volga: is Europe's longest, at almost 2200 mils and flows through central Russia. A typical itinerary sail between Moscow and St. Peterburg on the Volga and Svir Rivers, with stops in between landmarks including Kizhi Island and Uglich, founded in 1148. Enjoy the Hermitage and Catherine Palace in St Petersburg, the Russian Ballet, Red Square, St Basil's Cathedrals and the famous subway stations in Moscow. A few itineraries take you to lower Volga to Stalingrad.
Dnieper: Also, a major river in Europe, the Dnieper flows through Russia, Belarus, and the Ukraine. This itinerary sails between Kiev (Ukraine) and Bucharest (Romania), giving you the opportunity to explore multiple stops in Ukraine, including Odessa. These itineraries are perfect for seasoned travelers who are seeking new areas to explore, rich in culture and history.
Elbe: The Elbe flows through former East Germany, with itineraries between Berlin and Prague. The Elbe is home to some of Germany's most beautiful cities Magdeburg, Willenberg (famous for its connection with Martin Luther), Dresden and Meissen (known for its porcelain) and the magical scenery of Saxon Switzerland.
PO: A Po River cruise combines enchanting Venice, the surrounding islands with gems of northern Italy along the Po River, including Bologna. Time in Venice includes al lot of walking, exploring the hidden backways with local guides.
The Elbe and Po are both lovely river experiences. It should be noted these rivers can be more problematic than others due to being quite shallow and at times not passable. Only two cruise lines currently have itineraries on each river: Viking on the Elbe and Uniworld on the Po.
Mekong: Sensory overload and transformational experiences await you on the Mekong. A typical itinerary sails between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh, with an extension to Siem Reap. Highlights of this itinerary include iconic Angkor Wat, Vietnam War-era sites, Buddhist monks, colorful floating markets, ornate temples, and gold-topped pagodas.
Nile: A trip down the Nile brings years of ancient history to life. A typical itinerary starts and ends in Cairo, where a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Great Sphinx is a must. Begin your cruise in Luxor, a short flight from Cairo, and look forward to exploring the temples of Luxor and Karnal, the alley of the Kings, and the Philae Temple in Aswan.
Chobe: A Chobe River cruise isn't a typical cruise as it is combined with a safari and visits to Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and Johannesburg. The cruise itself is normally around 4 days but includes cruising along one of the most game-dense areas of Africa. The highlights are up-close bird and wildlife viewing, including elephants, hippos, crocs, wildebeest, Cape Buffalo, and more.
Peruvian Amazon: Visiting the Peruvian Amazon is all about nature and wildlife. Here you will find pristine wilderness, diverse plants, and a wide range of wildlife, including pink dolphins, giant otters, piranhas, sloths, toucans, and macaws. Access to archeological treasures, ancient temples, and Native American communities tops off the highlights.
Columbia and Snake Rivers: Most people see the Columbia River from above, but it's true beauty is seen at river level, Itineraries, round-trip Portland or between Portland and Clarkston, WA, have you following the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. Take in the stunning beauty of the Columbia Gorge and areas beyond that are not accessible by car, including Hells Canyon and Palouse Halls State Park, while enjoying area favorites like Multnomah Falls, the Dalles, and regional wines.
The Lower and Upper Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee: Mark Twain country, enjoy iconic cities and charming river towns on North America's second-longest river and her tributaries. Bourbon and blues, the beat of jazz music, beautiful plantation homes, Cajun and Creole cuisine, and Civil War history—all are part of the experience. The popular itineraries start and end in New Orleans, and you can cruise the entire length of the Mississippi River between New Orleans and St. Paul or experience newer routes that include Memphis, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh.
Located in Florida and Georgia
s.pelicanbaytravelco@outlook.com
c.pelicanbaytravelco@outlook.com
j.pelicanbaytravelco@outlook.com
Call us! 866-264-2334 Monday - Friday 9am -7pm ET.
Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram!
California Seller of Travel Registration# 2089491-50. Registration as a seller of travel in California does not constitute the state's approval. Agent is not a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. Florida Seller of Travel Registration # T- 182190. Hawaii Seller of Travel License # TAR 7231. Washington Seller of Travel UBI # 602 775122.