Recommend November 2014 - (Page 66)

northamerica EXPLORING NORTH AMERICA'S WATERWAYS River cruise lines are adding new ships and itineraries to keep up with U.S. travelers' pent-up demand to explore their own backyard. michelle marie arean American Cruise Lines' Queen of the Mississippi. When thinking about a cruise vacation, the first option that might pop into your client's mind is a mega cruise ship sailing to some exotic island in the Caribbean; the second, a luxurious European river cruise in France or Germany. But river cruising in our own backyard is becoming a popular trend that's gaining momentum. So much so that North American river cruise companies are adding new ships and itineraries to keep up with the growing demand. As Timothy Beebe, v.p. of American Cruise Lines, puts it, "Paddlewheel cruising on America's rivers has been getting quite a bit of attention, particularly on the Mississippi and Columbia rivers." american cruise lines It's because of this growing trend that American Cruise Lines has added new ships to both its Mississippi and Columbia/Snake rivers routes over the next couple of years. Additionally, American Cruise Lines is adding more sail dates to 2015 itineraries. "People are discovering what a wonderful experience it is to see their own country from its waterways," says Beebe. But it's not just U.S. travelers who are enticed by these itineraries. "People from around the world find the itineraries appealing because they offer a true American experience and a great way to see different portions of the U.S. at one time," he adds. One of the aforementioned new ships is the American Eagle, which starts service in the spring on 7-night roundtrip New Orleans cruises. The riverboat will feature larger public spaces, 66 november 2014 66-67 NA.indd 66 more advanced environmental equipment-making it a much greener ship-and be able to travel at higher speeds, allowing it to cover larger portions of the Mississippi River, and affording passengers more time at ports-of-call. The company realized many of its guests were booking back-to-back cruises and combining itineraries to see certain portions of the U.S. waterways, so American Cruise Lines is now offering longer cruises to accommodate the traveler who wants to set sail for several weeks. One such option is the new 22-day Complete Mississippi Cruise (from $12,550 pp) through America's Heartland aboard American Eagle. According to Beebe, American Cruise Lines' clients are "affluent, highly educated, and well traveled. Our guests are typically 55 years of age or over, and enjoy learning and discovering new cultures and places. They come to us for an enriching, intimate cruising experience in an upscale, personalized setting with like-minded passengers." American Cruise Lines' most popular tours are to the American Heartland, Puget Sound, New England, Alaska, and Columbia and Snake rivers. "We offer a comprehensive shore tour program. Many itineraries offer featured tours, which are available at no cost and highlight the very best of each destination. We also offer premium and signature tours in each port. These range from guided walking tours and whale watching to fishing charters and jet boat tours," says Beebe. "We offer a distinct experience-we can tailor a shore program to any group we have onboard-it's a personalized experience from start to finish." While on board, guests can take part in festive meals, cocktails, and various types of entertainment and events such as going into town for an exclusive dinner, a show or wine tasting. Onboard guest lecturers often join passengers at the port to provide added insight about what they're experiencing. "It's important to educate U.S.-based clients on the options they have in their own backyard. They don't have to travel all the way to Europe for an upscale river cruise," Beebe points out. un-cruise adventures "River cruising in the U.S.A.-no need to fly to Europe. We have an incredibly scenic river cruise right here in our own backyard. History, lock transits, winemaking and colorful characters permeate our inclusive river experience in the Pacific Northwest," says Tim Jacox, Un-Cruise Adventures' principal and executive v.p. When it comes to Un-Cruise Adventures' guests, according to Jacox, they seem to have adventure in mind. "We see a trend in people wanting to actively explore a destination-seeing and doing rather than watching. We are hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, taking skiffs out to watch wildlife. People are getting up close to nature and wildlife," he adds. recommend.com 10/29/14 2:51 PM http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend November 2014

Editor’s Notes
Hotel Desk: Delano Las Vegas
Tour Talk: New USTOA Members, New Experiences
There’s no Stopping Southeast Asia River Cruising
Martinique
The Saint Lucia Travel Agent Specialist Program
Germany: A Cultural Tour of its Cities Along the Rhine
Namibia: Southern Africa’s New Hot Ticket
Bella Bolivia
Papua New Guinea
Exploring North America’s Waterways
Mexico’s Sun Triangle

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