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Vantage Deluxe World Travel Company Profile

River, Small Ship, and Land Journeys With Vantage Travel

Vantage Deluxe World Travel  is a group tour operator founded in 1983 by entrepreneur Henry Lewis. It is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company is both a cruise and land tour operator that has served over a half-million senior travelers with deluxe land, river, and sea travel programs over the past 30+ years. One of the main goals of the company is to design itineraries that introduce travelers to local people where they live, work, and play and to use the very best regional guides available to educate travelers to the places they call home.

Vantage has been sailing the rivers of Europe with its own fleet since 1999. Currently, Vantage has over 60 different Memorable Journeys -- land tours or cruises visiting 80 countries on all seven continents.

The company has two primary divisions. Vantage Deluxe World Travel includes river cruises, European small ship cruises, and land tours. Vantage Adventures is comprised of small ship cruises and small group land journeys. 

Vantage's river cruises are its most popular programs. The company owns and operates its own ships on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Seine, Saone, and Rhone rivers in Europe. It charters ships for the Elbe and Douro. Since 2011 in Asia, Vantage Deluxe World Travel has offered river cruises on privately chartered vessels on the Mekong, Irrawaddy, and Ganges rivers. 

In 2016, Vantage introduced its first luxury river vessel, the ms River Voyager. This European river ship joined the company's four deluxe river vessels. Vantage also began offering cruises in the United States, starting with a cruise on the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes.

Vantage Deluxe World Travel Ocean Cruise and River Ships:

Vantage Travel owns and operates five river vessels in Europe. These ships have a maximum of 176 guests. 

• ms  River Venture  (built in 2013) -- 134 guests
• ms  River Splendor  (built in 2013) -- 176 guests
• ms  River Discovery II  (built in 2012) -- 176 guests
• ms  River Navigator  (built in 2002, refurbished in 2013) -- 134 guests
• ms  River Voyager (built in 2016) -- 176 guests

I sailed on the ms River Voyager in March 2016 and loved the comfortable design of the river ship, its accommodations, and cuisine. 

The company charters the 78-guest ms Frederic Chopin on the Elbe River in Germany. The ms Douro Serenity joins the fleet as a charter ship in 2017.

Vantage charters these yachts and small cruise ships in Europe. I sailed on the yacht-sized Variety Voyager a few years ago and loved the ship and the fascinating ports of call. The company also charters small ships in the Mediterranean . 

Vantage charters these vessels in Asia, the South Pacific, and the Indian Ocean.

Vantage Deluxe World Travel Passenger Profile:

Most of Vantage Travel's guests are 55-80 years old, travel frequently, and are past passengers of the company. More than half of the guests are women, and about 40 percent are single. The company often offers "free single supplements", which makes their cruises and tours attractive to solo travelers.

Prior to 2015, Vantage only marketed its Memorable Journeys to mature, English-speaking travelers in the USA. Starting in 2015, the company formed strategic partnerships with established travel agencies in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia and began selling its tours and cruises to English-speaking travelers in those countries.

Vantage Deluxe World Travel Contact Information:

The company markets its cruises and tours using email and direct mail. Vantage buys directly from travel suppliers and sells directly to its customers. 

Reservations & General Information Toll-free: 1-888-514-1845 Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM ET 

Customer Service Toll-free: 1-888-982-6824 Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM ET Email Vantage Customer Service

President's Club Exclusively for travelers who have traveled three or more times with Vantage. Toll free: 1-800-833-0899 Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET Saturday, Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM ET Corporate Headquarters Vantage Deluxe World Travel 90 Canal Street Boston, MA 02114-2031 Phone: 1-617-878-6000 Fax: 1-857-313-6400

Budapest is Vantage's river fleet headquarters and main European operations base, but the company has regional offices around the world.

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MS River Splendor

Cruise line Vantage Explorations (River Cruises)

MS River Splendor current position

MS River Splendor current location is at North Sea (coordinates 51.81929 N / 4.86905 E) cruising en route to HARDINXVELD. The AIS position was reported 5 minutes ago.

Specifications of MS River Splendor

•   Review

MS River Splendor Review

Review of ms river splendor.

MS River Splendor cruise ship entered service for Vantage Travel Cruise Line in 2013.

The 176-passenger riverboat has 4 decks (3 with cabins) and 92 staterooms (sized 15 m2 / 165 ft2 or larger), all of which are outside, with clock radio, iPod dock, phone, TV, hotel-style twin beds. Most cabins (78% of all) are with French balconies (floor-ceiling windows opening to a railing).

The riverboat features one sitting, open-seating meals in the Compass Rose restaurant.

The Captains Club on the Navigator Deck serves light breakfast and lunch during the day.

Sightseeing tours are included in the fare. Each River Splendor cruise is accompanied by program directors with local expertise.

The Cultural Connections program offers in-depth experiences in each visited country through special meals, lectures, receptions, home visits, performances and local activities.

Passengers are provided with free headphones for each excursion in order to hear the guide clearly.

Complimentary wireless Internet access is provided anywhere onboard. 

Note: You can see CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises  hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.

MS River Splendor - user reviews and comments

Other vantage explorations cruise ships.

• MS River Discovery II
• MS River Navigator
• MS River Venture
• MS River Voyager
• RV Irrawaddy Explorer

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The 10 Best River Cruise Lines in 2022

The best river cruises blend refined onboard accommodations with exciting itineraries along some of the world’s most memorable waterways.

Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite river cruise lines.

After pandemic-related challenges at the beginning of last year, river ships got back to what they do best: exploring inland waterways in Europe, the United States, and select other destinations around the world. Travel + Leisure readers enthusiastically returned, setting out on voyages both classic and new.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated individual cruise ships on their cabins and facilities, food, service, itineraries and destinations, excursions and activities, and value. Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines in six categories, including river cruising.

The top three in the river cruise lines were very close in their scores. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. 2 spot. "The itinerary was thoughtful as well as instructive," wrote one reader who traveled on the Joy . In the No. 3 spot is Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, with praise that included this rave from one voter who sailed on the Maria Theresa : "This was an exceptional cruise. The staff was excellent. I can't say enough about this cruise line and this ship."

Aqua Expeditions, with journeys on the Peruvian Amazon, ranked No. 4, thanks in part to the sophisticated onboard dining. "Its cuisine is rich in local products and designed by one of the most renowned chefs in Peru," noted one reader. Closer to home, No. 5 American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company) earned praise — especially from older adults — for its leisurely cruises on the Columbia, the Mississippi, the Ohio, and other U.S. waterways.

Top-ranked Viking does all the major riverways of Europe, with ships also on the Nile and the Mekong, and, new in 2022, on the Mississippi. Readers praised the line's value proposition and shore experiences that go beyond the norm. The "Thinking Man's vacation" is the way one reader who sailed on a Viking ship on the Rhine river put it.

Find the full list of the best river cruise lines — and more on what sets Viking apart — below.

With its fleet of more than 50 contemporary "longships" on rivers such as the Rhine, the Danube, and the Seine, plus additional ships in Europe, Egypt, and Vietnam, T+L's top-ranked river cruise line for 2022 is often praised for its steadiness. "Having traveled on seven Viking longships that are virtually indistinguishable from one another, I believe it's the consistency that makes Viking one of our favorite ways to travel," said one reader. The longships are light-filled floating boutique hotels with a Scandinavian-design aesthetic, indoor and outdoor dining, and herb gardens up on top. Viking's carefully crafted itineraries and "good value" also received praise from readers. "Met wonderful new friends. Absolutely outstanding service and terrific food," said one fan.

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 96.77

More information: viking.com

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 96.60

More information: tauck.com

3. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 96.31

More information: uniworld.com

4. Aqua Expeditions

Score: 93.27

More information: aquaexpeditions.com

5. American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines)

Score: 92.82

More information: aqvoyages.com

6. Grand Circle Cruise Line

Score: 90.64

More information: gct.com

7. AmaWaterways

Score: 90.12

More information: amawaterways.com

8. Avalon Waterways

Score: 89.88

More information: avalonwaterways.com

9. Vantage Deluxe World Travel

Score: 84.71

More information: vantagetravel.com

10. American Cruise Lines

Score: 81.17

More information: americancruiselines.com

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2024 RNC: Milwaukee River traffic to close downtown, sources say

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee River traffic will be blocked downtown during this summer's Republican National Convention, sources told FOX6.

The river sits just a few blocks east of Fiserv Forum , where the convention will be held from July 15-18. Whether it's for a fishing trip, a tourist cruise or a river float – commercial and recreational boats won't be able to travel on the river.

"Disappointed, obviously, just because our job is to showcase our city," said Lindsay Schwegler with Edelweiss Cruises. "It’s a little disappointing to not be able to show those from out of town the city from a vantage point that is just incredible."

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Edelweiss Cruises said it will move its largest boat, "The Harbor Lady," to Port Washington for lake cruises. The company's other two big boats will stay on the river a block from Fiserv Forum, docked, but still open for dockside parties.

"The proximity, you can’t really beat it. You just won’t move," Schwegler said. "You can rent them either for the day for that home base, or you could just rent it for a luncheon or a dinner or typical things."

Edelweiss Cruises was hoping for a RNC economic boom, but now they’re sitting on a possible bust.

"July is our biggest month of the year, so shutting that week down right in the middle is a significant loss to our company," Schwegler said. "A majority of our employees are college kids. They’re hourly employees that now we won’t have probably as much work as we normally would in July, so sadly, we’ll have to lay them off for the week, or they just won’t get any hours for the week except for the few going to Port Washington .

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.

"Our biggest concern is just for our employees at this point, because it is unfortunate for them that they’re missing out on this boom of business, but we’re encouraging them to take a vacation that week, enjoy a week off in July that you typically would not get off."

It's not just a no-go for big boats. Kayaks won't be able to travel on the river downtown. The U.S. Secret Service broke the news in a private meeting with boat companies.

"Security issues, and we completely understand that," Beth Handle with Milwaukee Kayak Company said of the reason the Secret Service gave for the restrictions.

Milwaukee Kayak Company has three locations. The one downtown is going to be closed, but the other two will be open during the RNC. They'll host rides paddling down the Kinnickinnic River or up the Menomonee River.

"July is one of our busiest months. It’s beautiful in July in Milwaukee," Handle said. "We might not be able to show off downtown on the Milwaukee River while we’re paddling like we usually do, but there’s other ways to see Milwaukee . We rent kayaks, so no matter what, it’s always fun, so we’re good to go, and we welcome everybody to Milwaukee ."

Milwaukee Kayak Company said it expects the shutdown to be from Cherry Street in the north to Clybourn Street in the south – the same boundaries found in the Secret Service's rough security footprint.

The Secret Service is still working on its final security plan for the convention.

"Following a comprehensive threat assessment, the U.S. Secret Service has determined that some restrictions on commercial and recreational boat traffic on the Milwaukee River will be necessary in order to ensure the safety of the city and convention," the agency told FOX6. "The Secret Service and our partners have been working directly with businesses that operate on the Milwaukee River in an effort to minimize the impact the security plan will have on their operations, while still ensuring the highest level of security. The Secret Service and our partners are still in the process of determining what these restrictions will look like, and will share them with the public as soon as they are finalized."

Impacted businesses shared with FOX6 the Secret Service already told them there would be no boat rides, except for law enforcement, along the downtown river.

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Imagine Your Last Day of Work Ever. Here’s Theirs.

American culture has no set ritual to mark retirement. They created their own.

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Photographs by Victor Llorente

Text by Charley Locke

Victor Llorente sampled work lives around the country over the course of a month for this assignment. While following a firefighter’s final 24-hour shift, he went on calls in a firefighter coat and even slept at the fire station during breaks.

• May 11, 2024

Among life’s major milestones — think graduations, weddings, even annual events like birthdays and anniversaries — the retirement day is notably lacking in cultural convention, shared ritual. (Even the ceremonial gold watch today seems more the stuff of myth than reality.) It mostly tends to fall to co-workers, family, even retirees themselves to conjure, ad hoc, a celebratory send-off. Here’s a look at how a range of new retirees marked the end of their working days.

Fabric-store owner, 82, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Arthur Jay didn’t think he would spend his life running the family business. After growing up around his parents’ first fabric store on Long Island, he left to attend college and then to pursue a career in management at Kmart. But when Jay was 27, his father died unexpectedly, so he had to take over at Jay’s Fabric Center in St. Petersburg. Jay still wonders about what could have been, but over the last 54 years, he found his way to quiet moments of job satisfaction: helping someone pick out colors for a bedspread, planning custom draperies. “For me, every customer that came in was a different opportunity,” he says. “If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, getting up every day would be a drudgery.”

Jay outside his store.

Taking down an old photo to keep.

Opening a cake to share with staff and customers.

Locking the front door for the last time.

As a small-business owner who is closing his store, Jay is practical about the transition into retirement. Even after helping his last customer, he still had to ship the last orders, sell off the remaining inventory and pay the bills. But he was glad to have a last day of business, when longtime customers came by to thank him and his employees over slices of vanilla cake with vanilla frosting. “I’m sorry, but I like vanilla,” Jay says. “That’s one thing I got to do, because it was my cake.” He ate two pieces.

Juliane Bingener-Casey

Surgeon, 61, rochester, minn..

Before her last day in the operating room, Dr. Juliane Bingener-Casey, a surgeon and professor of surgery at the Mayo Clinic, experienced a series of lasts. “I knew when I did my last stomach case, my last small bowel,” she says. “You want them to go spectacularly well, with a cherry on top.” When she successfully finished her final operation, she was unsentimental, ready to put the scalpel down. “I felt like I was done,” Bingener-Casey says.

Preparing for surgery.

Tossing her final scrubs.

Cleaning out her office.

Celebrating with colleagues at a dinner in her honor.

Over thousands of complicated cases on the operating table, Bingener-Casey learned to separate her feelings and her work. “You have to have very good control of your emotions, meaning you bury them,” she says. She did feel those emotions at her retirement reception, when the microphone was opened up to her colleagues after dinner. “I didn’t know I’d need so many tissues — one of my friends said I hadn’t cried like that in a long time,” Bingener-Casey says. “Hearing out loud that you’re appreciated and that people feel you’ve added value, in otherwise a very matter-of-fact surgical world, it’s just beautiful.”

TV-news traffic anchor, 66, Chicago

Over 35 years of reporting for ABC7 Chicago, Roz Varon has seen her city from some unique vantage points. She has reported from the roof of the 110-story Willis Tower, the dinosaur-fossil storage room at the Field Museum, inside Glinda’s bubble onstage at a production of “Wicked” and atop a bull at the rodeo. “When I would drive into work every morning, I would look at the Willis Tower and think: I stood up there. Who gets to do that?” Varon says. “I would think to myself, Chicago is my city.”

Finishing her makeup at 3:45 a.m.

Old colleagues came back to surprise her.

Cutting a celebratory cake.

Greeting her fans, human and canine.

Varon has been a familiar face for generations of Chicagoans, offering no-nonsense traffic reports ever since the ABC7 morning show debuted in 1989. So when it came time for her to retire, her city showed up. A partial list of the fans who congratulated her on her last day: Girl Scouts from Illinois and Indiana; members of the Chicago Department of Transportation, who gave her a Roz Varon Way street sign; Alan Krashesky, the first morning anchor at ABC7; her former journalism students; fellow breast-cancer survivors; and puppies from the anti-cruelty group she supported. Her co-workers presented her with a proclamation from the City of Chicago, declaring it Roz Varon Day. “It was mind-blowing, one thing after another after another,” Varon says. “It was like there was no other news, just special surprises for me!”

Latin-dance-music D.J., 60, Cincinnati

There has always been a certain feeling of euphoria that comes to Tony Pabón as he looks out at the dance floor from his D.J. table at Salsannati Dance Company. “To play music and have people start to clap or move their body or dance — that’s powerful,” he says. “I have to pinch myself sometimes.” So when his job started to feel more like a chore than a joy, Pabón knew it was time to retire. (He will continue working a day job at a bank.) “Lately, I’m not having the passion,” he says. “I’m doing it because it’s my duty.” Besides, standing for four-hour sets was taking a toll on his knees.

D.J.ing for the final time.

Dancing with his wife.

A toast to ends and beginnings.

But first, there was his last show at Salsannati. Over decades of D.J.ing at restaurants, for parties and on river cruises, Pabón had become a fixture of Cincinnati’s Latin-music scene. Regulars packed the floor for the last night with D.J. Tony; the studio owner made a speech and gave Pabón a bottle of bourbon. “I like to talk a lot, but I found myself without words to say, because it was so overwhelming,” Pabón says. “I was on cloud nine for the whole night of dancing, even though I had the worst knee pain.”

Pabón is selling his D.J. equipment as he focuses on his other interests: leading a marriage group at church with his wife, painting and spending time with his grandchildren. Part of his identity will always be tied to music, which it has been ever since his first disco sets as a teenage D.J. in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. “At the end of the day, when you’re tired and frustrated, you put on that vinyl and drop that needle,” he says. “The sound comes out of the speakers, and you’re a brand-new person.”

Frances Fotia

Church organist, 83, ellwood city, pa..

When Frances Fotia was in the fifth grade, the nuns heard that she took piano lessons and asked if she would like to learn how to play the organ. She said yes and, soon after, started to play at Mass every day. “I kept doing that practically for the rest of my life,” Fotia says. She played as she raised her four daughters, and as they grew up and she became a grandmother. She played the organ at the funeral Masses for both of her parents; she played at friends’ weddings, and then at the weddings of their children. “I loved playing for the people for their sung prayer,” she says. “That’s basically what it was all about.”

Adjusting the stops to prepare the organ.

Directing the choir.

Celebrating with her family at home.

In recent years, she shifted to weekly services. Easter Mass was her last day both playing the organ and directing the choir, which includes singers she has known since she was a girl. They sang “God’s Right Hand,” one of her favorites — and then surprised her with the song they sing at the end of choir practice, “May God Bless and Keep You.”

Fotia now sits in the pews, not at the organ bench. But she still thinks about the connection she has felt with the organ since she started playing Mass more than 70 years ago. “When I sat down at that console,” she says, “it was like putting on a pair of slippers.”

Sheila Giuntoli

Letter carrier, 58, bakersfield, calif..

As Sheila Giuntoli made her daily journey along her postal route, she delivered to homes where she witnessed children grow up and houses where she made peace with the family dogs. She passed homes where she attended baby showers and birthday parties. She delivered mail to one yard where, six years ago, a customer asked her out; their four-hour first date at Denny’s led to a backyard wedding and a happy marriage. “It really was a blessing to me,” Giuntoli says about working at the post office. But after 30 years and two hip replacements, it was finally time to retire.

On her route for the final time.

Hugging a customer during her final delivery.

With her husband at the office party.

Posing at the big party.

Her last day began with celebration. There was a speech from a post-office official; a Million Mile plaque honoring her 30 years of service driving without an accident; and a potluck with co-workers. Then she set off on her route, where she said goodbye to customers she had known for a decade. “It made me real emotional,” Giuntoli says.

The bigger celebration came that Sunday night, when her children threw her a retirement party. Co-workers past and present danced, took photos in a photo booth and told stories about the old days, before electronic scanners and Amazon packages. Retirement “made me feel like I lost a family member,” says Giuntoli, who plans to keep in touch with people on her old route. “But I know I have to move on and start a new chapter in my life.”

David DuVall

Firefighter, 54, dolton, ill..

For 30 years, David DuVall worked 24 hours on, 48 hours off at the fire station. During those long shifts, his fellow firefighters were his second family: Every third day they would watch the morning news, shop for groceries, play cards, cook chicken Parmesan and grill steak, watch Bears and Blackhawks games — and, of course, fight fires. “It’s the only thing I know,” he says, “so to say I’m gonna be giving it up is a big unknown. Frankly, it’s a little scary.”

Outside the firehouse.

Taking down his nameplate.

Out on a final call.

Celebrating with beers starting at 8 a.m.

After his final shift ended at 7 a.m., DuVall heard one last call over the radio, announcing his retirement. Then he and his wife stepped out of the station together, preceded by a fellow fireman playing the bagpipes. Before them stood a cheering crowd, full of loved ones and firefighters from Dolton and neighboring villages. “I was very humbled by it,” DuVall says.

By 8 a.m., DuVall and his entourage headed to a local bar for drinks, pizza and old stories. After a few hours, the stalwarts headed to another bar near DuVall’s home; he and a few friends closed out the celebrations at a third bar at 12:30 a.m. “It was 16 hours of having a good time,” he says — almost (but not quite) a full firefighter’s shift.

Charley Locke is a writer based in Portland, Ore. She often works on special projects for the magazine, most recently about low-Earth orbit, and generally writes about children and elders.

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Home > Expeditions > Great European River Cruise

Great European River Cruise

From usd $ 5,599.00 /pp, cabins & prices.

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Welcome to Vantage Explorations’ Great European Cruise voyage, in partnership with VIVA Cruises.  

Join us on a magical river journey meandering along three of Europe’s great rivers: the Rhine, Main and Danube. It’s a region rich in history and offers forested hillsides, vineyards and romantic medieval towns. Restored castles still stand perched atop dramatic hilltops, overlooking riverside villages below. This is a journey that will take you through a Europe that you may have only read about in timeless fairytales.   

• UNESCO World Heritage sites at every turn 
• Exclusive tours and excursions for Vantage Travel 
• Vantage exclusive experiences including whiskey tasting and private organ concert 
• Enjoy the exclusive service of your Vantage Cruise Director, who will personally ensure that each detail of your holiday is taken care of

Bamberg, Germany (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Parliament, Budapest, Hungary

Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austria

Regensburg, Germany

Rothenburg, Germany

Passau, Bavaria, Germany

Augustusburg Palace, Bruehl, Germany

Wurzburg, Bavaria, Germany

Day 1 Amsterdam, Embarkation

Welcome to Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands and an enchanting city, where history and modernity blend seamlessly. Sail along the charming canals, gaze upon iconic landmarks and discover hidden gems that make Amsterdam a must-visit destination. 

Vantage Exclusive: Walking Orientation tour  

Embark on a walking orientation tour through the picturesque streets of Amsterdam. Our local guides will lead you on an immersive journey, unveiling the rich tapestry of Amsterdam's unique charm. 

Wander through the UNESCO-listed Canal Ring and learn about the 17th-century canal houses, their distinctive gables and the engineering marvel that shaped Amsterdam's waterways.   

In the late afternoon, we transfer to the port for embarkation. Explore the vessel and settle into your cabin, your home on the river for the next 15 days, before meeting the crew and fellow travellers. 

Day 2 Amsterdam

Why walk along Amsterdam’s famous canals when you can experience them on a leisurely cruise. Step aboard our covered boats to discover the city’ canals. The leisurely 60-minute ride takes you through large and small canals, under low bridges and along magnificent Contour buildings and former warehouses from the 16th and 17th centuries.    

Day 3 Cologne

Effortlessly steeped in history and tales of the past, Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany, and encapsulates a timeline that spans more than 2,000 years. On our walking tour, you will experience the cathedral city up close, soaking in the city’s medieval charm including the world-famous cathedral, the love locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge and a fascinating stroll through the heart of Cologne’s Old Town.      

Day 4 Koblenz, Mainz

Koblenz impresses with its unique location at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Since 2002, it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site - "Upper Middle Rhine Valley". In Koblenz, embark on a city tour to discover the historical treasures Koblenz has to offer, including impressive monuments, well-preserved buildings and hidden gems. Stroll along the picturesque banks of the Rhine, past majestic landmarks and through lively neighborhoods that make up the vibrant heart of the city.   

On our way to Mainz, we sail past the Rock of Lorelei–a tall slate cliff that rises from the Rhine River. The rock is a natural wonder that is steeped in myth and legend, telling a story of a beautiful siren named Lorelei that once inhabited the rock, enchanting sailors with her mesmerizing song and causing them to lose their way in the treacherous currents below.   

Day 5 Mainz

After a morning of scenic sailing, we arrive in Mainz, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate. Mainz is located directly on the Rhine, and we spend the afternoon exploring the city on a walking tour. Historic buildings bear witness to an eventful history, from Roman times 2,000 years ago to the present day. You will see St. Martin's Cathedral, the Electoral Palace and Haus zum Stein in the city center – the oldest preserved residential building in Main still standing from the Middle Ages. Learn about the most important figure in the city – Johannes Gutenberg, tracing his life's footsteps discovering the place of his birth, his baptismal church, the former printing houses, his retirement residence and his final resting place.  

Day 6 Wertheim

The small town of Wertheim is located where the river Tauber flows into the Main. E mbark on an enchanting walking tour through its historic streets, traverse the picturesque alleys adorned with charming half-timbered houses nestled within and alongside the ancient city wall. Feel the allure of this captivating city come alive as you wander through the vibrant marketplace, beckoning visitors with its myriad of cozy cafes and inviting atmosphere. Behold the grandeur of Wertheim Castle as it stands proudly above the city, casting its majestic shadow. Explore other architectural marvels within the city, including the awe-inspiring collegiate church and the quaint St. Martin's Chapel, each poised to captivate your imagination and leave you spellbound. 

Day 7 Wurzburg

Wurzburg is the heart of the Franconian wine region with its countless wineries, wine taverns, cellars and the world-famous Bocksbeutel. The town is also famous for its baroque and Rococo style buildings. Towering high above the Main River, the Marienberg Fortress hints at Wurzburg’s former power, where for centuries it was seat of the Würzburg prince-bishops. The fortress offers impressive panoramic views over the vineyards and the towers of some the town’s 60 churches. Enjoy a walk through Wurzburg followed by ‘Brückenschoppen’ (small wine tasting), a popular activity where you can enjoy a tipple by the iconic Old Main Bridge. 

Day 8 Hassfurt, Bamburg

The UNESCO World Heritage City of Bamberg seduces visitors with its enchanting old town. The most famous street in the city, Sandstrasse, runs through the old town. Towering over Bamberg is the Romanesque cathedral of St. Peter and St. George. It is known as the ‘Kaiserdom’ because King Heinrich and Queen Kunigunde are buried here. Next to the cathedral is the Alte Hofhaltung, a renaissance building which now houses the city's historical museum. Directly opposite is the ‘Neue Residenz’, which served as the residence of the prince bishops from 1602, and is surrounded by a magnificent rose garden. An architectural gem of Bamberg is the Old Town Hall, suspended over the river by two bridges.   

Day 9 Nuremberg

Nuremberg is an independent city in the Free State of Bavaria, and the city is brimming with medieval architecture that runs through the entire city. The old city walls and the imperial castle tell of days long gone. Nuremberg is famous for its Christmas market.  

Departing from the comfort of your ship, a comfortable coach awaits to transport you through time, weaving past historic landmarks like the iconic Zeppelin Field and the charming suburbs that interlace with the city's rich history. Ascend to the lofty heights of Kaiserburg, where your adventure begins, winding your way down through the heart of the city. En route, see notable landmarks such as the Burgterrasse, the revered Albrecht Dürer House, the magnificent St. Sebald Church, and the stately old City Hall, each a testament to Nuremberg's illustrious past. Your journey culminates at the bustling market square, where a tantalizing gingerbread tastings or savory Nuremberg bratwurst await, all set against the backdrop of the city's iconic church. Immerse yourself in leisurely exploration before bidding adieu to Nuremberg and returning to your awaiting ship. 

Day 10 Regensburg

Regensburg is a very special city. With more than 1,000 listed buildings, it is the only remaining medieval large city in Germany, and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. The city’s landmark is the 300-metre, 12th-century Stone Bridge stretching across the Danube with its 16 arches. Another must-see piece of architecture in Regensburg is the Valhalla, commissioned by King Ludwig I, it is a neoclassical temple based on the Acropolis, and honors not gods but prominent Germans.   

 We also visit the glorious Thurn and Taxis Palace, ‘the White Palace’ belonging to Prince Albert II. With more than 500 rooms, it is the largest privately inhabited palace in Germany. The Palace, which has roots in German nobility, was built in the 18th century and is part of the extensive complex of one of Europe’s most important Benedictine abbeys, the Imperial Abbey of St. Emmeram. The oldest sections of the complex date back to the 12th century, and during the guided tour, you can admire the beautiful marble staircase in the south wing of the palace, which leads to the magnificent rooms of the princely residence. The entire neo-Renaissance style interior is modeled after Roman antiquity. 

Day 11 Passau

Due to its special geographical location at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau is one of the most unique cities in Germany. Towering above the city is the Veste Oberhaus, an impressive fortress dating back to the 13th century. The old town of Passau is known for its beautiful baroque architecture, especially the Cathedral of St. Stephen with its characteristic onion domes and the largest cathedral organ in the world, with almost 18,000 pipes. Take a guided stroll through the ‘Bavarian Venice’, along picturesque alleys, past St. Stephan's Cathedral, the prince-bishops' residences, and let yourself be enchanted by the baroque flair of this episcopal city. 

Day 12 Melk, Vienna

Melk has acquired a beautiful name -  ‘the gateway to the Wachau’. Anyone approaching the historic town on the Danube will gaze upon Melk Abbey perched high above the river. The abbey is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and worth a visit at any time of the year. The impressive Baroque ensemble has been cared for by the monks of the Benedictine order since the year 1089. Culture, faith and science are united in the magnificent rooms of the monastery. 

On a guided tour of the abbey, you will visit the Prelate's Court, the museum rooms in the former imperial chambers, the Marble Hall, the Altane and the world-famous library with over 80,000 volumes and a stunning ceiling painting by Paul Troger. Out on the terrace, you can soak in the impressive view of the Danube valley. 

Day 13 Vienna, Bratislava

Vienna, the capital of Austria is a must-see city on every traveler’s list in Europe. Few cities in the world offers such an enchanting combination of magnificent architecture, world-famous museums, theaters and beautiful green spaces. It is no wonder that the entire city center of Vienna is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is known worldwide for its palaces of emperors, kings and nobles like Schönbrunn, Belvedere and Hofburg palaces. Today’s city tour will include some of the city’s famous palaces, St Stephen’s Cathedral, government buildings and the Burgtheater. Enjoy a break at a typical Viennese coffee house or stroll along the famous Kärntner Strasse to enjoy some shopping.

Day 14 Budapest

"Pearl of the Danube" or "Paris of the East"? One thing is certain, Budapest has a lot to offer! From afar, the Parliament building on the banks of the river greets you and the Hungarian capital shines in its old splendor.  

On our panoramic sightseeing excursion of this grand capital, we travel by bus and cross the old chain bridge, passing the imposing 19th century St. Stephens Church, through the wide boulevards to Heroes' Square built 1896 for Hungary’s Thousand Years Celebrations. On our way back to the ship, we pass the neo-gothic Parliament Building, one of the city's major landmarks.  

Day 15 Budapest, Disembark

Farewell the crew, fellow passengers and disembark the vessel for a transfer to the airport or to continue your onward journey. 

 Note : While we make every effort to offer you the excursions mentioned in the itinerary, please note that changes may occur with little or without notice that are outside of our control, and we thank you in advance for your understanding. 

• Arrival transfer from the airport to the port with a Vantage representative, on day of arrival 
• Departure transfer from the ship to the airport on day of departure 
• Dedicated Cruise Director exclusively for Vantage Explorations group 
• Onboard accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service 
• Rituals amenities 
• Welcome cocktail reception 
• Captain’s Farewell Gala Dinner 
• Full board dining: breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring multi-course gourmet meals 
• Complimentary selection of cold and hot non-alcoholic beverages and a carefully curated selection of alcoholic drinks 
• High Tea: Indulge in a selection of sweet and savory treats such as scones, sandwiches, cupcakes, chocolates, macarons and an array of teas. Available once per voyage 
• In-cabin mini-bar in the cabin replenished daily 
• Complimentary welcome sparkling wine in the cabin 
• Reusable VIVA water bottle 
• Gratuities for crew (tips for your Vantage Cruise Director is at your discretion) 
• Complimentary wi-fi 
• One shore excursion per port of call 
• Audio headsets for shore excursions 
• Transfers – unless specified in itinerary 
• Airport arrival or departure taxes 
• Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges 
• Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges 
• Hotels and meals – unless specified in the itinerary 
• All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to gratuities, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges 

Before You Go

Pre-Departure Guide: Scotland & Ireland

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*Terms & Conditions apply. Valid on select ship voyages only. Offer is valid on new bookings only aboard the  Greg Mortimer  or  Sylvia Earle which must be booked and deposited by 31 Oct 2023. Promotion is subject to availability at the time of booking and capacity controlled. The promotion is only available in conjunction with the back to back voyage discount or the loyalty program offer, and not available with any other offer. The promotion can be withdrawn at any time and is not redeemable for cash. Normal booking terms and conditions apply. To confirm your booking, a completed booking form and non-refundable deposit of $2,500 pp in the booking currency is required within 7 days of reserved berth/s. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Please see full terms and conditions .

^Terms & Conditions apply. Additional 5% discount valid on both voyages but two voyages must connect back to back in terms of dates to be eligible. Offer is valid on new bookings only aboard the  Greg Mortimer  or  Sylvia Earle . Promotions are subject to availability at the time of booking and capacity controlled. The promotion is only available in conjunction with early bird voyage discount or the loyalty program offer, and not available with any other offer. The offer can be withdrawn at any time and are not redeemable for cash. Normal booking terms and conditions apply. Please see full  terms and conditions .

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