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Cruising with Jane Mcdonald on The Great Lakes with Victory Cruise Lines!

by 2020admin | Nov 27, 2019 | Cruises , Jane Mcdonald , Niagra Falls , Small Ship Cruising , The Great Lakes | 0 comments

We are excited to announce that our beautiful small ship, M/V Victory II, will feature in the new series of ‘Cruising with Jane McDonald’, with a cruise on the Great Lakes.  The hugely successful Channel 5 show will air the episode on 29th November at 9pm, the first episode in series six.

The programme features the ten-day ‘Great Lakes and French Canada’ cruise; boarding in Detroit, Michigan, USA and cruising Lake Erie and Lake Ontario before cruising up the scenic St. Lawrence River to disembark in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Ports of call also included Cleveland, Ohio; Toronto, Ontario; historical Quebec City and Port Weller for Niagara Falls.

The visit to the Falls was an absolute highlight, with Jane taking a boat tour under the famous Horseshoe Falls, followed by a 670 metres zip wire excursion into the gorge towards the base of the Falls.

Jane McDonald cruised on the 202 passengers, elegant, ‘boutique’ small ship Victory II, one of two identical Victory Cruise Lines’ vessels, the other being the Victory I, which also cruises the Great Lakes.  A range of itineraries cover all five Great Lakes – Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario and the Canadian Maritimes.

“It was a huge pleasure to host Jane McDonald and Channel 5’s ‘Cruising with Jane McDonald’ film crew onboard Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory II small ship last July.  Demand for US cruising, be it river, lake or ocean, is increasing from the UK and European cruise markets, especially from cruisers who have experienced European cruises and are looking for new destinations and adventures! “

Similar to the cruise featured in the programme is a 10-days ‘Great Lakes Masterpiece’ voyage Toronto / Niagara Falls to Chicago (or reverse) available for 2020 dates from £4595 pp, or a 15-day ‘Great Lakes Grand Discoveries’ Chicago to Montreal (or reverse) is available for 2020 dates from £6595 pp

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Cruising with Jane McDonald: All the destinations and cruise ships from the show

Author: Sophie Chichester

Published on: 29 June 2021

Cruising With Jane McDonald has long been a firm favourite among many Britons thanks to Jane's cheeky personality and the stunning destinations she visits.

Jane McDonald has cruised on a whole host of cruise ships to multiple destinations throughout the seven series-strong show.

From Alaska and Norway to Australia and Portugal, the singer's travels have taken her far and wide.

Cruise agent ROL Cruise offers cruises to all the same destinations onboard the very same ships Jane travelled on.

This is everything you need to know about the destinations and ships from Cruising With Jane McDonald.

Cruising with Jane McDonald Series 1

Destination: alaska.

Alaska is famed for its dramatic landscape punctuated with magnificent snow-capped mountains and towering Sitka Spruce trees. The slow-moving, winding waters of the Alaskan archipelagos guide cruise passengers between the mountains unveiling remote towns and villages along the way, not to mention awe-inspiring wildlife.

Lucky travellers might spot bears on Kodiak Island or even spot a whale diving through the waters in the south-easterly region. Grey wolves prowl the land while moose loiter by the roadside, and you'll likely hear the shrill cry of an eagle.

As for local cuisine, don't miss Alaskan salmon, halibut, reindeer dogs and 'Eskimo ice cream.'

When Jane visited Alaska she took a helicopter trip up to an ice field for a dog-sledding adventure and admired the splendour of the Margery glacier, a 21-mile stretch of ice in the Glacier Bay National Park.

Cruise ship: Nieuw Amsterdam, Holland America Line

Jane sailed on Nieuw Amsterdam to Alaska. The ship celebrates the glamour and history of New York City (paying homage to the city’s previous name).

The vessel boasts a $3million art collection featuring work by Andy Warhol, Richard Estes and Roy Lichtenstein. Expect elegant dining rooms, warm service and top-quality dining with tradition perfectly balanced with modern facilities for a pleasing and comfortable voyage.

Cruising with Jane McDonald Series 2

Destination: caribbean.

The Caribbean offers the perfect cocktail of holiday ingredients: white sand beaches lapped by turquoise waters, glorious sunshine and blue skies... not to mention actual delicious rum cocktails!

Aruba, Anguilla, St Bart’s and Turks & Caicos offer pure white sand beaches while eastern islands Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent and St. Lucia are home to darker, volcanic sunning spots.

There's no shortage of activities to do - boating and sailing, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing are all on offer.

Foodies should tuck into pepperpot, Antigua’s national dish of meat and vegetables such as okra, spinach, eggplant, squash and potatoes or Cayman Islands Tortuga rum cake, a heavy, moist cake available in several delicious flavours.

In the show, Jane McDonald visits Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba as well as Montego Bay in Jamaica.

She said of Cuba: “Cuba was like being in the film La La Land. Everywhere we went people were singing and there were bands on every street corner. I was serenaded with guitars. Cubans are the happiest people I’ve ever met, and it was really enlightening to be with folk who love life. We blagged our way into a house party and it was like the set of Fame.”

Cruise ship: Celestyal Crystal, Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal Crystal is home to comfortable staterooms and suites, elegant restaurants, bars and lounges, spa and fitness rooms.

Perks include fresh towels and toiletries delivered twice a day and personal stewards on hand to deliver room service 24/7.

- Find out more about ROL Cruise here -

Cruising with Jane McDonald Series 3

Destination: rhine.

The Rhine River snakes from the Swiss Alps through central and Western Europe until it reaches the North Sea.

Cruising along the romantic river affords passengers views of beautiful castles, verdant vineyards and fairy-tale villages.

Notable stops include Amsterdam (Red Light District and tulips), Cologne (Romanesque churches and a Chocolate Museum), Koblenz (pretty squares and a Rhine castle), Rudesheim (Riesling wine and historic streets), Miltenberg (a brewery and a castle), Wurzburg (a UNESCO-protected palace and pre-war grandeur), Mannheim (an 18th-century palace and a beautiful park) and Basel (a Gothic cathedral and stunning architecture).

Cruise ship: S.S. Antoinette, Uniworld River Cruises

The “S.S.” here appropriately means “Super Ship.” The vessel features fine Brazilian marble on the walls and floors, a 19th-century Venetian glass mirror, a stylish Bar du Leopard with a full-service bar and an onboard cinema.

What's more, the two-story foyer boasts a 10-foot blue Strauss Baccarat chandelier with huge sapphires—a stunning piece that once hung in New York's famous Tavern on the Green—and a collection of original artworks is displayed throughout the ship.

Staterooms and suites on La Princesse Deck have open-air balconies that, at the touch of a button, will raise the glass to create a completely enclosed conservatory.

Cruising with Jane McDonald Series 4

Destination: south america.

Jane visited a wealth of countries in this beautiful and diverse continent in the show. She started in Chile before sailing down to Patagonia and on to the Falkland Islands in part one. In part two she went to Argentina and Uruguay.

Valparaíso, on Chile’s Pacific coast, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A riot of colour and fun, it's famous for its unique bohemian culture, brightly coloured houses and stunning seashores. Easter Island is Chile’s other hidden treasure, boasting legendary stone moai and other indigenous artefacts.

The Falkland Islands are some 4,700 square miles but with a tiny permanent population of just under 3,000 people, oh, and a great many penguins.

Meanwhile, Argentina is home to the tango, not to mention delicious food and drinks. Buenos Aires is a must-visit with its beautiful buildings and frenetic energy while Iguazu Falls sits on the border of Argentina and Brazil and is surrounded by glorious flora and fauna.

As for Uruguay, capital Montevideo has plenty to offer, including a remarkable mix of modern and colonial architecture.

Cruise line: Silver Muse, Silversea

Silver Muse offers its 596 guests the newest technology, state-of-the-art facilities, spacious outdoor areas and all-suite accommodation – not to forget exquisite dining delicacies.

The Spa by Silversea has floor-to-ceiling windows which offer sweeping views of the ocean plus nine treatment rooms, an acupuncture suite, relaxation areas, saunas, steam room and an outdoor whirlpool.

Guests can check out the Arts Café where paintings and sculptures showcase a broad range of talents while in the evening the Venetian Lounge is a must stop.

Cruising with Jane McDonald Series 5

Destination: australia.

Australia has everything to sate holidaymakers, from beautiful beaches and breathtaking wildlife to vibrant cities and lush green rainforests.

Sydney is known for its famous Sydney Opera House, iconic harbour and glorious beaches. Perth also features pristine beaches as well as a myriad of attractions including Perth Zoo.

Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city and is considered to be the country’s cultural capital thanks to its countless art galleries, museums and live music scene. The culinary scene is also buzzing here.

Of course, heading out into nature is hugely rewarding, too. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s most extensive ecosystem. It's home to over 1,500 species of fish, around 240 species of birds and a diverse array of crustaceans, anemones and marine worms.

Meanwhile, the Blue Mountains bristle with tall forests, sandstone cliffs, canyons and waterfalls. There are over 87 miles of walking tracks here.

Cruise line: Sun Princess, Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises exclusively featured in all three episodes of series five.

Sun Princess was built in 1995 and was one of the largest cruise ships in the world at the time. However, the ship is no longer among Princess' fleet and was sold to Peace Boat in 2020. It's now called Pacific World.

Cruising with Jane McDonald Series 6

Destination: portugal.

Portugal offers tourists cobbled streets, hilltop castles, rugged coastlines and high-reaching cliffs.

The country is very popular as a river cruising destination and in Cruising with Jane McDonald, the singer sails the Douro and ends her trip in Lisbon.

Charming Lisbon is lined with colourful buildings, cobbled streets are underfoot and an eye-catching tram serves as enchanting city transport.

Top attractions include Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, a century-old monastery; Castelo de São Jorge, from the turrets of which you can survey Lisbon; Panteao Nacional; and Praca do Comercio.

The city dates right back to 1200BC and has been home to the Neolithic Pre-Celtic tribes, the Phoenicians, Romans, and Moors.

Cruise ship: Emerald Radiance, Emerald Waterways

Emerald Radiance was custom-built for cruising Portugal's waterways. She boasts a relaxing Sun Deck, outdoor dining terrace and open-air Serenity Pool.

She's also the most intimate ship in the fleet operated by Emerald Waterways, with a capacity of 112 passengers and a crew-to-guest ratio of just 1:3.

All meals are included in the price of your trip, with complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks available during mealtimes.

Cruising with Jane McDonald Series 7

Destination: norway.

Gorgeous Norway is home to mountains, glaciers and picturesque fjords - there are more than 1,000 of them!

Sognefjord is the longest of the Norwegian fjords - it's more than 200 kilometres and measures 1,308 metres at its deepest point - while Geirangerfjord (a UNESCO world heritage site) is often said to be the most breathtaking of the fjords.

Norwegian capital, Oslo, is known for its green spaces and many museums, while Tromsø is famed as a viewing point for the northern lights. You can also go husky-sledding in the snow and admire the stunning view from Mount Storsteinen.

Jane sails from Bergen to Kirkenes in Cruising with Jane McDonald. Bergen was founded more than 900 years ago and has a rich history. Famous composer Edvard Grieg was born here.

Cruise line: MS Polarlys, Hurtigruten

MS Polarlys (which means ‘polar light’ in Norwegian) features a modern, Arctic-inspired design. It offers guests a choice of warm and cosy cabins while delicious Norwegian cuisine is served onboard.

The Explorer Lounge is one of the most popular public areas on the ships thanks to its panoramic views and comfortable 360-degree swivel chairs.

The expedition team are always on hand and regularly hold interesting lectures, presentations and activities relevant to the waters you travel.

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Great River Cruises with Jane McDonald

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Jane boards a beautiful boat cruising down the Danube, before heading to Portugal for a deluxe trip down the river Douro.

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Jane McDonald: Cruising Europe's Great Rivers

Jane's greatest trips on inland waterways.

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Cruising with Jane McDonald returns with Great Lakes sailing

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Small ship company Victory Cruise Lines is to feature in the first of a new series of Cruising with Jane McDonald on TV this week.

The Channel 5 programme on Friday features a ten-day Great Lakes and French Canada itinerary.

The cruise from Detroit includes Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River before disembarking in Montreal.

Ports of call by the 202-passenger ship Victory II include Cleveland, Ohio; Toronto; Quebec City and Port Weller for Niagara Falls.

The first episode in series six of the show features McDonald taking a boat tour under the Horseshoe Falls, followed by a 670 metres zip wire excursion.

Victory Cruise Lines is owned by the American Queen Steamboat Company and represented in the UK by Light Blue Travel.

Light Blue Travel managing director Rupert Thomson said: “It was a huge pleasure to host Jane McDonald and Channel 5’s ‘Cruising with Jane McDonald’ film crew onboard Victory Cruise Lines’ Victory II small ship last July.

“Demand for US cruising, be it river, lake or ocean, is increasing from the UK and European cruise markets, especially from cruisers who have experienced European cruises and are looking for new destinations and adventures.”

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The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more .

Cruising Great Rivers with Jane McDonald

From docuwiki, [ edit ] general information.

Travel Documentary hosted by Jane McDonald , published by Channel 5 in 2020 - English narration

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Image: Cruising-Great-Rivers-Cover.jpg

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Jane's heads off on a Portuguese deluxe trip down the river Douro, visiting Lamego and Vila Real and ending in the capital Lisbon. Then she heads down the Danube on board the SS Maria Theresa, starting in Budapest and taking in Vienna before finishing in Passau in southern Bavaria.

[ edit ] Screenshots

[ edit ] technical specs.

  • Video Codec: x265 CABAC Main@L4
  • Video Bitrate: CRF 23 (~2350Kbps)
  • Video Resolution: 1920x1080
  • Video Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Frame Rate: 25 FPS
  • Audio Codec: AAC-LC
  • Audio Bitrate: Q=0.45 VBR 48KHz (~128Kbps)
  • Audio Channels: 2
  • Run-Time: 85 mins
  • Number Of Parts: 1
  • Part Size: 1.47 GB
  • Source: HDTV
  • Encoded by: JungleBoy

[ edit ] Links

[ edit ] further information, [ edit ] release post.

  • MVGroup.org (torrent)

[ edit ] Related Documentaries

  • A Year in Port
  • Cruising with Jane McDonald: Ships and Giggles
  • Cruising the Mississippi with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising Asia with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising Iceland with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising the Nordics with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising the Med with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising Canada with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising the Caribbean with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising Scotland with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising Scandinavia with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising Islands of the Med with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising the Blue Danube with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising the South Pacific with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising South America with Jane McDonald
  • Cruising Europe's Great Rivers with Jane McDonald

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Categories : Travel | Jane McDonald | Channel 5 | 2020 | English | Name Language > English Name Narrator > Jane McDonald Publisher > Channel 5 Subject > Travel Year > 2020

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The power of Jane McDonald Reignites Interest in River Cruising

Join Emerald Waterways and Jane McDonald tomorrow night (Saturday July 11) for a double episode of 'Great River Cruises with Jane McDonald'

This Saturday, 11 July, at 7:15pm on Channel 5 – Emerald Waterways will take centre stage on our screens once again, this time in a double episode of ‘Great River Cruises with Jane McDonald’. Join the award-winning cruise line to watch Jane sail along the Douro River on the brand’s eight-day Secrets of the Douro river cruise.

The show was previously repeated last month which brought show-stopping results for Emerald Waterways. Within just 24 hours, there were 15,000 visitors to the Douro section on the website, 2,000 brochure requests, and the Douro region went on to become the line’s number one booked destination in June – with the Rhône River coming in second, which was also promoted in the same double bill episode.

David Winterton, global brand director, Emerald Waterways comments: “With the episode originally making its debut in April 2019 – we are so pleased to see how we are continuingly experiencing great results and interest from the show. We want to thank Jane and Channel 5 for presenting our Star-Ship and Douro itinerary in a fantastic way, which has clearly drawn great attention to Emerald Waterways. We look forward to sharing Jane’s cruise with the nation once again on Saturday and hope it will again spark an interest in river cruising from the viewers.”

Joseph Grimley, director of trade sales, Emerald Waterways comments: “The ongoing airing of the show provides a great opportunity for our travel partners to watch and learn more about our river cruise along the Douro River, and also provides them with increased river cruise enquiries through the interest the show generates.”

Previously Jane McDonald has also sailed along famous rivers such as the Mekong, the Rhine and the Danube, with Emerald Waterways seeing sharp spikes in both website traffic and bookings via travel agents almost from the moment each show has aired.

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Home » Cruises » Jane McDonald’s ‘lovely commute to a restaurant’ from her river cruise – ‘like in Venice’

Jane McDonald’s ‘lovely commute to a restaurant’ from her river cruise – ‘like in Venice’

Jane McDonald’s ‘lovely commute to a restaurant’ from her river cruise – ‘like in Venice’

Jane McDonald reveals her top tips when packing for cruises

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Jane McDonald is cruising the Thames River with her closest friends on a trip made to discover “England’s great heritage”. She is onboard a four-berth private luxury river cruise with two of her best friends, Sue and Olwen, for their 70th birthdays.

They have been sailing the River Thames for weeks in order to enjoy the beautiful English countryside.

The trip started in Hampton Court, stoping in Windsor and Cliveden before finishing at Henley-on-Thames.

When they decided to set off for a birthday lunch in Windsor, they encountered a minor problem: their cruise ship couldn’t park.

Jane explained: “Our river cruiser is the biggest boat this side of the Thames, which means that it can’t always park up on a mooring if the water is too shallow.”

great river cruises with jane mcdonald

The crew onboard the ship arranged a transfer with a smaller boat to take Jane and her friends to their restaurant.

“What a lovely way to commute to our restaurant,” said Jane.

“It’s like being in Venice!

“We don’t have a gondola but we do have a little 1960s motorboat called Fringilla,” explained the presenter.

“And what a way to arrive!” she said when arriving at their lunch spot.

“We actually feel a bit like royalty here, don’t we?” she asked her friends.

“It’s very posh, isn’t it? What we call posh up north,” her friend said.

To what Jane replied: “They call it posh everywhere, Sue!”

great river cruises with jane mcdonald

Although theirs wasn’t a proper gondola, as Jane would have liked, it’s a very similar way to commute to that they use in the city of canals.

In Venice, big boats can’t get on the narrow canals, and gondolas have to take tourists to the city centre.

As opposed to what many people think, residents of the Italian city don’t use gondolas to move around.

It is reported that although there are only a few hundred gondolas left in Venice, almost none of them are used as private transport by local Venetian families.

great river cruises with jane mcdonald

When returning to the cruise at night, Jane commented on how relaxed the life of those living on boats was.

“This is a really relaxed way of life, isn’t it?”

They continued their journey towards beautiful Cockhand and Hurley and finished in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

“As the river is deep enough here, we can moor up next to the shore,” explained Jane this time.

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  • Episode aired Apr 19, 2019

Jane McDonald in Cruising with Jane McDonald (2017)

Jane heads to Portugal for a deluxe trip down the river Douro. In Porto, she discovers the roots of a similarly named fortified wine before boarding the stunning ship and setting sail down t... Read all Jane heads to Portugal for a deluxe trip down the river Douro. In Porto, she discovers the roots of a similarly named fortified wine before boarding the stunning ship and setting sail down the Douro. The cruise takes her to the architectural wonder of Lamego, Vila Real and the ho... Read all Jane heads to Portugal for a deluxe trip down the river Douro. In Porto, she discovers the roots of a similarly named fortified wine before boarding the stunning ship and setting sail down the Douro. The cruise takes her to the architectural wonder of Lamego, Vila Real and the home of Mateus Rose. She even manages a trip to Spain to visit Salamanca.

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Breaking Baz: ‘Cruising' Star Jane McDonald Cruises Into Lavish London Palladium ‘Robin Hood' Panto Starring Julian Clary In Title Role

EXCLUSIVE : Comedian and writer Julian Clary ( Julian Clary: Live – Lord of the Mince ) will play the title role in this festive season's London Palladium pantomime  Robin Hood , with singer and travel show presenter Jane McDonald ( Cruising with Jane McDonald ) topping the bill as Maid Marion.

The annual Palladium show, now in its ninth consecutive season, has become an eagerly awaited staple in the West End's calendar. It runs from December 7 through January 12, 2025. Priority booking opens 10 AM (GMT) April 25.

Last year's production, Peter Pan , with comedy legend Jennifer Saunders ( Absolutely Fabulous, French and Saunders ) making her pantomime debut as Captain Hook, and with Clary playing Seaman Smee, was a sold-out success, playing 56 performances -often two a day – to an audience of more than 123,000 at the 2,200 capacity variety house.

When tickets went on sale, there was a moment when 90,000 people were in the queue, waiting their turn to book seats.

"That's bigger than any 02 concert and bigger than any other West End show," boasted Michael Harrison, who directs and writes the Palladium theatrics in collaboration with Clary. 

This year's show, produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, of which Harrison is chief executive and David Ian is chairman, presents a cast of regulars and newcomers.

Returning are Paul Zerdin ( Muppet Treasure Island ) and Nigel Havers ( Chariots of Fire ), this year playing Will Scarlet and Friar Tuck.

Marisha Wallace, who appeared in Guy Ritchie's  Aladdin , was an Olivier award nominee for her Adelaide in Nicholas Hytner's glorious revival of  Guys & Dolls  at the Bridge Theatre. She makes her panto bow as the show's baddie, the Sheriff of Nottingham. West End audiences were introduced to her when she played Effie in  Dreamgirls  at the Savoy Theatre.

Charlie Stemp, coming off his third Olivier award nomination this year for  Crazy for You , returns to the Palladium as Alan-A-Dale. Prior to  Crazy for You , Stemp was nominated for Cameron Mackintosh's productions of  Half A Sixpence  and Disney's  Mary Poppins . From June 4, Stemp joins Adrian Dunbar ( Line of Duty ) and Broadway's Stephanie J. Block  (Into The Woods ) in director Bartlett Sher's production of Cole Porter's  Kiss Me, Kate  at the Barbican.

Comic artist Rob Madge ( My Son's A Queer ( But What Can You Do? ), no stranger to pantomime antics at the Palladium, returns as the Spirit of Sherwood.

Tosh Wanoghu-Maud, standing tall at over six foot, debuts as Little John. I've been a fan of Wanogh-Maud's ever since I spotted him as Young Simba in  The Lion King , which is still playing to strong houses at the Lyceum. More recently, the actor wowed as Ben E. King and Rudy Lewis in  The Drifters Girl,  which starred Beverley Knight .

Harrison told me that he wanted to have a year where Clary could play the title role, "Because obviously, he is central to it all. But he never plays the main role. It's always kind of a role on the side looking in, even though the show's always about him."

The panto king shared that he thought it would be funny to have Robin Hood played by the famously camp Clary, and pair him with McDonald. The performer kicks off her  With All My Love  concert tour at Blackpool Opera House on October 11.

"Jane leapt at the chance," Harrison said.

"I said, "Look, can you imagine you and Julian Clary being in love?!" Talk about Robin Hood's camp."

McDonald has an enormous following in the U.K., thanks to her  Cruising  and other tv travel shows, including her  Jane and Friends  variety show and two decades, ending in 2023, as a presenter on  Loose Women . Recently, she stopped by on an episode of  RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World . 

Harrison told me that Clary relishes the idea of playing Robin Hood, though he won't be as strapping as those who have played the outlaw on the big screen. I'm thinking of Kevin Costner in  Prince of Thieves , Russell Crowe in Ridley Scott's gritty  Robin Hood , and Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn in  Robin and Marion , playing the famous lovers in their twilight. Television's first  Robin Hood was Richard Greene in  The Adventures of Robin Hood . It was in re-run by the time I caught up with it during my childhood. And let's not forget Errol Flynn, with Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian, dashing about in Michael Curtis's 1938 swashbuckler,  The Adventures of Robin Hood .

Harrison laughed, then shook his head. "I've a funny feeling Julian's Robin Hood will be getting Al-A-Dale to do a lot of the dirty work in this production.

"I think Alan-A-Dale might be the one to fire the bow and arrow."

Harrison acknowledged that part of the Palladium pantomime's appeal is its familiarity, though he admitted that "There's always the criticism that it's always the same. Well, I think people want the same, but also a little bit different, and this year's going to be a little bit different."

Each year, award-winning designer Hugh Durrant, in consultation with Clary, attempts to outdo the previous year's gloriously outlandish costumes. "There are huge creations being cooked up at the moment, all linked to Sherwood and the forest," Harrison promised.

Hesitating a moment before asking, but I wondered whether Clary would be wearing a frock or tunic and tights?

"He'll be in the Robin Hood gear, but all on a gargantuan scale," Harrison assured. 

He noted that Clary's doing his show onstage, "and then goes offstage in the wings and it's another production with the costumes. Sometimes, it can take up to three dressers to get him into a costume. Those outfits are big set pieces."

Not that Clary's complaining.

With a wink, Harrison told me that Clary's "looking forward to working with his Merry Men."

My social media's packed with folk seeking to know the title of this year's Palladium pantomime.

Harrison observed that "Audiences are kind of like another cast member, and they come along in the spirit of it, which is why I think we get away with things that, perhaps ordinarily, you wouldn't."

Though we both loath the word ‘woke', Harrison agreed that the Palladium pantomime "is a woke-free zone."

The clamor for tickets last year was such that Harrison, in agreement with Palladium owner Andrew Lloyd Webber, decided to allow standing spaces at the rear of the Palladium's stalls. However, it caused a commotion at the first performance, when the creative team couldn't stand in their usual spots because the general public were there.

"If only we had five more rows," Harrison mused in jest.

The producer has a packed season, with Imelda Staunton's turn in  Hello,Dolly!  opening at the Palladium for a limited run from July 6 through September 14, and the transfer to Broadway of  Sunset Boulevard , previewing at the St. James Theatre from September 28, starring Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Francis, fresh from last weekend's wins at the Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. The show won a total of seven Olivier Awards, including  best musical revival for Lloyd Webber, Don Black, Christopher Hampton, director Jamie Lloyd's The Jamie Lloyd Company, Adam Speers and the Ambassador Theatre Group, and Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, the company formed by Lloyd Webber and Harrison to further exploit the composer's oeuvre. 

A revival of Lloyd Webber's  Starlight Express , directed by Luke Sheppard, is also being overseen by Harrison. Sheppard's recent productions include Live Aid  musical  Just For One Day , and  The Little Big Things , which saw Amy Trigg win the best supporting actress in a musical Olivier Award.  

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Breaking Baz - Julian Clary and Jane McDonald

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Home » Cruises » Uniworld River Cruises » India’s Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges

Uniworld River Cruises

India's Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges

From £6,079 pp.

Complex and beguiling, India is a country unlike any other. Wondrous sights rich in romance and intrigue come alive in the “Golden Triangle”of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Delhi’s immense red sandstone marble tomb, commissioned by Emperor Humayun’s grief-stricken wife, will capture your heart, while Raj Ghat, a black granite memorial to the “Father of the Nation,” Mahatma Gandhi, will stir your soul. Jaipur’s Pink City and Agra’s Taj Mahal, a grand tribute to love, will leave you forever mesmerized. This adventure by land and river will touch all of your senses, from Kolkata, where Mother Teresa’s humble home and tomb provide a place of pilgrimage, to the Rajbari Temples devoted to the Hindu god Shiva.

Your Ganges voyage delves deeply into India’s fascinating historical and religious heritage, working its charm in myriad ways and leaving you with memories that will forever endure. Start your trip with five luxurious nights at three different award-winning Oberoi hotels. Enjoy a rare opportunity to see the Taj Mahal two times—once at sunrise and once at sunset. Once onboard, travel to villages lining the Ganges River that only a few people get to see each year and experience our new  Wellness Programme , centered around the destination’s ancient tradition and practice of yoga.

What’s Included:

  • Flights from the UK and all overseas transfers
  • 2 nights in New Delhi at The Oberoi New Delhi (or similar)
  • 1 night in Agra at The Oberoi Amarvilas (or similar)
  • 2 nights in Jaipur at The Oberoi Rajvilas (or similar)
  • 7 night all-inclusive, boutique Ganges cruise on Ganges Voyager II
  • All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
  • 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 9 dinners
  • Complimentary house wine, local spirits and beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee will be served throughout the cruise. Onshore lunches include complimentary soft drinks, coffee, and tea. Onshore dinners include complimentary house wine, local beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea
  • 9 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
  • 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Complimentary wellness programme, captivating onboard local entertainment & insightful lectures
  • Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour

Close up of Peacock Gate in Pitam Niwas Chowk, Jaipur City Palace, Rajasthan, India

  • New Delhi to Kolkata
  • Optional Extensions

Fly from the UK to New Delhi

Arrive at New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport where you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to your hotel, the beautiful Oberoi New Delhi Hotel.

Its sophisticated comfort will offer you the perfect launching pad for your exploration of the city.

Day 1 - New Delhi

India’s sprawling capital city is colorful, confounding and completely captivating, an exhilarating mixture of ancient and modern, sacred and secular. Your perfectly paced, expertly-led city tour provides a soft landing, an ideal first foray into this fascinating land. The capital of modern India, New Delhi is not one city but many. Sprawling, home to 17 million people, inhabited for at least 2,500 years, New Delhi has been built and destroyed and rebuilt numerous times, and all of its conquerors have left traces. Your panoramic tour today will show you some of its most remarkable landmarks.

Featured Excursion: India’s capital city with rickshaw ride to Old Delhi

Day 2 - New Delhi

Travel down the broad boulevards of New Delhi, laid out early in the 20th century after the British moved the capital of the Raj from Kolkata to New Delhi and created a new administrative city just south of the old city. Sir Edwin Lutyens, a noted British architect, was given the task of designing this new city, which is still known as Lutyens’ Delhi; though the British are long gone, this area continues to house India’s government. The British were by no means the only conquerors to make New Delhi their capital. It was also the capital of the Mughal Empire for centuries, so it hosts spectacular examples of Mughal architecture, including Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Humayun’s Tomb, erected in 1570, was the first Mughal garden tomb in India (and a model for the Taj Mahal and Birla House). Your panoramic tour includes a look at the enormous fort where the emperors lived. The old phrase says that “Delhi belongs to the large-hearted,” and no one was larger hearted than Mahatma Gandhi, the founder of modern India, whose memorial, Raj Ghat, is also on the itinerary this morning.

You have some free time after your tour to explore this exciting city on your own—you’ll find goods from all over India in bustling Connaught Place, in case you want to indulge in some shopping, and the National Museum displays 5,000 years of India’s arts and artifacts. You may opt for the optional tour to Qutab Minar and the Jagannath Hindu Temple.

Breakfast & Dinner

This morning you will check out of your New Delhi hotel and head south via motorcoach to Agra, the site of Shah Jahan’s best-known building project, the exquisite Taj Mahal. You’ll visit the Taj Mahal this afternoon and stay for sunset, as the monument’s changing colors draw comparisons to the shifting mood of the late Emperor’s wife.

Featured Excursion: Taj Mahal at sundown

Day 3 - New Delhi, Transfer to Agra

Majesty and Grace: Taj Mahal at sundown Arrive this afternoon at the luxurious Oberoi Amarvilas. Relax over lunch there and then check into your room, where you will be delighted to discover that your room—indeed, every room—has a view of the Taj Mahal, your next destination for the day. It’s easily the most famous building in India, and one of the most famous in the world, with its white domes and minarets floating serenely above the reflecting pools—and you will encounter it just as the setting sun bathes the white marble in a panoply of colors. It’s a monument to a love story between a great ruler, Shah Jahan, and a learned and powerful woman, his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. After she died giving birth to their 14th child, he gathered some 20,000 craftsmen to build her mausoleum, who endowed it with dazzling translucent marble carvings inlaid with precious and semiprecious stones. Step through the gate and into the symmetrical gardens, and experience one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Breakfast & Lunch

Is the Taj Mahal best seen at sunset or sunrise? It’s an impossible question to answer, so Uniworld guests have the rare pleasure of experiencing both. Wake up early this morning for a second visit to this unforgettable site, so you can see the white marble monument aglow with the rosy tinge of dawn.

Featured Excursion: Early morning at the Taj Mahal

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Pink is the color of hospitality in Rajasthan, which gives you an idea of what to expect in the “Pink City” of Jaipur. Enjoy the visit to the local city bazaar. Take the afternoon to explore on your own—shuttles will be available to carry you to and from the hotel to the city’s shopping district.

Featured Excursion: Jaipur, Rajasthan’s princely city and Amber Fort

Day 5 - Jaipur

Jaipur, Rajasthan’s princely city and Amber Fort

Today you’ll tour the Amber Palace, followed by a visit to another of Jai Singh II’s architectural projects, the Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site devoted to astronomy. Each of the curious structures, called yantras, in this observatory without telescopes enabled court astronomers to study the heavens, measuring various celestial phenomena—eclipses, the position of stars—or the time of day. Some of these instruments are still used by astrologers to determine which days will be auspicious for weddings or other important events.

Take the afternoon to explore on your own: Shuttles will be available to carry you to and from the hotel to the major shopping district. Jaipur’s bazaars are famous for their traditional Rajasthani crafts—jewelry, pottery, hand-printed textiles and carpets—so go and enjoy the swirl of colors even if you aren’t interested in buying some souvenirs.

Settle into your beautifully appointed suite aboard the Ganges Voyager II in Kolkata (the city formerly known as Calcutta), the gateway to your journey along the world’s holiest river. You leave Jaipur early today and fly to Kolkata, India’s second-largest city, the longtime capital of the British Raj, and the city many Indians consider their nation’s intellectual capital. Like Jaipur, it is young compared to the millennia-long history of the subcontinent; it was founded by the East India Company late in the 17th century. You’ll board the Ganges Voyager II, your supremely comfortable traveling hotel for the next seven nights, and settle into your suite. Enjoy a Welcome dinner and a cultural performance to cap your day.

Day 6 - Jaipur, Fly to Kolkata (Embark), Cruise the Ganges

Kalna, once an important trade port on the river, is best known today for the magnificent Hindu temples built by the maharajas of Bardhaman— which you’ll experience today. After marveling at the astonishing Rajbari temple complex, you may opt to walk with your guide through the colorful local market.

Make Travel Matter Excursion: India’s “Temple City”

Uniworld’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences support sustainable tourism, offering guests opportunities to directly impact the communities we explore in a positive way.

Day 7 -  Kalna

India’s “Temple City” – Make Travel Matter Excursion

You’ve seen them jostling through the busy streets of New Delhi; today’s your chance to try riding in one yourself. Board a trishaw—a pedal-powered three-wheeled rickshaw—for a view of the streets of Kalna as you head to the Rajbari temple complex. The Pratapeshwar Temple, built in 1849, is embellished with exceptional terra-cotta carvings depicting myths and rituals, as well as scenes of everyday life (see if you can spot the girl in typical Victorian dress with a violin among the hundreds of figures). Lalji, the oldest temple in the complex, dates to 1739; the three-storied structure is topped with 25 distinctive pinnacles. Next to it is Krishna Chandra, built in a similar style. Across the street you’ll find the amazing Naba Kailash, two concentric circles of intricately carved temples dedicated to Shiva. The inner circle is made up of 34 white temples symbolizing pure thought; the outer circle contains 74 temples symbolizing the everyday world.o the ship

Your ship serves as a time machine today, transporting you hundreds of years into the past, as we travel to an artisan village where craftsmen use materials and techniques that have remained unchanged for centuries. Matiari, a West Bengal village nestled above the banks of the river and surrounded by farms, is also home to a thriving metal-working tradition that you will see in action today.

Make Travel Matter Excursion: Matiari master craftsmen

Day 8 - Matiari

Matiari master craftsmen with an introduction to brass

Artisans have been making ornamental brass objects— vases, lamps, figurines, platters—in Matiari for more than a century, so it’s no wonder that production is so well-organized and the craftsmen so skillful. Scrap metal is melted in the village foundry and pressed into new sheets of brass, which are then turned into various objects. Each craftsman specializes in a different step of the process, so one artisan might cut the metal, while another shapes it into a wide tray, and yet another etches an intricate pattern onto the surface. The sound of hammer on brass will fill the air as you stroll from workshop to workshop to see each step of the fascinating process.

Back onboard, watch as a skilled practitioner of mehndi demonstrates how the intricate henna patterns are created, and discover the meanings of the traditional motifs.

Curiosities abound in India, and that includes the country’s eclectic architectural styles. But a palace with a thousand doors? Such a thing does indeed exist, as you’ll see for yourself today, along with some famous terra-cotta carvings, the ruins of a mosque and yet another cultural curiosity—the game of cricket, India’s beloved (and rather complex) national sport. Today’s adventures take you to a duo of Bengali towns – Murshidabad and Baranagar – each one boasting surprising and beautiful architectural monuments closely linked to the ruling families of the area.

This evening, following dinner onboard, take in a lively and fun-filled Bollywood-style show, complete with music and dancing.

Featured Excursion: Visit to Murshidabad City, ride by buggy to Katra Mosque and visit to Baranagar village

Day 9 - Murshidabad, Baranagar

Murshidabad City, ride by buggy to Katra Mosque and visit to Baranagar village

Your day begins in Murshidabad, long ago the capital of Bengal and an important administrative center during the Raj—a fact that comes clear as the ship rounds a bend in the river and you behold Hazarduari Palace. This massive neoclassical building was erected in the mid-19th century for British officials, who lived and had their offices in its 114 rooms. One might wonder why the architect, Colonel Duncan Macleod of the Bengal Corps, thought the building needed a thousand doors, but that’s how many it has—900 of them are real doors, and the remaining 100 are false. It is now a museum, which you will visit. Climb aboard a horse-drawn buggy for a ride to Katra Mosque, built in 1723 by the first nawab, Murshid Quli Khan, who gave his name to the town. The huge mosque was damaged by an earthquake in 1897, losing two of its four great towers, but it is still a remarkable sight.

Return to the ship for lunch and cruise to the town of Baranagar, where Rani Bhabani built beautiful brick temples in the 18th century. Goats frolic among them now and vines attempt to take them over, but the terra-cotta carvings are considered among the best in Bengal and the temples are well-tended.

After your tour, if time and weather allow, you can learn a bit about one of the Raj’s enduring legacies in India: a passion for that most British of all games, cricket. It remains India’s favorite sport, and the national team, nicknamed the “Men in Blue,” has won the Cricket World Cup more than once. The game is played in schools, in fields, even on village streets; watch it in action and discover the meaning of terms like “long leg,” “fast bowler” and “run-out.”

One of the world’s most sacred bodies of water, the Ganges River flows through a myriad of small villages and highly populated cities throughout India and Bangladesh. Take in the remarkable scenery as you sail and be on the lookout for a rare sighting of the endangered Ganges river dolphin.

Wellness: You may choose to relax and unwind with a body massage or treatment onboard at the soothing Voyager Spa.

Few places of worship exist on such a head-spinning scale as what you will witness today in Mayapur, the center of the international Hare Krishna movement and home to the new Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, still under construction. Most students of history know a thing or two about the British colonial powers in India, but few are aware that the French had colonies here as well. You’ll visit this former French outpost today.

Featured Excursion: Hare Krishna complex and Temple of the Vedic Planetarium

Featured Excursion: India’s French colonial heritage

Day 11 - Mayapur, Chandannagar, Kolkata

Hare Krishna complex and Temple of the Vedic Planetarium

As the ship comes into sight of Mayapur, look for the new Vedic temple currently under construction. Funded in part by Alfred Ford, great-grandson of Henry Ford, the temple is designed to be larger than St. Paul’s Cathedral in London once completed. The new temple construction coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Hare Krishna movement, whose founder was born in Mayapur. Millions of Hare Krishna devotees come from all over the world to this pilgrimage site; as you walk through Mayapur’s bazaar to the temple complex, you may well spot expatriates from America, Canada and Europe. Colorful parades of followers often weave through the streets, adding to the hustle and bustle of the lively, vivid scene. You’ll tour the existing temple complex, get a look at the new Vedic Planetarium and learn something about the beliefs of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness.

India’s French colonial heritage

Bandel, founded by Portuguese traders in the 16th century, offers a typically Indian mix of religious monuments: It’s the site of the oldest Christian church in India, the location of Hindu festivals (including one devoted to the goddess Muthumariamman), and home to a famous Shia pilgrimage center, the Hooghly Imambara. You’ll board a country boat—a small boat fitted with benches that ferries passengers to and from your luxurious ship, which cannot always moor on the banks of the river—to reach the shore and the imambara. Completed in 1861 to honor Muhammad Mohsin, a revered Bengali philanthropist, the stately imambara offers shelter for pilgrims, a mosque and a school. Step into the long colonnaded courtyard for a view of the twin towers and the 19th-century clock, and climb the stairs of the clock tower for a fabulous view of the river and surrounding countryside. Visitors are sometimes allowed into the mosque, but all guests must leave before the faithful are called to evening prayers. “Liberté, Egalité et Fraternité.” These words, the famous slogan of the French Revolution, are inscribed on the gateposts of Chandannagar, a memento of the centuries the town was a French outpost in West Bengal. In fact, Chandannagar did not officially become part of India until 1952, so when you step ashore here you will find a mixture of French Colonial and Indian architecture. A broad, tree-lined riverfront promenade known as the Strand shows off the handsomest remaining French buildings, including the Dupleix Palace, now a museum, and the 19th-century Church of the Sacred Heart that replaced the 17th-century original.

The city of Kolkata is synonymous with the enduring legacies of Mother Teresa and the colonial-era British Raj, both of which you will get better acquainted with today.

Featured Excursions: Kolkata city tour – visit the Flower Market, colonial sites and Kumartulli

Choice Make Travel Matter Excursions: NGO’s Kolkata Rescue visit or Mother Teresa’s home and tomb

Day 12: Kolkata

Kolkata city tour – visit the Flower Market, colonial sites and Kumartulli

Continue this morning with a panoramic tour of Kolkata’s city center. The first stop? A visit to the captivatingly colorful Flower Market. Located adjacent to the Howrah Bridge, this vibrant and bustling market is filled with vendors and buyers exchanging money for flowers to be used in festivals, rituals, weddings and more. You’ll also have the chance to witness local wrestlers practicing early in the morning in an area along the riverbank. Though teeming Kolkata is home to palaces and tenements, new developments and modern office buildings, grand hotels and parks, its historic architecture reflects its status as the longtime administrative heart of the British Raj. The colonial buildings still standing—and still in use—offer a blend of baroque and neoclassical styles that say much about British colonial taste. Perhaps the most surprising is the red-and-white façade of the Calcutta High Court building—a replica of the city hall in Ypres, Belgium. You’ll see it as well as the stately Palladian dome of Government House, the classical white columns of Town Hall, the red-brick Writers’ Building and the enormous General Post Office. Pay a visit to St. John’s, the oldest Anglican church in the city, and the Victoria Memorial Museum—which was partly inspired by the Taj Mahal. Built as a tribute to Queen Victoria after her death, this huge white-marble structure houses an illuminating exhibition on the colonial era. From there, you’ll venture to Kumartulli, a traditional potters’ neighborhood that specializes in making intricate clay idols, for a look at this complex and fascinating time-honored tradition.

NGO’s Kolkata Rescue visit This afternoon, you’ll visit the local NGO Kolkata Rescue, which serves the area’s underprivileged children. They provide much-needed services at no cost to the neediest people of Kolkata and West Bengal—regardless of gender, age, caste or religion—through health clinics, schools, vocational training and preventative health programs. You’ll hear about the impact Kolkata Rescue has made over the last 30 years and get some insight on some of their current projects.

Mother Teresa’s Home and Tomb She came to India in 1929, after growing up in Macedonia and joining a Loreto nunnery in Ireland, and two decades later she founded her own order, the Missionaries of Charity, devoted to the “salvation and sanctification of the poorest of the poor.” Visit the Mother House, where she lived and worked for decades; see her simply furnished room and the tiny museum devoted to her—her Nobel Peace Prize medal is on display, along with informative newspaper clippings and photos—and her tomb. It’s a modest and serene spot devoted to one of the most influential women ever to live in the city.

Your incredible Indian adventure ends early this morning, as you disembark and transfer to the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport for your flight home—or extend your journey with an optional extension in Varanasi.

INCLUDED IN YOUR 4-DAY STAY:

  • 1 night at the Trident Hotel, Gurgaon (or similar)
  • 2 nights in Udaipur at the Taj Lake Palace (or similar)
  • Breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
  • All service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Udaipur city tour and boat ride on Lake Pichola and Saheliyon Ki Bari
  • All transfers and transportation and intra-India flights

Daily Programme

Udaipur - 3 Nights - Pre Cruise

Day 1: New Delhi

Arrive at New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, transfer to the Trident Hotel Gurgaon in New Delhi.

Day 2: Udaipur

FEATURED EXCURSION: City Tour of Udaipur Transfer to the New Delhi airport for an early flight to Udaipur. On arrival at Maharana Pratap Udaipur Airport, begin a half day city tour of Udaipur, known as the Venice of the East. You’ll start by visiting Jagdish Temple, a 300+ year-old monument to erstwhile Rajput kings. Continue to the magnificent City Palace—a palace complex situated in the city. It was built over a period of nearly 400 years, with contributions from several rulers of the Mewar dynasty. End the excursion with a visit to the world-famous Crystal Gallery; it’s spread across the upper gallery of the glittering Durbar Hall Sabhagaar. It has been hailed as probably the single largest private collection of crystal anywhere in the world.

After your tour, you’ll have free time to enjoy your luxurious hotel for the rest of the day.

Day 3: Udaipur

FEATURED EXCURSION: Lake Pichola and the Garden of Saheliyon-ki-Bari Relax with a fresh breakfast while taking in the views of the lake from the hotel’s dining room. Then, head out to experience a boat ride on Lake Pichola, followed by a visit to Saheliyon-ki-Bari. As per legend, the garden was designed by the king himself for his queen and the 48 maidens who kept her company. Continue with a walk through the shopping area near Jagdish Temple.

Day 4: Udaipur, New Delhi

Have a leisurely breakfast and independent morning before heading out to the airport for the flight back to New Delhi.

INCLUDED IN YOUR 3-DAY STAY::

  • 1 night at the Taj Gateway Ganges, Varanasi (or similar)
  • Breakfast daily, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
  • Complimentary house wine or local beer during dinner
  • Panoramic city tour of Varanasi
  • Private boat ride to witness a Ganga Aarti ceremony at sunset
  • Private sunrise boat ride along the Ganges
  • All transfers, transportation and intra-India flights

Varanasi - 2 Nights - Post Cruise

Day 1: Varanasi

FEATURED EXCURSION: Varanasi panoramic city tour with private boat viewing of an Aarti ceremony at sunset

Disembark and fly from Kolkata to Varanasi, one of the seven holy cities in the Hindu faith. The faithful believe that dying in Varanasi breaks the cycle of rebirth and frees the soul, and every good deed done here confers special blessings on the doer. It draws an unending stream of Hindu pilgrims, who lend the city a special flavor. A panoramic tour shows you some of the highlights of the city. As befits a city legendary for its place in Hinduism, temples abound. Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Shiva and built in 1776, has pinnacles sheathed in gold. White Marble Tulsi Manas, erected in the 1960s, stands amid lovely gardens; ocher-stained Durga Temple, sacred to the goddess Durga, is sometimes called the monkey temple because of the many monkeys frolicking on the premises. But perhaps the most famous sights of all are the ghats, the broad steps that offer access to the sacred Ganges. Here the faithful come to wash away their sins in the river and to cremate their dead.

Day 2: Varanasi, New Delhi

FEATURED EXCURSION: Private boat viewing of life and rituals on the Ganges at sunrise and silk factory visit

Experience a magical moment on Mother Ganga at morning’s first light. Step aboard a rowboat and drift quietly along the serene water as the sun rises, listening to the call of birds and the soft splash of the paddle as it dips into the river. All along the ghats, the faithful bathe in the river, murmur prayers and perform private Aartis. As daylight brightens, more people gather on the ghats, washing clothes, practicing yoga, eating breakfast—gradually the pace of daily life picks up, and the sacred merges into the mundane, showing you how closely the two are linked by the holy river.

Next, see how one of the world’s great silk-weaving traditions has flourished in Varanasi for more than 500 years, ever since Mughal rulers first encountered the development of the craft in the 15th century. Varanasi artisans still use traditional Mughal motifs as they weave featherlight silk scarves and lustrous brocades. It can take as long as six months for an artisan to weave the six meters of fabric required for the finest sari, which is often embroidered with gold or silver threads and embellished with beading; brides in particular seek out these gorgeous and unique—and costly—sari fabrics. Discover a range of lush and colorful silks as you visit a silk workshop, where the clack of the Jacquard loom keeps alive a craft handed down from generation to generation, and learn a little about the traditional processes used to create these work of art. You’ll return to the hotel and have time to explore a little on your own, before transferring to the airport for your flight to New Delhi, where you will check into your luxury hotel for your last night in India.

Day 3: New Delhi

You’ll check out of your hotel and transfer to the New Delhi Airport. Though your Indian adventure has ended, the memories will last you a lifetime.

  • Ganges Voyager II

Ganges Voyager II - Exterior 2

The magnificent design and décor onboard this ship draw inspiration from the colours and gorgeous scenery throughout India.

Relax in the air-conditioned lounge, or in the shade out on the sundeck and watch this amazing world drift by.  Dining in provided in the East India restaurant where a selection of Indian and European dishes are served.  Breakfast and lunch are buffets with silver service for the evening meals.

Catering for just 56 guests the Ganges Voyager II provides accommodation in elegant, spacious suites with high celings, hand painted murals and the finest linens.  Floor to ceiling windows in all suites provide uninterrupted river views.

Keep in shape, or just pamper yourself, in the Spa and fitness rooms with a range of treatments, wellness activities and equipment available.

Ganges Voyager II - Sundeck

Onboard Features & Facilities

  • 28 staterooms and suites catering for just 56 guests
  • Dining room serving locally inspired and European dishes
  • Panoramic lounge & bar
  • Covered sundeck with loungers and chairs
  • Open air observation deck with chairs and tables
  • Spa and Fitness room

Accommodation & Amenities

The ship’s spacious, high-ceilinged suites are a serene sanctuary, with beautiful hand-painted murals and all the comforts of a five-star hotel. All suites have a cosy sitting area and a French balcony with floor-to-ceiling glass doors. A bed dressed in soft linens, with a choice of pillows.

The roomy bathroom has a rain shower, comfy robes and slippers, and spa-quality bath products. Other high-end amenities include a generous amount of closet space, under-bed storage, a flat-screen television with a wide selection of on-demand movies, individual climate control, bottled water replenished daily, fresh fruit and flowers upon arrival, an iPhone docking station with alarm clock, makeup mirrors, and universal electrical plugs.

Maharaja Suite

400 ft² – upper deck.

  • Floor to ceiling windows opening to a French balcony
  • Expansive bathroom with a bathtub and separate shower
  • Bathrobes, slippers and spa-quality amenities
  • Enhanced sitting area with chairs and table
  • Bed dressed in soft linens and choice of pillows
  • Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
  • Flat-screen televisions with wide selection of on-demand movies
  • Individually controlled air-conditioning
  • Universal electrical sockets
  • Complimentary daily laundry service

Fixed bed cannot be separated

great river cruises with jane mcdonald

Viceroy Suite

360 ft² – upper deck.

  • Large bathroom with rain shower
  • Sitting area with chairs and table

Heritage Suite

280 ft² – upper deck.

  • Curved floor to ceiling windows opening to a French balcony
  • Expansive bathroom with a rain shower

Ganges Voyager II - Heritage Suite

Colonial Suite

261 ft² – upper deck, signature suite, 261 ft² – main deck.

great river cruises with jane mcdonald

Dates below represent the start date of the tour in New Delhi.  Your flights would leave the UK the day before.

Please call for latest prices and special offers

Enquire now about this cruise & speak to one of our friendly river cruising team on 0800 471 4754 .

This tour only operates from September through to March, avoiding the really hot and wet summer months.  Any of the available dates would therefore be a good time to go. December and January can be quite cool, so a good time to travel if you want to avoid the heat.  You will need pack some warmer clothes for the mornings and evenings this time of year.

Featured on Cruising with Jane McDonald

This India tour was featured on Jane McDonald’s television program.  Watch now on My5 from the link below:

great river cruises with jane mcdonald

A river cruise in India is an excellent way to see the country’s diverse landscapes and culture. The Ganges Voyager 2 is one of the most popular river cruises in India, offering a 7 night cruise as part of a luxurious 14-day journey through India. The Ganges Voyager 2 cruise price includes all meals, entertainment, and excursions, making it incredible value for this standard of tour.

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