While river cruises along the Rhine and Danube dominate the bookings for the major river cruise lines, a close second in the last few years is cruises along rivers in France such as the Rhone and Seine. A number of lines recently launched the launched the Paris to Normandy run and it has proved a best-seller, especially with the recent 70th Anniversary D-Day Commemorations in Normandy. The 2014 sailings sold out so fast that travel agencies, such as Premier River Cruises, are strongly urging those interested to get their reservations in early.
Rick Kaplan, President and Founder of Premier, recently told radio host James Lowe that "France is really picked up steam because the target audience, aging baby boomers, really enjoys the fine dining and wines available throughout the country." This baby boomer demographic is a target market for river cruise lines because they like "small groups, small ships, luxurious accommodations, fine wine and fine dining, all which are readily available with all river cruise lines," says Kaplan.
The two primary itineraries in France is Paris to Normandy and Provence and Spain, the latter generally beginning in Paris, followed by a high-speed train ride to Lyon to embark on the ship that is followed by stops in Belleville, Vienne, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon and disembarkation from the ship in Arles. The trip is concluded with three nights in magnificent Barcelona. Paris to Normandy has stops in Vernon, Giverny, Caudebec-en-caux, Les Andelys, Conflans and back to Paris.
From elegant, chic Paris "City of Lights" to the Normandy Beaches, from the vineyards of Burgundy to sunny Provence and beaches of the Mediterranean, a river cruise in France is just what one expects — full of the special joie de vivre that can be found only in La Belle France.
Rick Kaplan on the James Lowe Radio Show:
A number of new ships will be launched in 2015 by Viking and Avlaon in Burgundy and Provence. Viking will deploy two new sleek "long ships" and Avalon has the new Poetry II. Demand for these new ships and Uniworld's impeccable SS Catherine which was launched in 2014 will extremely strong, making it imperative to book early for next year.
For 2015, French wine aficionados, Scenic River Cruises, Uniworld and Viking river cruise lines have just introduced river cruises through the Bordeaux region of France. You'll experience the wines and foods of Bordeaux along with wine tasting in many of the more impressive Chateau like d'Arsac and Saint-Emilion. On some cruises you'll even enjoy an off the ship dinner at one of the Chateau. For oyster lovers, you may not know it, but Bordeaux may have the best oysters in the world, even better than the Chesapeake Bay variety. Bordeaux opens up a really in-depth cruise for food and wine lovers.
Among all the European countries, France is the number one, most popular vacation destination in the world and you'll soon discover why on a French river cruise! It is a truly remarkable country, one that is culturally, artistically and historically rich. France is so much more than merely Paris. Charming towns like Chartres, with its famed cathedral, and Tours, which may be one of the most picturesque towns in the midi-region are a must to visit. There's also Honfleur, one of our favorite towns in Normandy, which appears to be unchanged from the time of Napoleon.
THE PREMIER DIFFERENCE
It's All About Experience and Trust.
First, why would you choose Premier to book your river cruise?
Well, start with this little scenario… Imagine strolling along the winding cobble-stoned streets of Arles, France, stopping to enjoy a delicious espresso as you and your companion think about what's next on your list of fabulous sights. Day dream about a candlelit tour through one of the incredible wine caves of the midi region of France. Fantasize about your exclusive, private guided tour through St. Petersburg's incomparable Hermitage. During your days' leisurely excursion, contemplate the fact that you did not have to organize one single aspect of your memorable journey! Now, imagine returning to your luxurious river cruise ship, stepping out onto your private balcony to enjoy a glass of the local wine and thinking — "Life is great!" That's how you'll feel when a Premier River Cruises' Expert relieves you of the management of your vacation, arranging every single little detail, and ultimately ensuring your river cruise vacation is absolutely perfect, no matter what your destination or travel budget.
In a nutshell, that is why you would choose Premier River Cruises as your river cruise experts! Of course, there are many more reasons... The Premier River Cruises Team has been in the cruise business since 1984, and as we like to say, we are "Powered by Experience." It's that experience that allows us to connect the dots far better than almost any other travel agency, and Premier is the ONLY travel agency specifically selling only river cruise vacations, and no one does it better!
Following are just a few more of the Premier Differences you'll love when you book with us:
Years and years of cruise and travel experience. Premier's River Cruise Experts have at least 17 years of experience in cruise travel, as well as experience in traveling! Oftentimes, your River Cruise Expert will have traveled to the places you want to visit and will have been on the cruise ship you're interested in. If they haven't visited that destination, or been on that ship, you can bet one of our other experts has and can give you the "inside scoop." You'll never have to talk to a 25 year old reservations person who thinks the Danube is a dance done by "old folks."
We take all the hassle out of cruise selection, planning and management. Your Premier River Cruise Expert is like your own personal travel planner and makes vacation planning easy by eliminating all of the footwork you would otherwise have to do… like surfing the internet for hours, sometimes for days, trying to find a cruise you like and then decipher the offer! Remember, this is your vacation. You shouldn't get stressed planning it! Your River Cruise Expert will always be able to save your valuable time and energy, because they have the experience and knowledge of all the offers available. That knowledge enables them to find exactly what you desire within seconds, making the entire experience incredibly stress-free!
We'll do everything for you from the moment you contact us. Your Premier River Cruises' Expert is a 'real live, dedicated travel professional' who understands how important your vacation is and how hard you may have worked to take it. No one on our team has an "agenda" other than to ensure we match you with the right cruise line, ship and destination, at the very best value that ensures you return home with a lifetime of wonderful memories, not nightmares.
Exemplary, unequivocal personal customer service. We can't emphasize that enough! With Premier, you'll always receive unparalleled customer service at each touch point. I guarantee it! Our team is "customer-centric" and that is not merely a gratuitous, lip service word that we use. In today's world we all have to deal, every day, with awful, uncaring customer service from companies — large and small — who have no clue or don't care. That is just not right. Period.
We're asking you to spend a goodly amount of money with us and it's our job to take good care of you, and we absolutely will. You won't have to wait two days for a call back or an email in response to a question, or for us to do the job correctly and in a timely fashion. We practice good, old-fashioned "Service 101," and you'll immediately reap the benefits of that philosophy! If you're not satisfied for ANY reason email me, Rick Kaplan, 'cause the buck stops with me.
We have the best, up-to-the-moment cruise information and the best pricing. Because Premier River Cruises ONLY sells river cruise vacations, there's very little we don't know about river cruising and the destination you'll visit. Additionally, because our sole focus is river cruise vacations, we have a very good relationship with the major river cruise companies. This unique relationship allows us access to the best prices and in some cases cabins, even when none are otherwise available.
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