River ship will operate new Bordeaux itinerary in 2015.
BOSTON – Vince Cook, CEO of Grand Circle Cruise Line, the leader in small ship and river cruising worldwide, announced that the fleet has acquired the River Cloud II, a 90-passenger ship that will operate Grand Circle Cruise Line’s new river cruise tour in Bordeaux beginning in March 2015. Renamed the M/S Chanson, the river ship was acquired for an undisclosed price from Sea Cloud Cruises. “We are delighted to add the Chanson to our award-winning fleet,” said Cook. “With its capacity of just 90 passengers, our new ship can enter small ports that are inaccessible to larger ships, allowing our travelers to explore small villages and towns, engage with local people, and experience the daily life of a community. These are the experiences our travelers want in small ship travel, and we are extremely happy to offer this in a brand new river cruise in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.”
The Chanson will provide an intimate cruising experience for just two groups of no more than 45 travelers, each with its own expert resident Program Director. The ship has 47 cabins-all with private baths, flat-screen color TV with DVD player, radio, telephone, in-room safe, and individual hearing and air conditioning controls; dining room with informal, single seating; lounge; bar; small library; teak-covered sun deck, and an English-speaking ship staff.
Grand Circle Cruise Line’s new 13-day Bordeaux: Vineyards, Vintages & Chateaux explores Paris, Chartres, Amboise, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Cadillac, Pauillac, Blaye, Libourne, and Saint Emilion. The cruise tour includes: Accommodations (1 night at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse or similar in Paris, France; 2 nights at the Novotel Amboise hotel or similar in Amboise, France; 2 nights at the Best Western Masqhotel in La Rochelle, France); and 7 nights aboard the Chanson; 29 meals: (12B, 8L, 9D, with complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner onboard); 8 tours; Exclusive Discovery Series events; Personal headset on all included and optional tours during the cruise; services of a resident Program Director (assigned to no more than 45 travelers); Captain’s Welcome Reception, Welcome Dinner, and Farewell Dinner; 5% Frequent Traveler Credit applicable towards one’s next Grand Circle trip; Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips; and all port charges and gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers.
Travelers may choose to purchase Grand Circle’s airfare, with airport transfers and government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges included, or they can make their own air arrangements. Tours include Chartres, Amboise, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Cadillac, Pauillac, Blaye, and Saint-Emilion, and Discovery Series events range from a French language lesson and French cooking demonstration to visits to an oyster farm and to the home of a local family.
Established in 1998 with a single river cruise ship, today Grand Circle Cruise Line has dozens of river ships and small ships, including 15 privately-owned river ships, three, 4-star plus 50 passenger ships that operate in the Mediterranean, and exclusive charters. More than 79,000 travelers have sailed with Grand Circle Cruise Line in the past two years, including more than 19,000 solo travelers. Grand Circle Cruise Line anticipates 40,000 travelers in 2014, including more than 12,000 solo travelers attracted by Grand Circle’s comprehensive solo friendly policies and programs.
Photo caption: Grand Circle Cruise Line’s newly acquired M/S Chanson (formerly the River Cloud II) will operate a new Bordeaux itinerary in 2015.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
