Recommend August 2015 - (Page 12)

RIVER CRUISE cruise update paloma villaverde de rico american cruise lines Just last month, the cruise line named its brand-new Mississippi paddlewheeler, and the new name is...drum roll, please...America. This is the line's eighth ship, which is set to sail the Mississippi River starting in early 2016. According to reports received at press time, the riverboat Top: American Cruise Lines' is ahead of schedule and American Eagle, which will introduce features "never launched this year. before seen on a Mississippi Top right and below right: American Queen riverboat." This year has been a Steamboat Company's busy one for American Cruise American Queen. Lines with the introduction of pre- and post-cruise extension packages that highlight the rich culture, history and entertainment in U.S. ports such as New Orleans, Memphis, Charleston and Seattle. An extension package in Memphis, for example, includes a welcome reception and deluxe hotel accommodations with ample time for your clients to explore the city-strolling Beale Street; taking part in a Memphis-style BBQ cooking lesson from a master local chef; experiencing a unique "fowl" tradition at the Memphis-Peabody Hotel as the Peabody ducks march to and from the lobby for a drink in the fountain; and visiting Sun Studios, as well as the National Civil Rights Museum. According to Judy Roman, vice president of American Cruise Lines, the Mississippi River is the initial focus of the extension packages, but there'll be a full roll out to all of the destinations in 2016. americancruiselines.com american queen steamboat company Starting this September, your clients will be able to opt for Big Band Swing voyages on board the American Queen paddlewheel steamboat. Taking place between Sept. 5-13 from St. Paul to St. Louis and Sept. 12-20 from St. Louis to St. Paul, these 9-day cruises include nightly dancing accompanied by the 13-piece Great American Swing Band and onboard lectures from historians, as well as special appearances by vocalist Lynn Roberts, a former big band singer with the Dorsey Brothers, Harry James, and Doc Severinsen. Other highlights include a pre-cruise hotel stay in St. Paul or St. Louis, and hop-on/hop-off tours in the port cities. Rates start at $3,599 for 2015 departures; for 2016, there are departures in February and September. In 2016, the line will debut Commodore River Butler Service on board both its vessels for those passengers booked into the luxury suites. This 24-hour personalized service includes private check-in, laundry service, afternoon in-suite tea, breakfast and dinner service, in-suite canapes and post-dinner sweets along with a personal escort to reserved balcony seating in the Grand Saloon theater. Next year will also see two Mighty Mississippi Voyages, traveling the length of the entire river with a southbound and northbound itinerary spanning three weeks. There will also be new themed voyages, including Presidents & Politics, coinciding with the dates of the 2016 Republican and Democratic national conventions. americanqueensteamboatcompany.com Crystal Cruises to Launch Crystal River Cruises 10 august 2015 AMERICAN QUEEN STEAMBOAT COMPANY Come spring 2017, Crystal River Cruises will enter the river cruise market. Although not many details about this brand extension were available at press time, Crystal's president and CEO Edie Rodriguez did point out in the announcement that "the hallmarks of the Crystal experience-six-star service, world-class dining, delightful shore adventures and the largest suites in river cruising- will be applied to an exquisite new class of river vessels that will feature expertly curated itineraries." crystalcruises.com recommend.com http://www.americancruiselines.com http://www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com http://www.crystalcruises.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2015

Editor’s Notes
Hotel Desk: AC Hotels by Marriott
Tour Talk: Cuba Calling
River Cruise Update
AmaWaterways’ AmaCerto
The Girls—& Guys— Just Wanna Have Fun
Martinique Travel Planner
Sint Maarten’s Three All-Inclusive Sonestas
Puerto Rico
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Update on Air, Hotels & Tours
Israel: A Journey of Divine Discovery
Wales
Festival Time: “Step Outside the Ordinary”
Official Florida Travel Industry Education Program–Beaches Course
The Battle Begins: Girls vs. Guys Getaways

Recommend August 2015