Celebrity Cruises Announces River-and-Ocean Cruise Vacations

[Celebrity Cruises]

Hi all,

 

Excited to share this announcement!

 

MIAMI, FL – Oct. 29, 2014 – On the heels of the successful launch of “Celebrity Explorations” – unique vacations that pair ocean cruises with rich destination experiences on land – is the introduction of European river-and-ocean cruise vacation packages. Unique to the cruise industry and only available on Celebrity Cruises, these one-of-a-kind Celebrity Explorations combine immersive Amras Cruises river journeys with guest-favorite modern luxury ocean sailings.

 

“Our guests want to continue seeing more of the world with Celebrity, and we are dedicated to providing them with the most destination-rich vacations,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “By introducing these river-and-ocean cruise packages, travelers can immerse themselves in Europe more so than ever before, with the ease of choosing a vacation package exclusively created by Celebrity.”

 

The 11 new river-and-ocean cruise packages offer guests the opportunity to explore Europe far and wide by way of four well-known rivers – the Danube, Rhine, Rhône and Seine – and then by sea onboard a breathtaking Celebrity cruise around the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Russia, Turkey and other destinations.

 

Ranging from 16 to 24 nights, Celebrity Explorations’ river-and-ocean cruise packages include:

 

Seven-night Amras Cruises river cruise, including gourmet dining; select beverages, featuring regional wine and beer; fully guided tours and excursions; Wi-Fi and more

Dedicated Celebrity Cruises Destination Concierge to ensure a seamless and personalized river cruise experience

Flights to a major European city near the ocean cruise port - Rome, Italy; London, England; Barcelona, Spain; Athens, Greece; or Istanbul, Turkey

One- to two-night luxury hotel accommodations before embarking on the ocean cruise

Convenient transfers from the airport to the hotel and the ocean cruise port

Celebrity Cruises Classic Beverage Package, including wine and spirits

 

Each river cruise perfectly complements the signature luxuries Celebrity is known for at sea, from beautifully designed accommodations and impeccable service to distinctive dining experiences created by a James Beard-featured chef.

 

The European river-and-ocean cruise vacation packages offer 11 different combinations of six river cruises and nine distinct ocean sailings, including:

 

• Southern France Sonata with Greece & Turkey – A 16-night adventure that begins with a seven-night river cruise onboard Amadeus Symphony, through Southern France – including stops in Lyon, Viviers and Avignon – followed by two nights in Athens, Greece and seven nights visiting the gems of the Mediterranean aboard Celebrity Equinox The 16-night journey departs Chalon-sur-Saone, France on July 2 and ends July 18, 2015 in Istanbul, Turkey. Packages start at $8,299* per person, including all cruise taxes and fees.
   
   
  
• Danube Waltz with Spain & the Canary Islands – A twenty-night vacation to seven different countries starts aboard Amadeus Silver II for a river cruise visiting heritage sites of Budapest, Hungary; the Austrian shoreline and Wachau Valley; and historic German cities. Vacationers then fly to London, England for a two-night stay before meeting Celebrity Eclipse for an 11-night ocean cruise to the vibrant cities of Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal and the Canary Islands. The 20-night journey departs Budapest, Hungary on Oct. 1 and ends Oct. 21, 2015, in Southampton, England. Packages start at $9,699* per person, including all cruise taxes and fees.
   
   
  
• Classical Rhine with Caribbean Transatlantic – Vacationers can enjoy some of the most breathtaking cities in Europe, including immersive visits in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Cologne, Germany; and Strasbourg, France. The river cruise adventure onboard Amadeus Silver is followed by an overnight stay in Rome, Italy and a modern luxury ocean cruise vacation across the Atlantic Ocean on Celebrity’s newest ship, Celebrity Reflection, to St Kitts, St. Maarten and other idyllic islands of the Caribbean. The 23-night journey departs Amsterdam on Oct. 15 and ends Nov. 7, 2015 in Miami, Fla. Packages start at just $7,499* per person, including all cruise taxes and fees.
   
   
  
• Seine Symphony with Israel & the Mediterranean – Guests can experience the French countryside in a new way by sailing aboard Amadeus Diamond and docking for tours of châteaus, centuries-old cathedrals, plus the beaches of Normandy. Travelers then spend a night docked in Paris, France and fly into Istanbul, Turkey to embark on a 12-night cruise aboard Celebrity Constellation to the historic cities of Haifa and Ashdod, Israel; Valletta, Malta; and Naples and Rome, Italy. The 20-night journey departs Paris on Oct. 15 and ends Nov. 4, 2015 in Rome, Italy. Packages start at just $7,999* per person, including all cruise taxes and fees.
  

 

For the full list of Celebrity Explorations’ new river-and-ocean cruise vacations and more details, visit celebritycruises.com/vacationpackages, dial 1-888-305-9153 or contact a travel agent.

[archerniak]

This announcement is great. Thank you Celebrity. I have wanted to do a River Cruise for some time and this will make my decision on what line to utilize easier.

[hulamoon]

Thank you Celebrity! Now to study the differences.

[jelayne]

Wow! How exciting. Now to decide which one to book.

[hulamoon]

In my dreams I was hoping we had booking privledges in a river cruise line that connected back to celebrity loyalty. While all of these sound wonderful it maybe a DIYer maybe able to do better price wise if not convienence wise. Will take a bit of research.

[nyfeds]

Will Celebrity do river cruises on the Douro River - Spain/Portugal?

[ECCruise]

Looking at the prices, if I was to consider this, I would very carefully compare. 19 day trip with 11 day ocean and 8 day river cruises at over $20k for AQ seems a bit rich for my blood.

[ECCruise]

Will Celebrity do river cruises on the Douro River - Spain/Portugal?

 

Who knows? They just announced this an hour ago, I would guess they will need to ramp things up if it works. And these are not Celebrity river cruises, BTW.

Edited October 29, 2014 by ECCruise

[Iamthesea]

Classical Rhine #3 looks interesting. I've always wanted to do a river cruise in Germany. :)

 

I figured out that the River cruise portion would be around $2500pp. in their medium accommodation. That leaves $4500pp for the air portion (Switzerland to Rome), the Rome hotel, any transportation, and transportation to Civitavecchia for the 15-night transatlantic on Reflection in a Cat. 2D ($1500pp). Also includes the Classic Beverage Package. I am unsure if it includes any shore excursions from the Reflection.

 

The combo price for this package is a bit high. :rolleyes: If it included ALL air, it may be worth the cost for the convenience.;)

 

BTW-Celebrity needs to check their advertising. The Classical Rhine Cruise and Transatlantic is mislabeled as the Seine Symphony River Cruise

http://www.celebritycruises.com/htmlpage/rhine-caribbean-transatlantic#breadcrumbs&panel1-1

Edited October 29, 2014 by Iamthesea

[upwarduk]

Rome)---- to Civitavecchia for the 15-night transatlantic on Reflection in a Cat. 2D ($1500pp). Also includes the Classic Beverage Package. I am unsure if it includes any shore excursions.

 

It's most unusual for a TA to include the Classic Beverage package!

[Sloop-JohnB]

Thanks CELEBRITY CRUISES for posting... This is exciting news

 

And definitely will need some time to digest / analyze

 

Soooo many choices... So little time

 

Lol, to see all i want in the world, I should have retired at 30 ;)

 

Cheers!

Edited October 29, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[Iamthesea]

It's most unusual for a TA to include the Classic Beverage package!

 

Yes, it is an added bonus. ;)

 

I was a little off on my above figures. I changed one number and forgot to change the other. :D :o

 

Now, to get the DH to take an even earlier retirement than he was planning. He needs a few more vacation days to get that 23 night cruise in. Hmmmm

[jayoldschool]

Will the river cruise portion have the same smoking policy as the Celebrity ships?

[ECCruise]

Will the river cruise portion have the same smoking policy as the Celebrity ships?

 

You would need to consult the River Boat company, Amras Cruises I can't find anything on their site.

[Lois R]

The itineraries sound great but in my opinion, it looks like these are

definitely geared for those people who have unlimited time and funds.

A minimum of 16 nights?:eek:.......for those of us who work fulltime and

have a more limited budget? These are not even in the "maybe if I save up

and not cruise for year":rolleyes:

 

Oh well, for those of you who are going to book one, enjoy your cruise:)

[Sloop-JohnB]

Will the river cruise portion have the same smoking policy as the Celebrity ships?

 

I would think that answer would lie on the Amras Cruises website.

 

As I read this Announcement... It appears to me this is a Celebrity Charter Pkg (whole river boat or partial) in the same sort of vein / success as Celebrity Canada has had in 2013-14 & 2014-15 Winter Season with their Caribbean Cruises that they teamed up to do with Canadian North (a Canadian Airline)

 

Cheers!

[Gracie115]

The itineraries sound great but in my opinion, it looks like these are

definitely geared for those people who have unlimited time and funds.

A minimum of 16 nights?:eek:.......for those of us who work fulltime and

have a more limited budget? These are not even in the "maybe if I save up

and not cruise for year":rolleyes:

 

Oh well, for those of you who are going to book one, enjoy your cruise:)

 

As much as I'd love to do a river cruise I agree with you Lois...pretty pricey....maybe a few years down the road we can swing something like this....but nice to know X is offering new things...

[vulcan1971]

I think I would be more interested to have Celebrity create a land package combined with a river cruise charter. I don't need to also cruise in the Mediterranean on a large cruise vessel. However, I would love to see more of Europe with Celebrity.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

[LewiLewi]

We are doing an 11 day French River cruise and sailing Eclipse back to FL on a TA in suite class and we are paying a lot less than the prices advertised by Celebrity. I would compare prices very carefully; you might do a lot better booking these cruises separately on your own.

[ECCruise]

I think I would be more interested to have Celebrity create a land package combined with a river cruise charter. I don't need to also cruise in the Mediterranean on a large cruise vessel. However, I would love to see more of Europe with Celebrity.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

 

Investigate the river cruise choices. All of the companies provide land/cruise packages.

Celebrity is only "partnering" with a river cruise company (Amras). The river portion is not theirs.

[hcat]

Wondering how the ships that will be used compare to other River cruise lines....we might one day do a Tulips and Windmills river cruise....after we save our pennies!

[vulcan1971]

Investigate the river cruise choices. All of the companies provide land/cruise packages.

 

Celebrity is only "partnering" with a river cruise company (Amras). The river portion is not theirs.

 

 

I understand that. And I'd like my loyalty for booking through Celebrity to actually be recognized. It wouldn't be the first time a cruise line leased ships from someone else.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

[ECCruise]

I understand that. And I'd like my loyalty for booking through Celebrity to actually be recognized. It wouldn't be the first time a cruise line leased ships from someone else.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

 

They are definitely not leasing the ships. I can go to the Amras site and book directly there.

[vulcan1971]

They are definitely not leasing the ships. I can go to the Amras site and book directly there.

 

 

Again, you aren't telling me anything I don't already know. What I would like to happen is not what is necessarily an option.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

[ECCruise]

Again, you aren't telling me anything I don't already know. What I would like to happen is not what is necessarily an option.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

 

Confused.

If you already know that, then why did you posture that maybe they were leased?

 

Google is your friend.

Edited October 29, 2014 by ECCruise