Exciting Offers
Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist
Happy Holidays to all—we sincerely want to thank you all, for your support, business and most of all the friendship and bonds we have developed. It has been an amazing ride as always and we look forward to what is in store for us in 2025.
This is our last blog of 2024.
This is going to be a slightly different blog this week (19 December 2024)—we have a couple of offers that are time sensitive (marketers would say hurry, these deals won’t last but we don’t want to insult your intelligence!).
Holland At the Heart of Tulip Blossom on Riverside Luxury Cruises 2025.
If you have never experienced the tulips in the Netherlands, although I don’t go crazy about gardens like some, this is an amazing experience! The tulips only bloom for about 6 weeks in the spring and they are all gone.
We are going to join this cruise from 23 April 2025 until 30 April 2025 and we would be delighted to share this sailing adventure with you, so come sail with us!
Kuekenhof Gardens, Netherlands
This is an 8-day cruise, round trip from Amsterdam. The ship is the Riverside Debussy, which only sails with 110 guests (all staterooms are suites, and above the waterline). After sailing on many 135-meter ships, many who are excellent and true luxury, we think that the Ravel and the Debussy are the 2 best designed 135-meter ships sailing in Europe.
Since the Ravel and Debussy are almost identical except for décor, let’s focus on the ship first.
Bow of the Riverside Debussy in Cologne, Germany
Pop-up Bar on theTop Deck, Riverside Debussy
To get a better idea of what you might experience on the Riverside Debussy, here is a blog I wrote about its sister ship the Ravel which has an identical setup:
https://www.dreamdestinations.com/blog-main/riverside-ravel-ship-tour
Now the route of this cruise
After arriving on the first day, you will get settled in your stateroom, later after the safety briefing, eat some great food and remain in Amsterdam ported overnight. The next day, on 24 April 2025, you have 3 options for tours--Keukenhof Gardens or Amsterdam Street Art & Graffiti Museum or Royal Palace of Amsterdam. Here are some photos of these excursions:
Keukenhof Gardens
Flower display in one of the pavilions in Kuekenhof Gardens
During our visit to Kuekenhof Gardens. there is a theme—it was England and a display of Notting Hill along with 007 James Bond and Elton John and other really interesting displays
Royal Palace of Amsterdam
On Day 3 (25 April 2025) of the cruise, you are off to Nijmegen, Netherlands. Here are 2 possible tours: A Walking Tour of Arnhem including Eusebius Church or Nijmegen City Walk and some photos.
Nijmegen, Netherlands Old Town Square and Market
Nijmegen, Netherlands Cheese Shop
On Day 4 (26 April 2025), we now will travel to Antwerp, Belgium. There are 4 tours in Antwerp and one in Brugge (sometimes called Bruges). Your choices are: Antwerp City Walk & Chocolate Tasting, or Antwerp Pub Crawl, or Antwerp, Cathedrals & Diamonds, or Bierolade—Beer & Chocolate Tasting, or Highlights of Bruges. Perhaps some of these pictures might pique your interest in one of these tours.
Guild Houses Antwerp, Belgium
Town Hall Old Town Square Antwerp
Barbo statue. According to the legend, a terrible giant, called Druoon Antigoon, lived on the banks of the river Scheldt. He demand tolls, when refused he cut off the hands of offending sailors. A Roman soldier, Silvius Brabo, killed the giant and by cutting his hand off, he ended his reign of terror.
A chocolate display in an Antwerp shop.
Brugge Market Square
Burg Square in Brugge, Belgium. This is the Basilica of the Holy Blood and St. Basil Chapel
Brugge Canal at dusk. In the background is the Belfry Tower
Day 5 (27 April 2025), we are still in Belgium, but now get to experience Ghent on the Panoramic Ghent by Canal Cruise.
The Graslie Quai part of old town Ghent that is lined by Guild Buildings.
A boat tour of Ghent. In the background is St, Michael’s Bridge
We return to the Netherlands on Day 6 (28 April 2025) to visit 2 places in this small country—Middleburg and Veere. We will have 4 tour choices—the Charms of Middleburg, or Middleburg Bike Tour & Cheese Farm Experience, or Delta Works Discovery, or Taste of Veere.
On our last full day of the cruise on 29 April 2025 on Day 7, we will visit Dordrecht and Rotterdam. Our 5 tour choices are: Discover Delft with Factory Tour, or Windmills of Kinderdijk, or A Walk Through Dordrecht, or Architectural Wonders of Rotterdam, or For the love of Gouda.
Kinderdijk windmills. These 20 windmills were built to keep the low-lying land dry by pumping water out of the area
We finish up on 30 April 2025 in Amsterdam.
Last, let’s consider the unique pricing model this cruise line offers. Riverside Luxury Cruises has 4 levels of pricing. They are:
Premium All-Inclusive, including Excursions
Premium All-Inclusive
Full Board Including Excursions
Full Board (meals Only with Limited Beverages)
This model allows you to pick the package that best supports your desired style of traveling.
There are several reasons why you should consider this cruise—it will be good for those who want to try a new cruise line; foodies and wine folks will really appreciate their cuisine, service and high quality wines; those looking to jump into luxury river cruising and folks who never have been to the Netherlands and Belgium in the spring or just want to see it again like us.
2026 Paris & Normandy Cruise on Amawaterways 9 July to 16 July
We also plan to sail in July 2026 on the Seine with Amawaterways on their Paris and Normandy route. Although we have been in Normandy several times and led 2 anniversary tours of the 75th and 80th anniversary of D Day, this is one of the few river routes in Europe we have not taken on the 28 river cruises we have experienced.
We will be sailing on the AmaLyra, a 110-meter rivership. This is a round-trip from Paris-to-Paris sailing for 7-nights.
Along with a new route for us, there is an exceptional deal that is time-sensitive (OK hurry or you’ll miss it!). The best deal must be booked by 31 December 18, 2024.
Here is the deal:
SUMMER TRIPLE SAVINGS
$1,000.00 per person discount on this 7-night cruises –
Combinable with the $250 per person group discount) if booked by December 31, 2024.
Complimentary one cabin category upgrade (like-to-like category only, subject to availability) – Not applicable to Suites, A+ and AA+ cabins
$100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on this cruise
The Summer Triple Savings promotion is valid to all new bookings made and deposited by January 31, 2025. Once the promotion expires, any new bookings made thereafter will receive the standard $250 per person group discount on this 7-night cruise.
Now that we have your attention, let’s learn a little more about this route and the experience you can expect.
Now a quick overview of the cruise-- Starting at Paris, you will sail the historic Seine River. You will visit Giverny, Monet’s Garden & Home, where he created many of his most famous paintings and Honfleur, the charming harbor town, also scene of many impressionists’ paintings. Also, you will visit Rouen, a great medieval city, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. The highlight of the cruise is an all-day excursion to the Normandy Beaches.
Day 1 you will board the ship in Paris. On day 2, in Les Andelys, here are your tour choices and schedule: Château Gaillard, or Les Andelys bike tour, or Château Gaillard hike. In the afternoon, you will enjoy scenic cruising on the way to Le Harve.
On day 3 in Le Harve, your tour choices are the Honfleur excursion, or Le Havre city tour in the afternoon, or a Bike tour.
Day 4 options for most will be the D Day sights in a full day tour. Here are the options: Normandy US Landing Beaches, or Normandy British and Canadian Landing Beaches, or Seine Museum, or Full-day Honfleur & Pays d'Auge tour.
The American Cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandy
Soldier Statue dragging his wounded comrade near Omaha Beach. This is located on the boundry between Charlie and Dog Green sectors from the invasion plan of Omaha Beach which were assigned to the units making the beach land assault.
Pegasus Memorial in the British Sector of Normandy. This museum documents the British 6th Airborne Division assaulr on the Pegasus Bridge. A small force of 181 men landed in 6 Horsa gliders to capture this important bridge after a fierce 10 minute battle. The orginal bridge has been replaced by a larger bridge, This is one of the many exceptional stories of bravery and resolve of the allied forces during the Normandy invasion.
Canadian War Memorial Normandy
On Day 5, we cruise to visit Rouen. Our tours are: Medieval Rouen walking tour, or Rouen bike tour, or Tastes of Normandy.
Our last cruise stop, before returning to Paris, is Vernon. Here we can visit: Monet's home and gardens in Giverny or Château de Bizy Tour or Giverny bike tour.
We finish off in Paris.
To get a better idea of the ship, the wonderful food and drink, and more detail, we encourage you to open this powerpoint:
Our Final Thoughts
We hope you like these two ideas—we sure look forward to these awesome adventures. Hope you can join us on one or both. Please remember if these don’t fit your plans, we know many other river cruises trips that might better match when and where you can travel to Europe.
We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.
When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.
Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@visitdd.com . We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!
ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.
You should go on this cruise as an excellent way to explore Normandy in your floating, luxury stateroom, with awesome food and wines. Paris is an easy gateway, and the city of lights never disappoints! For most, the Normandy Landing Beaches are a moving place, where the sacrifice of many soldiers reminds us of the price of freedom. We will be proud to escort you during your vacation.
The triple savings is a real deal, and you can save an additional $500 if you book by 31 December 2024.
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 52 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent
