The Costco Connection - January 2014

travel connection

a floating hotel that travels along with you.”
Cruising aboard one of these vessels allows
passengers the opportunity of seeing, up close,
the scenery, life and commerce happening
beside and on famous European rivers, includ-
ing the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Seine, Elbe,
Douro and Moselle. However, exotic river
cruises and itineraries are waiting to be discov-
ered on rivers around the world, such as the
Nile, Zambezi, Volga, Mekong, Yangtze and
Amazon. Even American rivers, such as the
Hudson and Mississippi, are seeing more and
more river cruising.

Torstein Hagen, the chairman of Viking
Cruises, says, “More than ever, travelers want
experiences that bring them closer to the desti-
nation, which is why we continue to design
ships and itineraries with destinations and
enrichment as the focus.” In recent years,
Viking has probably done more for river cruis-
ing than all of its competitors put together. On
March 20, 2013, Viking River Cruises chris-
tened 10 “longships,” certified by Guinness
World Records as “the most ships inaugurated
in one day by one company.”
Viking has the largest fleet of river cruise
vessels in the industry, and many of them have
a good selection of well-equipped balcony cab-
ins with full-size verandas. And every new
longship’s indoor/outdoor all-weather Aquavit
Terrace is outfitted with retractable floor-to-
ceiling glass doors that allow guests to enjoy
meals alfresco. Viking ships have implemented
the highest sustainability upgrades, incorpo-
rating an onboard organic herb garden, sleek
onboard solar panels and energy-efficient
hybrid engines that reduce vibrations. And
this year, Viking plans to break its own record
with the launch of 12 new longships.

Other companies, such as Uniworld, offer luxury boutique, all-inclusive types of river cruising. Though the cruises are more expensive than some, Uniworld’s passengers enjoy high-end cuisine, luxurious wine programs and unique shore programs.

Lauren Anderson, senior buyer for
Costco Travel, says, “Costco Travel has
worked with the Uniworld brand for some
time. As river cruising is on the rise, we felt
the demand to offer our members a greater
number of options. That’s why we turned to
Viking River Cruises, with their very large
fleet of unique-design longships. This gives
Costco members a choice between two of the
best brands on the rivers.”
It seems like the time is now to consider
floating down a river. C

Bob Ecker is a travel writer based in Napa, California.

VI KIN G RI VE R CR UI SE S

Rolling on the river

By Bob Ecker

IN MANY WAYS, river cruising represents the perfect melding of eras. Well-appointed modern vessels languidly travel up and down renowned rivers through the beating hearts of historic cities and towns all over the world. You meander right through bucolic countryside, quaint towns, hamlets and cities rather than docking at a port on the coast. And when you arrive at your destination—voilà! You’re already in town. No shuttle bus or taxi needed: It’s just a short stroll to, well, everything. The historic churches, the open-air markets, shops, world-famous museums, fabulous restaurants and other attractions are just steps away. And, of course, like all cruise ships, these lovely “floating hotels” allow passengers to unpack and relax in their cabin for seven, 10, 14 days or more, and to experience different places every day. What’s not to love?

An estimated 17. 6 million North American travelers took a cruise in 2013, and river cruising is the fastest-growing segment of the market. “There are more new river cruise vessels being built, and more river cruise players entering the North American market, than ever before, and river cruising is particularly appealing to the 50-plus age group,” says Ralph Grizzle, editor of River Cruise Advisor (www. rivercruiseadvisor.com). “It’s an extremely easy way to travel, coursing the heart of Europe or Asia or elsewhere with multiple stops, included tours on most river cruises, and the comforts of

River cruising offers a
unique travel perspective
Boating by Oberwesel on the
Middle Rhine (below) or lunching
on the deck as you marvel at the
sights of Budapest (bottom right)
are just two of the many reasons
to consider river cruising.

V IKI N G RI V ER CR UI SE S

Tablet or smartphone?

Scan or click here for highlights of a European river cruise. (See page 5 for scanning details.)

The Costco Connection

Exclusive Costco member benefits include a $100 shipboard credit, a Costco Cash card and an additional

$100 shipboard credit for Costco Executive members (Viking); or two complimentary pre- or post-cruise hotel nights, plus a $100 shipboard credit for Costco Executive members (Uniworld).