River Cruise Newsletter

Below is a copy of our current river cruise newsletter. To subscribe to our weekly newsletter, absolutely free of charge, please click here. To email this newsletter to friends or family, click here. Please note that the FastDeals are subject to availability and sell out quickly.

Dear Vacations To Go Customer,

Cruises along Germany's famed rivers often feature grand castles, and each of these photogenic sights has a fascinating story to tell.

To see photos of these attractions, click the castle name below.

Castles are common along the Rhine River -- a stretch known as the Upper Middle Rhine is home to more than 40 fortifications. Many Rhine itineraries include an excursion to the city of Heidelberg, where the red sandstone Heidelberg Castle looms over the old town center. Once a grand Renaissance palace, the castle was destroyed during the Nine Years' War of the late 17th century. Some rebuilding was done (though never completed), and the edifice was later damaged by lightning strikes in 1764. The ruins caught the attention of 19th-century poets and artists and soon came to symbolize German Romanticism. Click here for Rhine River cruises that visit Heidelberg.

On the Mosel River, travelers can explore Cochem Castle, or Reichsburg, in Cochem. In 1294, King Adolf of Nassau pawned the castle and about 50 surrounding villages on royal land to the archbishop of Trier in order to finance his coronation as German emperor. Neither the king nor his heir could come up with the funds to reclaim the castle, and it remained with the Trier archbishops until 1794. The original structure fell to ruin, but in 1868, Berlin businessman Louis Ravené bought the site and rebuilt the castle around its Gothic foundations. Click here for Mosel River cruises that visit Cochem.

Climb up to the Imperial Castle for splendid views of Nuremberg, featured on Danube River sailings. It was one of the most important castles of the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages. One of its oldest remaining parts is the double chapel -- two chapels with the same floor plans, one sitting atop the other. They are connected by an opening in the middle that allowed the congregation in either chapel to hear the service in the other one. Click here for Danube River cruises that visit Nuremberg.

Danube River itineraries that include a stay in Munich also can provide an opportunity to visit the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps. Neuschwanstein was built on its spectacular mountain perch from 1869 to 1886 by Ludwig II, sometimes called "Mad King Ludwig." After losing sovereignty in his kingdom, Ludwig withdrew into his own world of myths and legends and built elaborate royal residences where he could feel like a true king. Neuschwanstein is the most famous, and among its highlights is the Byzantine-style throne room with frescoes and cobalt blue columns and a grotto built to resemble a natural cave. Click here for itineraries that include a visit to Neuschwanstein.

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Next month, Victory Cruise Lines will begin operating small-ship sailings on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway and along Canada's coast.

Vacations To Go customers can get special savings of up to 43% on a variety of sailings this year and next. Plus, on select sailings this April and May and in addition to the regular included excursions, you'll receive a free credit of $500 per stateroom that can be applied toward premium shore excursions. Book by March 31.

From the thundering grandeur of Niagara Falls to the tranquil beauty of Mackinac Island, Victory Cruise Lines' itineraries reveal captivating destinations. On the intimate 190-passenger Victory I and Victory II vessels, guests cruise to unforgettable cities and towns that larger ships can't reach.

You'll stay in a well-appointed stateroom and enjoy elevated gourmet dishes inspired by regional cuisine. The staff is friendly and attentive, and engaging lecturers, referred to as Lakelorians, share insights on the history, ecology and culture of the places you visit.

Cruise fares cover all onboard meals, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, a pre-cruise hotel night and a shore excursion in every port.

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In case you missed any of our recent river cruise newsletters, I've provided links below for the last 10 topics we've covered. Click any link to read more.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises -- Learn about the company's upscale ships and thoughtful itineraries.

River Cruise Deals Expiring Soon -- Take advantage of fantastic offers for Vacations To Go customers.

AmaWaterways -- Receive special access to deals from one of the industry's most experienced river cruise operators.

Brand-New River Cruises -- Check out several brand-new river cruise itineraries debuting this year.

Riviera River Cruises -- Read about new ships and itineraries from this line.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours -- Browse this company's all-inclusive offerings.

10 Best-Selling River Itineraries -- See some of our most popular river cruises in Europe and the U.S.

Avalon Waterways -- Take advantage of flexible excursion options to customize your experience.

Viking River Cruises -- Read about the world's largest river cruise operator.

Themed River Cruises -- Check out itineraries that are designed around a particular theme, such as culinary or musical interests.

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Here are this week's Top 10 River Cruises. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability.

1) The Blue Danube, 8 days with Riviera River Cruises. Begins and ends in Budapest. Save up to 51%. Plus, get 100 euro per cabin in free onboard credit. Starting at $2,249. Departures from June 2, 2025 through October 28, 2026.

2) Jewels of the Rhine, 8 days with Emerald Cruises. Travels between Amsterdam and Zurich. Save up to 73%. Starting at $1,942. Departures from May 10, 2025 through October 28, 2026.

3) Bonjour Bordeaux, 8 days with Avalon Waterways. Begins and ends in Bordeaux. Save up to 49%. Starting at $2,160. Departures from March 25, 2025 through November 3, 2026.

4) Paris & the Heart of Normandy, 8 days with Viking. Begins and ends in Paris. Save with reduced cruise fares and special air offers. Starting at $2,349. Departures from March 20, 2025 through November 26, 2027.

5) Burgundy & Provence, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Travels between Marseille and Lyon. Save up to 40%. Starting at $2,352. Departures from March 23, 2025 through November 1, 2026.

6) Enticing Douro, 8 days with AmaWaterways. Begins and ends in Porto. Save up to 47%. Starting at $2,440. Departures from July 15, 2025 through December 29, 2026.

7) Cruise through Belgium, 7 days with CroisiEurope. Begins in Ghent and ends in Halle. Save up to 35%. Starting at $2,579. Departures from April 3, 2025 through October 14, 2026.

8) Gems of the Danube, 8 days with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Travels between Budapest and Munich. Save up to 73%. Starting at $2,624. Departures from March 24, 2025 through October 26, 2026.

9) The Tennessee Rivers Cruise, 9 days with American Cruise Lines. Travels between Chattanooga and Nashville. Save up to 20%. Starting at $3,445. Departures from May 13, 2025 through September 23, 2025.

10) The Romantic Rhine, 8 days with Tauck. Begins in Amsterdam and ends in Basel. Starting at $5,990. Departures from April 23, 2025 through October 21, 2026.

Customers in the US and Canada can call us toll-free at 800-510-4002. For a list of our other toll-free numbers worldwide, click here.

Please e-mail me your comments, suggestions and questions at alanfox@rivercruise.com and I will respond the same day.

Sincerely,

Alan Fox
Executive Chairman
Vacations To Go