Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com | 9 * Source: Various cruise lines' websites (accurate as of Jan 1, 2020). RIVER CRUISE CRUISE LINE CRYSTAL RIVER CRUISES AMAWATERWAYS UNIWORLD RIVER CRUISES VIKING RIVER CRUISES Ship Crystal Mozart AmaMagna S.S. Maria Theresa Viking Tor Itinerary 8 Days Enchanting Danube 8 Days Magna on the Danube 8 Days Enchanting Danube 8 Days Romantic Danube Embark-Disembark Budapest-Vienna & Vienna-Budapest Budapest-Vilshofen Budapest-Passau Nurembuerg- Budapest No. of Cabins 77 all-suites; max 154 guests 98 staterooms; max 196 guests 75 staterooms; max 150 guests 95 staterooms; max 190 guests Cabin Sizes Majority are 20.3sqm, largest up to 82sqm From 19sqm, majority between 23-33sqm, largest up to 66sqm From 15sqm, majority are 18sqm, largest up to 38sqm Half are 12-13sqm, remaining mostly 19sqm, largest up to 41.3sqm Butler Service All suites with butler service Only for grand suites and owner's suite All suites with butler service No butler service Staff-Guest Ratio 1 to 1.6 guests 1 to 2.8 guests 1 to 2.6 guests 1 to 4.2 guests Beverages Unlimited fine wines, champagnes, premium spirits, beers, and specialty coffee and tea Unlimited fine wines, beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; unlimited sparkling wines and fresh juices with breakfast Unlimited fine wines, beers, spirits, and specialty coffee and tea Beers, wines and soft drinks with lunch and dinner Gratuities Included Not included Included Not included Laundry Free self-service washing machine and dryer Free self-service washing machine and dryer Free self-service washing machine and dryer Paid laundry service from €2-6/item Shore Excursions Included Included Included Up to six tours included A QUICK LOOK AT DANUBE RIVER CRUISES* "Crystal Mozart upholds high international service standards with Asian-friendly refinements, which include access to dedicated English and Chinese speaking butlers and professional English and Chinese language tour guides," explained Michael Goh, head of international sales of Genting Cruise Lines, which operates Crystal Mozart. Guests can savour Michelin-inspired international delicacies like foie gras, truffle and white asparagus with the familiar comforts of home, added Goh. Citystate Travel's executive director Albert Ho believes that Crystal Mozart has gotten this delicate balance right. "I believe Asian guests choose to cruise on a European river ship because of its European characteristics such as high-quality farm-to-table cuisine and services. The overhaul of Crystal Mozart has the right balance of a full European experience with the added comfort of Asian food and touches on board," Mr Ho said. Vibrant options on European rivers In Europe, river cruises are witnessing a 53% year-on-year growth on eastern waterways such as Rhine, Moselle, Danube and Elbe; 30% growth on western rivers of Soane, Seine and Loire; and 24% in the southern channels of Douro, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Po. Itineraries along the Danube are among the most popular and provide a wonderful way to acquaint first-time river cruisers with the leisurely pace of a minimum seven-night journey. At 2,850-km, the Danube winds its way through 10 countries from Germany through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary through to Ukraine. With such diverse scenery, guests are bound to find a view that catches their fancy, whether it's historic world capitals such as Budapest and Vienna, the picturesque small towns of Krems and Melk that impress with their larger-than-life histories or excursions to UNESCO Heritage Sites. Another benefit: river cruises are able to navigate narrow inland rivers and often dock in city centres and towns, making exploring a new destination each day a breeze on foot or private coach tours. River cruises a big opportunity for agents River cruising remains a rising niche sector that has just begun to capture the attention of travel agents in Asia, particularly those focused on the luxury sector. Its often higher price point equates to higher commission for agents. Coupled with the fact that river cruises have a proven higher satisfaction and high repeat factor, river cruises represent a huge opportunity. So what's holding agents back from making a breakthrough on their first river cruise? In source markets for ocean cruises like India, which has nearly 250,000-odd passengers each year, river cruises have yet to penetrate the market. "In the last five years, we've seen a 12-18% growth year-on-year for river cruises," said Kishan Biyani, managing director of Ark Travels Pvt Ltd, a Mumbai-based agency that specialises in cruise holidays. In the next two years, his agency will be reaching out to its clients who have completed fly- cruises out of Singapore, Mediterranean, Alaska and Scandinavia as the next set of river cruise passengers. For Indonesia-based agency Best Tour and The all-suite Crystal Mozart is designed for 154 guests. Cruise Centre, river cruises still form a low percentage of about 5% of its overall cruise business. But the upside is that the sector is "very promising and increasing every year", noted Johnny Judianto, president director of Best Tour and Cruise Centre. Citystate Travel's Mr Ho revealed the agency has seen a promising three-fold increase in 2019 for river cruises compared to the previous year. Luxury Premiun Premiun Contemporary

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