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10 Reasons Why Ocean Cruisers Will Love River Cruising

Ocean cruises have been a popular way to vacation for decades, and for good reason. They’re affordable, convenient and offer travelers peace of mind knowing that everything they need for a fantastic getaway is all in one place. What could be better than that? Enter River Cruises!

You might think that the words “inland” and “cruise” are incompatible. Well, they are not! Let me show you how on AmaWaterways, just how superbly well they go together. AmaWaterways river cruises combine all the comfort and convenience of an ocean cruise with the excitement of European excursions at each port of call.

To all cruise-lovers, perhaps it’s time to shake up the ocean liner experience for an entirely new way to explore the world’s waterways. Let us book you on an AmaWaterways river cruise that will take you inland for a unique and relaxing tour of Europe.

Here are the top 10 reasons we know why you’ll love river cruising, specifically on AmaWaterways!
1. Expand Your Options

While ocean cruises take you to countries, river cruises take you through them. There simply is no way to reach river cruise destinations on mega cruise ships.

2. Intimate Experience

River cruising offers a more intimate setting. Most ships range from 144 to 196 passengers. This means that you’ll never have to wait in line, which means you’ll have more time to enjoy all the amenities and have a more personal experience with other passengers and crew. From ordering a beverage to getting on and off the ship, you’ll enjoy the absence of long lines.

3. Dive into the Local Culture

Get away from the touristy ports and explore hidden gems. Large ocean liner ports can receive up to 20,000 visitors on the same day but with a river cruise, you’ll arrive into port with only a few hundred visitors. Not only will you avoid long lines at your destination, but you’ll also enjoy leisurely excursions at each incredible port of call.  You’ll be able to take in the local culture and history of every unique town that you visit.

4. No Need to Rush Back

With many departures from the destinations being later in the afternoon or evening, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the nightlife in select ports of call. Whether you choose an evening walk through cobblestone streets, a local show or performance, or one last glass of wine after dinner while listening to a local musician, immersing yourself in the evening culture together with the locals is a unique experience.

5. Castle Views

That’s right, castle views. From Amsterdam to Basel along the Rhine River, and in Budapest, Bratislava, Dürnstein and Passau on the Danube, you’ll see colorful architecture and castles that will blow you away. But don’t stop at just viewing the castles, why not hike or drive to them and then explore their fabulousness with a knowledgeable guide? You’ll literally be walking in the footsteps of world history.

6. 5-Star Reviews

5-star reviews are only earned through 5-star service. When you’re relaxing with a glass of wine on the Sun Deck, enjoying a night under the stars, or having an unexpected encounter with kind locals that your tour guide has arranged for you, you’ll know where their 5-star reviews come from. See what people are saying about AmaWaterways’ flawless service.

7.  Entertainment for the Whole Family

With a variety of activities and plenty of stops along the way, we’re sure everyone in the family will have an unforgettable experience. River cruising is perfect for multi-generational families. From grandparents to teenaged grandchildren, the entire family will bond over a range of topics and activities from food to history to countryside excursions. There really is something to do for everyone onboard at each destination. Some members of your group may choose to take advantage of spa services, or the sundeck pool, or cultural activities, while others may prefer to seek out a quiet space with a book. Mealtimes are the perfect opportunity for everyone to come together again as a family. It really is the perfect multi-generational vacation for your family or group of friends.

8.  Taste the Difference

Whether you’re into wine tasting or local street food, a river cruise provides an exceptional culinary experience both on the ship and at every destination. The onboard culinary team focuses on utilizing fresh local ingredients. Dishes are paired with local wines. There’s absolutely no mass-produced and basic buffet food when you cruise with AmaWaterways!

9. Variety of Experience

Let’s not forget just how special every European country is! The towns and cities may be close in proximity along the river, but don’t be surprised by the unique feeling and experiences that each destination gives you. Choose from visiting local breweries, hiking to castles, biking through trendy neighborhoods or visiting museums that highlight the local culture.

10.  World-Class Accommodations

One of the reasons we love river cruises so much (and we know you’ll agree) is the feeling of walking into a luxurious suite or twin-balcony stateroom that will be your home away from home for the next 7, 8, 10 days or more. Each of AmaWaterways staterooms is tastefully decorated and is river facing. Whether you choose to have a window view, a private balcony, or even a twin balcony (with both a French and outside balcony), you’ll always have a room with a view.

So, there you have it. 10 great reasons why you’ll love your first river cruise on AmaWaterways.

Contact me today to start planning your next River Cruise!

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Updates to the Virtual Queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will once again be using the virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app. You will want to note a few changes to the process, most importantly (as availability allows) you will have an opportunity at 10am and 2pm to request to join the virtual queue. This means there is no need to arrive early to the park to check the virtual queue.  

There are a few important details to know before arriving: 

  • First, make sure to download the My Disney Experience app. Once you enter the park, log into your account at one of two distribution times – 10am and 2pm. 
  • Once logged in, select “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue” on the home screen. This is where you will be able to view the current status and next steps for joining the virtual queue.
  • The app will indicate when there is no availability for a specific distribution time. 
  • As long as a guest’s My Disney Experience account is linked to park tickets for yourself and others in your group, you can enroll your entire party in the virtual queue at the same time. (Please note, in order to give as many guests as possible the opportunity to join the Resistance, each guest can enter the virtual queue no more than once per day.)
  • You should make sure your push notifications are turned on for My Disney Experience so you will be alerted when your group is called to return. You will have up to an hour from the time of the alert to go to the entrance of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. 
  • Please note that joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.  

If you have any questions or need assistance with joining the virtual queue, Cast Members at Guest Experience Team locations throughout the park are available to assist. While waiting for a virtual queue group to be called, you can enjoy other experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios including our newest addition, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. 

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World Resort. For other attractions at Walt Disney World Resort, plan to use the regular standby queues and maintain physical distancing. 

Contact me today to start planning your next Disney World vacation!

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Updates to Disney’s Magical Express at Walt Disney World

The Magical Express is the complimentary airport transportation service for guests arriving and departing from Orlando International Airport (MCO) and staying at Dinsey Resort hotel.

Beginning July 16, 2020, luggage delivery service will not be provided for those arriving to and departing from Orlando International Airport. Guests who choose to use Disney’s Magical Express will be responsible for picking up any of their checked luggage from the airport’s baggage claim area and taking it to the motor coach, so that it can be loaded for transport to their Disney Resort hotel. Please know that Guests’ luggage will travel with them to their Disney Resort hotel. 

Luggage assistance will be available at the front of Disney Resort hotels, including luggage storage and/or transport to the room. Upon their departure, Guests should ensure their luggage is with them and loaded onto the motor coach so they can check it in with their airline once they reach the airport. The resort airline check-in service will not be offered at this time.

Hopefully these changes are temporary and normal services will return soon.

Contact me today to start planning your next Disney World vacation!

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Cruise with Confidence on Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s Cruise with Confidence has been enhanced to more flexibility than ever! You can now choose an option that is most suitable to your needs.

  • Previously announced on March 6, 2020, the flexibility to cancel up to 48-hours prior to sailing in exchange for a 100% Future Cruise Credit will continue, though the eligible sailing window has been extended to now include all sailings through April 2022 (all open deployment as of May 6, 2020).
  • Lift & Shift for those guests simply wishing to move their existing booking to next year. Eligible for rebooking between now and August 1, 2020, guests can protect their original price and promotional offering simply by selecting a future sailing on the same itinerary type, sailing length, stateroom category, and within the same 4-week period of their original cruise date same-time-next-year.
  • Keep your reservation as is and you are eligible to take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s Best Price Guarantee up to 48-hours prior to your cruise vacation start date, ensuring the best rate and/or promotion. Price variances will result in a rate adjustment if requested outside of final payment or an Onboard Credit when inside the final payment period.
  • If desired, guests wishing to cancel prior to final payment can absolutely do so for a full refund of all monies paid to-date, and all nonrefundable deposits returned in the form of a Future Cruise Credit. After the final payment, the standard cancellation penalties apply for those guests not interested in taking advantage of the Cruise with Confidence policy.

Please note that to be eligible, the reservation must be an active booking (not previously canceled) with no other cancellation offers previously accepted.

Contact me today to start planning your next cruise vacation!

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Disney Cruise Line Announces ‘Cruise Date Flexibility’

Having peace of mind if your travel plans are more important now more than ever. In response to this, Disney Cruise Line has made temporary modifications to their standard booking policy that allows your family to adjust their sail date should you need to.

For any Disney Cruises booked by August 31, 2020, for sailings through March 2021, you can rest assured knowing that you can change your sail date up to 15 days prior to departure.

Important Details

  • Guests who have booked before August 31, 2020 have the ability to change their sail date up to 15 days prior to embarkation.
  • Guests scheduled to sail on or before March 31, 2021 may take advantage of this offer.
  • Guests who wish to change their sail date must move to a future sailing that commences prior to April 1, 2022. Standard prevailing rates will apply.
  • Guests cannot change their reservation back to the original sail date after taking advantage of this offer.
  • Should you cancel your new sail date, any cancellation fees applicable to the original sail date will be deferred and applied as a minimum cancellation fee to the future sailing.
  • Standard air cancellation fees apply for Guests who booked flights through Disney Cruise Line.

To plan your next Disney Cruse, contact me today!

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