Uniworld's S.S. Antoinette Sets Sail in March

This March, river cruise company Uniworld launches its new "super ship," the S.S. Antoinette. This is Uniworld's largest ship—443 feet long and 37.5-feet wide—to date and it will sail the Rhine River.

De Hoop shipyard in the Netherlands built the vessel for Uniworld and its partner Red Carnation Hotels. So, what's different about this super ship? First of all, it was designed to give guests the feel of France's Chateau de Versailles during the 18th century. This includes an impressive blue Strauss 10-foot Baccarat chandelier with sapphires that originally hung in New York City's famed Tavern on the Green.

The ship offers 73 staterooms, eight junior suites, and the 391-square-foot Royal Suite. All top deck suites and staterooms have full balconies that, with a touch of a switch, are converted to glass-enclosed conservatories. Staterooms throughout the ship have LCD flat-screen TVs with movies on demand, music, news, sports, and more. Suites have an extra TV located on the balcony.

S.S. Antoinette Suite

S.S. Antoinette Stateroom

S.S. Antoinette Stateroom

S.S. Antoinette also features the first movie theater (20 seats with Dolby surround sound) on a river cruise ship. The ship's heated five-foot-deep swimming pool also utilizes surround sound so guests can listen to underwater music being piped in. For those who enjoy spas, the ship features the Serenity River Spa and fitness center.

S.S. Antoinette will sail the 8-day Castles along the Rhine itinerary that calls on Basel, Breisach (Colmar), Strasbourg, Speyer, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cologne, and Amsterdam.

S.S. Antoinette Castles along the Rhine Itinerary

For more information about the S.S. Antoinette, talk with your travel agent or contact Uniworld at 1-(800) 733-7820.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of Uniworld

West Africa River Cruising with Variety Cruises

Now here's something completely different...

Starting in December 2010, Variety Cruises—specializing in a small ship getaways—will offer its Rivers of West Africa itinerary. You'll spend eight days sailing the Saloun and Gambia rivers aboard the 46-passenger M/Y Pegasus megayacht.

From your starting point in Dakar, Senegal, you'll head to Differe via the Saloun River. At Differe you'll explore a fishing village, Joal-Fadiout, built entirely out of shells. The cruise will then continue along the Gambia River and call upon Tendaba for the Kiang West National Park and Baobolong Reserve, the port village of Kuntaur; Janjangbureh for the River Gambia National Park, a sanctuary for chimps, hippos, Nile crocodies, and other bird species; and Banjul, the capital city of Gambia.

These are not traditional tourist hang-outs and each port is certainly off the beaten path. This cruise isn't right for everyone, but it's perfect for those with an intense case of wanderlust.

The inaugural cruise embarks from Dakar, Senegal on December 17, 2010 and the itinerary will be offered through March 18, 2011. Per person cruise fares are very reasonable at $2,490. Fares do not include shore excursions or gratuities. Pre- and post-land programs, including a trip to Mali's Timbuktu, are also available.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Variety Cruises at 1-(800) 319-7776.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of M/Y Pegasus courtesy of Variety Cruises

Zambezi Queen: Luxury African River Safaris in Botswana

People often ask me if cruising is the only type of vacation I ever book. Well, luxury cruising is my area of expertise so many, many of my trips do include time on a ship. My other passion, however, is any type of safari where I can get up close to animals. That means anything from zipping across icy Alaskan waters on a Zodiac in search of humpback whales, trekking through the jungle of Borneo in search of the elusive orangutan, or riding a 4x4 vehicle in the African bush on the trail of leopard, lion, or cheetah.

Truth be told, southern Africa is one of my favorite regions on Earth. The topography is diverse, animal viewing—including the "Big Five" of African elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and Cape Buffalo—is almost too easy, and the people are incredibly engaging. That's why I was very intrigued to learn about the new Zambezi Queen riverboat—built in 2009—that is now offering safaris on the Chobe River in northeast Botswana.

If you're addicted to HBO's series No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency that's set in Botswana, you know the country's southern border is buffeted by South Africa, to the west and north is Namibia, to the east is Zimbabwe. (A very small portion of the northern border is also shared by Zambia.)

Visitors from all around the world are drawn to several regions of Botswana: the Kalahari Desert at the center of the country, the lush Okavango Delta in the central north, and Chobe National Park to the northeast. It's at Chobe National Park that you'll see the largest population of African elephants (numbering close to 120,000).

The steel hulled Zambezi Queen riverboat explores the Chobe between Namibia's Caprivi Strip and Chobe National Park and ties up just miles from where four countries—Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—meet. (It's an easy trip to the dramatic Victoria Falls from here.)

This brand new riverboat houses 14 cabins, all with private balconies. Four are master suites with air conditioning while the remaining 10 staterooms are cooled via ceiling fans.

You'll enjoy the pool on the top deck (forward) as well as the dining room and lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows that are perfect for spying game all day long.

Onboard guides will take you on safaris via tenders (three aluminum high-speed boats) that allow for super up-close viewing of animals. Land-based game viewing from 4x4 vehicles is also an option in Botswana's Chobe National Park. If you'd like to see what local village life is like, the Zambezi Queen can arrange for a tour. And, there are two fiberglass boats for those who wish to hook some tiger fish and bream.

Two- and three-night safaris are available and are priced in South African rand. Pair your voyage aboard the Zambezi Queen with one or two game lodge stays in Botswana; the Royal Livingstone in Zambia for Victoria Falls; or lodges in South Africa's Timbavati or Sabi Sands Private Game Reserves.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Zambezi Queen at +27 (0) 21 438 0032.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

German River Cruise Company, Peter Deilmann, Calls It Quits

In a move that surprised many in the travel industry, including the company's own U.S.-based office, Peter Deilmann Cruises announced yesterday that it is curtailing its river cruise operation in 2010.

The company cited a decline in passengers, poor currency exchange rates, and the overall poor state of the economy for its decision to take its river boats out of service. All river boats will continue cruising through the end of October 2009.

Deilmann's 513-passenger ocean cruising vessel, MS Deutschland, will not be affected and will continue to operate business as usual.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Are you following all the late-breaking news about the launch of Seabourn's newest yacht, Odyssey? Don't miss the Luxury Cruise Bible index of Seabourn Odyssey maiden season press coverage. You'll find links to tweets, blogs, articles, photo galleries, and videos.

Oberoi Zahra Cruises Egypt's Nile River in Style

Today's post was submitted by luxury tour operator, Ker & Downey.

When one thinks of the word “cruise”, the image it conjures up is one of a massive ship out on the open seas sailing between islands. While that may be prevalent in most of the cruising world, there’s another faction of cruise ships, small luxury liners that sail some of the most famous rivers in the world. One such ship is the Oberoi Zahra luxury Nile cruiser, which sails up and down the Nile River in Egypt and treats you to more luxury than you could ever imagine.

While we’re thinking of those massive cruise ships, we also think about hundreds upon hundreds of people onboard. With Oberoi Zahra, there are only 27 rooms on the ship, making your cruise up the Nile one you will enjoy in great privacy. Two of those rooms are suites, which if you choose to book, gives you a private terrace, separate living room, and open-air jacuzzi. Also included on board this luxury cruise ship is a full spa, a cigar lounge, and fitness center. Everything you need to have a wonderful and luxurious cruise is on board this special ship.

When you dock to embark on an excursion, instead of being hustled onto a tour bus, you are taken on private tours in small luxury vehicles guided by an English-speaking Egyptologist. Oberoi Zahra is also allowed private docking areas along the Nile, so that your travels are met with all of the peace and quiet you deserve on your special holiday.

The ship sails seven-day trips from Luxor to Aswan, or you can do the trip in reverse if you like, whichever fits your travel itinerary. Whichever direction you choose, you know your once-in-a-lifetime vacation will be a luxurious one.

Tour operator Ker & Downey offers packages including passage aboard the Oberoi Zahra. It's a luxury travel company servicing not only Egypt, but other exotic locations around the world.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or visit Ker & Downey's website.

Photos courtesy of Oberoi Zahra

Unique Borneo River Cruise from Pandaw

If you're looking for a cruise itinerary few people have experienced, research Pandaw Cruises' new option in Borneo, eastern Malaysia. Starting this July, the RV Orient Pandaw will offer seven-night voyages on the Rajang River.

You'll fly into Kuching (from either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur) and overnight there before heading to Sibu, the embarkation point for this river cruise. (Pandaw also offers some interesting pre-cruise options, including a tour to an orangutan reserve.)

Into the Heart of Borneo Itinerary

• Sibu
  
• Kanowit
• Kapit
• Baleh River
• Pelagus Rapids
• Song (Katibas River)
• Sarikei and Thanjung Manis

With just 30 staterooms, the new RV Orient Pandaw offers an intimate atmosphere with each cabin opening to the promenade deck with private outdoor seating. The ship is very comfortable and elegant, even if it does lack some of the amenities other luxury vessels offer (queen-size bedding, room service, etc.)

But, with Pandaw Cruises it's access to far-flung destinations that account for the true "luxury" aspect of the line. You'll visit places few Westerners ever venture and you'll glimpse the sort of wildlife that most only view in zoos.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or visit Pandaw Cruises. Seven-night itineraries begin at $3,255 per person.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Sarawak Tourism Board.