Cruise into 2019 with Jules Verne

Innovative tour operator Jules Verne has expanded its River & Coastal Cruises collection for 2019, adding destinations as diverse as Greece’s Aegean Islands and America’s Pacific Northwest to its array of water-based journeys worldwide. The latest collection features 55 river and coastal cruises, including new cruises from the Ancient World to the South Pacific.

Sailing on small vessels for many of its itineraries, most accommodating between ten to 100 guests (in contrast to the larger, more formal ships offered by many holiday companies), Jules Verne offers inspiring cruises across six continents, travelling at the best times of year for the rivers and waterways visited. Choose from classic European river cruise favourites such as the Seine, Danube and Rhine or venture further afield – and out to sea – with exotic options that include French Polynesia and the tropical islands of Indonesia.

Many of the cruises featured in the 2019 programme – for example on the Douro, Mekong and Irrawaddy, as well as in Croatia, on smaller vessels in Russia and India, and on French barges – have been chartered exclusively by Jules Verne, thus allowing for an enhanced excursion programme (led by knowledgeable local guides) and creating an on-board atmosphere that has been specially tailored to its clients’ needs.

Jules Verne also includes Special Events on many of its river and coastal cruises; these are exclusive and memorable experiences that further illuminate the country and peoples being visited. In Europe, for example, enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner at an ancient site producing Douro wines (An Iberian River Journey), a ballet performance at the Imperial Hermitage Theatre in St. Petersburg (Russia Revealed) or an on-board lecture in Aegean art and history (Ancient Greece of the Olympics). A  private cocktail reception and visit to Luxor Temple by night features on several of Jules Verne’s Nile cruises (such as A Royal Steamer Restored). Enjoy a private guided tour by the only monk who lives at Yote Son Monastery in Myanmar (From Mandalay to Bagan) or witness a traditional Baci ceremony with a shaman, a group of elders and musicians, in Laos (Mekong Explorer).

NEW cruises for 2019 include:

In EUROPE:

Aegean Shores: What better way to discover the ruins of one of history’s most advanced civilisations than by private motor yacht? After a two-night, five-star stay in Athens, visiting the Acropolis, Pantheon, Erechtheum and new Acropolis Museum, board the MY Callisto and set sail for the beautiful Greek islands of Aegina (where Nikos Kazantzaki wrote his famous novel, Zorba the Greek), Santorini, Delos (birthplace of Apollo and Artemis), Mykonos and Syros, home to the Cycladic capital and ‘City of Hermes’, Ermoupoli. Departing 2 & 9 March and 16 & 23 November 2019, six nights cost from £1,450 pp*.

Danube Music Festival: Sailing on the appropriately named MS Symphonie in the favoured season of May, this seven-night cruise from Vienna to Bratislava encompasses an exclusive collection of visits and performances by local musicians. Watch a horse show by the gulyas (Hungarian cowboys) on the Pannonian plains, tour Kalocsa’s Paprika Museum, sample the famous Gundel pancake in Budapest and enjoy music ranging from a private piano recital at Vienna’s Mozarthaus to a private choir concert in an Augustinian Monastery and a concert by the Haydn Brass Ensemble. Departing 21 May 2019, seven nights cost from £1,995 pp*, with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Secret Wonders of Croatia: Combining the cultural heritage and natural beauty of the islands and coast of less-visited central Croatia, this new seven-night cruise is particularly suited to nature lovers and those returning to this beautiful country for a second visit. Sailing on the MV Admiral, a 141 ft. motor vessel, tick off visits to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the National Parks of Krka, Kornati and Plitvice Lakes, as well enjoying as swim stops, walking tours and free time either to explore independently or simply sit and watch the world go by. Departing 1 June and 28 September 2019, seven nights cost from £1,695 pp*.

Secret Volga: Cruise a spectacular but lesser-known stretch of Europe’s longest river to explore treasures on the trade route from Moscow to the Caspian Sea. Sailing on the MS Rossia, enjoy sightseeing tours of Moscow, Uglich, Yaroslavi (the oldest city on the Volga), Nizhny Novgorod (its 16th-century Kremlin offering spectacular views of the confluence of the Oka and Volga rivers), Kazan (the ‘Pearl of the Central Volga Region’), Volgograd, and the closed cities of Samara and Saratov. Departing 24 September 2019 from Moscow to Astrakan, 11 nights cost from £1,945 pp*. Departing 4 October 2019, a 12-night version of this cruise, sailing from Astrakan to Moscow, costs from £1,995 pp*

WORLDWIDE…

Ancient World Voyage: Travel to the Ancient Lands on this small ship sailing through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea, exploring the wondrous historic sites of Israel, Egypt and Jordan. Visit Jerusalem, Galilee (Lake Tiberias), Nazareth and Bethlehem before boarding the MY Harmony G and cruising onwards to discover more antiquities in Egypt (Cairo, Hurghada, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings) and Jordan (Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra and Amman). Departing 21 November and 5 December 2019, 11 nights cost from £3,495 pp*.

The Holy Family in Egypt: This nine-night itinerary follows in the footsteps of the Holy Family through Egypt, between Coptic Cairo and Asyut, cruising the Nile on board the five-star MS Sunray. Explore the country’s fascinating Coptic heritage, including visits to the Church of Abu Serga (St. Sergius) in Old Cairo, the Holy Virgin Church in Maadi and three monasteries in Wadi el Naturn: Syrian, Paromeos and St. Bishoy. Departing 23 May 2019, nine nights cost from £1,995 pp*, with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Rivers of the New World: Embrace your inner pioneer on the epic route (forged more than 200 years ago by intrepid explorers Lewis and Clark), cruising on the scenic Columbia and Snake Rivers in America’s pristine Pacific Northwest. Boasting a collection of some of the finest historic artefacts and artwork from the Native Alaska, Russian, Gold Rush and sternwheeler eras, the corridors of the vessel, American Express, feature nearly as much beauty and intrigue as the dramatic scenery of the river outside, whilst the on-board experience is further complemented with lectures given by a Riverlorian and guest speakers. Departing 16 June and 3 November 2019, nine nights cost from £3,495 pp*.

Scenic Splendours of Vietnam: Explore the enchanting northern coast of Vietnam, from spectacular Ha Long Bay to historic Hue, on this small ship cruise aboard the MS Panorama II. Amongst the many highlights of this trip is Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, an immense unspoiled haven of ancient limestone scenery, whilst visits to the Vinh Moc tunnels (built to shelter local communities during the Vietnam War) and the Khe Sanh Combat Base (where the bloodiest battle of the conflict took place) provide equally unforgettable, if contrasting, experiences. Departing 9 April and 5 May 2019, 12 nights cost from £2,995 pp*.

The Original Mekong Cruise: For travellers keen to experience the mighty Mekong River, this flexible new itinerary offers the option either to take just the classic one-week cruise or to extend the holiday with added stays in Siem Reap and Saigon. Sailing on the RV Tonle Pandaw, access parts of the river that are unreachable by road and explore the vast but little-known region between the former French colonial city of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and the ancient Khmer capital of Angkor. Departing 26 January, 14 September, 12 October and 9 November 2019, nine nights cost from £2,795 pp*, with no single supplement (subject to availability) on 26 January & 14 September. Add a pre-tour extension to the Angkor Temples (three nights from £295 pp) and/or a post-tour extension to Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon (two nights from £165 pp).

Incredible Indonesia: Sailing on a traditional pinisi boat (an Indonesian two-masted sailing ship), this 11-night holiday cruises the tropical islands between Bali and Komodo Island, home to the unique Komodo dragon. Watch the colourful Caci whip dance of the Manggarai, visit the Bajau Sea Gypsies in their over-water settlement, swim in a jungle waterfall and make a wish on a magic tree beside a volcanic lake, plus much more. Departing 31 May 2019, 11 nights cost from £3,295 pp*.

Polynesian Paradise: Take a South Sea adventure aboard a working ship on this trip-of-a-lifetime to the Marquesa Islands in French Polynesia; a paradise land that has enticed writers, artists, explorers and adventurers for the last two centuries, including Captain James Cook, Robert Louis Stevenson and Paul Gaugin. Sail on the Aranui 5, a passenger/freight vessel that sails from Tahiti to the Marquesas (as well as to the Tuamotu & Society Islands), giving intrepid travellers access to some of the most remote and beautiful areas on earth. Departing 21 November 2019, 18 nights cost from £5,795 pp*.

*Prices are based on two people sharing (unless otherwise specified – see also ‘Cruises for Single Travellers’, below) and include return flights, cabin accommodation, transfers, port charges, meals, drinks, excursions and on-board lectures as per the itinerary, and the services of a Tour Manager, guides and local representatives. 

CRUISES FOR SINGLE TRAVELLERS:

Renowned for its arrangements for single travellers, Jules Verne offers No Single Supplement places (subject to availability) on selected departures of cruises across its worldwide programme, including Venice from the Water (four nights from £875 pp*), An Iberian River Journey (seven nights from £1,745 pp*), The 600-Mile Nile (12 nights from £2,995 pp*), Secrets of the Seychelles (eight nights from £3,005 pp*), Maldivian Magic (eight nights from £2,095 pp*) and Amazing Amazonia (ten nights from £4,295 pp*).  

Jules Verne also offers singles-only sailings on a number of its itineraries, with Solo Group departures available in 2019 on Impressions of the Seine (seven nights from £1,795 pp*), The Classic Rhine Cruise (six nights from £1,895 pp*), Bordeaux & the Rivers of Wine (seven nights from £1,845 pp*) and The Gift of the Nile (seven nights from £1,195 pp*).

BOOKING WITH THE BEST:

Fully ABTA and ATOL bonded, and winner of many travel awards, Jules Verne’s expert staff organise every detail, ensuring that clients can book in complete confidence. This commitment is further reinforced by Jules Verne’s 100% Price Guarantee; the holiday price is fixed when clients book and will remain so, even if Jules Verne’s costs increase subsequently. Clients cruising with Jules Verne can also select their cabin at no extra charge, making early booking highly recommended.

For more information or a copy of Jules Verne’s new Coastal & River Cruises brochure, which includes a useful, at-a-glance 2019 Cruise Calendar, call 020 3553 3722, visit www.vjv.com or click here.

Press: For more information on Jules Verne, contact Karen Carpenter at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email k.carpenter@travelpr.co.uk.