Cruise Features Included:    

• Luxurious River Cruise Experience - There is really nothing that compares to the luxury of a river cruise.  Experience the personalized VIP treatment on a small ship (only 160 passengers) pampered by the entire crew from the cabin stewards all the way up to the Captain.  Enjoy smooth sailing along the Danube River often docking in the heart of each town we visit for easy exploration.  Once you've tried river cruising with AmaWaterways, no other cruise vacation compares.

• Bus transportation - from Salisbury to Nearby International Airport (Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia or Newark) depending upon our group flight arrangements.

• Round trip flights - from nearby International Airport to Bucharest, Romania and returning from Budapest, Hungary

• Transfers to and from the Ship in Bucharest and Budapest - Our guide will meet us at the airport and escort us to the ship in Rousse, Romania.  Our motor coach will return us to the airport in Budapest after our cruise.

• 7-Day Luxurious Cruise on AmaWaterways MS AmaVerde - including gourmet meals, local entertainment and activities onboard the ship.

• Free-flowing complimentary local wine and beer - served at lunch and dinner, plus champagne with breakfast, a complimentary happy hour before dinner each night, and specialty coffees available around the clock.

• Tours Included at No Extra Cost - in each port, there will be a variety of tours available to join.  Tours are further divided into groups based on fitness level, ranging from gentle walkers, regular walkers, or active walkers.  All participants receive complimentary bottled water and a headset so you can hear the guide at all times.

• Bicycles Available - for organized guided bike tours in most ports or to check out and explore the area on your own. 

• Dedicated Fitness Instructor - onboard the ship who will lead daily exercise classes and other activities to help you burn off those calories and make room for your next delicious meal.

• Tour Hosts (Kelly and Tracy Shannahan, Sal and Colleen Chavez) with you from start to finish.

• Several free gifts and mementos of your cruise from the Salisbury Cruise Club

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Special Note About This Cruise

As promised after our March 2020 Gems of Southeast Europe River Cruise was cancelled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), I am pleased to announce that we have made arrangements for a similar cruise in April 2022 when the COVID pandemic will be a distant memory and a reliable vaccine will be available to allay any fears we may have associated with cruising and traveling again.  Our Gems of Southeast Europe Cruise - Take 2 - will set sail Sunday, April 24 through Monday, May 2, 2022 on AmaWaterways MS AmaVerde.  While we will be sailing on a different ship (AmaVerde) and in the reverse order (Bucharest to Budapest), the new ship and itinerary are virtually the same.  And since we will now be sailing in April and May rather than March, the temperatures should be a bit higher, in the mid-60's (in late April) rather than the low to mid-50's (in late March).  So while you still may need that jacket for evenings on deck gazing at the stars, you won't likely need it for our daily tours. We hope that you will consider joining us on this luxurious cruise on the Danube River as we visit this unspoiled region of Europe exploring five distinctly different cultures in Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and Hungary.

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Travel Itinerary:        
 

Sunday, April 24, 2022 - Travel Day

• Bus from Salisbury to Nearby International Airport (perhaps Newark or Washington-Dulles) with a brief stop for dinner at WaWa before our overnight flight to Bucharest, Romania.  Flight details will be announced in June 2021 once our group flights are booked. 

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Monday, April 25 - Arrive BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

• ground transportation to ship.

• Welcome Aboard the luxurious AmaWaterways AmaVerde.

• Enjoy our Gala Cocktail Party and Welcome Dinner.
   

Tuesday, April 26 - ROUSSE, ROMANIA

• Visit Bulgaria's ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo, with its medieval fortress and multiple orthodox temples.

• You can opt instead to stay in Rousse, known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, and then afterwards visit the UNESCO-designated Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo with frescos revealing exceptional artistry of 14th-century paintings.

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Wednesday, April 27 - VIDIN, BULGARIA

• Explore Vidin, one of Bulgaria's oldest cities, and surrounding areas with a choice of excursions.

• Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the largest preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Continue on to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria's natural wonders, where you can hike around its most spectacular rock formations.

• Alternatively, visit a local home for a demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you will also get to make.

• You also have the choice to bike through Vidin and to the castle.
   

Thursday, April 28 - SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES

 

• The Iron Gates is one of Europe's most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The Danube narrows as it winds through a series of magnificent gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania.

• The ancient King Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, is proudly carved into the mountainside and always captivates travelers.

 

Friday, April 29 - BELGRADE, SERBIA

• Explore Serbia's capital, Belgrade, on a city tour, which includes the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava. Later, choose from three intriguing excursions.

• Visit the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Serbian Royal Family; and then tour the House of Flowers, the mausoleum of Marshal Tito, who became the first President of Yugoslavia.

• Or enjoy a taste of the region by sampling Serbian plum brandy, Šlivovitz, and delicious local delights at the Quburich Distillery.

• For those wishing a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour.
   

Saturday, April 30 - NOVI SAD, SERBIA -- VUKOVAR, CROATIA

• Today we visit Novi Sad, sometimes called the "Serbian Athens." Discover Novi Sad on a walking tour to Dunavski Park and through Stari Grad, the Old Town center.

• If you prefer a more active exploration, join a guided biking or hiking tour.

• We also visit Petrovaradin Fortress, a mighty stronghold no enemy has ever breached.

• Alternatively, choose a wine tasting in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you'll sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac and Frankovka wines.  

• Back on board, cruise to Vukovar, a Croatian symbol of resistance, which you'll better understand on your city tour showcasing the Ovcara Memorial and Eltz Castle.  

 

Sunday, May 1 - MOHÁCS – PÉCS, HUNGARY

• Today we call on Mohács where you can visit Pécs, founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Visit the UNESCO- designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter's Basilica, the city's main Catholic cathedral along with its catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. You will also see the Mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of the city.

• Or for wine connoisseurs, you'll want to go to the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established more than 2,000 years ago.
   

Monday, May 2 - BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - Travel Day

• DISEMBARK the AmaVerde and board our motor coach for a tour of Budapest, Hungary on our way to the airport for our flight home.

• After our flight, we will board our coach to Salisbury.

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Cabins and Other Features of the AmaVerde:

Each cabin features: All outside accommodations, most with revolutionary twin balconies; Marble bathrooms, multi-jet showers, soothing bath products, cotton bathrobes, slippers and hair dryer; Generous closet and storage space with in-room safe; Entertainment-On-Demand with high-speed Internet, movies, music and English-language TV; Individually controlled air-conditioning; and Bottled water replenished daily. 

 

A brief description of each cabin type is as follows:

• The Category E and D River View cabins are each 170 square feet in area and are located on Deck 1 (Piano Deck).  Category D cabins are located closer to the mid-ship stairs which is why they are slightly more expensive.  They have two relatively large fixed windows to allow plenty of light into the room, but they are located about 5 feet above the floor and above the water line so they don't offer much of a view.  These cabins also do not have elevator access so they are not suitable for all guests.

• The Category C French Balcony cabins are also each 170 square feet in area and are located at the end of the hallway on Deck 2 (Cello Deck) and Deck 3 (Violin Deck).  They have a sliding glass door that allows you to stand inside your cabin and enjoy the fresh air and scenery.  Although smaller and not as conveniently located as the other cabins, please note that the ship is not very large (only 443 feet from bow to stern) so these are still nice cabins and lower priced than the Twin Balcony cabins.

• The Category BB  and BA Twin Balcony cabins are each 210 square feet in area and are located about halfway down the hallway on Deck 2 (BB cabins) and the higher Deck 3 (BA cabins).  These cabins have both a sliding glass door section as well as a small outside balcony with a table and a couple of chairs where you can sit to enjoy the fresh air and scenery.  The bathroom and shower stall is also more roomy and a little more comfortable than the Category C, D and E cabins.

• The Category AB  and AA Twin Balcony cabins are a bit larger and wider (with 2 chairs in the interior sitting area), at 235 square feet each, and are located closer to mid-ship offering a shorter walk to the reception desk and access stairs to the Sun Deck, as well as the forward activity areas (the main lounge and restaurant).  The only difference between the AB and AA cabins is the deck location with the AB cabins located on Deck 2 and the AA cabins located higher on Deck 3.  These cabins have both a sliding glass door section as well as an outside balcony with a couple of seats where you can sit to enjoy the fresh air and scenery.  The bathroom and shower stall is very similar to the Category BA and BB cabins and perhaps slightly larger with more room to spread out.

• The Category SS Suite cabins are significantly larger at 350 square feet and also features a larger bathroom with a double sink, shower and bathtub.  They are ideally situated on Deck 3 very close to the reception desk, access to the Sun Deck, lounge and restaurant.  The suites also have both a sliding glass door section as well as an outside balcony with a couple of seats where you can sit to enjoy the fresh air and scenery.

 

The MS AmaVerde features: a Panoramic Lounge with bar, piano and dance floor; Walking track, heated pool, fitness room and bicycles for in-port exploration; Complimentary Wi-Fi; Hair salon and massage services (additional cost); The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant with glass-enclosed kitchen and tasting menu; Breakfast and lunch buffets featuring regional cuisine; Multi-course dinners made with fresh local ingredients; Hand-selected wine, beer and soft drinks with meals, plus a Sip & Sail cocktail hour included in your price; All-day tapas menu and afternoon tea; 24-hour coffee station; Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner.

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Cost and Payment Schedule:

 

Total Cruise Package Prices - includes Ground and Air Transportation and More

• Category E - River View Cabins - $4,400 per person - protection plan $331/$497

• Category D - River View Cabins - $4,700 per person - protection plan $383/$575

• Category C - French Balcony Cabins - $5,200 per person - protection plan $424/$636

• Category BB - Twin Balcony Cabins - $5,500 per person - SOLD OUT

• Category BA - Twin Balcony Cabins - $5,700 per person - protection plan $466/$699

• Category AB - Twin Balcony Cabins - $5,800 per person - protection plan $466/$699

• Category AA - Twin Balcony Cabins - $6,000 per person - protection plan $466/$699

• Category SS - Suite Cabin - $6,900 per person - protection plan $582/$873

Total cruise package price is based on double occupancy (2 people in the cabin)

We can also accommodate singles in their own cabin with very reasonable single-supplement charges (call or email for pricing)

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Payment Schedule

• $1,000 per person Deposit (plus Travel Protection Premium) Due Upon Registration

• Half of Remaining Balance - Due on August 15, 2021

• Final Balance - Due on December 15, 2021

 

Group Travel Protection Plan (Optional) - We’re offering a Group Travel Protection Plan for which the premium is based upon your Total Trip Cost.  The cost ranges from $331 for Category E River View cabin passengers to $582 for Deluxe Suite cabin passengers (see above for details).  This recommended Group Travel Protection Plan will protect your trip in case of cancellation, interruption, trip delay, missed connection, baggage loss or delay, accident/ sickness medical protection, and emergency evacuation. You can also add “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) coverage which ranges in cost from $497 for Category E River View cabin passengers to $873 for Deluxe Suite cabin passengers (see above for details).  See separate handout for more details.  To protect against unforeseen problems, we strongly recommend that you purchase the Travel Protection Plan.  If interested, please purchase the Plan at time of registration.  If you decline the Plan, please sign to confirm that you waive the protection and understand that you are assuming all potential costs and losses which may occur before or during the trip.

Download the Group Travel Protection Plan summary here.

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Finally, we recognize that this cruise is more than a year away.  Once you have paid your deposit, your next payment won't be due until August 15, 2021 with final payments due on December 15, 2021.  In addition, if your plans change and you should need to cancel, you will receive a full refund up until April 30, 2021.  Thereafter, cancellations for qualifying reasons can be reimbursed by filing an insurance claim with Travel Insured.  I recognize that some of you may be a little leery of foreign travel given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, however certainly by April of 2022 there should be a vaccine and medicine available to treat the Coronavirus and it will once again be safe to travel the world.  And of all the cruises we have planned, we believe that our river cruises are among the safest given the limited number of passengers and crew onboard, the tightly-controlled tours arranged by AmaWaterways, the sparsely populated ports that we will be visiting and the fact that our group will likely comprise a substantial portion of the total passengers on the ship.  We hope that you decide to join us on this cruise.

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Please Email Us for More Information

or

Download the Registration Form.

or

See More Details About the Ports and the Ship for our Danube River - Gems of Southeast Europe Cruise 2022 by viewing our complete PowerPoint presentation from September 2019.  However, please note that this presentation was for our previous itinerary in 2020 so the itinerary is reversed and we will be cruising on a sister ship which is much like the AmaVerde.  Check it out at: 

Gems of Southeast Europe Cruise PowerPoint

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