A-ROSA River Cruises is offering new culinary voyages to the food and wine regions of Burgundy and Provence with Trio Restaurant of Palm Springs and Hearty Restaurant of Chicago. The new itineraries sail along the Rhône River from Lyon to the Mediterranean and back, and guests sail alongside celebrity hosts Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, also known as "The Hearty Boys." Smith and McDonagh are hosts of Food Network's "The Party Line with the Hearty Boys" and authors of two books: "Talk With Your Mouth Full" and "The New Old Bar." Mark Van Laanen and Tony Marchese, owners of Palm Springs' most popular restaurant, Trio, will also be onboard to co-host the event.
Avalon Waterways is providing a new take on its “special interest” cruises with the addition of beer tasting, golf, wellness and World War I history cruises to its lineup. The line's Oct. 13, 2014 departure of Austrian Highlights & Bavaria gives travelers the chance to take part in onboard beer tastings, visits to historic breweries and lessons on European beer-brewing techniques via onboard lectures. In addition to this, next year Avalon is offering a new wellness cruise (July 7, 2014 departure of The Blue Danube Discovery). On this “special interest” getaway, travelers will start their mornings with onboard exercise programs featuring stretching and yoga. Throughout the cruise, they will attend lectures on healthy lifestyles and will enjoy healthy dining options.
American Cruise Lines is also providing a new Puget Sound and San Juan Islands itinerary to the American Spirit's 2013 schedule, debuting last month with an April 27 sailing. This sailing marks American Cruise Line's new wave of cruises to the Pacific Northwest, including voyages to Alaska, as well as Columbia and Snake River itineraries.
The eight-day Puget Sound and San Juan Islands voyages explore the hundreds of islands between Canada's Vancouver island and the U.S. mainland. The Puget Sound itinerary will run from April 2013 through October 2013 and then again from March 2014 through November 2014. Rates start at $3,750 per person.