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| A couple onboard Avalon Waterways’ Avalon Panorama enjoys romantic European vistas from the privacy of their suite. |
Couples in their 40s-70s make up the majority of guests onboard most river lines. Some take a European river cruise to celebrate a special occasion—most notably a wedding anniversary. For these travelers, a vow renewal ceremony either onboard or ashore can turn a great vacation into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Agents say it’s important to first qualify the couple for the river cruise itself. Then talk with the line about assistance they are able to provide to the couple. “We’re happy to work with guests who want to renew their vows on our river boats and we can help them with their onboard arrangements—providing a cake, flowers or champagne, for example,” says Tom Armstrong, corporate communications manager at Tauck.
Armstrong emphasizes that “vow renewals are symbolic with no legal authority,” but it’s a lovely opportunity for couples to celebrate their lifelong commitment to each other.
Avalon Waterways offers vow renewals on all European itineraries as part of its “Celebration Packages.” The vow renewals take place onboard the river vessel with the time and date to be determined by the cruise director and the couple.
Typically, the cruise director acts as the master of ceremony for vowel renewals; the line says the captain or hotel director also might handle this role, if the couple requests it. The ceremony lasts for about 45-60 minutes and ends with a champagne toast to the couple.
The vow renewal celebration packages range from a couples-only affair to parties that include up to six guests. They can include as little as the ceremony itself. Or, agents might ask the line to add a cake, decorations for the couple’s stateroom on the vow renewal day, or a bottle of sparkling wine, floral bouquet, chocolates or a fruit plate in the couple’s stateroom.
Other options? If requested, the line will create personalized invitations to dinner for invited guests or hold a cocktail part on the Sky Deck or in the Lounge, complete with wine, beer and soft drinks. Depending on what the couple selects, prices range from approximately $26 to $382 per package; per person pricing is also available.
What itineraries work best for those traveling to Europe for a vow renewal? From Armstrong’s perspective, romantic options might include the Wachau Valley on Danube River cruises, the Lorelei Valley for Rhine sailings, and the Iron Gates on the lower Danube River.
But Europe has no shortage of romantic locales. River cruisers may also choose from itineraries that journey to the south of France, the fairytale-like German towns of Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues on the Mosel, the bucolic Dutch countryside, Portugal’s wine region and the Venetian Lagoon and environs.
Uniworld gives clients a chance to explore the palazzo-lined canals of Venice and the olive groves of Tuscany on a 13-day “Splendors of Italy” itinerary, or for those on a time crunch, an eight-day, cruise-only “Venice & the Po River” itinerary. Agents should request a small vow renewal ceremony for clients at the time of booking.
This Uniworld cruise also includes a full-day excursion to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. Cruisers may stand below or even directly on the balcony of Juliet’s family home.
River cruises that provide land-based hotel stays for several days either pre- or post- or within the cruise itself are particularly good for couples who want to set up a vow renewal ashore. Certainly, Paris is a favorite for its city lights, sidewalk cafés and romantic settings, while Giverny offers the splendor of Monet’s house and gardens.
Tauck’s 10-day “French Waterways” voyage begins at $4,390 per person on double occupancy. It includes two nights in a Paris hotel, perfect for those wanting to enjoy couple’s time privately in the City of Lights prior to taking the TGV to Lyon to begin the cruise on Swiss Emerald. Guests can choose from nine different sailings this year.
Couples can also explore the City of Lights on AmaWaterways’ “Vineyards of the Rhine and Mosel” itinerary on AmaDolce. It includes three nights in Paris at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse or a similar property; daily breakfast is included as well. Then guests board for a seven-night cruise from Luxembourg to Amsterdam. Sailings are slated for May 26, July 28, and September 29. Plus, a November 3 cruise is themed around “In Celebration of Wine.” Prices start at $2,399 per person, double occupancy.
While AmaWaterways doesn’t officiate vow renewals, according to a line spokesman, onboard staff will certainly assist the couple with setting up spa services; in-room gifts such as flowers, champagne, chocolates and fruit baskets; and arranging for a special congratulatory message from the ship’s captain.
Viking River Cruises employs a Viking Concierge onboard its ships to assist guests in setting up a special dinner ashore or special arrangements onboard for a celebratory occasion. If guests alert the line one month in advance, the line will deliver a cake to the dinner table in honor of the anniversary/vow renewal day. Scenic Cruises says it does not offer vow renewal ceremonies onboard but it does take guests into the heart of romantic Europe.
No matter what the river cruise itinerary or line is, couples who so desire are usually able to set up a short vow renewal ceremony on their own, either at a scenic spot or at religious site ashore. Just start early and talk to religious facilities well in advance about a vow renewal. Many have details and requirements listed on their websites. Among them are The American Church in Paris and The Church of Santa Susanna, Home of the American Catholic Church in Rome. Uniworld’s longer Italian itinerary, discussed above, ends in Rome.
Another option for a couple wishing to hold a vow renewal ceremony and enjoy the European water experience solely with friends and family is to simply charter an entire river vessel and set up their own onboard program of activities, including a renewal of vows. Or, for a smaller group of family or friends, say in case of only six to eight guests, it’s possible to charter a luxurious barge.
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| Couples stroll through Claude Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France, during a Uniworld cruise. |
Barge travel is both pampering and intimate with far fewer fellow guests onboard than on a typical river cruise. There’s definitely no “roughing it” as fine cuisine and wine flow freely, the onboard crew suggest cultural options ashore and guests enjoy travel at a relaxed pace. A luxurious barge vacation provides a close-up look at one small area of a country rather than—as with river cruising—multiple-destination visits, covering a much wider territory.
French Country Waterways offers inclusive luxury tours that include gourmet cuisine and exclusive wines. This year the eight-passenger luxury hotel barge Princess takes guests to France’s Champagne region. Six-night sailings depart on Sundays between April 7 and June 29. Rates start at $5,495 per person double.
Planning a special vow renewal ceremony often results in more than just one stateroom booking for the agency. Older couples like to bring along their adult children or even adult grandchildren to witness the ceremony. So helping your clients plan a vow renewal and working with the cruise line or barge operator on options can deliver multiple bookings and an annuity for future business.