Passports and European River Cruises

Of Course, you must duly accomplish the passport applicationin order to be approved. Bear in mind, it is best to be thorough so that your European river cruise is not going to cause you trouble. You will need to pay a fee in order to apply. It is important to include payment information so that the application can be processed smoothly.

You should then mail the application to the address printed on the application and instructions listed. If you have filled out everything completely, you expect to receive the passport for your European river cruise within 4 to 6 weeks period. If you want a romantic way to see Paris, then a Seine cruise must be your choice. I'd personally recommend a European River Cruise for everyone who wants to see beautiful places in Europe.

A Typical European River Cruise

Keep in mind that different packages will attract different types of vacationers and that there are themed cruises that cater to a certain group of people. A slow-paced, educational theme may attract seniors where as a party cruise will attract young couples with no children. Mixing your European river cruise vacation with a group of people that are your exact opposite may make for a long voyage rather than the fun trip that you had envisioned.

A typical Mediterranean river cruise will include several ports of call including Barcelona, Villefranche, Rome, Naples and Florence. You will probably have an opportunity to visit all of the main tourist attractions such as Pompeii and the islands that hold the history and archeology of man's earliest civilizations. You may find yourself water skiing, shopping till you drop in Barcelona, scuba diving or playing with the rich and famous in Monte Carlo.

European River Cruises Are Really That Great!

Taking a European river cruise can be one of the most exciting vacations that you take in your lifetime. Adventure, relaxation, exploration, extravagant parties, exquisite dining, free entertainment, and eye-opening experiences are all yours to be had when you book a cruise
with Princess Cruise Lines or another popular line. A cruise vacation literally puts the world at your doorstep. Imagine being able to step out of your stateroom to a different exotic view each and every morning or being able to watch the sun set in a different port of call each evening.

The truth of the matter is that European river cruise vacations are unparalleled when it comes to providing an unforgettable experience crammed packed with more variety than you could ever believe possible from a week-long vacation. But you need to be careful when choosing your package because different destinations will provide you with completely different experiences. The size boat that you choose will also determine what types of ports that you will be able to see. As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing where to go on your the cruise of your dreams.

The Sights of a European River Cruise

Adding to the luxurious surroundings of your European river cruise cabin, you will also be gently gliding by gorgeous French chateaus, imposing German castles, brilliant tulip fields and many more stunning sites throughout the interior regions. And, when you are not enjoying the sights rolling by from your comfortable chair on the sun deck, you will have opportunities to leave the ship and savor the ambiance of the towns and villages along the river and rub shoulders with the locals.

Many people say that European river cruises are simply the best way to be introduced to the best of Europe, because you can escape the common tourist traps. Cruising European rivers is a relaxing, enjoyable, stress-free, and comfortable way to gain new insights into the history and culture of the countries, the cities and the people.

Important Aspects of European River Cruises

One of the most important things to travelers who go European river cruising, next to security, is comfort. A good night's sleep, and the added comfort an exquisite bed provides, is worth a little extra. Sceptre Tours offers high-quality hotel-style bedding throughout (unlike some ships with convertible sofa beds). In addition, on Sceptre Tours, guests enjoy complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks at dinner.

While European river cruise companies generally include shore excursions, Sceptre Tours, for example, also features an epicurean adventure on most cruises, and sometimes two, providing authentic experiences at someone's home, a cooking class, or other added enriching experiences at no additional cost. Sceptre Tours provides complimentary bicycles on board. Terrain is quite flat along the rivers, and a bike ride is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air while seeing the sights.

Regardless whether a traveler books airfare with the cruise line or on their own, Sceptre Tours includes airport transfers for all guests arriving on the day of boarding or departing on the day of disembarkation. I experienced this myself recently when booking my own flight.

European River Cruises Growing!

European river cruises have become all the rage, and for good reason. On a river cruise in Europe, you can enjoy the luxuries of having your hotel travel with you, and not having to check-in and check-out, or pack and unpack in each city you visit. Unlike ocean cruises, where you may have a long motorcoach ride to the city center from the seaport, Europe's cities and towns were built along its rivers, and on a European river cruise your moving hotel is usually right in the city center. Just step off and enjoy!

There are now many river boats plying Europe's rivers, and the challenge for the consumer is how to select the river cruise ship that offers the best value. As in choosing a hotel, where a Motel 6 will not provide the same vacation experience or comforts as a Sheraton, Hyatt or Ritz Carlton, choosing the right European river cruise takes some doing, especially when all those boats are over there, sight unseen. That's where an experienced travel agent can play a valuable role in helping you choose the right river cruise vacation. Travel agents can also sometimes offer special value-added savings that may not be available online or direct from the cruise line.

Many travelers are swayed to purchase the least expensive European river cruise package. Perhaps the largest of these is Sceptre Tours. While Sceptre Tours delivers good value for themoney, we're often asked what paying a bit more for a different cruise deal will get them - what the points of difference are.

Play Golf in Ireland!

It's the ultimate golf holiday — a luxurious three-bedroom villa at a five-star resort in Ireland, a mini-van to get around in, and four rounds of golf at four of Ireland's top courses — all at a savings of over 50% if golfers were to book the same components individually on their own.

The Ireland Golf Resort Vacation from Sceptre Tours lets golfers tee off at the Adare Manor Golf Club (home of the Irish Open and the upcoming JP McManus Pro-Am Invitational), the Dingle Golf Links in Co. Kerry, the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club (Lackabane Course), and the Doonbeg Golf Club in Co. Clare.

The Ireland Golf Resort Vacation package includes:
•Round-trip economy class airfare to Shannon;

•6 nights in a private 3-bedroom Villa at the five-star Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort;

•4 rounds of Championship Golf (one at each of the courses noted above);
•Weekly manual shift minivan (upgrade to an automatic minivan or chauffeur driven car also available)

This package is priced from $999 from New York, from $1,019 from Boston, and $1,049 from Chicago for travel November 2010 through March 2011. Rates are also available for May through October 2010 starting from $1,519 from New York. Rates are per person, based on quad occupancy and are exclusive of airline taxes estimated to be $180 per person.

Please Note: June & July travel in the Villas are sold out but Adare Townhouses (2-bedroom) are available. Contact 800-221-0924 for prices and to book. Travel around the holidays (Christmas & New Year's) are at slightly higher rates. Travel in March 2011 is currently available for the first week and additional days will be offered.


This is the perfect golf holiday for a group of golf lovers — men and women — who want to play golf on some of the most scenic and historic courses in the world.

Cruise from Frankfurt to Prague!

Experience the holiday season on this festive river cruise vacation from Frankfurt to Prague, featuring a deluxe 5-night river cruise on the Main River. Enjoy guided city sightseeing in Würzburg, Bamberg, and in the Bavarian village of Miltenberg. In Würzburg, visit the Bishop’s Residenz; take an included excursion to Rothenburg on the famed Romantic Road; and enjoy a baking demonstration in Miltenberg. In 1,000-year-old Prague, see the city’s best-known treasures and stroll through the impressive Christmas market in the Old Town.

Prague Castle is a castle in Prague where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept here. Prague Castle is one of the biggest castles in the world (according to Guinness Book of Records the biggest ancient castle) at about 570 meters in length and an average of about 130 meters wide.

The castle buildings represent virtually every architectural style of the last millennium. The Prague Castle includes gothic St Vitus Cathedral, Romanesque Basilica of St. George, a monastery and several palaces, gardens and defense towers. Most of the castle areas are open to tourists. Nowadays, the castle houses several museums, including the National Gallery collection of Bohemian baroque and mannerism art, exhibition dedicated to Czech history, Toy Museum and the picture gallery of Prague Castle, based on the collection of Rudolph II. The Summer Shakespeare Festival regularly takes place in the courtyard of Burgrave Palace.

Sceptre Tours is your #1 source for european river cruises in Germany and the Czech Republic! They have the background and experience to make sure your european river cruise is memorable and amazing! Choose Sceptre Tours for all your European river cruise needs!