EUROPEAN CRUISES:  ELEGANT RIVER CLOUD II

CRUIRC2C - Cremona to Venice or v.v. 8 days / 7 nights
CRUIRC2V - Venice to Cremona or v.v. 8 days / 7 nights
CRUIRC2R - Venice to Venice or v.v. 8 days / 7 nights

Upstream Cruise 2005 Dates: Venice to Cremona 
April 3rd-10th
May29th-June 5th
September 4th-11th     Venice Regatta activities
October 16th-23rd

Downstream Cruise 2005 Dates: Cremona to Venice 
April 10th-17th
May 8th-15th     Gardens of Northern Italy
October 9th-16th
October 23rd-30th

RT Cruise 2005 Dates: Venice to Venice 
May 15th-22nd
June 12th-19th     Music & Culinary Cruise
June19th-26th
June 26th-July 3rd     Verona Opera (optional)
July 3rd-10th     Verona Opera (optional)  
July 10th-17th     Verona Opera (optional)
July 17th-24th     Verona Opera (optional)
July 24th-31st     Verona Opera (optional)
July 31st-August 7th     Verona Opera (optional)  
August 7th-14th     Verona Opera (optional)
August 14th-21st     Verona Opera (optional)  
August 28th-Sept 4th     Verona Opera (optional)  

The Po is Italy’s longest river and along its shores can be found some of the country’s most beautiful cities—Ferrara, Mantua, Verona, Parma—cities that gave birth to the Italian Renaissance. The riverbanks present an ever-changing landscape of cultivated fields and forests of willow and poplar. The river will narrow to the width of a lock and then spread out into a series of lakes strewn with water lilies. It widens further into a vast delta opening into the Venice Lagoon, dotted with charming islands and finally flows into the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. The summer cruises from/to Venice allow visitors the opportunity to attend the Summer opera at Verona's splendid Roman Amphitheatre, one of Italy's most atmospheric opera houses. Built in the 1st century AD, it's remarkably well preserved and is home to the summer opera festival.

RT Venice Cruise - Verona Opera Schedules:

River Cloud II Features & Amenities
This brand new 88 passenger Po River vessel takes in Northern Italy in all it’s charm. Weekly departures between Venice and Cremona. The River Cloud II is proudly presented for it’s first season of sail on Italy’s Po River! As sister ship to the River Cloud (which sails the Danube, Rhine, Main, & Moselle Rivers) the River Cloud II is made with the same luxurious ‘Orient Express’ feel. With rich mahogany, teak & rosewoods as well as a design emphasis on the panoramic views, this ship offers a truly spectacular travel experience. It goes without saying that the fine service and cuisine will match the same high levels of her sister ship as well. All cabins are outside with twin lower beds, individually adjustable air conditioning, private facilities with shower, and a television. 

Verona Opera - While cruising through the heart of northern Italy, relax in the finely appointed panoramic lounge, which offers excellent views of the surrounding scenery. Enjoy delicious local Italian and Continental cuisine during a single, unhurried seating in the generously proportioned dining room.

13 Junior Suites, 30 Twin Cabins, and 1 Handicap Cabin each with air-conditioning, luxury bathrooms, satellite television, video, music channels, safe, telephone, hair dryer, plush bathrobes, welcome champagne and fruit basket

Dining room with panoramic views

Lounge with panoramic views and nightly musical entertainment with Steinway grand piano

Cruise Director

On-board gift and souvenir boutique

Deck Plan

Itinerary Map

Cabin Amenities

These beautifully decorated cabins are equipped with many conveniences including direct dial phone, television with video player, radio, electronic safe, individually controlled air-conditioning, hair dryer, shaver outlet and mini bar. All cabins have a private bath with shower and the beds have feather quilts and pillows plus 100% cotton bed linens.

Complimentary amenities include shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, soap, shower caps, nail file, shoe polish, tissues and house slippers. Other amenities available for use while on board include bathrobes, and a leather folder containing writing supplies. To add to your enjoyment welcome gifts include a half bottle of champagne and a fruit basket as well as a selection of soft drinks, juices and bottled water which are replenished daily.

The Ports of Call

CREMONA - Cremona is famous for the renowned violin makers of the 16th to 18th centuries such as Stradivarius, Amati and Guarnieri. You'll have the opportunity of attending a Stradivarius recital as well as exploring the beautiful old town with its fine Gothic and Renaissance buildings embellished with terra cotta decorations.

MANTUA - Surrounded by its mediaeval walls, the city lies between Lake Garda and the Po River. It contains numerous fine buildings including the Palazzo del Te, the Cathedral of San Pietro, the castello di San Giorgio and local Ducal Palace. The nearby towns of San Benedetto Po boasts a fine former Benedictine monastery.

VENICE - Incomparable Venice is famed worldwide for its beautiful location and magnificent art and architecture. The Grand Canal and St. Marks Square are perhaps the best known of this city's alluring sights but there is so much more to see. The many smaller canals spanned by beautiful little bridges and lined with colorful palazzos add to the city's undeniable charm. Venice's magnificent churches and many museums contain innumerable art treasures. The Venetian Lagoon is dotted with lovely islands including Murano, famous for its glassware, Burano, renowned for its fine lacework and Torcello with ill beautiful and ancient Cathedral.

FERRARA - Once the capital of the Dukes of Este, Ferrara's four-towered, moated castle and elegant palaces hark back to the glorious days of the Renaissance. Here too is the magnificent Cathedral of San Giorgio dating from the 12th Century.

VERONA - Historic Verona, well known as the site of two of Shakespeare's plays, Romeo and Juliet and The Two Gentlemen of Verona, is a city of picturesque streets and piazzas with a wealth of art and architecture. The beautiful Piazza delle Erbe, for example, has a fine collection of fountains, statues and renaissance houses adorned with lovely frescoes.

PARMA - Once home to the artist Correggio, today Parma is a university town on the banks of the Parma River. It's historic edifices include the 12th century Baptistery, Parma Cathedral, the Palazzo Della Pilotta and the 16th century Teatro Farnese. Of course the town is also famous for such gustatory treats as fine Parma ham and Parmesan cheese. The nearby town of Sabbioneta is a small village which boasts s princely residence complete with palaces, fortifications, church, art gallery and theater.

Venice to Cremona    April 3rd, May 29th, September 4th, October 16th

Cremona to Venice    April 10th, October 9th, October 23rd

Gardens of Northern Italy - May 8th, 2005

Music & Culinary Cruise    June 12th, 2005

Venice to Venice     May 15th, June19th, June 26th, July 3rd, July 10th, July 17th, July 24th, July 31st, August 7th, August 14th, August 28th

INCLUDED:

6 meals daily: early-riser’s continental breakfast; full buffet breakfast; full buffet lunch; afternoon tea; full service dinner; midnight snack

Wine & Beer included with lunch & dinner A full program, of shore excursions with visits, entrance fees, guide services

Not Included:

Airfares, other than those specified in the itinerary; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and extra beverage charges, telecommunication charges and customary gratuity to crew.