SHEARINGS – DA VINCI

Ive just returned from a weekend in Amsterdam attending the ACE River Cruise EXPO.

Along with a few of my colleagues, I have sailed on a river cruise ship a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, so when I was asked if I wanted to go to Amsterdam for a couple of days to attend I jumped at the chance.

SHIPS TAKING PART;

Shearings – Da Vinci

AMA Waterways- AMA Dante

Titan/Uniworld- S.S.Antoinette

Avalon Waterways – Avalon Vista

The River Cruise Line- Switzerland II

Amadeus by Luftner Cruises- Amadeus Elegant

SHEARINGS– The name I suppose to most people will mean Coach holidays, however there is another side of the company & that is river cruising. I was pleasantly surprised by the ship upon entry she was like a lovely “Country House”. Very individual and the ship is privately own by a couple. It had a  “Olde Worlde” feel to it. The first thing you notice is the huge Open Fireplace with a nice cosy lounge high backed chairs all sitting around it, extremely warm and welcoming with lots of dark woods, it does make the ship feel like a private members club with a Grand Piano in the lounge.

The Lounge on Board Da Vinci.

The Library in the top of the photo.

Walking around the ship there was a cosy Library section in the lounge area with a good stock of books, next to a humongous board game of Noughts & Crosses .

Deck Plan.

 My favourite…….. The giant chess Set up on the sun deck just about every ship we visited had the obligatory Chess Game and some had Shuffleboard too,  you have the usual Gym on board complete with Turkish Bath.

 Da Vinci’s Gym.

The ship is 4* and she holds 110 people on board, certainly  not as glitzy as some of the higher end river cruise ships but this is also reflected in the prices.  Much more of a personal feel to her. Prices are based on coach & ferry travel and Shearings charge a supplement if you wish to travel by air.

WHATS INCLUDED;

• Air/Rail/Coach
• UK Transfers
• Overseas Transfers
• Services Of Tour Manager (Not included by the Majority of their competitors)
• All Meals Wine/Beer & Soft Drinks with Lunch & Dinner * Selected Tours.
• Friendly staff on board British.
• Holidays include overnight accommodation en/post route
• Music & Dancing trips.

Lovely Restaurant.

European river cruises’s are perfect for people who don’t like to fly & can cut the cost down a on their holiday dramatically whether it is a short break for a few nights or a longer duration. Cabins are with twin beds, seating area, private facilities, T.V. All outside cabins.

During the day time some of the cabins  if you wish can have the beds put away to give you more of a private sitting room and with space, then in the evening beds made up by the steward.

Quite a lot of steep steps to manage so may not be suitable for people with walking difficulties.

If you would like me to give you more information please let me know, I would be happy to look at any itinerary for you.

I can recommend river cruising quite confidently its nothing like Ocean cruising, the concept is THE DESTINATION.

Indeed there are some brilliant cruises coming for 2013/2014 so many ideas.

The Missippi, Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruises,Classical Music On the Rhine/Danube. Turkey & Tinsel, to name but a few.

give me a call on my direct free phone number which is 0800 408 6120

or you can drop me an email at; [email protected].