5 Grand Circle Ships Rank Among Condé Nast Travelers Top 10 Small Ships in the World

**Ally** · 02-03-2008, 05:00 AM

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BOSTON—Readers of Condé Nast Traveler have named Grand Circle Cruise Lines’ ship, the M/S Bizet, the best small ship in the world, according to the magazine’s “Top 81 Cruise Ships” listing that’s included in the February 2008 issue. A total of eight Grand Circle ships made the prestigious list, and five of them scored in the Top 10.

Grand Circle’s M/S Bizet was the only ship in the 81-ship-listing that received four perfect scores of 100, which she achieved in the categories of itineraries, crew/service, food/dining, and design/layout. Grand Circle’s Nile River M/S Anuket, which received the #2 best small ship ranking, was one of only two ships to receive two perfect scores of 100, in her case, for itineraries and shore excursions.

“We’d like to thank Condé Nast Traveler and our travelers for including so many of our ships in this coveted listing,” said Alan E. Lewis, Grand Circle’s chairman and CEO. “We owe so much of our success to our travelers, who continue to tell us exactly what they want in a small ship experience. Having our own nautical office in Dubrovnik, our own resident program directors, and an incredible nautical and hospitality crew really helps us to deliver the unique itineraries, in-depth shore excursions, and excellent service that our travelers demand. With our 100% Price Guarantee against potential air fuel increases and currency surcharges and several new small ship itineraries in 2008, we’re committed to doing even more to serve our small ship travelers.”

In its eight year, Condé Nast Traveler’s Cruise Poll judged 298 ships. Subscribers rated ships on a 100-point scale and on the following categories: itineraries, shore excursions, crew/service, cabins, food/dining, activities/facilities, design/layout. The list is organized in three categories of small (500 passengers or fewer), medium, and large-sized ships. Grand Circle’s winning ships, all in the small ship category, include six river ships that operate on the Rhine, Main Danube Rivers (M/S Bizet, M/S Adagio, M/S Aria, M/S Concerto, M/S Harmony, and M/S Symphony), the Nile River ship the M/S Anuket, and the 330-passenger M/S Paul Gauguin (#5), which is owned by Grand Circle and which Regent Seven Seas operates in French Polynesia.

Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises serves Grand Circle Corporation’s two sister companies, Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, which both provide unique international vacations to Americans over 50. The cruise line has grown from one custom-built river ship in 1998 to a fleet of 50+ small ships today, including custom-built river ships, rustic barges, a 16-passenger Galápagos expedition vessel, the 330-passenger M/S Paul Gauguin, three brand new 50 passenger ocean-faring ships and exclusive private charters.

Established in 1958, Grand Circle Corporation is the leader in international travel, adventure, and discovery for Americans aged 50 and older. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., the company has 45 offices throughout Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and Africa and offers more than 100 river cruises, barge trips, small-ship ocean cruises, extended stay vacations, escorted tours, and adventure vacations worldwide. Since 1992, Grand Circle Foundation has donated more than $30 million to educational, humanitarian and cultural organizations around the world.

GCT : Press Releases : January 24, 2008

Captain Larry · 02-03-2008, 02:16 PM

I have cruised on only one "small" ship, GCCL's M/S Symphony, and I was very pleased by the experience. Would I say it was one of the top ten in the world? Probably not. But I don't have a real basis for comparison. I suspect that many (or most) of the people who voted in the survey were in the same situation. Would I recommend a Grand Circle river cruise? Absolutely! Do I think you would be pleased by the amenities, itinerary, and service on M/S Symphony? I surely do! So lets just leave it at that and not waste a lot of time comparing things we don't really know anything about.