GCT River Cruises - Page 2

**Ally** · 10-17-2006, 01:58 PM

M/S River Rhapsody

The M/S River Rhapsody was launched 1999. This ship has a capacity of 140 passengers in 70 cabins, all with outside views. Ship amenities include an elevator, restaurant, lounge, bar, pub, library, sun deck, fitness center, and sauna. Your ship has an international crew of 32 and three English-speaking Program Directors.

Cabin Features
Comfortable outside rooms with closet and storage space. Cabin sizes are 150 square feet or larger.
Private bath with shower. Including a hair dryer, shampoo, and soap.
Individual heating & air-conditioning controls
Color TV and radio. Including CNN, movies, and a view from the bow camera looking out the front of your ship.
Direct-dial telephone; emergency call buttons
In-room safe
2 twin beds that convert to sofas. During the day, you can sit and relax on a sofa. When you arrive back at your cabin in the evening, you'll find the couch has been converted to a bed.
All non-smoking cabins
Ship Features
Registry: Switzerland
Width: 38 feet
Length: 361 feet
Passenger capacity: 140
Crew/Nationality: 32/International
Entered Service: 2000
Decks: 4
Number of cabins: 70—all outside
Elevator: Yes

**Ally** · 10-17-2006, 01:59 PM

M/S River Symphony

Launched in 1998, the M/S River Symphony has a capacity of 140 passengers in 70 cabins, all with outside views. Ship amenities include an elevator, restaurant, lounge, bar, pub, library, sun deck, fitness center, and sauna. Your ship has an international crew of 32 and three English-speaking Program Directors.

Cabin Features
Comfortable outside rooms with closet and storage space. Cabin sizes are 150 square feet or larger.
Private bath with shower. Including a hair dryer, shampoo, soap, and 120-volt shaver outlet.
Individual heating & air-conditioning controls
Color TV and radio. Including CNN, movies, and a view from the bow camera looking out the front of your ship.
Direct-dial telephone; emergency call buttons
In-room safe
2 twin beds that convert to sofas. During the day, you can sit and relax on a sofa. When you arrive back at your cabin in the evening, you'll find the couch has been converted to a bed.
All non-smoking cabins
Ship Features
Registry: Switzerland
Width: 38 feet
Length: 361 feet
Passenger capacity: 140
Crew/Nationality: 32/International
Entered service: 1998
Decks: 4
Number of cabins: 70—all outside
Elevator: Yes

**Ally** · 10-17-2006, 02:00 PM

M/S Tikhi Don

The recently refurbished M/S Tikhi Don offers a relaxing way to see Russia. Accompanied only by other Grand Circle passengers, you'll travel with no less than six local Program Directors.

More information about your river ship
Relax in your outside cabin

Your outside cabin measures 130–150 square feet. Unpack only once and enjoy twin beds (which you may choose to push together to create a double), storage space, a table and two chairs, and a private bath with shower.

In addition, you’ll appreciate having a picture window that opens, a refrigerator, and color television. All rooms are non-smoking, and there are no obstructed views.
Socialize with fellow travelers

After a day of exploring ashore, return to the lounge to socialize with fellow travelers while you talk over your day’s discoveries. Or, relax on the Tikhi Don’s sun deck, an ideal place to absorb the passing scenery while sipping a cocktail or writing postcards. And when it comes time for meals, continue your conversations in the ship’s dining room, where you’ll savor regional and international cuisine, prepared and served at a single, open seating.
Your Grand Circle crew and service

You’ll receive the best Russian standard of service from a crew that is committed to the safety and enjoyment of your travel on the river. All shipboard announcements are in English. River ship cabins are relatively small compared with ocean cruise ships, and ship amenities are sufficient but not lavish. The M/S Tikhi Don is well equipped for sailing Russian rivers, but its common areas are smaller, and the lounge cannot accommodate all passengers at once. Most activities on board will take place in the Sun Deck bar, to which there is no elevator access. In sum, keep in mind that in post-Soviet Russia, standards of comfort are still not up to par with what you’ll find elsewhere in Europe—particularly aboard the Grand Circle ships that cruise the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers. But even though your shipboard accommodations are not luxurious, you’ll have all the basic amenities you’ll need for a pleasant journey.

Please note: The M/S Tikhi Don is not equipped with wheelchair access. Elevator service is available from the Main Deck to the Boat Deck. There is no elevator access to the Sun Deck, which is the primary common area where most group social events and onboard educational/cultural activities take place. Also, during port stops, ships may dock side-by-side, obstructing views and requiring you to pass through other ships to embark and disembark.
Cabin Features

* Outside cabins with storage space. All cabins are 130–150 square feet.
* Two twin beds that can be converted to a double.
* Private, European-style bath with shower. Including a hair dryer, shampoo, soap, and both 110 and 220-volt outlets.
* Picture window that can be opened, with no obstructed views.
* Refrigerator
* Satellite color TV
* In-room safe
* Soundproofing
* All cabins are non-smoking.

Ship & Crew Information
Registry: Russia
Width: 54 feet
Length: 425 feet
Passenger capacity: 220
Crew/Nationality: 104 Russian/International
Refurbished: 2005
Decks: 5 (3 with passenger cabins)
Number of cabins: 112—all outside
Elevator Yes (Main Deck to Boat Deck only. There is no elevator access to the Sun Deck)

**Ally** · 10-17-2006, 02:00 PM

M/S River Anuket

M/S River Anuket :
built exclusively for cruising the Nile

Our privately owned river ship—the M/S River Anuket offers a host of amenities that travelers have come to expect from Grand Circle. Aboard this intimate, vessel, you'll sail only with Grand Circle Travelers for the ultimate in camaraderie. And take comfort knowing that your Program Director—fluent in English—will always be on hand to take care of all the details of your vacation.

Cabin Features
Outside cabins with closet and storage space Cabin size is 21' x 11' (231 square feet)
Private bath with shower. Including a hair dryer, shampoo, soap, and 220-volt shaver outlet.
Individual heating & air-conditioning controls
Color TV and radio. Including CNN and movies.
In room safe
Soundproofing
Shipboard Features
Dining room with single open seating. Enjoy river views in your ship's non-smoking dining room.
Bar and lounge. Relax with friends old and new.
Sun deck. Enjoy the views—as well as the pool—as your ship glides down the legendary Nile.
Library. Spend quiet time reading, writing, or playing cards.
Shipboard entertainment. Unwind with music after a day of discovery.
Onboard shop. Browse for jewelry and souvenirs while you sail.
Laundry service.
1.6:1 ratio of passenger to ship staff.
International telephone and fax service.
All shipboard announcements made in English.

SHIPBOARD SECURITY

We've taken the necessary precautions to ensure your well-being and safety during your entire vacation, including the time you spend onboard Grand Circle's private Egyptian river ships.

* Registered in Egypt and sail under the Egyptian flag.
* English-speaking crew dedicated to your care and safety.
* Smoking/non-smoking. All cabins are non-smoking. Smoking is only permitted outside on the Sun Deck.

Please note: The M/S River Anakut and M/S Nile Stephanie are not equipped with wheelchair access or elevators. Also, in ports other than Luxor and Aswan, ships may dock side-by-side, obstructing views and requiring you to pass through other ship's to embark and disembark.
Ship & Crew Information
Registry: Egypt
Width: 47 feet
Length: 237 feet
Passenger capacity: 138
Crew/Nationality 82/Egyptian
Entered service: 2001
Decks: 4, plus Sun Deck
Number of cabins: 70—all outside
Cabin size: 21' x 11' (231 square feet)

**Ally** · 11-01-2006, 05:33 AM

Grand Circle Corporation, the leader in international travel, adventure and discovery for Americans aged 50-plus, was ranked #2 in the World's Best Small - Ship Cruise Line category of Condé Nast Traveler's 2006 Readers' Choice Awards.

This is the second year in a row that Grand Circle Cruise Line has made the list and this year, the cruise line moved up from 5th to 2nd place. Condé Nast Traveler readers also cited Grand Circle for its excellent itineraries (score: 99.3) and ship excursions (95.0) - higher scores than those given to the top ranked small-ship cruise line.

In addition to Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards, the company has received additional recognition for its small-ship cruise line this year. In August, Travel + Leisure's 2006 World's Best Awards readers' survey rated Grand Circle Cruise Line as a top 5 small-ship cruise line.

(Grand Circle Corporation, October 2006)

Captain Larry · 11-01-2006, 12:07 PM

GCT handles a lot of travelers, and there is bound to be an occassional glitch. But I like GCT, especially the European River Cruise this past summer, and have found them to be good with details. I liked the ship, I liked the crew, I liked the program directors, and I liked the in-port activities. The air itinerary was very good and the delay I experienced was weather-related. The airline could have been more helpful, but GCT's portion was well done.

I posted my trip report on TripForums. Here is the link:
Castles, Cathedrals, and Cobblestones - TripForums