This year, late summer,  we are planning a River Cruise  on AMA Waterways…………..and they just announced a new ship -

AMAWATERWAYS’  La Marguerite  (92 guest ship) will sail through Vietnam and Cambodia again this year, and  according to  AMAWATERWAYS this ship is almost completely sold out.  Thus, AMA WATERWAYS has unveiled plans to build an additional ship to sail through Vietnam and Cambodia, to launch the summer of 2011.

The new 124-guest ship, (not  named yet), will measure 295 feet in length (60 feet longer than La Marguerite). Standard cabins will be 226 square feet, the 10 junior suites will be 290 square feet and two suites will be 452 square feet each.

The new ship’s Mekong itinerary will include stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,  Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (Angkor Wat), Cambodia.

Consumers have shown great interest in River cruising through the charming little villages in this region, says AMAWATERWAYS President, Rudi Schreiner.

“The Mekong is a magnificent river, ideal for river cruising for a number of reasons,” notes Schreiner.  “The first advantage of the Mekong is its size.  The river is huge, in most places almost a mile wide, so it has a whole lot of potential.  The scenery is incredible, with many small villages, islands and temples.  The other remarkable thing about the Mekong is that it includes three major cities.  You have Ho Chi Minch City or Saigon, the metropolis of Vietnam; Phnom Penh, the capital and largest city of Cambodia, located on the river front with beautiful cafes and restaurants.  And, then you have the fascinating town of Siem Reap, with the temples of Angkor.  It’s the perfect backdrop for river cruising,” adds Schreiner.

While docked in tiny Haines, Alaska, the self-proclaimed “Valley of the Eagles,” we walked to the old Western-style movie set of “White Fang” for a visit to the Haines Brewing Company and a taste of some really good beer.

It is a sunny February day. The distant, snow-laden Alps contrast against a brilliant blue sky. Sprouting from fields of green are quaint homes with terra-cotta roofs.  Italy’s earthy realms juxtapose with heaven’s ethereal reaches. It is a day and a scene that buoys the spirit: What’s more is that such euphoria comes for only 22 Euros.

The journey began at Genoa’s central rail station, and ended less than two hours later in Milan. First class seats only 6 euros more than 2nd class seats, so why not splurge?

I love the clack, clack, clack of the rails, the train’s whistle, the dual illusion of speeding past the landscape and at the same time moving in slow motion. The distant Alps appear to pass slowly, but the trees and houses near the rails zip past in a blur.

As any train traveler will tell you, there is a romance on the rails that has long been lost in the air. (Of course, as any avid cruiser knows, the romance still exists at sea.) On terra firma, when it comes to planes, trains and automobiles, I will choose trains whenever possible.

I stand up to take a photo to share with those who might read this story, but I realize that I cannot capture the scene in megapixels. Better to try to paint the picture with words and let the reader imagine and one day experience it personally.

[Travel Tip: If your cruise ends in Genoa, you may find that you'll save a bundle by flying from Milan's Malpensa Airport rather than Genoa. The rail journey takes 1 hour 45 minutes and costs around 22 euros. Once at Milan's Central Rail Station, look for the signs directing you to the Malpensa Shuttle. The transfer from the rail station to the airport takes about 45 minutes and costs only 7.50 euros. For all flights except for EasyJet, stay aboard the bus until you reach Terminal 1.]

Today Cunard announced the return of its popular Literature and Liners series. This program allows guests sailing on certain Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings the opportunity to interact with some great best-selling authors.

John Berendt

Of the list just announced, I have heard two of these authors speak — John Berendt and Bill Bryson — and they were sensational. Both of them were keynote speakers at the national convention of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) in which I have long been an active member. So I know that being on board a ship with them for several days offers some great chances for interaction.

Here are more details:

Scheduled to sail as part of this year’s programme are Kate Atkinson, John Berendt, Bill Bryson and Joanne Harris. Guests can look forward to engaging Q&A discussions, lectures, book signings and readings with select titles to be featured in the Cunard Book Club

Kate Atkinson: Novelist Atkinson, known for her award-winning Case Histories and Behind the Scenes at the Museum, is scheduled to sail on the 15 April eastbound Crossing. Atkinson, who was born in York, England, recently released When Will There Be Good News? – a follow-up to the “Jackson Brodie” character from Case Histories.

John Berendt: Berendt is an American-born author known for writing the best-selling non-fiction book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 1995. Prior to writing the overnight success story, Berendt wrote for Esquire and New York magazines. He is also the author of The City of Falling Angels. Berendt will be sailing on the 7 June eastbound Crossing.

Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson: Best-selling American author Bryson is scheduled for the 1 October westbound Crossing. He is well known for his humorous books on travel, including A Walk in the Woods and The Lost Continent. Bryson also has penned a number of other bestsellers on the subject, as well as those on the English language and scientific subjects. In addition to being an author, Bryson also spent many years writing for The Times and The Independent while living in England.

Joanne Harris: The British writer is best known for her acclaimed novel, Chocolat, which was made into an Oscar®-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is also the author of The Evil Seed, Sleep, Pale Sister and seven other novels, most recently The Lollipop Shoes and Runemarks. Harris’ other works include Jigs & Reels, a collection of short stories, and two cookbooks. Her books are now published in more than 40 countries. She will be joining the 1 October westbound Crossing, as well as the 12 October eastbound Crossing.

In 2010, Cunard offers guests more choices of Transatlantic Crossings between April and November, sailing six- and seven-day voyages between New York and Southampton, as well as new extended seven-, eight- and nine-day Crossings to Cherbourg, France and Hamburg, Germany.

Widely considered the definitive ocean travel experience, a Transatlantic Crossing offers guests a myriad of opportunities for intellectual interaction, leisurely pursuits, health and wellness activities, and gourmet dining. Unique Cunard amenities found aboard Queen Mary 2 include the famed Princess and Queens Grill accommodation, the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea and the first Todd English restaurant at sea.

For more information and to book a voyage aboard Queen Mary 2, consult your travel professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com.

Barista Bar on Oceania Cruises New Marina

You’ll need to use your imagination, as Oceania’s Marina is under construction in Genoa, Italy, but the panorama picture you’re looking at is of a soon-to-be-completed coffee bar overlooking the pool deck (click the photo to enlarge the image).

Typically, this space might be reserved for bars serving beverages with more kick than coffee, but as Oceania Cruises’ CEO Frank del Rio pointed out to press touring the ship today in Genoa, “Our guests aren’t big (alcohol) drinkers.”

Certainly, a coffee bar seems to be the perfect complement for this space; something different anyway. You don’t often see coffee bars at sea with views such as this.

Our cruisetour had only nine people. For the summer of ‘06, Cruise West cruisetour groups averaged only 17. The small numbers make for a true “up close and personal” experience.

Only 25 percent of the people who come to Alaska to see Denali get to see it. But you can improve your chances. If the weather down below is lousy, take to the sky on a fly-by Denali flight.

Owner’s Suite On Oceania’s Marina

Today, I head to Genoa for a preview of Oceania’s Marina, which will be floated out Friday at 12:15 Central European Time.

Oslo is one of those rare European cities where nature and metropolis mesh and connect in ways that cruise passengers can enjoy without a great deal of effort. The Norwegian capital’s compact city center puts many attractions within walking distance and others only a short transit away on ferries, trams, bikes or city busses. Read more about Oslo in Avid Cruiser’s Port Profiles section.

Cruise ships deliver you directly to the Oslo’s doorstep. Step off the ship, and you’re already in the city center. Oslo’s main cruise port is situated alongside Akerhus Fortress, the medieval castle and royal residence dating back from 1299.