Want a Million Dollar Trip for $15,000 or less?—Try a Europe River Cruise!
By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
www.dreamdestinations.com
I write all the time about Europe river cruising and its value. While some would say it is not the best luxury travel option money can buy, I disagree.
So, let me defend my thoughts—is it really a million dollar trip for less?
Our AmaWaterways Cabin with Swans—looks like a millionaire luxury cruise to me!
A River Cruise is Time and Money Saving Travel
Time is your most valuable commodity—doesn’t it always seem we don’t have enough time to get things done? This is especially true during travel. Going from one place to another to see or experiencing a location can be fun or, usually pretty boring moving from one place to another. It is fun if you do not feel confined—like being able to roam on a ship or going by train—and since I don’t have access to a private jet or helicopter, I prefer a train or rivership..
Boring movement wasted time can be solved—river cruises solve this by usually sailing a night—you have not missed much, so max time is spent visiting a location. True, there may not be enough time at one spot in ports, but we put together trips for clients all the time on land vacations and we can’t replicate what a river cruise can do in one week and it would cost at least double for a lesser vacation.
Millionaires became rich usually by make wise investment choices—think there might be some appeal here?
There is a Right River Cruise Line Option for Almost Everyone
I think there is a right cruise line for each person. Do you want pampering with butler service?—several lines let you have one. Want a bargain?—the cabins with fixed windows on the first deck can save you near a couple of thousand compared to other cabins yet you still get the same million dollar cruise features. Want a massage?—no problem on most lines! How about exercise with an instructor led session?—quite available.
Want a great meal, maybe even a Michelin Starred restaurant?—again there are lines who will help you experience this luxury with ease.
Hank with a chef and waiter on the Scenic Opal—what a seafood lobster feast!
Interested in a culinary cruises?—good options abound, from shopping at the market and the returning to your rivership and helping prepare the meal, to cooking demonstrations, to even cooking schools on board the vessels.
How about a classical concert in a Vienna palace—a standard included option for some river cruise lines.
A palace we visited in Vienna for an included concert—royal treatment at its best!
Like wine?—go on a wine themed cruise (please invite me to go along—it is my favorite themed cruise!).
Anne & Hank at a Rhone River Cruise Wine Tasting—looks like millionaire treatment to me!
Interested in Jewish Heritage?—by now you get it, there is an option for you.
Like to bike?—again, we have some good options for you—active options on river cruises is a growing trend and very popular.
Bikes at the ready on AmaWaterways—several of our clients loved the escorted bike tours—even millionaires need to stay fit!
Like to visit capital cities?—done!
How about quaint villages?—these gems are often available.
The Village of Durnstein, Austria—awesome
Want to travel with the whole family?—there are special trips that are designed with family friendly features.
Along with our love of wine themed cruises, the Christmas Markets are so cool, it is an adventure I would recommend to almost everyone—the festive spirit and magical displays of lights in Europe is an unmatched chance to celebrate the season in a way you will never forget. Anne votes this her favorite river cruise trip and, as we all know, she is always right!
The village of Riquewihr Timber houses decorated for Christmas on our recent 2018 cruise—magical indeed!
Not only are all these options available, we have helped clients experience almost all these, at a lot less cost than some millionaires pay for their trips! The best thing is you can usually get the experience you desire and not have to depend upon we think is cool or great—you tell us what you like and we can probably find the right match for you on a river cruise line.
You Can Be Country Intensive or Multi Country on a Europe River Cruise
Like France?—there are 3 options to sail in the one country alone. You can even go a barge in a canal with fewer than 12 folks—pretty exclusive, huh?
Perhaps it is the tulips, windmills on a Netherlands and Belgium waterways cruise—what an adventure!
Hank on a Tulip Time Cruise with the windmills in the Netherlands—certainly a million dollar view!
How about Portugal on the Douro River Valley—great port wines and historic sites in a more relaxed setting.
Want to see a lot of countries?—sail the upper or lower Danube for a week to visit 4 or 5. Add a pre/post stay and you can see even more.
Perhaps one of the most ornate and fascinating buildings in the world at night—the iconic parliament building in Budapest—another million dollar sight!
The lower Danube in the Iron Gates—breathtaking scenery!
And, don’t forget the Rhine on a cruise from Basel Switzerland to Amsterdam—4 countries in this option.
There are about a dozen or so navigable river in Europe and each has its advantages and disadvantages, but the options abound.
We are here to guide you for your millionaire trip but at a far lesser price.
You Can Sail For 1 Week, 2 Weeks or 3 Weeks—Lots of Options
One week trips are great and for quick visits to Europe ideal. Most companies build their cruises around the 7 day cruise. The options are endless.
Millionaires can and often travel longer and so can you. There are 2 week cruises going from Amsterdam to Budapest—what a trip! If you tried to do it on land and stay in 5 star hotels, it would cost thousands more. But even better, you can tailor your trip by added back to back cruises on rivers that normally don’t offer an itinerary in their brochure—trust me, we have done it with fabulous results. For two weeks, we only unpacked once—pretty cool.
For an even better splurge (remember money is no object for us millionaire wantabes who travel for less), why not 3 cruises in France combined with a land option pre/post—hard to match this on land.
We can help you design a millionaire trip for a lot less—getting interested?
Don’t Have a Million Dollars to Take A Trip—Don’t Worry, We Can Find You a Million Dollar Trip For Far Less!
So, how would I travel if I had a million dollars to spend?—part would be on a river cruise. I really believe it is the best travel option for most people in Europe. We have been on 16, getting ready for number 17 this summer, leading a small group on The Captivating Rhine on AmaWaterways (interested?—almost sold out—here is a link to learn more).
We can even help you save more money by sailing in the off peak times (summer is peak season) and often the cooler temperatures and less crowed times make your million dollar worthy cruise seem even better. Also, there is less competition for staterooms, as some sailing will not sell out.
I guess we put our money towards this travel method as it is so rewarding—let us help you do the same. .
My Final Thoughts
Want a millionaire trip for those without unlimited funds to spend—try a river cruise. It won’t disappoint for most folks—it often is just the right combination of luxury and experiences.
They are small, exclusive and fun and will help you keep some of the millions in the bank you wish you had earned in your lifetime.
We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise experts, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.
When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.
Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 45 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent
