River Cruise Newsletter

Below is a copy of our current river cruise newsletter. To subscribe to our weekly newsletter, absolutely free of charge, please click here. To email this newsletter to friends or family, click here. Please note that the FastDeals are subject to availability and sell out quickly.

Dear Vacations To Go Customer,

Cruises along Germany's famed rivers often feature grand castles, and each of these photogenic sights has a fascinating story to tell.

To see photos of these attractions, click the castle name below.

Castles are common along the Rhine River -- a stretch known as the Upper Middle Rhine is home to more than 40 fortifications. Many Rhine itineraries include an excursion to the city of Heidelberg, where the red sandstone Heidelberg Castle looms over the old town center. Once a grand Renaissance palace, the castle was destroyed during the Nine Years' War of the late 17th century. Some rebuilding was done (though never completed), and the edifice was later damaged by lightning strikes in 1764. The ruins caught the attention of 19th-century poets and artists and soon came to symbolize German Romanticism. Click here for Rhine River cruises that visit Heidelberg.

On the Mosel River, travelers can explore Cochem Castle, or Reichsburg, in Cochem. In 1294, King Adolf of Nassau pawned the castle and about 50 surrounding villages on royal land to the archbishop of Trier in order to finance his coronation as German emperor. Neither the king nor his heir could come up with the funds to reclaim the castle, and it remained with the Trier archbishops until 1794. The original structure fell to ruin, but in 1868, Berlin businessman Louis Ravené bought the site and rebuilt the castle around its Gothic foundations. Click here for Mosel River cruises that visit Cochem.

Climb up to the Imperial Castle for splendid views of Nuremberg, featured on Danube River sailings. It was one of the most important castles of the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages. One of its oldest remaining parts is the double chapel -- two chapels with the same floor plans, one sitting atop the other. They are connected by an opening in the middle that allowed the congregation in either chapel to hear the service in the other one. Click here for Danube River cruises that visit Nuremberg.

Danube and Rhine river itineraries that include a stay in Munich also can provide an opportunity to visit the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps. Neuschwanstein was built on its spectacular mountain perch from 1869 to 1886 by Ludwig II, sometimes called "Mad King Ludwig." After losing sovereignty in his kingdom, Ludwig withdrew into his own world of myths and legends and built elaborate royal residences where he could feel like a true king. Neuschwanstein is the most famous, and among its highlights is the Byzantine-style throne room with frescoes and cobalt blue columns and a grotto built to resemble a natural cave. Click here for itineraries that include a visit to Neuschwanstein.

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See some of North America's amazing sights with Victory Cruise Lines. The company operates small-ship sailings on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway and along Canada's coast.

Right now, Vacations To Go customers can get special savings of up to 45% on a variety of sailings through 2027. Book by March 31.

The company's well-crafted itineraries reveal captivating destinations, from the thundering grandeur of Niagara Falls to the tranquil beauty of Mackinac Island. On the intimate 190-passenger Victory I and Victory II vessels, guests cruise to incredible cities and towns that larger ships can't reach.  

You'll stay in a well-appointed stateroom and enjoy elevated gourmet dishes inspired by regional cuisine. The staff is friendly and attentive, and engaging lecturers (referred to as Lakelorians) share insights into the history, ecology and culture of the places you visit.

Cruise fares cover all onboard meals, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, a pre-cruise hotel night and a shore excursion in every port.

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In case you missed any of our recent river cruise newsletters, I've provided links below for the last 10 topics we've covered. Click any link to read more.

France River Cruises -- Read about top sights along the Seine, Rhone, Saone and other rivers.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises -- This brand is known for its upscale ships and thoughtful itineraries.

Brand-New River Cruises -- Check out all the itineraries debuting this year.

Highlights of Cruising the Danube River -- Read about the best places to visit on the Danube River.

Emerald Cruises & Tours -- Get exceptional value on these river sailings.

Viking River Cruises -- Consider a trip with the world's largest river cruise line.

Avalon Waterways -- Read about the special experiences offered on an Avalon river cruise.

10 Best-Selling River Itineraries -- See some of our most popular river cruises in Europe and the U.S.

AmaWaterways -- Receive special access to deals from one of the industry's most experienced river cruise operators.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours -- Learn about the all-inclusive experience offered by this river cruise line.

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Here are this week's Top 10 River Cruises. All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability.

1) Burgundy & Provence, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Travels between Marseille and Lyon. Save up to 50%. Starting at $2,349. Departures from March 29, 2026 through October 31, 2027.

2) Danube River Cruise, 9 days with Gate 1 Travel. Travels between Regensburg and Budapest. Save up to 18%. Starting at $1,869. Departures from May 9, 2026 through November 14, 2026.

3) Captivating Rhine, 8 days with AmaWaterways. Begins in Amsterdam and ends in Basel. Save up to 47%. Starting at $1,979. Departures from July 16, 2026 through November 17, 2027.

4) Legendary Rhine & Moselle, 8 days with Emerald Cruises & Tours. Begins and ends in Frankfurt. Save up to 77%. Starting at $2,070. Departures from July 4, 2026 through September 1, 2027.

5) Danube Waltz, 8 days with Viking. Travels between Passau and Budapest. Save with reduced cruise fares and special air offers. Starting at $2,299. Departures from March 17, 2026 through November 21, 2028.

6) Rhine, Strasbourg & Heidelberg, 8 days with Riviera Travel. Begins and ends in Cologne. Save up to 61%. Starting at $2,449. Departures from May 4, 2026 through October 25, 2027.

7) Bonjour Bordeaux, 8 days with Avalon Waterways. Begins and ends in Bordeaux. Save up to 49%. Starting at $2,381. Departures from March 31, 2026 through November 3, 2026.

8) Highlights of Normandy & the Seine, 8 days with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Begins and ends in Paris. Save up to 73%. Starting at $3,170. Departures from March 30, 2026 through October 29, 2027.

9) The Tennessee Rivers, 9 days with American Cruise Lines. Travels between Chattanooga and Nashville. Save up to 17%. Starting at $4,110. Departures from August 4, 2026 through September 22, 2026.

10) Heart of Belgium and Holland, 8 days with Tauck. Begins in Brussels and ends in Amsterdam. Get low rates on airfare with the Take Off With Tauck offer. Starting at $4,690. Departures from May 6, 2026 through October 28, 2026.

Customers in the US and Canada can call us toll-free at 800-510-4002. For a list of our other toll-free numbers worldwide, click here.

Please e-mail me your comments, suggestions and questions at alanfox@rivercruise.com and I will respond the same day.

Sincerely,

Alan Fox
Executive Chairman
Vacations To Go