STERN'S GUIDE TO EUROPEAN RIVERBOATS AND HOTEL BARGES

About the Book

"Steven Stern has an encyclopedic knowledge of the cruise world in general and riverboat-and barge- cruising in particular, with a great understanding of the different lines and their products. This guide is a must for both new and veteran riverboat and barge travelers."

-World of Cruising Magazine "Finally someone has written a definitive travel guide covering an ever growing and popular, yet seldom covered, segment of the cruise industry. This is compulsory reading for anyone interested in a riverboat or barge cruise."

-Official Steamship Guide International

Steven B. Stern is the ultimate authority on all forms of cruising. Having written 24 annual editions of the universally acclaimed "Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation" he has now produced a guide devoted exclusively to the riverboat and barge experience. The popularity of riverboat explorations throughout Europe has grown expeditiously over the past few years and has become the newest "hot" segment of the cruise market. Leisurely sojourns on hotel barges on the waterways of France and other European countries also are becoming popular among seasoned cruisers seeking a more intimate and tranquil vacation.

This comprehensive guide lists descriptive information for every European riverboat and hotel barge, including vital statistics, stateroom size, descriptions of public areas, dining and shipboard facilities, and itineraries. Each vessel is evaluated as to comfort and luxury. Hundreds of photos of the vessels exterior and interiors are included, as well as sample menus and daily programs.

Several chapters are devoted to descriptions of the cities and villages visited by riverboats, and the regions and villages visited by hotel barges, along with descriptive photographs.

About the Author

Steven B. Stern is the ultimate authority on luxury travel, especially cruise vacations. Whether readers are sailing the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the South Seas, Alaska, Southeast Asia, or the waterways of Europe, this is the most comprehensive guide available, with details on all aspects of cruise-ship travel. Updated annually, this edition lists descriptive information for all major cruise ships, including each vessel’s history, vital statistics, appearance, itineraries, price range, and sport, dining, and medical facilities. Stern evaluates every detail by bestowing overall Star Awards as well as ratings in eleven specifi c categories. More than two hundred photographs of ships, decks, and interiors are included, along with actual shipboard menus and daily activity programs for each featured cruise line. This valuable guide assists you in selecting the ship best suited to your taste, advises you on how to prepare for your cruise, and explains what to expect once you are onboard. Stern discusses every major port of call worldwide, listing details on attractions, beaches, hotels, restaurants, shopping, sports, and other recreation. He also includes guidelines on how to make the most of an eight-hour stay in port.