River Cloud II
The First Lady of Europe's most beautiful rivers

Like no other river cruiseliner, the first lady of Europe’s river combines the nostalgic charm of the 1930s with the highest degree of comfort and luxury, service and culinary delight. A trip on board the RIVER CLOUD II offers unbelievable diversity and multitude of scenic, historical and cultural impressions, as could hardly be experienced any other way. The challenge is making the choice which cruise to take. Maybe it will be a Rhine river cruise, dropping into romantic Heidelberg, or a cruise through the Dutch waterways, taking in blossoming tulip fields, dreamy villages and vistas of windmill, or discovering history laden villages and cities along the Danube.

The River Cloud II (88 passengers) was placed in service in May 2001. She delights with her generous proportions, grace and luxurious ambience. River Cloud II offers a bright Mediterranean decor with motifs and hues reminiscent of Northern Italy landscapes. All materials used in its construction and decoration were carefully selected to enhance the Mediterranean character. Marble from the famous Carrara quarries, brass framed arched windows, sunshine yellow and sienna coloured fabrics adorn the decor of this ship.

Excellent restaurant, lounge and on board facilities

River Cloud II offers space, comfort and luxury, with a variety of venues. A teak timbered upper sun deck is the main viewing platform, and cushioned timber deck chairs, wind and sun shelters ensure comfort is never compromised. The promenade deck features a single sitting restaurant, a lounge and bar, a library and a small boutique. This is the boarding deck, and includes the reception desk. Passengers returning from shore excursions are greeted here with cool (or hot towels) and refreshments. The limited number of junior suites are also located on this deck. The third deck is the cabin deck, housing the majority staterooms, in twin and double bed configurations.

The lounge, located at the front of the ship, provides the utmost in luxury and comfort, with large arched windows providing unmatched viewing of the passing landscape in air-conditioned comfort. Morning and afternoon teas, pre-dinner cocktails and late night bar, and music provided by a resident pianist, ensure that all needs are catered for. The lounge is also the venue  for presentations on the history and culture of the countries traversed, as well as details of the shore excursions options available for passengers.

The restaurant offers buffet breakfasts and lunches in an informal atmosphere, whilst dinners have a special sense of occasion. In the summer months, when days are long, the large arched windows of the restaurant ensure that diners need not miss any of the passing landscape whilst enjoying their fine meals and wines.

For passengers needing to stay in touch, notebook computers in the library offer incoming and outgoing emails 3 times a day. The ship is not on line, so that real time email delivery or dispatch, and Internet access, is not available. Each stateroom has a direct dial telephone, with toll charges automatically added to the passenger’s shipboard account.

During shore excursion stop-overs, bicycles and helmets are available onboard, and can be used free of charge.

Staterooms

The River Cloud II offers accommodation for 88 passengers, with a choice of 14 junior suites, 1 handicapped person suite, 10 twin bed and 20 double bed staterooms.

Shore excursions

River Cloud II offers a shore excursion at each of the many destinations on route. Most excursions are timed to ensure that cruise passengers have the opportunity to enjoy lunch on board, either after completing a morning excursion, or before beginning an afternoon excursion.
Passengers are provided with maps and destination information, as well as pre-excursion briefings in the lounge the day before. Expert local guides, air-conditioned buses and complementary bottles of water on disembarkation all serve to ensure a great experience. On arrival back at the ship, passengers are greeted with hot (or cold) towelettes and a refreshing cool drink or a hot soup, depending on the weather. For those passengers who would like to do their own thing, on board bicycles are provided, or for the less energetic, arrangements can be made to have taxis available for transport.

Depending on the itinerary, some overnight stop-overs provide an opportunity to experience the culture and night life of a city such as Vienna or Budapest. The cruise director can make arrangements for individual passengers to go to theatre, concert or opera performances as and when available – or make recommendations of restaurants and night clubs to visit.

Of course, there is always the option to do nothing, and staying on board to enjoy the facilities of a ship that offers luxury afloat.

Evenings on Board

As the sun goes down, it’s time to enjoy a pre-dinner drink on the sun deck, or in the air-conditioned comfort of the lounge. A time to make new friends and share the day’s adventures with your fellow travellers. Dinners in the restaurant are followed perhaps by after dinner drinks and coffee in the lounge, where the resident pianist provides an ideal background to relax and enjoy companionship. For others, the sun deck offers an opportunity to take in the fresh air, to enjoy the lights of passing cities or townships, or just to look at the moon and the stars, in the presence of no one else but a loved one. Of course, there is always the option to retire to your suite or stateroom, to relax and enjoy a luxurious environment by reading, listening to music, looking at television or video, or simply having an early night.

Visit the Sea Cloud Cruises web site for further information on River Cloud Cruises itineraries  and ship information.

www.seacloud.com

Our Relationship

River Cloud Cruises are part of Sea Cloud Cruises, an organisation offering luxury river and sailing sea cruising. Mary Rossi Travel is proud to have been selected to represent this premium cruise company. We make reservations for travellers and other travel agencies in the Australia / New Zealand area.

For River Cloud information and bookings please call Mary Rossi Travel on 1800 815 067or in Sydney on (02) 9957 4511, or email us on info@maryrossitravel.com .