All Grand Circle Cruise Line Ships Make Conde Nast Traveler's 2014 "Top 100 Cruise Ships in the World" List, Including #1 Small Ship

BOSTON, Jan. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand Circle Cruise Line's entire fleet of privately-owned river and small ships have made Conde Nast Traveler's 2014 "Top 100 Cruise Ships in the World" listing, reported CEO Vince Cook today.  Two of Grand Circle's 50-passenger ships, the M/V Artemis and the M/V Arethusa, took the #1 and #2 spots, respectively, in the small ship category, while the M/S Provence and M/S River Allegro ranked 2^nd and 3^rd in the river cruise ship category.  Conde Nast Traveler's "Top 100 Cruise Ships in the World" listing, the result of the magazine's annual cruise poll, is available online and will appear in the magazine's February issue.  This is the ninth year in a row that Grand Circle Cruise Line has been included in the prestigious listing.  

"We are honored to be recognized by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler for our ships and for our guides, nautical and hospitality crew who work so hard to deliver authentic, culturally-rich experiences at an excellent value," said Cook.  "With per diems that typically are $50 to $500 less than other small ship cruise lines, Grand Circle strives to make travel more affordable for more Americans, including solo travelers, and to connect them with local people and communities so that they gain an intimate understanding of the countries they are exploring.  Ultimately, our journeys are not about our ships per se but about the cultural experiences travelers have along their way."

In Conde Nast Traveler's 2014 "Top 100 Cruise Ships in the World" listing, all three of Grand Circle Cruise Line's small (50 passenger) ships made the Top 20 Small Cruise Ship list, including the #1 Artemis, which sails along the Mediterranean, and the #2 Arethusa, which sails on Grand Circle's The Rivieras: France, Italy & the Isles cruise.  In addition, Grand Circle's 12 privately owned river ships, which sail throughout Europe and Russia, made the "Top 40 River-Cruise Ships" listing.  Grand Circle's fleet also includes dozens of privately chartered ships.

Grand Circle Cruise Line currently offers 23 River Cruises and Cruise Tours, and Small Ship Cruises around the world, including River Cruises in Europe and Russia and Small Ship Cruises along the Mediterranean and the Adriatic, Panama, Burma, and Antarctica.  In the past two years, approximately 81,000 Americans traveled with Grand Circle Cruise Line, including about 21,000 solo travelers (27% of all travelers).  

Grand Circle Cruise Line now offers free Single Supplements on its three Small Ship Cruises for 2014, low Single Supplements on its River Cruises and free Single Supplements on all pre- and post-trip extensions.  Grand Circle recently announced its newest 2014 River Cruise, "Christmas Markets along the Elbe."

For more information please visit Grand Circle Cruise Line, and to see a video, please click Grand Circle Cruise Line Experience Video.   Please visit Top 100 for more information about Conde Nast's Cruise Poll.

About Grand Circle Cruise Line
Established in 1998, Grand Circle Cruise Line has grown from a single river ship to more than 50 small ships today, ranging from custom-built river ships, three four-star plus 50-passenger ocean-faring ships, and dozens of exclusive private charters.  Ship capacities range from 50-164 passengers.  The fleet is part of Grand Circle Corporation, which also includes travel brands Grand Circle Travel and Overseas Adventure Travel, both of which provide unique international vacations to Americans age 50 and older. Since 1992, the non-profit Grand Circle Foundation has pledged or donated $97 million to more than 300 educational, humanitarian and cultural organizations worldwide, including 100 schools, in 50 countries.

SOURCE Grand Circle Cruise Line