Grand Circle Cruise Line Offers Three Small Ship Cruise Tours Beginning September 2012

BOSTON, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Alan E. Lewis, Chairman of Grand Circle Cruise Line, the leader in small ship and river cruises worldwide, today announced that the cruise line will operate three Mediterranean small ship cruise tours beginning in September 2012.  The 50 passenger, 4-plus star ocean vessels offer passengers unique itineraries and exceptional value, including per diems beginning as low as $136 per day, free single supplements on both the cruise tours and all pre-and-post trip extensions, and a best price guarantee.

"The addition of three deep-sea vessels to our fleet brings a new dimension to our 12 award-winning, privately-owned European and Russian river ships and exclusive charters," said Lewis.  "These vessels are the perfect size to explore the islands and shores of the Mediterranean and then slip into the smaller ports and harbors for the night, away from the larger cruise ships. We believe that these three small ship cruise tours will greatly appeal to our passengers, especially to our women passengers who consistently tell us they want opportunities that connect them to local people and their ways of life."

Grand Circle Cruise Line's small ship cruise tours operate aboard the fleet's privately-owned 50 passenger vessels: the M/V Arethusa, the M/V Artemis, and the M/V Athena.  Passengers travel in two groups of 25 or fewer, and each group has a dedicated local, expert Program Director.  Built in a style that evokes the elegant, golden era of cruising, each ship is complemented by modern amenities and a casual, welcoming atmosphere.  There are 26 cabins, three teak decks, including a sun deck, reception area and lounge in every ship. 

Hidden Gems of the Dalmatian Coast & Greece

On this cruise tour, passengers explore Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Split, Hvar, Korcula, and Dubrovnik, Croatia; Bay of Kotor, Montenegro; Butrint, Albania; and Corfu, Delphi, Corinth Canal, and Athens, Greece. 

Cost: 15 days from $4595 ($307 per day) or 16 days from $5595 ($350 per day) with international air from New York or Newark.  Passengers may choose an optional three- night pre-trip stay in Bled, Slovenia from $895 ($299 per night) as well as a five-night, post-trip stay in Greece (Ancient Glories: Olympia, Nafplion & Athens) from $1095 or $219 per night.

Treasures of the Aegean: Greek Island Cruise, Athens & Istanbul

During this cruise tour, passengers visit Athens, Meteora, Delphi, the Greek Islands of Mykonos, Santorini and Patmos in Greece; and Ephesus and Istanbul, Turkey. 

Cost: 15 days from $4295 ($287 per day) or 16 days from $4995 ($313 per day) with international airfare from New York or Newark.  If desired, passengers may choose a five-night pre-trip stay in Greece from $1095 ($219 per night) and also, a five-night, post-trip stay in Ankara & Cappadocia, Turkey from $1195 or $239 per night.

Cruising the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina

On this cruise tour, passengers will journey to Zagreb, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik, and Korcula, Croatia: the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro; and Mostar and Neum in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Cost: 14 days from $1895 ($136 per day) or 15 days from $2845 ($190 per day), including international airfare from Boston, New York, Newark, and Washington, DC. A four-night pre-trip option to Ljubljana, Slovenia is available from $595 ($149 per night) as is a four-night post-trip stay in Zagreb, Croatia from $495 or $124 per night.

What's Included:

These Grand Circle Cruise Line's cruise tours include all land and cruise accommodations, most meals, small group adventures that connect passengers with local people and their cultures and customs, services of a Grand Circle Program Director who speaks English and a native language, all land transportation and offshore excursions, personal headsets, a special good buy discount (when you pay in full you can save up to 10%), baggage handling for one bag per traveler, and more.  Travelers may make their own air arrangements or use Grand Circle's contracted rates. Through Grand Circle Cruise Line's new True Choice program, passengers may customize their own airfare, including departure dates, routing, carrier and seating.  Travelers choosing to make their own air arrangements will now be able to arrange round-trip airport transfers beginning at $100 per person.

Best Price Guarantee:

While Grand Circle Cruise Line's small ship cruise tours are generally $200-$500 per day lower than any competitors, if a passenger books a river cruise at least 120 days in advance and then finds a lower, published per-day price on a comparable 2012 vacation directly from a competitor serving American travelers, Grand Circle Cruise Line will match the lower price.

Please visit www.gct.com for a free catalog or more information, or call 1-800-221-2610.

ABOUT GRAND CIRCLE CRUISE LINE

Owned by Boston-based Grand Circle Corporation, Grand Circle Cruise Line is a fleet of more than 60 privately owned European and Russia River ships, small ocean ships, and exclusive charters.  It joins sister brands Overseas Adventure Travel (est. 1978) and Grand Circle Travel (est. 1958) in providing some 80 river and small ship cruises, small group land adventures, and escorted tours in more than 60 countries.  The company's charitable arm, Grand Circle Foundation, gives back to the countries where Grand Circle works and travels, including $91 million donated or pledged to humanitarian, educational, and cultural organizations since 1992.

SOURCE Grand Circle Cruise Line