I was very excited to be invited to this years CLIA conference located in Vienna. Having only ever done ocean cruising, this was a fantastic opportunity to visit some river cruise ships and learn about their products!
Day 1
We were invited to attend this year's 11th annual CLIA river cruise conference, located in Vienna, Austria. It was an amazing opportunity for any travel agent to expand on their existing knowledge of river cruising. Myself and over 400 other travel experts heard from river cruise suppliers about the products and offers they have coming up. More interestingly, it was amazing to hear from these suppliers about their honest opinions on river cruising, who it is suitable for, the different products around and also how the industry was affected after Covid.
We were lucky enough to stay on a river cruise ship and as someone who has only ever done ocean cruising, I was beyond excited for this new experience! As we began to board, someone was immediately there to greet you onboard and to help with your bags towards to reception area. After being greeted by the various crew onboard and the cruise director, your bags were carried as they showed you your room.
The room was lovely, and although smaller compared to an ocean ship, it was the perfect size for any trip. I shared a room with another lady from the company, and it was still big enough for us both and our luggage. We also had the benefit of an outside balcony! After everyone had boarded, we were invited to the lounge for the ‘Sip & Sail’. This is usually an hour before dinner while the ship is leaving the dock and guests can benefit from a complimentary drink. There is plenty to choose from, cocktails, beers, wines, and even hot & soft drinks; a perfect selection for everyone travelling.
The ship we stayed on treated us to a mini cruise, from the hotel in which the conference was held, to the final port. An unforgettable experience cruising the Danube and experiencing Vienna at night!
I am a firm believer that the quality of food on your trip can either make or break it, and this ship was no exception. The food was unforgettable! There was plenty to choose from on the menu and they were also able to cater for all dietary needs too. The menu was split into 2; on one half, the dishes were available throughout your stay and on the other side, it was dishes dedicated to the location of the ship! The staff were absolutely fantastic, engaging with everyone, getting to know their customers and nothing was too much of a hassle for them.
The rest of the evening was spent exploring the ship, listening to live music in the lounge and drinking some lovely wine!
Day 2
Our trip carried on the following day with a casual breakfast onboard our ship. There were two options for this; either to sit down and enjoy a hot meal in the restaurant or to get a snack from the lounge. I thought this was a good idea to give guests freedom, depending on what they're doing each day.
The conference was carried on later that day with a trade fair back at the Hilton Hotel, meeting lots of our suppliers and other travel specialists. It was nice to have a chat to ask more about their products and ships and any other questions we had. After a morning of meeting everyone, we were hosted by Avalon on their ship, Envision, for a buffet lunch. I had heard the food was amazing from a colleague of mine who travelled last year and they truly didn’t disappoint! The food was fantastic and the staff were so helpful and catered to our needs. I think the sorbet must have a special mention because I think it was the best raspberry sorbet I’ve ever had!!
A benefit of being invited to the CLIA conference was that we were able to visit other river cruise ships, expanding our knowledge. We were lucky enough to visit the TUI Maya, one of TUI’s river cruise ships. I must admit, I didn’t know what to expect with their ships, but I was thoroughly surprised. What I think is perfect for their ships is that they are low in cost compared to some of the other ships around, making it perfect if you’re on a budget or if it’s your first-time river cruising.
On the Maya, there are many grades of cabins to choose from; your standard cabins with portholes to French balcony cabins or why not try a French Balcony Suite! It is also worth noting for solo passengers, TUI Maya boasts single occupancy standard & French Balcony Cabins. Maya also boasts 2 lounges for daily and evening entertainment, and a sky deck to relax and soak up the sites as you sail by. You can expect to find 2 restaurants on board this ship, with something to suit everyone. Choose from the main restaurant for a formal, elegant meal or the bistro, to enjoy something a little bit more casual. It is also definitely worth mentioning that all TUI river cruises are all-inclusive!
The afternoon was our chance to view Vienna and her wonders. Myself and some of the ladies decided to join the ‘Cake & Wine Tour‘ while the rest of the group did a sightseeing tour of Vienna. During this excursion, we had the opportunity to view some of Vienna’s most famous sights as well as trying the famous Viennese cake! We were also able to visit the ‘Schlumberger’ winery where we learned all about the art of making Austrian wine, followed by a wine-tasting session!
On the 2nd night, we stayed on a different ship, which was still at the same standard as the other ship we stayed on. However, this one was more budget-friendly and all-inclusive, similar to the TUI Maya. The staff were super friendly and were more than happy to help carry the bags up the steps for us. Myself and another travel specialist stayed in a French Balcony Cabin, it was a little smaller than the other ship but still had plenty of room for the 2 of us. That evening we met the rest of our colleagues for dinner. The ‘A la Carte‘ menu was a set menu, with it being perfect to trying something new! Once again, a special mention has to go to the steak I had onboard and I’m sure I will be talking about it for years to come! The evening was a relaxed affair, with a resident DJ and a few drinks around the bar!
After breakfast, we concluded the conference with our last ship visit. Our 2nd visit of the trip was the Scenic Jasper, a 5* luxurious ship. The Jasper boasts all of the benefits of a river cruise plus some added extras. The Jasper ship offers 82 cabins, ranging from standard suites with a porthole window to the ultimate luxury of the royal suites. What was also helpful to see when viewing the suites, they had specific rooms for solo occupancies but with all the amenities of a standard cabin. Most of the cabins had French balconies with electronic windows and sliding doors, really maximizing the space of the cabin.
Another added benefit that Scenic offer is their butler service, available throughout your stay for anything you might need. The Jasper also offers guests a choice of excursions and they also provide ‘Scenic Enrich’. This is an experience like no other, giving guests the chance to explore something new and explore the history of the city they have docked at. Scenic Jasper is also an all-inclusive ship, and unlike offers, this also includes your premium spirits. There is also plenty to explore on this ship, from the wellness & fitness area to the choice of dining or entertainment and the sky deck for relaxing.
Our final stop of the trip was to visit Avalon Waterways river cruise chips, the Envision. Envision offers a variety of cabins from your standard to much larger suites. My favourite thing about Avalon’s ships is their French balcony rooms. These are all equipped with window-facing beds, perfect to relax in your own space as the world sails by! The Envision also offers their guests complimentary Wi-Fi, a choice of dining options and also a ‘Happy Hour’ before dinner.
Another reason I really like the Avalon ships and brand is their focus on active passengers. The ship we visited had a fitness centre, held active excursions and were also able to benefit from the ship's active gear and e-bikes.
Unfortunately, it was time to bid farewell to Vienna and the 2023 CLIA conference. An amazing time was had by all and many memories were made.
If like me, you’re thinking, is a river cruise for me? Where do I begin? Which ship is best suited for me? Do not hesitate to pop into the store and we can have a chat about the start of your river cruising journey!
