Could this be the best-value ship for a Christmas markets cruise this year?
Arena River Cruises new flagship Arena has just completed its first summer on the Rhine and is gearing up for the festive season. TTG has a taste of life onboard
Darren Wheatley must surely rank as one of the most knowledgeable men on the Rhine. From Arena’s sun deck, the ship’s cruise director is pointing out Arnhem landmarks, with lots of fascinating insights. There’s the John Frost Bridge (key fact: it’s the subject of the 1977 World War II film A Bridge Too Far, although another bridge was used during filming). Then it’s all eyes to the east, as he recommends visiting the ancient church of St Eusebius and its must-try glass elevator.
My Rhine masterclass takes place during the ship’s trade preview sailing from Arnhem to Amsterdam. The 192-guest Arena launched in March, showcasing a new livery and an internal refurbishment, having formerly sailed as the Flamenco. In September Arena River Cruises’ parent company Arena Travel was taken over by Leger Shearings Group, with no jobs axed and a promise to retain all brands.
As we cruise, Wheatley proves to be a walking Rhine encyclopaedia, and his ability to welcome and charm is typical of the friendly service clients can expect.
“I talk to people in an informal way because this product is informal, we’re not stuffy,” he says. “It’s about being inviting to people from all walks of life and making them feel comfortable.”
The line has a keen focus on creating a friendly and welcoming environment for its target demographic: those from the UK and Ireland, who are typically over 60, travelling as a couple or alone. Many are repeat guests.
All literature, signage and announcements are in English, there’s a 24-hour free hot drink station with plenty of tea, and the well-stocked library is packed with popular games, books and card games
A British cruise director joins every sailing, often travelling with guests from the UK by coach or train, which is reassuring for nervous or solo travellers.
The line is proud of its flagship Arena’s position within the busy river cruise market, and chairman Declan Treanor describes it as “a very affordable, four-star product”, noting: “Not all customers want five-star, and we’re filling a gap in the four-star market. This ship has been a major investment, with a commitment in excess of £15 million, and we’re very confident that customers will love it.”
COMFY CABINS
There’s certainly plenty to tempt clients. Like all of the 98 cabins, mine has been redecorated with a welcoming warm orange and cream colour palette, offering a flatscreen TV and WiFi at no extra cost.
Cabins are divided into three grades, and while they all have the same footprint, the main deck and upper deck superior cabins have hotel-style twin or double beds, while the entry-level twin standard cabins have one fixed and one pull-down bed. These are also used for single cabins.
There are lots of thoughtful touches, from the umbrellas to the masses of storage, including a full-size wardrobe and additional hanging space. A key selling point is the sliding glass doors with French balconies, which feature in all cabins, as there are no lower-deck options with waterline windows.
Arena isn’t suitable for clients using wheelchairs, as there are no accessible cabins or lifts, so guests need to be able to use stairs.
HOMELY HOSPITALITY
The large Ambassador’s Lounge is an ideal spot to relax in a comfy chair and watch the passing scenery through the floor-to-ceiling windows, with occasional commentary from the cruise director. Each evening a live musician performs and there are one or two post-dinner quizzes on each sailing.
The lounge is also home to the popular afternoon tea, and bar charges are keenly priced, with a glass of house wine at €4.90 and cocktails at €8.70.
Meals are served in the spacious Panorama Restaurant, which offers a buffet for breakfast and lunch, and a la carte evening meals, with assigned seating. Everything on my sailing was delicious, and while there are regional specialities, the cuisine caters well for UK palates. Expect baked beans, bacon and fried eggs alongside a continental selection at breakfast, and look out for the superb chicken and mushroom pie at dinner.
Facilities also include a small wellness suite, with a Swedish sauna and exercise machines, which can be booked for €5pp per hour.
BOOKING PATTERNS
Managing director Steve Goodenough says that since the ship launched, feedback from customers and trade partners has been “excellent”, with a positive start to the season and summer. He said the line is seeing “good interest” for 2023 and sales for festive Rhine departures are “going well”.
However, sailings were hampered by the drought affecting major arteries across Europe this summer. Goodenough explains: “The recent extremely low water levels on the Rhine and other rivers in central Europe have inevitably caused unforeseen difficulties for all the river cruise operators. We were forced to make some changes to our sailing schedule for the rest of the summer and autumn, but anticipate that our festive departures will all go ahead as originally planned.”
The river cruises will call at some of the region’s most famous seasonal markets, with festive entertainment onboard. For customers who want to celebrate in a relaxed and welcoming environment, with plenty of jollity, Arena could be their perfect floating home-from-home this Christmas.
Book it: A Festive Cheer & Markets in the Rhine Valley cruise departs throughout November and December, calling at Cologne, Koblenz and Rudesheim. Prices start at £579pp, based on two sharing a main deck standard cabin on full-board basis for four nights, including coach travel from the UK and ferry crossing from Dover. arenatravel.com
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Company number 08723341.
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