Sea cloud culinary cruise 2014 river cloud ii

Culinary Cruise

R iver C loud

ii

Moments of indulgence with gourmet chef Nils Henkel and caviar expert Markus RĂźsch

Amsterdam – Basle 02 to 09 August 2014

Culinary highlights – both on land and at sea.

An exceptionally varied culinary programme awaits you on this voyage. Even the cruise setting, with its small winegrowing villages in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley and the gourmet lover’s paradise of Alsace, is a must for all connoisseurs and culture enthusiasts. This beautiful backdrop and exclusive cruise programme are complemented by a wide variety of indulgent highlights on board. Caviar expert Markus Rüsch will teach you all you need to know about this sophisticated product, gourmet chef Nils Henkel from Schlosshotel Lerbach will show off his skills at the gala dinner in Cologne and our head chefs will spoil you with a very special farewell dinner at the end of the cruise. Let the magic begin!

Nils Henkel: “Pure Nature” two-star cuisine Natural ingredients, authenticity and a taste sensation are the distinguishing features of the “Pure Nature” cooking philosophy of Nils Henkel, head chef at Restaurant Lerbach. Focussing on fish, seafood and the finest vegetables, Nils Henkel’s dishes are a perfect balance of different flavours, textures and temperatures. His ingenious creations are true culinary masterpieces.

Nils Henkel aims to give his guests the highest quality combined with pure and authentic enjoyment – and he and his team achieve this with huge success. The Gault Millau named Henkel as chef of the year in 2009 and his restaurant was given the title of “Finest Restaurant Countryside” by the Feinschmecker in 2013. His kitchen has been awarded 2 Michelin stars, 19 points by Gault Millau and 4.5 points by the Feinschmecker. Nils Henkel has been successfully running the Restaurant Lerbach within the picturesque Althoff Schlosshotel Lerbach since 2008.

The “Althoff Schlosshotel Lerbach” On a relaxing break at the Althoff Schlosshotel Lerbach, guests can enjoy complete tranquillity, disturbed only by the rustling of the old trees and the chirping of birds. The captivating former manor house, built in the Neo-Renaissance style and nestled in an English landscape garden, fits harmoniously with its surroundings. The traditional house, which is only 15 minutes from the centre of Cologne, is considered to be one of the most beautiful country hotels in Germany. The Althoff Schlosshotel Lerbach has been part of the Althoff Hotel Collection since 1992. www.schlosshotel-lerbach.com The Althoff Hotel Collection has been a partner of Sea Cloud Cruises since 2012. As owner-managed companies, we both distinguish ourselves through our values and standards and by our dedication to service, quality and individuality. The Althoff Hotel Collection currently comprises seven select hotels in Germany, France and the United Kingdom. www.althoffhotels.com

Amsterdam Germany Netherlands

Cologne Rüdesheim Mannheim Rhine France

Main

Heidelberg Neckar

Strasbourg Colmar

Basle

Timber-wood facades, castle gardens and vineyards along the Rhine.

Kaleidoscopic Amsterdam

Amsterdam is small and homely, cosmopolitan and avant-garde, an international metropolis and a royal capital.

Depending on your approach, this city will show you each of its many faces in a constantly changing light. Discover the charm of its canals, be inspired by its internationally renowned designs and feel the excitement as night falls.

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley

The Middle Rhine Valley is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine. The river is overlooked by countless castles, vineyards frame tiny wine-producing villages and hovering above it all is the legendary Loreley.

Heidelberg – Germany’s oldest university town

The first students started coming to Heidelberg University as early as 1386 and it is now one of the most popular universities in the world. The city is marked by a number of ancient buildings and its architecture is a testament to the turbulent history of this settlement on the Neckar. The most famous building is undoubtedly the city’s castle which, as a romantic ruin, is capturing the imagination of its visitors.

Alsace and its picturesque towns of Strasbourg and Colmar

Strasbourg has been a modern metropolis for many centuries – a place where art and culture thrive. In the middle of the old town, situated on the Grande Île – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – you will find the Roman-Gothic cathedral.

Colmar is proof that a life of luxury is not reserved for the nobility. Many of the town’s decorated timber-framed houses once belonged to wealthy merchants.

Excursions: These excursions* can be booked in advance as a package.

Surcharge per person € 295

River Cloud ii

7 nights 02 Aug. to 09 Aug. 2014 RCII-1420 02 Aug. Amsterdam/Netherlands Guests arrive individually in Amsterdam.

Embarkation on the River Cloud ii at 16.00 hours.

03 Aug. Amsterdam/Netherlands 13.00

Boat tour through Amsterdam.* 04 Aug. Cologne/Germany 13.00 24.00 City tour including the Cologne Cathedral.* In the evening, gourmet chef Nils Henkel invites you into the River Cloud ii restaurant to enjoy the menu he has created especially for this cruise.

05 Aug. Rüdesheim/Germany 16.00 Evening trip to Schloss Vollrads with a courtyard wine tasting and concert.* 06 Aug. Rüdesheim/Germany 07.00

Mannheim/Germany 12.00 19.00 Excursion to Heidelberg including the castle gardens and the Philosopher’s Walk.* 07 Aug. Strasbourg/France 08.30 19.00 City tour of Strasbourg including “Parc de l’Orangerie” and a boat tour through “Petite France”.* 08 Aug. Basle/Switzerland 08.00 Trip to the famous Gräfin von Zeppelin perennial nursery or excursion to Colmar in the Alsace region.* In the evening, our executive chefs will come together to create their own culinary masterpiece and conjure up a gala menu with the theme of “Tall ship meets river yacht”.

09 Aug. Basle/Switzerland

09.00 hours disembarkation.

Guests return home individually.

Itinerary and programme subject to change depending on high and low water levels and local conditions.

Depending upon circumstances it is possible that another gourmet chef/caviar expert will be on board for this trip.

Cruise-only rates per person Category

RCII-1420

Guaranteed double cabin C B A Guaranteed single cabin

Single surcharge: Cat. A: 100%, Cat. B+C: 50%

€ 1.995 € 2.495 € 2.985 € 3.995 € 2.495

Special magical moments await you.

Also on board: caviar expert Markus Rüsch

Markus Rüsch’s passion for caviar was destined to become his day job. On his many trips to the countries around the Caspian Sea and their caviar production facilities, he has acquired extensive knowledge about “his” product. He is the third generation to run the Altonaer Kaviar Import Haus, one of the world’s leading caviar trading companies, which he took over from his father in April 2001. You will have the chance to learn plenty about this sophisticated product on board as part of a tasting session and fascinating talks.

Nils Henkel’s gala menu

The third evening takes place under two very special stars – Nils Henkel’s Michelin stars. The chef from the “Gourmetrestaurant Lerbach” will come on board when we reach the cathedral city of Cologne and that evening will conjure up a gala menu he has created especially for River Cloud ii guests.

The R iver C loud ii 5-star river yacht

There are many river boats, but only one river yacht – the River Cloud ii. Throughout your journey on board you will be accompanied by our attentive service team who will anticipate your each and every wish. Our crew of around 35 staff members have only one thing in mind: to ensure each of our 88 guests are treated to a completely personalised experience. Teamed with firstclass service and a relaxed social atmosphere, the high standards of the kitchen and wine cellar will surpass expectations again and again. This makes every day a very special experience.

Pure indulgence beneath the sails

With Sea Cloud Cruises, you can enjoy culinary cruises not only on the river, but also beneath majestic white sails as the two tall ships Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud ii also form part of our delightful, small fleet along with the River Cloud ii. First-class service and exquisite culinary delights are as well of great importance to us on our sailing cruises – in addition to the fascinating experience of travelling on a traditional hand-sailed tall ship.

“Tall ship meets river yacht” gala menu

Ambitious and dedicated young chefs from prestigious restaurants show off their skills on board our yachts, creating a light, Mediterranean style cuisine, rounded off with regional specialities from the cruise destinations. On the last evening of the cruise, tall ship meets river yacht as our executive chefs offer you a farewell menu from both worlds.

www.seacloud.com

Deck Plan of River Cloud ii.

Technical Data:

Shuffleboard

Lido Bar

Restaurant

Sun Deck

Bridge

Foyer

Promenade Deck

• Length overall: 103 m/338 ft • Beam: 9,80 m/32 ft • Draft: 1,30 m/4 ft • Main engine: 2 x MAN • Engine output: 2 x 500 kW • Max. speed: 18 km/h/10 knots • Passengers: 88 • Crew: approx. 35 • Voltage: 220/380 V – 50 Hz • Flag: Malta • Year constructed: 2001

Public areas: Reception

Lounge

Cabin Deck

Boutique and Hairdresser Guaranteed cabins: Your cabin number will be assigned with your travel documentation. There is only a limited allotment available for these categories.

Cat. A Panoramic cabins

Cat. B Double-bed cabins

• Restaurant (90 seats) with open seating and one sitting, panoramic views • Lounge with bar and Steinway grand piano • Library with laptop • On-board boutique • Hairdresser (massages and manicures) • Luxurious sun deck with teak chairs, shuffleboard and lido bar

Cat. C Twin-bed cabins

Cabins: (Beds can be separated upon request)

Included services:

• Beautifully appointed cabin in selected category • Welcoming bottle of champagne in your cabin • Fresh fruit basket in your cabin, replenished daily • All meals (six per day) from early-bird breakfast to the exquisite 4-course dinner menu with choice of main course • 5-course gala dinner during the cruise • Welcome and farewell cocktail with champagne • Selected wines and beers thoughtfully chosen to complement lunch and dinner

• All soft drinks and juices throughout the cruise • All alcohol-free coffee and tea specialties • Bottled water on the excursions • E-mails can be sent free of charge from the on-board laptop • English-speaking tour guide • Premium travel documents with detailed destination information • Bicycles and Nordic walking poles are available free of charge

• 44 outside cabins (of those 13 panoramic cabins) with shower/WC, bathrobes, hair dryer, telephone, adjustable A/C, private safe, TV/DVD, mini-bar

• Free laundry service for cat. A cabin guests • All port fees • Culinary programme highlights with gourmet chef Nils Henkel and caviar expert Markus Rüsch • “Tall ship meets river yacht” gala menu by the executive chefs

For more information, please contact your travel professional or Sea Cloud Cruises.

The payment and cancellation conditions of the tour operator apply, as do the general conditions of transportation of the Schifffahrtsgesellschaft R iver C loud ii mbH & Co. KG. These are available upon request or can be found at www.seacloud.com.