Grand Circle Cruise Line

Let me start of by saying Grand Circle Cruise Line has been named the “World’s Best River Cruise Line” in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards. Number 1!

This is the third year in a row that Grand Circle Cruise Line has snagged the number one spot. And it’s the 10th year in a row they’ve been in the top of the Best Cruise Lines category.

Look. This riverboat is going to the right.

 

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Grand Circle Cruise Line received an overall excellence rating of 91.851, the highest score of any cruise line in all categories.

The company is certainly doing something right.

The Fleet

Grand Circle Cruise Line’s award winning fleet ranges from the 46-passenger capacity M/S Provence to the164-passenger capacity M/S River Adagio.  It’s quite an impressive fleet. The M/S Provence was ranked #2 in Condé Nast Traveler’s “Top 40 River Cruise Ships in the World” 2014 Readers’ Poll.

Now it’s going to the left.

Cabins

All cabins on Grand Circle ships are outside and range in size from 120 to 231 square feet.

The cabins don’t come tricked out with all the latest technology but who does a river cruise for the technology? Cabins come with two twin beds. The beds can be smooshed together to make a double bed. Upper deck cabins have balconies and lower deck cabins have large windows. Each cabin comes with a flat-screen TV and a fancy hand held hair dryer. Bathrooms aren’t fancy. Go in, do your business, get out.

• The best cabins are on the upper deck. They come with floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony.
• The mid-level cabins are located, ironically enough, on the mid-levels. These cabins come with large windows.
• The “I just want to get on the ship” cabins are on the lowest deck and come with swimming masks because the windows are barely above water level. Theses cabins have porthole-like windows.

Still to the left.

Onboard Features

Grand Circle Cruise Line’s onboard features include open-seating dining rooms, bars and lounges. While you can’t get internet service in your cabin, you can connect in the ship’s reception area, bar and lounge. Some ships feature Jacuzzis, fitness equipment, and a library (fitness for your mind).

Dining

Dining onboard a Grand Circle Cruise features regional specialties. Breakfast and lunch are usually buffet.

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Grand Circle Cruise Line

Grand Circle Travel was originally started out as the travel arm of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). In 1998, GCT launched Grand Circle Cruises. The company still caters to the over 50 crowd, so if you’re a family or under 40, you’re better off cruising with a different cruise line.

Grand Circle Cruise Line’s ships don’t come with a lot of technology bells and whistles. But what Grand Circle Cruise Line does best is bring together cultures, histories, traditions and people. There are a lot of onboard events, such as discussions and presentations by guest experts on local history, culture, and politics; language lessons; and cooking and crafts demonstrations. And really, if you’re gently cruising through the French countryside with only 46-passengers, who needs all of those bells and whistles?

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