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Shine a light on black heritage with us along the Rhône river and in Paris in summer 2023
>> BUY NOW : ALMOST SOLD OUT <<
DATES : August 24 - September 3, 2023
$5,698 and up per person based on double occupancy
*Please Check New Rates*
Please note new rates are good until December 31st and will increase if you don’t book by December 31, 2022.
What to Expect
On this trip, you’ll enjoy a magical 7-night river cruise as we sail through the South of France toward Paris. As we make our way down the Rhône River, we’ll visit 8 cities to learn more about their history and Black people’s contributions to the French culture while indulging in decadent French cuisine and wine. When we arrive in Paris, we’ll spend 3 days in the City of Lights immersing ourselves in Black history, exploring the city’s most iconic neighborhoods, and getting a taste of the fabulous Parisian lifestyle.
Trip Details
Learn all about our people’s historic and cultural contributions to France while sailing down the Rhône River and living it up in Paris!
Join us from August 24 to September 3, 2023 for A Soulful Epicurean Experience for a chance to discover centuries’ worth of Black history while enjoying the finer things in life. This trip includes a magnificent 7-day river cruise along the Rhône River and a 3-night stay in Paris.
During our cruise, we’ll be sailing aboard the AmaKristina, an award-winning luxury ship. You’ll have access to the ship’s fabulous amenities and events, including a daily Sip and Sail cocktail hour, complimentary high-speed WiFi, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, sun-deck pool, and exquisite cuisine at the ship’s award-winning restaurants.
We’ll start our expedition aboard the AmaKristina in Arles and explore 8 cities as we make our way to Paris.
Here’s a preview of the cultural experiences that await as we journey through the south of France:
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Devote an entire day to learning about our culture during a Black Heritage Tour in Marseille, the oldest city in France
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Visit the Papal Palace, Pont du Gard, and enjoy live jazz in Avignon
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Explore a truffle farm in Viviers
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Embark on a private steam train ride and indulge in red wine and chocolate in Tournnon
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Check out ancient Roman ruins in Vienne
The fun continues in Paris as we spend 3 nights in the City of Lights and kick our celebration of Black heritage up a notch.
While in Paris, you’ll get a chance to learn more about the legendary dancer, singer, and actress Josephine Baker on our specially curated Josephine Baker excursion.
You’ll also immerse yourself in Black history going all the way back to 1685 on our Black History of Paris Tour.
During this tour, you’ll:
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Visit the Arc de Triomphe and Monument to the Abolition of Slavery as your tour guide details the history of the Code Noir, a decree passed by King Louis XIV that defined the conditions of slavery
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Learn about the famous cabarets and jazz musicians who made their mark in Montmartre, one of Paris’s most famous neighborhoods
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Explore Little Africa, a district known for its African food, street vendors, and beautiful mix of African cultures
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Visit the Left Bank of Paris and the Latin Quarter
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Explore the Pantheon Square where Josephine Baker was honored in November 2021
A Soulful Epicurean Experience is the perfect opportunity to reward yourself with a luxury vacation, immerse yourself in Black history, and connect with like-minded travelers who want to celebrate our people’s global contributions.
Whether you set sail solo, bring your friends, or journey to France with your SO, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime as we sail down the Rhône River and explore Paris!
HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP
STEP 1. Complete our trip reservation form with your credit card information for the deposit. Please be sure to write the name of THIS trip on the reservation form. After we receive your reservation form, your trip will be booked and you’ll receive a hyperlink and payment form to make future payments for your cruise.
STEP 2. Let's Travel!
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PRICING Starting at
$5,698 and up
PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
Please see the rates below for additional details.
Payment Details
It is expected for everyone to purchase trip insurance which covers canceling for any reason.
Refund/ Cancellation Policy
In the unfortunate event a participant must cancel travel, notice must be made to Travel With Sparkle during standard business hours or via email at info@travelwithsparkle.com.
Please include each guest’s name, the ship name, start and end date of the cruise and a brief statement of the reason for cancellation. Other forms of notice are not sufficient. Cancellations received within 24 hours of the vacation start date will be deemed as trip interruption, cannot be cancelled and are 100% non-refundable.
The effective date of the cancellation is the date Travel With Sparkle receives cancellation notice. A change in sailing date, name changes, the substitution of a participant or a reduction in the number of guests in a stateroom are treated as a cancellation in that all applicable cancellation charges apply.
A reduction in occupancy is subject to a single supplement charge.
Cancellation charges for bookings within charter and part-charter agreements are as per the charter contract. All other cancellation charges are per-person, based on the cancellation date, as seen in the chart below.
You acknowledge that your cancellation will cause us and the Carrier difficulty in selling a replacement cruise or cruise & land reservation and thus the cancellation fees described below apply regardless of whether your cruise or cruise & land reservation is resold. You agree that any losses sustained by us and/or the Carrier in the event of cancellation would be very difficult or impossible to quantify, and the cancellation fees are fair and reasonable as liquidated damages.
Make a Deposit
Non-Refundable Deposit
$400.00 per person
FINAL BALANCE DUE May 15, 2023
50% nonrefundable Immediately upon deposit and tickets are nontransferable.
Passport Validity:
Must have at least six months of validity at the time of entry
Blank Passport Pages:
One page is required for an entry stamp
Tourist Visa Required:
No
Vaccinations:
None
Currency Restriction for Entry:
Up to 10,000 euros
Currency Restriction for Exit:
Up to 10,000 euros
FAQ for Travel Cruise
Refund/ Cancellation Policy [ Cont. ]
Days Before Departure | Cruises and Land Cancellation Charge | Other Charges (Except Insurance) |
|---|---|---|
Inside of 24 hours | 100% of cruise and land price | 100% of all charges |
6 days prior to departure | 100% of cruise and land price | 100% of all charges |
29-7 days prior to departure | 80% of cruise and land price | 80% of all charges |
59-30 days prior to departure | 50% of cruise and land price | 50% of all charges |
89-60 days prior to departure | 35% of cruise and land price | 35% of all charges |
120-90 days prior to departure | $400 | N/A |
More than 121 days prior to departure | $200 | N/A |
TRAVEL INSURANCE
PLEASE NOTE: Travel Insurance is high key recommended to protect yourself while traveling. If you decline to purchase insurance, you must fill out a travel insurance declined waiver form. Insurance is sold separately and is strongly advised. Insurance is quoted on an individual basis depending on the passenger’s age and total amount of the vacation package.
Insurance: I further acknowledge that I have been advised to purchase travel insurance to protect my investment. The purchase of travel insurance to cover your vacation investment is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for unexpected circumstances that neither the travel agent nor the client can control. It is to be noted that if you do not add travel insurance, your entire trip investment as well as medical emergencies may be at risk. Note: Insurance claim approval is determined by the travel insurance company, and Travel with Sparkle accepts absolutely no responsibility for any denied claims.
To cancel your reservation please fill out the cancellation form located at Travelwithsparkle.com under customer support on the website. It is highly recommended to take travel insurance. A travel insurance claim will have to be processed for any refund per the insurance companies terms and conditions.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
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Insurance is highly recommended.
Accommodations
5- Star Luxury CRUISE
Overview:
The AmaKristina is 443 feet (135 m) long and 38 feet (11.5 m) wide. The ship accommodates 156 passengers, as well as a crew of 51. There are 4 decks. The AmaKristina first launched in 2017, and it features the latest state-of-the-art equipment and amenities.
Facilities:
The AmaKristina offers plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces for guests to enjoy. Because of the small amount of guests onboard, the public areas—including lounges and restaurants—are never overcrowded. The AmaKristina has 4 decks, a heated sundeck pool, swim-up bar, specialty coffee bar, gift shop, a spa, hair salon, fitness center, and ondeck bikes for you to enjoy during your trip.
Cabins:
The AmaKristina has 78 staterooms. Each cabin includes in-room temperature control, spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads, a flat-screen TV, complimentary high-speed WiFi, complimentary bottled water replenished daily, a desk and chair, a large wardrobe,an entertainment on-demand system, a full-length mirror, and deluxe hotel-style bedding.
Many of the cabins include twin balconies that feature a French balcony and an outside balcony.
Dining:
Treat yourself to exquisite cuisine at the AmaKristina’s multiple award-winning dining venues. Indulge in world-class meals at the Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table, or munch on tapas in between meals at the Main Lounge.
FULL ITINERARY
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Day 1 : July 7 --- ARRIVAL TO CANCUNCHECK INTO RESORT AT 3:00 PM Meet & Greet Private Dinner Join us at 7pm for a private Meet & Greet Private Dinner Hosted by Dadish Founder James J Bond.
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Day 2: July 8 --- ATV ADVENTURE TERRACROSS EXCURSIONATV & Off Road Tours ( Optional) Note: Additional Fees Apply Pick up: A van will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to enjoy this trip that will take you to the heart of the Mayan jungle. Drive your own ATV through grassland, jungle and mangrove terrains then stop at the Caribbean Sea and go for a refreshing swimming. Highlights - Visit the Cancun ATV tour - Enjoy a great adventure in an all-terrain - Experience in the middle of the jungle and on the coast - Enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters Description Start your engines and get ready for the ride of your life. On this Cancun ATV tour, you'll have an unforgettable adventure driving your own all-terrain vehicle along well-maintained trails through grassland, jungle, and mangroves. Then, reach an idyllic Caribbean beach where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters! Meet me in the mancave Night- Join us after dinner for Man Cave Convos, Cigars and Spirits
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Day 3: July 9 --- PRIVATE YACHT CRUISEPrivate Yacht Excursion Duration: 4 hours Departure time: 1:30PM Highlights Enjoy the private charter across the Isla Mujeres. At your yacht charter we will go directly to the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean sea and go straight to Isla Mujeres "Island Women". There you can go snorkeling on various coral reefs inside of the Isla Mujeres marine preserve, or at any number of other snorkeling reefs. You have your yacht rented, so you can snorkel as much or as little as you want during your yacht charter. After snorkeling you will head to the most beautiful beach of Isla Mujeres island. Playa Norte (North beach) a white sand brushing up against calm waters. It's 500 meters long beach, full of palm trees and surrounded by crystal clean waters of the Caribbean sea. For beach lovers this is just paradise! Yachts and boats dock here for the day to let people jump off and enjoy the water, chill and enjoy the beautiful views of the Island and the Caribbean sea. Feel the spray of the ocean on the sunpads of your luxury yacht or enjoy the music and sip cocktails which will be prepared for you by our crew. Here in Isla Mujeres , where you can have lunch, or explore the town on foot. Lots of people like to rent golf carts here to cruise around the island. Then you will be enjoying a stunning Caribbean sunset at North beach. Included: beers Corona Extra, soft drinks, bottled water rum Bacardi Blanco, Vodka Smirnoff and Tequila Jose Cuervo Especial welcome drink of champagne cocktails: pina colada, mimosa, cuba libre, tequilla sunrise, ron punch ceviche, chips, guacamole captain, crew, fuel snorkel gear Not included: ground transportation (but we can arrange it at your request) tips for crew of the yacht is greatly appreciated Dinner and Party
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Day 4: July 10 --- RELAX DAY AT THE RESORTMASSAGE AT THE SPA AND FAREWELL BROTHERHOOD DINNER Resort Day Today is a day to enjoy the resort activities. Massages at the Spa Relaxing Spa Day at the resort - Enjoy a massage and a day on the beach Farewell Brotherhood Dinner Night - Fare-well Brotherhood Dinner.
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Day 5: July 14 --- DEPART FROM CANCUN BACK TO THE USATransfers from the resort to the airport for your flight back home.
ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE
What's Included
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7-night river cruise in an elegantly appointed riverview stateroom aboard the AmaKristina
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All fine dining in multiple venues on board, including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
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Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
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Daily Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour
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Variety of included excursions each day, such as guided hikes, bike rides and tasting tours
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Complimentary high-quality Wi-Fi
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Transfer from the ship to your hotel in Paris via TGV high-speed train
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A 3-night stay at the Renaissance Arc de Triomphe hotel (or similar) in Paris with daily breakfast
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Specially curated Josephine Baker excursion and “Black History of Paris” city tour
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The services of one of our wonderful Cruise Managers throughout your river cruise and land journey