EXPERTS TO SERVE YOU, SHIP TO SHORE
During your cruise you’ll be well taken of. Your Cruise Director will provide briefings about upcoming ports, coordinate social and cultural activities on board ship, and generally make sure that your experience is the best it can be. Your onboard Concierge can provide expert advice and assist with special requests, ranging from on-shore restaurant reservations or spa appointments to event tickets and more. And to guide your included shore excursions, we’ve selected the best Regional Experts. If your program includes a land stay (or if you have chosen an optional extension), you will also enjoy the services of a City Host at your hotel, who can help you plan your exploration.
CRUISE DIRECTORS MAKE YOUR TRIP “SMOOTH SAILING”
Your Vantage river cruise will be led by a seasoned Cruise Director whose job is to see to your comfort and satisfaction. Think of him or her as your onboard “host,” the person to turn to with questions about your itinerary, updates on the day’s activities, reservations for optional tours, and so much more.
George Bihoi
Vantage travelers often compliment George Bihoi's "wonderful bedside manner," which is no surprise, since he has a Master's degree in Health Care and Human Resources. His other credentials include certification as a national guide with the Romanian Ministry of Tourism, and as an official translator with the Romanian Ministry of Justice (highest certification available in the field.) But perhaps his best qualification to lead you along the Main, Rhine, and Danube rivers is his deep appreciation for the opportunity to discover new worlds. He credits his mother with that, since she was an English teacher who made sure her son knew what was behind the Iron Curtain long before it fell. Says George, "By 1989 when the revolution came, I was ready to open up to the newly discovered democracy. It's been 12 years for me leading tours and I can safely say that each time I go back to a place, I find something new and exciting worth sharing with our visitors." Among his favorite places to share are the Iron Gates and Transylvania, especially in fall and spring. A true man for all seasons, George still helps out in the emergency room of a Bucharest hospital when not on tour.
COMPLIMENTARY WORLDWIDE CONCIERGE SERVICE
If you have a special request or personal interest you’d like to pursue during your journey, your Vantage Concierge is here to help. This complimentary service is available to all travelers — no matter what cabin category or flight class you’ve reserved!
Whether you want to plan an anniversary party, secure restaurant reservations, or organize a private experience for your group, our Concierge service can make your travel dreams come true. Concierge service is available before your journey. Simply log in to MyPortfolio, submit a pre-trip request to Concierge@vantagetravel.com, or call 1-888-982-6824 and you'll have your answer from our Concierge within two business days.
During your journey, a Vantage Destination Manager doubles as your onboard Concierge and can assist with any personal requests you may have.
MEET THE CAPTAIN
Danut Scurtu
Captain Danut Scurtu was born in 1963 in a small village located 120 km north of the Danube River. Growing up, he had a neighbor that served in the Romanian Military Navy and would often see him wearing his uniform, a sight that made quite an impression on young Danut. Coupled with the neighbor’s stories about all the places he’d visited and experiences he’d had throughout his military career, Danut was inspired to pursue a career in the Navy. In 1977, he enrolled at the School of Marine Technology (Liceul Tehnologic de Marină) in Galați, Romania. He graduated in 1982 and has since pursued his dream of being a ship’s captain.
CULINARY TEAM
Chef Stefan Vasile Florin
If you ask Stefan Vasile Florin to sum up his love of cooking, one theme runs through his every word: passion. Stefan has been cooking with passion since 1999 when he began his culinary training. He brought his skills in traditional and international styles of cooking to a 5-star hotel in Bucharest, where he expanded his knowledge and refined his craft. “My every intention is to cook with passion and make the guest want to come back for more,” he says. “For that, you need a strong team that works together seamlessly and shares the same commitment.” One experience that tapped into that passion occurred in a Bucharest fine dining establishment specializing in Asian cuisine. Diners were able to choose their own fresh fish from an aquarium and watch as he procured the “locally sourced” food and prepared their meal. It provided a lesson in the importance of fresh ingredients that he carries with him as chef on the River Splendor. “I love having the opportunity to turn fresh quality products into creative, innovative, and delicious dishes,” he says.
REGIONAL EXPERTS IN EACH PORT
No one knows a destination better than an insider, so in addition to your River Cruise Director, you’ll enjoy the services of experienced Regional Experts in each port during your included tours. Their deep command of regional history will certainly enrich your viewing of important attractions. But our “insiders” go a step beyond, sharing insights on behind-the-scenes aspects of local culture that ordinary tours usually overlook. How do families in this town get by? What is the legend about this cathedral? What do the decorations on a particular house mean? Your Regional Expert is eager to bring it all alive for you. All are fluent English speakers, and you won’t miss a word of their commentary using our complimentary audio headsets.
