'The Rhine River Exploration'

September 12 - 21, 2010

Viking River Cruises ... 'Viking Sun'

 Visit These Enchanted Colorful Ports : 

    Note: A planned cruise/conference may be canceled at any time if the minimum number of attendees is not met

Explore the Changes That Will Impact The Future for Credit Unions

The speed of change is both exciting and frightenning. Credit Unions can't continue to do "business as usual", but must become flexible and quick. To be able to do this, credit unions must have a good grasp on what changes are blowing their way. Participants in this credit union cruise/conference will be given a better understanding of what changes are coming, how to prepare for fast paced change, and how to use change to better serve the members. Don't miss this opportunity of a lifetime to learn and cruise to some of the most beautiful destinations in Europe.

Issues We Will Navigate:                                                   

• Creating the Winning Edge
• What Business are We Really In? 
• Leadership Strategies for Changing Times
• What will Your Credit Union Become? 
• Why do You Make the Decisions that You do? 
• External Threats to Credit Unions
• Leadership is the Key
• Internal Threats to Credit Unions
• Thriving in Turbulent Times 
• Mistakes that Good Leaders Have Made
• Understanding and Planning for Changing Member Needs 
• The New Breed of Employees
• Mastering the "Waves of Change" 
• The Very Big Idea Session 

Featuring Top Credit Union Industry Specialists:

Landing Big Benefits For Your Credit Union:

• Participate in over 12 hours of educational sessions
• Receive Free Consultation with our on-board industry leaders
• Participate in several networking opportunities 
• Analyze change management concepts and techniques that can make a difference 
• Discover how an effective Board/Management Team equals future success
• Hear about new leadership success strategies
• Learn how your credit union can thrive in times of fast paced change 
• Discuss new methods for dealing with a changing regulatory environment
• Create a game-plan for future survival
• Compared to most other credit union educational cruises, you'll return home with more ideas
• Find solutions to problems your CU is facing today, and will soon be encountering 
• Share with other CU volunteers and management staff from across North America

Our Conference Resort ... Viking Sun 

Enchanted Colorful Ports:

CLICK HERE and Select EUROPE to View a Short Video of Our Destination

Visit all the highlights of the legendary Rhine in just 10 days while attending this topic-packed credit union educational conference. In Germany, see the many charming castles commanding the riverbanks as you sail by, and tour both Marksburg Castle and the ruins of Heidelberg Castle. Admire Cologne, the jewel of the Rhine, with its awe-inspiring Dom, and experience the lush landscape of the Black Forest region. Also, explore Holland’s famous windmills and waterworks, encounter multicultural Strasbourg in France, and take part in the inviting nightlife in Rüdesheim’s Drosselgasse. End your cruise with an unforgettable 2 night hotel stay on Lake Lucerne with an incredible view of the Alps. On this itinerary you will see a lot—while discovering new ideas to help you and your credit union survive and thrive. Be prepared to participate in this unforgettable CU Directors Forum.

Amsterdam

Arrive in Amsterdam. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits, your Program Director can organize a trip to the Anne Frank House. (D)

Day 2 Kinderdijk

Sail to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter an actual working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Return aboard for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch diversions: sample some of the many handcrafted Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and try your hand at sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard). Cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Cologne

Cruise along the Rhine this morning; you may choose to take part in a lively discussion of German culture on board. Arrive midmorning in Cologne and disembark for a walking tour. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church, and spend some time inside Cologne’s Dom, a remarkable Gothic cathedral whose construction was begun in 1248 and which was only completed in 1880. Explore the dockside taverns, cafés and shops on your own—as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dinner is served aboard and we remain docked until midnight. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Koblenz & Rüdesheim

Proceed along the Rhine, disembarking to tour 700-year-old Marksburg Castle and its museum. Lunch aboard as you enjoy this scenic passage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where castles overlook the river from their hilltop locations.

Arrive in Rüdesheim in the late afternoon. Spend free time in the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse and sample a glass of locally produced wine at one of the restaurants or wine bars—dine aboard or stay in town if you prefer. Remain docked overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Heidelberg & Speyer

Cruise through the morning enjoying brunch and the passing scenery. Arrive in Mannheim and disembark for a journey to Heidelberg to see Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Then visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle, and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city’s many red rooftops from its hilltop location. Continue with a walking tour through the Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates.

Rejoin your ship in Speyer this afternoon and take some time to look around. You dock in full view of the imposing Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 11th century on the site of a former basilica, the building’s design was highly influential upon Romanesque architecture for centuries to come, and is the final resting place of eight German monarchs. Its soaring interior features graceful rows of sandstone columns and a large stained glass window installed in the westwerk during a later Gothic period. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Strasbourg

Dock this morning in Kehl and disembark for a guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. The afternoon is free to further explore this Alsatian city’s blend of French and German cultures—fabulous churches, medieval covered bridges, beautiful parks and some lovely Art Nouveau and modernist architecture. Dine aboard and enjoy free time this evening in the quaint little city of Kehl. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Breisach

After cruising through the night you arrive during breakfast in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Return to Breisach for some free time before an early evening departure. Or, choose an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar, or an optional walking tour of a working vineyard. Dine aboard while you cruise on to Basel, arriving around midnight. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Basel & Lucerne

After breakfast, disembark and we will transfer you to the superior first class Lucerne Radisson Blu (or similar), located on the shore of Lake Lucerne, minutes from the city center, Old Town and main railway station. Free time to enjoy the breathtaking Alpine scenery.

Day 9 Lucerne

Embark on a guided walk through Old Town Lucerne and see the Chapel Bridge, iconic Water Tower and many burgher houses. The rest of your day is at leisure; relax in a café or do some shopping. Or, take an optional excursion to the summit of Mt. Pilatus for amazing views.(B)

Day 10 Depart for Home

We take you to the airport for your return flight.* (B)

Fantastic Cruise Rates & Stateroom Choices

The CU Directors Forum 2010
Incredible Itinerary