A Viking river cruise travels the Rhine River and past Marksburg Castle, Braubach, Germany
Viking
The Virtues of River Cruising
Cruising the world's iconic Rivers might be your best vacation ever.
by Stacey Zable
As soon as first-time river cruisers arrive at the embarkation pier, they notice something is different. There is no mega-ship that looks like a floating 18-story hotel. Instead, the ship rises only a few levels, and travelers immediately recognize that river cruising provides a different experience than ocean cruising.
The boarding experience is calm—even relaxing—despite the palpable anticipation in the air. Warm, welcoming staff tend to guests’ needs, and given the high crew-to-guest ratio, passengers receive attention quickly. It won't be long before guests and crew members become fast friends. It’s easy to get acquainted since most river cruise ships sailing internationally hold 200 or fewer guests. The pace of the journey is slower along the world’s great rivers, and ships often dock in a new port daily—usually in the center of cities or villages. As a result of the easy, immediate access, travelers enjoy more time in ports on in-depth shore excursions. The outings are led by local tour guides, who offer their personal knowledge about the locale’s past and present. At least one complementary shore excursion, if not multiple ones, taps into travelers’ interests, including food, wine, history and culture. Sometimes the whole of a river cruise can be planned around a particular interest.
Uniworld's S.S. Bon Voyage, sailing the Dordogne River in Libourne, France
uniworld
These themed cruises allow travelers to focus on a topic, such as food and wine, ancestry, history, Jewish heritage, music, and even seasonal sailings that feature Europe’s Christmas markets. For 2024, Viking has created a special land and cruise itinerary, the 12-day “Paris & D-Day 80th Anniversary.” With four days in London visiting historic World War II sights followed by a roundtrip voyage from Paris that includes Normandy’s famed beaches and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, the itinerary commemorates the milestone anniversary of D-Day.
Bicycle excursion offered by Amawaterways
Amawaterways
Excursions on themed cruises and others often are divided by pace, aimed at appealing to all travelers, from active types seeking a hiking or biking tour to leisurely explorers tooling around on foot or by motorcoach. Some companies offer special options that travelers would be unlikely to experience on their own, such as Uniworld’s exclusive private after-hours concert at the Rouen Cathedral in France, Vikings’ special visit to Gottweig Abbey in Austria, and AmaWaterways authentic year-round Oktoberfest celebration in Vilshofen, Germany.
German Christmas market
AMAWATERWAYS
On board, passengers are treated to elevated dining that highlights the flavors of the region. In fact, one themed cruise, AmaWaterways’ seven-night “Flavors of Burgundy” itinerary sailing the Saone River between Dijon and Lyon to discover the wine-producing region, puts the French region’s wine and gastronomy at the center of the cruise.
Authentic cultural entertainment while cruising with Amawaterways
Entertainment, as well, reflects where cruisers are in the world. Local artists and entertainers who come on board offer a cultural view of the music and dance of the area; lecturers give context to the regional cuisine, wine or significance of sights.
Often, these experiences—the immersive shore excursions, the upscale dining, the local performances—are included. Take those elements and add to them the attentive staff and short passenger list, and river cruises provide a different experience than ocean voyages. Comfort, even luxury, is paramount, as is showcasing the destination.
Dessert served at The Chef's Table aboard AmaPrima
River cruises sail the waterways of Africa, Asia, Europe, India, South America, Canada and the United States. Each ship’s top deck is an ideal spot to enjoy the scenery along such rivers as the Rhine, Danube, Douro, Moselle, Seine, Nile, Mississippi and Mekong, each offering views of stunning landscapes. Depending on the location, travelers might gaze upon rolling hills, where castles perch, or float past lands knitted with trees and vines. On the river and, in a way, as part of it, guests get an inside look at local life, often passing homes, villages and major cities along the way.
Enjoying the scenery aboard a Viking river cruise
viking
Cruise lines are continuing to add river offerings in new regions and within their current destinations. In 2024, AmaWaterways is launching a new ship and the first-ever major river cruise along the Magdalena River in Colombia, with two itineraries traveling the river between Barranquilla and Cartagena on the new 60-guest AmaMagdalena. It is adding more departure dates, some as early as February 2024, for select itineraries on Europe’s Danube and Rhine rivers. AmaWaterways also is expanding in Egypt, with its second ship, the new 82-guest AmaLilia, debuting in 2024. The ship’s 11-night itinerary features a seven-night river cruise roundtrip from Luxor and three nights pre- and one-night post-cruise stay in Cairo. Viking, too, is adding to its Nile River voyages in Egypt, bringing its fifth ship, the 82-guest Viking Hathor, to the region. In 2024, it will sail Viking’s existing 12-day itinerary that pairs a three-night pre-cruise and one-night post-cruise stay in Cairo with a seven-night roundtrip Luxor sailing.
Sunset in Cartagena, Colombia
getty images
For travelers looking to explore more of the countries they are visiting during their river cruise, most companies offer pre- and post-cruise land stays. These can include hotels, tour guides, transportation to/from the ship and more. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ Cruise & Rail program pairs land stays with rail travel and river cruising. The company is adding five new Cruise & Rail Europe itineraries, ranging from 14 to 19 days, in 2024. Destinations vary by itinerary but can include the lake towns of the Alps as well as Lake Como, northern Italy, Zurich, the Balkan Peninsula, Venice, Istanbul, Milan, Romania and a private visit to Slovenia’s Postojna Cave.
With excellent onboard benefits and so many new and expanded options for seeing fantastic lands and bustling cities from the world’s great rivers, river cruises are among the top vacations to book in 2024.
Ask your AAA Travel Advisor about river cruises in destinations you want to see. Visit AAA.com/TravelAdvisor today.
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