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Their fleet of 7 floating villas operates in French regions like Burgundy, the Camargue, Champagne and Provence. American Cruise Line's nine-day Lower Mississippi itinerary begins in Memphis and ends in the equally musical New Orleans. Along the way, there are stops in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The medium-sized riverboat (maximum of 180 guests) is ideal for first-time cruisers who need not venture too far to get a dose of river rapture. Expect a chirpy all-American crew, lots of deep-fried goodies, and excursions to Elvis' Graceland and Oak Alley Plantation (as seen in Beyoncé's "Déjà Vu" music video). We've selected the best river cruises for all kinds of couples, whether affordability, adventure or relaxation is at the top of your agenda.
Vantage Deluxe World Travel
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A good mid-tier option is the Royal Balcony suite, which comes with a great view and perks like daily fruit skewers, canapes, and petit fours. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. AmaWaterways, with over 25 ships, is known for having a smaller amount of passengers on board. Most of the Avalon's cabins are Panorama Suites, which offer a wide view of the rivers on which you are traveling. Book their "Open-Air Balcony" and enjoy wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open for fresh air.
Can solo travelers take a river cruise?
There are river cruise lines, however, that stand out as being more luxurious than others. American Cruise Lines’ American Serenade takes top prize this year in the river cruise category – the first time we’ve awarded Best New River Ship to an American vessel. The highly anticipated debut of a new river to explore in South America will arrive in late 2024 when AmaWaterways launches its first ship on Colombia’s Magdalena River. The new 60-passenger AmaMagdalena will sail the two seven-night itineraries, “Wonders of Colombia” and “Magic of Colombia” beginning in November 2024. Travelers can also look forward to visiting Palenque, the first “free town” for former African slaves in the Americas, and discover its ties to the African diaspora.
No. 2: Avalon Waterways
American Cruise Line sails all the waterways mentioned above, while Viking offers itineraries solely on the Mississippi. Additionally, Lindblad Expeditions has introduced a food-and-wine-centric river cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Tauck prides itself on offering off-the-beaten-track experiences in each destination, including multigenerational family tours that are curated to include itineraries for both kids and adults. There are also Christmas market sailings that include tree-trimming, caroling, and a Christmas dinner feast. Fancy associations aside, these credentials translate into some truly awesome dining experiences.
The cruise ends in Passau with a choice of bicycling, walking, or hiking to explore the city and a special captain's farewell reception and dinner. It’s not the first time the company – best known for its escorted coach tours – has been at the bottom of our table. Shearings reserves blocks of cabins on European river boats, and it drives customers from across the UK to their embarkation point and back home from their final port of call.
Ships' staterooms are thoughtfully designed, and cruises are inclusive of things like excursions and drinks at mealtimes. Viking’s expansion – including to places like the Mississippi River and Egypt – means there’s an itinerary for everyone. River cruises that sail for more than a month, offering an intense exploration of the inland waterways of Europe continue to be a hit with slow-travel seekers. One of them is AmaWaterways’ recently introduced 49-night “Seven River Journeys,” which kicks off with two new departures in the spring and summer of 2024 aboard a single ship, the 78-cabin AmaMora. The cruise will sail from the North Sea to the Black Sea, passing through 15 countries across Europe on the Danube, Rhine, Main, and Moselle rivers, as well as the inland waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium.
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You can find him on the web and social media, sharing his latest cruise ship review, video, travel tips, and port guides. He hopes to continue sharing his experiences and inspiring others to enjoy cruise travel to its fullest. Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 140 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West. Amadeus River Cruises takes passengers on river journeys in Europe aboard a relatively young fleet.
Best European River Cruise for First-Timers: Viking River Cruises
The 10 Best River Cruise Lines in Europe for Every Traveler - Cruise Critic
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River cruises offer an enchanting and immersive way to travel, presenting a blend of luxury, comfort, and cultural exploration that is unmatched by other forms of tourism. The Adventures by Disney experience is 100% dedicated to making sure families have fun together – on and off the ship. That might include a trip to a stately home with magical, hidden water jets, or family-centric fun in Salzburg's hidden salt mines.
Scenic
This family-owned company has more than two decades of experience of river cruising. Scenic’s ultra-luxury river cruises focus on the waterways of Europe and South-East Asia. Their state-of-the-art river cruise ships provide guests with technology-enhanced rooms and expansive viewing decks for breathtaking vistas. Unlike most other river cruise lines, they have open dining times and many tables for two. The best river cruise lines of 2024 offer a diverse array of experiences, catering to different tastes and preferences.
It has more solo traveller and no-fly options than most operators, and you can travel by train to its Belgian, Dutch, French and German boats. River cruise ships are often referred to as boutique hotels on water, offering “hotel style” amenities and all-inclusive experiences. The company operates a fleet of modern riverboats and small cruise ships that sail on rivers such as the Mississippi, Ohio, Columbia, Snake, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Launched in 2016, Adventures by Disney river cruises sail along major European waterways like the Danube, Rhine and Seine rivers. Their river ships feature spacious, comfortable staterooms and suites, many with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies.
Readers rated individual cruise ships on their cabins and facilities, food, service, itineraries and destinations, excursions and activities, and value. Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines in five categories, including river cruising. Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines in six categories, including river cruising.
Its ships are designed as floating palace hotels, employing marble, Murano glass and expensive fabrics in its over-the-top decor. Don't be surprised if you find yourself lounging in a room decked out in animal prints. Catherine on the Rhone and Saone, for instance, boasts a $1 million art collection. Their cruise in northern Italy along the Po River, "From the Canals of Venice to Renaissance-infused Mantua," is a seven-day excursion starting in Venice where guests can discover St. Mark's Square and Doge's Palace. In partnership with CroisiEurope aboard the MS Michelangelo, the ship heads west to Vicenza and then on to Chioggia.
Avalon offers a range of shore excursions to cater to different interests and physical abilities, including Classic, Active, or Discovery tours. Their river cruises provide a mix of couples, families, and solo cruisers, with a variety of cabin options to suit different needs. It’s a dream experience for those seeking a truly expansive and diverse river cruising adventure, offering a unique opportunity to explore multiple continents and cultures in one extended trip. The cruise offers a deep dive into the vibrant river life, with options for shorter itineraries or extended 21-night journeys for more thorough exploration.
Uniworld is recognized as one of the most luxurious and distinctive river cruise lines. They appeal to discerning travelers seeking an elevated, boutique-style experience on the rivers of the world. Onboard, Heritage Line offers exceptional cuisine featuring fresh, regional ingredients.
Despite being one of the more reasonably priced brands in our survey, it scored full marks for its elegant cabins and meals, buffet-style lunches and four-course dinners. We found peak-season Rhine cruises around £1,700 cheaper with Riviera than Uniworld. Yet, passengers were more impressed with Riviera’s cabins, shore excursions and food and drink. Emerald Waterways is a river cruise line operated by Scenic Group and launched in 2014. They offer river cruises on major European waterways including the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, and Douro rivers. AmaWaterways is celebrated for its award-winning dining, wellness activities, and innovative ship designs, such as twin-balcony staterooms.
