OUR TOP 5
River cruising may not be
as well-known as ocean cruising, but it's quickly gaining
ground. Thanks to luxurious new
ships, immersive itineraries and a focus on culture and
exploration, river cruises are more
popular than ever.
Curious if river cruising is the right vacation for you? Here are our top five reasons to try river cruising.
River cruising is an intimate experience, typically with fewer than 200 on-board guests plus a crew of staff, dedicated to ensuring your vacation is seamless. The ship's small size results in a more inviting and personal experience, giving you more opportunities to interact with fellow, like-minded guests, which often leads to lifelong friendships.
Along the banks
of rivers, you'll find
Europe's most cosmopolitan cities developed as the world's first
trade routes. But beyond the iconic cities such as
Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and Budapest, smaller ships mean you'll
also have access to the quaint villages and towns waiting to be
discovered. On a river cruise, you'll travel beyond the
big metropolises
and visit hidden gems,
resulting in a truly immersive destination
experience.
Featured cruise: Imperial Cities & Five-Star Danube Cruise
12-days from
$3,225
One of the best parts
of traveling
is learning about the
history, culture and traditions of the places you
visit. On a river cruise,
this is done in an
all-encompassing manner. Included
shore
excursions consist of guided tours
that help guests become well-acquainted with the culture, art and
history of the
destinations Evening entertainment often
pays homage to the regions you visit, and onboard
activities may include a pre-arrival lecture about the upcoming
port or perhaps a language class to teach you the basics. Regional
menus are designed around local produce and are typically prepared
with ingredients the chef purchased while in port.
River cruising is a
wonderfully immersive way to experience each of the places you
visit as all these factors combine to
bring the countries to life.
Featured tour: Glacier Express & Five-Star Rhine Cruise
11-days from
$3,225
With river
cruising, traveling from place to
place is part of your
vacation and what's more,
all the details are taken care
of - itinerary,
transportation, lodging, food and activities - the only thing left for you
to do is to unpack, unwind and enjoy
the journey.
River
cruises also benefit from
easy access to the heart of the
cities you visit. Most times, your ship
pulls right into the center of town - giving you more time to
spend in port. Plus, it's nice to
have the ship nearby if you
need a break - to take a nap or
relax on the
sundeck- before heading back out
to explore.
Leave the planning and
organizing to someone else and focus on what you came for - to
experience something new.
Featured tour: Lisbon & Five-Star Douro Cruise
11-days from
$2,995
Today's ships are
floating, upscale, modern hotels with contemporary décor, glass
walls, plenty of natural light. Expect modern,
well-designed
spaces, elegant
décor, excellent service
and an inviting
atmosphere.
Staterooms are designed
with your comfort in mind and each offers fluffy bedding, private
bathroom and a spectacular river view. Some may even have
balconies, include refrigerators, marble bathrooms or even heated
floors.
When it comes to dining,
guests are given a choice
of gourmet
dining options, including
where and what to eat. On many ships,
breakfasts can be enjoyed
al fresco or at the morning buffet-lunches and dinners
feature casual attire
and open seating, allowing
guests to meet new people or enjoy the company of the same group
daily.
Featured tour: The French Riviera & Five-Star Rhone Cruise
11-days from
$3,195
The all-inclusive nature
of river cruise pricing offers a great vacation value
and ensures there are no
surprises along the way. Inclusions vary by cruise
line, but in most cases
your upfront
price will not only
include your
accommodations, meals, onboard activities and entertainment, but is also includes
shore
excursions, free Wi-Fi as well as
beverages
(beer, wine, soda, coffee
& tea) with lunch and
dinner. And while not normally
free, cocktails and spirits are very reasonably
priced.
As with
hotels,there is
a wide range of
prices across the different
cruise lines, but when you factor in
value for money, it's hard to beat river cruises!
Featured tour: Five Star Bordeaux & the Dordogne Cruise
7-days from
$2,035
