River cruising—a better way to explore
River cruising is, quite simply, the best way to travel through many of the world’s most fascinating places such as Vienna, Prague, Budapest to name just a few. Comfortable, convenient and safe, it offers a greater variety of destinations than you could not encounter any other way—and lets you get in-depth exposure to the culture and history of each region. Both experienced and first-time travelers have discovered the joys of river cruising, making it the fastest-growing segment of the cruising industry.
River cruising can be broken down into the following areas and rivers:
Europe
Rhine River, Main River, Moselle River, Danube River, Elbe River
France
Seine River, Rhone River, Soane River
Portugal
D0uro River
Russia
Volga River, Svir River
Egypt
Nile River
China
Yangtze River
Vietnam / Cambodia
Mekong River
River Boat Cruising Destinations
Europe
Usually the major rivers like the Rhine, Danube , Main and Moselle are the focus. The Danube is a great option for passengers new to river boating because a typical voyage would sail through countries like Austria, Hungary and Germany. This itinerary includes the historic cities of Budapest, Vienna and Prague. The Rhine voyage include Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Cologne and Coblenz in Germany and Basel Switzerland. France is increasingly popular, and many river boat tours start in Paris and then transport the passengers to Lyon to sail down the Rhone and Saone rivers, with highlights that include the region of Provence and the wine country of Burgundy.
Other rivers you can cruise include the Seine to the beaches of Normandy , the Douro in the wine district of Portugal, and the Volga River in Russia. Actually, one of the most interesting itineraries these days is a sailing between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Viking river boat cruises operate these unusual trips. Other favorites include spring “Tulip Time” cruises though the Netherlands and Belgium and late fall Christmas market shopping cruises to Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe.
Companies : The main companies in the river cruise world are Avalon Waterways, AMA Waterways ,Scenic River boat Tours, Tauck Cruising , Uniworld River Cruises and Viking River Cruises.
When to Go: Unlike the traditional cruise industry, most European river boats operate seasonally : during spring, summer and fall months with a break during January and February. The Christmas markets in Europe, where several river cruise operators offer November and December itineraries for holiday shopping, is an unforgettable way to see these fascinating destinations.
Asia
China is an exotic destination. . Not only is the Yangtze a most unusual trip for even experienced cruise travelers, it also lacks such things as low bridges . This means that river boats can include a lot of amenities like cabins with balconies, Internet cafes and coffee bars on their China-based ships. Yangtze River cruises are usually partnered with land-tours, and so you can expect to visit Beijing and Shanghai and lots of little villages along the way.
The Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam is a newer destination. Cruises sail from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Min City, passing quaint rural villages, ancient temples and floating markets along the way..
Companies: Viking River Cruises , AMA Waterways and Viking River Cruises have an established presence in this area.
The Season: Some operators will go year-round, while others stick to the April to October season.
Egypt
Cruising is the most convenient way for travellers to explore the Nile and the famous temples and tombs — Luxor, Karnak, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Dendera and the Valley of the Queens and Valley of the Kings — that are near it. Nile river cruises sail the river betweenLuxor andAswan, with itineraries ranging from three days to a week in length. On many voyages , the main ports along theNile include Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
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Companies: Companies include Viking, Avalon Waterways and Uniworld.
The Season: Nile River cruises operate year-round, but the main season is usually from October to May.
