“Picture yourself in a boat on a river,” the Beatles sang, and many clients of Eden Prairie’s Cruise Planners do just that. It might be the Rhine, with legendary castles along its banks, or the Mississippi, with its Civil War sites and echoes of Mark Twain’s steamboat era. Other folks take to the high seas. Either way, travel agents Mark and Helen Rigby, owners of our local Cruise Planners franchise, are happy to help navigate the details.
“The post-pandemic demand for cruising hasn’t leveled off,” says Mark. “The world has opened up, and people are embracing it.” With passenger volume growing year after year, he reminds prospective clients that planning – and booking – ahead is more important than ever. And they’re taking his advice: more than a few clients already looking ahead to 2026.
Where are they off to? Just about everywhere. “The Greek Islands are always very popular,” Mark reports, “with cruises mostly leaving from Athens, and also some from Croatia’s Dalmatian coast on the Adriatic.” At the other end of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is the port of departure for cruises heading to Italian destinations. And 10-to-14-day South America itineraries, with stops in Uruguay, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands, are drawing an increasing amount of interest. “Stopovers in the Falklands are a big draw because of the chance to view wildlife,” Mark points out. Seals and sea lions thrive in that distant South Atlantic destination, and more than 200 bird species, including penguins, frequent the islands.
Other tried-and-true cruise routes include voyages leaving from Long Beach, California, and heading to Mexican ports-of-call including Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta. Venturing farther on the Pacific, several cruise lines offer journeys to Southeast Asian destinations such as Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. For devotees of ocean travel content to stay on board for their entire trip, there’s still the legendary North Atlantic crossing on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. “That historic journey is still very popular for a specific clientele,” claims Mark.
What about those river cruises? “It depends on what sort of experience a client is looking for,” says Mark. “AmaWaterways, for instance, carries plenty of bicycles, so it’s an appealing option for more active people who want to get off on their own and explore during stopovers.” That’s an especially alluring prospect for river cruisers in Belgium and the Netherlands, known for their extensive car-free bike paths, and flat terrain. Others might be looking for a quiet onboard experience, which makes Viking, with its age-18-and-over rule, a smart option.
River cruising is by no means exclusive to Europe, as Minnesotans living near a certain famed waterway ought to be aware. “The Mississippi is by far the most popular American river for cruising,” Mark notes. “You can travel all the way from St. Paul to New Orleans, a two-week cruise with one-day stops along the way.” These might include Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, Missouri; St. Louis and its Gateway Arch; antebellum plantations and Civil War battlefields – and, at Memphis, Elvis Presley’s Graceland. A shorter itinerary might just traverse the river between Memphis and New Orleans. Long or short, says Mark, “these cruises take in a lot of history.”
Whether for river or ocean, four days or two weeks – or longer – planning well ahead is always key. According to Mark, “the days of the last-minute deal are in the past. A lot of the best deals are the ones you get early on. In any event, you don’t want to have to sacrifice comfort, or settle for leftovers, such as an inside cabin.” For example, those planning a cruise to Alaska are going to want to book early so they can get a starboard cabin with the best views of the coastal mountains while heading north, and a port cabin – for the same reason – on their return. Especially for river cruises, on smaller vessels, it’s essential to book well in advance if you want a specific type of accommodation.
So, if you want to “picture yourself on a boat on a river” – or on a cruise ship heading for ports far or near – think ahead at least to 2025, or maybe even beyond. Mark and Helen at Cruise Planners will put that picture into focus.
rigbytravel.com
The world has opened up, and people are embracing it.
These cruises take in a lot of history.