As avid travelers, we’re happiest when our bags are packed. Post-Covid, we’re loving river cruises, which have skyrocketed in popularity. Ships are smaller, hold fewer people, and take you farther into a country, offering more culturally rich experiences.
Each cruise line offers distinctive experiences on the rivers they navigate, catering to different preferences and expectations, whether it’s luxury and exclusivity, cultural enrichment, or innovative ship designs.
Read about our favorite river cruise lines below.
1. AmaWaterways
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Award-Winning Cuisine: AmaWaterways has been recognized for its dining experiences, featuring regionally inspired cuisine, as well as traditional Western offerings, prepared with locally-sourced ingredients.
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Innovative Ship Designs: The ships are designed for comfort and optimal views, with features like twin balconies (a French balcony and an outside balcony), staterooms, and more spacious accommodations.
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Extensive Tour Programs: A variety of guided tour options are offered in each port, as well as unique experiences such as bike tours, hiking, and a wellness program that includes a variety of exercise and relaxation activities.
2. Avalon Waterways:
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Panorama Suites & Open-Air Balconies: Avalon features cabins with large sliding glass doors and beds facing the window, providing guests with unmatched scenic views from the comfort of their pajamas.
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Personalized Cruising Experience: They provide options to personalize your cruise experience through Avalon Choice, which includes different excursion types (classic, discovery, and active tours).
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Focus on Sustainability: Avalon is committed to sustainable practices, including eliminating single-use plastics onboard and partnering with river conservation organizations.
3. Uniworld:
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Boutique Hotel Experience: Uniworld boasts one-of-a-kind, lavishly decorated boutique ships with extravagant interiors that resemble floating luxury hotels.
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Inclusive Luxury: They offer an all-inclusive experience, with gratuities, gourmet meals, curated excursions, and often unlimited beverages included.
- Unique Shore Excursions: Guests are welcome to a variety of immersive and exclusive shore excursions, focused on authentic local experiences and cultural interactions.
1. AmaWaterways
-
Award-Winning Cuisine: AmaWaterways has been recognized for its dining experiences, featuring regionally inspired cuisine, as well as traditional Western offerings, prepared with locally-sourced ingredients.
-
Innovative Ship Designs: The ships are designed for comfort and optimal views, with features like twin balconies (a French balcony and an outside balcony), staterooms, and more spacious accommodations.
-
Extensive Tour Programs: A variety of guided tour options are offered in each port, as well as unique experiences such as bike tours, hiking, and a wellness program that includes a variety of exercise and relaxation activities.
2. Avalon Waterways:
-
Panorama Suites & Open-Air Balconies: Avalon features cabins with large sliding glass doors and beds facing the window, providing guests with unmatched scenic views from the comfort of their pajamas.
-
Personalized Cruising Experience: They provide options to personalize your cruise experience through Avalon Choice, which includes different excursion types (classic, discovery, and active tours).
-
Focus on Sustainability: Avalon is committed to sustainable practices, including eliminating single-use plastics onboard and partnering with river conservation organizations.
3. Uniworld:
-
Boutique Hotel Experience: Uniworld boasts one-of-a-kind, lavishly decorated boutique ships with extravagant interiors that resemble floating luxury hotels.
-
Inclusive Luxury: They offer an all-inclusive experience, with gratuities, gourmet meals, curated excursions, and often unlimited beverages included.
- Unique Shore Excursions: Guests are welcome to a variety of immersive and exclusive shore excursions, focused on authentic local experiences and cultural interactions.