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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 six categories, including river cruising. Although these cruises typically have fewer inclusions—you’ll spend extra on things such as shore excursions and alcohol—comfort river cruises are the best option for budget-minded travelers.
Avalon Waterways
They are smaller than traditional cruise ships and boast more tailored offerings, such as carefully curated cuisine that is reflective of the areas being visited. On all these journeys — from the Ganges to the Rhône — dining is a big part of the adventure. While cruising, you'll enjoy nightly entertainment that celebrates the region's musical heritage. American Cruise Lines offers this itinerary on four ships from April to October 2024, 2025 and 2026. Three of the ships — American Melody, American Symphony and American Serenade — are 180-passenger modern river ships launched in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Book a cruise on Avalon Waterways
Amawaterways is now accepting reservations for its highly anticipated cruises on Colombia's Magdalena River departing from both Cartagena and Barranquilla in 2024. Both seven-day itineraries explore Colombia's rich musical and cultural history, along with a chance to experience the country's natural wonders and local cuisine. Amawaterways is the first major river cruise line to highlight Colombia’s beauty with these types of voyages. Ship amenities are plentiful, as both vessels feature staterooms with balconies, a main restaurant, a fitness center with three spa treatment rooms, and a sun deck with a relaxing whirlpool. The best river cruises have always had a mystique to draw travelers in—even those who are new to cruising. For history buffs, they could be an excellent way to visit ancient sites or historical landmarks.
What to know about the 5 top waterways, from Oregon to Florida
Like most cruises, the food served is reflective of your destination's local cuisine and there is also a light menu and options for vegetarians, vegans, and kids. While there are plenty of places to curl up with a book or play a game in the public spaces, a bevy of activities will lure you onshore. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences.
The longships are light-filled floating boutique hotels with a Scandinavian-design aesthetic, indoor and outdoor dining, and herb gardens up on top. Viking's carefully crafted itineraries and "good value" also received praise from readers. "Met wonderful new friends. Absolutely outstanding service and terrific food," said one fan. Dining options include the main Panorama Dining Room and the more casual Panorama Bistro, which also offers some outdoor tables.
Columbia and Snake Rivers
You'll explore the Pacific Northwest from Portland, Oregon, to Clarkstown, Washington (or vice versa). There's eagle spotting in Red Wing and agricultural innovation in Quad Cities, Iowa. You'll enjoy Mark Twain lore in Hannibal, Missouri, and architectural landmarks, such as the soaring Gateway Arch, in St. Louis.
And while it may not be a classic fairytale ending, sipping a crisp, local Riesling is a pretty enchanting way to wrap up an adventure-filled day on the Moselle. Passengers were unimpressed by the facilities on board, while cabins and meals (described by one guest as ‘a bit school dinners’) tended to be mediocre. Recommended Providers also scored at least four out of five stars for both customer service and value for money. Europe has more navigable rivers than any other region in the world — and arguably more diverse cultures along its river banks than any place else. Due to fluctuating water levels and narrow passages, the Elbe is a challenging river that runs 680 miles between the Czech Republic and Germany. Historically, it formed part of the border between East Germany and West Germany.
7 best Mississippi River cruises - The Points Guy
7 best Mississippi River cruises.
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Black history and culture in France with Amawaterways
Indulge in regional cuisine on Viking ships flavored with herbs grown in an on-board garden, though familiar classics are always available. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. At the top end are large well-appointed suites with two full-sized rooms and great views, measuring about 445 square feet. It was a fascinating trip down the Danube River in Europe with Disney Cruises, focused on Christmas markets. Follow the footsteps of the ancient Egyptians with Viking's voyages down the Nile.
Emerald Cruises
Off-ship experiences include sampling local beer and oysters in Astoria, Oregon; visiting Multnomah Falls or hiking Beacon Rock; and having a private vineyard visit and downtown wine walk in Walla Walla, Washington. In Tennessee's two famous music cities, you'll have a chance to visit Elvis Presley's Graceland, stroll blues club-lined Beale Street and check out the Grand Ole Opry. You'll also visit Paducah, Kentucky, and Dover and Clarksville in Tennessee, where experiences include whiskey and bourbon tasting, tours of landmark art murals and, of course, Civil War history. River Cruise Advisor strives to showcase river cruising in all its forms, around the world, from the canals of Burgundy to the might of the Mekong.
Our main issue was the poor service in the restaurant, lack of organisation and lack of experienced staff. At breakfast, if you asked for toast you need to ask for butter or you receive dry bread. If you ask for tea and coffee you must ask for milk and sugar if not you go without. The same for dinner, we were offered wine but no wine glasses on the table and that was the same every night. After a few days we finally found out the reason for the poor service, the cruise is not a Uniworld Cruise, it’s operated by a local contractor who has the license to operate on the Douro River. The boat and 2 butlers are supplied by Uniworld, everyone else is a local contractor.
Reliable Riviera has classy cruises at a good price, and really looks after its customers. Guests were equally impressed by the ‘friendly’ and ‘helpful’ staff for whom ‘nothing was too much trouble’. Drinks with meals, on-board gratuities and an escorted tour in every port are included. That said, with nearly all meals taken on board – and usually only one dining option – you’ll want to make sure the food and drink is good quality. We reveal which cruise lines offer the best value for money – and what customers really think of each brand.
I cover the latest-and-greatest and the tried-and-tested with the same enthusiasm. Here's a rundown of the best river cruise lines traversing inland waterways around the world. Top-ranked Viking does all the major riverways of Europe, with ships also on the Nile and the Mekong, and, new in 2022, on the Mississippi. Readers praised the line's value proposition and shore experiences that go beyond the norm. The "Thinking Man's vacation" is the way one reader who sailed on a Viking ship on the Rhine river put it.
These companies include prepaid gratuities and complimentary beverages 24/7. 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. The value-packed experience is geared toward adults and is consistently high quality. Destinations include all the popular rivers of Europe — such as the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Bordeaux, Rhone, Elbe and Douro — as well as the Nile in Egypt, the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia, and the Mississippi.
Though some cruises operate on Italy’s longest river, the Po is largely unnavigable because of low water levels and sediment. Ships visit such cultural hubs as Vienna, with its opera and art museums and elaborate royal palaces, and Budapest, Hungary, with its magnificent architecture and modern vibe. If your ship passes the Hungarian Parliament building at night, you're in for a treat; magnificently lit, it's one of the most photographed sights on the river.
