River Beatrice Suite - Courtesy Uniworld

Cruising is a huge industry.  If you’ve ever wondered how many people choose cruising holidays, it seems that  some 13 million travellers boarded cruise ships last year, 70 percent of whom are Americans – think Caribbean cruises.

Each year Condé Nast Traveller magazine conducts a readers’ poll to vote for the best passenger ships.  This is the eleventh year of the magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Survey and for the first time this year, river boats is included as a new category.

The Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Survey rates each river boat based on seven criteria: itineraries, shore excursions, crew/service, cabins, food/dining, activities/facilities and design/layout.  Each river boat is then judged on the highest overall score.  Only boats that receive the required minimum number of responses were eligible to be included in the rankings.

Of the Top Ten river boats selected by Condé Nast readers, five are from Uniworld River Cruises, 4 from Grand Circle and 1 from Viking River Cruises.  Here are the results:

Congratulations to Uniworld and Grand Circle for their clean sweep of the river boat poll.

Amadeus Royal

Situated on the confluence of three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau is commonly known as “The Three Rivers City”.

Passau’s location makes it an ideal stop for river cruises. The longer cruises such as the popular Amsterdam to Budapest cruises call at Passau as there are many things to see here, including the Passau Cathedral of St. Steven, with the world’s largest organ.

Passau is also the starting point of many shorter river cruises.  There are many river cruise operators that offer  Passau cruises.  The majority of these cruise companies are German operators who cater to the German-speaking market.

There are some cruises where the on-board language is both German and English. So for travellers who speak some German or those who do not mind multi-lingual announcements on board, some of the following shorter duration Danube River cruises may be of interest.

There is a range of cruise operators from Passau, from 3-star to 5-star, so be careful to not choose your cruise based on price alone – look at what each company is offering, the standard of their river boats, the day-to-day cruise itinerary and what sightseeing tours are included to see if they are comparable.

Examples of Danube River Cruises from Passau:

• Passau-Wien-Linz-Passau
• Passau-Budapest-Passau
• Passau-Belgrade-Passau
• Passau-Kalocsa-Passau
• Passau-Bratislava-Passau
• Passau Oltenita Passau
• Passau-Konstanza-Passau

For the comprehensive list of Danube cruises from Passau see here >

Avalon Tapestry © Travel Signposts

A visitor to our site recently emailed me to say that she was keen on doing a Danube River Cruise but complained that river cruises are very expensive.  She thought that she could do it cheaper by hopping on and off local river boats and arranging her own transport and land accommodation. She misses the point of what a river cruise is about.

For anyone who wants to experience a Danube River Cruise but don’t have the time or budget for a long cruise, the good news is that there is now a 4-day deluxe Danube River cruise that will give travellers a taste of cruising the  Danube River.

A 4-Day Danube River Cruise

The following is the itinerary of a 3-night Danube River Cruise with Avalon/Globus from Vienna to Budapest.  The highlights of this short cruise are cruising past the Wachau Valley, a guided visit to the famous Melk Benedictine Abbey, seeing Dürnstein’s baroque Stiftskirche and a guided visit in Bratislava.  If you do the cruise in the opposite direction from Budapest to Vienna, you’ll have an extra night on the river cruise.

Another river cruise operator that offers short Danube river cruises is CroisiEurope, a French company.  However, for a deluxe river cruising experience (and English as the on-board language), Avalon has the better class boats.

For more information on Avalon River Cruises see their website at www.avalonwaterways.com.

Ms Amacello - Photo by AMA Waterways

Having introduced the Aria Class River Boats between 2006 and 2009, APT has now launched its Concerto Class River Ships with the first of two vessels commissioned in May 2010.  APT’s newly inaugurated 162-passenger Ms Amabella is already a hit with the cruising community. At the Australian Cruise Passenger Readers Choice Awards in December 2010, Ms Amabella took the Best River Cruise Ship award.

The Concerto Class river boats build on the popular features of the Aria Class. These ships are slightly larger and introduce the concept of Twin Balcony Suites, i.e. an outside balcony as well as a conservatory-style inside balcony.

APT’s claim to fame is that all of their river boats provide the following benefits:

Staterooms

• Up to 25% more space per guest than others
• A huge choice of suite and balcony types
• The largest entry-level suites on Europe’s waterways
• A personal computer in each suite and included high-speed wireless Internet access – this facility is important to those of us who work during trips
• Flatscreen TVs
• Butler service or $150 Ship Credit, a fruit and wine platter and room service for guests in several suites on APT Exclusive Sailings

Dining

There are three specialty restaurants providing seven dining choices. The intimate Erlebnis Chef’s Table, in which 24 guests can enjoy a degustation menu prepared by a private chef, is a highlight of APT’s dining experience.

Other Facilities

• A fully-stocked bar that’s always open
• A Fitness Centre and bicycles stored on board
• A wine room and open fireplace in the library

Other Ship Features

• An elevator – this is important to passengers with mobility problems
• Whisper-quiet engines for peaceful cruising – if you’ve cruised on earlier river boats, you’ll appreciate this improvement.

The Ms Amabella cruises the rivers of Austria, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Slovakia and Switzerland.  APT is partnered with AMA Waterways and the Ms Amabella has been chartered by APT during its first year for the Australian cruise market. It will be marketed exclusively to Australians.

Note: Picture above is of the sistership Ms Amacello.

"River Victoria" Courtesy Uniworld

River boats operating on the Russian rivers are generally not as grand as those plying the Rhine or the Danube.  As we understand from the tour manager of a company we travelled with, river cruise operators are somewhat restricted on what boats they can employ on Russia’s rivers. Whatever the politics, this hasn’t stopped Uniworld from rolling out a refurbished boat for the 2011 river cruising season.

In May 2011, the “River Victoria” will cruise the Imperial Waterways of Russia from Moscow to St. Petersburg or vice versa. Passengers can expect beautifully appointed staterooms and suites with hotel-style beds and linens. There are four decks and the suites and staterooms on the Neva and Volga decks have full private balconies. This is really worthwhile having on any river cruise.

Facts about the River Victoria:

• The River Victoria has 103 cabins and can carry up to 206 passengers
• There are 93 Staterooms, 2 Presidential Suites, 6 Deluxe Suites and 2 Junior Suites
• There is an elevator which is good news for passengers with mobility problems
• Usual amenities include a library and gymnasium

Uniworld says that the River Victoria (leased) may not have all the same amenities as a Uniworld company-owned ship, but it is is one of the best ships to sail the Volga River. Uniworld’s river boats are floating hotels and if you have a look at some of their boats, you’ll get an idea of the standard of accommodation you can expect.

River Antoinette - Courtesy Uniworld

In March 2011, another stunning riverboat joins the fleet of Uniworld’s European river cruises. The River Antoinette is the sister ship to the majestic River Beatrice and will cruise the Rhine River on Uniworld’s popular “Castles Along the Rhine” and “Rhine Holiday Markets” cruises.

The River Antoinette will be Uniworld’s largest ship and according to Uniworld, it will have the largest staterooms of any of the contemporary river cruise ships operating in Europe. The River Antoinette is 443 ft. length-wise and 37.5 ft. wide and the additional space is being used to create extra spacious staterooms and suites for the guests rather than increase passenger capacity. Most of the 73 staterooms will measure at 196 sq. ft with 20 staterooms being 163 sq. ft. There will be eight junior suites measuring 294 sq. ft. and one Owner’s Suite at 391 sq. ft.

With the design of the River Antoinette, Uniworld will also set a new standard in river cruising innovation by offering top deck suites and staterooms with full open-air private balconies which, with a touch of a switch, will raise the glass to create a completely enclosed conservatory during cooler weather – it would be interesting to see images of this when they are available. Other design features that will add to the comfort of Uniworld’s guests include a heated swimming pool and a sky lounge on the sun deck.

Some Features of the River Antoinette

• Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms with made-to-order English Savoir™ beds in fine linens, a vanity, built-in closets, safe, individual thermostat for air conditioning and heat, direct-dial telephone, flat-screen TV with satellite
• Sun deck with chess and shuffleboard, Leopard Bar, and Sky Lounge
• Princess deck (top deck) staterooms have full balconies and the pool is on this deck
• Duchess deck (middle deck) staterooms have French balconies and the fitness room is on this deck
• The floor to ceiling window in the staterooms on the Duchess Deck will be able to be lowered automatically with the touch of a button. This will replace the traditional sliding doors (French balconies) that can be found on most of the newer river cruise ships today
• There is a boutique on theCountess deck (lower deck)
• Wireless Internet access in public areas

Uniworld riverboats are really 5-star floating hotels and many of their ships and cruises have won numerous prestigious travel industry awards. No doubt the River Antoinette will collect some awards as well.

River Royale in Avignon - Courtesy Uniworld

Burgundy and Provence are two regions in France that are renowned for their wine and cuisine.  For anyone who’s keen on French wine and good food, a Rhône and Saône River cruise takes you through the heart of Provence and Burgundy, France’s top wine-making regions.

The Rhône is one of the major rivers in Europe. It originates in Switzerland and flows into the south-eastern corner of France, emptying into the Mediterranean Sea near Arles. The Saône river originates in France and converges with the Rhône at Lyon, where the Saône becomes the Rhône.

Rhône and Saône River cruise

On a Rhône and Saône River cruise, you’ll sail past acres of vineyards and have ample opportunities to taste the local drop as well as enjoy regional cuisine from these famous parts of France.

Several river cruise companies offer a 7-night Arles to Chalon-sur-Saône river cruise where you will arrive at Marseille International Airport and transfer to the ship docked in Arles, and at the end of the cruise you will leave from Lyon International Airport. The trip can also be done in the reverse direction,  Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles, in which case you will fly into Lyon and depart from Marseille Airport.

The river cruise companies also offer the option for passengers to extend their holidays with a day’s stay in Paris either at the start of end of the cruise. The fast TGV connects Lyon and Paris, so you can also choose to arrange your own pre- or post-cruise holiday extension.

Rhône River at Avignon

Typically, the Rhône and Saône river cruise calls at the charming town of Arles (which so inspired Vincent van Gogh to produce 300 paintings), Avignon (home to the famous Pont d’Avignon or Pont St-Benezet), Vivier (a small, walled city with buildings dating back to the Middle Ages), Tournon (famous for its wine and chocolate), Lyon (the second largest city in France and a capital of gastronomy) and Chalon-sur-Saône (Beaune) in the heart of Burgundy.

The following companies offer comparable 7-night cruises between Chalon-sur-Saône and Arles or Avignon.

• Avalon - Flavours of Burgundy and Provence – Between Chalon-sur-Saône and Arles
• Viking - Portraits of Southern France – Between Chalon-sur-Saône and Avignon
• Uniworld - Burgundy and Provence – Between Chalon-sur-Saône and Arles

In selecting your cruise, it is important to consider the experience you would like from your cruise and not base your choice on price alone. For instance, 2-for-1 offers are a great opportunity to save money on your holidays, but check that the discounted cruise will give you the experience that you want. Cabin type is very important.  It’s also important to compare the itineraries closely, see what shore excursions are included, is wine provided at lunch and dinner, dinner only or not at all, does the riverboat have free or affordable internet access, library, etc.

Below is a sketch sample itinerary taken from Uniworld’s 7-nights Arles to Chalon-sur-Saône cruise on their River Royale.

Keukenhof Garden in Spring

Spring is a beautiful time in Europe and for anyone doing a river cruise starting or ending in Amsterdam, there’s the added bonus of visiting the world’s most beautiful spring garden – the Keukenhof Gardens.

A number of river cruise companies offer 7-night cruises from Amsterdam and which travel down to the Romantic Rhine River. This cruise will allow passengers to see the magnificent spring flowers in Europe as well as get a taste of a Rhine River cruise.

The first two or three nights of the cruise are in Amsterdam before the river boat makes its way down the Rhine and finishing off at different cities.

• APT – Amsterdam to Trier (Amsterdam to Trier)
• Avalon – Amsterdam to Basel (Romantic Rhine)
• Uniworld – Amsterdam to Frankfurt (Springtime along the Rhine)
• Viking – Basel to Amsterdam (Majestic Rhine)

Although the above are all 7-night cruises, there are significant differences in the way the cruise prices are packaged. APT for instance quotes their price inclusive of gratuities. Uniworld’s cruise price covers a lot of included shore excursions, including the Keukenhof Gardens visit. So, in deciding which cruise is right for you, look at the what’s included in your cruise price section. Another important factor to consider is the river boat that is being employed for the particular cruise.

Below is a sample itinerary of Uniworld’s “Springtime Along the Rhine” cruise which I particularly like because of the included Keukenhof Garden visit and the many other included shore excursions.

An 1890 View of Gloucester Cathedral

Cruising the rivers of Europe on board a luxurious river boat is without doubt, one of the most pleasurable ways of enjoying the sights of Europe. Whether its cruising down the Rhine, the Danube, the Seine or one of Europe’s many scenic rivers, this is a fantastic way to discover the many wonders of Europe.

England has many rivers as well,  although we haven’t heard a lot about holidaying on English rivers – that is up till recently when Griff Rhys Jones set out in his canoe to rediscover the rivers of England in a BBC documentary.

If you’ve been inspired by Griff Rhys Jones paddling around the rivers of England but don’t think that canoeing is for you, there is a river cruise on the Severn River that you can do which requires very little effort on your part. While not the calibre of the luxurious river cruises on the Rhine or Danube, a cruise on the Severn River is cosier affair and takes passengers through the beautiful English countryside where you can enjoy walks, do some bird-watching and visiting some famous riverside towns.

The River Severn is the U.K.’s longest river, whose source is in Wales and it flows through famous English shires like Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.   English Holiday Cruises (www.englishholidaycruises.co.uk) runs river cruise holidays on the Severn River from Gloucester. Most of the cruises are short weekend cruises, however their flagship cruise is a six-night full river cruise on the Severn. Below is a sample itinerary for the cruise from Gloucester up to Stourport-on-Severn and back.

Contact:

English Holiday Cruises Ltd
Oliver Cromwell Paddlewheeler
Alexander Quay
Gloucester Docks
GL1 2LG
Tel:  01452-410411
Email:  sales@englishholidaycruises.co.uk

River Baroness - Courtesy Uniworld

If enjoying the sights of Paris, cruising on the Seine River and the opportunity to explore the Normandy coast sounds appealing, a Paris and Normandy Seine River Cruise may fit the bill.

Several river cruise companies offer a 7-night cruise to the Normandy coast. Although the cruise names sound similar and they all start in Paris and sail up to Normandy, there are major differences in their itineraries so it’s important to take a close look to ensure that you’re choosing the right cruise.

CroisiEurope for example goes to Honfleur and back and their cruise does not feature the Normandy Beaches. Avalon spends half a day on Normandy’s D-Day landing beaches. Uniworld and Viking are the two cruises that spend a full day visiting the historic beaches of Normandy. In addition, Uniworld takes passengers to the Bayeux Tapestry Museum where you’ll be able to see the amazing medieval tapestry depicting the Battle of Hastings and King Harold’s demise.

Don’t base your decision on the price alone as some cruises include more comprehensive sightseeing than others and they may include more and a better quality on-board benefits.

Avalon       - Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches
CroisiEurope – Paris to the Normandy Coast
Uniworld    - Paris and Normandy
Viking          - Paris and the Heart of Normandy

Below is a sample itinerary taken from Uniworld’s 7-night cruise “Paris and Normandy” on their River Baroness.

This Seine cruise should be particularly appealing for travellers and history students who have an interest in the history of battles and wars. You’ll be able to see D-Day memorial sites commemorating the 6 June 1944 Normandy Beach Landing, see the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Battle at Hastings and in Rouen, the site of Joan of Arc’s martyrdom.

But, the battlefield tours is only the icing on the cake, all passengers on this cruise will enjoy the incredible scenery of Northern France’s countryside, including Monet’s Giverny. And for art lovers, visiting the villages and homes of the Impressionists will certainly thrill.