The aura of river cruising continues - and for 2019 there are many more choices than ever before. So what is it that differentiates each of the river cruise lines from all the others - and most importantly if you are thinking of a river cruise, which cruise line would be the best choice for you? If you are new to river cruising - you will be looking for the best value. If you have already experienced a river cruise - you may want to learn about the latest ships that are debuting in 2019, and what are their new features!
This is where the importance of working with a travel specialist comes in - as they can ask you pertinent questions to learn what are the things that matter the most to you in choosing the right river cruise line which will offer you the very best experience. I have personally experienced several river cruises - and what I can tell you is that while they all deliver an excellent product, each river cruise line offers something just a bit different. As a starting point, I have outlined an overview of some of the major river cruise lines that we work with - and have provided some information on what's new for 2019. If you would like information on any of the other river cruise lines, please contact me.
Uniworld
Uniworld were the first river cruise line to sell river cruises to the North American market - and they continue to be award winning for outstanding service, very elegant staterooms and suites, and delectable food and wine. They stand apart from many of the others in that on average they have just 130 guests onboard so provide a higher crew to guest ratio. Each ship is a bit different with high end art work and furnishings - and they provide a true all-inclusive package that includes unlimited beverages (including alcoholic beverages), excursions in every port, airport transfers, and gratuities. They have a fitness center on board and offer exercise and wellness classes. There are also bicycles and nordic walking sticks on board for their guests, as well as free internet, on board entertainment, and signature lectures. They offer over 300 departures to Europe, Russia, Asia, Egypt, and India.
For 2019, Uniworld are introducing the newest ship on the Yangtze, "Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer" which will have the largest cabin & suites on the Yangzi River.
Viking
Viking are certainly the best known for River Cruising in North America - and have grown tremendously and now offer ocean cruises as well as river cruises. They offer a Scandinavian design, and each one of the "longships" are identical. There are less than 200 people on the longships, and less than 100 on their smaller ships such as on the Douro in Portugal, and the Elbe in Germany. Viking offer river cruises in Europe, Russia & Ukraine, Egypt, China, and Vietnam & Cambodia. Their river cruises include transfers with Viking air purchase; an excursion in every port; beer, wine & soft drinks with lunch & dinner, and free WiFi, as well as onboard entertainment and lectures. In addition to their regular dining room, they also have the popular "Aquavit Terrace" on their longships for casual outdoor dining.
Viking currently have more than 60 river cruise ships, and plan to have 71 by the end of 2019.
Avalon
Avalon are part of the Globus family of brands - and are also known for their marketing with their "Panorama Suites" - which offer wall to wall, floor to ceiling windows and beds facing the incredible views. They offer more space than average in their staterooms. Avalon offer river cruises throughout Europe, Asia, India - as well as on the Amazon river in Peru, and the Galapagos Islands. As is generally the case with most river cruise lines, an excursion is included in each port, as well as beverages including beer & wine with lunch and dinner. Avalon do have local entertainers on board, and excellent onboard enrichment programs. Since they started in 2004, Avalon have launched at least one new ship every year.
In 2019 Avalon are introducing a new suite ship with 200 square foot Panorama signature open air balconies - the ship is called "Avalon Envision".
AMA WATERWAYS
AMA Waterways offer river cruises throughout Europe and Asia, and are the only river cruise company catering to the North American market that offers a river cruise in Africa! They also offer a unique twin balcony cabin, with a French balcony on one side, and an actual balcony you can sit out on the the other side of the cabin. They offer specialty cruises such as wine cruises, and a new exclusive "concierge golf program". They offer the same inclusions such as beer & wine with lunch and dinner etc. - but with their included excursions you have your choice with the level of activity as they have gentle walkers, regular walking tours, and more active tours such as hiking and biking tours. On their newer ships they have a small pool on the sun deck with a swim up bar, and they have a fitness center and offer fitness classes. In addition to the regular dining room, AMA also has a specialty dining restaurant called the "Chef's Table" - and each guest can experience this at least once on their cruise for no additional cost.
For May 2019 AMA are introducing the "AMA Magna" - which will be twice the width of the regular river cruise ships.
Emerald Waterways and Scenic
Scenic are well known for their land tours in Australia, and now offer both luxury Scenic river cruises, and also more affordable Emerald Waterways cruises. Emerald Waterways offer the features that river cruising is known for such as excellent food; wine, beer, & soft drinks with lunch and dinner; included excursions in most ports - plus guided biking & hiking tours with their ACTIVE programs - as well as complimentary bicycles on board, WiFi, & airport transfers. Emerald also include port fees and gratuities in their pricing which many of the others do not. Emerald have launched new ships each year and are now offering itineraries in Europe, Asia, Russia, and Egypt & Jordan.
Scenic is their luxury all inclusive river cruise - which includes it ALL - transfers, gratuities on and off the ship, all beverages (any time), entertainment, concierge laundry service, WiFi, all on shore excursions - even butler service! They offer river cruises throughout Europe and in Russia.
Tauck River Cruises
Tauck are renowned for their quality land tours, and their river cruises have the same excellent reputation. Like some of the other luxury river cruise options, Tauck cruises are truly all-inclusive, so there are not additional costs. They offer several different European itineraries - including a new Paris to Normandy itinerary, and one called "Autumn along the Rhine" which includes Munich's Oktoberfest. Tauck do offer family river cruises on specific dates, as well as themed cruises. What really sets Tauck apart from others is their exclusive immersive shore excursions. They are also popular with solo travelers as they offer no single supplement with category 1 on all their European river cruises.
Crystal River Cruises
Crystal have long been known for exceptional ocean cruises, and now have also got into the river cruise market. Last year they introduced "Crystal Mozart", and now for 2019 they are also offering river cruises on the new Crystal Mahler. This product is an all suite,butler serviced - and Crystal River Cruises ships are elegant and offer impeccable service. Features include farm to table dining; unlimited fine wines, champagnes, premium spirits and beers; unlimited complimentary excursions in every port, twice as many staff per guest than many of the other river cruise lines, and all gratuities -both on the ship and on shore.
