Style Cruises Guide to River Cruising

River cruising is one of the fastest growing trends in travel. Varied itineraries and unparalleled opportunities allow guests to immerse themselves in local cultures and traditions, all experienced with ease on a river cruise. A river cruise ship is a small floating hotel taking you on a tour of many of the world’s most iconic cities. You will sail on small intimate ships which often dock right in the town centre allowing you to walk straight off and into the heart of the destination. There are no large crowds on board, no endless waiting in queues to disembark in port and no sea-sickness. There is always something remarkable to see, be it a castle, a cathedral, twinkling city lights at night, the splendour of Holland’s floral displays or the life and colour of the mighty Yangtze. Enjoy a glass of wine whilst watching spectacular scenery pass slowly by.

Life on board a river cruise ship is relaxed and informal. Open seating is offered at all meals and there is no need for a dinner jacket. Onboard lectures, activities and sightseeing tours with local English speaking guides and individual audio commentary are all included as is return travel by air with the option of rail travel on selected itineraries.

If you like city breaks then a river cruise is definitely for you. A river cruise is like lots of city breaks all rolled into one but without the hassle of getting yourself from one place to another, your hotel travels with you and someone else does the driving. Relaxing, Yes. Boring, no.

Your fellow passengers are likely to be:

• Well travelled and have probably cruised before
• Passengers celebrating a special occasion or a milestone anniversary
• Travellers seeking something different
• Those interested in history, geography, culture & architecture
• People who like to explore yet relax at the same time

Founded in 2002 AMA Waterways aims to provide a great luxury river cruise experience. They operate comfortable ships carrying a maximum of 196 passengers. Many of the staterooms have french balconies, some revolutionary twin balconies and the sun deck boasts a pool. Twice as wide as traditional river cruise ships, the new AmaMagna offers more than 50% luxurious suite accommodations. Plus, with five bars, four unique dining experiences and a variety of leisure opportunities, AmaWaterways’ latest innovation exceeds expectations and is redefining the river cruise experience. You are guaranteed a warm welcome when boarding any AMA ship.

Included in the cost of your AMA Waterways river cruise:

• Daily shore excursions with local English speaking guides & individual audio commentary
• Wi-Fi
• Wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Tea and Coffee all day
• Bottled water
• Use of bicycles on your own or guided bicycle tours

NB: Gratuities are not included in the cost of an AMA Waterways river cruise but payable on board at your discretion

Style Cruises Recommends ..................

We have visited AMADante & AMACerto and Warren has cruised the Douro on AMAVida and the Rhine on AMAKristina.
‘As with all AMA ships the Kristina is beautifully furnished, comfortable and the staff welcoming and friendly. Having a choice of dining venues is great, we enjoyed the Chef’s Table very much. The weather was not kind that week but we still tried the swim up bar, thank goodness the pool was heated. If you are feeling energetic try the bike tours they were brilliant and a great way of working off all that wonderful food! River cruising with AMA is a great experience and one you will want to repeat'.

Where AMA can take you: Douro, Danube, Dutch & Belgium Waterways, Garonne & Dordogne, Main, Moselle, Rhone, Rhine, Seine, Mekong, Chobe

APT offer a comprehensive collection of inspiring holidays allowing you to explore the very best Asia has to offer in complete comfort and ease.

Included in the cost of your APT river cruise:

• Gratuities
• Selected drinks with lunch and dinner
• Shore excursions

Style Cruises Recommends ....................

Clients have visited the Mekong with APT and returned having had an unforgettable experience.

Where APT can take you: China, Vietnam, Cambodia & selected European rivers

The Avalon fleet is among the newest in river cruising. Comfortable ships carrying a maximum of 166 passengers offer the very latest in ship design with some of the largest staterooms on the rivers. Themed cruises are a feature of their itineraries why not try a Music, Wine or even a Golf river cruise? A wide choice of itineraries are waiting to be explored.

Included in the cost of your Avalon river cruise:

• Gratuities
• Wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner (optional drinks packages are available to purchase)
• Tea and coffee all day
• Daily shore excursions with individual audio commentary

Style Cruises Recommends ....................

We have visited the Avalon Vista, Jo has cruised the Seine on Creativity and Warren the Rhone on Poetry II. Avalon will see to everything. The suite ships are spectacular offering some of the largest cabins on the rivers.

Where Avalon can take you: Amazon, Danube, Douro, Dutch Waterways, Main, Moselle, Mekong, Rhine, Rhone, Seine and Ganges

New to the world of river cruising in 2014 Emerald Waterways offer their guests a fleet of contemporary boutique style state-of-the-art ships carrying a maximum of 182 passengers. Explore on your own on one of the complimentary bikes. A heated pool with retractable roof provides an all weather oasis in which to relax. Fancy watching a film one evening? The pool transforms into a cinema - Emerald Waterways have thought of everything!

Included in the cost of your Emerald Waterways river cruise:

• Gratuities
• Wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Use of bikes onboard so you can explore on your own
• EmeraldPlus excursion programme
• Wi-Fi
• Tea and coffee all day
• Daily shore excursions with individual audio commentary

Style Cruises Recommends ....................

We have visited Emerald Sky. It was modern, very chic and the pool area just fabulous.

Where Emerald Waterways can take you: Danube, Douro, Main, Moselle, Rhine, Rhone, Saone and Mekong

Launched towards the end of 2022 Riverside acquired Mozart the double width river cruise ship which previously sailed as part of the Crystal River Cruise fleet. This was soon followed by the acquisition of the other smaller Crystal river ships Ravel, Debussy, Bach & Mahler. Mozart cruises on the Danube, the only river wide enough to accommodate her, operating operating itineraries from 3 to 14 nights. Ravel & Debussy will operate on the Rhone & Rhine. The other two ships will be deployed very soon. Riverside offer the ultimate luxury all inclusive river cruise experience

Included in the cost of your Riverside river cruise:

• All inclusive onboard including an in suite bar
• Onboard gratuities
• Daily shore excursion
• Butler service for every guest
• Swimming pool, spa & fitness room
• Onboard bikes

Style Cruises Recommends ....................

When Mozart was operating as part of the Crystal fleet Jo had an opportunity to experience this fabulous river cruise ship. 'There is so much space onboard, fabulous and varied dining venues and beautifully appointed cabins & suites. Highly recommended'

Where Riverside can take you: Danube, Rhine, Rhone & Saone

Riviera have been organising holidays for over 30 years and are a real favourite with British passengers. Explore the rivers of Europe in comfort on a fleet of nine ships. Which? have named Riviera as a 'Recommended Provider' for 4 years in a row.

Included in the cost of your Riviera river cruise:

• Packed lunches are provided on full day shore excursions
• Tea & coffee making facilities in your cabin*
• Rail option on selected cruises

NB: Drinks are not included in the cost of your Riviera river cruise and gratuities are payable on board at your discretion
*on all ships except Swiss Ruby & Swiss Sapphire

Style Cruises Recommends ....................

We were impressed with the MS Lord Byron and the MS Emily Bronte when we toured the ships at the River Cruise Convention.

Where Riviera can take you: Danube, Douro, Ganges, Main, Mekong, Moselle, Rhine, Rhone, Seine and Volga

If you want all-inclusive luxury on your river cruise then Scenic is for you. Everything from unlimited drinks to tailormade GPS guided tours is included in the price. You will even have your own butler regardless of the grade you choose, who look after your every wish and want. Beautiful suites on state-of-the-art ships have exclusive all-weather style conservatory style balconies.

Included in the cost of your Scenic river cruise:

• All drinks including those served in your cabin
• Daily shore excursion with a choice of flexible options in every port ranging from relaxed to active
• Gratuities
• Suite accommodation as standard
• Personal butler with every grade on the ship
• Fine dining in up to five on board venues
• Exclusive Scenic Tailormade - explore with with a hand-held GPS device
• Use e-bikes so you can explore on your own
• A bag of laundered clothes

Style Cruises Recommends ....................

We have seen Scenic Jasper and Scenic Gem at the River Cruise Convention.
'The River Cafe is great for a quick snack and the Riverview Terrace a fabulous place to sit and watch the scenery go by. Unashamed luxury perfect for that celebration cruise'

Where Scenic can take you: Danube, Douro, Irrawaddy, Mekong, Moselle, Rhine, Rhone, Saone, Seine and Volga

Operators of some of the most unusual river cruise ships Uniworld will transport you in unashamed luxury. They are famous for their one-of-a-kind ships, each one unique in its atmosphere and decor. Facilities on board include a heated swimming pool and cinema.

Included in the cost of your Uniworld river cruise:

• All drinks including wine, beer, spirits and cocktails
• Gratuities
• Speciality teas and coffees
• Personalised shore experiences hosted by local experts
• Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks

U River Cruises is a river cruise experience aimed at those younger than the average river cruise client. U by Uniworld gives a fresh approach to river cruising. Karaoke, a silent disco and rooftop yoga are just some of the activities on offer!

Style Cruises Recommends ....................

We have visited the SS Antoinette, River Princess, River Empress and the SS Joie de Vivre.
'The ships are beautiful and the service exceptional. Uniworld is a boutique river cruise line and quite simply probably the best in the world.'

Where Uniworld can take you: Danube, Douro, Ganges, Garonne, Gironde, Mekong, Moselle, Nile, Po, Rhine, Rhone, Saone, Volga, Yangtze