River Cruise Lines
River cruise lines are companies that provide travel by large passenger ships along inland waterways, such as rivers and canals. These cruises typically last a week or longer and stop in various small ports of call, offering a way to explore countries and regions from the unique perspective of a river. Many include excursions, meals, and drinks in the fare.
Experience THE LUXURY OF MORE
AmaWaterways, we love what we do, providing our guests with the best travel experiences possible. In fact, "Ama" is derived from the Latin word for "love." It is a concept that permeates every aspect of our river cruises, from the design of our ships to the development of our itineraries to the high levels of service we deliver to our guests.
It is a philosophy that drives our attention to detail, constant innovation and culture of always making our guests our top priority. It is the reason our guests all have a story about why it was the best cruise they've ever taken. When you sail with AmaWaterways, you will experience the luxury of more - more ways to discover, more ways to indulge and more onboard amenities. With an award-winning fleet, critically acclaimed dining and unique tour options, you will have the trip of a lifetime on our cruises.
See the World Your Way.
Avalon Waterways presents a river cruise experience with your unique style in mind-offering expansive views and wider perspectives. With river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony SM, these wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows open wider than any other in the industry, blurring the line between outside and in, forming a spacious seating area for six, and creating an open invitation to discover and dream. Even if you're a seasoned traveler, you've never seen Europe like this.
Whether you'd like a romantic mini-break, an extended exploration, or something in between, with Avalon Waterways, you get to choose the river cruise that reveals the very best of Europe, Asia or South America.
About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection-winning Uniworld - the world's ONLY authentic boutique cruise line - offers itineraries in spectacular destinations throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, and Asia. The company's European fleet features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, enticing shore excursions, world-class gourmet cuisine, impeccable hospitality, and numerous other all-inclusive benefits.
Providing guests with all the elements of an unforgettable Six-Star Experience: Expertise; Service; Luxurious Ships, Uniquely Designed; Culinary; Choice; and Truly All-Inclusive.
Uniworld's boutique river cruises allow guests to travel from one exciting destination to the next aboard a stylish floating hotel with inviting lounges, cozy libraries, panoramic restaurants, sumptuous cuisine, exquisite antiques and original art, and luxurious riverview staterooms and suites. Meticulous attention to detail is readily apparent on every company-owned ship
Uniworld takes pride in its long-lasting relationships with guests, for whom there is "No request too large, no detail too small." Uniworld employs a professionally trained, dedicated, English-speaking staff, so guests never have to worry about communication.
River Cruise Destinations
Journey into the heart of Europe, Russia, Asia, Egypt and beyond on a culturally immersive scenic cruise. Whether you yearn to see the castle-lined Rhine, romantic Danube, historic Seine or vineyard-laced Douro, your river cruise with Viking begins here.
Highlights of a Viking River Cruise
Traveling by river, beyond the reach of roadways, you will discover the true nature of fascinating lands and the people who call them home. You will travel with ease, unpacking just once and enjoying the ever-changing scenery along the banks as you are gently carried on board an elegant, intimate ship to your next destination.
Our Recommended Cruise Destinations
We’ve chosen to work with partners we know will deliver an exceptional, personal service and whose fleets are of the highest standard, where your experience as a passenger is at the heart of everything. It means we can be confident your cruise experience will be everything you imagined, whether you’re a regular seagoer or a first-time passenger.
Thailand
Thailand’s beautiful coastline lends itself to cruising, but this is not the only area where you can take to the water to see the country from a different perspective.
River journeys out of Bangkok are the perfect remedy to a busy few days in the capital, or you can head west to the River Kwai for a historical insight into Thailand during World War II.
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Best time to Cruise
The best time to go on a cruise varies, depending on where you want to go.
One of the joys of cruising is making the most of a country’s seasonality, whether you’re hoping to see a whale breach in Antarctica or sail through the Seychelles on calm waters.
Guide for traveling on Cruises
January-February
It’s the height of the Southern Hemisphere summer, and Antarctic and South Georgia expedition cruises are in full swing. The days are long, and wildlife — including seals, penguins and seabirds — is active.
Meanwhile in Asia, the Mekong and Ayeyarwady are at high enough levels to support river cruising, providing access to floating markets, colonial towns and landmarks such as the temples of Bagan.
New Zealand’s fjords are in peak summer lushness, and it’s a good time to observe dolphins and fur seals.
March
The beginning of the month is a great time to see whales in Antarctica, but as March fades the Southern Hemisphere winter closes in, bringing expedition cruising here to a close. If you’re still seeking something more adventurous, you can head slightly north of Antarctica to cruise Patagonia. Your ship motors down the glacial-framed Chilean fjords and rounds the tip of South America to reach Argentina.
Look to India for good wildlife sightings as you cruise along the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Or take a Nile cruise in Egypt, when the weather is sunny and warm yet comfortable, sailing to Luxor and visiting the Valley of the Kings.
April-May
The Galapagos’ wet season begins to draw to a close, and flowers spring up across the islands, while sea turtles and land iguanas start hatching. There’s an increased chance of seeing sea turtles. By the end of May, conditions are generally drier. April also marks the start of the mating season for waved albatrosses on Española Island, which will last until November.
April and May are also the start of cruising season in the Mediterranean. At this time, you can explore Greece and Turkey by ship when the weather is still welcoming but before the hustle and bustle of high summer.
June-July
In the Galapagos Islands, drier conditions are expected from June onward, though the weather is cooler and the waves choppier. Seabirds start to become more active.
June and July are the peak months to cruise Alaska, and the long summer days bring out the best of the region’s wildlife including bears, whales and sea otters.
Even farther north, the Arctic expedition cruising season kicks off, and will last until September.
In the Pacific, French Polynesia’s balmy weather makes it a good time to go island-hopping. This is also one of the best times to embark on an expedition cruise to Australia’s northern territories and the Kimberly.
August-September
Alaska cruising continues throughout August and into early September, when you can sail past the blue-tinged ice floes in Glacier Bay National Park. In India, water levels are ideal for cruising along the Ganges toward Varanasi.
September is also a great month to explore the Seychelles by boat, as its summer winds have subsided, and sea life is in abundance.
Many other regions are well suited to a September cruise. You could hike volcanoes and go whale watching while cruising in Hawaii, or voyage in the wake of explorers as you cruise around Greenland and through the Northwest Passage.
October
This month marks the start of the Nile cruising season, with slightly cooler temperatures making onshore tours comfortable.
In late October, the penguins of South Georgia begin their mating and courtship rituals, and the first expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula begin to hack their way through sea ice. You can also head to North America for a cruise along New England and eastern Canada, setting out from Boston. You’ll call at Prince Edward Island, go whale watching on the St. Lawrence River, and dine on fresh seafood all along the way.
November-December
It’s the dry season across much of Southeast Asia, when temperatures are comfortably cool and water levels are high enough to make most rivers navigable. Look to the west coast of Thailand and the Mekong Delta for a Southeast Asia cruise.
You’ll take in rural villages and cities such as Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh while staying on board a luxury cruise ship.
For New Year celebrations, consider a cruise that stops in Sydney or the New Zealand sounds.
Ready to take the first step toward planning your cruise?
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