Viking® today announced its newest ship for the Nile River—the 82-guest Viking Hathor—was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in August 2024, the Viking Hathor will join the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary Read the rest of this entry »

It’s the first week of river cruise season in Europe, and AmaWaterways is sailing into the niche with a special for single travelers.

For a limited time, the travel-advisor-friendly company is waiving single supplements on select 2024 Europe sailings for stateroom categories other than suites on reservations booked by June 30, 2024.

Single supplements also are being waived on the two single-occupancy staterooms (140 sq. ft. with French balconies) on its four ships in France: AmaCello, AmaDante, AmaDolce and AmaLyra. And Ama will charge a reduced supplement of 25% on all fixed window staterooms on Europe sailings (Category E&D) and Category C staterooms on all Mekong sailings.

“Solo travelers on their own or perhaps as part of a multi-generational family group or girlfriend getaway have every reason to take advantage of this special offer” on more than 45 departure dates, Ama said, including the new Flavors of Burgundy.

Ana has seen “continual growth from the solo market” and is a perfect fit for single travelers, Ama’s VP of Strategic Alliances Brenda Kyllo told TRO. “Traveling isn’t only about sharing special time with loved ones, it’s also about self-discovery and finding pleasure in meeting new people in a safe and welcoming environment,” she said. “With no more than 150 guests on board, our crew are able to take special care of solo travelers to ensure they feel welcome from the minute they arrive on board. And with the choice of up to eight included daily excursions plus wellness classes and small group biking and hiking tours, there are so many opportunities to meet fellow travelers who share common interests. Many of our tables in the main dining room are set for five rather than six guests to be sure solo travelers feel at ease joining other couples for dinner.”

The offer is capacity-controlled and subject to change. Ask for promo code SOLOWAIVED. See current list of sailings here: https://www.amawaterways.com/solo-traveler-2024

On the heels of news that a major competitor is up for sale with its parent company declaring bankruptcy, American Cruise Lines opened the 2024 season with five riverboats cruising the Mississippi, in its largest season ever. This year, it will sail 16 itineraries on the Mississippi and its tributaries, the Tennessee, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers.

American Cruise Lines has nearly tripled its US fleet over the past five years, introduced a new ship every year since 2018, and recently announced that it has five more ships under construction. Rival Mississippi steamboat company American Queen Voyages, meanwhile, has failed to fully recover from the pandemic, its parent Hornblower has announced, leaving Viking River Cruises as its only competitor on the river, at least for now. Hornblower last week entered chapter 11 and shut down operations at American Queen (for more on this see American Queen Is Up for Sale as Hornblower Files for Bankruptcy | Travel Research Online.)

In May, American will begin sailing several new Mississippi River itineraries, including an exclusive 12-day cruise in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a sailing from Knoxville to Nashville, cruising the Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers. Also coming in May is a 35-Day Civil War Battlefields cruise on the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers and Chesapeake Bay, visiting more than 20 Civil War battlefields. In August, American will sail the longest river cruise in US history—a 61-day Great United States cruise—down the Mississippi, passing 20 states, 3 national parks, 4 rivers, and on to the Hudson River, visiting New York, Boston and Bar Harbor.

Seine River Cruise Prices is part of a continuing series of comparison charts and articles featuring European River Cruises offered by world class river cruise lines. Our goal is to provide a True Per Diem for each cruise, or the daily cost breakdown of the trip once all extra fees are added to the cruise fare. Read the rest of this entry »

Citing the fallout from Covid-19, cruise operator Hornblower has filed for bankruptcy, and its American Queen subsidiary has ceased operations.

Private-equity firm Strategic Value Partners has agreed to acquire majority ownership of Hornblower and “provide a significant equity investment in the business,” but the deal will require approval from the US Bankruptcy Court in Houston, the Wall Street Journal reported. Private-equity firm Crestview Partners will retain a minority interest and become the sole owner of Journey Beyond, the leading experiential travel provider in Australia.

Hornblower said in a statement that American Queen Voyages hopefully will be sold; if no buyer is found its operations will be wound down.

Hornblower also provides ferry services to the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis National Museum of Immigration in New York, and to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco. Those services will continue operations.

Guests who have booked an American Queen Voyages cruise should visit the line’s dedicated refund website to submit a claim form and begin the refund process, or call (888) 202-5784.

Hornblower said it expects to move through the bankruptcy process quickly and emerge from Chapter 11 in about four months. It has a commitment for $300 million in financing from Deutsche Bank, $121 million in new-money financing from SVP-managed funds and Crestview.

“The steps we are taking today will enable us to address AQV and strengthen our financial foundation as we continue serving our guests and commuters around the world. With the support of our financial stakeholders, we will continue to advance our business initiatives and drive growth. We thank the entire Hornblower team for their hard work and dedication, as well as our vendors and partners across our businesses for their continued support,” said Hornblower Group CEO Kevin Rabbitt.

American Cruise Lines will be sailing its American Revolution 11-day itineraries round-trip out of Washington DC in 2024.

The only cruise ship that sails the Potomac into Washington, American Constitution will depart from The Wharf and sail the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac and the York River, with calls in the historic ports of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Jamestown, Mount Vernon, Annapolis and Norfolk.

It’s a particularly interesting offer for the drive-to cruise market, “allowing many guests to skip flights and jump on board hassle- free,” noted American’s Director of Business Development Melissa Young

Cruises on the American Revolution itinerary will run in the spring and fall 2024, beginning March 26 and including Cherry Blossom season. They all include entertainment and enrichment, as well as regionally inspired cuisine featuring Maryland’s famous Blue Crabs. Excursions in Washington include guided tours of the Capitol and the Smithsonian museums, as well as Arlington National Cemetery, the Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad exhibit, Colonial Williamsburg, the Jamestown Settlement, and Virginia Beach, and an authentic sailing on “Skipjack” through the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

Wave season specials include savings up to $1,500 plus complimentary airfare on select Spring dates. There is also an option to add a pre-cruise hotel stay at the Four Seasons, D.C.

The largest small ship and river cruise operator in the United States, American Cruise Lines will sail 19 ships in 35 states, with more than 50 domestic itineraries.

Between now and the end of March, AmaWaterways is including complimentary 2-, 3- and 4-night land packages on select 2024 and 2025 river cruises. What we at River Cruise Advisor particularly appreciate about these packages are: Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re a traveler seeking a blend of river cruising and immersive land experiences, AmaWaterways has just the experience for you. Ama is currently offering complimentary 2-, 3-, and 4-night land packages on select voyages until the end of March. These land packages provide an opportunity to add value to your journey and make the most of your time abroad. Whether you’re strolling through the streets of historic cities or enjoying local attractions, AmaWaterways ensures Read the rest of this entry »

Highlighting its newest itinerary, American Cruise Lines on Monday officially welcomed its second Coastal Cat ship, American Glory, in Key West, Florida.

Sailing round trip from St. Petersburg, American Glory will visit Punta Gorda, Marco Island and Key West on its seven-night Florida Gulf Coast & Keys itinerary from January 26 through March, and then again in November and December. Glory’s sister ship, American Legend, is scheduled to sail the same itinerary beginning in November.

Both ships are part of American Cruise Line’s ‘Project Blue,’ a fleet of 12 small ships, carrying 100 passengers each, designed to sail almost every domestic US itinerary. The Coastal Cats will sail the east coast from Maine to Florida throughout 2024 and 2025.

At the christening ceremony for American Glory, American Cruise Lines president and CEO Charles B. Robertson introduced the ship’s godmother, Key West mayor Teri Johnston.

“Docking in Mallory Square is a privilege, and we are honored to be a new small piece of the Key West community,” he said.

American Glory has four decks, a unique catamaran bow, an elegant interior design and private balconies, as well as a restaurant, casual café and fitness center.

American Cruise Lines is building five ships in 2024, and will operate 19 ships and cruise more than 50 domestic itineraries, ranging from six to sixty days, in 35 states, including both coasts and many rivers in between. All the ships are American-built, flagged, and crewed.

Riverside Luxury Cruises announced the launch of its third all-inclusive, all-suite luxury river ship, Riverside Debussy. Riverside Debussy offers an expansive selection of more than 40 departures in 2024 with her inaugural voyage sailing from Brussels, Belgium, to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on March 23 Read the rest of this entry »

Britton has been learning quite a bit about trip insurance. You’ll find her articles at this link. I recently reached out to Suzanne Morrow, Senior Vice President for InsureMyTrip.com to ask a couple of questions.

1. What are the top three coverages that a U.S. traveler to Europe would want in trip insurance?

Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different, and every traveler has different needs and concerns. With that said – if an American is traveling out of the country, we recommend they consider emergency medical and evacuation coverage. Most domestic health insurance, including Medicare, will not cover medical bills overseas. Read the rest of this entry »

In 2024, for the first time, AmaWaterways will begin its European river cruising season on February 11 with two ships on the Danube and Rhine rivers. As a direct response to the increased demand for new off-season travel options, this strategic move reflects AmaWaterways’ commitment to evolving travel preferences. As AmaWaterways announces record results for 2023 and continued strong growth for 2024 and 2025, several key trends are setting the stage for a bright future of the river cruise industry.

Guests embarking on their river cruises and land journeys with AmaWaterways in 2024 can anticipate curated experiences embracing the following trends: Read the rest of this entry »

You could be forgiven for not knowing about Riverside Luxury Cruises. After all, the company is a newcomer, first mentioned on our site one year ago.

That was in November 2022, when Riverside acquired the double-width river cruiser Mozart. The ship had been operating for Crystal River Cruises, which went bankrupt. Riverside snapped up Mozart and has since added two more of the ex-Crystal ships. Read the rest of this entry »

Though we primarily focus on European river cruises, we would be remiss not to mention Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals on the Mississippi. Here are two from American Queen Voyages and American Cruise Lines. Read the rest of this entry »

Award-winning luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways announced an exclusive 2-for-1 Land Package offer for guests reserving a full six- or eight-night land package in conjunction with select 2024 and 2025 seven-night river cruises in Vietnam and Cambodia. Guests reserving select Charms of the Mekong or Riches of the Mekong itineraries are able to take advantage of this offer* until December 31, 2023. The 2-for-1 Land Package Read the rest of this entry »

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises announces the addition of two new Super Ships, the S.S. Victoria and S.S. Elisabeth, which will begin sailing in Europe in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Uniworld will take over the ships from Seaside Collection under a three-year, bareboat charter agreement for each ship and create the signature Uniworld experience on existing itineraries with an all-Uniworld staff, as well as the brand’s trademark touches and amenities. Before joining Riverside Luxury Cruises, the ships were a part of Crystal Cruises’ river fleet as the Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler. Read the rest of this entry »

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will add two new ships to its fleet, and begin sailing one in 2024 and one in 2025.

The S.S. Victoria and S.S. Elisabeth—formerly Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler—are being leased from Seaside Collection under a three-year, bareboat charter agreement. They will sail with an all-Uniworld staff and offer Uniworld’s amenities, to create “the signature Uniworld experience on existing itineraries,” the company said.

The two identical ships hold 110 guests in 55 suites and staterooms, each with full-length windows opposite king-sized beds, and adjoining suites that offer two-bedroom accommodations. They also have a massage room, gym, bistro for snacks, rooftop bar and grill, and fine dining restaurants featuring farm-to-table cuisine gathered daily by the chef in each destination.

S.S. Victoria will sail the Rhine for the 2024 season, beginning in March in Amsterdam with an 8-day “Holland & Belgium at Tulip Time” cruise through Belgium and The Netherlands. Then it will sail the 8-day “Castles Along the Rhine” itinerary from Basel to Amsterdam, the 10-day “Magnificent Moselle and Rhine” itinerary and the 8-day “Belgium Holiday Markets” round-trip from Brussels.

“The S.S. Victoria and S.S. Elisabeth are unique vessels that we know our guests will love, featuring a modern design, some of the largest suites on the rivers, and an ambiance that exudes contemporary luxury. Onboard, guests can expect our Tiny Noticeable Touches throughout every aspect, from the impeccable service provided by the Uniworld crew they know and love to the multitude of all-inclusive amenities available to them,” said Uniworld president and CEO Ellen Bettridge.

The S.S. Elisabeth is scheduled to sail the 2025 season, though no details have yet been released.

American Cruise Lines continues to provide US river cruising with a look at their 2024 cruise season. With a total of 125 US ports of call and nine new itineraries, ACL has big announcements out.

Leading the announcement is two new 100-passenger ships, Coastal Cats, American Liberty and American Legend. These are the 3^rd and 4^th ships of the American series which will include 12 total. The first two coastal cats already in operation are American Eagle and  American Glory. Slated to sail New England, Chesapeake Bay, Hudson River and Florida, the American Liberty is set to cruise in June 2024 while American Legend is set for October 2024.

Adding to the 19 ships they will have in operation by October of next year are new itineraries. Including longer cruises like the 60-day itinerary exploring 20 states (August 16^th to October 14^th) and the 35-day Civil War Battlefields cruise exploring 20 Civil War battlefields (May 3^rd to June 6^th).

They’ve also announced new 2024 cruises at National Parks. Including Denali Fjords and Glacier Bay National Parks in Alaska, and Smoky Mountains National Park. Also available is the multi-national park cruise of Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton along the Colombia and Snake Rivers.

With new departures, new ships, more itineraries than featured here, and a maximum range of 90-180 guests per cruise, American Cruise Lines looks to be growing into the booming interest in cruises.

What’s a cruise line executive to do when sales are soaring, ships are full, and there’s just not much capacity left on existing itineraries? Well, if you’re Rudi Schreiner, AmaWaterways’ co-founder and godfather of river cruising, you just draw on your 50 years of experience and create new destinations and make your seasons longer.

Indeed, river cruising is hotter than ever—even in colder weather, the AmaWaterways co-owner believes. To keep up with the demand, AmaWaterways is extending a number of itineraries into new dates and new seasons—beginning on the Danube and Rhine rivers in February, 2024.

It’s fair to say that I have a love-hate relationship with the cities along the Danube. My Jewish family was granted equal rights here by Emperor Franz Josef I—and then forced to flee by the Nazis. When I hear German, I hear the sweet voice of my grandfathers speaking in the Yiddish dialect. But I give thanks that by 1920 they both had emigrated to New York.

Some of the challenges in choosing river cruises in Europe are the rivers themselves. Unless you’ve frequently traveled to Europe, you may not be familiar with geography of the rivers. Even for those who are familiar with the lay of the land, the list of rivers can be daunting. A quick glance at Wikipedia shows hundreds of rivers coursing through the European continent, including quite a few that I’ve never heard of, the Oise, for example, which I only learned about this year. I’ll be on that river with 21 others in May of 2024, as we barge along the Oise Read the rest of this entry »