The luxury cruising experience is like being in an ultra luxury hotel that takes you to a new place of interest overnight.
The statement ‘getting there is half the fun’ absolutely applies to luxury cruising and is evidenced in the quality of the onboard experience en route, and the quality of the excursions once the destination is reached.
The luxury cruising experience is like being in an ultra luxury hotel that takes you to a new place of interest overnight. The staterooms, food and drinks, attention to detail, and personalized service are superb. The level of pampering is unsurpassed, with butler service, top notch on board spas, and exquisitely appointed staterooms.
Many of these ships, Cunard for example, are destinations in themselves, much like some of the famous old hotels in New York or Europe. Luxury lines have more unique itineraries because the smaller ships can get to smaller ports, or in the case of Cunard, can travel farther and faster, making for a more exclusive travel experience.
River Cruising has been around for hundreds of years in some form or another, but it wasn’t until the Main-Danube canal was opened in 1993, connecting The Main River to the Danube, two of Europe’s largest rivers, that the river cruising industry as we know it today really got momentum.
The River Cruising Experience
Imagine moving through Europe, sipping local wine and eating locally inspired fresh gourmet food while watching the beautiful country side with castles and vineyards go by. Then stopping at a small town and just walking off the ship right in the heart of it all.
The personalized customer service is superb and intimate, and the small ship size allows ample opportunities to meet other like minded guests and enjoy good conversation. The evening entertainment might be local folkloric music and dance, or a talk on the local history or architecture.
Another day, amazing destination. Your luxury floating hotel takes you to a new port of call. No packing and unpacking, no wasting day time sitting on a coach, and no checking in and out of hotels. Make it as busy or as laid back as you want. You will get an opportunity to see a lot of different places without ever feeling rushed.
The luxury lines include complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, and bottled water is provided daily. Exclusive walking tours with local guides at each port of call and bicycles are also included on most cruises.
Avoiding cruising because you are concerned about seasickness? That’s not a problem on a river cruise
The itineraries cover Europe, Russia and Asia and vary depending on the season and the cruise line.
Our Picks
There are three cruise lines in the luxury category that we recommend, based on the quality of service, ships, and customer satisfaction. AMAWaterways, Avalon by Globus, and Uniworld.
AMA Waterways – Leading the way in River Cruising
The AMAWaterways fleet consists of 12 luxurious ships cruising 7 great rivers around the globe: Danube, Rhine, Main, Mosel, Rhone, Volga, and Mekong. Their itineraries cover Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. The average ship capacity is 200 guests. More…
Avalon Waterways – Redefining River Cruising
The Avalon Waterways fleet consists of 12 luxurious ships cruising Europe, Egypt and China, and boasts the youngest fleet in Europe. The average ship capacity is approximately 150 guests.
Uniworld – Boutique River Cruising
The Uniworld fleet consists of 11 luxurious ships cruising Europe, Russia, Egypt and China. The average ship capacity is 130 guests. The ships’ décor and amenities reflect the relationship with their sister company the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, a group of ultra luxury boutique hotels.
Call us to discuss which one is right for you.
A great way to reconnect with family and friends — or meet like-minded people…
Traveling with friends, extended family, or a group of people that share a common interest, can make any vacation experience more enjoyable. In fact, satisfaction ratings for group travel are consistently higher than those for any other type of travel. It’s a great way to reconnect with family and friends or meet like minded people.
Crusing is perfect for groups, and there are significant incentives and savings as well. Groups can be arranged for weddings, family reunions, clubs, churches, fundraisers, or whatever occasion causes people to get together.
Call us to discuss this exciting vacation option.
If you are thinking about a world cruise, there are a myriad of things to consider. These cruises are longer in duration and are a significant investment, so choosing the right cruise line, itinerary, and stateroom are important to get right. Working with a knowledgeable agent to explain all the products available and help you make decisions on the many options available with each, will ensure that you get the most out of what may be a once in a lifetime experience.
If time away is a problem, some cruise lines allow passengers to book the itinerary in segments, which means that you can spread your travel plans over a couple of years.
Call us to discuss the many options available to you.
Enjoy supreme luxury and enrichment programs on board Cunard or Crystal.
Enjoy the casual elegance of Seabourn, or buttler service on Siversea, or the ultra all-inclusive experience of Regent Seven Seas.
Cruising is one of the best ways to see the world. Whether it’s Europe, Africa, Asia or the South Pacific, cruising is elegant, exciting, and very convenient. It’s also a great way to travel with children, extended family, or in a group. No packing and unpacking or checking in and out of hotels. Do it once and enjoy different ports of call and the fabulous on board experience of the ship. Cruising offers something for everyone.
