European River Cruising Is Back

European River Cruising is Back

By Anne Kalosh.

With the European Union opening its borders to travelers who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, river operators are gearing up to sail this summer.

Many lines that cater mostly to North Americans — the largest source market for European river cruises — weren’t able to operate at all last year. So the pent-up demand is tremendous.

Hey, Big Spender

People are “spending big on their European vacations” with river cruises among the most popular modes of travel, according to Vicky Garcia, chief operating officer of the giant U.S. home-based travel advisor network Cruise Planners.

Lines like AmaWaterways, CroisiEurope, Crystal Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Riviera River Cruises, Scenic, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Viking have announced initial sailings, signaling European river cruising is back. All are starting with a few vessels and plan to ramp up with some lines expecting to get their full fleets back in service during 2021.

This includes Christmas markets cruises, which are forecast to be extremely popular as families reunite.

Uniworld

Uniworld plans to resume June 20, debuting its recently transformed and upgraded Super Ship La Venezia in Italy. Cruises from France are to begin shortly after, with first departures for Bon Voyage on June 27, Joie de Vivre on July 4 and Catherine on July 11.

Uniworld’s Joie de Vivre is scheduled to begin cruising from Paris July 4. * Photo: Uniworld

“We’ve been waiting for this moment and are beyond thrilled to be back on the rivers, welcoming back our loyal guests on four of our most beautiful Super Ships this summer,” said Ellen Bettridge, president & CEO of Uniworld.

Uniworld’s “Milan, Venice & the Gems of Northern Italy” itinerary, commencing June 18 in Milan, will be line’s first cruise since the pandemic began.

After two days in Milan, travelers will embark La Venezia in Venice.

Uniworld’s first vessel to sail will be the completely transformed vIn Italy. * Photo: Uniworld

“Restarting these itineraries is just the first step in getting all of our ships back on the rivers this year,” Bettridge added. “We have a lot to look forward to with the debut of the all-new SS Sphinx launching in Egypt Sept. 25, and we’ll also begin sailing the Peruvian Amazon Sept 1. with two new itineraries aboard the Aria Amazon.”

AmaWaterways

Restart dates for AmaWaterways are July 3 for AmaDouro in Portugal, July 21 for AmaMagna on the Danube, July 22 for AmaKristina in France on the Rhône and July 22 for AmaLyra on the Seine. Further dates are July 27 for AmaVida in Portugal and Spain, July 29 for AmaDolce in Bordeaux and July 29 for AmaSiena on the Rhine.

As AmaWaterways resumes, some Danube travelers may be upgraded to the double-wide AmaMagna. * Photo: AmaWaterways

“We are so excited to see the situation in Europe evolving in a positive direction and are very optimistic about the new tourist entry requirements that will be officially announced in the coming days,” said Kristin Karst, EVP and co-founder, AmaWaterways.

President and Co-founder Rudi Schreiner added that AmaWaterways continues to monitor the updates from global health authorities, local governments and airlines with regard to the entry requirements and will provide specific documentation for travelers soon.

The California-based company successfully carried 1,400 German-speaking passengers on a charter program last summer, so “Our teams are experienced with enhanced health and safety protocols and are ready and eager to safely welcome guests back on board,” Schreiner said.

Now is a rare chance for eager travelers to book a last-minute trip to Portugal, Ama executives said.

And because not all vessels will be starting at once, some customers may be upgraded to the double-wide AmaMagna on the Danube. It has a higher percentage of roomy balcony suites and more dining options.

Buffets are Gone

Speaking of dining, AmaWaterways has done away with buffets fleetwide, replacing them with a la carte service and doubling menu choices for a more luxurious experience. According to Schreiner, this plan was formulated pre-pandemic.

Beyond Europe, the new AmaDahlia is expected to begin sailing in Egypt in September and demand has been “tremendous.” Meanwhile in southern Africa Zambezi Queen’s first cruise on the Chobe River is set for Aug. 2 however Kenya will be substituted for Tanzania in land safari programs.

In Asia, there’s still uncertainty about Mekong River cruises because Vietnam remains closed. Schreiner said sailings may be possible starting in November/December.

Viking

River-cruise giant Viking will restart in July with select itineraries in Portugal, France and along the Rhine, all open to fully vaccinated travelers.

The first five itineraries, now available, include “Rhine Getaway” (eight days, Amsterdam to Basel) and “Portugal’s River of Gold” (10 days, Lisbon to Porto). There is also “Paris & the Heart of Normandy” (eight days, round-trip Paris), “Lyon & Provence” (eight days, Avignon to Lyon) and “France’s Finest,” a 15-day journey that combines the northern and southern France itineraries.

Portugal’s “River of Gold” itinerary on the Douro will be one of the first itineraries offered by Viking Cruises. Here, embarkation port Porto. * Photo: Viking Cruises

Scenic & Emerald

Sister brands Scenic and Emerald Cruises will start their European river season on the Douro with the first departures on July 30 and July 31, respectively, for fully vaccinated travelers.

The two companies are currently promoting savings on new bookings for U.S. and U.K. travelers.

Crystal

Crystal River Cruises’ plans are well underway to resume service starting Aug. 29, though specifics are not yet available.

As Walter Littlejohn, SVP and managing director, explained: While the EU opening for vaccinated travelers is a “necessary and welcome step toward the resumption of unfettered European river cruising,” it is important to note that this policy must be enacted by individual member states since they’re the ones that ultimately control the borders and this would impact multi-country itineraries.

Littlejohn said Crystal is assessing its final deployment for fall/winter 2021 and will communicate further details when completed.

“We are readying the fleet as well as our devoted crew members in advance of resuming service to refresh their skills, ensuring the six-star standards for which our award-winning river ships are known,” he said.

Crystal River Cruises European River Cruising is Back

Crystal plans to return to Europe’s rivers starting in late August. * Photo: Crystal River Cruises

Riviera River Cruises

European river cruising is back for Riviera River Cruises in July on the Douro. The first departure of the eight-day “Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise” will be July 2 aboard Douro Elegance. A four-day Lisbon extension is also available on select departure dates.

Passengers will need to be fully vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test taken prior to arrival.

“We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be welcoming guests aboard our Douro River cruises this summer,” said Marilyn Conroy, EVP sales and marketing North America. She added the line will guarantee passengers are happy with their cruise by the second day or they can return home with a full refund.

Riviera said it will continue to evaluate travel guidelines throughout Europe and restart operations on additional rivers when possible.

European River Cruising is Back for Riviera River Cruises

Portugal will be one of the first destinations to open for river cruising — something to toast with a glass or two of the country’s famous port. * Photo: Riviera River Cruises

CroisiEurope

Strasbourg-based CroisiEurope, which operates a vast river fleet across Europe and beyond, is also restarting on the Douro, June 7, with eight-day sailings from Porto.

Voyages on the rivers of France, and on the Rhine and the Danube will follow.

CroisiEurope vessels are expected to resume on Spain’s Guadalquivir and Italy’s Po in August. Further deployments are to be announced.