River Cruise News: What's Happening & What's Hot

River Cruise News: What’s Happening & What’s Hot

By Anne Kalosh.

River cruises are in big demand. They’ve recently resumed in the U.S. heartland. And, while a late start to the European season is expected — with clarity lacking on whether Americans will be able to join European travelers there, though it’s looking like the EU will welcome vaccinated U.S. tourists — sailings in future years are filling up fast.

AmaWaterways Opens 2023 Sales

Top river cruise news, for instance, is AmaWaterways just opening bookings for 2023 Europe seven months ahead of its usual schedule. This followed record sales in March.

“Reservations for our 2022 season are the strongest we have ever seen,” said Kristin Karst, EVP and co-founder of AmaWaterways.

“We have already received such incredible group and charter interest for our 2023 itineraries that we decided to move ahead quickly and open up these cruises for individual bookings,” Karst adds.

2022 bookings are the strongest Amawaterways has ever seen, EVP:Co-founder Kristin Karst said. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

New itineraries range from five nights to 46 nights — yes, 46!

Ama’s new choices include five-night “Majestic Capitals of the Danube” cruises visiting Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna with optional new land packages in Kraków, Poland, or Salzburg, Austria. Also new: seven-night “Celebration of Classical Music: The Danube” cruises between Budapest and Vienna that add concerts to the included excursions.

One of AmaWaterways’ seven-river odysseys culminates with the double-wide AmaMagna on the Danube. * Photo: AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways also announced two epic “Seven River Journeys” through 14 countries for spring and summer. Following strong demand, the summer edition has very limited availability, however a newly added spring version, from April 20 to June 4, 2023, is now open to book.

As well, 10 different itineraries explore cities and villages along the Rhine, Moselle and Main rivers in addition to what AmaWaterways called its “immensely popular” Douro programs. And with five vessels in France, each on a different route, travelers can cruise through the Bordeaux, Normandy, Burgundy and Provence regions.

Also new for 2023 are a three-night St. Malo add-on land package with the “Impressions of the Seine & Paris” itinerary and three-night Geneva and three-night French Riviera (Nice and Monaco) add-ons with the “Essence of Burgundy & Provence.”

AmaWaterways said its Douro River cruises are “immensely popular.” Here, AmaVida sails from Porto. * Photo: AmaWaterways

AQSC Expects 2021 To Sell Out

Yet another line chalking up strong bookings is American Queen Steamboat Co., which cited “unprecedented” demand since it resumed cruising in mid-March, with 2021 inventory on track to sell out.

According to a company spokesman, more than 40 sailings this season are wait-listed.

American Duchess and the new American Countess are plying the Mississippi, and the line hopes Pacific Northwest cruises on American Empress and Mississippi sailings on the grande dame American Queen can start in the coming months.

With reduced occupancy on its smaller vessels — apart from the larger American Queen, which has capacity for 436 passengers — AQSC isn’t subject to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s conditional sailing order, which applies to vessels carrying fewer than 250 people (passengers and crew). So only American Queen awaits the CDC’s OK. However, states must give the green light so American Empress Columbia and Snake rivers voyages are pending Oregon and Washington’s go-ahead.

AQSC became the first U.S.-based cruise line to mandate vaccinations for both passengers and crew on sailings beginning July 1.

“We are also seeing an influx of 2022 bookings, specifically by guests that are currently sailing and making the reservation before they disembark their in-progress cruise in order to make sure we have space for their 2022 holiday,” the spokesman said.

He indicated the 2022 Nashville (Clarksville), Tennessee, to St. Louis itinerary is particularly popular among loyalists seeking new routes.

Viking’s Mississippi

Viking’s first U.S. river vessel is scheduled to debut in August 2022 and will sail on the Lower and Upper Mississippi, between New Orleans and St. Paul, Minnesota.

At 386 passengers, Viking Mississippi is big on the Quirky Cruise scale, which generally goes up to around 300 passengers. But since its debut is a big in river cruise news, we’re including it here.

Demand is strong for Viking Mississippi, which is large on the quirky scale, capable of holding 386 passengers. * Rendering: Viking

Several departures have already sold out through 2023, leading Viking to open 2024 dates sooner than planned.

Ports span seven states: Louisiana (Baton Rouge, Darrow, New Orleans and St. Francisville), Mississippi (Natchez and Vicksburg), Tennessee (Memphis), Missouri (Hannibal, St. Louis), Iowa (Burlington, Dubuque and Davenport), Wisconsin (La Crosse) and Minnesota (Red Wing, St. Paul).

Itineraries include “America’s Great River,” 15 days between New Orleans and St. Paul, with multiple sailing dates now available in June, July, September and October 2023 and 2024. Fares start at $10,999 per person with discounted airfare.

A variety of other itineraries, all eight days, are priced starting at $3,999 per person with discounted air.

Uniworld’s First Mystery Cruise

Like mysteries?

Well then this may be right up your alley: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises plans its first mystery cruise.

This luxurious 10-day Europe trip will depart on June 12, 2022 — but travelers won’t know exactly where they’re heading until they’re en route.

To be hosted by Uniworld President and CEO Ellen Bettridge, this one-time only adventure promises “over-the-top, unique experiences both on and off the ship,” on an itinerary the line hasn’t ever run.

Which vistas will Uniworld passengers be seeing on their mystery cruise? Here, one of the vessels’ sun deck infinity pools. * Photo: Uniworld

“Our guests never cease to amaze us with their incredible support and loyalty,” Bettridge said. “They put their faith in us time and time again, so we decided to have some fun creating a one-of-a-kind mystery cruise with all-new experiences that have never been included in Uniworld journeys before. It’s an incredible bucket-list trip full of surprises for those that love the thrill of adventure, the biggest surprise being the itinerary reveal that will only happen when our guests are already on their way to the airport.”

President and CEO Ellen Bettridge in the news

President and CEO Ellen Bettridge will host Uniworld’s first mystery cruise. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

In the weeks before departure, travelers will receive clues and a packing list.

Prices start at $6,999 per person, including airfare. Included in the cost are excursions, premium spirits and wines, shipboard gratuities and Wi-Fi.

Storytellers On Storied Rivers

In other river cruise news, Avalon Waterways rolled out a new “Storyteller Series” of cruises hosted by international bestselling authors and a chart-topping musician. They’ll be aboard certain weeklong Rhine, Danube and Seine sailings in 2021 and 2022.

The notables include Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander novels; Candace Bushnell of the “Sex in the City” anthology; Cheryl Strayed, whose works include “Wild,” “Brave Enough” and “Tiny Beautiful Things;” Gillian Flynn, author of “Gone Girl;” Christopher Moore, comic fantasy novelist; and Edwin McCain, Billboard-topping singer-songwriter.

Six celebrity storytellers are booked to host Avalon cruises this year and next. * Photo: Avalon Waterways

“On each sailing, with no more than 160 fellow travelers, fans of our celebrity hosts will be privy to special gatherings — from book signings to concerts and Q&A sessions — not to mention off-the-cuff opportunities to interact with their host, while on ship or in port,” said Pam Hoffee, managing director of Avalon Waterways.

Gabaldon will be aboard Rhine cruise departing Oct. 30, 2021, while Bushnell will sail the Seine from Paris to Le Havre, embarking July 19, 2022. Strayed is scheduled for a Danube trip from

Budapest to Deggendorf, Germany, on July 22, 2022, and Flynn’s Danube cruise, Sept. 14, 2022, journeys from Budapest to Prague.

Moore, the writer who imagined “Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff,” will sail the Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam, departing Sept. 20, 2022. And great American romantic troubadour McCain (“I’ll Be,” “Hearts Fall”) will cruise the Rhine on the May 3, 2022 departure.

More Floriade Options

Tauck and Riviera River Cruises join the growing list of lines to provide access to the once-a-decade Floriade Horticultural Expo in 2022. This Netherlands spectacle drew more than 2 million visitors in 2012.

Tauck Floriate river cruise tours in the news

Travelers will be able to visit the Floriate on four Tauck voyages in 2022. * Photo: Tauck

This is much more than a flower show.

Besides a stunning array of flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables, there will be presentations by 40 countries, a spectacular greenhouse complex, gondolas over the park, pavilions with sustainable innovations, and a vibrant arts and culture program.

The Floriade is going to be situated on 148 acres in Almere, outside Amsterdam. The theme, “Growing Green Cities,” will showcase elements ranging from green architecture and environmentally-friendly food production to renewable energy and healthy living.

Tauck’s Take

Following the festival’s conclusion, its various buildings and facilities will function as an enduring, green urban center. “An apt comparison for the 2022 Floriade and its forward-looking emphasis on the cities of tomorrow would be Walt Disney’s vision for EPCOT,” Tauck CEO Dan Mahar said.

Tauck is running four voyages featuring the Floriade, with its travelers getting early-access admission one hour before the expo opens to the general public and a 90-minute, small-group guided tour of key attractions. Each participant will also receive a Tauck-issued, 25-euro Floriade credit card for mementos or lunch in their choice of dining venue.

The Floriade visit, including expo admission, shuttle transportation and the credit card, is included in Tauck’s pricing, as are all other shore excursions, gratuities, on-board wine and spirits and airport transfers. Tauck has also secured docking privileges in nearby Huizen, a short 10-minute drive from the grounds, and private round-trip shuttles will be provided between the boat and the expo.

The Tauck cruises include two 15-day itineraries, “Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat” and “The Rhine and Moselle,” along with two eight-day trips, “Belgium & Holland in Spring” and the new-for-2021 itinerary “Cruising the Dutch Waterways.”

Gondolas will provide bird’s-eye views of the Floriade’s Central Square. * Rendering: Tauck

Riviera’s Floriade

At Riviera River Cruises, all 2022 departures of its “Amsterdam, Cologne and the Best of Holland & Flanders” itinerary include an excursion to the Floriade. Travelers will have the option of a full-day Floriade tour or a morning visit to Floriade with free time in Amsterdam in the afternoon.

Riviera’s eight-day voyage travels the Dutch waterways and the Rhine from Amsterdam to maritime Rotterdam, medieval Ghent and Belgium’s second city, Antwerp, before arriving at Cologne.

Several Riviera vessels to visit Floriade

Several Riviera vessels, including the newest, Geoffrey Chaucer, will offer the opportunity to visit the Floriade. * Photo: Riviera Cruises

New EmeraldACTIVE Experiences

Catering to the desire to keep active while traveling, Emerald Cruises has included its EmeraldACTIVE tour program on river voyages at no extra cost since 2016. Since then, EmeraldACTIVE offerings have grown by nearly 50 percent, encompassing all river sailings across Europe and in Asia, and adding new activities like kayaking and canoeing.

Plus, all European river cruises now carry a dedicated activity manager to lead the EmeraldACTIVE tours and group fitness programs and assist travelers with planning individual cycling jaunts or athletic walks in port.

2022 will see 31 EmeraldACTIVE tour options available on all European river sailings, including 15 guided hikes in eight countries, 13 guided bike tours encompassing more than 140 miles of cycling and guided canoe tours in Portugal and France.

Two EmeraldACTIVE excursions will be offered on Mekong sailings in Southeast Asia, including a kayaking tour of Halong Bay in Vietnam and a Vespa tour of the countryside near Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Examples of active hiking tours in Europe include the terraced vine slopes of the Côtes du Rhône, one of France’s most esteemed wine-making appellations, on a Rhône River sailing, and a trek through the Black Forest on Rhine cruises. Cycling enthusiasts can take part in a 23-mile ride through rolling vineyards and villages in Austria’s Wachau Valley, known for its dramatic landscapes and viticulture, or a shorter city ride in Arnhem, Holland, famous for its postcard-worthy streets and scenic parks.