It’s no secret that we love to keep moving when we travel. From bicycling-themed cruises to excursions that get our heart rate going, we think the best way to see the world is by getting our bodies moving. It turns out that many of you value active experiences when you travel as well. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our three favorite river cruise lines for active travelers: AmaWaterways, Avalon and Emerald. Let’s find out which one is right for you Read the rest of this entry »

Last year, I wrote this note to AmaWaterways during a time that I was feeling grateful. As I embark on a new chapter, and another set of change, I am feeling grateful once more. So, I thought I’d share this note again. You see, Ama gave me my first introduction to river cruising way back in 2009, but that’s just the beginning. Since then, I’ve had many unforgettable journeys with Ama – and they deserve a big thank you Read the rest of this entry »

Wave season may have come and gone, but the world of river cruising still offers plenty of savings to sail into. Let’s explore some of today’s top river cruise deals to make your dream voyage a reality Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to Dubai, where tradition meets innovation, offering a blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication. Join AmaWaterways on a journey to this dynamic city, before or after your Secrets Of Egypt & The Nile river cruise Read the rest of this entry »

Douro 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 »

The Danube River Cruise Pricing Charts are 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 »

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 »

Recently, three prominent river cruise companies have unveiled their latest offerings. Uniworld’s Biggest Flash Sale takes center stage, promising unmatched savings on all-inclusive luxury river cruises—an exclusive event marking the leap year with special discounts. Then, Riviera unveils its newest fleet additions, vowing to redefine the cruising experience with innovative features and spacious accommodations. And lastly, Riverside invites travelers to spectate on a captivating French odyssey 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 »

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 »

As Ralph and his crew prepare for their Dream Cruise, many of his guests have asked about travel insurance. They’re curious what kind of coverage they should get, and who has the best policies. Let’s learn about our options.

The most popular type of travel insurance is comprehensive travel insurance, which starts the minute you leave the house for your trip and everything else on your trip that is non-refundable. As a general rule, the price of this insurance is about 10 percent of the cost of your trip. So, if your cruise costs US$4,000, the insurance would cost you around US$400. However, if you choose solely a medical plan or some other type of insurance, the cost will likely be less. Read the rest of this entry »

We recently wrote about how we were observing a downward trend in airfare prices (at least seasonally). For example, September roundtrip economy flights between Asheville, North Carolina (where we live) and Paris, France (where we wish we lived) are running in the $2,000 range. In October, those fares drop to the $500 range. We’re seeing business class fares significantly lower in November.

This piqued our interest in further researching trends in airfare. After all, the costs of flights has the potential to make or break a river cruise trip Read the rest of this entry »

For almost 15 years we’ve been sailing with AmaWaterways, exploring everything from the familiar routes of the Danube and Rhine to the less-trodden paths like the Mekong.

I wanted to share some of my favorite moments from our journeys in hopes that it will remind you of some of the voyages you’ve taken, or get you excited for your future travel plans. The people we’ve met and the experiences we’ve had on AmaWaterways have left us with a lifetime of memories. So here’s to reliving our favorite Ama moments and to the future experiences that await us. Read the rest of this entry »

When we think of river cruises, we often think of couples drinking wine and gazing off their balconies, wandering through the cobblestone streets of Europe, sitting in the lounge for performances and eating meals in a communal dining room. Those are the things that keep me river cruising, but sometimes I want a little bit more. That’s why I love Avalon’s Active & Discovery itineraries. Avalon incorporates everything people like about a traditional river cruise, but with a twist. And each of these sailings become a new favorite trip because they attract such an adventurous and enthusiastic crowd of people.

Last month, I sailed the Danube with Avalon Waterways. During the sailing, I sat down with Cruise Director, Istvan, to chat about the Danube, Avalon’s Active & Discovery program, and more. Read the rest of this entry »

At the beginning of this month, I was a guest on board Avalon Waterways’ newest ship, Avalon View. I was invited by Avalon to experience one of their Active & Discovery itineraries on the Danube, but we will focus more on the itinerary in the upcoming weeks. Today, I want to talk about five ways that Avalon went above and beyond my expectations.

Next week, I am headed to Budapest to sail with Avalon Waterways on the Danube. I first sailed with Avalon Waterways in 2021, when I was invited to sail the Rhone River on an Active & Discovery itinerary. These “A + D” itineraries have quickly become my favorite way to travel because of the type of travelers to whom they cater and the fast-paced style of travel that they offer.

The name itself attracts a certain type of traveler looking for active and authentic experiences in a destination. When I sailed the Rhone with Avalon, I immediately noticed that my fellow passengers had a real “can do” attitude and came ready to get active (and even get a little dirt on our hands). And at night, there were more of us dancing in the lounge than I had seen on any previous voyage. It was clear that everyone on board was there to do one thing: have fun. Read the rest of this entry »

One year from this week (in 2024), Avalon Waterways will make its Portugal debut on the Douro River with a new itinerary and Suite Ship – the Avalon Alegria.

AVALON’S LATEST, “GRAPEST” CRUISE

Hillside vineyards and historic villages await guests as they sail through Portugal’s postcard-perfect views on Avalon’s all-new, eight-day Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro which begins and ends in Porto and is filled with Avalon’s signature, included “Classic,” “Discovery” and “Active” excursion choices. Featuring everything from ancient Amarante – in the picturesque Minho region, known for its golden church that dates back to 1530 – to the sandstone architecture in Salamanca Spain; rock art to riding bikes from Porto to the sea, this new cruise promises countless ways to soak up splendor – from medieval castles to cinematic scenery and all the vinho, baked bread, olives and cheese your soul desires. Read the rest of this entry »

This week I have been feeling grateful. After accepting a new part-time job opportunity at a brewery in town and receiving tremendous support from my friends and family after sustaining a foot injury, I wanted to make sure that I gave thanks to those around me – whether it was a text, a phone call, or a handwritten note. As I sat down to brainstorm content for the week, I realized that there was someone (something?) else that I wanted to thank – the company that gave me my first introduction to river cruising and has continually delivered unforgettable experiences onboard since.

AmaWaterways announced three new opportunities for guests to celebrate the African and Black diaspora on the rivers in 2024. Due to the overwhelming demand for the first-ever Soulful Epicurean Experience on the Rhône River in France embarking August 24, 2023, two new June departure dates have been announced for that itinerary. The special journeys include the Colors of Provence cruise plus three nights in Paris. Also added for 2024 is a Soulful Epicurean Experience in Egypt on Secrets of Egypt & The Nile itinerary starting in Cairo on May 17, 2024. The unique experiences available during the cruise and land packages invite travelers to discover and celebrate important aspects of Black history and culture unique to each country.

The New Year is upon us, and what better way is there to manifest smooth sailing next year than by looking at the top five river cruise itineraries for 2023?

River cruising trends have changed tremendously over the past few years. We’ve seen growth from most river cruise companies, with Viking starting on the Mississippi to more itineraries on the Nile and Mekong than ever before. Luxury river cruising has even reached the Magdalena River in Columbia, where AmaWaterways will begin sailing at the end of 2023. With so many options, it can be hard to narrow down where to go next or, for some, where to start. Though I’ve shied away from some of those more exotic destinations, I hope this list will inspire you to travel somewhere new in 2023.