Everything you need to know about booking a river cruise
With spring comes the start of river-cruise season. And while we’re working through the Covid-19 pandemic, industry insiders are optimistic that river cruises will be the first to return to the water when Europe eases lockdown.
A number of river cruise lines, including A-Rosa, Nicko Cruises and CroisiEurope, were among the first to start sailing again last summer, and signs suggest that they will lead the way once again as river cruise lines are able to restart operations with less than a month’s notice. By contrast the ocean cruise sector needs “three months to resume from the moment the starting gun is fired,” revealed Nick Stace, Saga’s chief executive of travel.
AmaWaterways UK managing director, Jamie Loizou, told The Telegraph: “I think this is a huge opportunity for the river cruise industry because we all know there is massive pent-up demand for holidays and I think we will see even more interest from people moving from ocean cruises to river.”
The message? For those ready to set sail this spring, river cruises could be the way to go.
To whet your appetite, and help plug any gaps in your knowledge of this most relaxing of holidays, here's our handy A-Z guide.
A is for ALL-INCLUSIVE
With a few exceptions, most river voyages are all-inclusive, which usually means the cruise fare covers tips, wine with meals, all-day coffee and tea, plus at least one excursion at every port.
B is for BUTLER
You don't only find butlers in hotels. On board river ships suites generally come with butler service. He or she will restock your mini-bar, take your clothes to be pressed, bring breakfast to your cabin, and assist with personal arrangements.
...and also for BALCONIES
It’s rare to get a room without a balcony on a river ship. This may be an outside space, but river vessels in Europe can’t be wider than the locks they pass through, so many have Juliet balconies. This means a railing set directly outside a window or French doors to give the look and fresh-air access of a balcony. In others an inside space near the window is designed to serve as a balcony, with seating and a table.
C is for CABINS AND SUITES
Cabins are outside on virtually all river ships, so there is always a window – although on lower decks it may be high on the wall. Suites have a separate seating area, but few consist of more than one room. "Presidential suites" are the ultimate in luxury. The more you pay the better the amenities – and the view.
....and also for CHILDREN
In the summer, lines including A-Rosa and Uniworld offer family sailings on certain dates for children aged 12 or over. Tauck is also launching the first dedicated family cruise on the Douro, in Portugal, on board the 84-passenger Andorinha – the company’s newest river ship.
D is for DESTINATIONS
From the Amazon or Zambezi to the Mekong or Irrawaddy, there are rivers worldwide where you can cruise. Don’t forget the less obvious and increasingly popular Douro in Portugal, the Mississippi, Snake and Columbia rivers in the US, the Murray river in Australia and, maybe the most exotic, the Sepik in Papua New Guinea.
E is for EXERCISE
Gyms and small spas are becoming more common on river ships. Some offer on-board yoga or exercise classes, most have a walking track on the sun deck and many carry Nordic walking sticks to use ashore. Many ships carry bicycles and e-bikes for passenger use.
F is for FOOD
On all ships, a main restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many have lighter lunch options elsewhere – usually in the lounge – and some do sun-deck barbecues. Increasingly, ships offer one or two alternative evening dining venues (an additional charge may apply). Scenic offers cookery classes and in the evening top-end ships – La Cave du Vin on some Uniworld ships for example – might offer wine-pairing.
G is for GRATUITIES
If these are not included in the fare a daily charge is added to your bill. Tipping can vary according to destination – expect to tip well in Egypt. If gratuities are included, check whether they cover guides or drivers on shore excursions.
H is for HEALTH
Don’t expect a doctor on a river ship. If there are no chemists ashore, the ship should stock basics but give advance notice of special dietary requirements or allergies.
I is for INDEPENDENT sightseeing
If you have visited a port before, or want to experience an attraction not covered by the ship’s excursions, you can explore on your own. Just note the time to be back on board, and the ship’s docking address and phone number. It's wise to attend the previous evening's port lecture as the speaker can advise on local museums and attractions. An on-board concierge can help with these too; Avalon goes one step further with its dedicated "adventure host" and Avalon Go app which once downloaded has essential information, including maps, which can be downloaded offline.
J is for JUST YOU
River cruising is a great choice for solo travellers. You’ll find people to talk to, yet plenty of chances to be alone if you wish. Meals are usually open seating, so you can dine with who you like. Cost can be an issue; cruise lines want two spenders in a double cabin, so few charge half the price for just one. Look for single-occupancy cabins or discounts for solo travellers – a specialist travel agent can help.
K is for KIEL CANAL
This 60-mile canal transits 40,000 vessels a year, saving a 300-mile detour. It runs from Kiel on the Baltic to Brunsbattelkoog at the mouth of the Elbe river.
L is for LOCKS
Your vessel will pass through several on most European rivers. It’s quite an experience: the ship enters a watertight chamber and gates close at each end. The chamber is filled with or emptied of water until it reaches the same level as the river ahead. Then the gates open to let you through.
M is for MOBILITY
Lots of cruise lines take this into consideration, but on the whole river cruising is not the best choice of holiday for physically challenged passengers. Very few have a lift and riverside docking places are often not suitable for wheelchair users.
N is for NEW SHIPS
River cruise ships set to launch in 2021 include three new Tui vessels – Isla, Maya and Skyla. The three adults-only ships were originally due to launch in 2020 but the dates were delayed a number of times due to the coronavirus pandemic. AmaWaterways is also introducing three new ships this year: AmaSiena and AmaLucia on the Rhine and AmaDahlia in Egypt while Uniworld is launching SS Sphinx on the Nile.
O is for OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
It would be a shame to fly into Vienna, Saigon, Budapest or New Orleans for example, and head straight off on a cruise. If a pre-cruise stay isn't already offered consider adding a few days’ stay in a city, before or after your ship sails. Most lines can arrange this, often at a favourable rate.
P is for POOLS
More and more river ships have a pool. It may be just a plunge pool on the sun deck, or a heated pool with a swim-up bar (AmaWaterways). Some Uniworld ships have an indoor pool in the intimate Leopard Bar and Emerald Waterways vessels have an innovative indoor pool with a retractable cover, which means it can be used as a cinema space at night.
...and also for PADDLESTEAMER
These vessels on the Mississippi are instantly recognisable with their signature fire-engine red paddlewheels at the stern. Their distinctive appearance gives being on-board a rich sense of history as do their routes and itineraries.
Q is for QUALITY
Whatever you spend, standards across the board are high. Expect chic and/or luxurious modern ships, state-of-the-art facilities, high-quality tours and excellent food.
R is for RAIL
You may choose to travel by train rather than plane to reach your ship. Great Rail Journeys has departures from London St Pancras on Eurostar, as does Holidays by Rail. Some tours include a rail trip as an experience: APT incorporates the Majestic Imperator and the Grand Empress into some of its Central European itineraries.
S is for SPRINGTIME
Spring kicks off the new river-cruising season. In Europe, visits to gardens such as the famous Keukenhof (open this year from March 20 to May 9) and Monet’s Garden at Giverny (open this year from April 1 to November 1) are highlights.
...and also for SHORT SAILINGS
Avalon Waterways offers three shorter itineraries on the Rhine and Danube for time-starved travellers or those wanting to dip their toes in river cruise waters for the first time. The shortest itinerary on the Danube is four days and calls at Budapest, Bratislava, Melk and Dürnstein.
T is for TOURS
These are a major part of the river-cruise experience and usually take place before and after lunch. An expert local guide will accompany you on excursions organised by the cruise line. Transport and admission costs to museums and other attractions will also be included. To get the most from the tour, attend the on-board port talk the evening before. If you sign up for a tour and decide to leave half-way through just let your guide know.
...and for TRIBUTARIES
Most rivers have tributaries, but not all merit a dedicated cruise, so any opportunity to sail on one will probably be incorporated into a trip on the main river. An example is the delightfully scenic and serene Moselle, which is usually coupled with a Rhine cruise.
U is for UNDER THE RADAR
U by Uniworld’s A and B ships cater to younger clients, with mixology sessions and decor that reflects their cool, energetic vibe. Crystal River Cruises takes guests ashore to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants. Some ships have wine or horticulture experts on board.
V is for VIEW
There is always a view, which you can enjoy from your balcony, the lounge or the sun deck and – on newer ships –the restaurant. You’ll soon realise you don’t always have to go ashore to see the sights.
W is for WATER LEVELS
Ships can’t pass under low bridges if the water is too high, or reach the bank if it’s too low (both are rare). In these cases, other transport and accommodation is provided, so the itinerary can be followed as closely as possible.
X is for EXCLUSIVE EVENTS
Some top-end river lines offer exclusive events and behind-the-scenes tours. Scenic lays on dinner at Avignon’s Popes’ Palace, while Viking guests in Russia get an after-hours’ tour of the Hermitage. In Vietnam APT takes guests for a dinner hosted by chef Luke Nguyen, at his restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City and, in Porto, guests are taken on a tour of the Palacio da Bolsa before watching a traditional Fado performance in the Arabian Hall. Elsewhere passengers on APT’s Magnificent Europe cruise can ride the restored Grand Empress train between Budapest and Godollo.
Y is for YULETIDE CRUISES
River cruising in Europe during the festive Christmas and New Year season is very popular. Besides the markets, which are ideal for original gifts and tasting local food and drink, many towns and villages have local choirs and special advent-calendar unveilings, along with services at abbeys and cathedrals. It's possible too, to cruise over Christmas and New Year. But book early for all festive sailings.
Z is for ZEN
Life on board is very chilled. If you decide to skip the off excursion you'll find plenty of quiet time in which to read, enjoy the sundeck, soak up the scenery and relax into life on the river. For those who can’t wait to get dressed up to the nines again after lockdowns spent in loungewear, there will be welcome and farewell drinks. At all other times though, the dress code on ships is informal.
