River Cruising

As travelers make resolutions to venture out into the world again, they will likely put a premium on safety and peace of mind when choosing a vacation. These circumstances make river cruising particularly enticing. River cruising allows for ample personal space, small group outings, and the opportunity to savor soft breezes and splendid scenery from a sun deck or private balcony. With exciting new itineraries, contemporary designs and an appeal to a younger, active audience, this vacation style is experiencing a revival in a brave new world of travel.

Americans looking for travel experiences closer to home can look to Viking River Cruises, which will launch its much-anticipated Mississippi River journeys in August 2022. Sailing on the state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi, the cruise line will bring its fresh Scandinavian style to iconic river towns from St. Paul to New Orleans.

Curious travelers fascinated by the Mississippi River’s role in American history, commerce and culture have been asking for this for years, according to Eric Molina, director of business development for Viking Cruises. “They tell us it’s the river they most want to sail with us,” he explains. “Our first two sail seasons are close to being sold out.

”Itineraries range between eight and 15 days, showcasing unfolding scenery, from the towering granite bluffs of Red Wing, Minnesota, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, to the deep green forests and fertile vegetation of the lower Mississippi Delta. Wildlife is on full display: Bald eagles soar overhead, river otters paddle by and great blue herons glide gently above the water in the early morning mist.        

Guests, meanwhile, can embrace this serenity in between exciting pit stops like St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans. These river capitals for cultural entertainment lure guests to architectural treasures and historic landmarks by day, and to blues, country and jazz venues by night. Organized shore excursions(some included in the price) can provide an intimate look at life in America’s heartland as seen through the lens of local history. Guests can learn how JohnDeere’s inventions changed American farming in Moline, Illinois, and explore a Civil War battle site in Vicksburg, Mississippi. They can trace the fictional footsteps of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finnin Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, and stand where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.made his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech at the Civil RightsMuseum in Memphis.

The five-deck ship will feature signature public spaces that blend the best-loved elements of its Viking Longships with the luxury of ocean-going vessels. The Aquavit Terrace, a popular alfresco dining venue, is reimagined for Mississippi voyages, featuring an American barbecue experience. The 360-degree Promenade Deck draws bird-watchers, early morning strollers and sunset-seekers, while the Sun Deck’s Infinity Plunge Pool—a novelty on river ships—provides cool respite on sultry afternoons.

River cruisers accustomed to the cozy personal space of European ships will love the Viking Mississippi enhancements, says Molina, adding, “These will be some of the largest staterooms in the industry, with seven cabin categories ranging from 268 to 1,024 square feet, all with private verandas.”

Browse the fleet belonging to Uniworld Boutique River Cruises on its website and it becomes abundantly clear: These are strikingly beautiful ships. “Each stateroom is individually designed with fine fabrics, high quality furnishings and original art, all with the guest’s comfort in mind, and reflective of the ship’s destinations,” says Dan Piehler, Uniworld’s Midwest strategic account manager. The emphasis on exceptional standards flows throughout the cruise experience: Guests dine on creatively prepared farm-to-table cuisine paired with local vintages, and enjoy first class entertainment and personalized service in an all-inclusive vacation format.

Perhaps Uniworld’s boldest concept is U by Uniworld, river cruising reimagined for active—though not necessarily younger—travelers. There is no age limit; however, the ship design and onboard life cater to adults who care less about a big breakfast than a night out on the town, and who are more inclined to look for high-energy, independent onshore activities like hiking, biking and kayaking excursions. “We answered the call for more freedom and less structure,” says Piehl. “At the same time, we’re appealing to the growing number of solo travelers who see river cruising as the perfect blend of relaxation, cultural exploration and an opportunity to connect with like-minded travelers from around the world.”

With their all-black exteriors, the two U by Uniworld ships—The A and The B—are a dramatic contrast to the elegant Uniworld vessels, which bear regal names like SS Joie de Vivre and River Duchess. Their sleek, modern interiors feature a rooftop ice bar, a late-night gathering spot for sampling craft beers and signature cocktails, and entertainment provided by international DJs. There’s also a 24-hour coffee bar, spa, gym and the U Lounge, a meet-up central and headquarters for mixology demonstrations and “paint and wine” classes.

“We’re continually introducing fresh ideas to build on the all-inclusive experience,” says Piehl. This year, he says, Uniworld will partner with Gold Eagle Luxury Trains for pre-or post-cruise rail additions, offering stylish design, superb service and local excursions on select European itineraries. Uniworld guests with extra time on their hands can add visits to castles in Transylvania, alpine peaks in Switzerland and explore the spectacular ever-changing terrain of the Balkan Peninsula—the sort of trip extensions that long-suffering travelers have been dreaming of while waiting out the pandemic.

Founded in 2002, AmaWaterways has distinguished itself with signature “Twin Balcony” staterooms and the popular Chef’s Table, an intimate dining experience where guests observe their chef preparing a multi-course tasting menu. In 2019, the luxury cruise line introduced the largest river ship in Europe: the spacious AmaMagna, which has multiple dining venues, larger staterooms and an enormous sun deck. At twice the width of other river cruise ships, she sails only on the Danube, south of the narrow locks in the Main-Danube Canal (between Vilshofen, Germany, and Giugiu, Romania, not far from the Black Sea).

AmaWaterways will soon expand its reach to the Nile River in Egypt. On its “Secrets of Egypt & the Nile” itinerary, the luxurious 68-passenger AmaDahlia will sail between nights spent in Egypt's ancient capital city, Cairo. Co-founder and executive vice president Kristin Karst says the timing is perfect. “We are always looking for new destinations as well as new experiences and enhancements to our existing river cruise and land programs,” she says. “AmaWaterways actually had a ship on the Nile for a few years, and we’ve been waiting eagerly for the right opportunity to return.”

Travelers will enjoy excellent cuisine, warm service, elegantly appointed public areas and spacious accommodations onboard the AmaDahlia, says Brenda Kyllo, AmaWaterways vice president of strategic alliances. “A land stay in Cairo is such an essential complement to the Nile cruise,” she says, noting that instead of an optional add-on, “we include four nights in Cairo in order to provide the best and most complete experience for our guests.” It also offers three additional optional land packages to Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

Guests’ home base in Cairo is the Four Seasons at the First Residence, and their first days are devoted to exploring ancient civilization, including relics of the famous King Tut, the new Egyptian museum, and the stunning collection of pyramids and monuments on the Giza plateau, located just outside the city limits. The next seven days are spent cruising the NileRiver out of Luxor, Egypt’s gateway to a vast collection of archaeological treasures, including rock-cut tombs containing the mummified remains of ancient pharaohs and queens, gargantuan sandstone temples and vivid, well-preserved tomb paintings depicting early Egyptian life.

The leisurely pace of the cruise allows time to celebrate Egyptian culture, with evening entertainment like belly dancing, a traditional Galabeya costume party, and a Darwish show of local folklore and culture. “There is so much to see and take in along the Nile, and we believe our guests wouldn’t want to be rushed through this once-in-a-lifetime journey,” says Kyllo. Consequently, there is also more quality time in Luxor and Aswan, plus exclusive experiences like a visit to Queen Nefertari’s tomb—the first wife of The Great King Ramses—and an extended stay with lunch at a Nubian Village.

The journey ends with one last night in Cairo, after a private tour and luncheon at the AbdeenPresidential Palace, home to multiple museums and an official residence of Egypt’s president. Guests also have time in Old Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where Greco-Roman, Jewish and Islamic architecture embodies the city’s earliest settlements.

Admittedly, river cruising—and travel in general—may never be quite the same. But by these accounts, there’s something exciting coming around the bend with fresh design, authentic experiences and new frontiers to be explored on land and water.