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Glacier Travel River Cruising

River Cruising

River Cruising — a better way to explore!


River cruising is, quite simply, the best way to travel through many of the world’s most fascinating places. Comfortable and convenient, it offers a greater variety of destinations than you could encounter any other way — and lets you get in-depth exposure to the culture and history of each region. Both experienced and first-time travelers have discovered the joys of river cruising, making it the fastest-growing segment of the travel industry.


There are many ways to travel, but none compare to the luxury, comfort,
and convenience of a river cruise...

You have access to inland areas of countries that big ships can't get to. You sail along the serene waterways, rather than congested highways. You stop in villages, towns and vineyards along the way. There's no waiting in a long line to get on or off the ship; no need to tender into ports. And there's always something amazing to see, be it a mountain, a castle, or a wonder of the world, on either side of the ship. 

After boarding the ship, unpack — just once — in your spacious river-view stateroom. Relax in comfort for the duration of the cruise. No need to worry about maps, traffic congestion or the many other hassles of traveling by bus or train. A river cruise is a stress-free way to see the best that your destination has to offer.

Enjoy breathtaking scenery from just about everywhere on the ship — in the bar, restaurant or lounge (all with panoramic views), on the sun deck with fresh air or from the privacy of your stateroom. And, river cruise vessels keep moving, so you see new vistas and explore new destinations throughout the day, every day. Our ships often travel at night, so you can wake up in an exciting new place each morning, with no effort on your part.

Walk through an open air architecture museum in the middle of a Russian lake; watch the artists at work in a Meissen porcelainware studio; contemplate the Yangtze from an ancient stone temple high above the river. Such unforgettable experiences can be yours on a river cruise-and you are unlikely to reach these places any other way.

Enjoy the guided walks, in-depth tours and excursions planned for you in each destination — or sightsee on your own, with time allocated for independent activities.

The flat-bottomed shape of river cruise ships ensures a safe and smooth ride without any worries about motion sickness. No need to spend days “getting your sea legs” as with ocean cruising — which means more time to really enjoy your vacation.

If you've traveled with big ship cruise lines in the past, it's time to forget everything you thought you knew about cruising. If you've avoided cruising because you thought it would be like traveling in a floating mall, it's time to think again. Ask us about putting your group together aboard wonderful ships designed to take you to the world's less traveled destinations with the ultimate in personal service and amenities especially suited for the discriminating traveler.  

From expertly planned itineraries to elegant ships, from lavishly appointed staterooms to sumptuous cuisine, ever River cruise is designed to ensure you will have a vacation of a lifetime!  Unlike ocean cruises, rivers provide easy access to city centers. Sail directly to the heart of every destination and dock in the middle of town. Walk right off the ship and join the day’s activities. You spend less time getting there — and more time being there.

If you would like to explore the Itineraries around the world, here are a couple of links to start you planning your River Cruise.  Itineraries range from Europe, to Russia, China and Egypt.  Cruises vary in length so there is something for everyone.  River Cruises are also available in North America so please inquire.

A river cruise is one of the best ways to discover the heart of Europe. Passengers sail aboard intimate, well-appointed ships that often dock near the center of town, and daily sightseeing excursions capture the highlights of each port.

Rhine River sailings are among the most popular European river cruise vacations. Many visit Basel, Switzerland's second largest city, which has a medieval town hall and a museum housing works by Picasso, Dali and Mondrian. Rudesheim lies at the heart of Germany's Rhine wine region, where terraced rows of vines climb the banks. German and French cultures meet in Strasbourg in France's Alsace region; the neighborhood known as La Petite France is an especially nice place for a stroll.

The Danube River flows from Germany's Black Forest to the Black Sea. Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade are among the main cities that line the route. Other stops can include Melk, where most visitors head straight for the 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey that overlooks the town, and Passau, where you may be treated to a concert on the 17,774-pipe organ in St. Stephan's Cathedral. Some Danube River cruises sail through the Iron Gates, a spectacular gorge that forms the boundary between Serbia and Romania.

Elbe River cruises stop at cities and towns in Germany and the Czech Republic. In Germany, see the Castle Church in Wittenberg where Martin Luther posted his 95 theses and sparked the Protestant Reformation, and tour the factory in Meissen that has produced delicate porcelain since the early 1700s. In the Czech Republic, roam the cobblestone streets of Litomerice and discover the architectural treasures of Prague.

The Mosel River  flows through Germany, Luxembourg and France. Highlights include Trier -- it's Germany's oldest city, founded by Romans in 16 B.C. -- and Cochem, home to a striking Gothic castle. In Luxembourg, passengers often visit Gen. George Patton's grave at the American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm. Sailings along the Mosel are frequently combined with Rhine River cruises.

Oder River cruises stop at towns in Poland and Germany. Polish ports of call can include Wolin Island, much of which is a protected national park with rare flora and fauna, and Szczecin, where excursions typically visit the 400-year-old castle and the expansive Jasne Blonia Park. In Germany, guests can explore the seaside resort Ahlbeck, the ancient Hanseatic port city of Greifswald and the car-free island of Hiddensee.

Learn about Portugal's wine region on a cruise of the Douro River.  Most itineraries stop at Regua, where port wine is produced, and at the wine academy at Pinhao. Other highlights include Porto, located at the mouth of the Douro, and the Vila Real, or "royal village," founded by King Alfonso III in the 13th century and famous for its manor homes.

Meander through France's Burgundy region on a Saone River cruise. Walking tours of Macon take in the Wooden House, a charming, half-timbered Renaissance home. Chalon-sur-Saone is an important center for France's wine trade; from here, passengers often join an excursion to the Hospices of Beaune, a 15th-century hospital complex famous for its intricately detailed, colorful roofs.

Saone River cruises are often combined with sailings of the Rhone River  which runs south through France's Provence region to the Mediterranean coast. Itineraries call at Lyon, best known as France's gastronomic capital; Arles, one of Van Gogh's favorite places; and Avignon, a walled city with a 14th-century papal palace.

Seine River cruises start, end or travel round trip from Paris, where included sightseeing tours typically feature photo ops at the Eiffel Tower, the Arch of Triumph, Notre Dame and the broad, busy Champs-Elysees. Beyond the capital, highlights include Monet's home and beautiful gardens at Giverny; Chateau Gaillard, Richard the Lionheart's stronghold in Les Andelys; and Le Havre, where passengers typically set out for D-Day landing sites along the beaches of Normandy.

Russia's most famous cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, can be visited on a Volga River  itinerary. St. Basil's Cathedral, Red Square and the Kremlin are featured on Moscow sightseeing excursions, while the Peter and Paul Fortress and magnificent Hermitage Museum are the must-see sights in St. Petersburg. Elsewhere on the Volga, ships call at Yaroslavl, a city of wide, tree-lined streets and parks, and Uglich, best known for the blue-domed church built on the spot where Prince Dmitri, son of Ivan the Terrible, was murdered in 1591.

The Dnieper River slices through the Ukraine to the Black Sea. Typically, itineraries will combine sailings of the Dnieper -- up to Kiev, the Ukrainian capital -- with cruises to Black Sea ports such as Yalta and Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula, as well as Odessa, Nesebur and Istanbul.

We have a unique partnership with Uniworld Grand River Cruises, AMA Waterways, Viking River Cruises and several other fine companies. We would be happy to provide you with a Free brochure and DVD as we help plan your vacation.

        Viking River Cruises                   www.vikingrivercruises.com

                       AMA Waterways                 www.AMAWATERWAYS.COM

Uniworld River Cruises               www.uniworld.com