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JOURNEYS magazine
Volume II, 2016
ROMANCE
LEFT
Uniworld Boutique River
Cruise Collection; Suite on
the
River Victoria,
Imperial
Waterways of Russia.
so travelers don’t have to be right
beside their guide to hear what they
have to say. In some destinations,
guests can be as far as a block
away to hear what’s being said —
which is perfect for travelers who
want to window shop or grab a
quick cup of coee.
Unlike traditional ocean cruises
with their larger-than-life ships
and more limited itineraries, river
cruising provides a completely
dierent experience and takes you
places only a river cruise ship can go.
A river cruise oers a historic and
tranquil backdrop on elegant floating
hotels complete with excellent
service and gourmet cuisine.
Along the way you’ll have
the opportunity to uncover the
treasures such as charming squares,
magnificent cathedrals, and bustling
marketplaces just a stroll away from
the vessel. There is no waiting in long
lines to get on or o the ship, and
there are always amazing sites to
explore — scenic vineyards, historic
castles, or countless UNESCO World
Heritage Sites — even from the
comfort of your ship and stateroom
via panoramic views. River ships truly
aord you the opportunity to see
more of the world, visiting intimate,
ancient towns and villages that can
never be reached by ocean going
ships. Charming cities likeAmsterdam,
Vienna, Budapest, Rouen, Paris,
Lyon, Strasbourg, Prague, Moscow,
St. Petersburg, Beijing, the Nile River,
the Mekong River of Vietnam and
many more can only be reached by
river cruise ship.
And let’s not forget the
impeccable dining. River cruisers
experience the very best foreign
delicacies on a river cruise. Because
the onboard chefs are usually local
to the area guests are traveling
through, cruisers experience the
finest local produce and recipes
that are indigenous to each port of
call. Locally sourced wines can also
be found on board. River cruise
dining is an experience all in itself
because of its open seating plan,
which encourages more interaction
amongst passengers.
BEAUTIFUL SHIPS,
ENGAGING ITINERARIES
River cruises operate year-round in
most in warm weather climates, but
most cruise lines curtail their sailings
from November to March. In northern
climates, the rivers freeze over in
winter, necessitating a shorter season
that usually runs from April or May
through October or November,
depending on river conditions and
water levels. Because river cruise
ships hold fewer passengers and do
not run as frequently as ocean cruise
ships, accommodations tend to fill up
rather quickly. When it comes down
to it, river cruising is a laidback, fun
and trouble-free way to see the great
riverways of the world and many
other fascinating destinations.
Avalon Waterways, Uniworld
Boutique River Cruises, and Viking
River Cruises oer cruises to
Europe, Russia, China and many
more fascinating destinations by
way of some of the world’s most
celebrated rivers and waterways.
Expert tour guides provide travelers
with a background, context and
regional perspective on the many
towns, cities and ports of call
visited. As well, cruisers can enjoy
iver cruising is hands-on,
experiential travel at its best. River
cruisers can enjoy a myriad of one-
of-a-kind experiences like tru°e
hunting, visiting UNESCO World
Heritage Sites, shopping in world-
class cities, and private opera
performances — and the options are
nearly endless. Then on board, the
experience is complemented with
lectures about the regions being
visited, so travelers truly get an up-
close-and-personal look at the local
cultures and traditions.
THE OTHER SIDE OF CRUISING
River cruise ships are quite smaller
than ocean liners as they have
to navigate the sometimes shallow
and tricky waters of an inland
waterway. That’s why most generally
accommodate under 200 guests.
The high sta-to-guest ratio
makes for the highest level of service.
Don’t like the brand of mustard a
river cruise ship is stocked with?
Not a problem. Don’t be surprised if
something as small as a mustard
preference is accommodated quickly
and with ease.
A value-add for river cruising
is the daily excursions, all of which
are included in the price of a cruise.
Ships dock right in the heart of most
cities being visited, so travelers can
easily go back-and-forth between
the ship and its current destination,
exploring at their leisure. Personal
audio receivers are often available
