If you’re eager to embark on a cruising adventure but the thought of massive ships and bustling crowds doesn’t quite align with your vision of a tranquil vacation, river cruises may be the perfect solution for you. These unique journeys offer a blend of unhurried travel and immersive exploration, allowing you to experience the world’s most captivating destinations in an intimate and peaceful setting.
River cruises differ significantly from their oceanic counterparts, both in terms of vessel size and the experience they offer. While ocean cruises often feature massive ships that can carry thousands of passengers, river cruises typically host much smaller groups of travellers, creating a more personalised and serene atmosphere.
Chris Fundell’s tips for first-time river cruisers
“River cruising offers travellers a luxurious, carefree way to travel to bucket-list destinations. Now more than ever, people are craving dream destinations and seeking hassle-free holidays that don’t miss a beat on delivering the best of travel. An Avalon Waterways’ river cruise ticks all of these boxes,” says Chris Fundell, Head of Marketing Asia Pacific, Globus family of brands.
“Right now, demand for Europe has never been higher and this shows no sign of slowing down for 2024. A river cruise offers fantastic value for money, varied cruise styles to suit every type of traveller, and, with Avalon Waterways’ no hidden costs, it’s a great way to experience the ultimate European escape.”
- The Danube and Rhine rivers are firm favourites with those new to river cruising.
- In terms of which style to choose, I’d recommend our Active & Discovery range, offering endless opportunities and flexibility.
- Short on time? Taster cruises are perfect for those looking to combine a cruise with a larger itinerary or keen to dip their toes into the world of river cruising for the first time. Eight days or less, they offer a great break and culture bite.
- Onboard, mix and mingle with your fellow cruise goers. River cruising is a great way to meet like-minded travellers, over a cocktail at Happy Hour on the ship or swapping stories as you hike up to a castle for vista views.
- Unsure whether to make the trip solo? We’ve waived the single supplement for 2023 and 2024 departures on all European and Asian river cruises to cater for solo travellers, many of whom are first-time river cruisers, perhaps like you.
