The Garonne, the Ganges, the Mississippi, the Mekong. Twin balconies and a double- wide. Leave it to river cruise companies to find new ways to tweak and broaden experiences and keep expanding what can be done within the limits of channels and locks on inland waterways.
This year is seeing the arrival of innovative ships not only on the traditional Rhine and Danube, but rivers across Europe and Asia and even in America. Here are some notable new possibilities:
Magna and Mora for AmaWaterways
Three new ships will be the most AmaWaterways has launched in one year since 2002, the year Ama was founded:
AmaMagna
This revolutionary 196-passenger Danube ship is shaking up the design world. At 72 feet wide, it’s nearly twice the width of standard river ships and her suites will be among the largest on the rivers, measuring upward of 355 square feet.
That extra interior real estate on the ship also means more room for four dining venues, a pool and a whirlpool on its sun deck, a health and wellness studio, a hair salon, as well as two spa treatment rooms. There’s a water sports platform at the ship’s aft that will offer excursions aboard a 14-passenger Sundowner boat. AmaMagna debuts in May for a season of seven-night Danube River sailings, between Budapest and Vilshofen, Germany.
AmaMora
Coming in June is a more classic-sized sister ship to the AmaLea and AmaKristina, with a capacity for 156 guests. Many suites include twin balconies, both a French and an outside balcony, and the ship features Chef’s Table, an alternative dining venue where you can watch the chefs prepare the meal in a glass enclosed kitchen. Other Ama signature touches include a swim-up bar on the sun deck and a fleet of bicycles for touring. She will be doing a season of cruises on the Rhine between Amsterdam and Basel.
AmaDouro
A welcome addition to AmaWaterways’ offerings on the ultra-popular Douro River in Portugal and Spain, the 102-guest AmaDouro offers staterooms ranging from 161 to 215 square feet and suites at 323 square feet. AmaDouro’s 2019 itinerary is a seven-night cruise roundtrip from Porto with the option to add three nights in Lisbon before the sailing. Port visits include Regua, Barca d’Alva, Pinhao and Entre-os-Rios.
Avalon Envisions the future
The newest addition to Avalon Waterways‘ fleet in Europe promises a design coup. Avalon Envision coming in the spring will feature Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that can become essentially an open-air balcony without having to sacrifice space to an outside terrace. Avalon’s also proud of its beds that face the windows so you can awaken to a comfy front row seat of the passing scene.
Another first is Avalon’s plan to dispense with strict seating times at dinner in the main restaurant, by offering guests a casual Flex Dining dining option in the Panorama Bistro — with no reservations required.
Along with a new Active Discovery on the Rhône itinerary, Avalon is adding a nine- day Reflections on the Seine, an 11-day German Grandeur and an 18-day Enchanted Europe cruise.
And a new Avalon destination: India
Avalon is launching Ganges cruises with the 56-passenger Ganges Voyager, that was built in 2015. Packages include a six- night land program (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur), embarkation in Kolkata and six- night cruise.
Emerald Waterways goes exploring
Emerald Waterways is looking beyond traditional European rivers this year with a new itinerary on the Mekong River.
Emerald Harmony, which starts cruising in August, was designed to meld authentic Asian style with all the modern amenities of a world-class hotel. Emerald Harmony is designed to enhance ways to sample exotic cuisine, and learn the local culture. The Lotus Lounge on the front of the Vista Deck will be an expansive meeting place on the ship, offering treats and snacks throughout the day.
Cruises between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap will include 13- to 21- day itineraries with extensions including Hue and Hanoi.
Bon Voyage–Uniworld’s new Super Ship
After a full-ship renovation, the former River Royale will emerge as the S.S. Bon Voyage in April, 2019 with a completely different look. A new Café will offer direct access to a new swimming pool and serve lighter French food (including ham-and-cheese baguettes, pizzas and salads) and will feature chef-led cooking classes.
In the evenings, the Café transforms into a lounge. A new Bistro inspired by Bouillon Pigalle in Paris will offer guests shared plates at dinner that reflect the local cuisine onshore – from Beef Bourguignon to rich pâtés and escargot. Claret’s will be a private dining and wine tasting room.
Inside, in addition to completely refurbished staterooms with marble bathrooms, there are an additional four lavishly appointed suites.
The Bon Voyage resumes service on the Dordogne and Garonne rivers as Uniworld’s sixth Super Ship and is the second ship in the line to be upgraded to a Super Ship, following the S.S. Beatrice, which received a similar upgrade in 2018.
American Cruise’s new Harmony
The U.S. river cruising scene has always had a reputation for paddle wheelers chugging along the Mississippi, but American Cruise Lines is planning to change that with a new fleet of modern four-decked cruisers.
The 187-passenger American Harmony launches in August in the wake of sister ship American Song (which started service on the Mississippi in October 2018 and will be moving to Oregon to sail the Columbia and Snake Rivers). The seven- to 21-night Mississippi itineraries embark from New Orleans, Memphis or St. Paul, Minn. The company has three more vessels on the way for coming years.
Viking’s family welcomes seven more
Viking River Cruises will have 69 river cruise ships sailing around the world after the addition of seven new ships in 2019. Six of them will be 190-passenger ships with their patented Longship design for the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.
Also joining the fleet in 2019 will be Viking Helgrim, designed to navigate along Portugal’s Douro River.
You might also like:
A Boom in Europe River Cruising Has Cruise Lines Seeking New Routes
River Ships Target New Audiences and Cruise Less-Known Routes
As the River Cruise Boom Goes Global, Innovation is the Word for 2020
From Melk to Krems: Dazzling Attractions on a Danube Cruise
AmaMagna: Twice as Much to Love on a Romantic Danube River Cruise
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