As the River Cruise Boom Goes Global, Innovation is the Word for 2020

Photo by Wallace Immen_8124 — A triumphal flame on an AmaWaterways ship at dusk on the Danube --Photo by Wallace immen

There’s no cruise experience quite as serene as relaxing on a river ship and watching gorgeous, ever-changing scenery pass slowly by. Smooth sailing and the ability to dock right in the center of cities that ocean ships can’t reach have made river cruising the fastest growing cruise category, according to a recent report by the Cruise Lines International Association.

And it’s a worldwide phenomenon. From the Danube to the Mississippi to the Irrawaddy in Myanmar, the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia, a profusion of new, spacious ships with more technology and dining options than ever are arriving.

Here’s a look at the charming debutantes of 2020:

Fascinating Luxor is a highlight on the Nile

Uniworld is really spanning the globe

One of the first debuts in 2020 was Uniworld’s S.S. Sphinx that entered service on the Nile in January. The 236-foot long river cruiser features all French-balcony accommodations, two dining venues and a swimming pool. It s sail Uniworld’s Splendors of Egypt & the Nile itinerary that operates round trip from Cairo.

Uniworld has a new luxury ship in Vietnam and Cambodia as well. The Mekong Jewel, which replaces the Mekong Navigator, is built of sustainable, eco-friendly materials. The all-suite Super Ship includes two dining venues: one main restaurant and an al fresco eatery on the upper deck. Amenities include a swimming pool, spa, sauna and steam room, gym, hair salon, nail bar, two lounges and a library.

Uniworld is also continuing its program of renovating its existing fleet into Super Ships with the remake of River Countess, which has been transformed into the S.S. La Venezia. Inspired by Venetian culture, the redesign features six elegantly appointed suites, including two new Grand Suites, three dining venues including an Italian kitchen on the upper deck, a spa, library, lounge and bar. The itinerary from Venice sails Italy’s Po River.

Uniworld is also debuting the S.S. Sao Gabriel on Portugal’s Douro River.Sailing an 11-day Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley itinerary from Lisbon to Porto, the ship will offer larger and more elaborate suites than the company’s other Douro ship, Queen Isabel, which will be leaving the fleet.

Tauck expands to Portugal

Andorinha is Portuguese for the agile bird the swallow and Tauck’s new ms Andorinha be a good perch to check for the birds and sights of Portugal’s Douro River. It’s the first time Tauck has operated river cruises in Portugal.

Custom-designed by Tauck’s long-time shipyard partner Scylla, the 84-guest ship carries fewer travellers than most other cruise ships on the Douro. Andorinha features 12 spacious 300-square-foot Tauck Suites and another 26 of between 200 and 225 square feet Most feature floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies. The outdoor lounge on Deck 3 will also feature a unique swimming pool.

The Nile and a new French family for Viking

Built from the ground up for Viking Cruises, the all-new Viking Osiris brings Longship-style river cruising to Egypt’s Nile River. (Viking operated another Nile ship in 2018, but it was a renovation of an existing ship, not a new build). The 82-passenger ship that offers Viking’s popular Scandinavian styling and cuisine sails Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary.

Viking is also updating its fleet on France’s Seine River. Four new modified Longships — Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga — are smaller than a typical European river cruise ship and carry fewer passengers, so they can dock in the heart of Paris (previously, Viking had to dock its Longships outside the city center).

Viking will also debut two new Viking Longships on the Rhine next year: the 190-passenger Viking Gersemi and its sister, Viking Hervor. Both set sail in March 2020 on Viking’s Basel–Amsterdam itinerary, along with special sailings to commemorate the 2020 Oberammergau Passion Play.

Gorgeous scenery on the classical Danube aboard AmaWaterways–Photo by Wallace Immen

AmaWaterways family grows

AmaWaterways’ latest, AmaSiena, debuts in July. It returns to the traditional width for AmaWaterways river ships after the debut of double-wide AmaMagna in 2019. Like sisters AmaLea, AmaKristina and the upcoming AmaMora, the new ship has connecting staterooms featuring dual French- and step-out balconies.

Multiple dining options include regionally inspired cuisine in the Main Restaurant and a wine-paired tasting menu in The Chef’s Table restaurant. The 156-guest ship will sail itineraries of up to 11-nights in Europe along the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube rivers.

Avalon’s view is focused on the river–Courtesy Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways adds more of a winning concept

Avalon View arriving in May continues Avalon’s signature concept of river ships with two full decks of Panorama Suites that feature wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows that open to create what Avalon calls an Open-Air Balcony. The 200-square-foot Panorama Suites are more than 30 per cent larger than the industry standard, and Avalon’s beds are arranged to provide a panorama of the passing view.

The on-board experience includes an Adventure Center to outfit guests with bikes and active gear, and an Adventure Host arranges daily shore excursions and activities. Cuisine includes Avalon Fresh menu options, premium coffee and spirits. FlexDining venues include the casual Panorama Bistro, al fresco Sky Grill, or elegant glass-walled Dining Room. Itineraries will span the Rhine and Danube.

American Queen goes stylish on the Mississippi

American Queen Steamboat Company’s newest river cruise ship American Countess is sailing the mighty Mississippi. The classically styled river ship was created by completely reconstructing an existing river cruiser and adding a 60-foot extension.

With four decks, including a sun deck, the vessel sports a contemporary interior design with plenty of open space for gatherings. The 120-foot-long portside bar provides floor to ceiling glass for panoramic river views. The 123 accommodations are divided into four categories.

Sailing itineraries from New Orleans to Memphis, the cruises include stops at AQSC’s exclusive port at Nottoway Plantation and continues up the river to St. Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg, Port of the Mississippi Delta and Memphis.

American Jazz heats up the river experience–Courtesy ACL

And a Jazzy new American

Another debutante on the Mississippi arrives in August, 2020, American Cruise Line’s American Jazz builds on a successful formula ACL has been developing in recent years. The line calls it a classically styled river cruise ship, but it features a modern five-story glass atrium, plenty of balcony accommodations and a wide array of public rooms. Another handy innovation is a bow-mounted gangway that enables passengers to go ashore in areas without a dock.

Riviera’s literary fleet adds Geoffrey Chaucer

Riviera Travel claims the Geoffrey Chaucer, its latest arrival on the Rhine and Danube is the product of research to create the perfect river cruise vessel. The ship offers “larger than normal” suites and dining options on-board include a Bistro with an open kitchen, large panoramic windows and alfresco seating. There’s also a Spa & Wellness area as well as a large restaurant on the Main Deck. It joins a young and fast-growing fleet of ships all named of British literary heroes including Emily Brontë, George Eliot and Lord Byron.