New kids on the block

River cruising has returned with a vengeance, with new offerings from some of our favourite lines, reports Teresa Ooi.

/ VIKING RIVER CRUISES After a 16-month hiatus, Viking Cruises returned to French rivers in July with the launch of four new longships – Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga. The line offers itineraries on the Seine, Rhône and Garonne rivers, as well as the Rhine and Douro rivers.

With alfresco Aquavit Terrace casual dining aboard every ship, Viking longships are designed with understated elegance with spacious staterooms. Each ship has 84 cabins for up to 168 passengers.

The ships, which dock near the Eiffel Tower, are the perfect getaway for people longing for a romantic French escape.

“France is at the top of our guest’s travel list, so we are delighted that our river vessels are once again sailing in this beloved destination,” says Viking chairman Torstein Hagen.

/ UNIWORLD Uniworld’s SS Le Venezia was the first river ship to launch during the European cruising season. She set sail from Venice in June this year.

Once known as the River Countess, the ship has been reimagined as one of Uniworld’s Super Ships that now sail northern Italy. Famed Italian artist and fabric designer Mariano Fortuny inspired the redesign of the reborn vessel.

“For our guests, this means a setting and style of service that is wholly immersive in the enduring fascination and magic that is Venice; and is born from more than 100 years of experience,” said Uniworld CEO and president Ellen Bettridge at the unveiling of the new ship last year.

The ship can accommodate up to 126 guests and has five classes of staterooms, all capturing the design elements of Venice. Rialto, the main restaurant, serves traditional Venetian cuisines, while Hari’s Bar and Lounge, La Cantinetta and Cielo’s offer more casual dining options.

/ AMAWATERWAYS AmaWaterways launched the elegant 156-passenger AmaLucia this year with comfortable and contemporary twinbalcony staterooms, a sundeck walking track and a pool with swim-up bar.

There are tempting tapas served all day, free high-speed WiFi and a complimentary fleet of bicycles. You can explore European cities on guided bike tours or take a bike and go out exploring on your own.

Whether it’s traditional Bavarian music, modern piano favourites or a local quartet, there’s always an eclectic schedule of entertainment on board. Itineraries include a seven-night legendary Danube sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest, and an enchanting seven-night journey from Basel to Amsterdam.

/ RIVIERA TRAVEL The line’s newest ship, the 176-passenger Geoffrey Chaucer, debuted last year, sailing the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers. With two dining venues, a small fitness centre, spa, small pool, putting green and ample deck space, the ship offers a comfortable ‘home base’ to explore Europe.

European itineraries include eight nights from Bruges through medieval Flanders and Amsterdam, and the classic eight-night Blue Danube river cruise, a round trip from Budapest.

A Viking longship on the Main River in Germany. Below: an open-air Aquavit Terrace on a Viking longship.

Crystal River Cruises has been named Best Luxury River Cruise Line in the 2021 Wave Awards held in the UK in October. “This is a testament to our amazing onboard Crystal Family, who provide the genuine and authentic service that makes the Crystal River Cruises experience come to life,” says Walter Littlejohn, senior vice-president and managing director of Crystal River Cruises.

SCENIC’S NEW SOUTH EAST ASIA OFFERING

Scenic has released its 2022/2023 South East Asia river cruising collection with a wealth of exciting new activities and itineraries. These range from private Angkor Wat experiences to a nine-night Treasures of the Mekong Meandering Cruise and plenty more packed into the longest sailing season across the region.

Highlights of the Treasures of the Mekong Meandering Cruise include exploring Ho Chi Minh City, hopping in a tuk tuk in Phnom Penh, visiting the beautiful Angkor Wat and surrounds and, to top it off, enjoying a gala dinner in Angkor’s Prasat Kravan with performances from Apsara dancers.

If you’re seeking even more adventure, the 18-day Highlights of Vietnam, Cambodia & Luxury Mekong cruise will take you through the same experiences while also visiting Hanoi and Halong Bay.

In Hanoi, passengers will get to work with the region’s flavours in an absorbing cooking class and then have plenty more options for excitement, such as a Ho Chi Minh City-by-night foodie tour by Vespa, or all the drama and gasps of a Phare Cambodian circus performance in Siem Reap.

Every Scenic South East Asia river cruise also features dining at Buffet Nineteen, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most acclaimed seafood spots and a five-star dining experience.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION

American Cruise Lines will undertake a major refurbishment of its fleet of paddlewheelers. The four ships will sport new interiors and three will be given new names. Queen of the Mississippi will become American Heritage; Queen of the West will become American West; and America will be known as American Splendor. American Pride will retain its name.

The refit will include textiles, furniture and carpeting in new colour palettes across all staterooms, lounges and dining rooms, as well as artwork inspired by the region in which the riverboat is sailing. American Splendor and American Heritage, which operate on the Mississippi River, will be inspired by Mark Twain’s works as well as the musical genres of jazz, blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll.

On the Columbia and Snake rivers, American West and American Pride will feature touches that highlight Native American and Western themes, referencing the Lewis and Clark expedition.

The redesign, according to American Cruise Lines, “will elevate those classic riverboats to the more cosmopolitan ambience of American Cruise Line’s newest small ships, while still celebrating the traditional paddlewheel style that is as fundamentally American as the rivers themselves”.

It’s anticipated that all four entirely refurbished paddlewheelers will be available to book for next season.

Sail the mighty Murray

Yes, the Rhine and the Danube have their appeal, but aboard a Murray River paddlesteamer you can experience that same sense of peace and tranquillity without the long-haul flight and the jet lag.

Echuca’s Murray River Paddlesteamers offers an authentic Australian river-cruising experience, enabling you to soak in the beauty of your own backyard and support your local region, as well as exploring our gorgeous outdoors with onshore tours.

The Murray River, Australia’s longest river, is currently seeing water levels at a 20-year high, meaning you can experience more of the river than ever before, amid the crisp fresh air tinged with the scent of eucalyptus and the call of native bird life.

PS Emmylou provides an historic journey like no other. The world’s only cruising wood-fired paddlesteamer, this boutique luxury cruise accommodates just 16 guests and provides a bespoke and personalised experience.

Murray River Paddlesteamers offers two- to six-night cruises, each including regionally inspired chef-prepared meals matched with complimentary wine and beer at dinner.

If you’re flying into, or travelling from, Melbourne, take advantage of the return transfer option to the northern Victorian town of Echuca, where you’ll board PS Emmylou and begin your incredible experience.

Learn more: psemmyloucruises.com