If you’re just starting to explore the world of river cruising, this is the perfect place to begin. Here you’ll find easy-to-follow guides, tips, and honest insights designed to help first-time travellers understand what to expect on the water. Whether you’re curious about itineraries, life onboard, or how river cruises differ from ocean voyages, these articles will give you the clarity and confidence you need to plan your journey.
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Laura and Craig – Cruise Lifestyle – have recently travelled on the Riviera Rose and kindly agreed to share their experiences – this is part 2. Find part 1 here. If you would like to find out more or book this river cruise, get in touch with me for the latest offers,...
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Laura and Craig – Cruise Lifestyle – have recently travelled on the Riviera Rose and kindly agreed to share their experiences – they had a fantastic time. If you would like to find out more or book this river cruise, get in touch with me for the latest offers, and availability. What...
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My first river cruise was a short voyage on the Danube River. I loved every minute and was immediately hooked. I love being able to travel through the heart of a country and enjoy the changing landscape, historic landmarks and picturesque towns and villages. Keeping the same room while exploring...
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I often get asked if there is a dress code or guidelines about what to wear on a river cruise. From personal experience with several river cruise lines, the emphasis is on comfort, without a formal dress code, even for gala dinners. I decided to do some research on the...
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I’ve sailed with several river cruise groups, and each was a fantastic experience. Ten of us sat round a large table and reflected on the week, the places we had seen, the delicious meals we had eaten, and and opportunity to relax on deck, watching the world go by. Each...
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If you’ve ever thought “I wish there were a river cruise just for solos,” Riviera Travel has just answered that dream . In a landmark announcement, the company revealed that from June 2027, one of its ships, the MS George Eliot, will operate for an entire season exclusively for...
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A Christmas market river cruise offers a magical way to experience the festive season. As you sail along the rivers, each stop brings you to charming towns decked out in twinkling lights and brimming with bustling holiday atmosphere. Ashore, you can wander through market stalls filled with handmade gifts, festive...
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World Rivers Day is celebrated in September, every year. This special day is dedicated to recognising the vital role that rivers play in our lives, history, and the wellbeing of our planet. “Rivers are places that renew our spirit, connect us with our past, and link us directly with...
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Bordeaux River Cruise: Exploring France’s Wine Heartland “A floating hotel with fine wine, fine dining, and flawless service.” The Garonne glittered in the late afternoon light as we stepped aboard Scenic Diamond, our home for the next seven nights. The ship felt calm and inviting – a comfortable place to...
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Celebrity River Cruises – now on general sale Book with an expert: as your personal travel consultant, I’ll be happy to act on your behalf and support you every step of the way. What’s Included? A fleet of stunning new river ships, blending the modern design of Celebrity’s Edge Series...
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How to visit several European cities from the same room… Which capital cities can I visit on a Danube river cruise? Imagine visiting three European capital cities but only unpacking once. One of the things I love about river cruise is the opportunity to travel through countries and visit some...
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It’s worth thinking carefully about what to pack for a river cruise, especially with Europe’s varied and unpredictable climate. River cruises tend to be relaxed, with a focus on comfort and smart-casual clothes (see my blog about what to wear). Here’s a list of suggested items to ensure you are...
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Some river cruise questions answered… What is a river ship like? The experience is like staying in a boutique hotel. You will have a fantastic place to stay in locations that often beat local hotels. Take in a 360-degree view from the open top deck. The beautiful ships often have...
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Explore seven premier luxury river cruise lines, each recognised for their exceptional quality. This guide presents top-tier options for those seeking a luxury river cruise experience in Europe and beyond. Known for their excellent service, premium tours, unforgettable experiences, gourmet dining, and fine wines, these lines stand out in the...
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In this article I will answer a frequently asked question: what is included on a Riviera river cruise? Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to tour the Riviera Geoffrey Chaucer, while she was docked in Amsterdam. From the moment I stepped onboard, I was impressed by the ship’s design....
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Guest post by Kathy Taylor, Cruise Lowdown Kathy is passionate about ocean cruising and writes a fantastic online magazine – Cruise Lowdown. She has more recently discovered river cruising and I asked her to write a guest blog comparing these two types of cruise. Cover photo: Kathy and I onboard...
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After stepping aboard 40 river cruise ships and sailing on many, I’ve gained a great understanding of what makes each one unique. Every ship offers its own distinct blend of design, luxury, and innovation. Here are some of the things I’ve discovered: Ships are similar in size, but interior design...
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I’m a travel consultant and river cruise specialist. In this blog, I’ll answer a few frequently asked questions about river cruising… How did you discover river cruising? I have always loved the sea, lakes, and rivers. In 2019, I was invited to take a short river cruise with A-Rosa and...
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Discover five of the best luxury river cruise lines, each renowned for their outstanding quality. This guide suggests top class options for those seeking a luxurious river cruise experience in Europe and beyond. They are all known for their high standards of service, premium level tours, incredible experiences, gourmet dining...
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Jane McDonald is known for her love of cruising and her enthusiasm is infectious. “I just have a passion for cruising. I love it, absolutely love it.” Cruising with Jane McDonald Channel 5. It took many years for Jane to discover river cruising and when she did – she loved...
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Value for money I’m often asked: how much does a river cruise cost? and the answer isn’t straight forward. VALUE is a key factor. With so much included, river cruises represent great value when compared to staying in hotels and paying for meals, tours, and evening entertainment. River cruises are...
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I’m delighted that Lee agreed to write a guest blog about his experiences in the beautiful city of Porto. Lee writes: First Impressions My first impressions of Porto were of it’s vivid colours and beauty, especially the Ribeira district, which is lined with narrow artistically designed steep buildings, alfresco dining...
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In this blog, I’ll talk about my own experiences of cruising on the Douro and how to decide which is the best Douro river cruise for you. The Douro Valley is spectacular and a river cruise through this region is the perfect way to explore. It’s my favourite itinerary so...
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Docked in the centre of Amsterdam, a few minutes’ walk from the Central Station, we boarded the beautiful Scenic Crystal (see ship review) at the start of our Rhine river cruise. She is a stunning, contemporary ship and after a warm welcome from the staff, we immediately felt at home. See...
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“The best wine in the world is….the wine you like” our Hermitage wine expert pronounced, as we sampled her delicious local produce. The steady climb through thriving vineyards above the Rhône in anticipation of our wine tasting was worth the energy. We listened to stories about the estate and wine...
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Uniworld SS Catherine is a beautiful, luxury river cruise ship that sails along the Rhône and Saône rivers in France. She takes a maximum of 159 guests and has approximately 56 staff. As soon as I boarded the ship, I entered the impressive, two-story lobby with a specially commissioned Murano...
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Take a Journey Through the Beautiful French Countryside on a Rhône River Cruise The Rhône flows through the heart of the gorgeous Rhône Valley wine region in south-eastern France, offering beautiful views of vineyards and historic towns. A Rhône river cruise will also take you on a journey to picturesque...
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Which would you choose? Here are 10 of the best river cruises. River cruising offers a unique and relaxed way to travel and explore different destinations. The rivers of the world flow through some of the most stunning landscapes and cities, offering a serene way to experience the culture, history,...
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As I sat enjoying breakfast, admiring the view from my Deluxe Balcony Stateroom onboard the beautiful Scenic Azure, my answer would be a resounding, yes. I prefer a balcony cabin so that I can relax and enjoy the view and some fresh air. However, I do have clients who decide...
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Could my river cruise be affected by low water? The 2022 summer was unusually hot and river cruising hit the headlines as travellers experienced some disruption because of low water. It’s useful to know what can happen in these situations and how the river cruise lines manage their itineraries. What...
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My solo river cruise experience… Several fellow passengers commented that I was very brave to be travelling alone, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and saw it as a great opportunity and a privilege. I felt comfortable and at ease. One of the lovely things about travelling solo on a...
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There are two very different camps when it comes to holidays. Some people want to relax and do nothing, while others want to have things to do and interesting places to visit. The difficulty comes when you’re a “relaxer” and your partner is a “doer”, or vice versa. The answer...
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1. A room with an ever-changing view One of the reasons so many people love river cruise is the view outside your window, or from the deck. Not only have you always got a view (which many hotels charge extra for), it’s also always changing. You can open the sliding...
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1. A room with a view but this could include a surprise… One of the best things about river cruising is the view outside your window, or from the deck. When the ship is sailing, the view unfolds before you and I love to sit and relax with a drink,...
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