People have always been drawn to rivers for practical reasons – from catching fish to transporting goods and growing crops in the fertile soil along the banks. But, in more recent times, river cruises have become a brilliant way to explore these great waterways, all while on holiday too. Sometimes, such as with The Amazon and The Mekong, slow travel by boat opens up otherwise hard-to-reach places and communities. Others, it simply offers a chance to see swathes of rural countryside, tiny pot-luck towns you’ve never heard of, and inland cities from a fresh, new perspective. With constantly changing, epic scenery these are the mighty rivers – and river cruises – where the journey is as memorable as the destinations.
The Amazon
The largest, most biodiverse rainforest on earth, and home to around 10 per cent of all the wildlife species we know about, The Amazon is a vast, untamed, and critically important wilderness. The only way to delve deep into the jungle is by boat, on the Amazon River. The jumping-off point for Seabourn Venture (the cruise company’s newest, purpose-built expedition ship which launched in 2022) is the city of Manaus, in Brazil. Days are spent kayaking and taking Zodiac rides along the river, keeping eyes peeled for wildlife (howler monkeys, toucans, pink dolphins), learning about life in the rainforest from the onboard naturalists, and passing friendly riberenos who live in stilt houses along the banks.
Website: seabourn.com
The Mississippi
New Orleans to Memphis is one of the classic American road trips but for those who don’t fancy the drive, a cruise on the Lower Mississippi is a great way to discover the Deep South. The aptly named Viking Mississippi ship launched last summer (it sails the upper section of the river too); onboard, expect the clean-lined Scandinavian design the company is known for, a sun terrace with an infinity plunge pool, and restaurants including the River Café, which serves up regional specialties such as spicy jambalaya and Cajun crawfish. Port calls include the town of Darrow where guests can choose from optional onshore outings like a demonstration of traditional Louisiana cooking; Baton Rouge, the starting point for an airboat ride on the Atchafalaya Swamp searching for alligators; and Natchez, where guests can sign up for a tour of historic homes and mansions.
Website: vikingrivercruises.co.uk
The Mekong
Aqua Expeditions has been sailing through Cambodia and Vietnam on the mighty Mekong River for nearly a decade and the company’s experience is in evidence in every detail, from the onboard bicycles (so guests can explore the rice paddies and river banks on guided rides) to the menus, designed by consulting chef David Thompson, which combine local culinary traditions and ingredients. The ship itself, Aqua Mekong, is a sleek, 20-suite vessel with interiors by Saigon-based architectural firm Noor Design. On the observation deck, there’s a games room, gym, pool, bar, and outdoor cinema for movie nights under the stars. Itineraries are personalised, with small-group excursions on private skiffs, but could include visiting gold-roof temples, kayaking to see silk-weavers in action, and the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake.
Website: aquaexpeditions.com
The Douro
The backbone of the mountainous landscape in the port-producing Unesco World Heritage Douro Valley, the Douro River runs southwest from the Atlantic coast through rural Portugal. Terraced hillsides, quaint villages, and acres of vineyards are the backdrop for Uniworld’s round-trip voyage on SS. Sao Gabriel from Porto, a buzzy city that combines neo-classical palaces with a creative spirit. As you’d expect, port features heavily along the way, from an optional crash course on the history of this sweet red wine at the Douro Museum (Romans planted vines in the area 2,000 years ago) to dinner at a traditional country Quinta, and vineyard tastings. But there is also time to enjoy urban life too – whether in the historic, university city of Salamanca, Guimarães Old Town, or the charming village of Castelo Rodrigo, which is surrounded by fields of wild lavender and almond groves.
Website: uniworld.com
The Rhone
Belmond has a fleet of seven chic barges that sail the waterways in France but Napoleon, which takes 12 guests, is the only one that’s bookable by the cabin (as well as in its entirety). It journeys along the Rhone, from Tain L’Hermitage to Avignon, through pretty Provence. Along the way, guests visit medieval villages such as Viviers and Grignan; take guided tours of chateaux; do truffle tastings, and sample wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. When you’re not out exploring, there are al-fresco lunches onboard followed by afternoon games of pétanque. Heading south to Saint-Etienne-des-Sorts, passing through the Bollene lock with its dramatic 23-metre drop, is a high point on this most luxurious of river cruises.
Website: belmond.com
The Danube
Europe’s second-longest river passes through seven countries – and Austria is one of the major must-visit highlights. Plenty of river cruise companies sail The Danube, whether heading east from Vienna towards Germany, passing through the Wachau Valley and Schlogener Schlinge, or west, crossing the border to Hungary for port calls at Bratislava and Budapest. But Riverside Cruises has possibly the smartest ship, Mozart. Previously part of Crystal Cruises fleet, it is exceptionally wide which means vast, sophisticated suites with marble bathrooms, four restaurants including fine dining Waterside, and a spa. Passau and Linz are both blockbuster Baroque cities and route staples, but, depending on your itinerary, these are usually interspersed with lesser-known towns and pristine nature around virtually every river bend.
Website: riverside-cruises.com
The Nile
Egypt might be one of the most talked-about destinations of the last few years but The Nile – and the temples you can get up close to from it – has been an almighty attraction since ancient times. Nour El Nil has a fleet of seven beautiful dahabiyas (the newest, Roman, debuted earlier this year and is the first boat of its kind on the river to use solar power) that offer guests the longest sailing time between Luxor and Aswan. All are different (the most intimate and affordable is Assouan) yet exceptionally stylish, furnished with kilims rugs, handmade furniture, brass reading lamps, and oil paintings. The route, which begins in the merchant town of Esna, takes in sights such as the temples of Kom Ombo, Nekhbet, and Gebel Silsileh, where many larger vessels aren’t allowed to stop, meaning guests often have the site to themselves.
Website: nourelnil.com
The Rhine
From fairy-tale Renaissance castles to the Black Forest, The Rhine has always been linked to legendary folklore, which is precisely what makes a voyage along it so special. Whether you tick off timeless German towns such as Koblenz and Cochem on a route from Amsterdam to Basel, or combine windmills and canals with cities like Rotterdam on a looping trip around The Netherlands and Belgium, this major European waterway has something for everyone. Scenic has a pair of ships (Scenic Ruby and Pearl, both rebuilt in 2019) that sail the river, both with contemporary suites and cabins, a lounge bar, and a river view terrace.
Website: scenic.co.uk