2017: A River Of Options

Few, if any, would dispute the perennial appeal of river cruising – and that appeal is readily evidenced in the numbers. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) member lines deploy 184 river cruise ships, with 13 vessels scheduled to debut in 2017, an increase of approximately 7 percent over 2016, according to CLIA’s “2017 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook.”

As river cruising’s popularity continues to soar, lines are doing considerably more than simply adding ships. They are also debuting more sophisticated itineraries and programs to sate the tastes of a traveling public that is demanding more experiential and active options on their vacations.

Here’s a look at what’s new for you to sell to your clients this year.

Avalon Waterways is debuting “Active Discovery on the Danube” itineraries, which will provide travelers with the chance to bike, hike and canoe along the Danube, as well as milk cows or mow grass with a scythe. They’ll also be able to explore an ice cave, take an archery lesson, descend into an underground salt mine or ascend a mountain during a guided climb. The company has also teamed up with Vienna-based chefs Karl and Leo Wrenkh to launch “Avalon Fresh,” an initiative that will bring farm-to-table vegetarian and vegan culinary options on board the line’s ships.

AmaWaterways has expanded its line-up of active river cruise departures in partnership with Backroads to offer upward of 50 sailings with biking, hiking and walking excursions along the Danube, Douro, Rhine and Seine rivers. The line has also enhanced its wine-themed program on AmaStella, AmaViola and AmaKristina itineraries along the Seine, Douro, Danube, Rhine and Rhône rivers. The seven-night “Taste of Bordeaux” sailing along the Garonne River aboard AmaDolce, for instance, will include visits to châteaux, castles and vineyards, and a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting in Pauillac.

Scenic will debut bicycling excursions focusing on the Danube and Bordeaux regions. Itineraries will include the 11-day “Bordeaux Cycling Endeavour” and the eight-day “Gems of the Danube Cycling Discovery” itineraries. The line is reconfiguring several ships to accommodate the new “Scenic Culinaire Experience” program, which will include customized classes with cooking stations and a cheese and wine cellar. Ingredients will be sourced from local markets and cooking instructors will focus on regional recipes.

Two new Uniworld Boutique River Collection itineraries will put the spotlight on history, art, gastronomy and architecture. The 10-day “Rhine-Main Discovery & Munich” cruise will let guests choose excursions based on their particular interests, and will also introduce Uniworld’s new Jewish heritage programming and excursions, which will explore the roots of Judaism in Germany from pre-World War II to today. The 10-day “Paris & Impressions of the Seine” itinerary will focus on destinations made famous by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet and Courbet, among other things.

Crystal River Cruises will introduce the ultra-luxury Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler this summer on itineraries plying the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. Crystal Bach will make its debut on June 18 on a 14-day “Jewels of the Rhine” itinerary from Amsterdam to Frankfurt, and Crystal Mahler on a 16-day “Grand Europe” voyage from Budapest to Amsterdam.

READ MORE: The River Cruise Class of 2017 

CroisiEurope is unveiling a 10-day cruise between Central Europe and the Balkans, which will travel through Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia along the Danube and Sava Rivers. It will explore Belgrade and Zagreb, the Lonjsko Polje and Kopacki Rit Nature Parks, as well as the Orthodox monastery of Krusedol and Sremski Karlovci.

One of Emerald Waterways’ new itineraries is the eight-day “Secrets of the Douro” aboard the Emerald Radiance, with land add-ons available in Lisbon and Madrid. In keeping with the trend toward more active vacations, Emerald is also offering one or more active excursions on its 2017 itineraries, including biking and hiking tours.

Viking River Cruises is introducing a 12-day “Paris to the Swiss Alps” cruise that will visit ports in France, Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland. The itinerary, which starts in Paris, will call at Luxembourg; Germany’s Trier, Cochem, Sankt Goar, Mainz and Speyer; France’s Strasbourg; and Switzerland’s Basel and Zurich.

Among G Adventures’ considerable number of new river cruise options for 2017 are six cruise/tour programs from its “National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures” series. Programs include the 12-day “Cruise the Ganges,” the 11-day “Explore Machu Picchu & Amazon River Boat,” along with four packages that focus on Normandy and Burgundy in France.

On the family front, Tauck is introducing its newest – and fourth – river cruise specifically designed for families: the eight-day “Family Fun Along the Seine: Paris to Normandy” aboard the MS Sapphire. Tauck will double the number of its family departures from 10 in 2016 to 20 this year aboard nine vessels. The Sapphire features 14 300-square-foot suites with pullout couches that can accommodate families of four.

Family-focused Adventures by Disney is also doubling its departures this year aboard AmaWaterways’ vessels. New itineraries include a seven-night “Rhine River” cruise aboard AmaKristina, which explores ports in France, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. AmaKristina is equipped with connecting rooms and suites that accommodate three- and four-person families.

Closer to home, American Steamboat Company is introducing the 23-day “Mighty Mississippi” voyage from Minneapolis to New Orleans, which will include port calls at such destinations as St. Louis, Paducah, Memphis, Natchez and Baton Rouge. The company will also debut a nine-day “Bourbon – The American Spirit Voyage” from Memphis to Louisville, which provides guests with an up-close-and-personal look at the history of bourbon, how it’s made and how to distinguish the characteristics of different distilleries.