PHOTO: Viking introduced another 16 of its patented Longships this year.

The river cruise segment is growing at a fast and furious pace. Indeed over the past month, more than 20 new river ships were introduced to the market, including 18 by one company alone. Many river cruise companies also are expanding their all-inclusive policies to include alcoholic beverages, most tours and gratuities. To sell this segment, you must keep up with the latest information, so review what’s new in our annotated list of river cruise operators.

Amadeus by Lüftner Cruises: New to the U.S. market, this veteran European river cruise company features river cruises on the Danube, Rhine and Main, on Belgian and Dutch waterways, and across Europe. The company, founded 30 years ago, markets eight vessels to U.S. travelers. Its newest ship is the Amadeus Silver, which entered service in March 2013, and Amadeus Brilliant, which launched in April 2011. The company plans to introduce the Amadeus Silver II in spring 2015. Amadeus markets in the U.S. through Boston-based Amras Cruises. Visit www.amrascruises.com.

AmaWaterways: This company features river cruises in Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia, and Africa. River vessels include the AmaBella, AmaCello, AmaCerto, AmaDagio, AmaDante, AmaDolce, AmaLegro, AmaLyra, AmaPrima, AmaReina, AmaSonata, AmaVerde and AmaVida in Europe; AmaKaterina in Russia; AmaLotus and La Marguerite in Vietnam and Cambodia; and Zambezi Queen in Africa.In 2014 the company will introduce two new ships, AmaSonata and AmaReina, in Europe and the AmaPura in Myanmar (Burma). Visit www.amawaterways.com.

American Cruise Lines: This company offers river and small-ship cruises in the U.S. — including sailings in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, Northeast U.S., Southeast U.S., Mississippi River — and theme cruises. It features sailings on two paddlewheel boats, Queen of the Mississippi and Queen of the West, and four small ships, the Independence, American Star, American Spirit and American Glory. It will add two more newly built riverboats in 2015, one on the Mississippi River and the other on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Visit www.americancruiselines.com.

American Queen Steamboat Company: This operator of paddlewheel steamboats offers cruises on the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers on the 436-passenger American Queen. This month it added the 223-passenger American Empress, which cruises between Portland, Ore., and Clarkston, Wash., on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Visit www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com.

Aqua Expeditions: Originally focused on the Amazon, Aqua Expeditions currently has two ships under 40 passengers that operate on this river — the Aqua Amazon and Aria Amazon. But Aqua also plans to begin Mekong River cruises in Vietnam and Cambodia on the new Aqua Mekong starting in September. Visit www.aquaexpeditions.com.

A-ROSA River Cruises: This European river cruise company, based in Rostock, Germany, operates 10 river cruise ships on the Rhine, Danube, Rhône and Saône rivers. This month it will introduce the new 158-passenger A-ROSA Flora, which will be marketed to U.S. customers. In the U.S. A-ROSA is represented by David Morris International. Visit www.arosacruises.com.

Avalon Waterways: Part of the Globus Family of Brands, Avalon Waterways features river and small-ship cruises in Europe, North America, Asia, Egypt and the Galapagos. This year it is introducing three new “Suite Ships” — the 166-passenger Avalon Illumination and Avalon Impression, and the 128-guest Avalon Poetry II. In 2015, the company plans to launch two more 128-passenger vessels, the Avalon Tranquility II and Avalon Tapestry II. Visit www.avalonwaterways.com.

Belmond: Formerly known as Orient-Express, this luxury hotel and train company also offers luxury river cruises in Myanmar (Burma) aboard the Road to Mandalay and the Orcaella, which was launched in June 2013. Visit www.belmond.com.

Blount Small Ship Adventures: This small-ship company offers voyages along North America’s historic waterways and rivers, but also operates in Central America and the Caribbean aboard two 88-passenger yacht-style vessels. Visit www.blountsmallshipadventures.com.

Century Cruises: Based in China, Century Cruises is a small-river-ship company that offers Yangtze River cruises on its fleet of seven ships, all built after 2003. Two ships, the Century Paragon and Century Legend, both entered service in 2013. Century Cruises states that it offers five-star onboard service and amenities that include private balconies in all cabins. Visit www.centuryrivercruises.com.

CroisiEurope: Although it’s been around for 37 years and operates throughout Europe, the Holy Land and Southeast Asia, this river cruise company has recently started marketing to U.S. travel agents. In March 2014, it purchased a river cruise company that operates four ships on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. That company is now called CFM by CroisiEurope and is building two more vessels in Vietnam. CroisiEurope this month christened the 84-passenger Lafayette on the Rhine River. In April 2015 it will introduce the Loire Princesse, which uses paddlewheels to navigate the shallow Loire River in France. Visit www.croisieuroperivercruises.com.

Emerald Waterways: A sister to Scenic Cruises (see below), this new company makes its European river cruise debut this month. It will operate two 182-passenger vessels, the Emerald Star and Emerald Sky, on the Rhine and Moselle rivers in Europe at what it calls “affordable” prices. Visit www.emeraldwaterways.com.

European Waterways: This U.K.-based company operates 16 deluxe barges that cruise along canals and rivers throughout France, as well as in the U.K., Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. Visit www.gobarging.com.

French Country Waterways: An American-owned company, French Country Waterways offers cruises along the canals and waterways of France aboard four luxury hotel barges through Burgundy, the Loire, Alsace-Lorraine and Champagne. Visit www.fcwl.com.

Imperial River Cruises: This company operates river cruises in Russia and Ukraine, as well as a North Pole Expedition in the Russian Arctic. Visit www.imperialrivercruises.com.

Pandaw River Cruises: Pandaw’s vessels explore the rivers of Myanmar (Burma) and Southeast Asia aboard 10 replicas of colonial river steamers. Three new vessels are expected to enter service this year. Visit www.pandaw.com.

Scenic Cruises: Based in Australia, this company offers river cruises in Europe and Russia aboard 10 vessels, including the new Scenic Jade and Scenic Gem. Scenic is making a major new effort to cater to the American market. Two more river ships are expected to enter service in 2015, the 169-passenger Scenic Opal and Scenic Jasper. Visit www.us.scenictours.com.

Tauck: Well known for its tour offerings, Tauck also has an extensive product focus on small-ship and river cruises, including its own branded line of river cruise ships in Europe. Tauck offers cruises of the Rhine, Danube, Main, Rhône and Moselle rivers aboard the Swiss Emerald, Swiss Sapphire, Swiss Jewel and Treasures.

This year it is adding two 130-passenger river ships, the Savor and Inspire. The company also has started a complimentary drinks policy on all six of its European riverboats. Tauck also offers river cruises of the Nile and the Yangtze. Visit www.tauck.com.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection: Uniworld features luxury river cruises in Europe, Russia, Egypt, China and Southeast Asia.

PHOTO: Uniworld’s new S.S. Catherine offers luxury cruises on the Rhône.

Last month it introduced the 159-passenger S.S. Catherine in France, the third new vessel it has built in the past three years. These ships feature exquisite décor in public rooms and accommodations, as well as gourmet cuisine in the main restaurant. Uniworld also has introduced a new all-inclusive format that includes all beverages, transfers, gratuities and shore excursions. Visit www.uniworld.com.

Victoria Cruises: This company specializes in itineraries along China’s Yangtze River between Shanghai and Beijing aboard a fleet of seven ships. Visit www.victoriacruises.com.

Viking Cruises: Industry giant Viking, which now has 52 vessels worldwide, offers cruises along the rivers of Europe, Russia, Ukraine, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt.

Last month it introduced a record 18 ships, including two ships on the Douro River in Portugal and 16 Viking Longships, its patented design, elsewhere in Europe. Later this year Viking Cruises will debut a new vessel in Myanmar. Viking Cruises also has started marketing its first oceangoing ship, the 930-passenger Viking Star, which is scheduled to enter service in May 2015. Visit www.vikingcruises.com.