Sell Them a River

Newly minted ships, daring designs and destination debuts portend a great year for river cruise sales. Those of you who stay up-to-date stand the best chance of matching clients to the right river cruise experience.

Here’s a look at what’s new on the river cruise front in 2019 and beyond.

AmaWaterways

At AmaWaterways, the spotlight is squarely on AmaMagna. The 196-passenger vessel, which enters service in May on the Danube River, is the first newbuild that’s nearly twice as wide as other European river ships. The extra space allows for roomier staterooms and suites (the majority measure at least 355 square feet). Four restaurants, a heated pool, a pop-up sky bar, expansive Zen Wellness Center and watersports platform round out the amenities. AmaMagna will spend its inaugural year offering seven-night Danube cruises between Vilshofen and Budapest.

The 102-passenger AmaDouro debuts in April on the Douro River. The ship features 51 (mostly balcony) staterooms, a heated pool on the sun deck, fitness room and massage room.

The new AmaMora inaugurates service with seven-night sailings between Amsterdam and Basel. The 164-passenger vessel is a sister to AmaLea, which debuted in 2018.

American Cruise Lines

Interest in domestic river cruising is growing, and lines are taking steps to meet the demand. American Cruise Lines will launch American Harmony this spring on the Mississippi River. It’s the second in an innovative class of contemporary river cruise ships pioneered by the company. American Harmony’s staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors and balconies. It also boasts a lounge cantilevered 40 feet above the water and a four-story, glass-enclosed atrium.

American Queen Steamboat Company

Rolling into 2020, American Queen Steamboat Company plans to introduce a new paddle wheeler. The 245-passenger American Countess is being built from the hull of the 1995 Kanesville Queen. It will be the fourth vessel in the fleet. The company also acquired Victory Cruise Lines, which operates the Victory I and Victory II. The ships sail on the Great Lakes with frequent port calls between Toronto and Chicago; and between Detroit and Montreal.

Avalon Waterways

The 166-passenger Avalon Envision will be christened in April by “Eat Pray Love” author Elizabeth Gilbert. It is equipped with two decks of 200-square-foot Panorama Suites featuring “Open Air Balconies” and beds that face the views, as well as with two 300-square-foot Royal Suites. This year marks the first time Avalon Waterways’ entire Europe fleet is exclusively composed of “Suite Ships.” In 2020, the line will debut Avalon View, its 14th European “Suite Ship.”

CroisEurope

Strasbourg, France-based CroisiEurope will debut the 132-passenger Amalia Rodrigues on the Douro River this spring. The new build is a sister ship to the Miguel Torga, which was introduced in 2017. The line will also add a fourth ship to its Rhône River lineup. The former Princesse d’Aquitaine will be “refreshed” and renamed Rhône Princesse. Among other itineraries, it will sail on a new seven-day culinary cruise roundtrip from Lyon.

Crystal River Cruises

In May, the luxury river line is unveiling a new 10-day “Enchanting Moselle” itinerary roundtrip from Amsterdam aboard Crystal Bach, with five new ports of call. If clients have cruised in Europe before, they’ll like the fact that the itinerary visits less frequented destinations in Germany and the Netherlands. The line is also adding new seven-night Rhine River cruises between Amsterdam and Basel, which can be combined with stays at five-star hotels in Amsterdam or Paris.

Emerald Waterways

In August, Emerald will debut the 84-passenger Emerald Harmony on Mekong River itineraries. It will include 273-square-foot Panorama Balcony Suites, four Grand Balcony Suites measuring 398 square feet and two Owner’s Suites at 450 square feet. The latter also features wrap-around terraces and private hot tubs. Other amenities will include a pool, an Asian-themed bar and lounge, and an outdoor lounge.

Notably, the ship will be able to access the center of Ho Chi Minh City. That’s a top selling point, considering that many other ships must transfer passengers there via motorcoach. Emerald Harmony will offer three different itineraries on the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Scenic

All eight of Scenic’s ships on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers are undergoing refurbishments for 2019. The upgrades reduce the number of staterooms, while leaving staff and crew numbers unchanged; and add two new 520-square-foot Owner’s Suites, expanded wellness centers and a Salt Therapy Lounge to each ship. A new partnership with National Geographic Expeditions provides Scenic guests with a range of sailings that will be joined by National Geographic experts, who will present lectures and accompany guests on shore excursions.

Rivera River Cruises

The U.K.-based line is set to debut two ships in April. The 167-passenger William Wordsworth will operate on the Danube River. The all-suite vessel’s entry-level staterooms measure 183 square feet. It also features suites on two decks with French balconies or small private balconies. The line’s second newbuild is the 132-passenger George Eliot. Operating primarily on the Rhine River, the ship boasts staterooms that begin at 161 square feet.

The two vessels are equipped with an observation lounge, wellness area, sun deck, boutique, main dining room, and casual alternative dining venues for lunch and dinner. The two ships will bring the line's fleet to a total of 12, with eight ships debuting since 2017.

Viking River Cruises

The pioneering river cruise line has made an art form of the multiship launch, and 2019 is no exception. The line will roll out seven new ships in Europe, bringing its fleet total to 69. Newbuilds include six more of its 190-passenger Viking Longships, which feature the line’s signature Scandinavian design and popular public areas such as the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. The new Longships will ply the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.

Though smaller in capacity at 106 passengers, the seventh newbuild mirrors the Longship design and will sail the Douro River in Portugal.