This article originally
appeared in the April issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.
This year, travel advisors will find a generous number of
new river ships plying the waterways of Europe, Colombia, the U.S. East Coast
and Egypt. Here’s a look at the new ships, which offer a diverse array of
styles, itineraries and experiences that are sure to appeal to a wide range of
clients.
AMAWATERWAYS
The line will begin operating the 60-guest AmaMagdalena in
January 2025 on the Magdalena River in Colombia, sailing between Cartagena and
Barranquilla on two seven-night itineraries. A sister ship, AmaMelodia, will
join in June 2025. AmaWaterways also is launching a second ship in Egypt on the
Nile River. The 82-passenger AmaLilia will operate 11-night “Secrets of Egypt
& the Nile itineraries.” For more on AmaWaterways, turn to page 14.
AMADEUS RIVER CRUISES
The company is unveiling a new generation of vessels
featuring technical innovations that it said will set new environmental
standards for river cruising with the introduction of Amadeus Nova on Rhine and
Danube river itineraries in spring 2024. “The Amadeus Nova is our response to
the question of whether you can combine ship comfort with environmental
awareness,” said Amadeus Founder Wolfgang Lüftner. The four-deck vessel will be
equipped with 12 balcony suites and 67 outside cabins, most of which will boast
panoramic windows; wind-protected lounge areas; a café; a heated pool; and a
sundeck.
AMERICAN CRUISE LINES
The company, whose vessels solely ply U.S. ports and rivers,
will unveil two new Coastal Cats – American Liberty and American Legend – in
August and November, respectively. The two ships are the line’s third and
fourth Coastal Cats vessels, joining American Eagle and American Glory, which
debuted in 2023. The four vessels are deployed on a vast selection of exclusive
East Coast itineraries, including the new “Florida Gulf Coast & Keys”
sailing roundtrip from St. Petersburg and the “Yankee Seaports” cruise between
New York City and Boston. Other itineraries include “Historic South &
Golden Isles” sailings between Charleston, S.C. and Amelia Island, Fla., and
New England summer voyages.
AVALON WATERWAYS
As press time, the line was set to debut its first river
ship offering itineraries on Portugal’s Douro River in April. The new Avalon
Alegria will sail on an eight day “Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages”
itinerary roundtrip from Porto. The vessel, which is Avalon’s 15th European
Suite Ship, features 200-square-foot Panorama Suites on two full decks and
open-air balconies and beds facing the views. In all, Avalon Alegria will boast
14 Deluxe Staterooms and 37 Panorama Suites. Alegria will also have a pool on
the Sky Deck, where guests can take in the stunning scenery.
RIVIERA RIVER CRUISES
Due to increased demand, the company is introducing the
118-passenger MS Porto Mirante, which will offer 10 departures on a new
itinerary, the eight-day “Highlights of the Douro Valley and Salamanca” from
July to October. The ship will boast 59 cabins, an atrium bar and lounge with
floor-to-ceiling windows, a restaurant, a fitness center and a sun deck with a
sky lounge bar and splash pool. MS Port Mirante will join MS Douro Elegance and
MS Douro Splendour, which ply the waters of the Douro, Porto and Salamanca
rivers.
The christening of the Riverside Debussy (Photo Credit: Sarah Kuta)
RIVERSIDE LUXURY CRUISES
The line, which operates three of the former Crystal river
ships, debuted Riverside Debussy on a five-night cruise from Brussels to
Amsterdam on March 23. The ship’s portfolio of sailings include three to
seven-night itineraries on the Rhine, Danube and Main rivers, which can be
combined into longer cruises, with late or overnight calls in a range of
European cities. Riverside Dubussy carries 110 guests in 55 suites and has four
gourmet restaurants and seven dining options in all, the Palm Court, the Vista Lounge,
a spa and a fitness center. Riverside Mozart entered service in May 2023 and
Riverside Ravel in August 2023.
UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES
In March, the luxury line unveiled the S.S. Victoria on a
“Holland & Belgium Tulip Time” itinerary. The ship, which carries 110
guests and formerly sailed in the Crystal fleet as Crystal Bach, will also
offer an eight-day “Castles Along the Rhine” cruise from Basel to Amsterdam, a
10-day “Magnificent Moselle and Rhine” sailing roundtrip from Frankfurt and an
eight-day “Belgium Holiday Markets” voyage roundtrip from Brussels, which will
put the spotlight on both renowned and lesser-known Christmas markets. In 2025,
Uniworld is scheduled to introduce the S.S. Elisabeth, which formerly sailed as
Crystal Mahler.
The Viking Radgrid's flag waves on the upper deck while docked in La Roche-Guyon, a small town along the River Seine. (Photo Credit: Lacey Pfalz)
VIKING
The company is adding to its Egypt river fleet this year,
with the introduction of the 82-passenger Viking Hathor. The vessel will sail
on the 12-day “Pharaohs & Pyramids” itinerary, which includes a three-night
stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo. Guests then fl y to Luxor to explore the
Temple of Luxor and Karnak prior to boarding Viking Hathor for an eight-day
Nile cruise, followed by a flight back to Cairo for an overnight stay. Viking
Hathor is an identical sister ship to Viking Osiris and Viking Aton and, which
debuted in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The Egypt fleet also includes Viking Ra
and MS Antares. In 2005, Viking will add a sixth ship, Viking Sobek.
VIVA CRUISES
In September, VIVA Enjoy will make its debut on a 12-night
itinerary from Frankfurt to Vienna, with calls at Wertheim, Wurzburg,
Nuremberg, Passau and Linz. Following its inaugural cruise, the ship will set
sail on eight-day “Charming Danube” itineraries roundtrip from Vienna, followed
by Advent and Christmas voyages. VIVA Enjoy has 95 cabins including eight
suites and three restaurants. In all, VIVA Cruises will offer 85 different
itineraries and upward of 280 sailings on eight vessels. VIVA Enjoy’s debut follows
the introduction of VIVA One and VIVA Two in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
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