Luxury river cruising has become increasingly popular in recent years with many preferring the intimacy of a river cruise ship to the hustle and bustle of an ocean liner. These river ships cruise the waterways of the world with seamless ease and take their guests to incomparable destinations which are often unreachable by other means of travel.
Fran Hayden, from ROL Cruise, looks at how you can meander through the world’s waters in the lap of luxury, with five of the best luxury river cruises for 2018.
Imperial Waterways of Russia with 6★ Uniworld
Uniworld are renowned for their floating boutique hotels which cruise Europe’s greatest rivers in all-inclusive luxury. On board, guests will discover gourmet dining venues, beautifully appointed suites and staterooms, a hospitality standard that will far exceed your expectations and a level of unsurpassed sophistication. With this cruise, the imperial cities, grand artistic treasures and spectacular architecture of Russia await your arrival; from Moscow’s monuments including the Kremlin complex and St. Basil’s Cathedral, to the UNESCO listed Transfiguration Church in Kizhi Island and regal St. Petersburg, where you will enjoy an extended stay. This voyage will ignite the interest of anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the passion and grandeur of Russian history, art and culture whilst cruising in 6★ luxury.
To book this voyage, head over to Uniworld’s website, here. Alternatively, book your next Uniworld voyage here.
Discover Vietnam & Cambodia with APT
The boutique design of APT’s AmaLotus exudes sophistication and will charm you from the moment that you step on board. Combining personalised service (as every suite guest will benefit from butler service), indulgent public areas including a large sun deck and delectable dining experiences, your cruise aboard APT’s luxurious ship will prove to be unforgettable – particularly when you consider the astounding destinations that you will visit on this discovery of Vietnam and Cambodia. With a host of Signature Experiences in most destinations, you will experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises in destinations such as Ha Long Bay and Ho Chi Minh City.
To book this voyage, head over to APT’s website, here. Alternatively, book an APT voyage here.
The Enchanting Rhine with AMAWaterways
When cruising a waterway as iconic and beautiful as the Rhine, it seems only right to do it in the utmost luxury. Inspired by opulent yachts, AMAWaterways’ award-winning fleet will entice you with the luxury of more; more included tours, more views, more fine dining and more service. Not only are the vessels stunning and thoughtfully designed, but you will have access to exclusive amenities including massage services, a fitness room and a pool as you cruise the Rhine River. This beautifully crafted itinerary begins in Basel and ends with an overnight stay in Amsterdam – but there is so much in between to delight. From the baroque architecture of Mannheim to the delicious wine of Rüdesheim and the cultural hub of west Germany, Cologne. This unforgettable cruise will never fail to astound, entice and delight.
For more information on AMAWaterways voyages, click here.
Scenic’s Black Sea Explorer
There is nothing quite like travelling through Europe on a river cruise with Scenic, from the moment you step on board you feel instantly relaxed and with a combination of unparalleled experiences and exquisite service it’s easy to see why. Proudly providing an all-inclusive luxury message, Scenic’s Space-Ships are incomparable, as is this stunning Black Sea Explorer itinerary. With Scenic, there are exclusive experiences aplenty including a Shop with a Chef option in Belgrade, a bike ride along the Danube and a walking tour in Silistra. Scenic provide you with the most affluent home-from-home as you transit these European waterways – there’s little else you could want or desire from a 5★ luxury river cruise.
Learn more about Scenic’s range of voyages here.
Classic Mekong with Pandaw
There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong, similarly, there are no river cruise lines as perfected in luxury Mekong River travel as Pandaw River Expeditions. The Pandaw experience is all about exploring remote and often hard-to-navigate rivers and coasts in specially-designed luxury small ships so this, you could say, is a luxury river cruise with a difference. Each hand-crafted ship is an object of beauty itself, and you will be torn whether to immerse yourself in the luxury on board, or the humbling and authentic experiences ashore. From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, exclusive opportunities abound and this itinerary even provides the once-in-a-lifetime experience to visit Kratie and the protected dolphins that live there. If you’re seeking a unique yet luxurious experience, this could very well be the voyage for you.
To find out more about Pandaw’s river expeditions, click here.
For more individual advice or questions, contact a member of the ROL Cruise Concierge team by calling free on 0800 251 1005.
