Cruises.com.au Blog

German river cruise company Peter Deilmann Cruises will shut down its river cruise operation by year-end, due to financial problems. Their ocean cruises will continue to operate.

However, this is not reflective of river cruising as a whole. River cruising holidays are very popular in Europe, as they provide the opportunity to see many sights and cities on one trip. With river cruising, most costs are paid up front, so it’s easier to budget, many shore excursions are also included as is wine with meals onboard.

Some of the Top Riverboat Destinations

• The Danube is a popular choice for first-timers; it stretches from Germany to the Black Sea, passing Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria along the way. Cruise lines that operate along it include Viking River Cruises and Uniworld.
• The River Douro travels from Spain through the rural scenery of northern Portugal to the city of Porto, visiting restored palaces, places of pilgrimage, charming villages and vineyards. Uniworld and CroisiEurope operate on the River Douro.
• The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and passes through many of China’s great sites including the Three Gorges, the Great Wall, the Forbidden Palace and the site of the Terracotta Army. Viking River Cruises and Avalon Waterways are first class operators that sail the Yangtze.
• The Rhine River has been particularly significant for its navigable waterway and defensive features as it flows from the Alps into the North Sea, through Switzerland, Germany, France and Holland. It also links up with cruises on the Moselle and Danube rivers. Many cruise lines operate in this area.
• For fine wines and culinary delights, cruise along the River Rhine through Provence and the south of France.
• Try the Nile in Egypt; see the Pyramids and Sphinx, Valley of the Kings and Temples of Ramses, while cruising along the longest river in the world.
• Explore our own outback on the Murray, and see million-year-old gorges, golden sandstone cliffs towering over blue-green lagoons and majestic, red gum forests under endless blue skies. See Captain Cook Cruises for details.
• See Russia’s two old imperial capitals, Moscow and St. Petersburg. See Uniworld for details.
• Cruise through Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand; take in some of Southeast Asia’s ancient cities, temples and natural wonders. Cruise lines in this region include Pandaw River Cruises.

John Pond
News Editor, Cruise Passenger magazine