River Cruises Benefits

Choosing a river cruise instead of the usual ocean cruise has many benefits, including:

· River cruising emphasizes the destination, rather than the on board experience, allowing guests to reach more cities and attractions than they could access via ocean cruising or bus tours and to focus on them in greater depth
· River cruising can take travelers to the heart and soul of their destinations because so many great cities and towns were established along the banks of rivers
· Calm and shallow river waters afford passengers a smooth and safe journey devoid of uncomfortable seasickness
· The size and configuration of river cruising vessels mean that every stateroom is an “outside” stateroom with a river view
· River cruising offers the antithesis of the “herd mentality” often associated with larger ocean vessels. AmaWaterways ships, for instance, accommodate between 30-100 passengers, allowing for a truly intimate experience
· Because river cruise ships are constantly moving, guests enjoy new scenery and vistas all day, every day, whether from their stateroom or other parts of the ship
· Unlike ocean cruises, AmaWaterways always include guided shore excursions in the price of the itinerary


For more information about AmaWaterways take a look at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-amadeus-waterways.html or for the latest news take a look at the latest Prow’s Edge news item about AmaWaterways exploring Africa

River Cruises on the Rise - Who Knew?

Who knew that river cruises would be one of the top growth sectors of the cruise industry, or that luxury cruises would also be up there at the top of the list.

But that is exactly what has happened.

In our latest news item about CRUISE LINE GROWTH SECTORS the Cruise Lined International Association (CLIA) reveals the results of their survey of cruise lines and travel agents and what’s new in cruise trends and consumer attitudes.

They all agree that the demand for luxury and river cruises is growing and that the main motivating factor is the “destination”.

It shouldn’t be a surprise then to also learn that 3 new river cruise boats are being launched this year, and that a further 5 new vessels will be setting sail next near in 2011.These include:

2010
AmaWaterways: ms Amakaterina
Avalon Waterways: Felicity and Luminary

2011
AmaWaterways: ms Amabella, ms Amaverde, ms Amalotus
Avalon Waterways: Panorama
Uniworld Grand River Cruises: River Antoinette

For more information about river cruises visit the RIVER CRUISES page at Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine

Photo: AmaWaterways’ brand new ms Amakaterin built for the Russian Rivers

River Cruises - The Increasingly Popular Cruise Option

In the old days, river cruises were not generally that popular, but there has been a revolution in the river cruise industry and the product is far more appealing than it once was – larger suites, better food, spa facilities. These days, a river cruise ship is more like a boutique hotel – with the advantage in the fact that the the view is always splendid and ever changing.

There are also many more river cruise destinations on offer now than before. A river cruise is no longer simply a trip down the Rhine. New itineraries include the remote Rajang River with Pandaw River Cruises, the winding Saloun and Gambia Rivers of West Africa with Variety Cruises, not forgetting everything from the Yangtze River in China to the Nile and Niger Rivers of Africa, from the Danube, Rhine, or Rhone Rivers of Europe to Amazon cruises in South America, to North America’s Mississippi River, Columbia and Snake Rivers, the Hudson River and the Great Lakes, and the California wine country.

Highlighting the increase in the river cruise market is the increasing momentum in the demand for Swan Hellenic's river cruises.

Fresh from the success of operating a successful 2009 season of river cruises on the Rhône and the Danube, and with their 2010 season virtually sold out several months prior to the first river cruise in May, Swan Hellenic has brought forward the launch of their 2011 river programme on the Rhône, Danube and Rhine to satisfy demand.

Other cruise lines offering river cruises are reporting similar trends.

For more information about river cruises and other types of cruises from senior cruises to gay cruises, adventure cruises to "babymoon" cruises, take a look at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine's section on the different types of cruises at www.prowsedge.com/cruises.html

For more information about river cruises with Swan Hellenic visit http://rivercruises.swanhellenic.com/