Why river cruises aren't just for old people

Greetings from the Pacific Northwest! This week we’re kicking off the 2022 river cruise season aboard American Queen Voyages's (AQV) American Empress, which sails the Columbia and Snake rivers from Portland to Spokane.

We’re looking forward to tracing the steps of Lewis and Clark, visiting the former fur trading hub of Astoria, tasting regional wines, learning different ways to prepare salmon from celebrated chef and AQV culinary ambassador Regina Charboneau, and well, just stepping back in time and relaxing aboard the paddle-wheel-powered vessel.

We know what many of you are thinking: Aren’t river cruises for old people? Absolutely not. From the Danube to the Amazon to the Nile, Mekong and the mighty Mississippi, there are a host of options and destinations for travelers of all ages and styles. We’ll give you a primer below. But first, here’s the news we’re looking at this week:

Covid restrictions continue to ease

Hawaii on March 26 will become the last state to drop its mask mandates. But we’re going to have to wait at least another month before we can bare our faces on planes, trains and (public) automobiles. The Transportation Security Administration last week extended the mask mandate until at least April 18. Yes, masks can be annoying. But there is an upside: We haven’t caught a cold or flu bug while traveling since masks became a global travel accessory.

Russia’s war not deterring Europe lovers

While the Russia-Ukraine war of course continues to weigh heavy on all of our minds, travel agents say most of their clients are going ahead with plans to visit Europe.   

“Surprisingly, after a few questions from clients soon after the war started,  things have been ‘normal’” Suzy Schreiner, owner of Azure Blue Vacations in Seattle told us. “Clients are showing more ease now that they are seeing countries in Europe alleviate their entry protocols. We are just waiting for the U.S. to do the same!”

Indeed, some agents have told us that the stress of potentially testing positive and not being able to get home continues to deter international travel.

“We have seen a few (European river cruise) clients switch to the states because they don’t want the test to return to U.S.A., or they want to stay local,” said Camille Cutrone Holubar of Vista Travel Consultants. 

No, you are not too young for a river cruise!

By Jeri Clausing

Several years ago, as I waited to board a plane to Europe, a couple in line next to me told me they were headed to Amsterdam for a river cruise. When I told them I had always wanted to try one, the woman looked at me and said, “Oh, you’re too young.” 

She couldn’t have been more wrong. 

I’ve never been a big fan of cruises, or group travel in general. But from the moment I set sail on my first European river cruise along the Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam, I was hooked.

Whether exploring France’s famed wine regions, historic capital cities along the Danube, the castle-lined Rhine, the music capitals of Memphis and New Orleans or the historic American Northwest, there is – in my opinion – no better, more relaxed way to explore than with the only-unpack-once convenience and comfort from what is essentially a floating boutique hotel.

Want to learn more about Europe’s history and landmarks? Daily excursions with local guides are included (along with meals and often alcoholic beverages) on European lines catering to international travelers. Prefer to explore on your own? Check out a bike or simply step off the ship in the heart of town to wander the streets. There are never mandatory schedules, other than being on board in time for the ship to slowly make its way down the continent’s picturesque waterways to your next stop.

On board, whether you’re having a local farm-to-table meal, a wine-pairing dinner, cocktails on the sundeck or simply relaxing in your cabin or on the sundeck, there is always a view.

The most popular European routes sail the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers, with stops in must-see destinations like Amsterdam, Vienna, Budapest as well as quaint villages in between. Some also are increasingly branching out onto the less-traveled Moselle, as well as south on the Danube from Budapest through Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. 

In France, you can sail roundtrip from Paris on the Seine or on the Rhone and smaller rivers in the Bordeaux and Burgundy wine regions. One of my favorite cruises – and a perfect trip for foodies – is Tauck’s “Savoring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence” land and river itinerary that includes cooking classes at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, truffle hunting in Grignan as well as opportunities to scour the brioche bakeries and food markets of Lyon and Avignon and sample some of France’s finest wines in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region. 

Domestically, the pandemic is boosting what was already growing interest in sailings on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers as well as the Pacific Northwest. Currently, just two companies sail American rivers, American Queen Voyages (AQV) and American Cruise Line (ACL). Until a few years ago, the only options were traditional paddlewheelers.  But ACL has introduced a  line of more European-style, modern ships, and Viking this year joins the game with a nearly 400 passenger new build that even has a swimming pool. And while AQV’s newest ship, the American Countess, still has the traditional paddlewheel exterior, the atmosphere and interior  decor is more akin to a contemporary boutique hotel. And  AQV’s locally inspired wine, spirits and cuisine rival that of Europe’s top river lines.

How to pick the right river cruise

Q: Aren’t river cruises really more for older, retired people?

While the biggest operator, Viking, has stayed committed to its 55-plus demographic, many other upscale and luxury European lines catering to international travelers have evolved in recent years to offer more options for travelers of all ages and travel styles. In addition to traditional excursions to must-see landmarks, many now offer more active options, including hiking, biking, kayaking, local cooking classes, even pub crawls. Many also have daily yoga and other fitness classes. Some lines, including Avalon Waterways and Emerald, also have dedicated sailings along popular routes that guarantee active excursion options every day in addition to the traditional tours of historic landmarks.

Domestically, the river cruise demographic does tend to skew older than in Europe. But as interest and competition increases, lines are offering more options to attract younger travelers, On the Columbia and Snake River sailings, for instance, AQV offers zip line excursions. And it recently expanded sailings on the lower Mississippi between the popular music destinations of New Orleans and Memphis. AQV also has bikes on all of its ships that travelers can take out to explore on their own.

Q: How are river cruises different from ocean cruises?

Typically carrying between 100 to just under 200 passengers, river cruises are much more intimate. And the focus is more on the destination than the ship. While that means fewer onboard amenities than ocean liners, upscale and luxury lines generally have lots of open public spaces – indoors and out – for lounging and socializing. 

Q: What does the typical itinerary look like?

Sailings are generally seven to 14-days. Most days are spent in port, although there are occasional day sailings through scenic areas.  Next year, AmaWaterways plans to sail what it says would be Europe’s longest-ever river cruise, a 46-night trip that will take up to 144 guests through 14 countries on four ships and seven rivers – the Seine, Rhone, Soane, Rhine, Moselle, Main and the Danube. And Uniworld is launching a 46-night Rivers of the World Cruise in 2023 that will take travelers from Egypt to Portugal across nine countries on five different ships.  Avalon Waterways, meantime, offers shorter three-to-five day sailings, which are ideal for guests looking to combine a river cruise with land itineraries. 

Q:  How to pick the right line for your travel style and budget. 

For those seeking the ultimate in luxury, Scenic boasts five-star amenities including butler service for all of its guests. Uniworld offers butler service for guests in its top suites. AmaWaterways offers a more casual luxury, sans butlers, but with comparable service and cuisine. One of its newer, most luxurious ships, the AmaMagna is great for guests looking for more space. At twice the width of traditional ships, the line used the extra space to build bigger, hotel-room sized cabins and more onboard options, including four dining venues and a full-sized gym complete with an outdoor cycling studio. Emerald and Avalon offer a more casual yet still upscale experience at a slightly lower price point.

Q: What does a river cruise cost?

Prices generally range from $3,000 to $8,000 per person for a seven-night sailing, depending on the line and cabin type. Like ocean liners, cabin options range from small, bottom deck accommodations without a balcony to spacious suites with separate living areas and bathrooms with full-sized tubs and double vanities.