JWT Cruises experts share their thoughts on the popularity of river cruises and pick out some of the most stunning destinations in Europe and beyond.
“River cruising is a very different experience to ocean voyages, as guests embark on smaller, intimate ships that take them to the heart of the cities,” explains Caroline O’Toole, head of Luxury and Cruises at JWT Travel. “They are becoming increasingly popular among guests both new to cruising and also avid cruisers keen to try something different.”
The Rhine and Danube rivers are the most sought-after destinations. These are classic river cruises, during which guests sail through gloriously beautiful regions of Europe, such as the Rhine Gorge, and visit stunning cities such as Budapest and Vienna on the Danube.
Porto and the Douro Valley in Portugal, Provence and Bordeaux in France, and Venice and the Veneto region in Italy are becoming hot new favourites. Beyond Europe the Nile in Egypt, the Mekong in Vietnam and the Amazon in Peru are three incredible river cruise destinations that can be extended and explored even further.
Festive Season
From the end of November, many cities across Europe transform into a magical winter wonderland with traditional Christmas markets. By embarking on a river cruise, guests are transported into the heart of each city to enjoy the local markets.
Many cruise lines also offer special itineraries for those who want to celebrate Christmas or celebrate New Year’s Eve on board. JWT Cruises has a special escorted Christmas Markets group departing on December 2 along the scenic Rhine from Cologne to Koblenz.
“There is incredible choice at the moment both for destinations and also cruising style,” adds Caroline. “Guests can opt for a short four-night cruise, sail for a week or longer journeys of two weeks and more. We work with superb cruise lines from five-star to boutique and ultra luxury, and we can help guests pick the perfect one for them.”
