Cruisers looking to truly know the soul of a city or region oftentimes needn't look further than its lifeline — the flowing waters of its river, from which nourishment, trade, transport, recreation, and more nods to cultured civilization have all sprung forth. River cruising, long popular with Europeans, is today experiencing a surge of interest on storied waterways around the globe, thanks to the intimate and enriching destination approach it provides on routes simply impossible to replicate by any other means. Leave the over-the-top Las Vegas megaships out at sea, and parking and traffic headaches back on land, and instead opt to cruise the meandering waterways of a region’s heartland aboard small ships ranging from luxury riverboats to vintage paddle-wheelers, with every river bend revealing a destination’s new face courtesy of a constantly shuffled deck of quaint riverside towns, historic monuments, and pristine countryside.
1. Amazon
Sections of the wild waters of the Peruvian Amazon (like the portion that courses through the five-million-acre Pacaya Samiria Reserve) are so remote that they can only be reached by plane or by ship, but the pristine region's ecological riches (think mammoth Victoria Regia water lilies, pink dolphins, sloths, and capuchin monkeys) have long lured veteran travelers.
2. Danube
Set sail on the well traveled “Blue Danube” whose beauty inspired one of Johann Strauss’ Viennese waltzes. Used for centuries as a route between eastern and central Europe, the river stretches from the Black Forest to the Black Sea.
3. Hudson and St. Lawrence Seaway
American Canadian Caribbean Line’s 12-day “Northeastern Fall Foliage” itinerary combines sailings along New York and Canada’s most scenic waterways.
4. Mekong
The 12th largest river in the world, the Mekong is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia, snaking through China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam before emptying into the South China Sea.
5. Mississippi
Steamboats have been a symbol of the American South since they were invented in the 18th century. Modernity may have replaced them with larger, more efficient vessels, but Majestic America keeps the tradition alive with its ships like the Delta Queen, a gracious ode to an earlier era with its stained-glass windows, teak decks, and 176 state rooms.
6. Murray
The “Mighty Murray” is to Australia what the Mississippi is to the United States. Stretching from its mountain source in Victoria to near Adelaide in South Australia, it, combined with the Darling River that feeds it, comprise Australia’s longest river (and the seventh longest in the world).
7. Nile
The awesome sights of ancient Egypt are on every intrepid traveler’s to-see list and you can cover all the highlights, from the pyramids and the Sphinx to King Tut’s tomb and the Luxor Temples.
8. Seine
Billed as the world’s first “boutique luxury” river cruise ship, Jewel River Cruises’ MS Jewel Imperial Blue drifts along the Seine between Paris and Normandy’s medieval capital of Rouen. The ship accommodates just 70 guests (with an exceptional 2:1 guest-to-crew ratio), but reserving a spot won’t be difficult as more than a dozen voyages are planned from August through December. Eight to 14-day itineraries offer options for culinary adventures with a Michelin three-star chef in Paris, a tour of Monet’s house and gardens in Vernon, private wine tastings, and helicopter rides over the Champagne region. The land tours alone make it worth the splurge (from $5,999 per person), but with onboard amenities like a full service spa, a well curated wine bar, and spacious, modern suites ranging from 215 to 469 square feet, you may think twice before disembarking.
9. Volga and Russian Waterways
Experience Russia’s imperial majesty while sailing along one of the oldest Russian routes, visiting cities of the Golden Ring, from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Premium Amadeus Waterways offers memorable 14-day Russian waterway sailings aboard the well-appointed Tolstoy (originally built to host big-shot Kremlin officials). The itinerary starts with one of the country’s grandes dames, Moscow, famous for its domed churches and burgeoning hip nightlife scene, then covers visits to various Golden Ring cities like Uglich, Yaroslavl, and Kostroma, before arriving in Russia’s other crowned-jewel, St. Petersburg, a magnificent city speckled with imperial palaces and a few hundred bridges. The journey incorporates cultural extras like an exclusive ballet performance at the Hermitage Theater, onboard Russian classes, and even a home visit and meal with a local Russian family in Uglich. Sailings are available from May through September.
10. Yangtze
With the Olympic torch shining a spotlight on China in ’08, you needn’t be a pole vaulter to discover the nation’s treasures. Instead, sign up for one of Viking River Cruises’ 11-night "Imperial Jewels of China" excursions, combining land tours of the Beijing capital, the Terra Cotta Warriors’ site at Xian, and cosmopolitan Shanghai, with a cruise along the Yangtze River, a river lifeline that has long served to interweave the lives and legends of the local people. The intimate and upscale Viking Century Sky offers spacious staterooms each with windows or private balconies, well suited for enjoying the views of the breathtaking Three Gorges region. The cruise line’s package rates include all meals, shore excursions, six nights in high-end hotels, and intra-China flights; sailings are available between May and November. Trip extensions are also available to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia.
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Uniworld today announced the launch of its tenth ship, the River Beatrice. The majestic River Beatrice joins Uniworld's fleet of ten boutique, hotel-style ships, and will offer the same high standards of excellence in elegant accommodations, award-winning hospitality, and world-class cuisine. She is poised to sail in March of 2009 along the river of composers and poets, the Enchanting Danube.
