‘New generation’: The best river cruises to book for next year
It’s the hottest holiday on the water, but it’s not an ocean cruise. Passengers are clamouring to sail on the world’s rivers, and companies are rushing out ships to cater for them.
A river cruise ship passing Cologne Cathedral in Germany. iStock
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said the holiday type has grown by up to 15 per cent every year for the past decade.
And while river cruising has an older image with companies generally catering to over 55’s, CLIA said firms are “adapting to appeal to Gen X and Millennial travellers.”
Executive Director in Australasia Joel Katz said the sector is thriving.
“We are seeing an enormous amount of development and innovation in river cruising right now, which is a sign of a thriving market and a huge amount of enthusiasm among travellers,” Joel told nine.com.au.
Passengers are clamouring to sail on the world’s rivers, and companies are rushing out ships to cater for them. iStock
“River cruise lines have invested heavily in their ships and the experiences they offer guests, which has helped fuel strong demand.”
Joel said the mode of holidaying is “relaxing and stress-free” and allows travellers to tick off “multiple destinations”.
Some firms best known for ocean cruises, such as Celebrity Cruises, are so keen to get a slice of the action they’re building new ships.
Celebrity River Cruises is coming in 2027. Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity River Cruises’ first ship Celebrity Compass, will launch in the European summer next year.
Tim Jones, managing director Australia and New Zealand for the company, said river cruises offer a different kind of holiday from ocean cruises.
“Ocean cruises are great for covering vast distances and connecting destinations,” he told nine.com.au.
“Smaller more intimate ships weave you straight through the heart of cities, towns and countryside, making the journey itself an integral and immersive part of the experience.”
Celebrity Edge is inspiring the new Celebrity River Cruises. Celebrity Cruises
Similar to The Edge series of cruise ships new Celebrity river ships will offer The Magic Edge; cantilevered dining pods which allow dining above the river.
The company is hoping loyal sailors will want to try its river cruises.
He said priority booking access for the 2027 season sold out in six minutes when it launched.
“A new generation of guests is discovering river cruising, and they want to sail with brands they already know, love and trust,” he said.
“Our ocean guests are typically 45 and over, and today’s 45-year-old is far more active and adventurous than they were a decade ago.”
Inside one of the new Celebrity River Cruises ships. Celebrity Cruises
River cruises are generally all-inclusive, but that also usually makes them more expensive than ocean cruises.
The ships are also much smaller, holding hundreds rather than thousands of passengers.
The main hotspot is Europe. The Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main Seine, and Rhone are the big rivers to sail on.
Passengers can take in beautiful scenery and visit medieval cities along the routes.
Explora Journeys has announced it plans to launch river cruises. Explora
But other countries are also becoming more popular for river cruises.
The Douro in Portugal is growing and the Nile in Egypt has become a classic itinerary.
The Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia, and the Amazon are more adventurous options.
It’s a bucket-list cruise for many and an Aussie-owned ship is sailing on the Nile in Egypt. Travelmarvel
Ultra-luxury firm Scenic is expanding its Indian cruises onto the Brahmaputra River.
Another upmarket cruise firm, Explora Journeys has signed a Letter of Intent with Dutch shipbuilder Den Breejen Shipyard for the construction of its first luxury river ships.
Plus river cruise specialist, Australian company Travelmarvel has also returned to Egypt, with its newest river ship, Sirius, now sailing on the Nile.
The firm is also running dedicated solo departures, introducing two 15-day European Gems river cruise sailings in June and October 2027.
