River cruise in style with these 10 top itineraries

You’d be a jaded traveller indeed if you stood beside a river without the urge to follow it. Rivers encourage exploration – and a river cruise lets you do it in style, without stress or discomfort.

The rewards are immense. Civilisations grew up around rivers, and they offer great trading cities, cathedrals or temples, castles and curiosities around every bend.

You can sail on some 50 rivers, from the Ohio and Mississippi in the USA to the Red River in Vietnam, Brahmaputra in India and Tisza and Elbe in Europe. Here are 10 top itineraries that highlight river cruising’s wonderful variety.

RHINE-DANUBE CRUISE WITH APT

This 15-day itinerary between Budapest and Amsterdam suits those who want to see a varied swathe of Europe, from leading cultural cities such as Vienna and Budapest to gingerbread old towns, castles and baroque palaces.

Regensburg and Passau are among Europe’s loveliest riverside towns, boasting an intriguing blend of Germanic, Italianate and Central European influences. At Germany’s Rhine Gorges and Austria’s Wachau Valley, you get eruptions of magnificent scenery.

The 164-guest AmaVenita is unusual for its pool with swim-up bar, large suites, wellness centre and range of dining experiences, and it carries bicycles for guest use. “Magnificent Europe” itineraries cost from $6995pp, with regular departures March-December. See aptouring.com.au

NILE CRUISE WITH SANCTUARY

See one of the world’s great travel destinations without hassle on a river cruise that showcases the fertility and desert beauty of the Nile River. This eight-day cruise sails Luxor to Aswan return, where the river is dense with fabulous monuments and temples such as Karnak, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Sailing in a felucca around Aswan’s scattering of granite islands is magical.

The 64-guest Sanctuary Nile Adventurer blends old-fashioned style with contemporary decor and five-star amenities and service, and has a gorgeous pool deck from which to view the passing scenery. “Luxor to Luxor” itineraries cost from US$2614pp, with regular departures year-round. See sanctuaryretreats.com

BURGUNDY & PROVENCE CRUISE WITH UNIWORLD

This eight-day itinerary features renowned areas of regional France and allows you to get active on kayaking, hiking and cycling tours. Among the highlights are the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, ancient Roman ruins, landscapes that inspired the painters Van Gogh and Cézanne, and famous Burgundy and Côtes du Rhône wine regions.

The 159-guest ship SS Catherine has three decks of public areas in lavish style, with antique furnishings, artworks, striking décor and a swimming pool. Uniworld stands out for the quality of its food, which is regionally inspired. “Burgundy & Provence” itineraries cost from $4099pp, with regular departures March-November. See uniworld.com

SNAKE AND COLUMBIA RIVERS WITH AMERICAN QUEEN

The USA is overlooked by Australians as a river-cruise destination but has cruises on a dozen rivers. Nowhere is the scenery mightier than in the Pacific Northwest where, over nine days, you journey from desert landscapes to gorges gushing with waterfalls, and on to temperate coast. The itinerary follows the route taken by explorers Lewis and Clark in 1805, and dips into Native American and settler history.

The 217-guest American Empress paddle steamer recalls the gold-rush era and showcases Pacific Northwest cuisine. Daily lectures and evening performances highlight regional culture and history. “Spokane to Portland” itineraries cost from $3119pp, with regular departures March-November. See aqvoyages.com.au

LOWER DANUBE CRUISE WITH AVALON

Decebal Rex on the Danube River in Romania.Credit: Alamy

This is a cruise for those who think they’ve “done” Europe. The nine-day journey from Budapest to Bucharest takes you through five countries (Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania) with sometimes stunning scenery, including snow-capped mountains and the Iron Gates gorges.

Places you mightn’t have heard of also supply a wow factor, including Serbian capital Belgrade, old town Veliko Tarnovo and Belogradchik fortress in Bulgaria, and World Heritage burial chambers at Pécs in Hungary.

The 166-guest Avalon Passion has a restaurant and bistro, fitness centre and whirlpool, and is notable for its large suites with balconies. “Balkan Discovery” itineraries cost from $4762pp, with regular departures May-October. See avalonwaterways.com.au

MEKONG CRUISE WITH VIKING

This 15-day itinerary in Vietnam and Cambodia is bracketed between hotel stays in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, from where you explore the temples of Angkor Wat. Along the river, stickybeak on local life at the markets, small factories and backstreets of Cai Be and Sa Dec.

Kampong Cham supplies a slice of village life, surrounded by hills crowned in temples. Another highlight is Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace set in manicured gardens.

The three-deck, 80-guest Viking Saigon, launched in August 2022, has a restaurant, lounge, library and outdoor sky bar with infinity pool. “Magnificent Mekong” itineraries cost from $6495pp, with regular departures July-February. See vikingrivercruises.com.au

SEINE RIVER WITH RIVIERA

Honfleur, Normandy.Credit: iStock

If you fancy a tranquil, undemanding eight-day float through pretty scenery and French culture, this is the journey for you. The Seine – short but central to French history – is crowded with cathedrals, castles, and sites associated with Impressionist painters such as fishing town Honfleur and Monet’s house at Giverny. There are also excursions to Normandy’s D-Day landing beaches and Bayeux for its famous eleventh-century tapestry.

The 140-guest Jane Austen is kitted out in hardwood, marble and leather, with chic lighting, stylish decor and a sense of understated luxury. Service is excellent. “Seine, Paris & Normandy itineraries cost from $3389pp, with regular departures April-October. See rivieratravel.com.au

GANGES CRUISE WITH TRAVELMARVEL

Travelmarvel’s RV Rajmahal on the Ganges River.

This 11-day itinerary starts with two nights in Kolkata (Calcutta), where you visit grand monuments, Mother Teresa’s modest house and gaudy Mullik Ghat Flower Market. As you sail upriver, decaying forts, Hindu palaces and temples, mango orchards and rice fields unfold.

At Kalna, 108 terracotta temples sit in two concentric circles. Mayapur, headquarters of the Hare Krishna movement, is crowded with chanting, saffron-clad devotees.

RV Rajmahal carries 40 guests attended by 30 staff. It has a great sundeck, and a restaurant serving a variety of Western and Indian dishes. “Authentic India – Lower Ganges” itineraries cost from $5695pp, with departures in October and March. See travelmarvel.com.au

DOURO CRUISE WITH SCENIC

Scenic Azure, Douro Valley.

While Central Europe and France get most river-cruise attention, this is an excellent alternative in Portugal for those seeking sunshine, dramatically tiered vineyards, and the flamboyant if dishevelled beauty of two great historical cities, Porto and Spanish university town Salamanca. The 11-day journey also takes in cellar doors, four World Heritage sites, and outrageously decorated baroque churches.

The 96-guest Scenic Azure has five dining options, and nearly all its suites have all-weather balconies that can be enclosed with the press of a button. You’ll also enjoy a wellness centre and vitality pool. “Unforgettable Douro” itineraries cost from $7195pp, with regular departures April-November. See scenic.com.au

AMAZON RIVER WITH AQUA EXPEDITIONS

Aqua Expeditions’ Aria Amazon on the Amazon River.

If you’re more eco-warrior or adventurer than culture vulture, head off on a seven-night exploration of Peru’s Amazon – a true wilderness of dense rainforest home to monkeys, sloths, toucans and macaws.

You’ll spend most time in the lagoons of Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, making excursions by small boat with wildlife experts. You’ll also get the chance to kayak, fish and encounter locals at passing villages.

The 32-guest Aria Amazon features a lounge and bar, observation deck, Jacuzzi and restaurant focused on contemporary Peruvian cuisine. Small boats are used for wildlife excursions along the river. “Amazon Expedition” itineraries cost from US$8435pp, with regular departures year-round. See aquaexpeditions.com