Tide rising on river cruising holidays

AUSTRALIAN travellers are embracing river cruising holidays to Europe, Asia and Russia in record numbers.

Mekong River cruise

RIVER cruising is booming in popularity among Australians, with travel companies rushing to add new ships to try to keep up with demand.

The number of Australians choosing river cruising holidays almost tripled over the past four years and grew by 22 per cent last year alone, according to International Cruise Council of Australasia figures.

It now accounts for six per cent of the record 620,000 cruise ship holidays taken by Australians each year.

Europe is the most popular destination for river cruising holidays, but Asia and Russia are also growing.

Travel experts attribute river cruising's success to its ease and beauty, all-inclusive nature and the fact you get to see several destinations but only have to unpack once.

Australian travel company APT, which introduced river cruising to the Australian market 12 years ago, is adding two new ships this year to create a fleet of 12 ships it co-owns with AmaWaterways.

APT marketing manager Justine Lally said its Amsterdam to Budapest cruise was the most popular, but trips down the Mekong River in Cambodia and Laos and Russia were also growing.

"All of the old villages and cities were build up around the river the ships pull right up into the heart of the city,'' she said.

Ms Lally said river ships started out as very basic but have evolved to include all-weather balconies beside cabins and different dining experiences.

Another Australian company, Scenic Tours, launched a new ship in Europe last month and is introducing two more ships for the 2013 season.

"Australians love to travel and we have always travelled great distances, but we sometimes feel when we have travelled so far that we want to see as much as we can,'' general manager of sales and marketing Michelle Black said.

"River cruising gives you the chance to have a relaxing holiday yet you still see so much.''

Avalon Waterways is also expanding its European river fleet to 12 ships next year as its bookings in the Australian market reach an all-time record.

The company's managing director Australasia Stewart Williams said Australia had become Avalon's fastest growing market worldwide.

"Our river cruise bookings in Australia are currently 40 per cent above this time last year and 2012 has already eclipsed all other sales records in this market,'' he said.

"It is now second only to the United States in overall passenger numbers.''

Mr Williams said the company designed its new Suite Ships with Australians in mind, including the food, decor and espresso coffee.

"Australians are driving the agenda in river cruising right now,'' he said.

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