These are the most memorable river cruises, created with bucket lists in mind.

Portugal's port wine country can be best explored by river cruise https://t.co/QAJeUqtKKw

— ELLIOT IN THE MORNING (@EITMonline) October 5, 2021

Since the beginning of time, people have been attracted to rivers for practical reasons, including the ability to carry commodities and cultivate crops in the rich soil that lines their banks. However, more recently, vacationing by boat on these magnificent rivers has also become a fantastic option. Sometimes, slow boat travel makes accessible places and communities that would otherwise be inaccessible, as is the case with the Amazon and the Mekong. Others get an opportunity to explore vast stretches of rural countryside, unknown teeny tiny villages, and interior cities from a new, different angle. These huge rivers, as well as the cruises, include magnificent scenery that is continuously changing, making the trip as remarkable as the destinations.

Amazon

Amazon River

The Amazon is a huge, uninhabited, and vitally essential wilderness that is home to 10% of all known animal species and the biggest, most biodiverse jungle on Earth. Only a boat on the Amazon River can travel far into the rainforest. The port of departure for the Seabourn Venture, the cruise line's newest exploration ship that will debut in 2022, is Manaus, Brazil. The days are spent paddling down the river in kayaks and Zodiacs, keeping a lookout for wildlife (howler monkeys, toucans, and pink dolphins), learning about life in the jungle from the onboard naturalists, and passing hospitable Riberenos who reside in stilted homes along the banks.

URL: seabourn.com 

Atchafalaya Swamp

The Mississippi

One of the most well-known American road journeys is from New Orleans to Memphis, but for those who don't feel like driving, a cruise on the Lower Mississippi is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Deep South. The aptly named Viking Mississippi ship was introduced last summer (it also sails the upper section of the river); onboard, expect the company's signature clean-lined Scandinavian design, a sun terrace with an infinity plunge pool, and restaurants like the River Café, which serves local specialties like fiery jambalaya and Cajun crawfish. Port calls include Darrow, where travelers can choose from optional shore excursions like watching a traditional Louisiana cooking demonstration, Baton Rouge, where they can board an airboat to search for alligators in the Atchafalaya Swamp, and Natchez, where they can sign up for a tour of old homes and mansions.

Internet address: vikingrivercruises.co.uk 

The Mekong

Mekong River

For almost ten years, Aqua Expeditions has sailed the mighty Mekong River through Cambodia and Vietnam. The company's expertise is evident in every aspect of the trip, from the onboard bicycles that allow visitors to take guided tours of the rice paddies and river banks to the menus created by consulting chef David Thompson using different regional ingredients. The Aqua Mekong is a modern, 20-suite ship with interior design by Saigon-based Noor Design. A gaming room, gym, pool, bar, and outdoor theatre for star-studded movie evenings are all located on the observation deck. Customized itineraries may include paddling to watch silk weavers at work, seeing gold-roofed temples, and exploring floating communities on Tonle Sap Lake. Small-group excursions on private skiffs are also available.

Internet address: aquaexpeditions.com

Douro River

The Douro

The Douro River, which flows southwestern from the Atlantic coast through rural Portugal, forms the spine of the rugged terrain of the region's port-producing Douro Valley, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The scenery for Uniworld's round-trip sailing aboard the SS. Sao Gabriel from Porto, a bustling city that mixes neo-classical palaces with creative energy, is terraced hillsides, sleepy towns, and acres of vineyards. Port is prominently featured along the route, from supper at a traditional rural Quinta to vineyard tastings to an optional crash course on the history of this delicious red wine at the Douro Museum (Romans planted grapes in the region 2,000 years ago). But there is also time to experience city life, whether in Salamanca, a historic university city, Guimares Old Town, or Castelo Rodrigo, a lovely town surrounded by almond trees and meadows of wild lavender.

url: uniworld.com 

Belmond cruise

The Rhone

Napoleon, which accommodates 12 guests, is the lone barge in Belmond's fleet of seven stylish barges that cruise France's canals. (as well as in its entirety). It travels through lovely Provence along the Rhone from Tain L'Hermitage to Avignon. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of chateaux, partake in truffle tastings, and sip wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape while traveling. Medieval villages like Viviers and Grignan are also visited. When you're not out sightseeing, there are outdoor meals served onboard and afternoon pétanque matches. One of the highlights of this most opulent of river excursions is heading south to Saint-Etienne-des-Sorts and going under the Bollene lock with its breathtaking 23-meter drop.

url: belmond.com

The Danube

The Danube

The second-longest river in Europe flows through seven nations, with Austria being one of the main must-see features. Several river cruise companies sail The Danube, whether it is going west, across the border to Hungary for port stops at Bratislava and Budapest, or east from Vienna into Germany, passing via the Wachau Valley and Schlogener Schlinge. However, Mozart from Riverside Cruises may be their brightest ship. Its unusual width translates into spacious, opulent cabins with marble baths, four restaurants, including the exclusive Waterside, and a spa. This ship was once a member of the Crystal Cruises line. However, depending on your itinerary, they are typically dotted with less well-known towns and gorgeous environments surrounding almost every river bend. Passau and Linz are two popular Baroque cities and route mainstays.

Internet address: riverside-cruises.com 

The Nour El Nile Cruise

The Nile

Egypt may be one of the most talked-about travel destinations in recent years, but the Nile and the sites that can be reached directly from it have always drawn tourists. The newest, Roman, made its debut earlier this year and is the only boat of its kind on the river to use solar power. Nour El Nil boasts a fleet of seven lovely dahabiyas that provide tourists with the longest sailing time between Luxor and Aswan. All are distinctive (Assouan is the most private and reasonably priced) yet incredibly attractive, decorated with kilim carpets, handcrafted furniture, brass reading lights, and oil paintings. The journey, which starts in the trading center of Esna, passes via places like the Kom Ombo, Nekhbet, and Gebel Silsileh temples, where many bigger ships aren't permitted to stop, thus visitors frequently have the place to themselves.

URL: nourelnil.com 

The Rhine

The Rhine

The Rhine has always been associated with legendary mythology, which is precisely what makes a journey along it so memorable. Examples include fairy-tale Renaissance castles and the Black Forest. This important European river has plenty to offer everyone, whether you want to see historic German towns like Koblenz and Cochem on a route from Amsterdam to Basel or mix windmills and canals with cities like Rotterdam on a looping voyage across The Netherlands and Belgium. Both Scenic's Scenic Ruby and Scenic Pearl, which were both completely refurbished in 2019, sail the river and have modern suites and staterooms, a lounge bar, and a river view terrace.

URL: scenic.co.uk 

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