On our bikes, in the car or in the metro, our inner-city commutes have become miserably mundane, making our daydreams about the next big adventure that much more potent. So how about spending a few days lazing or playing a sport on the calm waters of a river? While ocean cruises have become clichéd, river cruises have become the new go-to, for those who really want to soak in the feel, the heartbeat, of a country.
For all niches
While floating along various rivers around the world is delightful, the cruises themselves offer experiences worth the hop on board. And there’s much more than just the cruise for singles.
History cruises aren’t a trend, but are rather a timeless entity within the river cruise world; Egypt’s river Nile and our own Brahmaputra offer slices of the past, as if one is drifting along a timeline. These are the types of cruises where you’ll see passengers across various age groups, all brought together by a mutual respect for archaeology, spiritual landmarks and more.
Food lovers are moving towards more novel culinary experiences, given the societal shift in focus towards locally-sourced, sustainably-produced and ethically-grown ingredients. Wine tours are also a great way to get panoramic views of surrounding vineyards of a locality, be it the sunny hills of Bordeaux or Portugal’s river Douro, all while stopping over for tastings. Julius Stecker at Mayflower Cruises says, “Travellers will be treated to experiences at family-owned vineyard estates, where various wine-making classes take place, while being treated to a local meal. This is just one of the many vineyard experiences along these rivers.”
Naturally, cruise companies have added this to their scope of specialities, with tremendous response globally. It’s a splendid way to combine tourism with new food trends, showcasing how every country can be trendily green, while offering a somewhat authentic taste of their cultures.
Katz Castle and the Middle Rhine RIver Valley wit ha Viking Longship in view.
Now, you can work off whatever you’ve eaten on these cruises, with extreme adventure sports being added to the mix. There’s kayaking, hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing among others. Such niche itineraries are the ideal way to network, while maintaining the general vibe of a vacation, and nothing leaves a mark on young travellers like the vivid memory of bungee jumping or river snorkelling. Australia, the Amazon and South East Asia’s Mekong River are hotspots for such immersive expeditions, often engaging backpackers and city folk in the same vessel. This is also a great way for travellers to interact with locals and perhaps get insiders’ secrets.
Shane Strudwick, from the Proud Mary cruising vessel that plies on the River Murray, explains the perks of an Aussie experience, “We’re on all year round, and the Murray River with its abundance of wildlife, spectacular scenery and overwhelming skies, is perfect for adventure activities such as kayaking and ecology tours. Off shore, we offer hiking along the river too.”
The literal definition of ‘treat yourself’, these escapist river cruises may be expensive, but offer a unique formula of exploration and romanticism. And the luxury suites might offer 4K televisions, but the view outside is far more crystal clear and pretty — the best of both worlds.
While images on social media platforms feed us FOMO and urge us to put down deposits for these trips, we can only wonder, are river cruises worth the uproar? Travel blogger Shagun Segan says it all comes down to the traveller’s tastes, and one may feel disappointment at some point. Having been on cruises along rivers in Goa, Dubai and Kerala, he didn’t care much for the Goan experience, partly due to the locations where it takes place. “It happens only in Panjim, which is a little far from the action area of North Goa,” he says, adding that he’s looking forward to his next one along the Nile in Egypt.
Bet your boating dollar
All income brackets are river-cruising; it just takes a keen eye to spot the right ones for you.
If you can afford to splurge, the Crystal Cruises group offers bank-breaking experiences with this month’s launch of the 106-guest Crystal Debussy — a name as illustrious as the Romantic composer after whom it’s named. It’s no surprise that you’ll fork over upwards of $4,500 per person for a week-long vacation along the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
If you’re seeking better bang for your buck, similar if not exact routes are available for as little as $200 per person with the Viking group, where the Rhine and the Danube are the most affordable ventures.
The numbers
According to a prediction-based report from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), millennials and skip-gen families in particular have been a large portion of the 2018 market so far. Last year, in preparation for the passenger frenzy, the organisation observed an addition of more than 13 new vessels to the fleet of 184 river cruise vessels globally.
If you’re looking for a part-time summer job that keeps you out of the house, IG River Cruise and German Travel Association shared in 2017 that close to 14,000 jobs were provided onboard river ships in Europe last year alone. Plus, the industry generates about 3,540 jobs in its shoreside organisations, along with another 11,000 indirect jobs at yards, in ports, with suppliers and the like.
