How to sell: river cruises
Each issue, cruise expert Jane Archer shares her tips on selling a specific area of cruise. This time, she looks at how to sell river cruises
It’s hard to think of a reason not to take a river cruise. River ships these days are fabulous, with large suites, cabins with balconies, family rooms, designer-led décor and a variety of places to eat; there are spectacular itineraries that take cruisers on journeys along great waterways in Europe Asia, the US, Africa and South America; best of all, whichever river clients choose, they always have a view of passing landscapes, villages, towns and cities. This is a holiday for all ages, from families to retirees, and for all tastes and pockets, with active cruises, easy sightseeing and all-inclusive or cruise-only prices. As the world returns to normal, demand for river cruising is growing once more as people seek to make up for lost time with more and longer voyages. We look at options in Europe for active and family cruises, and head Stateside to see what’s on offer on America’s rivers.
Sales tips
- Clients can make the most of long-haul river cruises by packaging them within a longer hotel-based or touring holiday
- A river cruise on the Danube is the easy way to see some of Europe’s greatest capital cities on just one holiday
- River cruise lines cater for solo passenger by waiving single supplements, offering solo cabins or even operating sailings just for those travelling alone
- CLIA offers a comprehensive selection of river cruise training and face-to-face events to help agents sell with first-hand knowledge and confidence
River cruisin’ USA
River cruising returned to the US in 2012 and capacity has grown ever since as more people discover this is a brilliant way to explore deep into America’s heartland. Most demand is for the Mississippi – Viking joins other lines here this summer with the purpose-built Viking Mississippi – but clients can also sail the Columbia and Snake Rivers in America’s North-West Pacific region, learning about the pioneers who led the country’s 19th century westward expansion.
Authentic paddlewheel riverboat
Who? American Queen Voyages
Where? Mississippi
When? June 25, 2022
How long? Eleven days
How much? From £3,805pp, including flights
This cruise, sold in the UK by Light Blue Travel, takes travellers from the Big Easy jazz clubs to Elvis’ Graceland mansion in Memphis by way of alligators, the story of cotton, the US Civil War and the birth of the blues. It’s on the 417-passenger paddlewheel American Queen. Price includes two pre-cruise nights in New Orleans, transfers, hop-on. hop-off tours, drinks, wi-fi and tips.
American Queen
Contemporary riverboat
Who? American Cruise Lines
Where? Columbia and Snake Rivers
When? June 23, 2022
How long? Eight days
How much? From £6,499pp including flights
Stunning scenery, deep gorges, volcanoes and wine feature on this cruise in the footsteps of the Lewis and Clark expedition to find the Pacific in the early 1800s. It’s from Clarkson in Washington to Hayden Island in Oregon on the 190-passenger modern river ship American Harmony. Price, available from UK GSA Fred Olsen Travel, includes a pre-cruise hotel, drinks with meals and tours.
Active river cruises
Who says river cruise is all about life in the slow lane? Choose the right line and passengers can be off on hiking and biking tours most days, borrow cycles for some DIY exploring and get in shape with fitness classes each morning. We’ve picked two of the lines with active in their DNA, but there are plenty more for clients to choose from, including Scenic, which offers e-bikes at no charge, and AmaWaterways, which has fitness hosts on all its ships.
Danube discovery
Who? Avalon Waterways
Where? Danube
When? May 19, 2022
How long? Eight days
How much? From £999pp
As one of Avalon’s active cruises, this is not one for those seeking a sedentary holiday. Excursions take folk hiking, cycling and canoeing as they sail from Deggendorf in Germany to Budapest in Hungary via Grein, Spitz, Vienna and Visegrád. The cruise is on the 164-passenger Avalon View. Price includes excursions, wine, beer or soft drinks with lunch and dinner, plus wi-fi.
A taste of France
Who? Emerald Cruises
Where? Rhône and Saône
When? June 11, 2022
How long? Eight days
How much? From £2,495 including flights
Cruisers on this voyage from Lyon to Arles in France can go cycling alone or on guided tours, join a vineyard hike, go canoeing in Avignon, swim in the indoor pool on their river ship, the 132-passenger Emerald Liberté, and still have time to keep in shape with the resident activity manager. Price includes transfers, drinks with lunch and dinner, selected tours and wi-fi.
Family-friendly river cruises
Several lines have recognised that river cruises are terrific holidays for children, especially in Europe, giving them a first-hand glimpse into history alongside active and adventurous excursions. Tauck and CroisiEurope join Uniworld in offering family departures, AmaWaterways has connecting rooms and suites with extra berths, while A-Rosa Cruises is making history this spring by putting a play area and family cabins on new vessel A-Rosa Sena.
German style
Who? A-Rosa Cruises
Where? Rhine
When? July 30, 2022
How long? Seven nights
How much? From £3,294 for two adults and up to three children
This cruise is not only on A-Rosa’s new 280-passenger A-Rosa Sena and priced for a family cabin, but kids under 15 go free. Sailing round-trip from Cologne, it includes a late-night in Amsterdam, an overnight in Rotterdam and a day cruising, when youngsters can make good use of the kids’ play room. Price includes drinks and wi-fi, and applies also to departures on August 13 and 20.
A-Rosa Sena’s sundeck. Image courtesy of A-Rosa
American style
Who? Uniworld River Cruises
Where? Danube
When? July 29, 2022
How long? Eight days
How much? From £12,796 for a family of four including flights
A fun dip into history at Vienna’s Time Travel attraction, cycling in Passau and a trip into a silver mine are among the family-friendly tours on this cruise, one of a handful of Uniworld’s Generations cruises that coincide with UK school holidays. It’s from Vienna to Nuremberg on the 128-passenger River Princess. Price includes transfers, drinks, tours and activities, tips and wi-fi.