It’s the one thing I wish I knew before I booked my first river cruise.

One size does not fit all.

That is a true statement from an actual person who is now one of our best river cruise clients. Listen, the truth is that I love all the river cruise companies that service North Americans (well, there is one or two that I would not recommend to anyone but that is a story for a different time) and not every cruise line fits all. It’s a very true statement and if you want the best experience for your first journey or your fourth journey, you need to let us teach you the differences between all the brands.

If you have considered a river cruise journey or there is a river cruise journey in your forecast, there is a lot to consider before making a deposit and investing all your hard-earned vacation funds.  First and foremost, never book a river cruise journey without a professional travel advisor who is completely educated and dedicated to the art of the river cruise journey. That is the obvious part. If you want it done correctly and if you want the best experience, you need to work with someone who is the best because you don’t know what you don’t know.

There are several river cruise companies offering amazing experiences other than the one you likely see constantly on commercials and the one that sponsors PBS series, I have sailed with them, I really have a great time when I am sailing with them but they are not right for every traveler. You have options and that is one thing that the general public just doesn’t realize. There are actually more than 12 other river cruise companies out there.

Quite simply, you need to be in the know so that you can make the right river journey choice that best matches your personality and your travel style. But you may be thinking, how do I know my options?  Well, that is what I am for.  I hope to inspire and educate you in the art of slow travel so that you may one day have the incredible, delicious, immersive, luxurious, insightful experience you have ever had on a vacation.  You can learn more by following us, asking us, reading our blogs and by joining our very private Facebook group, Everything River Cruise.

Here are three obvious differences between three of the 12 + river cruise lines.    

Luxurious in its simplicity, Amadeus. 

Amadeus is a lady of classic designs, warmth, service, multicultural guests on board, deluxe accommodations, delicious foods, and wines.  What makes Amadeus different?  It’s what I call personally call ‘river cruising your way’.  Some people love the idea of traveling up or down the river in a luxurious floating boutique hotel with great food, great wine and service but prefer to wander and explore the day’s destination on their own. No guided tours necessary.  Or they like to pick and choose and pay for only the tours they are interested in.  You choose Amadeus if you are an explorer, floating boutique hotel seeker and you’re looking for a great value in your investment then Amadeus is for you.

Love high end fashion and designer style with absolute 5 Star Service including your own butler? Uniworld.

Love the idea of a totally inclusive of every little thing river cruise? Consider Uniworld but not only because of that (there are other totally inclusive every little thing included river cruise lines) but Uniworld is a genuine luxury floating boutique hotel modeled and designed after the 5-Star Red Carnation Hotel Collection.  Each ship is known for its destination inspired interior décor, gracious service, carefully selected amenities, custom fabrics, exquisite antiques and original works of art.

Service and experience orientated to all her guests, AmaWaterways.

AmaWaterways by far has been the over all winner of friendliness and genuine warmth towards all their passengers. Impeccable service, high quality, family owned and inspired with incredible attention down to every possible detail, AmaWaterways is perfect for you.  Luxurious accommodation, award winning Chefs, your choice of included tours in every port, bicycles on board plus an array of other services makes AmaWaterways a fan favorite.  Ama means Love and this family has put their entire hearts into building the most innovative ships, offering exciting new river destinations (hello Columbia and the Magdalena River).

This is just the tip of the iceberg guys and each and every company has very different personalities and caters to very different passenger needs.  One size does NOT fit all and please know; you have choices!  You have many choices.  Don’t settle on one until you have had the opportunity to speak to talk to me or Lisa first. Let’s do this together.

Enjoy the Journey, Lisa