Hank Schrader

February 4, 2026

Europe River Cruise

My Favorite Distinctive River Cruise Experiences on 8 River Cruise Lines

Hank Schrader

February 4, 2026

Europe River Cruise

My Favorite Distinctive River Cruise Experiences on 8 River Cruise Lines

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

During our 31 river cruises sailings, I have found some experiences which are unique and memorable on the 8 lines we follow. While we have not experience all these personally, we have enough information to provide you with a reason why we would pick these experiences.

A quick disclaimer is that we have not tried all of these experiences and may have done the exact or similar experience on a different line than the line I cite. My point is these experiences are my choice for the best experiences on the line we are reporting on for this blog. Remember, best list are opinion only and the only facts are the quality of the experience—often others differ from our opinion.

We all seem to love lists, so here are my humble thoughts—perhaps you have others, so please let us know.

AmaWaterways.

This may be the hardest one to select as we have experienced so much on AmaWaterways ships, so I’m going with three.

Visiting Cesky Krumlov. A fairy tale city at a horseshoe bend of the Vltava River, this Czech city is cool beyond words. A dominate castle tower decorated in spectacular colors, the round tower and the huge castle frame the river and its charming town. Although it lacks the complete walls of Rothenberg, it has an old gate and has retained its charm of ages past. It is well worth the hour plus bus ride on an Upper Danube cruise. This is my favorite experience. Now a few pictures:

Visiting Egypt on the AmaDahlia. If ancient history is important to you, learning about the great civilization of Egypt is a true bucket list experience. This 10-day trip is not for everyone since there is so much to see and it is not quite as luxurious as European River cruising (especially during the summer heat), but the stunning temples, pyramids and sites must be a once in a lifetime experience. It is hard to explain how much you can see and have to absorb and the pictures here only are a glimpse of the grandeur of Egypt. It does let you know so much about this ancient civilization, that you will never forget this experience. It comes in second but probably would be number one on most lists. Here are some of our pictures:

**The pyramids on the outskirts of Cario at sunset**

**Detail on the colums of the Karnack Temple**

Visiting the Charming Village of Riquewihr. This is a village that looks like it came right out of a Disney Movie—in fact, it was the inspiration for the town village of Beauty and the Beast. If you like white wine, cheese shops, half-timbered buildings, and fun-loving people, you need to go here. We have visited in the summer and during the Christmas Markets season and both were magical! I personally think it is better than Colmar which is off the charts cool.

**Riquewihr watch tower—there is a small weapons museum in the tower**

Avalon

Avalon is very strong with its’ Active and Discovery Excursions. While we have not personally taken either excursion, a chance to see one of the most exciting Roman ruins in France from a kayak has to be incredibly memorable. Here is the description of this excursion on our website

ACTIVE EXCURSION Join a Guided Kayak Excursion through the waters of Pont du Gard—the highest of all elevated Roman aqueducts.

Now some pictures to let you know why this is so special to view this structure from a kayak:.

**Another view showing the size of this structure**

**The Gard River where you would paddle to view the Pont du Gard**

Second place has to be another Active and Discovery Excursion. This unique Rhône River cruise features a specialized cave wine tasting excursion. Guests descend 55 meters into underground, in ancient caves near Avignon for a "SpéléOenologie" (spelunking and wine) experience (I got some help from an AI summary for this term).

This adventure includes caving, examining, and tasting wines aged in these natural, subterranean, and historical setting. I have not personally tried this tour but it is still unique enough to rank on this list. Several travel writers think this is the most unique experience they have tried on a river cruise.

Emerald

There are some interesting experiences on Emerald.

First for me is Würzburg, a town not to be missed on the Main River. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Romantic Road’, it is a center for grape-growing, which you will see on the sloping vineyard-laden hills which surround the former capital of Franconia.

The real gem here is Residenz Palace. The architects behind the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Würzburg Residence drew inspiration from a spectrum of different styles, including Viennese Baroque and secular features from Italy, but it was heavily damaged during WWII. Enjoy learning about how this impressive building was restored to its former glory on a guided tour. It is an included excursion called the Walking tour of Würzburg and a visit to the Bishops Residence.

**This is the largest ceiling fresco in Europe Photo Anne Schrader**

My next choice is the whole day 11 on an Emerald 15-day cruise, with 2 tours combined with sailing the exceptional Wachau Valley. Here is how we describe this on our website:

Situated within Austria’s wine-growing region, Melk is home to a 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, which is yours to explore today during an included tour. • Your guide will take you through a series of opulent rooms, each adorned with the finest Italian Baroque architecture and ornate gold leaf walls, including the ancient monastic library, renowned for its extensive collection of medieval manuscripts.

Later, the Star-Ship sails through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley and on to Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages in the Wachau wine region, where you can choose to hike to Dürnstein Castle, the site where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the Crusades.

**The White Church during a sailing experience to see the Wachau Valley**

Alternatively, enjoy an EmeraldACTIVE guided bike ride along the Danube from Melk to Dürnstein, passing famous vineyards and quaint towns.

EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour along the Danube EmeraldACTIVE • Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle • Included Excursion • Tour of Melk Abbey

**The ruins of the castle above Dürnstein**

Riverside

You will never be disappointed by an Amsterdam canal cruise, but Riverside took it to another level. I have done several during the day but at night it is so dramatic and fun it is deserving to be on this list.

Our Night Canal Tour in Amsterdam

We took a short walk to the canal boat tour. I really liked they moved the canal boat to a location that helped avoid the constant speeding bikes in Amsterdam—excellent idea. Here is what we got to see and experience while sipping champagne supplied by the Riverside staff in the next pictures.

**Lights outline the many bridges during our night canal cruise. Photo Anne Schrader**

Some of the amazing staff who provided champagne and snacks during our cruise. Staff and our butler were outstanding and deserve special mention for their personal and friendly service. Photo Anne Schrader

The Skinny Bridge at night. It is said if you kiss your sweetheart while viewing the bridge, you will return to Amstedam many times and be happy together as a couple. Photo Anne Schrader after our kiss

Next is Kuekenhof Gardens, Netherlands

There is no place like Kuekenhof Gardens during tulip season. For 8 weeks, 7 million flowering tulip bulbs will dazzle folks with their beauty. The tulips are buried in the autumn at 3 different heights to ensure they bloom during the entire 8 weeks the park gardens are open. Here are our pictures:

**Kuekenhof Gardens Photo Anne Schrader**

Scenic

There were a lot of choices here, but the standout for me was the trip to a night Vienna Concert.

Here is how we described it on our website:

• This evening, join an unforgettable Scenic Enrich experience.

• Scenic Enrich Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein: Breathe in the opulence and luxury of Palais Liechtenstein this evening as you relish an exclusive private classical concert.

• Enjoy a glass of fine Austrian Sekt and listen to the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart performed by a renowned orchestra.

• An experience only shared with your fellow Scenic guests, you’ll be seated in Vienna’s largest secular baroque hall, an ornate space where royals and nobles have sat for centuries. •

Accompanied by ballet dancers and vocalists and surrounded by world-famous art, this will be a concert that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Here are some phots Anne took during this amazing night:

**Palais Liechtenstein Photo Anne Schrader**

Second place has to go to my visit of Burg Eltz. Here is a description of this tour:

Guided tour of Burg Eltz:

Considered one of the most magical castles in Germany, Burg Eltz is perched on a rocky outcrop deep in a valley of the Eltz Forest.
Unscathed by wars that have crumbled so many other castles in Germany, Burg Eltz is the epitome of a fairytale castle with eight towers and turrets.
It has been under the ownership of the same family for more than 850 years and contains many original furnishings and interiors to this day, including 15th century murals.
Inside the castle walls, you can visit the treasury and armory, which exhibit nine centuries of artefacts.

Now some pictures:

**Burg Eltz stairway to the courtyard area**

Tauck

The signature dinners on Tauck are exceptional.

It would be hard to top one of the most elegant meals we have experienced on Tauck during a visit to Vienna. We did get a special treat from Tauck River Cruise—dinner at the Palais Pallavinci in Vienna. It is part of Tauck’s program to have an exclusive meal off ship once during most of their itineraries.

We were treated like royalty, and entertained by classical musicians, opera singers and dancers. Quite an experience to say the least! Here are some pictures:

**White glove service during our meal in the Palais Pallavinci**

**Table setting for our meal in the Palais Pallavinci**

Another tour worthy of making this list is the visit to the walled Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber at the north end of the Romantic Road, resplendent with medieval architecture, half-timbered houses and a cobblestoned Old Town. Here are some pictures:

**Rothenburg ob der Tauber Plonlein Gate. this is the most famous photo in Rothenburg. Photo Anne Schrader**

**Rothenburg ob der Tauber main square Photo Anne Schrader**

**Rothenburg ob der Tauber castle guard gate Photo Anne Schrader**

Uniworld

While we have not personally taken this excursion, riding around in Bordeaux on a motorcycle side car is an adventure few would ever have a chance to try. For a unique city experience, guests can tour Bordeaux in a retro sidecar with a "gentleman driver" to top sites like Place de la Bourse. It is called a Retro Sidecar Tour. A "Masterpiece Collection" option that navigates narrow city streets, covering sites like the Grosse Cloche, Darwin district, and Saint-Michel Basilica.

This is my first choice experience on Uniworld.

Materpiece Collection are offered at an addition price, Here are some sights you probably will see in Bordeaux:

**The Pey-Berland Tower Gate of the former walled city in Bordeaux**

My second choice is the Butler Service. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises offers dedicated butler service exclusively for guests booked in suite accommodations. These highly trained professionals provide personalized, around-the-clock service, including packing/unpacking, in-suite dining, garment pressing, shoe shines, and arranging special requests. The service is designed to enhance the luxury experience on most, but not all, of their itineraries.

Key Aspects of Uniworld Butler Service

Availability: Included for all guests booked in suites.
Key Duties: Packing/unpacking, room service (including full breakfast or course-by-course dinner), laundry/dry cleaning coordination, and shoe shining.
Personalization: Butlers assist with shore excursion bookings, spa appointments, and arranging private in-suite cocktail parties.
Training: Butlers are trained by the Ivor Spencer Butler School to ensure high-level, specialized service.

**Butlers on the Maria Theresa rivercruise ship**

Viking

For me, the included tour on the Rhine cruises is Marksburg Castle is their best experience for most who sail the Rhine. Here is how we describe on our website:

Visit the only castle in the Rhine Valley to have never been destroyed. You will drive with your guide to Braubach, where the incredible Marksburg Castle watches over the town as it has since the 13th century.
Because this magnificent structure was built with strong fortifications, it was never besieged by enemies.
Upon arrival on its lofty grounds, enjoy spectacular views of Braubach, the Rhine and the surrounding countryside from its 300-foot perch.
Tour the citadel, see the impressive kitchens in the Gothic Hall building and study the Gimbel Collection, including its life-size figurines detailing changes to armor and weaponry through the ages.
The distinct butter-churn tower, so named because the upper reaches have a smaller diameter than the lower, is a beloved landmark of the town with its distinct profile.
Today, Marksburg Castle is home to the German Castles Association, which works to preserve medieval fortifications all over Germany.

Now our pictures:

**Warrior uniform and arms display Marksburg Castle**

The second best are the windmills of Kinderdijk. Here is how we described on our website for this included tour:

Arrive this morning in Kinderdijk and disembark for a tour of this ingenious 18th-century community.
Learn why the windmills were built and see how they work to help control flooding, then tour a working windmill to see its pumping mechanism and living quarters at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Now our pictures

Our Final Thoughts

We hope you realize now how many unique experiences you can have on a river cruise, regardless of which line you select. By now, I’m sure you realize we can help you get these same experiences.

We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision-making process. We think we have all these qualities.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you with high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@visitdd.com . We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 30 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 55 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). His last major certificate is a Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) certificate earned from the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
CLIA Riverview Certificate
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

January 15, 2026

Best Value Travel

Expectations

Hank Schrader

January 15, 2026

Best Value Travel

Expectations

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

While you expect great trips that we help you discover when you use our trip planning services, we also have a strong duty to help you to control risk during your travels; and set clear expectations when you use our services. The result will be excellent outcomes; with good vacations you will remember for a long time.

There are 4 main ways we build trust. They are documentation, communication, boundaries, and consistency. Sometimes it means being a little blunt, but travel does involve contracts and terms and conditions which effect you directly when we offer you a trip from one of our vetted suppliers.

While we are knowledgeable about most possible vacation options; we care deeply about your trip and satisfaction; and we try to be responsive, this approach can lead to confusion. There is a risk you may be confused with our friendly approach and not realize we are professionals who have important procedures we must follow for both of us.

The goal of this blog is to ensure you know how we work, and how we want to work with you using our key values of trust and client first as the guiding principal.

**Hank and Anne on one of their 31 River Cruises**

Procedures and Documentation

We have some important procedures we must follow to provide you with the trip you are expecting. What we are trying to avoid are 3 problem areas. They are: 1) a lack of explanation, 2) items not properly documented and 3) what might be left open to interpretation. The procedures and documentation we use are very comprehensive and probably cover items you would not have considered if you planned your trip on your own.

Our first procedure is our Travel Request, as it helps you and us focus on exactly what you want to do and allows use get some basic information that our suppliers need to make you an offer for a trip. We require this of all new prospects. Here is the link to our Travel Request:

Travel Request

Some of you may be surprised we have written Terms and Conditions for using our services, as sometimes in the past we have just provided these verbally. We now provide these with any formal offer we make from a supplier, and they are on our website.

The goal of our terms and conditions is to clearly establish our professional relationship and remove any doubt about that relationship. Here is the Link:

Visit Dream Destinations LLC Terms and conditions

You might be surprised we even have Terms of Use of our Website. With all the websites we all visit, even if they have these, most of us have never bothered to read them. I know I seldom read them or even look for them, as we have become numb to just accepting these by default.

Perhaps what is most important about website terms is that we try or best to provide accurate information, but sometimes it can quickly become outdated, and you need to realize this. Also, we clearly state how you can use our intellectual property such as our PowerPoints and pictures.

Here is the link:

Our Website Terms of Use

Finally, we are very concerned about your privacy. It is posted on the footer of our website. We only pass your personal information that you provide us with to the necessary suppliers and never sell it to or provide it to third parties.

To coduct business on your behalf, we are required by vendors to collect personal information. We use this information for only those purposes. To learn more about our privacy policy, please click on this link::

Information we collect

Communication

Maybe the hardest part of our task is to balance being responsive without overpromising. It takes time to find the right trip and communicate this clearly. In the past, I would sometimes be guilty of this, and I am really working hard to be more realistic.

We are very detailed in our communications and proud of being precise.

Perhaps the best way for you to understand this is to use an example from the way we explain an offer from a river cruise company.

We emphasize benefits of the trip and how it matches what you wanted but also add enough information to protect you from unwise purchases that does not benefit either of us (remember our company value of client first).

Our goal here is to let you know when we send you a quote, it has our personal touch ensuring you know exactly what you are buying and how much it costs.

First, we provide a recap of the cruise, cruise ship, stateroom selection, dates of cruise, savings on the booking, land extensions, deposit date and final due date. Here is an example of an email we have sent showing how we recap the cruise:

“As promised, here is your offer from AmaWaterways on the AmaVenita on 16 June 2026 with the Lake Como 3-night land package starting on 13 June 2026. You will be in Stateroom 203, which is a BB category (twin balcony).

The total cost of this package is $15,756.

This offer expires on 9/10/2025.

Your final payment is due 3/18/2026”

Second, we provide Warnings about supplier terms and conditions (example $400 non-refundable of $800 deposit); explanation of insurance with math example, and the scope of our services. Here is an example we recently sent a prospect:

“To accept this offer you must make a deposit of $800 but please remember that $400 is non-refundable. Also realize by making the deposit you are accepting the terms and conditions from AmaWaterways, which are included in the formal offer attached to the bottom of this email.”

Then, we make clear that you are actually hiring us.

The example: “By making the required deposit, I am hiring Visit Dream Destinations LLC to plan my trip and agree to their terms and conditions which are located at the bottom of this email”.

By now it should be crystal clear what our professional relationship is.

Next, we provide more information about insurance

We provide the cost of the trip insurance of the supplier and information about coverages. We also require that:

“While you are not required to purchase insurance to take this trip, we always recommend some form of travel protection and will require you to indicate that you decline insurance by either the vendor or by other insurance quote we would provide from another insurance company by email if you do not desire the included insurance plan”.

Finally, we provide our payment procedures and the scope of our services. The example:

“We always take credit card info over the phone for security reasons. We pay AmaWaterways directly on your behalf and do not deposit any funds in our accounts. We only pay the amounts you authorize during your verbal agreement on the phone.

By providing your credit card information over the phone:

I am authorizing Visit Dream Destinations LLC to charge my credit card in the amount indicated during the phone call and agree to the terms and conditions of the booking which are located at the bottom of this email, including suppliers' and agency cancellation and refund policies, which may limit my right to a refund, if I cancel or change my plans.

One last point--we are not providing any travel services; we are acting as your agents to help you make the best possible decisions for your wonderful trip, but we accept no liability if the services are not properly delivered. Please rest assured that this is a great company, and we expect they will exceed your expectations. Again, this is to point out the scope of our services”.

While some of this might seem blunt, travel professionals, like us, are protecting you by removing any doubt what our relationship is—we both win when there are clear expectations.

My guess is that you might seem a little surprised about the amount of detail we provide you, but our experience is that it causes you to carefully consider our services and actually read the suppliers’ terms and conditions.

Boundaries

We try to be responsive, but we might not meet your expectations, unless you understand we have normal operating hours and how we operate. Here is what we list on our website:

“Our normal operating hours are 0900 to 1700 Monday thru Friday Central time, but we will make exceptions depending upon the circumstances and urgency of your request and we understand there may be time zone differences. We are not open on the weekends, nor on Major Holidays. If these hours do not fit your schedule, please text or email us your desired contact time and we will do our best to accommodate you.

We do answer texts when our clients are traveling and are available 24 hours”.

Also recognize that the hours of operations and our ability to contact our vetted suppliers will often delay our response time.

Our procedures act to protect you, and these boundaries help us build proper, and productive relationships.

Consistency

I think we do this very well. We honestly tell you what is available and alert you when we can to changes made by suppliers. Our offers now follow these procedures we have outlined in this blog.

We try our best to respond within 48 hours for emails and phone calls. Sometimes our clients and prospects expect better response times, but it is not always possible.

Another key factor is the urgency of the communication—a trip 8 months from now is not as urgent as a key deadline or personal emergency that requires an immediate response.

Still, we do understand to you, this is the most important trip in your lives, and you are excited to make it happen, so we will try to inform you when our response is going to be delayed.

Our Final Thoughts

We hope you find this blog interesting and meaningful to you. The better we can connect with you, the better we can serve you. For years, some in the travel industry have tolerated loose processes and undocumented practices. We want to avoid this, so we can concentrate on providing you with great trips!

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
CLIA Riverview Certificate
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

January 7, 2026

Best Value Travel

Welcome to 2026

Hank Schrader

January 7, 2026

Best Value Travel

Welcome to 2026

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

Welcome to the New Year—2026 has a lot to look forward to in the river cruising year.

This will be a slightly different blog than usual as Anne and I try to improve our service to you, so I will start by a quick recap of 2025 and some valuable lessons learned and then tell you about some river cruise sales being offered by our suppliers.

Lessons Learned from 2025

In our review of 2025, 3 items stood out for us.

First, and foremost is the need to stress the importance of travel protection to our clients

Sadly, we had 4 clients who had last-minute problems that prevented them from taking their scheduled trip. 3 were significant medical problems, one was a family situation. Some had insurance; other didn’t and lost a lot of money.

However, the most serious situation is that one of our dear friends had a medical emergency that was life threatening. Thankfully they had purchased travel protection for their entire trip, and this decision saved them many thousands of dollars. We saw first-hand how significant travel protection is in a real situation where a trip is interrupted; hospitalization is necessary; and return flights with a medical attendant escorting them were required.

This was not the only just the health portion of the situation, there is the change of plans with extra hotel nights and working to adjust travel plans and recoup expenses. It doesn’t require much imagination to figure out the significant cost this would have incurred without this protection.

As a result of this, we are going to insist that each of you who hire us to plan your travel to send us a written notice that you are declining travel protection or you have some form of protection.

We want to be clear here—we do make a commission selling travel protection products, but this is not the reason we must insist on this procedure—we want to be sure you have thought about the consequences of traveling without insurance and you recognize this risk. Also, many contries now are starting to require travel insurance, so we will keep you advised of the ever changing requirements.

As you might wonder who provided this excellent service, it was Allianz Travel Insurance that made things right and went over and above to solve these problems and safeguard our dear friend.

Second, Our Values

We always review how we interacted with our potential guests and I am proud to say we feel we followed our core values in the many interactions. Here are our values, we apply to get you the best possible trips:

Experienced, Certified Professionals, Trustworthy, Honest, Client First.

Third, What We Need to Improve

There are 2 areas we feel we need to improve to serve you better.

The first is to try and respond more quickly to your emails and phone calls, within the bounds of our normal operating hours, no matter if an item is urgent or not. We know to you, your questions or concerns are the most important items, and I acknowledge sometimes I am slow to respond. I promise you, I will try to do better, and I encourage you to call me out if I am too slow.

The second is to try to inform you of opportunities to travel with specials that you might not be aware about. We are very sensitive to the overwhelming number of constant offers and travel-related emails you may be receiving, but we have long neglected our Specials Page on our website. To remedy this the second part of this blog is a summary of the current offerings from the 8 river cruise companies we follow.

I should also add we do provide more than river cruises, as our Limited Services Company provides many travel services with a speciality in Europe River Cruises'; Luxury Ocean Cruises and Luxury European Tours and we will also try to post specials about offers we deem appropriate to you. For now, here are the current river cruise offers.

Our Current Specials Website Page:

AmaWaterways

Cruise Spotlight (current 2026 1st Quater AmaWaterways Offers—please click on the link as it has extensive free land packages)

**The AmaMagna in port in Budapest. Photo Anne Schrader**

Avalon Waterways

· Free Air or Save $1,500 Per Person on Select Europe River Cruises
· $599 Air or Save $1,000 Per Person on Select Europe River Cruises
· Save $3,000 Per Couple on Select Europe River Cruises (combinable with Fly Free from select u. s. cities)
· Save $1,500 Per Couple on Select Europe River Cruises
· All have booking window of 28 February 28, 2026

**The Avalon Impression docked in Vienna**

Emerald River Cruises

· Wave of Savings Sales offers you Bonus Savings of up to 30% off per suite plus 2 for 1 Fares on select luxury 2026-2027 River Cruises

Riverside Luxury Cruises

· 15% Discount for bookings made by February 28, 2026
· 10% Discount for bookings made between March 1 and May 31, 2026

**The Riverside Ravel. Photo Anne Schrader**

Scenic Luxury River Cruises

Scenic Wave of Savings Sales offers you Bonus Savings of up to 30% off per suite plus 2 for 1 Fares on select ultra luxury 2026-2027 River Cruises

**The Scenic Opal. Photo Anne Schrader**

Tauck River Cruises

No Current offers

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

· Uniworld 50th Anniversary Sale offers up to 30% on select departures

· Offer ends Feburary 28 2026

Viking River Cruises

The Viking Savings Event—Up to 35% off |Free Airfare | $25 Deposit |Expires January 31, 2026

**The Viking Baldur ported in Cologne, Germany**

Our Final Thoughts

We hope you find this blog interesting and meaningful to you. The better we can connect with you, the better we can serve you. Please reach out to us with news of your life, any travel dreams even if you are not quite ready to travel and, of course, a trip you want us to plan.

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
CLIA Riverview Certificate
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

October 14, 2025

Europe Destination

13 Haunted Castles of Europe

Hank Schrader

October 14, 2025

Europe Destination

13 Haunted Castles of Europe

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

It is amazing how we seem to like stories of haunted places, and I can’t think of better stories than the haunted castles of Europe.

So, let’s explore together and learn about Halloween and 13 of Europe’s Haunted Castles—you won’t be disappointed!

The Origins of Halloween

According to the website of History.com, Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, in which folks would build huge bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.

In the 8th Century, when Pope Gregory declared that November 1st was All-Saints Day, the time to honor and remember all the Saints.

Over time some of the traditions of Samhain were incorporated into the All-Saints Day and the evening before was called All Hallows Eve.

Now, the celebration has become the traditions we observe today, and we enjoy dressing up in costumes, kids and adults get to trick-or-treat and we all are reminded of scary places in the world.

These 13 castles have tales that are among the best ghosts and haunted places in the world!

To set the tone, here is a picture of Krampenstein Castle in the fog—it’s time to get spooky!

The Tower of London, England

**The Tower of London seen from the Thames River**

**The Tower of London passage way to Traitors’ Gate as seen from the Thames River**

**Traitors’ Gate of the Tower of London**

**Some of the names on the plaque include Queen Anne Boleyn (1536); Queen Catherine Howard (1541); Lady Jane Grey (1554); and Robert Devereux, Earl of Esse (1601)**

There are few castles in the world where so many important nobles were executed by the Kings of England.

Certainly, the most famous is Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry the VIII, who was beheaded for treason and incest in 1536. The headless queen is said to roam the grounds of the execution site and the chapel where she is buried.

Execution on the Tower Green was considered a privilege. Most were executed in public on Tower Hill. These include Sir Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell.

The princes in the tower are another ghostly tale. King Edward V and his younger brother were imprisoned in the tower in 1483 while very young and never seen again. They are said to roam holding hands to haunt their death place.

While there are more stories of the bloody tower, the explorer Sir Walter Raleigh is one of my favorites. He battled the Spanish (winning many victories against Spanish armies) and explored the Americas in search for “El Dorado,” the mythical city of gold. He was held in the tower for 13 years for a plot to overthrow James the 1st and executed in 1618. Most of the evidence against him seemed to be fabricated. King James was weary of the constant war with the superior forces of Spain which had depleted his royal coffers and reached a diplomatic settlement to end the wars.

In 1617 Raleigh was pardoned and he led another expedition in search of El Dorado to the Americas. During this voyage, his men attacked the Spanish, and the negotiated settlement now was in jeopardy. James decided to execute Raleigh in 1618 after this fight to appease the Spanish and try to save his diplomatic settlement. Raleigh was executed at the Palace of Westminster.

He often exercised on the tower’s battlement walls during his 13 years of imprisonment, and his spirit is now said to exercise “Raleigh’s Walk.”

Warwick Castle, UK

Built in 1068 by William the Conqueror, Warwick Castle is on the bend of the Avon River. It is a very large tourist attraction in England.

The most famous ghost of Warwick is Sir Fulke Greville, who was murdered by his manservant in 1628 when he found out he was not to get much in Sir Greville’s will. His portrait hangs in the castle and has been seen to come out at night to roam his former castle and the South Tower where he died.

Other ghosts include the which Moll Bloxham (my favorite tale) and the mysterious Grey Lady.

Moll was caught stealing from the Earl, tortured and escaped her guards cursing the people of Warwick and escaped to Caesar’s Tower. When the guards stormed the tower room, they were met with a huge black dog with fiery red eyes and no Moll. The dog leaped from the tower into the Avon River and disappeared. Later, Moll’s drown body was found in the river. The dog is said to roam the grounds at night, to haunt the castle and guard the tower.

The grey lady is an older ghost who is little known about but appears in the memoirs of the 4th and 5th Earls of Warwick.

Edinburg Castle, Scotland

The castle has seen its share of conflicts and deaths that happened on its grounds and has provided us with two musical ghost stories.

The most famous tale is the Phantom Piper. The piper was sent to explore a tunnel system that connected Edinburg Castle to the Holyrood Palace on the Royal Mile. The boy was playing music on his bagpipes, so his comrades could tract his progress. The music suddenly stopped, and search parties entered the tunnel, but the boy was never found. Some say the sound of bagpipes can be heard deep below the castle.

Another tale is the headless drummer boy. He warns the castle of danger and attack and only appears when the castle is threatened. He first appeared in 1650, to warn of the coming attack by Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers, who attacked and captured the castle.

Mont Sainte-Michell, France

Mont Sainte Michel has served as a monastery, a military fortress and a prison. This hill-topped castle is said to be haunted by several ghosts.

Most of the stories are centered around the desecrated graves, which were destroyed during the French Revolution. Ghost monks haunt the abbey to avoid the past destruction of the eternal resting place of the dead and to protect their departed souls.

If that were not enough ghosts, Mont Saint-Michel’s dark history is intertwined with the Hundred Years’ War. The island fortress was besieged many times by the English but never conquered. Captain Louis d’Estouteville, a prominent figure in these battles along with his soldiers, is said to protect the abbey. In 1434, d’Estouteville led an attack that repelled the English, killing over 2,000 English soldiers on the beaches near the fortress.

To this day, his ghost is still guarding against intruders.

Berg Eltz, Germany

**The Knight’s Room Burg Eltz. This is a scan of a postcard we bought during a visit, as no pictures are allowed inside the tour castle rooms during a visit.**

Burg Eltz was never destroyed in the region where most castles were destroyed by the French and is a delightful example of medieval life in a great castle.

The ghost of Countess Agnes haunts Berg Eltz. She was the daughter of the 15th Count of Eltz, who trained with her brothers and became a skilled warrior. As was the custom of that time, she was betrothed to another noble in an arranged marriage, the Count of Braunsberg. She refused to marry him. At a public festival, the count kissed Agnes without her consent and she slapped him. He vowed revenge for this public humiliation.

Several months later, while the Eltz family was on a hunting trip, the Knight Count of Braunsberg attacked the castle. Agnes donned her armor and rushed into the battle. Not recognizing Agnes in her armor, he shot her with his crossbow and killed her. When he removed her helmet, he realized he had killed his future bride and he fled, grieving his actions.

In the Countess Room of the Burg, Agnes’s breastplate and battle axe are on display honoring her brave defense of the castle.

Agnes’ ghost stills haunts the castle as defender of Burg Eltz and tour guides of the castle tell the tale of brave Agnes, adding to the mystique of the castle.

Rheinfels Castle, Germany

Rheinfels Castle, in the Rhine River Gorge, was the largest castle in this wonderful collection of 40 castles. While most of the castle is in ruins, it had an extensive maze of tunnels that the defenders could use to make surprise attacks on any enemy forces if the castle was under attack.

The spooky facts are that many ghosts of these defenders are said to still roam these areas, as explosive accidents and actual seizes caused them to lose their lives. Paranormal investigators claim there are shadows and unexplained activity in the foundations, especially the catacombs area. You can actually stay here if desired or like me, just enjoy the view while sailing the Rhine River Gorge.

Reichenstein Castle, Germany

From 1254 to 1273, the nobles of the castles of the Rhine George exacted tolls from the ships traveling on the Rhine. They became to be known as robber barons, who ruthlessly profited from these tolls. Reichenstein Castle is one of the robber barons’ castles and another haunted place.

Here is the story—in the 1282, the Holy Roman Emperor, besieged the castle in his effort to eliminate all of the robber baron’s castles, and captured Dietrich and his sons. He ordered the lord of the castle and his 9 sons executed. The lord of the castle, Dietrich, offered his executioners a deal—if they chopped of his head and he managed to walk past his 9 sons headless, then they were to be spared. The amused Emperor agreed.

His head was cut off, but he managed to walk past all 9 sons before tumbling to the ground. He tried to save his sons, but the enraged emperor, realizing Dietrich had cheated their deaths, executed them anyway.

Since it is a legend, some say the sons were spared. Still a great tale, as there is no doubt Dietrich lost his head!

Dietrich still roams the grounds, a headless ghost, sometimes in a coffin carried by 4 headless coffin bearers and reminds us of the violent past of this era.

Mauseturn Toll Tower, Germany

Mauseturn Toll Tower is another spooky place.

The legend of this tower is that the Archbishop of Mainz, Hatto, collected a corn tithe from the river barges. After one year of bad harvest, peasants came asking for grain.

He sent the peasants to the storage barn, locked then in and burned them down.

All died except the mice, who chased Hatto to the Mauseturn (mice tower in German) and ate him alive. It is empty today but a spectacular site during a voyage on the Rhine River.

Reichsburg Castle (Cochem Castle), Germany

Reichsburg is another spooky place but doesn’t look spooky.

Standing on a hill 300 feet above the town of Cochem, this elaborately restored castle (it was destroyed by the French in 1689) is a fun and interesting visit. Many river cruise companies visit this castle.

The original castle, whose first purpose like many others on the rivers of Germany was to collect tolls, was rebuilt from 1868 to 1890.

While not authentic, it is still cool—great vistas, interesting rooms, perhaps most importantly, at first glance, it is an impressive structure, and I enjoyed visiting it.

What makes it spooky, is the witches Tower, the oldest part of the original castle. In medieval times it was used for witchcraft trails. To determine if they were witches or not, the horrible way was to throw the lady out of a window. If they died, they were given a Christian burial. If not, they were burned as witches.

Harsh times, and very spooky!

The Chateau de Chillon, Switzerland

**Chateau de Chillon Dungeon , Switzerland**

Spot wher Bonivard was chained in the dungeon. He constantly walked back and forth, wearing a path on the stone floor.

Situated on Lake Geneva, this impressive castle was a key fortress of the Dukes of Savoy.

It also has a famous ghost—is the monk Francois Bonivard. Bonivard supported the Protestant revolution and opposed the Dukes of Savoy. They imprisoned him for 6 years chained in the dungeon. He constantly walked back and forth, wearing a path on the stone floor.

After his release, his spirit is said to haunt the castle. The story became famous due to the 1816 poem written by Lord Byron called “The Prisoner of Chillon.” The poem explores the cost of prolonged confinement, and the desire for freedom. The prison is a powerful symbol of tyranny and oppression of those in power, told in the poem by words and thoughts of the prisioner, and made Bonivard’s struggles and isolation heroic.

With the many executions and the dark history of the prison, the monk is joined by other restless spirits who roam the dungeon and halls of the castle.

Braun Castle, Romania

In Romania, Braun Castle guards the strategic pass between Transylvania and Wallachia and is renowned as home to Vlad the Impaler, or as most folks want to remember him, as Dracula’s castle.

Most of this legend comes from the novel of Dracula, but the castle is supposed to belong to Vlad, although he perhaps spent 2 months at best here. Not really his castle, but it’s good enough for me—it is still a cool castle!

We visited on a rainy day and after going in the strong castle doors; to get to the main floors, we had to go up the very tight, windy stairway that spiraled in a spooky fashion.

The castle rooms look quite lived in, since they have been remodeled several times, but with passageways and small connecting rooms, it is a fun visit.

Buda Castle, Hungary

**Citadel of Visegrad where Count Dracula was held prisioner**

Buda Castle is haunted by several ghosts. One is the Lady Katalin Hunyard, a noble woman wrongfully accused to treason, condemned and executed. She still roams deep under the castle protesting her innocence.

However, the supposed most famous prisoner is Dracula himself! Vlad Tepes was King Matthias’s captive, held in the labyrinth under the castle. As with all legends about Vlad, he actually never was held under the castle. He was held in the Citadel of Visegrad from 1463 to 1475. Never to miss an opportunity to create a great tourist tour, the myth is probably a modern invention to help promote tourism and includes a themed exhibition under the castle and tours promoting this myth.

Baba Vida Castle, Bulgaria

Next is the lonely Danube castle of Baba Vida in Bulgaria. This castle is named after Vida, the daughter of a wealthy Bulgarian boyar.

According to the legend, due to the unsuccessful marriages of her two sisters—Kula and Gamza, Vida rejected all proposals for marriage, built the castle and remained in it for the rest of her life as the protector of Vidin. It is said her ghost roams the castle and grounds, serving to ward of enemies and evil doers of the world and the world of spirits.

Somehow, knowing the legend, and seeing this small but well-constructed castle, I could easily see her spirit standing in defense of the invading Turks.

Baba Vida Castle is a common stop by many river cruise lines while sailing the lower Danube, and Braun Castle is a common post cruise land extension.

Our Final Thoughts

I bet you did not know of the many eerie stories of castles in Europe. I confess I did not know all these stories but enjoyed learning a little more about the spooky side of European Castles. Perhaps this will encourage you to visit some of these interesting places.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). His last major certificate is a Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) certificate earned from the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
CLIA Riverview Certificate
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

October 2, 2025

Europe River Cruise

The Dynamic World of River Cruising in 2026 and Beyond

Hank Schrader

October 2, 2025

Europe River Cruise

The Dynamic World of River Cruising in 2026 and Beyond

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

Change is in the air—especially in the river cruise world.

So, I thought I’d try to update you on how rapidly things are changing in terms of new builds and company dynamics. There is a stampede for companies to expand and new entries into the industry. It is clear that high demand s driving the rapid expansion and river cruises are booming! My best guess is that 743,400 North American sailed on a river cruise in 2024.

Overview

The competition among lines is heating up and I have been able to sort through some of the news, to report a general overview on the booming river cruise marketplace and plans for the future. While exact number are not readily available, there is just enough information made publicly available to get a good sense of what is happening.

The primary reason for the uptick in ship building is an increase in Americans who will be turning 55+. The US census bureau reports that by 2030 1 in 5 will be 65 or older. They will control 73% of American wealth. Since the 55+ age group and above is the primary target of river cruise companies, there is no wonder more ships are being built, and new companies are trying to grab their share of this lucrative market.

Both Viking River Cruise lines and AmaWaterways report record bookings in 2024 and 2025, with a significant portion of their river cruise itineraries sold out (above 90 % for both years).

In a report I read from FMI (Future Market Reports, Inc.) it predicts a future growth rate of 6.1% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) for 2024 to 2034. CLIA (Cruise Lines International Associations), predicts a 10% growth rate annually. A Viking webinar projects a 13% growth rate annually on river cruises from 2026 to 2030.

Why is River Cruising so Popular?

The rising demand to river cruise includes smaller ships where almost all aspects of a good trip are included (accommodations, great food and drink and tours while staying on a mobile vessel) and the chance to experience the landscapes and cultures of countries for an outstanding vacation.

The intimate, small ship experience with good itineraries and more folks who can afford these higher-end cruises is driving the demand. Passengers often feel a deeper connection to the culture and destinations in these smaller groups.

Specialty cruises are very frequent among most lines, with wine and food cruises, wellness cruises (health and active options) and special themed cruises are offering more options to folks. This trend is driving the average age of 60+ down to 55 or lower.

While 7-day cruises are the norm, many 14-day cruises (or more), with combination of routes and rivers offered by most lines is expanding, and this trend will only increase as lines offer more of these types of longer cruises.

2024 Market Share by River Cruise Company

My primary source for this report is a webinar I attended on September 23.2025 from Viking River Cruise Lines. I have heard similar market share information and since Viking is publicly traded on the stock exchange, their numbers seem fairly reliable.

I will start with the largest to smallest market share to organize this blog and add any new updates from any publishing source I have encountered in our quest to provide updates on the river cruise industry passengers.

Viking River Cruise Lines

Viking has 52% of the North American market share in the river cruise market. This translates to about 385,568 passengers for 2024. It is no wonder they are so dominate—somewhere around 83 river cruise ships are presently sailing and there nearest competitor has 26 or so.

Viking has 83 river cruise ships in its fleet and plans to expand to 98 worldwide by the end of 2026 (10 are going to be added to the European fleet, according to RiverCruising.co.uk).

The ships will not have any new features, just the solid design of their popular longships and the 135-meter ships will carry 190 passengers. They have really expanded their Nile River cruise fleet in their latest push during their never-ending production of new ships to add to the river cruise market.

AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways has 15% of the North American Market and had about 111,510 passengers sailing on their 26 ships in 20224. They started sailing in Columbia in 2025 with 2 ships. They are exclusive in the Magdalena River in Columbia.

Not to be left out of the ship building frenzy, AmaWaterways will add 2 ships in Europe, along with a new ship on the Mekong in 2026. In 2027 they will add the AmaRudi, the second double wide ship on the Danube and have orders for 8 more, bringing their fleet to 40 by 2030.

It is clear to me that the new ownership sees expansion and growth as a key part of their overall strategy to claim an even larger share of the marketplace.

**The AmaMagna double wide ship. Photo Anne Schrader**

Avalon

Avalon has 9% of the North American Market, with about 68,906 passenger sailing on their ships in 2024.

Avalon does not have any building plans that I’m aware about but is completing a 3-year fleet-wide refresh of its “Space Ships” in Europe that is scheduled for to be finished by 2026.

Without any real inside knowledge, one reason for the lack of expansion may be the growth is not contemplated at present, as Avalon is part of the larger Globus family of travel brands, which allows them to offer travel experiences beyond just river cruises.

Uniworld

Uniworld has 7% of the North American Market Share, which translates to 52, 038 passengers sailing in 2024.

Uniworld plans to launch 3 ships by 2027. These are the “Super Ships” which will complete the fleet to an all “Super Ship” fleet. Each ship will be unique with custom features and will represent a well-known figure from the region they sail on. The key to this expansion is a focus on high-quality ships instead of identical ships offered by their competitors.

Uniworld is introducing an interesting new elaborate 50-night river cruise for their 50th Anniversary in 2026. It includes air, rail and routes in different rivers. I will be very interested in the results, as AmaWaterways tried this concept just limited to Europe and decided it was not right to continue this type of cruise.

They also are partnering with Seaborn to offer a luxury river/ocean cruise combination. Viking is also doing this and I predict Celebrity Cruises will also offer this by 2028.

**Butlers on the Uniworld Maria Theresa Photo Hank Schrader**

Scenic/Emerald

These two companies account for 5% of the cruise market and approximately 37,170 sailed on their river cruise ships.

Emerald plans to add 2 new ships by 2027. The Emerald Astra will launch in 2026 and in 2027, the Emeral Lumi will sail the Seine.

There is also a major refurbishment program going on for both its ocean and river ships—18 in total. The program is designed to elevate the brand of the fleet.

One fact I noticed about Scenic in their 2026 offerings, is an expansion of combining more 7-day cruise routes into 14-day or more sailings.

Tauck

Tauck has 4% of the river cruise market and 29,736 or so sailed with them in 2024.

Tauck is expanding their European fleet by 2 ships each in 2026 and another 2 ships in 2027, which will increase their passenger capacity by 30 percent, compared to 2025. Capacity will be limited to no more than 130 passengers, in keeping with their philosophy “small is big.”

These new ships will sail in France and on the Douro. Of all the expansion efforts by the 8 lines we follow, I have always thought that Tauck needed more ships than the other companies.

Riverside

I could not find any reliable numbers of passengers sailed in 2024, but with only 3 ships and basically a start-up line, the numbers are going to be low.

Riverside currently leases 2 ships to Uniworld but plan to expand their fleet of the Bach in 2027 and the Mahler in 2028. Further expansion plans will be evaluate at the end of the 2026 season to determine is expansion is warranted based on their bookings.

I have very high expectations for Riverside, as their 135-meter ships are the best sailing in Europe and the food is excellent. This family-owned company seems to think slow is better than quick, to ensure excellence of their product.

58,472 Passengers sailed on different lines in 2024, or 8 % split between 15 or more larger river cruise companies.

Most of these lines account for 1% or less of the North American Market and some do not use English as their onboard language. For us, there is not enough interest in these lines to justify reporting on them, but it doesn’t mean they might be right for some select river cruisers.

New Companies coming into this lucrative Market

New company brands are entering the marketplace, such as Celebrity Cruises (2 ships in 2027), and National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions is partnering with Transcend Cruise with 2 ships.

Celebrity sold out their entire inventory for 2027 in about 5 hours of 33 week-long voyages. The brand recognition and their research about past guests wanting to go on a European river cruise proved to be right on the mark!

The word on the street is folks also are scrambling to book in 2028 although it is currently not available yet. This is a record sell out in the river cruise marketplace.

For me, the jury is still out on their entry into the river cruise marketplace. Some of their ship design concepts sound amazing, but I could see problems navigating low bridges and lock restrictions if any of their expanding features do not operate correctly. It will be interesting to see if they have a unique product but for sure their brand has driven demand beyond expectations.

National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions/Transcend Cruises have formed a partnership agreement to start cruises in 2026. Transcend is a charter only river cruise line. The 2026 sailings will be on 2 new state-of-the-art vessels. The agreement is currently to sail until the 2028 river cruise season. I’m not sure how you would even book these, as Transcend does not sell directly to the public.

Our Final Thoughts

I think it is certain the demand will continue in the next 5 years, but I fear the expansion could be detrimental in the quality experience that makes river cruising so special. Ther are only so many ports available for these ships and I doubt we will ever see just a single ship ported without another rafted (tied up to other ships) as in the past. You may have read some of my concerns in an earlier blog post and ways some of these problems could be solved. Here is the link if you are interested to read more about my concerns about the expansion planned in the next few years.

Is the River Cruise Industry Expanding Too Fast

It is clear to me that the river cruise companies do not think the market is over-saturated and the new ships will add to their profitability and market share. Only time will tell, and I hope my fears are wrong and the overall experience of river cruising still is maintained at high levels.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
CLIA Riverview Certificate
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

September 18, 2025

Ocean Cruise

Virgin Atlantic's Brilliant Lady

Hank Schrader

September 18, 2025

Ocean Cruise

Virgin Atlantic’s Brilliant Lady

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

It has been quite a while since we reported on an Ocean Cruise Line, but we just returned from a 5-day trip on the second sailing of the Brilliant Lady from New York. The only port stop was the Royal Naval Port in Bermuda.

We took this cruise as part of a business meeting to improve our knowledge of a great CRM (Contact Relationship Management) system by Tern to enhance our ability to work more efficiently with you.

The other part for us was learning about what Virgin Atlantic has to offer you as a possible vacation option.

Overall Impressions

This cruise line is different than any other line we have sailed on in the past. There are no children aboard and the vibe is pretty much fun and loud. Since we both are in our 70s, it probably would not be our first choice for a relaxing cruise; however, I could see how it would appeal to younger sailors (this is the term Virgin Atlantic uses instead of guests to call their folks who sail with them). Tattoos, a variety of lifestyles and amazing outfits were a normal at all times, but especially at night!

A good concept is the variety of different dining options, and I will cover these from our experiences. The food is generally excellent and this is a big draw for considering taking a Virgin Atlantic cruise. They also have edgy theater shows.

Another good feature is that almost all is included—no gratuities for the cruise. Naturally, alcohol drinks are extra and some options in the various eateries had upcharges for select meals.

In a tech touch, you are provided with a red wrist band that opens your room and is scanned for drink purchases. This really solves a problem of constantly fumbling for your cruise credit card like so many other cruise lines.

A not so good feature was the constant waiting in line for the various dining venues, even with a reservation. The problem was only one host or hostess seating 20 to 30 folks, especially with the late time slots (usually 2 seatings 5:45 and 8:00 PM or later). We waited sometimes 20 minutes or so to be seated.

Another negative factor was the noise levels—most folks had to shout to have a conversation anywhere on the ship. Even the staff noticed it, as we could seldom interact without having to repeat anything.

While not Virgin Atlantic’s total fault, the embarkation process was the worse system of any ocean cruise line we have sailed on. No real signage until we finally reach the check in area, no reps from Virgin and you get in long lines that seem never to end despite the fact we had a designated embarkation time.

Brillant Lady

**The Brilliant Lady in Port in Bermuda. Photo Anne Schrader**

**This picture shows how the design of the ship allows it be narrow enough to transit the Panama Canal since the lifeboats are recessed. Photo Anne Schrader**

The ship holds 2,770 passengers with 1048 staterooms (some staterooms could hold 3 or 4, so the max capacity is 2,860), with 17 decks. There are 1,160 staff and crew onboard. One significant design feature is that the ship is small enough to transit the Panama Canal and it will sail all the way to Alaska on some cruises.

Our Stateroom

We booked a Sea Terrace stateroom that ranges in size from 185 to 225 square feet—ours was the XL version with 225 square feet. The terrace had a hand-woven red hammock.

The bathroom is very cramped with a shower, toilet and sink.

**The cramped bathroom. Photo Anne Schrader**

**The Shower. There is the wand (shown) and a rain shower head (not shown). Photo Anne Schrader**

Our cabin had some high-tech features, with a tablet that controlled the lights, TV and curtains. You can change the lights to mood settings. It is very modern with a cheeky vibe (to use a British term).

**The make up area. Photo Anne Schrader**

**The high-tech control pad that controls the lights, TV and curtains in our stateroom. Photo Anne Schrader**

**The closet area. Photo Anne Schrader**

Deck 7 Food

Deck 7 features a pizza pallor, an ice cream venue (called “Lick Me ‘Till I Scream”—honest, I’m not making that up), and the Loose Cannon venue for hot dogs, pop corn and wings

The Galley on Deck 15

Although there is not a large buffet area like many large cruise ships (it is more like a market-style food hall), there were smaller versions of stations for breakfast, lunch and for dinner. 8 of the 20 total food locations are on deck 15. There was a taco food hall, an Asian Noodle Soup venue, a breakfast station, a burger station, a fresh baked bread/sandwich station and desserts and fruit. The morning bagel station changes to a salad bar. All food is served by the staff

Specialty Dining Venues

Here is a review of our dining experiences during this short 5-day Cruise.

Gunbae

This is a Korean BBQ venue, with 6 people are seated around cooking stations in a half-circle seating arrangement. The meal is supposed to start with a drinking game with an included shot of Soju. The waiter tried to explain the dishes, but it was so loud, we couldn’t really understand. To make things simpler, he just brought us almost everything from the menu from the favorites from serving others. We liked the small bites course of crispy chicken and the seafood pancakes. You could also get noodle dishes, or spicy rice cakes.

Next was the chef’s combo of short ribs, pork belly and shrimp prepared at the table. My favorite was the bulgogi, again prepared at the table. I had rice to go with meat courses and Anne had Kimchi rice.

My grade B, as the food was good, but the noise was overwhelming.

**Gunbae Korean BBQ entrance. Photo Anne Schrader**

Pink Agave

This is Virgin’s Mexican themed restaurant. It was surprisingly good and a different twist on most Mexican restaurants. I started with a classic, the chicken enchiladas. The next larger plates were excellent. Anne had the artichoke marinated smoked pork, while I had a thin ribeye steak covered lightly with a chili cheese sauce.

Our grade A- as the noise was less than other venues, even with a DJ towards the end of our meal with salsa music, and the food was very good!

**Anne in Pink Agave. Photo Hank Schrader**

Extra Virgin

My favorite restaurant was the Italian Extra Virgin. We started with a charcuterie board. I then had 5 meatballs as an appetizer, then splurged on chicken cacciatore and pasta (it was a lot of food). For dessert my choice was the tableside created Affogato expresso that covered whisky crema vanilla gelato.

Charcuterie board Extra Virgin. Photo Anne Schrader

My meatballs starter. Photo Hank Schrader

**Anne’s Pasta dish. Photo Anne Schrader**

My Chicken cacciatore. Photo Hank Schrader

**This great bottle of wine was well worth the extra cost. Photo Anne Schrader**

A+ here, and we could talk to each other and our newly made single friend at the adjacent table.

The Wake

The Wake is billed as a modern twist to the classic chophouses. We were looking forward to this restaurant especially for their signature seafood tower platters, but sadly the chef said the seafood was not up to par. Anne was very disappointed, so enjoyed her drinks.

I had the Razor Clam Chowder as a starter and then a 7-oz. Filet Mignon with a twice baked potato and caramelized onion.

**My steak was served with roasted garlic. Photo Hank Schrader**

**My twice-baked potato dish. Photo Hank Schrader**

**Desert to finish off the meal. Photo Hank Schrader**

My food was excellent, with a B+ grade but the evening was quite a disappointment overall. Anne would go with a D.

Our Final Thoughts

It was a different experience but overall, it was a little disappointing to us. If you are looking for a lively time, this ship is designed for you. The quality of the food might be just enough to make you consider taking a Virgin Atlantic cruise, as most is already included in the cruise fare. Just remember to book the specialty restaurants early as possible to avoid disappointment!

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you with high quality, expertly planned trips. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@visitdd.com . We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
CLIA Riverview Certificate
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

August 28, 2025

Europe River Cruise

5 Unique Specialty Cruises on AmaWaterways in 2026

Hank Schrader

August 28, 2025

Europe River Cruise

5 Unique Specialty Cruises on AmaWaterways in 2026

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

Specialty cruises are a great way to add to an already great vacation experience and AmaWaterways always seems to shine in these offerings to enhance your trip.

This blog was inspired from a guest post I found on Travel Pulse, and some of the descriptions mirror their basic article but missed a key cruise offering and that spurred me into action!

I also learned today that AmaWaterways has no plans at all to venture into ocean or expedition cruising, as several of the other mainstream river cruise companies are adding this option. I am really happy their focus is continues on river cruising!

So, I thought I’d give you an update on 5 really good options you may want to consider for 2026.

Smithsonian Journeys

AmaWaterways has partnered with Smithsonian Journeys stating with sailings in 2026. Smithsonian Journeys is the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution and features educational and discovery experiences during select sailings.

There will be 2 experts from the Smithsonian on these special sailings. The will provide lectures, lead discussions, and escort guests on exclusive shore excursions. They may be historians, archaeologists, or artists that will share their knowledge. This is unique and very cool from our perspective!

There are going to be good opportunities to sail on these cruises, and here are a couple of good examples of what this enhanced sailing brings to your luxury vacation:

A private, guided exploration of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum on the 7-nightTulip Time itinerary, including up-close moments with Rembrandt’s masterpieces.
An insider’s tour of the golden-hued Melk Abbey on the 14-night Grand Danube Cruise, where a resident librarian reveals the wonders of medieval manuscripts typically reserved for scholars. AmaWaterways has also sponsored one manuscript’s restoration and that will be included in this unique visit.
There are 33 sailings in 2026 according to my research and they include sailings on the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine and Rhone.

Wine Cruises

Longtime readers of this blog will not be surprised by the many wine cruise themed cruise for 2026—there are over 80 now! We have been on several starting in 2013 and really like them. There is no extra charge for these special sailings—pretty cool!

What makes them special is the smart way they introduce guests to some awesome experiences. These include:

Premier Vineyard and Cellar Tours: You get to discover unique wineries and vineyards, many of which aren’t accessible on standard river journeys. Some are really off the grid of what you could expect from other river cruise lines, and it would be quite hard to experience these places on your own.
Onboard Wine Host: Every cruise is accompanied by a wine professional who hosts tastings and shares their insider knowledge. We have seen this during the 5 or so wine cruises we have experienced and learned good information about wine.
Food and Wine Pairing Dinner: You will get to savor a menu curated to highlight perfect parings between the wine host’s exquisite wines and AmaWaterways gourmet fare, making every bite and sip special. These dinners are really fun and a highlight of the themed cruise, as the pairing really enhances the meal. I think there is no better way to find out if the wines are the right for your palate.

**Wine Tasting 2013 Colors of Provence Cruise. Photo Anne Schrader**

**Desert on the AmaCerto—great way to finish a wine pairing dinner**

**Mark the former general manager of Ledson Winery prepares for a wine tasting onboard with the bar staff**

**Great tenderloin meal during a wine themed dinner**

Celebration of Beer Cruises

While not as popular as the wine cruises, there is a good opportunity to learn about beer during these special cruises. We took one a few years ago, but it is our understanding they have improved since our experience.

Here is what you can expect from these cruises:

Beer-Themed Shore Excursions: Step inside storied breweries like Lahnsteiner Brauerei in Lahnstein, Germany and urban gems like Stadskasteel Oudaen in Utrecht, Netherlands for expert-led tastings and tours.
Onboard Expert Guidance: A local Beer Expert leads interactive sessions, introducing regional brewing histories, styles and flavor profiles while keeping the atmosphere engaging and approachable.
My research shows 3 sailing dates scheduled for 2026. The cruises are Captivating Rhine, Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps, and the Romantic Rhine.

Celebration of Music Cruises

There is an enhanced experience on the musical themed cruises on the Danube, if this is your special interest. Select sailings have a dedicated music host.

Here is what you can expect:

Exclusive Performances: Enjoy a stirring choir recital at Melk’s historic Benedictine abbey and an unforgettable concert in the grandeur of Vienna. The 7-night Celebration of Music Danube Cruise has 14 sailing dates in 2026.
Music-Themed Excursions: Follow in the footsteps of Europe’s great composers with expertly guided city tours and behind-the-scenes access to Budapest’s ornate Hungarian State Opera House.
Expert Music Host: Selected sailings are hosted by seasoned performers or scholars, whose stories and insights add depth to each experience.

**Mozart’s Birthplace in Salzburg Austria**

Soulful Experiences

Perhaps the most unique of the specialty cruises are the Soulful Experiences. Thes cruises include curated tours and experiences in Europe, Africa, Asia and Columbia. Our great friend Jazzmine Douse developed these sailings for AmaWaterways, and they are a spectacular success by selling out quickly.

These cruises focus on celebrating Black heritage, culture and history during the sailings.

My research reveals that there are presently 5 sailings in 2026 and there will be more in 2027, but the schedule is not firm yet, as 4 are currently listed, but I expect that to expand.
Here is a list of 3 new sailings for 2026: Enticing Douro; Riches of the Mekong; and Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Christmas.
They will continue the French and the Nile cruises that were sold out for 2025.
2 days ago, AmaWaterways announced a new partnership with James Beard award winning chef Alexander Smith, who will create a Signature Juneteenth Dinner.

**Jazz on the AmaMagna during the 2023 ASTA River Cruise Expo**

Our Final Thoughts

It is important to recognize that many of us have special interests, and the themed cruises add the beauty of the river to your experience. AmaWaterways is unmatched in themed cruises, and since no two cruisers are the same, consider taking one of these specialized cruises to pursue you interests—tell them Anne and Hank recommended them!.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
CLIA Riverview Certificate
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

August 14, 2025

Best Value Travel

Buyer Beware!

Hank Schrader

August 14, 2025

Best Value Travel

Buyer Beware!

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

This was an interesting week for me. I’m enrolled in 2 certification courses to enhance my ability to serve our clients better.

It has encouraged me to think hard about who we are, what our brand is and what our values are.

So, I will start with those items and then tell you about 2 things that caught my attention and made me think—Buyer Beware!

Our Mission

A mission statement explains the company's reason for existence. It describes the company, what it does, and its overall intention. A good mission statement answers these four questions: What do we do? How do we do it? What do we do it for? And what value are we bringing?

Ours is Anne & Hank Schrader, owners of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, are certified travel professionals who will provide you with the highest quality, expertly planned domestic and foreign leisure travel with a focus on cruises, European river cruises and European vacations for discriminating travelers.

Our Vision

A vision statement is an aspirational statement made by an organization that articulates what they would like to achieve. Here is ours:

We want you to Savor Life . . . make memories . . . Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

Our Values

Values statements, also called a value proposition, are a description of what you believe in, and a promise of value to be delivered, communicated, and acknowledged. It’s a set of five to seven words that articulate what your organization believes in and holds true. Here are our values:

Experienced, Certified Professionals, Trustworthy, Honest, Client First

We are very proud of these beliefs and hope they are meaningful to you also. We try to practice them every day in the conduct of our business and make it right if we don’t succeed.

**Anne and Hank on an AmaWaterways cruise**

On another river cruise at a wine tasing in France

Buyer Beware 1

One of the risks we take in our business model is not charging a planning fee. Recent surveys of our industry now report that over 50% of travel advisors charge these fees. The reasons vary, as planning takes time and resources and expertise, but two other reasons are the most common problem advisors face and these problems result in lost revenue, so many advisors feel the fee would help compensate them if the prospect decided not to use the information provided by the agent. Time spent with those who decide to purchase on price rather than service hurts the whole industry.

Sometimes prospects will take the hard-earned knowledge provided by the advisor and then book it themselves directly with the vendor. Another reason is consumers try to find another way to save money by looking to online discounters. Even though vendors set the price and there is supposed to be a level playing field among all, some companies offer discounts that are questionable at best. Here is a great example.

We recently had a prospect take a formal quote we provided directly from a supplier, and they reached out to an online vendor to see if they could offer a better price.

They did find a better price from an agent in an online agency, but without a formal quote from the vendor—they just offered prices and a brief description on what was included in the quote.

The first red flag for me was how the funds for the deposit were going to be handled. If they were going to the agent directly and not the supplier, this would be a huge potential problem. I couldn’t figure out how their price could be lower unless funds went directly to the agency and they paid from a different account to the supplier. So most likely the agent cut his commission which is not allowed by the supplier.

The correct procedure is that the agent or agency takes payment information and pays it directly to the supplier, unless there are some circumstances like our D Day trip where the supplier required one payment by agency funds. River cruise payments never have these requirements unless it is a charter of a ship. We never deposit credit card information into our accounts for a river cruise and pay the agreed upon amount directly to the supplier.

The second red flag, which was the true stunning part of the email, was this disclaimer which states:

Agent quotes are confidential between you and the agent offering this quote. You MAY NOT share this information with other cruise sellers.

It was written in bold font, and I copied it word for word. I’ll bet you know what I am thinking—what is the agent trying to hide? Amazing—a non-disclosure agreement for travel!

We plan to report this blatant offer to the supplier for undercutting prices which is not allowed and to the American Society of Travel Advisors. It is unethical and brings discredit to our profession.

Would you consider doing business with this agency and agent—I sure wouldn’t! I sure wouldn’t risk over $10,000 to them—there are just too many red flags here. Buyer Beware!

Buyer Beware 2

I guess I just can’t get off my soapbox about the questionable value of any best river cruise lists.

As a person who reads anything I can find written about river cruises, attends as many webinars as possible about the various companies and we have taken 29 river cruises, I think we have the ability to look critically at the content and opinions of others about river cruises.

I really think they are subjective as opposed to objective and do not accurately reflect what is “best” for you. Even more concerning is they may reflect preference for sales channels regardless of the high reliability of the source.

I recently read an article published online from Forbes. If you are not aware, Forbes plans to publish a star rating of river cruise lines that would be a first of the industry. So, their opinions and methods peaked my interest. I found a recent article lacking, since it implied the cruise line they chose as the best without really proving their one selection was the best line.

So, I hope this critique will help you become more aware of subjective nature of the best lists and how they can influence you to make a poor purchasing decision.

The Problem with Another Best Lists for River Cruises

The recent article published by Forbes that caught my attention was titled “The World’s Best River Cruises 2025, According to Experts.” The article lists 15 rivers to cruise and then a section with “how to do it” for each river. I read the post on LinkedIn and found the 15 river descriptions accurate.

After finishing the artice, I replied to the author “the choice of what line to pick appears to be more an advertisement than the best line for that particular route.” There is no best line for everyone!’

I went on to point out “As an English speaker, do you want to sail on CroisiEurope when the onboard language is French?”

One river included in the article, the Elbe, is a difficult river to sail. My thoughts were “The Elbe is the most difficult river to sail in Europe and uses paddle wheel ships and quite often leads to glorified bus tours.”

I finished with “Best lists are meaningless if it does not match your desired travel style, but it does get a lot of views and makes advertisers happy.”

The author responded to me almost immediately after I posted my reply, but has since taken down his posting on LinkedIn. I will paraphrase his comments. He said the idea was to inspire other to take these cruises and the line chosen for the river was one option among many.

So, let’s put on our thinking caps for a second and see what is wrong with this article. First, this really was only a recap of what is available—there is no best here, only routes available. So, I guess you need to figure out which route is the best for your cruise, as no advantages and disadvantages of each route were provided.

The second part is that the list was complied by experts. There was only one author and only one line selected in the how to do it section. So, who were these experts? What are their qualifications and experience? Why did they pick the one recommended line?

Can you now see how you might learn about possible routes, but the suggested line may not be the right fit for you? I suggest the title of this article was quite misleading.

Our Final Thoughts

Buyer Beware! We sell on value and follow the suppliers’ rules. We do try and find you the best deal in an ethical way as your advocate and a bridge between the vendors and you. We are your fiduciary—your interest comes first, not ours. We will always do what is right when no one is looking! We do it at no extra cost to you, as the suuplier sets the price we are allowed to offer you. We hope you agree with who we are and what we believe and how we do business. We are happy we don’t charge fees, and hope the potential problem would not force us to change our policy.

We would like to thank the hundreds of you who trusted us to be your advisor. We do not advertise, so your refferals make the difference in our success. We only exist as a thriving business due to your loyal support, and we will never be able to thank you enough!

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

July 29, 2025

River Cruise Advice

Reliable River Cruise Review Sources

Hank Schrader

July 29, 2025

River Cruise Advice

Reliable River Cruise Review Sources

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

I often try to tell you that we have one of the best websites to review river cruise lines available as a credible source. (OK, I think we are the best, but I’m probably a little biased!).

So, I decided to research online and see the results on how we rank compared to other sources.

I thought it was important to establish a little evaluation criteria and AI helped me come up with some good ideas in this regard—it is time to use our critical thinking skills. I also added some information about each source so you could know more about who rates river cruise and how reliable they are for your search in order to learn more about which route and cruises you should take for your vacation.

Tips for Using River Cruise Reviews

Look for patterns: Pay attention to recurring themes in reviews, whether positive or negative. Consistent feedback across multiple reviews indicates reliability.
Consider the source: Different platforms may attract different types of travelers. Consider the demographic and interests of the reviewers when evaluating their feedback and ensure their travel style matches your travel style.
Focus on relevant criteria: Prioritize reviews that address factors important to you, such as the quality of food, excursions, cabins, or service.
Read recent reviews: River cruise companies may change their offerings or quality over time. Focus on up-to-date reviews to ensure the information is relevant.

Here is What the AI Summary Posted:

AI stated the summary with these sentences. “Several resources offer reliable and comprehensive river cruise reviews, helping travelers make informed decisions. These include dedicated cruise review websites, travel magazines and forums, and even YouTube channels focusing on river cruising”.

1. Cruise Critic is a cruise ship review site. Annually in December, it publishes the Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards, which recognize the best cruise lines of the year in various categories. It is owned by TripAdvisor. Cruise Critic is focused on cruising, so it does have some value as a source. It is hard to determine how much expertise the author has, and it is often hard to find a specific answer to the information you seek. When I ask for reviews on Europe River Cruises, only 2 out of the top 10 reviews were actually about river cruising; the other 8 were about ocean cruises.

Here is what AI said about Cruise Critic.

“Cruise Critic is a well-established and widely recognized platform for cruise reviews, including a dedicated section for river cruises”. (When I searched for a dedicated river section, the reply was there was not a dedicated section in cruise critic—sorry AI, you misled us!).
“It features reviews from members and editors, discussion forums, and detailed information about cruise lines, ships, and itineraries.”

My evaluation is that it is a weak source.

2. Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure is a travel magazine based in New York City, New York. Published 12 times a year, it has 4.8 million readers, according to its corporate media kit. While widely recognized as a good source of information, I have criticized the results in several blogs, as the rankings of the best river cruise lines has little meaning if it does not match your desired travel style. Here is what AI said about this source:

“Travel + Leisure conducts annual surveys to determine readers' favorite river cruise lines, offering valuable insights into passenger satisfaction.”

“Their "World's Best Awards" identify top-rated companies based on criteria such as cabins, service, and itineraries.”

Despite my criticism, it has to be consider a highly reliable source but remember the readers are at the very high end of the cruising public, so factor that in when reading their recommendations.

3. TourRadar is a privately held global company headquartered in Vienna, Austria that operates an online marketplace and internet booking engine specializing in multi-day tours. Since it is a booking site that compares river cruises based on verified traveler reviews, it is difficult to evaluate their reliability, but most evaluation sources say they are fairly reliable. TourRadar did have a rating scale from 1-5 for what they considered the 10 Best River Cruise Companies, and they did take it a step further with breaking down their ratings according to price (comfort $$; Premium $$$ and Luxury $$$$). Here is what AI said about this source:

“TourRadar provides a platform to compare river cruise companies with reviews and ratings from travelers.”
“It allows users to filter by price, duration, destinations, and other criteria, making it easier to find a suitable cruise.”

It sure requires a lot of individual effort on your part to read enough reviews to get a balanced opinion, in my view.

4. TripAdvisor is an American company that operates online travel agencies, comparison shopping websites, and mobile apps with user-generated content. There is a lot of controversy about the accuracy of reviews, some claim they are accurate, while others bitterly complain about the accuracy of the reviews to include made up reviews. Since they cover so many areas concerning travel, I think other sources might be more beneficial as a top river cruise source. TripAdvisor allows you to filter your desired results and when I ask for 7 Night Cruise to Europe and then selected a deal, it rolled me out to an online booking site. Here is what AI said about this source:

“TripAdvisor is a popular website for travel reviews, including a section specifically for river cruises.”
“It offers a vast database of user-generated content, covering various aspects of the cruise experience, such as accommodations, dining, and excursions.”

It is very hard in my opinion to see a whole lot of value, except price comparisons.

Specialized Sources

In my humble opinion, these are the 3 best sources to help you evaluate which river cruise might be right for your vacation.

River Cruise Advisor: River Cruise Advisor, a website operated by Ralph Grizzle and Britton Frost, offers news, reviews, and articles about river cruising. The site features information on cruise lines like Viking Cruises, AmaWaterways, and Tauck, with content covering ship design, local guides, itineraries, and amenities. It also provides destination guides, savings advice, and comparisons of cruise experiences. The website is considered a good resource for planning river cruises.

This website has a good, up-to-date comparison list of river cruise companies. There is no doubt they have traveled on more river cruise lines than other travel writers, but they usually are traveling for free, as they are sponsored and invited to experience different river company products and services. My only criticism of their information is that it tends to be very positive in almost all regards. Here is what AI said about this source:

“This website, though based in America, is mentioned as having a good, up-to-date comparison list of river cruise companies”.

The River Cruise Lady: Linda May Dinsmore is “The River Cruise Lady.” As she posted on her website, “why not let my years of experience plus personal knowledge of all the companies and destinations to help you plan your next unique small ship experience”. I have talked with her on a river cruise sailing, and she is the real deal. Based in Canada, we refer clients to her, as we cannot book Canadian citizens.

Her site offers comparisons of different river cruise lines, and she has a good blog. Here is what AI said about this source:

“This site offers comparisons of different river cruise lines”.

Dream Destinations: At the risk of repetition, we offer a lot more in-depth information than others.

In short, no other website that we are aware of has all these answers in the comprehensive and accurate fashion as our website has—we are content on steroids, and others are not even close!

Consider these facts:

While there are some good comparison charts on several websites, nothing compares to our eighty-slide pdf PowerPoint Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons. We currently rank #2 on Google and we completely compare the main river cruise companies marketing to the US consumers. It is an in-depth look at the advantages and disadvantages of these lines; it has 17 comparison charts and explains what to expect during your cruise should you choose one of the 8 companies we follow.
Our site has 140+ blogs about every facet of river cruises—according to a Google search we are cited as the top resource for comprehensive and accurate river cruise information for river cruise blogging.
Complete information about specific river routes—our Best River Cruise Routes Guide ranks either 1st or 2nd on Google. When you combine these considerations with 162+ day-by-day routes with our personal pictures of the port stops from the 8 different river cruise lines we follow, there is simply nothing else on the web to compare with our route coverage.

Here is what AI said about us:

“This website provides comparisons of different river cruise lines, such as AmaWaterways, Avalon, Emerald, Riverside, Scenic, Tauck, Uniworld, and Viking, highlighting their unique features”.

Here are our personal ratings of river cruise lines, which is part of the 17 comparison slides in our Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons. As I always say, these really do not matter much if they do not match your personal travel sytle and requirements.

**We have been on 28 river cruise trips. Here we are on one of these trips on an AmaWaterways cruise.**

When you consider the other sources, which often require previous knowledge to be effective, we take a different approach by spending time teaching you about all facets of river cruising and learning about what you like and dislike. Once we have determined the best fit for your desired travel style, then we search for the best possible match. It sure is a better way than trying to wade through the on-line booking sites mentioned above.

Our Final Thoughts

I think we stack very well, especially when you consider how large some of the review sources are compared to us. By leveraging these resources and following these tips, you can effectively navigate the world of river cruise reviews and select the perfect cruise for your next adventure.

Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@visitdd.com . We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

July 23, 2025

River Cruise Comparisons

My Favorite Features on 8 Europe River Cruise Lines

Hank Schrader

July 23, 2025

River Cruise Comparisons

My Favorite Features on 8 Europe Cruise Lines

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

With the overwhelming amount of videos and opinions about Europe River Cruising, I thought I should take a step back and let you know what we consider the most desirable features of the 8 river cruise companies we follow.

As always, I will organize our thoughts alphabetically, which has no meaning than just a method of organization.

I guess you should also know we have sailed on 4 of the 8 lines and toured and eaten one or more meals on the remaining 4. After sailing on 28 river cruises and helping hundreds of folks take a river cruise vacations during every season of the year, I think we are uniquely qualified to let you know about what we found special about each line.

All pictures in this blog were taken by us and as usual, Anne took the majority of the pictures displayed here. We decided to use only 3 pictures per river cruise lines but on our website (www.dreamdestinations.com/europe-river-cruise) there are 162 day-by-day route guides as well as, detailed ship tours of the lines featured here.

AmaWaterways

With 20 ships operating in Europe, AmaWaterways is the second largest line that markets to the US. We rate them very highly and many of our clients have enjoyed sailing with AmaWaterways.

The best features of AmaWaterways are:

Locally sourced food & fine regional wines that change daily—added free cocktail hour—included Chef’s Table—best in the industry in our opinion
Best Active line—added wellness instructor with a master’s degree in physical education
Good tours—usually 3 groups & at least 2 options—sometimes more with options for different ability levels
Crew becomes your friends—service is excellent & consistently high standards
Slow, steady growth—new ships have high staff standards that remain constantly consistent
Excellent staterooms with many that feature the twin balconies (French and outside) and also feature state-of-the-art fan coil air conditioning units with ensure fresh and clean air at all times. They are well appointed and stylish without overkill.
Great Cruise Managers go the extra mile for your trip
Great Partners with Smithsonian Journeys, Backroads (bike touring) & Disney
Their wine-themed cruises are the best in the industry—there are over 80 a year
The AmaMagna is a double wide ship that features luxurious balcony suites, four included restaurants, an expansive wellness studio, a cinema, and a pickleball court. A second double wide ship, the AmaRudi is scheduled to begin sailing in 2027.
The 20 Europe based AmaWaterways ships are green certified for industry-leading safety, quality and environmental performance
Ama’s ships were purposefully built with a low draft which allows them to sail in low water conditions when competitor lines are unable to sail safely.

**Wellness host and our clients Jane and Len ready for a bike excursion**

**Apple Strudel dessert—one of my favorites**

Avalon

Owned by the Travel Corporation, Avalon has a strong presence in European River cruising with 17 ships sailing in Europe.

The best features on Avalon are:

They deliver a good product at a fair price.
Since they are owned by Globus Corporation (tour company), they have good tours.
Cabin bed faces window in their Panorama Suites—has larger windows & French balconies compared to others that open to create patio stateroom, has a pillow menu and you can order complimentary breakfast in your room
Added more active options during shore visits called Active Discovery which are a unique blend of active excursions and cultural immersion
They have added good specialty cruises called Storyteller that feature authors or movie stars
They have added a free cocktail hour before the evening meal
Have great vegetarian option call “Avalon Fresh” but we think the overall food is average based on 2 lunch meals

**Avalon stateroom with bed facing the panoramic window**

**The carving station at a lunch meal is very good but we found the other meals just average**

Emerald Waterways

Branded as a premier river cruise line, this Australian river cruise offers good value in the Europe River cruise market. It currently has 8 ships sailing in Europe.

The best features on Emerald are:

Very good quality cruise at a good price.
Gratuities included.
2 upper decks on most ships have ½ window balcony that opens with touch of a button.
Pool has retractable roof & converts into evening cinema—it is awesome!
Even though not all excursions are included, most are. The EmeraldPLUS, and EmeraldACTIVE experiences are all complimentary, while DiscoverMORE tours have an extra cost.
Has a good EmeraldACTIVE program that included hiking and biking
Even with higher guest capacity (182), it has bikes, spa & fitness area—Viking (190) does not—it does not feel crowded on their ships.

**The pool that converts to a movie theater at night!**

Riverside Luxury River Cruises

With only 3 ships, this line offers some of the best cruise experiences in Europe. They currently operate two 135 m longships and the Double-wide Mozart on the Danube. Future plans include adding 2 more 135 m ships which are currently leased to Uniworld.

The best features of Riverside are:

·4 choices of the level of service desired. They are: Full Board, Premium All-Inclusive, Full Board including Excursions, Premium All-Inclusive including Excursions
An unusual mix or shorter to longer cruises lengths
All ships are suites with butler service and king size beds and digital “do not disturb” signs
Exceptional dining—the food is amazing, made a l minute and there is a fresh made pasta option available each night

A chance to experience the Vintage room with a 7-course meal paired with exceptional wines (extra charge of 295 Euros per person) served in a private room with white glove service (very pricy but an unique experience we tried and liked)
There is usually a cookout on the top deck that is one of the best cookout meals we have ever eaten
Awesome bar staff that are true mixologists
Has a pop-up bar on top deck that can be lower to go under low bridges during cruising.
It has a guest laundry on each ship
There is a relaxed and comfortable vibe during your cruise with thoughtful service that is unpretentious and not flashy, so it is very genuine.

**The kingsize beds in our suite on the Riverside Ravel**

**My plate from the outdoor BBQ—a prawn, steak with holandaise sauce, chicken, pork, a grilled potatoe and mac-n-cheese. Best outdoor meal on a river cruise ship!**

Scenic

The luxury line is one of the two lines offered from the Australian company and is their luxury brand. They currently have 11 ships sailing in Europe.

The best features on Scenic are:

All inclusive—most guests will not pay anything more unless they get a massage or use the hairdresser.
Onshore tours are good, and they include Scenic Enrich (exclusive experiences) --we had one in Vienna with a classical music concert that was excellent
Offers 6 red & 6 white wines at dinner for free.
Suites have butler service, which varies by stateroom category
Suites have a Scenic Sun Lounge balcony that converts into an open-air balcony with a touch of a button—great feature!
There are usually 4 dining experiences on each ship. The main Crystal Dining restaurant, Portobellos (an Italian restaurant that is my personal favorite) the River Café (lite fare with sandwiches and desserts), and the exclusive Table a la Rive (for select guests on the diamond deck and on sailings over 10 days).
They can be pricey but 2-1 deal with full payment due 10 months or more before sailing date can be a good value

**Great farewell meal—the tenderloin was excellent!**

**Portobello’s Italian Restaurant Specialty Dinner Venue, with the crew explaining the meal. It was excellent!**

Tauck

Small by mighty, Tauck offers a wonderful river cruise experience. They are expanding their fleet by adding 2 ships in 2026, which will now give them 11 ships sailing in Europe.

The best features on Tauck are:

All-inclusive
Generally fewest passengers on Tauck ships as compared to other river cruise companies with a max of 130 on 135 m ships—only Riverside has less at 110.
Many feel they offer the best tours & on-shore experiences—in large part due to 4 onboard staff members, with 3 who lead some tours or accompany local guides
There is a signature off ship meal at a special location—we have experienced 2 and they were excellent, especially the meal in Vienna
Generally, has more large sized staterooms than others but only French Balconies. Has best window first deck staterooms in the industry
Has a good family program called Tauck Bridges

**Chefs preparing dessert during on of our meals 2024**

**Tauck Signiture Dinner in Vienna 2025 in a former palace. It was quite a treat and a very memorable experience!**

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

To say Uniworld takes a different approach in ship interiors is an understatement. they currently have 12 ships sailing in Europe.

The best features on Uniworld are:

All-inclusive except for some excursions and enhanced wine package
Each ship has completely different interior—big emphasis on boutique aspect for the client (not our particular taste but some really like this)
Only cruise line of the 8 we follow who sail in Italy (Venice lagoon cruise).
Rate very high on most comparison lists—a lot to like about their product & service.
Excellent Butler Service but only for 8 suite stateroom guests but some feel it is stuffy
They are known for the Tiny Little Touches (TNTs) which are small gestures and personalized touches that elevate the overall experience.
Excellent Jewish Heritage cruises

**Uniworld Maria Therea unique decor in one of the staterooms**

The Sommelier with the 2 nights wines in 2025. We were surprised to learn that to enjoy other wines than the 2 included daily, guests have to buy a wine package—other all inclusive river cruise offer far more choices included in the price!

Viking

The big boys in the river cruise market, Viking put river cruising on the map. During the 2025 river cruise expo we attended, the founder Tor Hagen, told the audience that Viking had spent over 2.5 billion on advertising its product over the years! One source I read said Viking has 80 river cruise ships worldwide and 64 are in Europe.

The best features on Viking are:

Sometimes best pricing but often requires full payment at booking while other river cruise companies allow deposit at 120 to 90 days prior to departure for final payment.
Many like the ship’s decor reflecting the Scandinavian design aesthetic
Only company that cruises Elbe (special shallow water design with a paddlewheel)
Herb garden; solar panels (very green ships)
Since long ships are identical; in low water situations, Viking has been able to switch ships to avoid extended bus tours—generally successful but does not always work
Has best port docking locations in Europe

**A Viking Longship in Port in Cologne**

**A balcony stateroom on a Viking Ship**

**The Dining Room on a typical Viking Longship**

Our Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed this report. Perhaps it will help you match a line to your travel style and not worry about which line is best. As you can see, all have features that make them unique. We can help sort all this out when you are ready to try this great vacation travel method or to help you go again if you have been lucky enough to sail on a river cruise previously.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 54 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

July 9, 2025

River Cruise Comparisons

Dream Destinations is the Best Europe River Cruise Website

Hank Schrader

July 9, 2025

River Cruise Comparisons

Dream Destinations is the Best Europe River Cruise Website

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

If you would like to effectively learn about Europe River Cruises, the best and most comprehensive website is the River Cruise Section on our Dream Destinations website.

In our world today, we all research with the internet to find answers to our questions. Most often folks search for three topics: 1) the best river cruise line, 2) your personal desired river cruise experiences and 3) specific river cruise routes.

In short, no other website that we are aware of has all these answers in the comprehensive and accurate fashion as our website has—we are content on steroids, and others are not even close!

Consider these facts:

·While there are some good comparison charts on several websites, nothing compares to our eighty-slide pdf PowerPoint Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons that compares the main river cruise companies marketing to the US consumers. It is an in-depth look at the advantages and disadvantages of these lines, has 17 comparison charts, and explains what to expect should you choose one of the 8 companies we follow.
·Our site has 140+ blogs about every facet of river cruises—according to a Google search we are cited as the top resource for comprehensive and accurate river cruise information for river cruise blogging.
·Complete information about specific river routes—our Best River Cruise Routes Guide ranks either 1st or 2nd on Google. When you combine these considerations with 162+ day-by-day routes from the 8 different river cruise lines we follow, there is simply nothing else on the web to compare with our route coverage.

So, let’s examine the facts to see if we are right.

Cruise Line Specific Searches

Comparing river cruise lines is a favorite search term for all who are serious about the differences between specific companies, and it is perhaps the most difficult online search for quality comparisons about the various companies. It might seem strange for us to criticize Google as we have benefited from high rankings, but our small 2-person company has only one thing in our favor—outstanding content.

While for a 4-year period, we were number 1 to 3, recently we were ranked 7 to 11 (as one SEO expert told me, the page 2 is the most ignored page in Google). If we are ranked in the number 11 spot, as one source says, 75% of searchers never look at the second page of Google.

I thought I’d do a serious look at why we seem to be slipping in the rankings.

Here are the results I found which may help to explain why we are ranked at number 7 currently (after 4 ads):

Three results were chart only reports (2 were by trusted sources; 1 was an online booking site with a lot of 1-star reviews). Basically, all you find out is what facilities each company offers and their level of included service such as complimentary beer and wine at meals. For example, a chart doesn’t tell much about the quality of an excursion, or how many are offered per day, or if they are grouped by walking levels, just that excursions are included, or if extra charges are required.

One result was a Vlog (video blog using cruisers ratings to rank lines with good reporting). He used review site ratings to rank the companies and declared Avalon River cruises # 1 while we rate them # 7. It just reinforces how little ratings are helpful, if they do not contain specific details about the ratings.

Two results were Forums. First was a Rick Steves forum (July 2023 with multiple comments mainly about cost saving lines) and the second was a Reddit (11 months old with 40 comments). These are often short responses with only quick opinions. Nothing really helpful for an in-depth look at comparing river cruise companies, in our opinion.

SEO (search engine optimization) experts call the ranking results authority—it means that the source is trustworthy, high-quality, relevant and has something to offer about the search. My opinion is that the quality of search results is declining compared to past ratings.

There seems to be some reasons that search results are declining as compared to the past. These include: 1) Domination of Ads at the beginning and end of each page of Google (that’s how they make their money), 2) Google prioritizes big brands over quality, and 3) Forum results are filling up search pages. (these ideas I found on several different blogs and reports about declining quality of search results).

It seems to me that all three are happening here when you search for Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons. The value and type of experience is the key if you want the river cruise that is right for you. A ranking without solid explanations of the key reasons for the ranking leaves your search wondering what method(s) the author choses to use to make their rankings. Even our rankings are not as important as the reasons behind them are—a lot of this is opinion, as all Europe River Cruises are excellent vacation experiences. Also remember, most who write about the various aspects of river cruising sail for free—we have paid for 28 of the 29 river cruises we have taken.

As I have often said, rankings really don’t matter much, even with big brands and major publications, as the key is to match your desired river cruise experience to what each line offers. I have written about the ranking of major magazines and the problems with these ratings, as they are often misleading, in my opinion.

Just to make a point about how little rankings mean for you, here are 3 examples. First from our comparisons blog, are the rankings from Douglas Ward,

Second, here is our personal rankings.

Now the just released rankings from Travel & Lesiure’s Annual World’s Best List for 2025. Here are the rankings: 1. The Oberoi Nile Cruises (99.07) 2. Grand Circle Cruise Line (97.37) 3. Aqua Expeditions (96.93) 4. Tauck (96.0) 5. AmaWaterways (94.74) 6. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises (93.50) 7. Viking (92.10) 8. Scenic (88.95)9. American Cruise Lines (88.52) 10. Avalon Waterways (88.09). Last year Avalon was number 2 on the 2024 list—I guess somehow they lost over 10 points but still prodvide a very good product. If you are interesed to learn more about my thoughts on this, here is my ranting blog about last year’s list

Travel & Leisure World Best 2024 List—No Wonder the Confusion Continues

Our comparisons offer a much more detailed look at these questions, we use our own pictures as much as possible, and with our blog topics section, almost every question you might have about river cruising is addressed in some fashion. I think it is fair to say that our blogs are a high-quality source. We also try to have the least possible bias and try to use facts or tell you if it is our opinion.

Europe River Cruise Companies Comparisons 2025-2026

Specific River Route Searches

Another favorite search item is which river(s) offer the sites you desire to see and experience. We have always ranked 1st or 2nd in this category. There were 3 ads before our recent number 2 ranking.

The first ranked article was a blog entitled “Best River Cruises for First Timers.” This was from a blog which provided a paragraph about why a first-time cruiser should take the cited river cruise. It seemed she had taken 3 or 4 cruises and is UK based.

When compared to our Best River Cruise Routes Guide, ours is a far better source than the “Best River Cruises for First Timers” blog. I base this on our river experience after taking 29 river cruises and providing more in-depth reasons to consider sailing on a certain river system than she did. Our blog uses route maps and our personal pictures to enhance the information. Again, ours is just a higher quality blog and a better resource.

Best River Cruise Routes Guide

Experience-based Search Terms

This is a very board category that covers ideas such as first-time cruisers; luxury river cruise lines; active river cruises; and themed itineraries. Here is some information on our website blogs that covers these categories (all are links to our blogs or powerpoints):

Immersive Shore Excursions-this category focuses on providing unique, in-depth experiences that go beyond typical sightseeing.

Exclusive Experiences on AmaWaterways Cruises

The Best Cities to Visit Before and After Your Europe River Cruise

How to Best Enjoy Excursions on an Europe River Cruise

Creating Unforgettable Experiences on an Europe River Cruise

Themed Itineraries offer specialized itineraries focused on various interests that enhance the cruise experience. Common themes include art and music, holiday celebrations, and special interest groups such as Jewish Heritage. Smithsonian Journeys, and Soulful Experiences to cite a few of these unique cruises.

Our river cruise routes section on the River Cruise Blog Section Covers some of these specialized themed cruises. Some examples are (you can click on the title to read more about these cruises):

Holland at the Heart of Tulip Blossem—Riverside Luxury Cruises

Rhine Christmas Markets on AmaWaterways

Danube Christmas Markets on AmaWaterways

A Wine Lover’s Route

Luxury and Comfort this category covers all-inclusive, luxury river cruise lines (please click on the title to read more about these cruises)

Comparing All-Inclusive River Cruises

The Riverside Ravel Ship Tour

Our Gems of the Danube on the Scenic Opal

Autumn Along the Rhine: Munich’s Oktoberfest (Tauck River Cruises)

SS Maria Theresa Ship Tour (Uniworld Boutique River Cruises)

Wine and Food are special itineraries that focus on the culinary experiences and often visit wine regions of Europe. There are often onboard tastings, cooking classes and excursions to local vineyards and restaurants (please use the link to learn more).

Great Wine and Dining Experiences on AmaWaterways

The Vintage Room on the Riverside Ravel

Alternative Dining on 7 River Cruise lines

3 River Cruise Ship Dinners in 2023

Active River Cruises combine physical activity during the cruise offering activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking and fitness classes and activities (again please click on these links to learn more about active and wellness river cruising).

River Cruise Wellness Programs in 2022

Active and Discover on the Seine (Avalon River Cruises)

Our Final Thoughts

We hope this proves that we have the most complete and comprehensive Europe River Cruise Website. Why not visit our website and spend some time learning about Europe River Cruises—you’ll be glad you did! We are ready to match you with the right river cruise line, so your trip to a Dream Destinations is fantastic! Please give me a call to get started (713-397-0188) Hank or email me at hschrader@visitdd.com!

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 29 + years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

June 26, 2025

Europe River Cruise

Is the River Cruise Industry Expanding Too Fast?

Hank Schrader

June 26, 2025

Europe River Cruise

Is the River Cruise Industry Expanding Too Fast?

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

As one of the real champions of Europe River Cruising, I agree, to use a popular term, it is booming! There is no doubt there is significant growth in the river cruise industry.

Fleets are expanding, and there is rising demand to river cruise. These demands include smaller ships where almost all aspects of a good trip are included (accommodations, great food and drink and tours while staying on a mobile vessel) and the chance to experience the landscapes and cultures of countries for an outstanding vacation.

We believe it is one of the best, if not the best way for most travelers to see Europe.

Yet I worry, they may be expanding too fast.

Some Facts and Observations About the Expansion of River Cruising

In a report I read from FMI (Future Market Reports, Inc.) it predicts a future growth rate of 6.1% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) for 2024 to 2034. CLIA (Cruise Lines International Associations), predicts a 10% growth rate annually.

Both Viking River Cruise lines and AmaWaterways report record bookings in 2024 and 2025, with a significant portion of their river cruise itineraries sold out (above 90 % for both years).

Viking has 83 river cruise ships in its fleet and plans to expand to 98 worldwide by the end of 2026 (10 are going to be added to the European fleet, according to RiverCruising.co.uk).

AmaWaterways and Tauck are expanding their European fleet by 2 ships each in 2026.

New company brands are entering the marketplace, such as Celebrity Cruises (2 ships in 2027), and National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions is partnering with Transcend Cruise with 2 ships.

Trends in the Popularity of River Cruising

Some Companies Firmly Believe There is Room for Expansion

During the 2025 ASTA River Cruise Expo, I listened to Rudi Schreiner declare that they still room to expand and new companies will bring fresh ideas to the market.

With 2 new companies entering the already crowded and highly competitive river cruise market in Europe it would not be surprising if more chose to enter this lucrative marketplace.

Challenges of Expansion

Some smaller venues just can’t handle too many ships at one time. Several key industry executives said that they must actively manage tourism impact to maintain positive relations with local communities.

Environmental challenges in becoming more eco-friendly are a must to include waste management, reducing engine emissions, and other environmental concerns. Sustainable and green cruise ships and practices must be included in the expansion, to include phasing out older, less green ships.

Overtourism that doesn’t benefit locals must be properly managed. Some solutions include:

1) Using locally sourced foods and wines is a practice that is making river cruising more palatable to local residents.

2) Working with local village and governments to ensure tourism remains meaningful and beneficial to all residents and tour companies.

Docking locations and river cruise infrastructure must support expansion instead of being overwhelmed by the expansion.

Some Bad Examples of the River Cruise Expansion

I really can’t fault the river cruise companies for wanting to expand, as there is sufficient demand to incentivize them to offer more opportunities to their potential clients. After all, the tourist industry is in business to make a profit, but too much of a good thing may backfire.

Yet, overcrowding in the smaller, most charming villages has degraded the overall river cruise experience in our opinion. It will never go back to the early days of 2009 with one ship docked at a port.

Perhaps the best example of this is Dürnstein in Austria, which has only 600 residents. We visited once with 3 river ships docked in this lovely village. The village’s population now was doubled with 2 Viking ships and an AmaWaterways ship. We finally left the village and walked peacefully along the Danube. In once was our favorite stop, it had been denigrated to an overrun nightmare.

**Some of the wonderful stops on a Danube cruise**

Smaller villages such as Riquewihr, Rüdesheim, Miltenberg, Wertheim,
Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Melk can easily be overcrowded. Even larger places with the smaller old towns can easily get overcrowded. Balancing demand with sensible limits is essential if the quality of the visit is favorable for residents and guests.

**Some of the tour groups in Riquewihr**

One benefit of river cruising is to introduce you to new places, and we have often come back to visit at a slower pace. There can be no better example of this is Anne’s favorite town of Brugge. During the day, there are many tour groups looking at this amazing town. After the majority of the tour groups leave, it becomes a great place to visit and enjoy. We have learned to avoid some of the most popular spots, to find great food and make reservations early to avoid disappointment.

Some companies are expanding too fast, in our opinion. Viking keeps adding ships, has not really changed their itineraries much, and carries 190 passengers. We have seen tour groups of more than 40 with one guide and the guest struggling to keep up. It is not the quality experience we want for our clients.

AmaWaterways has found some good changes in one of its port stops, such as a wine tasting in Spitz (in the Wachau Valley) that guests could walk to and it was a fun event that benefited the town, even while sailing on the double wide AmaMagna.

Additional experiences of this nature are essential to uphold the high standards for which river cruises have become renowned within the travel industry.

Our Final Thoughts

The growth phase of Europe River cruising is definitely here. It is hard to project if the expansion is too fast, but I do think there are some legitimate concerns. How the individual company brands handle this expansion will determine if the rivers become too crowded.

We hope they react responsibly!

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

June 11, 2025

River Cruise Comparisons

Our New 2025-2026 River Cruise Lines Comparisons

Hank Schrader

June 11, 2025

River Cruise Comparisons

Our New 2025-2026 River Cruise Lines Comparisons

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

Every year, we take an in-depth look at the 8 river cruise lines that provide the bulk of river cruise vacations to the US consumers. We just updated our report, and I wanted to share the results with you.

This is the most complete comparison available to consumers and is accurate and complete as possible for the 8 river cruise lines we follow.

Overview

• All river cruises are very good values & special trips.

• There are no official rankings of river cruise lines and many have won awards from various travel organizations.

• These are my personal ratings and should be considered as such.

• My ratings are based on:

• sailing 29 river cruises, selling river cruises to clients, personal research & attending numerous webinars by these individual companies,

• earning specialist designations from individual river cruise companies and

• ratings from The Berlitz River Cruising in Europe & the USA Guide.

The comparisons presentation is 93 slides long and tries to be an objective document.

Here is the link to the entire report:

Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2025-2026

Disclaimer

It might be a little unusual to begin with a disclaimer, but I feel it is important to emphasize no comparison document is going to be 100% perfect.

There are 3 main reasons for this disclaimer. They are:

The river cruise scene is constantly changing, and I have tried to provide accurate information, but changes happen rapidly.
Also, companies change policies.
Every effort has been made to communicate correct information. We apologize for any errors and omissions; but assume no liability should they occur.

8 Main River Cruise Companies for the US Market with their Marketing Slogan

AMAWaterways “Leading the Way in River Cruising”
Avalon Comfortably upscale... more-spacious-than-average-cabins.”
Emerald sometimes refers to itself as the next generation of river cruising
Riverside Luxury Cruises ”Luxury Returns to the River”
Scenic-- “5-star, all-inclusive luxury river cruises throughout Europe and Asia”
Tauck “ Never Settle for Ordinary”
Uniworld “The world's only authentic boutique cruise line”
Viking “Exploring the world in comfort”

What to Consider When Comparing River Cruise Companies?

• Number of on-board passengers

• Quality of the vessels

• Accommodations

• Cuisine

• Service

• Shore excursions

• Extras

• Cost—are you getting the value for your money?

We cover these topics for each line either in comparison charts (there are 18 comparison charts in the presentation) or as a separate topic. Other items included in this report are 1) What’s included in the fare? 2) Advantages and Disadvantages of each line; and 3) the routes the lines sail, with links back to our 162 + day-by-day routes on each line on our website.

My Personal Ratings

Although we discourage you from trusting blindly what we consider a ranking order of river cruise lines, we are constantly asked this, so we have developed our comparison slide. Our ratings really don’t matter much, as the only important thing is how the offerings from these 8 companies match your travel style. Here are our personal ratings:

How Best to Use this Information

• First, realize that all river cruises are a good value and for most, the best way to see Europe!

• The most important task is to first select the itinerary and make sure it visits the sights you desire to see, then pick the cruise line.

• To select the line, match the items you consider most important from the river cruise line and then use this guide as a good place to start.

• Use price last—look for value!

• This is very complicated—why not seek our advice to get the best possible trip?

Our Final Thoughts

As you can see—it doesn’t matter who is number one; it only matters that you get the right river cruise vacation that matches your travel style. As, I like to say, “There are no bad river cruises, all lines probably will provide you the best vacation you will ever take!”

Bottom line? If you: desire fine dining; a hassle-free vacation that is easy to plan and arrange; want to discover leisure destinations that they may later want to return to and explore in-depth; are looking for good value; and seeking a reliable and safe vacation, then European river cruising is a great choice for you.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

May 29, 2025

Our River Cruise Services

What We Provide Potential River Cruise Clients--Our Passion and Purpose!

Hank Schrader

May 29, 2025

Our River Cruise Services

What We Provide Potential River Cruise Clients—Our Passion and Purpose!

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

We spend a lot of time thinking about how we can better serve potential customers. Evaluating our business sometimes moves us out of our comfort zone—there is a lot to be good at, and we have to be critical of our services if we want to get better to help you.

So, I thought we should write a blog post about how we can help you have a better vacation on a river cruise. It is a blueprint for you to determine if we are the right travel advisor to help you get the best trip for your vacation. We hope it shows our passion for river cruising and our purpose to exceed your expectations; help you make wise choices; eliminate hassles; and help you get the best value for your money.

This blog is about how you should discover what we offer and evaluate if we are the right person to advise and help you.

Discovery About Our Services

Discovery is simple—do our prospects think we can help them get the best possible river cruise for their vacation?

After potential clients become aware of our business, you now want to discover how we can help you.

You want to know if we have the experience, knowledge and qualifications to help you, how we operate and what it costs to use us, and do you trust and like us. It is all about credibility.

Credibility includes accreditation by recognized travel organizations, having relationships with our key industry suppliers and partners and providing superb customer service, to include matching you with the best possible river cruise line for your trip.

**Kristin Karst, co-owner of AmaWaterways, poses with us in 2012 on our Tulip Time Cruise**

**AmaWaterways friends at the 2023 ASTA River Cruise Expo**

**Our busness development manager Laurie who helps us with AmaWaterwas River Cruise at a trade show in 2025**

**Our business development manager Kelly of Riverside Luxury Cruises who helps us with Riverside bookings**

**Jill, our business development manager who represents Scenic and Emerald river Cruises**

**Director of Education, Alvin took a picture with Anne and I at the 2025 ASTA River Cruise Expo**

**We were a finalist for River Cruise Advisor of the Year at the 2025 ASTA River Cruise Expo**

It is no different than what you want when you buy something someone is selling—we all make these judgements.

Here is where our website and our phone calls come in—we highlight how you will have a better trip by using us; and how we talk with you in person or on the phone—our confidence and knowledge provides a good start in the discovery process.

First, we provide you with a list of our recognized travel organization credentials and what they mean on our website (I wrote a blog a while back and posted copies of most our certificates). Here are just 2 of our certifications:

**Anne’s Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) which is considered the gold standard for Travel Advisors and means she is considered among the highest standards of industry professionalism**

**My Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC) certificate from the Cruise Lines International Association**

Second, our knowledge is unmatched about river cruising. Like some proof? I will say without hesitation we have the most complete content of any travel professional about river cruising on our website. There are 162 + day-by-day route itineraries from the 8 river cruise lines we follow; over 140 river cruise blogs organized by topic for easy search; onboard reviews of the 8 different river cruise lines we follow, and all feature our pictures to get a sense of what we experienced and saw during sailing on 29 river cruises and countless training sessions.

**Our Home Page for our website www.dreamdestinations.com**

**Our River Cruise Page from our website. Notice on the left side links to cruise companies which has 162 day-by-day cruise routes with our pictures.**

We also emphasize this in our telephone calls—often spending up to an hour or more teaching and answering questions. Most potential clients have researched river cruising before they reach out to us, due in large part to our extensive digital footprint—we rank on page one for the most important river cruise topics. Most will quickly know if we really have expert knowledge about river cruising based on their personal research.

In short, we are the real deal!

How to Evaluate Us

I think the answers and tone of our responses you receive to these following series of questions will help you best decide if we should be your travel advisor.

Evaluation is also simple—are we the right person to help you? (This is the bottom line and final evaluation!). You will determine this by these questions and our interaction with you.

Do we match you to the right cruise line for your travel style that is on your desired route, at the right time?

Do we have the right credentials, and can you verify these credentials?

It is judgement time—do you think we will find you the best option for your trip?

Do we deliver timely, accurate answers to your questions and concerns?

Are we easy to work with?

Can you trust us to do what is best for you, not us?

Will we solve your pain points about traveling?

Do we explain our availability and the means to best contact us along with our normal working hours?

Are we available to support you during the trip, to include possible emergency situations?

Do we have clear payment policies, and do we help you understand cancellation policies of the vendors we sell?

Do we discuss travel protection for your trip?

Do you find us reliable, trustworthy and well-suited to help with your specific travel needs?

We try to address these points during your evaluation phase by answering these questions during our phone conversations. Our responses will often be the determining factors in your decision to use us as your travel advisor.

I do think your gut will tell you one way or the other, and by researching our website, you will see we do have extensive knowledge about river cruising and are eager to help you make the best decisions for your trip.

Testimonials (We have a Traveler Hall of Fame page on our website along with testimonial quotes on various pages of our site) and good reviews help—we use both, as well as A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

We hope these thoughts about how to evaluate us helps you get a clear picture of what it will be like to work with us.

Our Final Thoughts

Wow, this is really a good look at our business. There is a lot to live up to in the discovery and evaluation phases of our business. Scrutiny is important.

We think we pass the discovery and evaluation phases during your search for the right advisors, and we try to improve all the time. We hope you feel the same!

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

May 14, 2025

Europe River Cruise

River Cruising in 2026—You’ve Never Had A Friend Like Us!

Hank Schrader

May 14, 2025

Europe River Cruise

River Cruising in 2026

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

There is a lot happening in the river cruise sector of travel. 3 new companies are offering their take on trips in a crowded marketplace in 2026 and 2027. The new companies are Trafalgar (2 new ships); Lindblad in partnership with Transcend Cruises, and Celebrity (2027) and now Waldorf Astoria is planning to sail on the Nile.

There are going to be new ships from AmaWaterways, Emerald, Tauck, Uniworld and Viking (it’s never ending with them ever year). For most, the new ships will just add options with the established river cruise lines (usually only 2 new ships per line) except for Viking which just pushes more ships out almost every year and has oversaturated the river cruise market in our opinion.

So, let’s look at these trends and help you decide if these increased offerings are right for you.

Our First Rule—Look for Quality and Value over Price

New offerings certainly increase competition but how does their value and quality increase your vacation satisfaction? I’m always a little skeptical about new lines without knowing exactly about their product, so I tend to take a wait and see position.

I am sure of one thing—all newcomers and ships will offer something of value to the marketplace. I just recently listened to a webinar of multiple river cruise lines during which one cruise line pointed out that the various lines rated between 4.7 to 4.4 out of a max 5 scale on Cruise Critic (pretty darn close scores).

This is no surprise to me, as one of my maximums is There Are No Bad River Cruises; All are Very Good!

**Kinderdijk Windmills Netherlands 2025 photo Anne Schrader**

**Rhine Gorge Castles. Anne took this photo in 2009 on our first river cruise on AmaWaterways. We have been on 29 total since then,**

**Bamberg (Germany) Town Hall on the Main River**

**Watchman of the Wachau Valley on the Danube River**

**Budapest Parliament at Night on the Danube**

**Entrance to the underground church St. Emilion France you could see on a Bordeaux Cruise**

Omaha Beach Statue you could see on a Seine River Cruise

So, where does that leave us when they all seem similar? It really boils down to the subtle differences between lines. That alone is a reason for me to not jump into the fray of new lines—I’m not sure we can properly evaluate them right now. For trips costing between $15,000 and $25,000, we can’t say the quality and value is there yet with all these newcomers.

You’ve Never Had a Friend Like Us

Okay, I stole this from the Disney film Aladdin (the genie sings this to Aladdin) and another travel sales guy, but the message to you is just that—you need a trusted friend to help guide you and it is not going to get any better than us—you’ve never had a friend like us!

The real reason is transparency and trust. We run our business on the premise that we do what is best for you and we really care about the quality and value of your trip.

Since we don’t charge any fees, you basically get our services for free, as you will pay the river cruise lines the same amount if you use us or not. I just can’t understand why folks think they can do it better on their own.

So, How Do You Decide Which Line to Take?

One huge advantage we have is superior knowledge of the routes and ships that sail on the 8 lines we follow. We have 162 day-by-day routes on the website from 8 different companies. The key is our pictures of these trips added in to their excursions—you get to see it through our eyes. We also know special routes that are seasonal with a company you may not even know about.

This just happened this week—we helped new clients book an Oktoberfest Cruise with Tauck for 2026. Even though they were extremely knowledgeable and had done significant research, they didn’t know about this possibility.

Combine that with 140 blogs about every topic in river cruising and we now are your trusted resource for accurate information. We are unaware of any other travel professional that has this much in-depth resources along with ships tours on their website.

Can I say, You’ve Never Had a Friend Like Us!

We Help You Tell Your Story

I think we all value experiences and want to have memories that tell our trip story. The story is different for all of us. The story is about our values, and personal experiences that reflect our passions. Bucket lists, cooking food in a new way, amazing gardens, active excursion by bike, canoe or kayak or a hike in a different country, seeing important sights and cities, viewing art or other museums—I could go on and on, but you see the flexibility of a river cruise.

It is also about great food and wine and spirits, wonderful accommodations, and service in the style you desire. It could also be just to relax and get away from our hectic lives.

**Anne’s Birthday 2025 on the Riverside Debussy**

It might start out as a trip or vacation, but I am pretty certain that it will develop into your story and feeling like you were and are part of the family due to the amazing crew that takes care of you. We believe you will want to go again to help make the story longer and better and create more memories that will last a lifetime.

**River Cruise Expo 2025 with Hotel Manager Andrea on the AmaSonata. We have sailed with her several times.**

**Anne with her wonderful AmaWaterways Staff at the River Cruise Expo 2025**

If you are matched to the right river cruise line for your cruise style, it will be quite a story and maybe multiple stories.

Our Final Thoughts

To say the least, river cruising is not static. More ships are coming; new brands are entering the marketplace with ideas that may or may not be successful. The destinations really can’t change much on the 10 possible river systems currently in use in Europe. The Elbe has so many low water situations, that specialized ships with paddle wheels are the norm. Uniworld changed from using the Po in Italy in late 2023 and now only sails the Venice Lagoon (more a floating hotel than a real river cruise). That leaves the eight river systems available that we recommend—the Rhine and its tributaries (Moselle and Main); 3 river systems in France, the Danube and the Douro in Portugal. The early pictures in this blog highlight some of these rivers.

Let us help you match the right trip on one of these 8 river systems—You’ve Never Had a Friend Like Us!

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

May 8, 2025

River Cruise Routes

Holland at the Heart of Tulip Blossom—Riverside Luxury Cruises

Hank Schrader

May 8, 2025

River Cruise Routes

Holland at the Heart of Tulip Blossom

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

We are taking our second Riverside Luxury Cruise—this time to the Netherlands and Belgium. Last year we were on the Rhone sailing on the Ravel.

We have a 7-day cruise to experience. It starts and ends in Amsterdam, as these cruises typically do. As always, all the pictures are ours—most are taken by Anne.

So, let’s sail together on the Debussy!

Overview

We boarded in Amsterdam and quickly were led to our stateroom. Riverside is unique in the luxury river cruise market, as it lets us choose 4 options. They are: full board; premium all-inclusive; full board including excursions and premium all-inclusive including excursions.

We chose the premium all-inclusive and we could then add select excursions we desired. This is our experiences with the port stops and pictures, as well as a way to understand what the tours might include, even if we did not take the tour.

Our Included Night Canal Tour in Amsterdam Day 1

I took a short walk to the canal boat tour. I really liked they moved the canal boat to a location that helped avoid the constant speeding bikes in Amsterdam—excellent idea. Here is what I got to see and experience while sipping champagne supplied by the Riverside staff in the next pictures.

**The classic gables of Amsterdam. The buildings are very narrow, since the government taxed upon the frontage of the building and not the height of the building.**

**The canals are illuminated at night and provide a great romantic feel during our cruise,**

**The Skinny Bridge at night. It is said to be the most beautiful brige in Amsterdam**

Day 2

We had 3 choices on Day 2. We could go on A Discover Amsterdam Canal Cruise & Riksmuesum; or Royal Palace of Amsterdam; or the show stopper—Keukenhof Gardens.

Kuekenhof Gardens, Netherlands

There are 4 pavilions in the park.

**An English style garden in Kuekenhof**

**Anne really captured the overwhelming variety of tulips in this picture,**

**A wonderful fountain in this flower park**

**Anne in front of one of the displays of flowers that seemed never ending**

**One of the 4 pavillions in the gardens**

**The logo for the 2025 show at Kuekenhof**

Day 3

Arnhem and Nijmegen

Arnhem is best known as a failed airborne assault combined with an armor attack in an attempt during WW II to capture the city and more importantly the bridge that spans the lower Rhine River. Operation Market Garden, a British planned assault, was too ambitious and although the 2nd Parachute Battalion of the British 1st Airborne Division, led by LTC John Frost heroically held part of the bridge for 4 days, the attack failed. The relieving force never made it overland, and he was forced to surrender when they were out of ammunition, food and water during this famous battle where his forces were heavily outnumbered. This operation is the subject of the movie, A Bridge Too Far.

**This is a photo I took during a 2012 tour of the airborne museum**

Sadly, the only tour offered here was a walking tour of the city of Arnhem

**Town Gate in Arnhem. The gate dates back to 1357. It is the only remaining gate of the 4 from this former walled city. The gate in Dutch is called Sabelspoort, which translates to Sabre Gate.**

In Nijmegen, the tour is also a walking tour and a Bike Tour. Here are 2 pictures of our visit in 2012:

**Town Hall and Market Square Nijmegen**

The Day 2 Gem—Heeswijk Dinther Castle

The original castle was built on this site before 1100. It has been rebult several times and withstood 2 seizes without being taken. On our tour at the end, there were several large color pictures of American soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who used the castle during operation Market Garden in 1944.

This castle was restored in 2005 and has become a museum which gives visitors a good idea of what life was for nobility in the 19th century. I really enjoyed this tour—it was well worth the 60 minute bus ride.

**A good picture of the moat surrounding the castle**

**Inside the Watch Tower Heeswijk Dinther Castle**

**Armor Display Heeswijk Dinther Castle**

**The Dining Room Heeswijk Dinther Castle. This room is sealed to protect the wallpaper.**

**Heeswijk Dinther Castle game room and parlor**

**Heeswijk Dinther Castle kitchen area**

Day 4

Antwerp, Belgium

In Antwerp, there were 3 tours we could take. One was called Antwerp, Cathedral & Diamonds; another was called Antwerp City Walk & Chocolate and the last was an Antwerp Pub Crawl. As we have been here before, and the docking location allowed us to walk in on our own, we enjoyed a tour of this interesting Old Town area.

**The Guild Hall Buildings in the Old Town Market Square**

**Another picture of the guild hall buildings taken by Anne**

**A good picture of the tall steeple of the Church of our Lady**

**Anne captured this excellent picture of the fountain with the cathedral in the background**

**The Brabo’s Fountain Moument. The hero Barbo defeated a gaint Antigoon who terrorized sailors who refused to pay tolls for safe passage on the River Scheldt**

**Steen Castle (now a shipping musem) in 2025 photo Anne Schrader**

Day 5

Gent, Belgium

In Gent, the tour offered is a panoramic canal cruise, or medieval Ghent and a visit to the Castle of the Counts and a special short tour of the Highlights of Brugge, which we did not take since we planned to spend 4 days after the cruise in this wonderful city!

A picture Anne took in 2012. This is the Graslei quay and guild halls which were used in this important trading port. Wool and cloth were the primary traded items and created a thriving textile industry in Gent, which included weavers, dyers and other trades.

Here is a picture we took in 2012 which is something you would see if you took the Castles of the Counts tour.

**Castle of the Counts. This is the only remaining medieval castle that remains intact in Flanders. There is a large display of medieval weapons and armour**

Day 6

Middleburg

We had 3 choices on this morning stop. We could take a Yerseke Oyster Tasting & Oosterschelde Museum, A Charms of Middleburg walking tour or a Bike Tour of Middleburg and Cheese Farm Experience. Since we were docked near the Old Town, we walked in on our own.

A great little lane decorated with baskets

As you would expect in the Netherlands, there are always flowers if the weather cooperates

Veere

After a short sail, we arrived in Veere. Here we had 3 options—a E-bike tour and Cheese Farm Experience, or the Delta Water Works and the last option was A Taste of Veere tour. Again, docked so close to the small village we walked in on our own.

**Great looking building near the marina area**

**Colorful shutters on this building along market square**

**The marina area and the the remains of the old town fortifications**

Day 7

Dordrecht

We were ported in the morning at Dordrecht. The tour option offered were: Discover Delft with Factory Tour; Windmills of Kinderdijk; and A Walk Through Dordrecht. Since we were docked within easy walking distance, we cold have explored this charming village on our own, but we decided to relax on the ship instead.

**Sailing by the Groothoofdspoort Gate. It is the only remaining part of the fortifications of the city.**

Kinderdijk Windmills

There a 19 windmills at Kinderijk. This is the largest concentration of windmills in the Netherlands. They were built from 1733 to 1740 and were used to keep water out of the polder (dikes) of this area of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. The windmills are still working but electric pumping stations have replaced their water management function

Rotterdam

After another short sail, we were docked in Rotterdam. Three tours were offered at this port stop. They were: Archtectural Wonders of Rotterdam; or The Hague & Mauritshuis Museum and a For the Love of Gouda tour. We just decided to stay on the ship on our last full day, as we would sail overnight to Amsterdam for our disembarkation.

Day 8 Disembarkation

In a nice touch after breakfast, we got a chauffeur ride to the airport, where we were going to get our train to Brugge. Very classy and seamless, but the real surprise was an employee who met our ride and the escorted us to the train elevators to catch our train. Since we have done this numerous times on our own, it wasn’t necessary for us but it would have been great for a first time visitor. Well done Riverside Luxury Cruises!

Our Final Thoughts

We have visited this area several times and it never gets old. Riverside does an excellent job but should include a tour of the Arnhem battle sights.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

April 24, 2025

River Cruise Reviews

The Riverside Debussy Ship Tour

Hank Schrader

April 24, 2025

River Cruise Reviews

Riverside Debussy Ship Tour

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

With the bankruptcy of Crystal River Cruises, their 4 (four) 135-meter river cruise ships were purchased by Riverside. Then, the German Company, Riverside, leased 2 of these ships to Uniworld. Then the other 2 were added to their double wide Mozart, which can only sail the Danube, to make the current Riverside fleet 3.

The Ravel, one of these leased 135-meter ships, sails on the Rhone River. The Debussy, the other 135-meter river cruise ship sails the Rhine and Main Rivers. So, let’s take a look at this ultra luxury rivership.

The Debussy

The Debussy was built in 2018. It holds only 110 passengers (55 suites), and all guest rooms are above the water line on the upper 2 full decks. Here is a picture of the ship in port in Cologne.

At the bow, right above the name of the boat, is the wheel house. Most other ships have a collapsible wheel house that is in the center of the top deck. The top glass windows on the right are the Palm Lounge and directly below is the Waterside Restaurant.

Restaurants

There are 4 possible eating venues.

The Waterside Cafe is the main dining area.

Breakfast and Lunch are served buffet style in the Waterside Cafe. Here are some pictures of the Waterside Cafe setup:

During lunch and dinner, unique among river cruise lines, is a pasta station available for every lunch and dinner meal—you can see the chef ready to make the pasta in the middle of the hot service buffet area in the photo above. Typically there was a couple of meat or fish dishes, and a vegetarian option .

The next pictures are of a typical dinner meal. It is served at your table after you order from the menu. Here is our first night menu:

**A sample Dinner Menu Always Available**

**Appitizer, Soup and Pasta Selections on sample dinner menu**

Anne’s Gouda Soufflé

Anne’s Soup

My fresh made pasta dish

My Veal Dish

Anne’s Rissorto

My dessert

The Bistro is a more informal area to eat during your cruise. It serves late breakfast, and a light lunch.

Among the items offered is a range of specialty coffees and teas and a selection of sweet treats. Here is the sweet treat selection:

Another cool feature is to get up late one day and still get eggs benedict instead of just some bread or sweet rolls as a late riser!

The specialty dinning room is the Vintage Room. It is only available if enough guests agree to pay the extra charge

The Outdoor Grill Area

Weather permitting, once a sailing, they try to have an outdoor lunch.

The Top Deck Vista Bar

Perhaps the single best feature on the Debussy is the pop-up bar on the top deck. On most river cruise ships, the wheel house is a pop-up and down area to help the ship pass under low bridges. This ship has the wheel house in the front of the ship and uses the space normally dedicated to the wheel house as a pop up bar. Here is a photo:

Common Areas

Among the shared areas on the ship are the Plam Court Lounge. a swimming pool (on deck 3), guest laundry, a fitness room and spa treatment room, which are located on the lowest deck with the crew cabins..

**Spa Area. It is located on first Deck net to fitness room on a door labed vacent instead of spa**

Here is the Palm Court Lounge

Deck 3 (Riverside Deck) and Deck 2 (Seahorse Deck) Staterooms

There are 3 types of suites on Deck 3. The 2 Debussy Suites are 506 square feet. This acutually can expand to an Owners suite configuration by adding an adjacent Riverside feet to 754 square feet. The 16 Riverside suites are 258 square feet. The 8 Symphony suites at the stern of the ship are 194 square feet.

On Deck 2, there are 3 types of suites. There are 20 Seahorse suites, which are 258 square feet. Three is one smaller Seahorse suite which measures 237 square feet. At the stern of the ship are 8 Melody Suites which measure 194 square feet.

Our Stateroom

We were in stateroom 301 which is 258 square feet.

Other Staterooms

Owners Suite

This is a 2 bedroom suite which has room for up to 5 guests, with 2 bedrooms.

Symphony Suite / Melody Suite

There are 8 Sympony Suites on deck 3 and 8 Melody Suites on Deck 2. They measure 194 square feet.

Bikes

Our Final Thoughts

This is an all-inclusive, luxury experience! We really enjoyed our vacation onboard and would recommend this line for a good time on the Rhine River. It is luxury in every aspect of your vacation and you will experience the same great food and services we did.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

April 17, 2025

Europe Travel

The Art of Doing Nothing in Siena

Hank Schrader

April 17, 2025

Europe Travel

The Art of Doing Nothing in Siena

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

Sometimes in our world, all is hyper speed. I know—20 years in the military as an infantry officer, sometimes being ready to deploy with aircraft wheels up in 18 hours; 16 years in big-time high school football (ranked 5th in the nation after winning a state championship in 2001); teaching all types of social studies classes; and building our travel business to a highly successful agency that helped hundreds to have awesome vacations, has made my 75 years remarkable to say the least.

Yet after visiting Europe for over 53 years, Anne and I have learned a valuable lesson. It is the art of doing nothing but enjoying the moment. We have found 2 great places we call home in Europe—Brugge, Belgium and Siena, Italy.

So, let’s visit Siena and learn about the art of doing nothing.

Why Siena?

Once a booming town that rivaled Florence in the Tuscany region, somehow it lost importance in world affairs and power and prestige of the city-states.

It was a rival of Florence during the Middle Ages but lost the battle of economic and political superiority, even though at one time the population was over 60,000, until the black death killed off over 1/3 of the population.

As happens in well preserved medieval towns, a historical event changed its course of history. In this case, it was later conquered by Florence in 1550 and became a much smaller player in Italy political and economic life.

Many think Siena is the best-preserved medieval city in Italy. This town is built on three hills; has winding lanes and dramatic up and down small roads that require strong legs to walk; and is charming beyond belief!

You could tour the good sites. Here are some pictures:

Ok, enough touring—now let’s explore why we really came here.

Mastering the Art of Doing Nothing

Your first task is to find a place with a view so you can sit and relax and let the world come to you. The view could be a café or room with a view. I think your day needs to start with a good beverage. Then just sip and enjoy.

**Where we enjoy our beverages - the bells from the various churches chime througout the day!**

**Lenny the Leopard and Little Bear guard our wine bottle on our balacony**

Perhaps then it is time to wander, and Siena comes through with a medieval street layout in this former walled city.

**The narrow streets and alleys are common in Siena**

At some point, you will get hungry. So, your next task is to understand how Italians eat.

Your Guide to Great Food and Wine in Siena

Eating in Italy is an art—it is so important to the culture of this country. It is a slow experience, full of wonderful tastes, and often becomes the evening entertainment along with the food.

Italian meals are usually 4 or 5 courses.

There are several meal combinations, such as Antipasti, Primi, secondi, Contorni, insalata, fromaggi, dolce, and cafe.

The primi and secondi are usually hot courses and the primi often is a pasta choice, while the secondi is a meat or fish course. Depending on the food choice you may select contorni (side dishes) or maybe the meal will have an insalata, sometimes served with the meal or as a separate course.

The meal ends with fromaggi (cheese) or fruit and for most dolci (dessert).

A proper meal ends with cafe (coffee).

Here are the great meals we ate at Bagoga—it was full of locals and some tourists.

First, let’s start with the owner Papa, who has riden in the Palio and makes you so welcome. He loves his guests and treats them in the best spirit of hospitality. Here I am with him:

Some of the helments of the riders in the Palio. Only 10 of the 17 Contrade (districts) in Siena compete in the 2 races each year. The race is a rivalry competition which is more than the 3 laps horse race—it symbolizes the pride and passion each contrade has for their district. There are many rituals and preparation for this race happens year long as bands and flag bearers practice often for their moment of glory. A horse does not have to have a rider to finish the race to win. Bribery, betrayal and cheating is part of the intense riveralry—it is a “anything goes” race

**The staff and Hank laugh it up—the hospitality is amazing**

**My Florentine style steak—always served rare and amazing good!**

**A great end to the meal—a chocolate dessert delight**

Now Another Great Find—La Verchia Taverna di Bacco

Outside area **La Verchia Taverna di Bacco**

Anne had their new special - an uncut papradella pasta stuffed with finely ground Chianina beef, mirepoix, sage and rosemary, “pink peppercorns” and a delicious demi-glace. All the pastas are made everyday in house including the regional favorite, pici!

**Anne barely stopped eating to let me take a photo of how her pasta dish had been made.**

**At our next meal here, Hank picked Anne’s dish from yesterday**

Lemoncello cheese cake - all desserts are wonderful and made in house!

There was wonderful Service with a grappa tasting!

**Fresh made pasta each day ready for customers and a fruit tart dessert stored for all to see**

A Great Wine Tasting Experience

Right across from our wonderful bed and breakfast small hotel was a fabulous wine store. The owner, Federico, provided us an amazing wine tasting from the Tuscany region.

He was funny and explained what made the small batched local wines special.

Here he is with the 3 bottles we were going to try.

Our Final Thoughts

Sometimes, it is plain cool to visit sites that are important to you and try and imagine what it was like during that era or in our case just relax Italian style. You might want to try the art of Doing Nothing. It might just help you recharge.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

April 2, 2025

River Cruise Advice

Fear of the Best Option (FOBO) in Europe River Cruises

Hank Schrader

April 2, 2025

River Cruise Advice

Fear of the Best Option (FOBO) in Europe River Cruises

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

Long time readers of our blog will recognize that I often talk about the confusion surrounding the all-encompassing search for the best river cruise among our clients and prospects.

FOBO (fear of a better option) will haunt you if you let it—you just can’t decide on which line to select, or which route to go on or if I wait, can I get a better price? We search for the pie in the sky solution, the more optimal cruise that surely will come along, so the answer becomes maybe or I can wait—anything to avoid a decision.

I guess in short, with a lot of good choices, it just gets confusing and many just avoid deciding. Here is a great example of this in these 3 pictures—they all look very similar but are quite different:

**Three AmaWaterway ships docked in Vienna**

**The Riverside Ravel docked in Viviers, France**

**The Tauck Swiss Emerald docked in Macon, France**

The Key to Avoiding River Cruise FOBO

You may not get the best deal all the time, but you can always get a great deal with a little help. I have an axion “There is no bad river cruise, they all are great”. Still, that doesn't mean you should take any cruise.

To help, I suggest you need 3 or 4 non-negotiable criteria to set you about improving your odds of getting the best possible river cruise.

A Short Summary of River Cruise FOBO

In an earlier blog this year, I wrote a summary describing 4 areas responsible for the confusion about river cruising that leads to FOBO. They are “1) Multiple River options, 2) Variety of cruise companies, 3) Itinerary variations and 4) Considerations like time of year.

River cruising, while seemingly complex, is really a great option for most and the confusion stems from not really understanding the advantages and disadvantages of river cruising.

I do have a second axion “There are distinct differences between the quality and experience between river cruise lines although they seem similar”.

Having just return from our second ASTA River Cruise Expo in Vienna, with 16 river ships to inspect, even among seasoned travel advisors, I could still see many advisors were confused about how to really differentiate between lines. When you have a lot of good options, it can really become confusing, even to professionals. Since the options seem similar, the only real solution is to know the subtle differences.

With every problem or challenge, there are solutions. We have found by having 4 non-negotiable criteria and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of possible choices, clarity usually makes the seemingly difficult choices much easier.

Let’s look at my 4 Non-Negotiable Criteria to help us make the right choice.

My 4 Non-Negotiable Criteria—Answers to These 4 Questions Will Guide Us to the Right Choice

1) What travel style do you want to experience during your cruise?

2) What do you want to see and experience during your cruise?

3) How much are you willing to pay to get a great travel style and experience?

4) Given the 3 choices above, can I narrow down the choices to 1 or 2 best options at this time?

You could spend hours on the web trying to get answers to these questions, but I have a better way to solve this problem—just have us help you. Please avoid the hassle and frustration.

Since we don’t charge any fees and we can get you any advertised fare on any river cruise of your choice, it is a win-win for us all—you will pay the same if you use us or not. Seems like a simple choice to me.

How to Get Help Making the Right Decision—Use Us!

Here is the minimum knowledge we believe a travel advisor should know to earn your business by providing you with sound advice on river cruises and how we rate in these 5 categories:

1. They must know the difference between river cruise lines (almost all clients of our potential clients ask us this). Our European River Cruise Lines Comparisons 2024 -2025 ranks on the first page of Google and the 86 slide PDF PowerPoint is the most complete comparisons available to consumers.

**One of the 18 Charts from our first Europe river cruise comparisons we first published in 2017.**

2. They must know sailing routes in France (3 different river systems); Rhine; Rhine Tributaries; Danube and Portugal for Europe; and at least 2 or more key ports (what clients will see or do there) on each primary route (we can probably tell you in detail over 50 port stops in Europe and if the starting port or ending port will have adequate time for you to explore). They must also know which routes to avoid. I recently participated in a Travel Pulse Interview with Editor Eric Bowan and talked about what is hot and not in River Cruising in 2025. Also, Our Best Europe River Cruise Route Guide also is a first page Google digital report that is widely read.

**3 of the 28 Castles of the Rhine River George**

3. They must have taken a least one trip on a river cruise—nothing sells like personal experience—their trust level goes up instantly! (we now have taken 28 and about to go on # 29).

**At the 2025 River Cruise Expo on the AmaSonata**

4. They must be able to match you to the best cruise line for your travel style. We excel at this and have helped hundreds go on river cruises that met or exceeded their expectations.

**Some fellow travellers on a Christmas Cruise in the Thuen & Taxis Market. In the center, holding the sign is Hank, Anne Dejan, and our travel chums Denise and Mark 2019**

5. They must have a website that tells potential clients their river cruise qualifications, how they can best help you, it should be easy for you to navigate, has a lot of good river cruise content, and lets you know they specialize in river cruising. Our website is unmatched in the industry. There are 162 day-by-day itineraries of the 8 river cruise lines we follow and 140 + river cruise blogs. No other agency has the quantity and quality of content on their website that we are aware of in our industry.

It probably comes as no surprise that we believe we excel in all this areas as I have explain in the bold response, but I will add one more—can you trust them to think of your best interests as your advocate?

We want to become or continue to be your trusted travel advisors of choice as discriminating and wise travelers who want a good value for their travel budgets. We are really aware that our clients use us because they know us, hopefully like us, and most importantly trust us.

I think there is one other aspect—we always treat you with kindness and fairness. Basically, we want to make you happy you decided to conduct business with us, and we made your trip a happy experience.

Our Final Thoughts

We will add the passion and excitement combined with judgment to get you the best value that is presently missing from your decision process. The results will be amazing—we will help you avoid FOBO!

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

Hank Schrader

March 27, 2025

River Cruise Comparisons

River Cruise Expo 2025

Hank Schrader

March 27, 2025

River Cruise Comparisons

River Cruise Expo 2025

Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert

Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist

www.dreamdestinations.com

We just returned from the 2025 ASTA (American Society of River Cruise Advisors) River Cruise Expo held in Vienna, Austria (over 1600 travel advisors and members of the companies and press attended). You may wonder why we should report about this business trip and more importantly, how it can benefit you, our wonderful travel clients.

I will say without hesitation, this is the best way we learn about different river cruise lines (there were 16 ships docked for us to visit) and it helps us better serve you with updates and most importantly, helping us to match you with the right river cruise for your travel style.

So, let’s look at the River Cruise Expo and our experiences and learning sessions to better serve you.

This Was a 4 Day Event

The Expo went from Wednesday to Sunday. We stayed on the lovely AmaSonata, and it is always a welcoming ship. In a brilliant move AmaWaterways decorated this ship for Christmas, to show advisors what to expect for their clients during Christmas Markets Cruises. After 26 cruises on AmaWaterways, we saw many old friends from our previous sailing trips, made some new friends and the staff as always was amazing.

**Anne and Europe AmaWaterways operations directer Wade on the AmaSonata**

**Andrea with us—we sailed with her several years ago on an Amawaterways cruise. Anne proudly displays her new purse she bought on the AmaSonata**

**Director of Music David providing excellent entertainment on the AmaBella**

**Ama staff with Anne. From left to right Dejan, Anne, Nikola G. and Nicholas (Nick).**

Once settled into our stateroom, we were off to a night visit of Schönbrunn Palace for a tour and reception afterward. We took a shortened Imperial tour. There were too many of us to get a wonderful experience, but any visit to this Hapsburg Palace is a treat. Here are a couple of pictures:

**The Imperial Dining Room Schönbrunn Palace**

Day 2 Group Session and Ship Tours and Meals

We heard from leaders of the river cruise companies with presentations of their products, new ships, and a good general update. There were 2 highlights—a discussion of AmaWaterways Rudi Schreiner (considered the godfather of river cruising) and Viking’s Tor Hegan (Viking River Cruises started the river cruise craze and has the largest river cruise fleet in Europe). Both were funny and insightful.

The second highlight was the presentation of ASTA’s River Cruise Advisor of the Year. For us, it was an amazing honor to be a finalist as River Cruise Advisor of the Year. While we did not win, it is humbling to be consider among the best advisors. Here is a photo of Kristin Karst, explaining to the attendees why we deserved this recognition:

**Kristin Karst describing our achievements as a finalist for ASTA River Cruise Advisor of the Year**

We had lunch on the Riverside Mozart and after 2 cruise line presentations, had dinner on Uniworld’s Maria Theresa. Here is the lunch pictures on the Riverside Mozart:

**The chef prepares our lunch meal on the Riverside Mozart**

**Lunch buffet on the Riverside Mozart**

**Riverside Mozart self-serve Lunch Buffet dessert and cheese station**

**My wonderful self-served lunch meal shrimp and steak kabob; a tastey veal dish and rice.**

Next a ship Inspection of Uniworld’s Maria Theresa

**Entrance way Uniworld’s Maria Thresea**

**The grand suite bedroom on the Maria Theresa**

We had a good dinner on the Maria Theresa

**The Baroque Dining Room Maria Theresa**

**The Wine Steward of the Maria Theresa**

Trade Show, Ship Visits, and More Meals

Over 100 vendors were present, and we got to make connections with their key leadership personnel. Here are some pictures of these unique experiences:

**ASTA Director of Education Alvin Adriano, Anne and Hank at the trade show**

**AmaWaterways had their wellness instructors with their signiture champagne Brunch photo op**

Lunch was on the Avalon Passion and then more learning sessions.

**Chef carving the ribs on the Avalon Passion**

We did get a special treat from Tauck River Cruise—dinner at the Palais Pallavinci in Vienna. It is part of Tauck’s program to have a exclusive meal off ship once during most of their itineraries. We were treated like royalty, and entertained by classical musicians, opera singers and dancers. Quite an experience to say the least!

**The stunning venue of the Palais Pallavinci during a Tauck off ship experience in Vienna**

**Palais Pallavinci opera singer for part of our entertainment during the meal**

**Amazing white glove service Palais Pallavinci**

**Anne and Hank at the Palais Pallavinci**

The Final Full Day—Saturday

My day started with a highly valuable discussion of river cruise design by Rudi Schriner. He clearly explained why facilities were placed at certain locations on riverships and most importantly river cruise draft on various ships. These design features help some lines like AmaWaterways and Tauck sail during low water situations better than other ships due to their draft. What that means is that the draft is the critical measurement for determining the minimum depth of the river that a ship can safely navigate.

Lunch was on the AmaBella more learning sessions and dinner on the Riverside Mozart.

**My paparika chicken lunch main dish on the AmaBella—delicious!**

Here are pictures of our dinner meals on the Riverside Mozart:

**Anne’s Salmon on the Riverside Mozart**

**My steak meal on the Riverside Mozart**

Sunday was a travel day for us to Frankfurt by train for our flight home on Monday.

Our Final Thoughts

Alex Pinelo, of AmaWaterways said it best—”if you do this Expo right, you will gain 2 years’ worth of river cruising experience in 4 days”. I think we accomplished 2 years’ worth of experience at this Expo. It was our second Expo and the more we learn, the better we can help you make wise choices.

Now, it is our job to pass on this knowledge to you to help you have better river cruise vacations, and I promise you we will.

When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.

ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.

HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 53 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:

AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent

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