Spoilt for choice

The appeal of river cruises shows no sign of letting up, with growing numbers of operators investing in ever more luxurious accommodation to attract passengers. This year is an especially busy one for the river cruise companies, with an unprecedented number of new vessels joining their fleets. Gone are the days of shared baths and cramped quarters – today’s river vessels feature suites, fine dining and concierge services.

Here’s a look: Uniworld introduced its ‘super ship’ Antoinette, in March to much fanfare. The design theme of the vessel, which sails on the Rhine River, is 18th century France updated for the 21st century. Fine art and antiques adorn the ship, which features rich, opulent styling reminiscent of the grand palace at Versailles. The vessel is the company’s largest at 443 feet in length. Most of the 73 staterooms measure 196 square feet, with 20 being 163 square feet. There are nine larger suites, many featuring private balconies, which convert to enclosed conservatories. There is also a 20-seat movie theater on the vessel, which can carry 164 passengers.

The smaller, more intimate Douro Spirit was introduced by Uniworld in May for voyages in Portugal, Spain and the Douro River Valley. Every river-view stateroom and suite aboard features a French balcony. The ship accommodates a maximum of 124 guests in 59 cabins and three suites.

Launched in May by Avalon Waterways, the Panorama became the company’s introductory ‘suite ship’ – the first of its kind in the industry. In 2012, it will be joined by two sister ships, the Vista and the Visionary. The two decks of 66 suites (each about 200 square feet) feature wall-to-wall panoramic windows that open to create unique ‘balconies’ with a view that can be enjoyed any time of year and in all conditions. Each unit features a small sitting area. There are also 17 deluxe staterooms with picture windows. She is sailing primarily on the Danube and Rhine rivers.

AmaWaterways is adding three new ships in 2011. The AmaVerde premiered in Europe in March, while the AmaKatarina was introduced in Russia the same month, with the AmaLotus launching on the Mekong River in Vietnam in September. The 161 passenger AmaVerde is a sister ship to the AmaBella and features an exclusive ‘twin balcony’ stateroom design, consisting of a French balcony and a full-size balcony. Cabins and suites range from 170-350 square feet and include flat-panel televisions heads.

The rebuilt 212-passenger AmaKatarina has been completely redesigned and features balconies on 76 of 106 staterooms and suites ranging up to 432 square feet. The ship sails between Moscow and St. Petersburg on the Volga-Baltic Waterway. The 124-passenger AmaLotus features a wellness area with an outdoor whirlpool, spa and fitness room. Stateroom décor features colonial and regional artifacts andmore than 90 per cent of the cabins feature twin balconies.

Pandaw River Cruises is adding a new ship, the Saigon Pandaw, to its fleet of Asian river cruise vessels in November. Pandaw’s new ship will cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia, and will feature large cabins (nearly 200 square feet) with French doors and a common terrace. Each of the company’s ships is crafted in teak and brass to look like a colonial river vessel – a Clyde-built steamer, in fact. The ship will sail charter only until the end of 2011, then begin a regular season in 2012. Tauck Small Ship Cruising debuts its new ship, the Treasures, in August. This ship, like its sisters, the Swiss Emerald, Swiss Sapphire, and Swiss Jewel, will cruise the inland waterways of Europe. The ship’s Lido Bar in the stern has a 180 degree glass wall that opens for indoor/outdoor cocktail hour and will also offer bistro dining. The ship’s cabins range from 150-183 square feet and 85 per cent of the cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies.

In August, Viking River Cruises added two new ships to its existing order of four vessels for delivery in 2012. The Viking Embla and Viking Aegir join the Viking Freya, Viking Idun, Viking Odin and Viking Njord on the schedule of longships for launch next year. The vessels, which will each carry 190 passengers, are part of the company’s ambitious US$250 million fleet development programme, which includes several complete refurbishments plus a total of ten new Viking Longships by 2014. The four earlier orders will be completed by March 2012 and the two new ships will make their debut in July and August 2012 respectively.

American Cruise Lines will introduce the Queen of the Mississippi riverboat next year. This 140 passenger ship is the first new-build designed to cruise the Mississippi River in some 20 years. The sternwheeler will boast staterooms larger than any former Mississippi riverboat and feature private balconies. The first cruise is scheduled to depart 11 August 2012 from New Orleans.