River Cruises Best In Show

Experiencing 16 ships and one virtual ship in less than a week at the ASTA River Cruise Expo was a lot to absorb! Now that I’ve had time to settle back in at home, and gone through my copious notes, here are a few of my favorites.

Favorite Stateroom

AMADEUS Riva C 4

This stateroom to me is the best value and therefore one of my favorites.

AMADEUS Riva C 4

Look at this bathroom. I can stand comfortably in that shower!!

Tauck MS Grace Category 3

This gets Most Interesting Stateroom. This was the stateroom I was most looking forward to seeing because I wasn’t sure if I was going to love it or hate it. And I absolutely love it!

Tauck MS Grace Category 3

Your panoramic window is so tall that you get so much light. It’s spectacular.

Uniworld SS Emilie Grand Suite

People either love or hate Uniworld’s opulence. I thought it was beautiful in person. And with no two suite the same, it wins the award for Favorite Suite.

Uniworld SS Emilie Grand Suite

The details are just so lovely.

Uniworld SS Emilie Grand Suite

It felt like the perfect opportunity to reapply my lipstick.

Uniworld SS Emilie Grand Suite

Can you picture yourself after a long day exploring Vienna, coming back to your stateroom for a soak?

Favorite Top Deck

AmaVenita

AmaWaterways is one of the only river cruise lines to consistently put their pools on their sun decks. One of my favorite memories was sitting in the pool outside, drinking Rüdesheimcoffee on a dreary day, watching the scenery pass by in a heated pool. It wouldn’t have been the same inside.

AmaVenita

The pool, the games, the loungers. AmaWaterways has it all!

Celebrity Compass

This is one of those, trust me situations. I got explore this ship via virtual reality. Unfortunately I can’t take you along with me but it looks spectacular.

Unexpected Touches

Avalon View

Avalon Waterways offers you a pillow menu! You can pick hard or soft, or even choose a specialty pillow.

AmaSofia

AmaWaterways offers a multi-course specialty dining experience at the Chef’s Table, complimentary. A lot of the other river cruise lines offering specialty dining experiences do so at an added cost.

Riverside Debussy

My relaxing morning dip could have easily just have been an intense workout. With a touch of the button a counter-current forms to swim laps.

Scenic Opal

This room was relaxing because it begs you to be quiet and reflective. It’s a fun addition that no other river cruise line has.

Celebrity River Cruises

I got to see the common areas of their brand new ship, Celebrity Compass, via virtual reality. That was such a cool touch to bring a product that we can’t see yet in person to reality.

Emerald Luna

This may look like an unassuming pool but it can also be turned into a cinema!

Best for Millennials

Roam by Tauck

Tauck is rolling out a brand new product, Roam but Tauck specifically for people in there 40’s and 50s. I’m interested to see the feedback this August but I have a feeling it will be a phenomenal product for older millennials.

Tauck Cat 3

The itinerary for Roam by Tauck guests will be different than the other guests onboard. Think afternoon wine tastings, morning yoga on the top deck, a slower more relaxed way to see the world.

AMADEUS Cat 4

This cruise line is honestly perfect for solo travelers or ocean cruisers just dipping their toes into river cruising.

AMADEUS Potato Martini

I have to admit the potato martini was the first thing that caught my attention, but the warm nature of the staff is why I will be recommending this in the future.

Riverside Seahorse Suite

If you prioritize food and relaxed luxury, this is an excellent option. Every stateroom is a suite that comes with a butler.

Riverside Popcorn

Riverside is the intersection of playful and professionalism. With touches like late night popcorn, mocktails that evoke the south of France, and crew that you are laughing with by the end of the first day.

Best for Solo Travelers

The Why

I picked these river cruise lines because they prioritize the solo traveler, always having consistent offers. These specific staterooms also pass my shower test (I have enough room to shave my legs!).

Riverside Symphony and Melody

With every stateroom being a suite, you’ll still get a butler! There is no single supplement for this category suite.

AMADEUS Riva C-4

C-4 staterooms only have a solo supplement of 15%

Scenic Solo Cabin

This cabin is designed for the solo cruiser!

Best for Groups…

This depends on you! Who you’re traveling with, what you want included, if there is a theme. Finding the right river cruise for a group requires understanding the needs of everyone in group and being an expert in river cruises. Why take that on, when I’m already here?