Hello! I’m Emily Kilmer, Travel Advisor in the De Pere office!  River cruising is a different type of travel that has been growing in popularity over the past few years and for good reason! It offers a unique and exciting way to explore multiple countries while enjoying the comfort of a small ship. With daily excursions, meals focused on the local cuisine, and onboard entertainment, river cruising is an excellent way to experience the world. Let’s take a closer look at the perks of a river cruise as well as popular cruise lines we sell at Fox: Avalon Waterways and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.

Embarking on a river cruise is an excellent way to see multiple countries and cities in a short period of time. These small ships allow you to get to know the staff and other passengers, creating a more intimate and personalized experience. Daily excursions are included in your itinerary and almost always include a city tour from local expert guides. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can always explore the area on your own! Daily check-ins with the cruise director ensure that you always understand the itinerary, and the available excursions offered to travelers.

Another significant advantage of river cruising is that meals on board the ship are always included. They are expertly crafted by chefs to give you a taste of the local cuisine. Want to dine like a local instead? Feel free to skip the meal on the ship and head into town to find authentic bites! Sky decks are another unique feature of river cruise ships. Hang out on the sky deck while you’re sailing down for a full view of the surrounding landscape. Almost every river cruise line also offers trip extensions if you want to fly in early or stay later, allowing you to spend more time in your destination city. 

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways is the river cruise line for travelers looking to splurge a little more on their river cruise experience. Sail to Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America aboard newer, more contemporary ships with larger staterooms. Avalon also strategically places each bed to face the river, so you always wake up to a stunning view! Equipped with a gym and bikes onboard, make Avalon a great choice for travelers looking to stay active. Wine, soda, and beer are complimentary with lunch and dinner, while sparkling wine can be enjoyed at breakfast. Avalon is family-friendly and offers a variety of itineraries allowing you to pick the perfect river cruise for your vacation!

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Uniworld is a river cruise line for those wanting a true luxurious river cruising experience. Sailing in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, each ship is unique to the destination it sails to, creating a more immersive experience. They offer an all-inclusive luxury boutique hotel on water and includes all meals, beverages, and gratuities. Uniworld’s ships are smaller than their competitors meaning there are less cabins onboard and therefore, smaller group sizes for excursions. This allows guests access to more unique experiences they could not partake in with a larger group. A swimming pool and gym are onboard, as well as bikes, making Uniworld another great option for active travelers. Like Avalon, Uniworld is also family-friendly and offers activities for children making them a great choice for a multi-generational trip!