To a great extent, where you want to go will determine which ship
you'll choose. According to Susan J. Young, today's "hot"
itineraries include
Russia (specifically the "Journey of the
Czars," sailing between
Moscow and St. Petersburg), Holland tulip
cruises, the
Black Sea, and longer-than-normal journeys, such as
14- to 21-day trips. The Danube, meanwhile, is considered a great
choice for first-time cruisers.
River-cruise ships range from simple to spectacular and are priced
accordingly. River Cloud and River Cloud II, from the folks who
operate the legendary Sea Cloud, are among the most upscale
vessels, offering a sophisticated, international atmosphere. (Ellen
Sack calls both ships "Ultra Deluxe," her highest rating;
CruiseCritic.com calls River Cloud "the premier passenger vessel
navigating
Europe's waterways.") On both ships, large cabins, all
outside, have minibars and bathrobes, TVs and VCRs, and marble
bathrooms with gold-plated taps. The ships' mahogany and rosewood
fittings - and Steinway baby grand piano in the lounge - were all
chosen to conjure the elegance of '30s-era ocean liners.
Avalon Waterways caters to American tastes with queen beds,
balconies, and miniatriums. The nonsmoking ships all have
English-speaking crews, larger-than-normal cabins, and meals
designed with U.S. palates in mind. According to CruiseCritic.com,
Avalon's MS Artistry, marking its first anniversary last year, just
might be the highest-rated European river-cruise ship. Her sister
ship, the 176-passenger MS Poetry, will debut next month. Viking
River Cruises, born in 1997, now has 17 ships on European rivers.
"We tailor the environment exclusively to American tastes," says
marketing coordinator Megan Wygant. "It's the little things like
serving ice in the drinks … and bigger things like a nonsmoking
environment."