River Cruise Partners

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Your Danube river cruise adventure begins with two nights in the magnificent city of Munich, capital of Bavaria, Germany, and ends in romantic Vienna, the capital of Austria.

An excursion takes you to the most dream-like castles in all of Europe—Neuschwanstein Castle—said to have inspired the tales of Walt Disney. And the magic of the day continues as you travel to Oberammergau, an idyllic village known for its once-a-decade performance of the Passion Play, and its typical Bavarian houses painted with scenes from fairytales.

While in Munich, a Local Guide will show you all the famous attractions. Then, travel by coach to Passau, the “City of Three Rivers,” and explore its narrow cobblestone streets. Afterward, you can relax with a glass of wine atop the Sky Deck of your ship as you cruise along the Danube River into Austria. A highlight will be a guided visit to the majestic Benedictine Abbey in Melk, one of Europe’s largest monasteries, which sits high on a bluff overlooking the Danube. In Dürnstein, enjoy a guided walk and see the baroque Stiftskirche, with its luminous blue and white façade.

To round out this unforgettable European river cruise, visit Vienna, the “City of Music”—known to have inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. After guided sightseeing, stroll along the pedestrian walkway of Kärntnerstrasse, or try a piece of Apfelstrudel in an elegant Viennese café as a perfect ending to your river cruise adventure.

The Netherlands has the densest network of inland waterways in Europe, with around 6,000 kilometres of rivers and canals crisscrossing its gentle lowlands and reaching into neighbouring Belgium. 

Winding from Amsterdam in the north to Belgium in the south and west, the pretty Dutch Waterways reveal sweeping panoramas of big skies, vibrant bulb fields, quaint villages and beautiful medieval cities. Our Dutch Waterways river cruises trace this picturesque maze of rivers, unfurling bright tulip fields, gabled waterfront towns and rows of wooden windmills.

In the 17th century the Dutch began to use their rivers to control access to the River Rhine. This helped to feed the great commercial wealth of cities such as Amsterdam, Ghent and Antwerp, which became thriving hubs of colonial power, trade, art and culture. These days the Dutch Waterways make a wonderfully tranquil and picturesque destination for a river cruise.

Cutting deeply into mountains and winding its way through rolling hillsides, dramatic rocky gorges and past pretty Old World villages, the Rhine river is a romantic’s dream. Springing from a lake in the Swiss Alps, it charts a scenic course to the North Sea, lighting up some of Europe’s most captivating sights and customs. Immortalised by Wagner, Byron and Turner, the Rhine riverbanks are dotted with ancient castles and fortresses, award-winning vineyards, riverside cafes and dynamic cities.

 With beautiful scenery and enriching surprises around every turn, a journey along the Rhine is an unforgettable voyage into the heart of Europe. 

Rhine river cruises offer an added attraction each December, when Christmas markets spring up in all the riverside towns. Whether you’re doing a turn on the twinkling ice rink of Heidelberg or browsing the stalls in Strasbourg’s town square with a warming glühwein, our Rhine Christmas cruises are sure to put you in the festive spirit.

This exciting cruise vacation lets you sample the natural wonders of Ecuador and its Galápagos Islands. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Quito and have your photo taken at the “Centre of the World.” You’ll also explore one of the oldest streets in Quito to visit with local artists and taste some Ecuadorian chocolate at a chocolate factory.

Before taking to the sea, a highlight of your trip will be a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation efforts for the giant tortoises. Then, embark on an exciting 4-night cruise among various Galápagos Islands on the recently refurbished Treasure of Galápagos. 

Have your camera ready as your Naturalist points out colonies of sea lions, pelicans, albatross, several species of Darwin’s finches, marine iguanas, flamingos, masked boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, storm petrels, short-eared owls, and other birds. 

Each day venture to a new island which is home to species found nowhere else in the world! During your cruise, you’ll also have a chance to snorkel in the tropical waters and perhaps get a look at sea turtles, sharks, and rays. A remarkable cruise adventure!

Starting in either Ho Chi Minh City or Cambodia’s Siem Reap, Avalon offers a spectacular itinerary along the serene Mekong River in this captivating country. In Ho Chi Minh City, visit the imposing Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum on a guided walking tour, and experience the delights of Vietnamese cuisine at the Ben Than Market. 

Beyond the city are the infamous Cu Chi tunnels: an extraordinary network of tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war. Cruise Cai Be Harbour for a tour of An Kiet House and gardens, and journey along the beautiful backwaters of the Mekong passing traditional floating markets and raft-house villages. With its mosques, temples, churches and pilgrimage sites, Chau Doc is a fascinating place to explore. 

For passengers who wish to extend their holiday and explore more of Vietnam, there is an extension option to Hanoi, Vietnam’s ancient capital, and the surreally beautiful Halong Bay in the north of the country.

Enter a world of colour, culture, and cherished spiritual tradition of India. Your guided tour of India and Ganges River cruise begins in the bustling city of Delhi. You’ll tour the city with your expert local guide, and take a rickshaw ride through the Chandni Chowk bazaar—brimming with everything from silver and spices to saris of every colour. 

You’ll visit Qutub Minar—the world’s largest brick minaret, and see Delhi’s largest Sikh gurudwara (house of worship), before traveling to Agra—site of the legendary Taj Mahal.

Join a sunrise excursion to the Taj Mahal—the iconic memorial build by Moghul emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife. More than 20 years in the making, the Taj Mahal stands as the pinnacle of love’s devotion, and is also yours to experience at sunset if you wish.

You’ll enjoy the city of Jaipur, with its famous Palace of the Winds, and spectacular Amber Fort, before flying to Kolkata to board your Ganges river cruise. The holy river of Hinduism, the Ganges, slowly courses through one of the world’s most fertile and populated areas. Along its banks, human life is connected to its waters and you’ll get a glimpse of life away from India’s big cities.

 See muslin weaving in Kalna and candy making in Matiari. Stop in Murshidabad for an excursion to Azimganj and Jiaganj—to savor authentic Indian tea, as well as stunning gold and silversmith workshops. You’ll meet saree weavers, goldsmiths, and pottery makers. Explore the fascinating Hare Krishna headquarters in Mayapur, and visit Saint Mother Teresa’s former home upon your return to Kolkata.

All of this and more await you on this once-in-a-lifetime guided tour of India and a Ganges River cruise.