European river cruises, planned by someone who's actually on the rivers.

AmaWaterways is my primary river partner, and I hold specialist certifications with AmaWaterways, Viking, and Avalon Waterways. Their ships, itineraries, and onboard programming line up well with the kind of slower-paced, culturally rich trip most of my clients want, and I've sailed personally with both AmaWaterways and Viking, so I can speak to real differences between stateroom categories and specific ships. I also book Uniworld regularly, and I can book river itineraries worldwide too, including the Nile, the Mekong, the Amazon, and the Irrawaddy.

For most first-time river cruisers I recommend the Danube (Budapest to Passau or Vienna and beyond) or the Rhine (Amsterdam to Basel). Both are scenic, port-rich, and easy to combine with a pre or post-cruise stay in a great European city. The Douro in Portugal and the Rhône in France are wonderful too, and they suit clients who already know they enjoy the format.

River ships are small, usually around 150 guests, and they dock right in the center of the cities and towns you visit, so you step off and you're already there. The pace is more relaxed, the scenery is constant, and shore excursions are typically included. Ocean cruises offer bigger ships, more onboard amenities, longer sea days, and a wider range of itineraries. Neither is better in a vacuum, they simply suit different trips.