As someone who’s spent over a decade in the travel industry booking dream holidays for others, I finally got to experience the
River cruising offers a magical and personalised travel experience, unlike any other. Unlike traditional ocean cruises, river cruises allow you to explore the world’s waterways in an intimate and serene way. Immerse yourself in the culture, history, and natural beauty of the places connected by rivers. From breathtaking scenery to luxurious amenities, river cruises provide an experience you’ll treasure forever.
Known For: Affordable luxury, Riviera River Cruises provides a fantastic way to explore Europe’s most iconic rivers without compromising on comfort. Their ships are designed with both elegance and practicality, offering a more intimate cruising experience.
Highlights: Riviera offers personalised shore excursions, including wine tastings, guided city tours, and visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites. Their ships feature spacious cabins and excellent dining options, ensuring a memorable experience for all guests.
Notable Destinations: Rhine, Danube, and Seine rivers are popular routes, offering scenic beauty and a blend of cultural experiences along the way. Don’t miss their Christmas markets cruises along the Rhine for a festive experience like no other.
Known For: Spacious cabins, panoramic views, and a focus on active and adventure-packed itineraries, Avalon Waterways is perfect for those looking to explore Europe’s rivers while staying active.
Highlights: Avalon offers Active Discovery itineraries, which include kayaking, hiking, or biking along the riverside. Their ships also feature large staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows for unobstructed views of the scenery.
Notable Destinations: The Danube, Rhine, and the Po River in Italy are some of their most popular routes, offering a blend of culture, nature, and adventure.
Known For: Offering luxury at every turn, Scenic combines the luxury of five-star hotels with the intimacy of river cruising. With ships designed for all-inclusive elegance, it’s perfect for those seeking the finest in comfort.
Highlights: Scenic offers butler service, luxury suites with private balconies, and excursions that go beyond the ordinary. Their Scenic Enrich experiences offer exclusive performances and private events, ensuring you’re immersed in the local culture.
Notable Destinations: Scenic’s Egyptian Nile cruises are legendary, offering a historical and scenic journey through Luxor and Cairo.
Known For: Value for money and luxury, Travelmarvel offers an all-inclusive experience on some of Europe’s most scenic rivers, including the Danube, Rhine, and Douro.
Highlights: Travelmarvel combines affordable pricing with high-end luxury. Their Shore Excursions focus on cultural experiences and local traditions, such as visiting vineyards, historic towns, and ancient ruins. Their ships are designed for comfort, offering modern amenities and a relaxed atmosphere.
Notable Destinations: Danube river cruises to Budapest and Vienna or Douro Valley cruises to Portugal, exploring charming villages and rich wine regions.
Known For: Luxury and personal service, APT offers a truly all-inclusive river cruise experience, with meticulously designed ships and exceptional shore excursions.
Highlights: APT is known for its personalised service and attention to detail. Their Exclusive Signature Experiences include private performances, exclusive dinner events, and guided tours of historic cities. They also offer extended stays in key cities, providing a deeper cultural immersion.
Notable Destinations: Europe’s iconic rivers, including the Rhine, Seine, and Danube, along with exclusive itineraries in Vietnam and Cambodia along the Mekong River.
Known For: Exceptional service, luxurious ships, and itineraries covering iconic rivers such as the Danube, Rhine, and Mekong.
Highlights: Viking is a great choice for those seeking a balance of cultural immersion and relaxation. Their Shore Excursions include everything from guided city tours to local wine tastings, and cooking classes showcasing regional cuisine.
Notable Destinations: Amsterdam to Budapest along the Danube River, or Vietnam’s Mekong Delta for a more exotic journey.
Known For: Luxury and comfort, AmaWaterways offers a truly all-inclusive experience on the world’s top rivers, such as the Danube, Rhine, Seine, and Douro.
Highlights: AmaWaterways combines onboard luxury with excellent excursions. Enjoy immersive experiences like bike tours, wine tastings, and private concerts in Vienna. Their Wellness Programmes onboard also allow you to stay active and relaxed throughout the journey.
Notable Destinations: Explore the romantic Rhine or the stunning Douro Valley in Portugal, famous for its terraced vineyards and world-class wine.
Known For: Boutique luxury, Uniworld’s ships are beautifully designed and offer a blend of elegant interiors and personalised service. Their curated itineraries cover rivers across Europe, Russia, and Asia.
Highlights: On a Uniworld cruise, expect cultural immersion combined with indulgence. Explore the Seine River in Paris, enjoy gourmet dining, or take private shore excursions led by expert guides. They also offer themed cruises such as art and history tours.
Notable Destinations: Paris to Normandy along the Seine or a Russian Waterways cruise that explores the heart of Russia’s rich history and culture.
As someone who’s spent over a decade in the travel industry booking dream holidays for others, I finally got to experience the
As someone who’s been lucky enough to travel across the Caribbean, experiencing the luxurious offerings of Sandals and Beaches resorts, I wanted to share some of
Booking a tour offers the benefit of stress-free planning. Everything is taken care of, from flights and transfers to accommodations and activities,
153 Main Street Kilwinning, Ayrshire | KA13 6EQ
10 Main Street Largs,
Ayrshire | KA30 8AB
66-68 Main Street Prestwick, Ayrshire | KA9 1PA
Telephone: 0300 373 0800
Email: enquiries@thornetravel.com
All content and pricing on our website is subject to availability and may change out with our control. Prices advertised are per person, based on 2 sharing unless otherwise specified. Prices are a guide and may not include relevant supplements and/or benefits. Images and descriptions are to be used as a guide as these can vary and your Holiday Expert will confirm at the time of booking. Please call and speak to our Holiday Experts for up to date, accurate pricing and advice
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