UK cruisers are taking to the rivers in record-breaking numbers, and here’s the reason why
More and more Brits are enjoying messing about on the river than ever before, with the popularity of inland cruising soaring to record heights.
Hardly surprising given that the UK is within easy travelling distance of the most stunning waterways of Europe.
Just a short flight is all that stands between you and immersing yourself in different cultures as you cruise in luxury on one of the many state-of-the-art vessels coming off the production line.
And if you want to venture further afield, there’s always the exotic delights of the Mekong, Ganges and Irrawaddy rivers, while the vast waterways of North America such as the Mississippi, top of page, are also beginning to attract attention.
Some 232,300 cruises were taken by Britons and the Irish in 2018 – an increase of more than 10 per cent from the year prior. This growth is driven by the industry continuing to innovate by building incredible ships, developing exciting itineraries and having five-star service onboard.
Given the investment made in new river ships in recent years, it is no surprise that one-third of all river ships currently in service have been built in the past 10 years, and more than a quarter of these, in the past five years. And with more on order for coming years the sector’s new lease of life is set to continue.
A-ROSA ‘s groundbreaking four-deck ship, A-ROSA Sena, arrived in May 2022,
The new ships have cabins with balconies, light and airy restaurant and bar areas, and many have on-board amenities including swimming pools, spas and cinemas.
The introduction of inter-connecting cabins also means it becomes more of a practical choice for family travel, of all generations.
“These are exciting times, and by being increasingly inclusive and broadening horizons, the river cruise industry has a great future ahead,” Andy Harmer, UK and Ireland director of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), tells SeaView.
“River cruise lines are also building on their shoreside experiences, offering more choice in unique excursions, from cycling and cheese-making to walking tours that immerse guests in the culture of the cities.”
Many new river ships have fleets of bikes onboard, allowing passengers to explore cities, either on a guided cycle tour, or simply to ride the streets and explore alone.
The arrival of many new state-of-the-art vessels. such as AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna, above, can only help further boost the appeal of river cruising in the years to come
European river cruises, which account for almost 90 per cent of bookings, were the driving force behind this exceptional growth, specifically cruises on the Douro, Russian waterways, Rhine and Danube.
Cruises in central and western Europe accounted for almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of all river cruise bookings, with the Rhine and Danube leading the way. But it was eastern and southern Europe which saw the most growth, predominantly on Russian waterways and on the Douro.
Outside Europe, three rivers accounted for the bulk of passengers in 2017 last year; the Mekong, Nile and Irrawaddy, with the Ganges and Brahmaputra also performing well.
