Tag Archives: viking cruises

Buzz versus basics

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Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River 
Paul Strachan, who started taking passengers up and down Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River exactly 20 years ago, is still building ships much in the same way they were constructed back then.

After interviewing Strachan, the founder of Pandaw River Expeditions, this week (look for the story in Monday’s Travel Weekly), it occurred to me that he is one of the few entrepreneurs in the constantly evolving river cruising segment that has opted for simplicity over swimming pools and sprawling suites.

There was a time when Viking Chairman Tor Hagen was equally skeptical about amenities. Balconies? Nope, Hagen used to say. A spa on board? Not worth the space, he would claim.

Michelle Baran
Michelle Baran

Obviously Hagen has changed his tune on balconies, having since rolled out dozens of newbuilds with a variety of balcony configurations. And he isn’t alone. The race to have more and splashier amenities onboard river cruise vessels has heated up in step with the competition within the category.

And it’s true, sexy new amenities look good in brochures. I don’t know how many times river cruise executives have told me that not that many passengers actually use their balconies, but that balconies sell cabins.

But I have to say, as a member of the media who covers river cruising, I’m often just as guilty as those amenity-loving brochure oglers. In an attempt to differentiate one river cruise ship from the next or to find a new angle to write about, I often inadvertently applaud new and innovative onboard features whether or not they are actually all that useful.

Which isn’t to say that all the new amenities aren’t useful. I have personally taken advantage of them plenty, whether it’s taking a dip in an onboard swimming pool or bringing my laptop out onto my stateroom balcony while I write or opting for a more casual lunch in the alternative dining venue.

A lot of these new amenities are about buzz, right? Buzz is fun. Buzz keeps things interesting, and for river cruise lines and travel sellers, it can attract the attention of new and repeat passengers. In theory, there’s nothing wrong with buzz — it actually serves an important purpose.

But perhaps in all the buzz, fun and hoopla surrounding river cruising, we kind of forgot why river cruising was so great to begin with. That is what Strachan inadvertently reminded me of when he talked about his practical approach to river cruising, about building simple ships that are meant to sail into ever-more exotic river destinations. Perhaps what’s so amazing about river cruising has very little to do with onboard cinemas and balconies and swimming pools. Maybe what’s so great about it is that original, simple concept of gliding down the river, stopping in curious cities along the way, discovering sights both known and unknown, and meeting interesting travel companions onboard in between sips of wine and bites of local cuisine.

I’m not sure how well that message sells, but it’s a good one to remember every once in awhile.

River cruising’s staying power

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For those of us steeped in the world of river cruising, the fact that river cruising is a hot trend is old news.

But last week Virtuoso released the results of its annual survey of travel advisors, who for the first time picked river cruising as the top trend for the coming year, beating out heavyweights such as multigenerational travel, adventure travel and celebration trips.

Clearly, there are still plenty of travelers and travel sellers who are only just now discovering and fully embracing river cruising as a travel style, which indicates that it likely has a long journey of growth ahead of it, despite the rapid rate at which Viking Cruises and others have been churning out new river cruise vessels in Europe and farther afield in recent years.

Michelle Baran
Michelle Baran

While it may seem like there is only so much that the river cruising segment can grow, the Virtuoso survey results are a reminder that in many ways the segment is arguably still in its infancy.

With demand and hype still strong, we can only expect to see more new ship announcements in Europe as well as further development of exotic river destinations such as Myanmar’s Irrawaddy and India’s Ganges. We can anticipate that some more new players will try to enter the market and that the competition will become even fiercer. I see greater design innovation and even more amenities on the horizon.

Perhaps there will come a time when we all realize that river cruising isn’t just a hot, new trend, but that it is here to stay;  dynamic and permanent fixture of the travel industry. What has been a booming trend over the last several years, will eventually just be a travel reality.

Preview 2015: River Cruise

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In recent years, the river cruise market has been one of if not the hottest growth sectors in the industry, but heading into 2015, it finds itself on the cusp of a market-changing development in the form of greater diversification among river cruise players.

As they seek to better differentiate themselves, river cruise lines are gradually creating stronger brand identities.

For example, the Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is going after the uber-luxury river cruise space with its six-star brand promise and over-the-top hardware that will extend to its 2015 launch of the 155-passenger Danube cruiser S.S. Maria Theresa.

AmaWaterways has made a name for itself among foodies and oenophiles for its extensive wine-themed cruises and impressive food-and-beverage program. In 2015, Ama will launch two sister ships in Europe, the 164-passenger AmaSerena and the 164-passenger AmaVista, which will bring the company’s European fleet to 16 vessels, all featuring multiple dining venues and a well-curated wine selection.

Meanwhile, Avalon Waterways is going after the choice generation, travelers who want to customize their experience. With its Avalon Choice Cruising program, the company has worked to build multiple dining and excursion options into its river cruises. The line will introduce two newbuilds in Europe for 2015: the 128-passenger Avalon Tranquility II and the 166-passenger Avalon Tapestry II, bringing its European fleet to 15.

Tauck has made its strength as a land operator a standout trademark in its river cruise operation, which is dotted by onshore experiences designed to surprise and thrill passengers (think dinner and entertainment in a remote castle setting). And as it starts to see more success in the river cruise niche it has carved out for itself, Tauck is gradually expanding its fleet, as well. In 2015, it will launch the 118-passenger Esprit, bringing the company’s European fleet size to seven.

For travelers who like brand uniformity, it’s hard to compete with the strength of the Viking Cruises brand. Viking has ordered an additional 12 river cruise ships for 2015: 10 Viking Longships and two smaller vessels for the Elbe River. The additions will bring the company’s European river fleet total to a staggering 64. Of those, 40 will be Longships, which are all virtually identical vessels, creating a truly uniform experience across rivers and destinations for the passenger who craves the comfort of consistency.

Scenic Cruises, meanwhile, is looking to court boutique hotel lovers with forward-thinking amenities like a new pool concept. Its two 2015 Europe vessels will feature a relaxation pool adjacent to a jet-stream pool for lap-style swimming. And its sister company, newcomer Emerald Waterways, is having fun with public areas like a roof-deck pool that converts into a cinema at night. Emerald is doubling its fleet size to four vessels next year.

Clearly, there’s no resting on their laurels for river cruise lines. With stiffer competition, they are getting increasingly innovative, and it’s making things interesting. Take French river cruise company CroisiEurope, which is launching a paddlewheeler — yes, a paddlewheeler — though not the kind you’re familiar with. This will be a smaller European version that will navigate the Loire River in April. The 96-passenger Loire Princesse, the first overnight passenger vessel on the Loire, promises to be a unique offering.

Exotic river rush

Rivers in Asia and South America will continue to see investment into 2015, with a greater emphasis being placed on luxury services and amenities.

AmaWaterways is introducing the 124-passenger AmaDara on the Mekong River in August, featuring a salon and spa services, a swimming pool and an onboard fitness center. One month later, Haimark Travel will launch its Southeast Asia spa-concept vessel. The 24-passenger Mekong Princess will place a strong emphasis on spa treatments and services.

Avalon is also introducing two 36-passenger Suite Ships in Asia next year, one on the Mekong and another on the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar.

With any luck and a reprieve from political unrest, 2015 promises to be the year cruising returns to Egypt’s Nile River, as the country begins to see some semblance of stability after years of turmoil.

Abercrombie & Kent’s Nile fleet is already up and running, while Uniworld’s luxury Nile vessel, the River Tosca, is gearing up to begin sailing once again in September.

Another paddlewheeler here at home

In March, American Cruise Lines will launch its second built-from-the-ground-up paddlewheeler on the Mississippi, the 150-passenger American Eagle.

The vessel will feature 84 staterooms, 78 of which will have private balconies with sliding glass doors. There will be multiple drinking and dining areas and an outdoor exercise area with a putting green. Elevators will provide access to all five decks.

The American Eagle, which will sail mostly eight-day cruises along the Mississippi, will bring to three the number of paddlewheelers plying the Mississippi in 2015.