Timing is key when it comes to river cruises. Start planning yours with our annual calendar of journeys along the world's most famous waterways.
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Every season provides a reason for a river cruise. As the weather shifts between the hemispheres, year-round cruising can be enjoyed along different waterways in different months. When it's too hot or cold in one country, it's the perfect climate in another. When the water is too low or high in a region, it's flowing freely somewhere else.
With only 20 to 200 passengers on all-inclusive small ships, this is an experience unlike any other holiday. Here's a handy calendar to plan the best time and place to embark on a river cruise.
JANUARY
Nile River, Egypt
There's never been a better time to go to Egypt and a river cruise is the most relaxing way to do it. Some of the country's most significant sites, such as Tutankhamun's tomb, are shining after extensive restorations, which have cleansed and revealed the original colours of ancient art and hieroglyphics. The Avenue of Sphinxes has reopened after decades of delays, a new exhibition of 22 royal mummies is displayed at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, and the long-awaited Grand Museum is set to open soon in Giza.
Viking Cruises' unforgettable journey begins in a five-star hotel in Cairo, with daily excursions to the famous pyramids, the Great Sphinx, museums and markets. The seven-night cruise is aboard one of the newest, most luxurious vessels on the river, served by local crew. An optional full-day trip explores the 13th-century temples of Abu Simbel, which were dismantled and moved to a less flood-prone location in the 1960s. A hot-air balloon ride is also offered in Luxor, flying over the desert at sunrise.
Due to summer's extreme heat and humidity, it's best to travel in the Egyptian winter. Viking has 10 departures in January 2024 and weekly sailings throughout the year, except June and July. vikingrivercruises.com.au
Ganges River, India
India is another intriguing destination that is easier by river and most pleasant at this time of year. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' package starts with a hotel stay in New Delhi, providing a city tour and a rickshaw ride to Old Delhi. Next stop is Agra, where guests have the opportunity to see the Taj Mahal twice: once at sunrise and once at sunset. In the "pink city" of Jaipur, visits include the Amber Palace, the Jantar Mantar site devoted to astronomy and colourful bazaars.
Departing from Kolkata, the Ganges Voyager II stops at Hindu temples, mosques, Bengali towns and artisan villages. Along the way, keep an eye out for the endangered Ganges river dolphin. A memorable excursion in Mayapur discovers the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, a pilgrimage site for the international Hare Krishna movement. Renowned for its service, cuisine and opulent decor, Uniworld also offers an onboard wellness program based on India's ancient practice of yoga. uniworld.com
MARCH
Murray River, South Australia
Go outback on this cruise along Australia's great inland highway, aboard a grand paddlewheel vessel, PS Murray Princess. On a leisurely 320km voyage between Blanchetown and Murray Bridge, witness the changing landscapes of sandstone cliffs, gorges and red gum forests, before visiting vineyards, Indigenous sites and historic port towns.
Get close to the native birdlife on a flat-bottomed boat, or take a nocturnal tour in a purpose-built cart to spot kangaroos, wombats, foxes and owls. Learn about the local history at the Swan Reach Museum and the Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve. Enjoy a bush tucker breakfast, a riverside barbecue and sample the region's food and drinks at local venues.
As a bonus, this seven-night Murraylands and Wildlife Cruise includes a complimentary coach tour to the Barossa Valley and its wineries. An optional tour (at extra cost) is offered to Monarto Safari Park, an open-range home to cheetah, hyena, giraffe, zebra, rhino, antelope, bison, painted dogs and Australia's largest lion pride.
Cruises depart Mannum on Mondays and Fridays throughout the year, but March sees warm days, cool breezes and mild nights. murrayprincess.com.au
Holland and Belgium
In Europe, river cruises start in spring and continue for the rest of the year, with different regions peaking at different times. April can be quite cold, but this is the best month to see the famous tulips in the Netherlands, where the outdoor fields are blooming until mid-May. A guided excursion to the main field, Keukenhof, reveals more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, which are planted each year.
On this cruise operated by Avalon Waterways, nature lovers can also visit Belgium's water garden, Les Jardins D'Annevoie, and the Arboretum Kalmthout botanical gardens in Antwerp. In Flanders, discover Hoge Kempen National Park and learn about climate change at the Research Center Ecotron.
The program includes the choice of a visit to Arnhem for a tour of the WWII Airborne Museum or a regional herb and vegetable product-tasting at a medieval castle. Departing April 7, 2024, this seven-night itinerary from Amsterdam to Brussels allows extra time to spend in these great cities before or after the cruise. avalonwaterways.com.au
MAY
Douro River, Portugal
The mesmerising beauty of the Douro Valley, granted UNESCO World Heritage listing, is only one of the lures of this seven-night cruise on the 96-passenger Scenic Azure. The route traces the journey of Portuguese wine, from tastings in sun-drenched vineyards to the ancient cellars of Porto. Wine enthusiasts will be enthralled by 2000 years of viticulture history and endless rows of grapes flourishing in hand-built terraces across undulating hills.
Excursions focus on old, family-run wineries that continue to use traditional methods and specialise in Portugal's signature Port wine or its zesty vino verde (green wine). Other highlights include walking tours of villages, a tile-painting workshop inspired by the decorative blue tiling of local homes, and a trip across the Spanish border to Salamanca.
Scenic also offers an optional three-night pre-cruise stay in Lisbon including tours, meals and accommodation. Springtime is ideal as the country awakes after the winter but before the crowds arrive for summer. scenic.com.au
JUNE
Danube
Amsterdam to Budapest is the classic European river cruise through multiple countries, stopping at cosmopolitan cities and cobblestoned villages. APT's 14-night adventure in 14 destinations is aboard a 164-passenger ship with a range of dining venues such as a Chef's Table restaurant and an alfresco lunch bistro.
German ports include Koblenz, Rudesheim, Melk, Bamberg, the WWII site of Nuremberg, the World Heritage-listed city centre of Regensburg, and Passau for a day trip to Salzburg, Austria. Exclusive experiences include a piano recital and drinks in the ballroom of Namedy Castle in the Rhine Valley. In Vienna, attend a private classical concert and cocktail party in the City Palace, before two days of fun in Budapest.
APT has three departures of Magnificent Europe in June, with several more throughout the year if this popular month sells out.
Amazon River, Peru
The most biodiverse rainforest and river system on Earth is only possible to reach by boat. Cruises run from Iquitos along the Ucayali River, the largest tributary of the Amazon, and the jungle-lined banks of smaller rivers. Water levels and rainfall will be lower, and more hiking paths accessible, in the middle of the dry season.
Although this destination is wilder than most, the activities are not too challenging. Treks are easy to moderate in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Daily excursions by motorised skiff go in search of sloths, toucans, macaws, monkeys, pink dolphins and the Amazonian manatee; at night, look out for capybaras and black caimans.
For a glimpse into river life, visit the home of an indigenous family, meet a shaman, go fishing for piranha and join locals in a dug-out canoe ride. G Adventures serves regional cuisine throughout this eight-night expedition on the 28-passenger Amatista riverboat, roundtrip from Lima.
AUGUST
Chobe River, Zambezi
A safari river cruise is a relatively unknown way to travel in Africa, but it's definitely possible to view wild animals from a houseboat on the Chobe River. Elephants, hippopotamus, buffalo, lions and rare birds are found around these fresh waters between Botswana and Namibia. Catch a tiger fish, head out on a game drive (at extra cost) at Chobe National Park, or relax with a sundowner while watching the amazing sunset.
The 14-suite Zambezi Queen sails on scheduled weekly departures every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. A nine-night package includes a three-night cruise, three nights in the luxurious Somalisa Camp in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park and three nights exploring the mighty Victoria Falls. This suggested itinerary can be tailored to suit specific requirements, from activities to accommodation.
SEPTEMBER
Saone/Rhone, France
From its romance to Roman influences, France is made for cruising. Australian company Emerald Cruises runs regular seven-night sailings from April to October, but September is wine harvest time and the autumn weather is delightfully mild.
Passengers fly into Nice for a transfer to Arles, which inspired many of Vincent van Gogh's paintings. Discover three UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments: a 2000-year-old amphitheatre, where spectators once gathered to watch chariot races; Lyon's Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviere; and one of the world's largest Gothic palace, Palais des Papes in Avignon. Cycle around the countryside, hike through vineyards, paddle a canoe and savour every mouthful of that sublime French food and wine.
OCTOBER
Mississippi River, USA
With a pre-cruise stay in Memphis, a Mississippi river cruise allows time to enjoy the live music in the birthplace of the blues and rock'n'roll. American Cruise Lines offers the choice of one night in a local hotel or two nights at The Guest House at Elvis Presley's former home, Graceland, including entry to the museum, welcome cocktail reception, breakfast and a city tour (at extra cost).
Cruising aboard a classic paddlewheeler, guests visit Civil War battlefields in Vicksburg, sample the Cajun cuisine of the Bayou, feel the lively energy of Baton Rouge and learn about the history of a 64-bedroom mansion on a plantation in Nottoway. Finish your holiday in New Orleans, where the jazz clubs, street performers and Creole restaurants create an atmosphere of pure joy
NOVEMBER
Mekong River, Vietnam and Cambodia
The Mekong's dry season delivers sunny days with less rain and humidity. Sailing between Siem Reap and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), a river cruise delves into Vietnamese and Cambodian heritage and the fascinating communities in this vast delta. Local company Pandaw's passage includes an overnight call in Phnom Penh, with a visit to the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum, as well as the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.
Other excursions are conducted by cyclo (three-wheeled bicycle taxi), ox cart or sampan (traditional wooden boat) to floating markets, bamboo forests, a meditation centre and a wildlife sanctuary. Admire the view from Wat Hanchey, an important hub of worship during the Chenla (Pre-Angkorian) period and roam the remains of eighth-century structures destroyed during the Vietnam War.
To immerse in the cultural ambience, seven-night cruises are operated on the 56-passenger Tonle Pandaw, a hand-crafted teak and brass vessel that exudes old-world beauty. With 25 years of experience in Asia, Pandaw is the leading operator of Mekong cruises. A land extension can also be added to explore the ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat.
Rhine and Moselle rivers
Festivities flow from town to town on a Christmas markets river cruise. Departing from Basel, in Switzerland, Travelmarvel's ship shifts to France, Germany and Holland for the ultimate shopping spree. Browse Cologne's stalls beside its iconic cathedral, visit the Christkindlesmarkt in Strasbourg and ride the Winzer Express mini-train to Rudesheim's Old Town. Sip on mulled wine, nibble roasted chestnuts and hear carollers sing in these enchanting settings.
Cruising from the Rhine Gorge to the Moselle River, disembark in Cochem to wander its narrow alleyways lined with gorgeous, half-timbered houses and taste gluhwein made from regional grapes at a fairytale castle. On another excursion, take a tour to the Black Forest and sample its signature cake. This week in a winter wonderland ends on December 22, allowing time to be home for Christmas Day or to continue the festive season amid the snowy scenes of Europe.
