Experience Destinations Up Close and Personal: River Cruises

River cruising is the in-vogue travel trend, so popular that more than two-dozen new river ships will debut in 2014.

Industry-leading Viking River Cruises alone will christen 14 ships in March, with Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Australia-based Scenic Tours and Germany's A-ROSA all adding ships in Europe next year. There's even a new river cruise company debuting, Emerald Waterways, a value-priced sister to Scenic.

Closer to home, American Queen Steamboat Company is debuting a sternwheeler on the Columbia & Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest in addition to its cruises on the Mississippi. American Cruise Lines operates similar routes.

Here are the best reasons to take a river cruise.

Many rivers to explore.

River cruises get you to inland Bucket List places including such cities as Vienna and Budapest. Cruises on the Danube and Rhine continue to be the epicenter of the industry, but that's just the beginning of where you can go. Popular destinations include Russia's Volga, China's Yangtze, the Mekong and the Mississippi. All the rage is cruising in Myanmar — with companies including Grand Circle and Orient Express. France is getting new attention, especially Bordeaux where several lines have expanded offerings.

Experience is leisurely.

River cruises are not about rushing here and there. You visit key sights but there is also time to relax. You can sit under a canopy on the open deck — or on some ships soak in a hot tub or pool — while catching river views that include (depending on where you cruise) castles, farms, kids swimming, fishermen and maybe a water buffalo or two.

Ships are intimate.

The size of river ships is limited by the need for the vessels to go through locks and under low bridges. Most carry fewer than 200 passengers, some fewer than 100 and some fewer than 50. The small-ship experience brings opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers — including at open-seating meals. There's no dealing with crowds.

Time to explore.

Your ship ties up right in town and you can walk to a sidewalk café or shops or markets (including Northern Europe's popular Christmas markets) and mingle with locals or head off on the ship's organized tours to museums, monuments and other must-see attractions. There is time to bike or hike and visit the places you came to see, and to absorb the local culture.

Better cabins.

There was a time when cabins on river ships meant a choice between tight and cozy. Today's choices include cabins with step-out balconies, French balconies, walls of glass that open and even suites. Beds are hotel-like, bathrooms comfortably-sized and amenities include flat-screen TVs.

Nicer ships.

The newest ships offer surprisingly hip, contemporary environments. While space is limited, the lines have gotten clever with public rooms including adding alternative al fresco dining venues. Lounges are comfortably, and sometimes even opulently furnished. Libraries offer a quiet spot to sit with a book. Open decks afford space to hang out in the sun or shade and such extras as golf-putting greens.

Local tastes, culture.

There is opportunity shipboard to snack on knackwurst and drink local beer as you cruise past Germany's castles, drink the wine in Bordeaux and try other local flavors depending on your itinerary. Culture comes onboard, too, in the form of local folk groups and other performers.

Not a lot of extra charges.

Shore excursions, wine and beer with dinner (and sometimes also lunch), soda, bottled water, and specialty coffee drinks are all included in the cruise fare. Sometimes there's also an open bar. Bonus: internet is free.

Casual dress code.

Don't pack the tux. River cruising is casual dress at all times. Plus you only have to unpack once.

It's for grownups.

Most river ships market to an age 55-plus demographic, though travelers in their 40s would feel right at home — particularly on the newer, more contemporary river ships. Kids are a rarity

By Fran Golden, USA Today Travel ("10 Best Reasons to Take a River Cruise")

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Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more

Photo credit: Janice Neves ("Porto, Portugal - Douro River")