RIVER CRUISES: world’s best for wine lovers
The river cruising market is dwarfed by the giant that is the ocean cruising industry, but prior to lockdown in March 2020 it was enjoying a steady growth – almost 233,000 travellers hit the rivers of Europe in 2018, according to Cruise Lines International Association: a 10.4% year-on-year increase. And once lockdown begins to ease, river cruising has an opportunity to capitalise on the reluctance of many diehard cruise lovers to embark upon an ocean voyage on a ship containing hundreds if not thousands of holidaymakers.
As the typical river cruising vessel has a much smaller capacity than an ocean liner, health and safety procedures can be easier to manage, and the lower number of passengers may help customers feel more reassured. Also, a river cruise operator can often arrange medical attention on shore more quickly than a cruise liner that may be mid-Atlantic if and when a passenger falls ill. In July, the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office updated its warning against all cruise ship travel, changing it to permit river cruises.
The appeal of a European river cruise to
