River Cruising is 2011's Hottest Trend

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The relaxed pace and easy access to city centers are just two reasons why river cruising is one of the fastest-growing segments of travel with up to 60% annual growth for some lines in the past five years, nearly 10 times the rate of traditional criver cruises. Even with the recession, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises and AMA Waterways are growing at double-digit rates this year.

Why the surge? With fewer than 200 passengers per ship, river cruising is more laid-back and intimate than most ocean cruising, without lines to embark, debark or wait for meals or crowds to overwhelm ports. It can also be more sociable. Because river ships dock right in the center of town, cruising the inland waterways offers far easier entree to a region's heartland, whether small medieval villages or grand historic capitals. You can walk right off the ship into town whenever you like. No tendering ashore. No long drives to your destination. Every cabin is "outside" with a river view. And calm, shallow waters prevent any motion sickness.

Value for Money

Compared with bus touring, it's much easier. On a bus trip, most of the time you're on motorways, going from city to city. The nice thing about a river boat is you can sleep in the same bed, and you travel slowly and can see the scenery rolling by. River cruising, unlike most large cruise ships often includes excursions and wine with meals. That's a particularly good value in Europe, where you pay upfront in dollars and avoid the unfavorable currency exchange.

Lots of Choices

Indeed, no fewer than nine new river ships are launching worldwide just this year: two from Avalon Waterways, one from Viking River Cruises, three from AMA Waterways, one from Tauck, and two from Uniworld. Avalon and AMA are rolling out three more in Europe next year, reflecting bullishness about a product that appeals mainly to Baby Boomers, retirees and experienced travelers.

Close to Culture

There's no skimping on cabin amenities, either: flat-screen TVs, in-room safes, mini-fridges, hair dryers, fluffy robes and slippers, and crisp white-on-white Egyptian cotton linens. Bathrooms boast floor-to-ceiling white marble and luscious L'Occitane toiletries. Several unexpected touches stand out: espresso makers in the mini-suites, delicate white orchids, and complimentary bottled water.

Visitors are immersed in the flavor of Europe from the minute they step aboard. 

Well-prepared meals, some five-star worthy, spotlight regional specialties, too: Hungarian goulash and cabbage soup (better than it sounds); Wiener schnitzel and Sachertorte; Bavarian sausages and potato pancakes. But there's plenty for the less adventuresome, with two entrees plus a vegetarian choice at dinner.

After dinner, forget cabaret shows, casinos or Broadway revues. Instead, river cruises showcases the local culture. Highlights include a magical night at the Kursalon concert hall in Vienna, where a chamber music group played selections from the Strauss brothers, Mozart and Haydn all of whom lived in this music capital as well as an unforgettable organ recital at St. Stephan's Cathedral in Passau, which boasts the world's largest cathedral organ with nearly 18,000 pipes. You can even take onboard Viennese waltz lessons.

The makeup of passengers is international :Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada and the USA.