From ship tours to firsthand insights — here’s why my clients benefit when I travel for research.

This past March I was lucky enough to trade the cold Minnesota winter for the beauty of the Imperial city of Vienna. I nabbed a coveted spot at the ASTA River Cruise Expo, a new annual convention designed to bring advisors together to network, attend training seminars, and tour the top river cruise ships. This year the conference was held in Vienna, a special place in its own right (more to come on that beautiful city at another time!)

This opportunity to see over 16 river ships in person, and to tour their cabins and common areas, was invaluable. All of the key players in the river cruise market were in attendance: brands like Avalon, AmaWaterways, Viking, and Uniworld.

While there are many similarities between ships: size, layout and style, there are also some surprising differences. If you’re seeking more variety, then the “double wide” AmaMagna and Riverside Mozart ships are worth considering. With their larger capacity, they can offer additional dining venues and extra amenities, such as a self-service laundry room. For those that can’t go without their pickleball fix, then the AmaMagna with the only pickeball court on the river, is the one you want!

If all-inclusive luxury is more your style, then Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, with their butler service and gourmet dining is likely the best fit. I was delighted to try the dining options on the Riverside Mozart, as they claim their food is second to none, and I’d have to agree. Even more memorable is their café which serves freshly made bubble waffles with your choice of toppings (don’t forget to add the ice cream!).

For those who crave unique and unforgettable experiences, Tauck River Cruises truly treats you like a VIP. They pull out all the stops by taking guests to special events in palaces, hosting classical music concerts and even offering dinner in a castle.

In the other realm, the well-known Viking Cruise Line stands out for their Nordic minimal style, which is crisp, clean and efficient. As the sector leader by volume, Viking operates adults only cruises, provides a free walking tour in each port, and offers a variety of cabin sizes. I was able to experience dinner on their ship one night and after enjoying my meal was very skeptical of the Banana Chocolate Chip ice cream being offered for dessert. Boy was I wrong! I finagled my way back to the Viking ships the next night and begged a sweet staff member in their dining room to see if they had more which she hunted down from the kitchen for me! I will travel on Viking solely for the purposes of getting that ice cream again!

Having the opportunity to compare such a wide range of ships side by side was priceless. During the expo all the ships were docked in Vienna one after another along the riverbank. This unique ability to board the vessels and tour them in depth provided so much insight into how they compare. While all ships offer suites, balcony cabins or french balcony cabins they vary considerably in square footage, cabin layout and bathroom size. Not all ships or cabins are created equal.

So, if you’re wondering what to expect on a river cruise, or need firsthand river cruise ship reviews, I’m here to help. I break it down and decipher all the options to match you with the perfect experience. As your local river cruise travel advisor, I use my real-world research and ship tours to guide you through the details, ensuring your next sailing is everything you’re hoping for and more. Connect with me here to book your river cruise!