Experience New Epic 7-Week River Cruises Through Over a Dozen European Countries (and Beyond)

If you envision weeks spent gliding along Europe's inland waterways, discovering cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, and Budapest aboard a cozy ship, river cruise line AmaWaterways has just the experience for you. For those wanting to blend a river journey in Europe with an extraordinary Nile River adventure, luxury cruise line Uniworld offers that option as well.

AmaWaterways has recently launched a new 49-night itinerary called “Seven River Journeys,” which will traverse the entire lengths of the Rhine and Danube rivers, including the less-explored Danube Delta in Romania that flows into the Black Sea. This cruise will explore 15 countries from the North Sea to the Black Sea, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova.

Setting sail in 2024, this seven-week voyage will be the longest in the company’s history, surpassing the previous record of 46 nights in 2023. Notably, this itinerary will be conducted entirely on a single ship, the 156-passenger AmaMora; typically, AmaWaterways' multi-river cruises require more than one ship.

AmaMora offers accommodations with balconies, a top deck pool featuring a swim-up bar, and dining experiences including the Chef’s Table, an exclusive chef-led dinner event.

Two departure options are available in spring and summer 2024, starting at $25,650 per person for spring and $26,600 for summer. The spring cruise kicks off on April 22, 2024, in Amsterdam, concluding on June 10, 2024, in Giurgiu, Romania. A highlight: the vibrant spring blooms along the Rhine, Scheldt, Maas, Waal, Main, Moselle, and Danube (including the Main-Danube Canal). The summer cruise offers the reverse route, departing on June 10, 2024.

AmaWaterways is also introducing shorter versions of these extensive cruises in 2023, sailing with a combination of three ships. The 45-night “Springtime Edition Seven River Journeys” will visit 14 European countries and 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites along the Danube, Rhône, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Scheldt, and Maas. Travelers can explore iconic cities like Lyon in France, Vienna, Budapest, and Amsterdam, among others.

The three ships involved include the 156-passenger AmaKristina (sister ship to AmaMora), which guests will board in Avignon, France, on April 20, 2023. Afterward, they will switch to the 162-passenger AmaCerto in Basel, Switzerland, before transferring to the spacious 196-passenger AmaMagna for a 14-night experience. The AmaMagna is the flagship of the AmaWaterways fleet, featuring five bars, four restaurants, and a Zen Wellness Studio. The cruise wraps up in Giurgiu, Romania, on June 4, 2023.

Embark on a 46-night summer river cruise adventure starting in Paris on June 1, 2023. This incredible journey will navigate through the Seine, Saône, Rhône, Rhine, Main, Moselle, and Danube rivers, culminating in Giurgiu, Romania. Experience 14 countries aboard four luxurious river cruise ships. Due to high demand, a new 46-night autumn foliage cruise will also launch from Paris on August 24, 2023, exploring 14 countries along the Seine, Scheldt, Mass, Rhine, Main, Moselle, and Danube, across three vessels.

Uniworld's “Rivers of the World” voyages merge river cruising across different continents

In an exciting development, luxury river cruise line Uniworld is elevating its seven-week river cruise offerings by introducing its first-ever 46-night “Rivers of the World” cruise. Passengers will journey from Cairo to Lisbon, experiencing two continents and nine countries as they traverse Egypt, the Mediterranean, the Swiss Alps, central Europe, and northern France. The package includes flights between destinations and select luxury hotel accommodations, such as a stay in Cairo. This remarkable journey kicks off on May 20, 2023, with prices starting at $39,000 per person.

This journey will unfold on five distinct river cruise vessels, starting with the 84-passenger S.S. Sphinx on the Nile. Guests will also enjoy a ride on the 126-passenger S.S. La Venezia, which elegantly navigates the Po River from Venice and features luxurious Italian decor, Fortuny fabrics, and exquisite Murano glass. As they sail through Austria, Hungary, and Germany along the Danube, they'll board the 150-passenger S.S. Maria Theresa, adorned with opulent baroque-inspired designs to honor its namesake, the Archduchess of Austria who reigned from 1740 to 1780.

Passengers will then cruise the S.S. Joie de Vivre through France, a ship that draws inspiration from the elegance of 20th-century Parisian design, enjoying a week on the Seine before traveling to Portugal to sail the Douro River aboard the 100-passenger S.S. São Gabriel, which made its debut in 2021.

The cruise package includes intercountry flights and hotel accommodations. Highlights of this journey feature welcome and farewell events, an excursion to the Nubian monuments at Abu Simbel in Egypt, a scenic lakeside retreat in Lugano, Switzerland, a tour of Milan, VIP entry to the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, an unforgettable show at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, and a visit to the enchanting palaces and coastal town of Cascais in Sintra from Lisbon.

In 2024, Uniworld will surpass itself by offering what it claims is the world’s longest river cruise—a remarkable 54-night journey. The nearly eight-week voyage will commence in Lima, Peru, and conclude in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with a waiting list already opened for this exclusive experience. Limited to just 68 passengers, the cruise will launch on October 3, 2024, and traverse 10 countries across South America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Travelers will embark on four different river vessels sailing through the Amazon, Rhine, Danube, Rhône, Saône, and Mekong rivers. The itinerary includes overnight stays in Lima, Peru’s Sacred Valley (ideal for exploring Cusco and Machu Picchu), near Argentina’s Iguazu Falls, and in Rio de Janeiro, along with stays in Hanoi, Siem Reap, Cambodia, and Ho Chi Minh City. Flights between destinations will also be part of the package, though pricing details are yet to be revealed.