JUST HOW POPULAR IS RIVER BOAT CRUISING? As you explore our site, you will discover that river boating the most scenic waterways of Europe is, quite literally, the fastest growing segment of the entire travel industry. During the last five years, traditional big ship cruising enjoyed an annual increase in number of guests of between 4- 5%. River cruising in Europe, by contrast, has grown at an annual rate of 1.

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Twenty- two new river boats will be launched in the next twenty- four months. To read the ads, you might come to believe that each of the major river boat lines offers luxury beyond compare. Gourmet food, wonderful guides, no- hassle convenience, and excellent value are all promised to the consumer.

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We are certain you will not be surprised to learn that much of that is hype. You’ve seen the ads, you’ve heard the buzz, and your neighbors are starting to come home with stories of their experiences.

So the big question would seem to be……DO RIVER CRUISES DELIVER A TRUE, FIVE- STAR EXPERIENCE? Not within Europe. A few boats reach four- star status but no river boat company in Europe is currently rated five stars. Next year, after the launch of their new riverboat fleet, we are anticipating the possibility that our inspection reports from Crystal will enable us to add a fifth star to a riverboat operator in Europe for the first time. Most river boats are leased and come complete with crew. The vast majority of crew members come from countries in Eastern Europe where hospitality industry training is not up to US standards and English language skills are often lacking. Given current per diem costs, European river boats cannot afford to offer the levels of service, cuisine, wines, entertainment, lectures, and staffing one would expect to find on the cruise lines that have made our “Top Ten Luxury Cruise Lines List”.

Given the availability of well- trained crew, sailings aboard river boats in Vietnam, Myanmar and China, are almost always rated higher than their Europe- based counterparts. There is also the matter of a river boat’s actual physical dimensions.

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Galleys are not large enough to offer the variety of food and the innovative cooking techniques found on many five- star cruise ships. Lecture and entertainment venues are sparse and most accommodations are built on a pre- fab basis with inadequate sound- proofing between cabins. WILL THERE EVER BE A FIVE STAR RIVER BOAT EXPERIENCE IN EUROPE? INTRODUCING THE NEWEST PLAYER IN THE UPSCALE RIVER BOAT MARKET Architect’s Drawing of the Crystal “Luxury River Yachts”The answer to that question may have changed with the rather startling announcement from Crystal Cruises that it was entering the River Boat market with two new 1. Guest  vessels to launch in March of 2. Construction has already begun at the German shipyard, Lloyd Werft.

This is the same shipyard that will be building Crystal’s three new 1,0. Reservations for the new river boats are now open for  those seeking the very best available river cruise experience. River cruise insiders believe that Crystal needs to be extremely cautious about over- promising five and six- star luxury. But our inspections of the Mozart, Crystal’s first ship refurbished to Crystal standards and launched in 2. Crystal will achieve a level of quality cruising unmatched by current competitors. But as we have pointed out, there are operational problems for any boat this size that must conform to the water levels, the bridges and height restrictions, the water traffic, and the relatively small footprint of on- board facilities when compared to a larger ocean- going vessel.

How, for instance, do you turn out Crystal quality food from a significantly reduced galley space? How do you find the level of service when you are increasing your cruise capacity while, at the same time, ending your relationship with your former owner’s (NYK Japan) excellent training facility in Manilla? Our take is that there will be glitches, but Crystal will emerge as the very best overall product on Europe’s rivers. They will learn from other lines and they can, with all new designs, avoid some past construction mistakes. Here is what we know about the new river boats: The vessels will sail in  Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Austria, as well as the countries of central and eastern Europe. Crystal has promised that their river boats will “deviate from traditional routes” and portions of every itinerary will include travel during daytime hours.

This is significant as Crystal will be the first line to emphasize daytime sailing, a more relaxing option to all day – each day traditional itineraries. Crystal, we’ve been told, will be putting the rivers front and center in addition to the ports along the way. Will Crystal successfully navigate Europe’s rivers avoiding “congestion?” Let’s just say that their Marine Operations Department will have its challenges. The 1. 40 guests will travel in 2. Penthouses. All suites will feature full- size King beds, the only river boats in the world with that feature. Each suite will have walk- in closets and the bathrooms will be large enough to feature double vanities.

Crystal’s riverboats will feature a yacht- like design and they will have the highest space- to- guest- ratios in the industry. They are promising “six star service”. Shore excursions will be different.

Look for arrangements to get guest’s entry to Michelin- starred restaurants ashore and a sophisticated on- board Concierge staff to assist Crystal’s well- traveled passengers. There will be “Active Exploration Adventures” that will include both electric and manual bicycles, hiking, Segways, and use of on- board kayaks. These adventures will not be included in the cruise fare but guests will receive one complimentary exploration per sailing.

The obvious question is “Should we put off our plans to travel in 2. Our response: Perhaps you should. It is something we would want to discuss with you. There are bound to be start- up glitches during the first months of operation. Also remember that this will likely be the highest per diem river boat experience available in Europe.

Finally, since the line will begin with 2. Crystal executives tell us that past Crystal Cruise Line guests should account for upwards of sixty percent of all river boat product bookings in 2. Space will fill quickly given that vast and affluent core of past Crystal Cruisers. Will Crystal force us to revise our evaluation that there are not any river boats worthy of a five- star designation? The rewrite is already completed.

IF RIVER BOATS DO NOT DELIVER A FIVE STAR EXPERIENCE, WHY ARE THEY SO POPULAR? River boats generally provide vacations that are hassle- free.

There is no travel within the trip to get to interesting places. Guests aboard river boats know they are going to be able to step off their intimate boat and be in a small city or lovely village within moments. They can walk to most of the major sites and they can be devoting their complete time in port to exploring local history, walking or hiking in the nearby woods, riding bicycles about their village, shopping, or sampling local cuisine. Most river boat guests actually do several things ashore. They take the morning walking tour and then often explore on their own.

There is a real camaraderie among those who share a river adventure. Guests are almost always in sight of land, a factor that makes river cruising in Europe particularly attractive.