The river-cruise boom is only ramping up in 2014, with the coming year set to usher in a brand-new fleet of revolutionary riverboats and innovative itineraries.
We've scoured the world's waterways — from Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America to right here in the U.S. — to reveal some of the year's most anticipated and inventive sailings, with an itinerary to suit just about every taste.
Read on for our picks for the 10 best river cruises for 2014.
1. The Danube
What’s New: A new gem of a cruise line, value-minded Emerald Waterways is emerging this spring as the first new European river cruise line to launch in six years.
Embark on their 182-passenger Emerald Star or Emerald Sky and enjoy the largest staterooms on the Danube, equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows (that can be opened with the flip of a switch); an alfresco bar and gelato station; and an indoor heated pool area with a retractable roof (it transforms into a movie theater come evening).
Try their seven-night "Danube Delights" sailings between Nuremberg, Germany, and Budapest, with stops along the way in German and Austrian port towns, along with a call in Bratislava, where guests can attend a special home-hosted afternoon tea with a local family.
When to Sail: Cruises embark on June 28, July 5, 12, and 19; rates from $2,230/person,including transfers, guided excursions, ship Wi-Fi, gratuities, and onboard wine and beer with meals.
Where to Book It: Visit Emerald Waterways
2. Pacific Northwest
What’s New: The American Queen Steamboat Company, which made a splash with its revival of Mississippi River paddle wheeler sailings in 2012, is heading west to tackle new terrain along the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Come April, cruisers can hop aboard the 223-passenger American Empress (the largest overnight riverboat west of the Mississippi) for its seven-night "Columbia & Snake Rivers: Frontiers, Pioneers, and Vineyards" itinerary, anchored on the lands of Lewis and Clark exploration.
Sample the best of the Pacific Northwest with port calls in Oregon and Washington; included in the rates are daily onboard history and culture lectures, as well as hop-on, hop-off shore excursions in each port.
When to Sail: Trips embark April 5 through November 8; rates from $3,797/person, including guided excursions, pre-cruise hotel stay (in Portland or Clarkston), and wine and beer with dinner.
Where to Book It: Visit American Queen Steamboat Company
3. Africa
What’s New: Put a unique twist on the classic safari vacation by incorporating a river-and-rail component. In 2014, the plush 28-passenger Zambezi Queen will be chartered by AmaWaterways for several new African land-and-river trips, like their 12-night "Rivers and Rails of Africa" itinerary.
Make a four-night game-viewing run along the Chobe River from the Zambezi Queen's home port in Kasane, Botswana, mooring overnight en route along the river's Namibian border.
Guests can view wildlife from their private stateroom balconies; head out on smaller boats for up-close sightings of lions, giraffes, elephants, monkeys, and more; sign up for fishing excursions (in season); and visit a local Namibian village.
Plus, tack on a three-night land tour of Cape Town with excursions to Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope; two nights in thunderous Victoria Falls; and a three-night train ride, for a Hwange Game Reserve safari, aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail.
When to Sail: Trips are available on select dates through November; rates from $11,995/person, including transfers, guided excursions, local wine and beer on the cruise, as well as all land-, train-, and cruise-based accommodations.
Where to Book It: Visit AmaWaterways
4. Myanmar
What’s New: Up-and-coming travel hot spot Myanmar is continuing the trend in 2014 with a slate of new river cruise options debuting on its Irrawaddy River.
Come November, AmaWaterways is rolling out its new, 56-passenger, all-suite ship, the AmaPura, offering 10-night "Golden Treasures of Myanmar" and 14-night "Hidden Wonders of Myanmar" itineraries between Mandalay and Yangon, featuring onboard Burmese cultural performances.
Viking Cruises is also introducing a 15-night "Memories of Mandalay" Mandalay-to-Yangon (and reverse) itinerary aboard the 60-passenger Viking Mandalay or Viking Orient, which includes a land portion in bustling Bangkok and Yangon. Expect an onboard "culture curriculum" highlighting Burmese history, religion, folkloric performances, and more.
Finally, Sanctuary Retreats will unveil the brand-new, 42-guest, all-suite Sanctuary Ananda Myanmar this fall for a series of three- to 11-night itineraries to must-see and off-the-beaten-path sights across segments of the Irrawaddy River and its tributary, the Chindwin. Anticipate onboard cuisine developed in partnership with chef Michelle Bernstein and luxe onboard touches like a duo of pools and cabin butler service.
When to Sail: AmaWaterways sailings are available in November and December; rates from $4,899/person, including guided excursions and beer and wine with meals.
Viking cruises run from August through December; rates from $5,000/person, including pre-cruise hotel stays in Bangkok and Yangon, flight transfers, guided cruise excursions, Wi-Fi, and beer and wine with onboard meals.
Sanctuary Retreat sailings are available in November and December; rates from $2,244/person, including all excursions and local beer.
Where to Book It: Visit AmaWaterways, Viking Cruises, or Sanctuary Retreats
5. Bordeaux, France
What’s New: Navigate new reaches of French waterways this spring, courtesy of two fresh epicurean-minded offerings debuting in France's southwestern Aquitaine region.
Viking Cruises is launching its seven-night, foodie-friendly "Châteaux, Rivers, and Wine" itinerary from Bordeaux aboard the 190-guest Viking Forseti.
The trip highlights three UNESCO World Heritage Sites (like the Blaye Citadel); farmer's markets, truffle hunts, and oyster farms; and predictably, a wide sampling of Bordeaux's celebrated wines.
Or, look to Uniworld's new weeklong "Bordeaux, Vineyards, and Châteaux" sailing, running round-trip from Bordeaux and featuring calls at châteaux, wine estates, and charming towns like Bergerac and Saint-Émilion.
Cabins aboard Uniworld's lavish 130-passenger River Royale come trimmed with handcrafted furnishings, French balconies, and L'Occitane bath amenities.
When to Sail: Viking sailings embark on select dates between March and December; rates from $1,856/person, including guided excursions and wine and beer with meals.
Uniworld cruises run on select dates between April and November; rates from $3,199/person, including Wi-Fi, alcoholic beverages, guided excursions, gratuities, and ground transfers.
Where to Book It: Visit Viking Cruises or Uniworld
Keep reading for more new cruises >
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