The Yangtze River with Abercrombie & Kent

Save money and miss the crowds: our guide to the destinations that will welcome you as major rivers book out

Australians are flocking to river cruising, with a number of regions selling out for 2025 and even some itineraries in 2026. But our experts suggest alternatives, which have special offers on.

Bernadette Chua
A group of people going to a winery tour in Bordeaux

Wine time: Onboard Avalon Artistry II in Bordeaux

The Bonjour Bordeaux: Châteaux, Wineries & Charming Villages itinerary, which was launched this year, is Avalon’s response to the rising demand for France .

Bernadette Chua
Tauck people bike riding

How cruisers are looking for more active and immersive shore excursions

Cruise lines are looking for more unique and immersive shore excursions as river cruisers are getting younger.

Bernadette Chua
Avalon Waterways Kayaking Trip

River cruise lines say solo travellers are the fastest growing demographic

Solo travellers are one of the fastest-growing demographics booking river cruises, prompting lines to add more capacity for singles.

Bernadette Chua
Christmas Markets Cruise

Sleighing them: Why Christmas cruises are becoming the fastest selling itinerary on Europe’s rivers this year

Lines like Tauck and APT offer Christmas Day and New Year's Eve sailings and others like Abercrombie & Kent have a special exotic holiday voyage.

Bernadette Chua
Avalon Waterways Bordeaux

Boom town: River cruise lines launch new itineraries and ships

With new itineraries, new ships, and new destinations, river cruise is booming around the world.

Peter Lynch
A couple hiking along the Danube River

How themed cruises are attracting return river cruisers

While food and wine voyages still dominate, there are other themed cruises like wellness and golf itineraries.

Bernadette Chua
River cruising with AmaWaterways in the shoulder season

Australia’s huge increase in shoulder season bookings makes cold cruising hot – here’s what the river lines are doing

River lines are now adding more capacity for cooler months like March, April, October and November to deal with the demand.

Bernadette Chua
Rock band Sister Hazel and author and actor Graham McTavish will host the two voyages.

Avalon Waterways launches Storyteller Series for 2026 with rock band Sister Hazel

Rock band Sister Hazel and author and actor Graham McTavish will host the two voyages.

Bernadette Chua
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