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Health & Fitness

River Cruising Surges in Popularity

Why the surge in River Cruising?

River cruising continues to rise in popularity across both the United States and abroad, especially among travelers seeking more intimate experiences to more exotic locales. River cruising is emerging as a popular vacation for travelers of all ages who want to immerse themselves in the culture of a region while enjoying the creature comforts of home.

With a variety of innovations - from excursions to onboard amenities river cruising is a segment of the travel and tourism industry that can now offer something for everyone.  Here are our three reasons why a river cruise should be a must on every traveler's bucket list:

1)  Exotic Destinations. River cruising continues to highlight the destinations it serves by immersing cruisers in the culture.  Getting up close and personal with the wildlife of the Galapagos, exploring the cities along the rivers of Europe or Asia or taking in the charm of the Mississippi are all possible on todays' river cruises. River cruising opens up access to places unreachable by large ships and creates an intimate connection with the cities they visit.  Especially popular in Europe, river cruising allows travelers to immerse themselves in the center of the Old World visiting big cities and authentic small towns.

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2) Experiential Cruises. River guests can enjoy trips tailored to their tastes with programs just for them. Food and wine aficionados should consider the `Culinary Delights' itinerary from AmaWaterways. Once aboard, guests can work with a local chef to plan menus for their entire voyage, shop in local markets for ingredients and prepare their own meals! Guests seeking more adventure can sign-up for bike tours that let you travel alongside the ship from port to port, taking in the scenery as you go. Tech-savvy travelers who need to stay connected will now have access to onboard Wi-Fi and those looking to stay fit will love the fact that most river vessels now have onboard gyms.

3) More Convenience surrounded by Elegance. Unpack only once while enjoying an ever-changing scenery from fairytale villages and picturesque castles to medieval towns and grand cities.  As river cruising demand continues to boom, more ships and destinations are being added for cruisers to experience. No less than 5 new river cruise ships will be added in 2013 by the major river cruise lines: Avalon, AmaWaterways and Uniworld.  Cruisers are also finding more choices while aboard from customized dining experiences on and off the ship, to specialized excursions. If you’re looking for a floating 5-star hotel experience, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises may be just the right fit with their marble-clad bathrooms, comfy robes and gourmet dining experiences.

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Whether it’s because of the out-of-the-box destinations, local flair or intimate venues, more travelers are opting for river cruises to truly escape. As innovation shapes the industry and more people see the value in river cruising, finding the right ship - and itinerary - can be tricky. A professional travel agent can step in and help navigate the options, offering the right choice for your personality, interests and budget.  For more information, contact us at CruiseOne – The Brooks Team.  770-456-5631  

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