Page 10 - AAA Now – AAA Central Penn – March/April 2022

AAANOW!
By Sandy Fenton
Last year I was very pleased that most river cruise lines returned to a successful season on the great rivers in both Europe and America.
Heading into the third year of the pandemic, we are all bursting to get back to river cruising. Throughout our long months of working from home and staying put during the COVID-19 pandemic, river cruising continues to be a top vacation destination for Americans, and the 2022/2023 bookings prove just that. I have yet to meet anyone who has not thoroughly enjoyed taking a European river cruise. And why not – what’s not to love?
I’ve sailed the Danube twice with popular Viking River Cruises – and the Rhine, Moselle and Seine rivers aboard luxurious Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, and I am still gushing about all five sailings. The fairy-tale, picture-perfect experiences gliding along these great rivers in total comfort, safety and well- being is a travel memory you will never forget and continue to talk about years later.
There’s a no more carefree (or worry free) way to explore Europe than on a river cruise, and now there are many more choices available, from travelers on a budget wanting the basics, to completely all-inclusive, ultra-luxury – and everything in between.
River ships are not big floating cities, nor are they Disney or Vegas with 24/7 onboard activities, entertainment and casinos. Rather, river ship guests take in the complimentary daily port excursions, from active bike riding tours through the windmills and tulip fields of Amsterdam’s countryside, to private eating and walking tours with local experts living in Paris, Vienna
or Budapest, or historic motor coach visits to Normandy or Nuremberg.
Today’s river ships are modern, comfortable, and small (fewer than 200 passengers) with a friendly, like-minded atmosphere,
dedicated and attentive personal service, and all the upscale amenities found in fine European hotels. Some luxury lines, including Uniworld and Tauck, offer daily unlimited fine global and regional wines, locally crafted beers and top-shelf spirits, while Viking and AmaWaterways offer wine, beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner.
You can be confident that your ship adheres to the highest standards of updated health and safety protocols – many times exceeding the new CDC regulations. The cruise lines have worked hard to ensure you have an outstanding (and healthy) experience in every way possible.
This 2022 spring and summer season brings new ships, new voyages and new experiences. Longer itineraries (14 days instead of seven) and more add-on land experiences are now the norm, plus back-to-back sailings and solo travelers are at an all-time high.
Viking, Scenic, Uniworld and Ama Waterways all offer Oberammergau Passion Play experiences this summer, and the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi will set sail in July.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will debut their “Nights Out” evening events in Europe that will showcase European cities
in a whole new light, including after-hour visits to St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice and an evening canal cruise in Amsterdam.
As with ocean cruising, there are several river cruise options, and you must connect with a AAA cruise expert to learn about them. All river cruises offer special AAA member sales and promotions; but buyer beware, river cruises sell out quickly. Be sure you are getting on the right river ship and itinerary for your personal tastes, lifestyle and budget.
”Let’s Talk Travel with AAA,” hosted by Sandy Fenton, is broadcast Saturdays 11:00 AM to noon on iHeartRadio’s WHP580. For more information, go to whp580.com and click on the link to “Let’s Talk Travel.”
Getting Back to European River Cruising
10 I MARCH/APRIL 2022 I DISCOVERIES EDITION