Kat Trinder

Recently I was invited on board Azamara Quest for a few hours while she was docked in my hometown of Southampton and I took this opportunity to take a full ship tour and, most importantly, check out the accommodations on board...

France is officially the most visited country in the world, welcoming over 89 million visitors each year. Home to a number of stunning waterways, such as the Rhine, Rhone, Seine and Garonne, a luxury river cruise through the heart of France is an unforgettable experience.

In the midst of the new travel regulations, a lot of customers are feeling uneasy about travel, especially the ‘hoops’ we are being made to jump through to get on a plane.

I was one of these people until I got to the airport and was through to departures within the space of ten minutes. Airports are no different now compared to how they were in summer at the height of travel. Wear a mask, make sure you have read your instructions given to you by your agent, and have your paperwork in order.

Often overlooked as a cruising destination as travellers head to the nearby Caribbean islands, I thought I would put together a little guide on the best places to visit on a luxury cruise in Mexico.

Mexico is vibrant, colourful and unique, offering anything from beautiful sparse deserts, tropical rainforests and snow-capped volcanoes to bustling cities, steep canyons and inviting beaches of silver sand. Extraordinary history is found in the ancient Mayan temples, Aztec ruins and Spanish colonial towns, along with silver-mining settlements and traditional Mexican ports.

Think of the most famous rivers of the world...now imagine cruising down one of them in an ultra-luxurious, six-star river vessel. My colleague Natalie has written about her incredible experience cruising along the beautiful Mekong River through Cambodia and Vietnam with Ama Waterways in April 2017. Here's Natalie's story...

"I was lucky enough to sail along the Mekong with Ama Waterways a few years ago and it was the most memorable experience I have ever done! I love that side of the world and it was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

As Panache Cruises' river expert, I'm always on the lookout for fantastic, unique opportunities and experiences on river cruise itineraries. For me, river cruising is all about the variety of destinations you get to see along the way, so as river cruising has begun to pick up the pace with the ease of restrictions, I have been researching the best places to explore after so long without setting foot on a river cruise. Instead of heading to the most well-known locations, I found inspiration among some of the lesser-known ports in both Europe and Asia.

One of the best experiences for any keen traveller is a river cruise through Europe. Gliding along the Rhine, Danube, Douro, or Seine is a truly magical experience, and at A-Rosa, they are proud to be taking the extra step in sustainability.

In 2022, A-Rosa plans to launch their new ship, Sena, featuring a hybrid diesel and electric propulsion system. The aim is to switch to electric, battery-powered motor when the ship approaches towns and cities, so as to save fuel whilst also keeping the waterways around the cities clean.

So you’ve booked your river cruise and counted down the days until your departure…now it’s time to pack!

Packing for a holiday can be a daunting process, but no fear, we are here to help.

Uniworld takes river cruising to a whole new level. Ultra-luxury, truly unique and individual ships, exquisite cuisine, and 6-star service make Uniworld a privilege to sail with.

The Tolman family, Uniworld’s founder and owners, are still involved in the careful presentation of all aspects of the product, from ship design and décor to the menus in the restaurants.

Sail along European waterways on a festive journey filled with magic. As you cruise between each destination, you'll discover the myriad Christmas traditions which have evolved throughout Europe for hundreds of years. As the comforting aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts wafts through the air, twinkling wooden chalets overflow with handmade gifts, decorations, and delicious treats to lure you in.