The Most-Anticipated New River Cruise Ships for 2020

As demand soars for river cruise vacations, global river lines are adding new vessels to their fleets this year. Here’s a run-down on some of the most anticipated new ships.

Africa 

Zimbabwean Dream: In central Africa this spring, CroisiEurope’s new 16-passenger, premium Zimbabwean Dream will begin sailing Lake Kariba along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The intimate, premium ship will offer eight exterior facing cabins, including two with balconies, plus a panoramic-view restaurant, lounge and bar, “roof top” terrace with chaise lounges and a pool at the front of the Upper Deck. 

This ship will operate multiple itineraries, including an eight-night program that includes a three-night safari cruise plus a stay in CroisiEurope’s luxury lodge; so this vacation offers land and water safaris and a full day at Victoria Falls. Another option is a 13-day “Southern Africa: Travel to the Ends of the Earth with Extended Stay at the Cape of Good Hope.” It includes three nights on the new ship sailing Lake Kariba, time in Chobe and Matusadona National Parks, a visit to Victoria Falls, and a South Africa extension.

Viking Osiris: Egypt is back on consumers’ radar, and setting sail this year on the Nile is the luxurious, new 82-passenger Viking Osiris. This Viking River Cruises’ vessel is expected to reflect the clean, elegant Scandinavian aesthetic for which Viking is known. River guests can relax at the ship’s pool, Sun Deck or the line’s popular Aquavit Terrace and Lounge with indoor/outdoor dining.

All-outside accommodations include 12 Standard Staterooms, 21 Veranda Staterooms, six Veranda Suites and two pampering “Explorer Suites,” which feature two full-size rooms with a veranda off the bedroom and a bathroom with separate bathtub and glass-enclosed shower. Veranda suites feature two full-size rooms with a veranda off the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom.

Sphinx: In September, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will launch the luxurious, new 84-passenger Sphinx on the Nile River. While a fire during construction resulted in a delay of many months, Uniworld says the new ship is now back on track for a fall debut. The line’s 12-day “Splendors of Egypt and the Nile” itinerary will operate roundtrip from Cairo.

Interior design will feature Egyptian artwork, fabrics and hand-carved furnishings. Guests will dine at two gourmet dining venues and can relax onboard at the swimming pool. Even the lead-in accommodations, 233-square-foot French Balcony cabins, will be roomy. For the ultimate in space, clients can choose from four 495-square-foot Royal Suites and 20 430-square-foot Grand Suites.

Asia 

Victoria Cruise Lines’ new Victoria Sabrina, the world’s largest river vessel, will begin sailing China’s Yangtze River this spring. Designed in cooperation with nine research and design firms, it’s the first of a new generation of river ships with environmentally friendly technologies that use electric power and create a smoother ride. 

With six passenger decks and an additional Theater Deck, the new ship’s design will combine an open-concept floor plan, traditional Chinese décor and modern touches. Accommodations will include 275-square-foot Superior Staterooms that have a private balcony. 

Executive Suites will offer more than 375 square feet of living space along with complimentary access to the Luxury Amenities package with “white glove” service, exclusive happy hour, complimentary Wi-Fi and access to exclusive ship areas, including the Top of the Yangtze à la carte restaurant; additional à la carte seating will be at the bow’s View restaurant. 

Mekong Jewel: For upscale clients seeking a voyage through Vietnam and Cambodia, Uniworld’s new 68-passenger Mekong Jewel launched in January on the Mekong River. It replaced Mekong Navigator. This all-suite Super Ship includes two dining venues: one main restaurant and an al fresco eatery on the upper deck. 

What else is nifty? Mekong Jewel was built with sustainable, eco-friendly materials. Amenity-wise, it features a swimming pool, spa, sauna and steam room, gym, hair salon, nail bar, two lounges and a library.

Europe 

Amadeus Imperial: Setting sail in April is the 168-passenger Amadeus Imperial, a new vessel from Luftner that will cruise along Europe’s Danube, Rhine and Main rivers. The new river boat will have 72 deluxe cabins of 188 square feet and 12 Amadeus Suites of 284 square feet. Cabins on the Mozart and Strauss decks feature lowerable panoramic windows along the entire cabin width. 

All deluxe cabins and suites will have private bathrooms, an infotainment system, flat-screen television, telephone, cabin safe, a minibar and individually adjustable air conditioning. Suites will have an outdoor balcony.

AmaSiena: The 156-passenger AmaSiena, a sister to AmaLea, AmaKristina and AmaMora, will begin sailing July 22, 2020. The new AmaWaterways ship will operate seven-, 10- and 11-night itineraries along the Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers. Similar to what its sister ships have, AmaSiena will feature many connecting staterooms, plus such dining choices as a Main Restaurant and a wine-paired tasting menu in The Chef’s Table Restaurant. 

Look for tapas to be served throughout the day in the Main Lounge. For active travelers, the new ship has a Sun Deck walking track, pool with swim-up bar, fitness room and complimentary fleet of bikes for guest use ashore. A professionally trained Wellness Host will also be onboard to conduct classes. 

Andorinha: Tauck’s newest vessel, the 84-passenger Andorinha sets sail on Portugal’s Douro River this year. Custom-designed by Tauck’s long-term partner Scylla, this vessel has 12 300-square-foot Tauck Suites. In addition, there will be 20 225-square-foot cabins. The three, four and five category cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies.

All cabins are equipped with in-room movies, minibar, adjustable climate control and a private bathroom. Dining will include the open-seating Compass Rose, the main dining room, plus an alternative dining venue, Arthur’s. A small swimming pool will grace the top deck. 

Tauck’s 84-passenger Andorinha will set sail on Portugal’s Douro River this year. 

Avalon View: Launching this year on the Rhine, the 164-passenger Avalon View will mark Avalon Waterways’ 14th so-called Suite Ship in Europe and its 17th worldwide. The new ship will have two full decks of 200-square-foot Panorama Suites.

Panorama Suites are famed for their 11-foot-wide, floor-to-ceiling expanse of glass, a portion of which easily can slide aside to create a seven-foot-wide, open air interior balcony. Avalon’s beds in these accommodations also face the window so they deliver outstanding riverbank views. Avalon View will also have two 300-square-foot Royal Suites. 

Geoffrey Chaucer: Riviera River Cruises’ newest vessel, the 169-passenger Geoffrey Chaucer, will sail itineraries on the Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers and Dutch waterways. It’s the line’s sixth all-suite ship. As with the line’s other new ships in recent years, Geoffrey Chaucer also will include a second restaurant, The Bistro, with an open kitchen and panorama windows that allow for al fresco dining. 

Other public spaces will include an observation lounge, main restaurant, fitness center, spa, wellness area, boutique and sun deck. The new vessel’s 88 suites will be a minimum of 172 square feet. Diamond and Ruby Deck suites will have French balconies and floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass windows. Deluxe Balcony Suites on the Diamond Deck will feature floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors that open onto a small private balcony.

Sao Gabriel: Uniworld’s Sao Gabriel will debut in April on Portugal’s Douro River. Designed to reflect the Douro River Valley region’s beauty, the ship will have more lavishly appointed suites than the river line’s other Douro ship, Queen Isabel, and butler service will be added as well. The ship’s Grand Suite will offer 307 square feet of space. 

Sao Gabriel will operate the “Portugal, Spain and the Douro River Valley” itinerary, an 11-day journey from Lisbon to Porto that includes a land portion in Lisbon and Coimbra, or an eight-day, cruise-only voyage roundtrip from Porto.  

Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga: Viking River Cruises’ 2020 European season will be marked by the addition of four new identical, 168-passenger river vessels, designed specifically for France’s Seine River. The ships will dock in the center of Paris, adjacent to the Eiffel Tower.

A bit smaller than Viking’s popular Longships, Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga will all be deployed on Viking’s eight-day “Paris and the Heart of Normandy” itinerary by 2021. 

With 84 staterooms, the new Seine ships will have such Longship features as the Aquavit Terrace, a wide variety of stateroom choices and onboard solar panels, as well as Viking’s signature Scandinavian design. 

Viking Hervor and Viking Gersemi:  In addition to those slightly smaller ships for the Seine, Viking is also launching two new Longships in 2020 - Viking Hervor and Viking Gersemi; these ships will be deployed on the line’s most popular itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers.

The Grand Suite on Sao Gabriel, which will operate the 11-day “Portugal, Spain and the Douro River Valley” itinerary

North America 

American Jazz: Cruising in the United States will get a big boost this year. American Cruise Lines’ new 190-passenger American Jazz, the line’s third “Modern Riverboat” series vessel, begins cruising the Lower Mississippi River in August; it will sail between Memphis, TN and New Orleans, LA

Expect a five-story glass atrium, private balconies for all staterooms, and an advanced opening bow and retractable gangway. Ranging from 250 to 800 square feet, staterooms will offer plush seating and full-size bathrooms. New Grand Suites include two glass walls and a wraparound private balcony. 

American Melody: A sister to American Jazz, and the fourth of five ships planned in the line’s “Modern Riverboat” series of vessels, American Melody will begin sailing in late 2020, with itineraries not yet announced.

The new 190-passenger American Jazz is American Cruise Lines’ third “Modern Riverboat” series vessel.

South America

Aqua Nera: The new 40-passenger Aqua Nera from Aqua Expeditions will sail its inaugural voyage on the Amazon River in October. Twenty spacious Design Suites are designed to reflect Amazon tranquility, and throughout the vessel are accents reflecting the Amazonian rubber boom era and the cultures of Portugal, Spain and Peru

From Iquitos, Peru, Aqua Nera, which has air conditioning throughout, will operate alongside the company’s Aria Amazon to take guests into the Peruvian Amazon in luxury. Creating the ship’s cuisine is Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru’s finest chefs. Expert naturalist guides will lead small group excursions for guests into the rainforest.

Other new vessels also launching this year include a new Nile River ship for Vantage Deluxe World Travel, which is just gearing up for travel agent sales in 2020. For more details, visit travelagentcentral.com.

Complete Makeovers

Several river vessels will set sail with a totally new look this year, following massive revitalization projects, among them: 

La Venezia: On March 27, 2020, the 134-passenger La Venezia will set sail for Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection in Italy. The revitalized ship — formerly the River Countess — will operate eight- or 10-day itineraries focused on islands in the Venetian Lagoon, and longer trips will feature a land option to Milan. 

The ship’s redesign will be inspired by Venetian culture and feature six elegantly appointed suites (including two new Grand Suites), three dining venues including an Italian kitchen on the upper deck, spa, library, lounge and bar.

American Countess: Starting service for American Queen Steamboat Company in April on the Mississippi River, the 245-passenger American Countess is almost a new vessel after being stripped, rebuilt and stretched; a new 60-foot section was added into the middle of the four-deck vessel. The ship has been totally revitalized. 

Guests can soak up some rays on the Sun Deck or take in a Broadway-style performance in the Theater. The Grand Dining Room is the elegant main dining venue, while the River Grill has a more casual vibe. Guests can work out in the Fitness Center, play bridge in the Card Room or check out the Gift Shop.

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