With 2018 drawing to a close, Cruise Critic have released their 11th Annual Editors’ Pick Awards, which recognises the best cruise lines of the year across numerous categories.
Winners of the 11th Annual Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards
The winners of the river cruise categories are listed below:
Best River Cruise Line: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Uniworld offers one of the most luxurious, all-inclusive river cruise experiences, crossing the waterways of Europe, Asia, Russia, China and Africa. Each is designed to replicate the feeling of a boutique hotel, with thoughtful service at your fingertips.
Best Ship Refurbishment: S.S. Beatrice – Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
S.S. Beatrice is Uniworld’s newest Super Ship, having previously been known as River Beatrice before her remodelling this year to S.S. Beatrice. The ship accommodates 152 passengers and sails along the Danube River while boasting stunning marble floors, inspired dining options and plenty more to enjoy.
See all Uniworld river cruises
Best New River Cruise Ship: The A – U by Uniworld
With U by Uniworld launching this year, it’s a big year for the cruise line and its two-strong fleet. The A is sets sail along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers as a sleek and sophisticated vessel offering a breadth of on-board facilities primed for a younger demographic. Enjoy lounging on the rooftop, dining in the full-service restaurants and watching the scenery from the waterfront views in every room.
See all U by Uniworld river cruises
Best for Active Cruisers: AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways offers a Wellness Programme on-board its ships, with professionally trained Wellness Hosts able to support you in a variety of fitness classes – including core strengthening and circuit training – as well as health and wellness-related lectures and discussions. The cruise line is also one of the first to offer complimentary bikes to cruisers to enable them to cover more ground when ashore and assist with hikes and biking excursions.
Best for Families: Adventures by Disney
Adventures by Disney is supported by AmaWaterways, offering exclusive sailings along the Danube and Rhine rivers on-board AmaWaterways ships. The itineraries are perfect for families, offering a range of experiences for parents, children and teenagers to enjoy.
See all AmaWaterways river cruises
Best Cabins: Avalon Waterways
Known for being stylish, spacious and comfortable, Avalon Waterways staterooms offer you the world at your feet. The cruise line’s Panorama Suites are even 30% bigger than the industry standard!
See all Avalon Waterways river cruises
Best Dining: Crystal River Cruises
Crystal River Cruises takes inspiration from ports visited on your itinerary for their on-board dining, making it an intrinsic part of your river cruise experience. Enjoy breakfast as you pass charming villages, share tales over dinner with regionally-inspired menus, and experience the local flavours come to life in each destination.
Best for Luxury: Crystal River Cruises
All-inclusive luxury is one of Crystal River’s key standards, offering personalised, intimate and comfortable luxuries for all sailing on-board. Inclusions for guests include all gratuities, unlimited drinks, 24-hour Wi-Fi, selected daily classes and an extensive selection of inclusive shore experiences.
Best Enrichment: American Queen Steamboat Company
A river cruise along the Mississippi River with American Queen Steamboat Company offers you the opportunity to explore plenty of iconic ports and landmarks. From elegant Antebellum plantations and Civil War memorials to living the life of the legendary Mark Twain and his literary characters; Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, enjoy it all while sailing on a piece of history with the iconic steamboats.
Learn more about the Mississippi River
Best for First-Timers: Viking River Cruises
Offering inclusive value, cultural enrichment, stunning Scandinavian-inspired spaces and destination-focused dining, Viking River Cruises are perfect for first-time cruisers looking to explore the world’s waterways in ultimate comfort.
Best Itineraries: Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises pride themselves on being the small ship experts. Each ship is engineered to sail smoothly along the rivers of the world, ensuring your itinerary is elegantly thought out and getting you closer to each destination.
Best Service: Tauck River Cruising
Tauck’s ships offer an intimate and sophisticated ambience on-board, each of which are designed with contemporary European flair. Guests enjoy upscale accommodations likened to premium hotel standards, supported by a team of experienced staff ready for your every need.
Best Shore Excursions: Scenic
Scenic river cruises allow you to be fully-immersed in the culture and history of every port, with Scenic Freechoice offering a daily selection of visitor excursions, at no additional cost. The Scenic Enrich experiences are handpicked by the cruise line’s expert Journey Designers, offering unprecedented access to some of Europe’s most distinguished hotspots.
Best Value for Money: Emerald Waterways
With Emerald Waterways, it’s all included. From your dining options and excursions to return flights and transfers, everything is included in your cruise fare meaning that your experience on-board the cruise line’s Star-Ships will be as relaxing as possible.
See all Emerald Waterways river cruises
Would you like to enjoy a river cruise aboard one of these award-winning cruise lines? Which is your favourite for 2018? Let us know in the comments below!
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