10. Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways' "Suite Ships" have made a real splash on the European river cruise circuit, touting spacious cabins equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows that open to convert guestrooms into virtual open-air balconies, to stunning panoramic effect. The line has a number of these 36- to 166-passenger riverboat beauties (with the feature offered in 80 percent of staterooms) -- which cruise to some half-dozen waterways across Europe. The line has expanded its Asian offerings, too, with two smaller, 36-passenger Suite Ships on the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar and Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. (The line also offers China cruises and South America sailings to the Galapagos and the Amazon, on chartered ships.) Onboard, passengers can expect dining to highlight Western favorites and local specialties, paired with complimentary regional wines and beers; on shore, daily guide-led excursions are included in the rates. Avalon hosts a slate of popular special-interest cruises, too, themed around beer, jazz, art, golf and more.
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11. Uniworld
On all 18 vessels, whether refurbished or newly built, Uniworld's signature is a daring, dynamic and colorful ambience. Public rooms and cabins are furnished in a high standard, with lush fabrics, antiques and original artwork nestled next to state-of-the-art amenities like flat-screen televisions, marble bathrooms and incredibly comfortable Savoir brand beds. Cuisine and service are on par with those found on oceangoing luxury vessels, though as the line's riverboats are significantly smaller, ranging in size from 56 to 159 passengers, options like alternative restaurants and entertainment venues are typically fewer in number. (Instead, each evening provides diversions that might range from local acts brought onboard in ports of call to bands that play for dancing). Most shore tours (and all in Europe) are included in the fares, and each ship carries a fleet of complimentary loaner bicycles. In addition to Europe, the line has scheduled voyages to Russia, China, Vietnam and Cambodia, India and Egypt.
12. AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways sails to Europe's Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Douro, Seine, Mosel and Main Rivers, as well as to Africa and Vietnam. The line offers ambitious regional cuisine, well-designed cabins and guided port stops (included in the fares) -- all set on some of the most modern river ships in the industry. The vessels, ranging in size from 28 to 164 passengers, come with contemporary decor inspired by the destination, and amenities like in-cabin "entertainment on demand" systems (with Internet, music, movies and more), glass elevators, heated swimming pool or hot tub and mechanized wheelhouses that can be lowered to transit under low-slung bridges. For the daily tours, passengers receive wireless audio devices so they don't miss a word on history or culture. All ships in the European fleet offer 25 complimentary-use bicycles that passengers can use on guided tours or to explore on their own.
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