River Cruises Outside Europe: 5 Incredible Destinations to Consider
When most travelers think about river cruising, they picture Europe: the Rhine, Danube, medieval towns, castles, vineyards and Christmas markets.
And for good reason. European river cruising is wonderful.
But there are some fascinating river cruises outside Europe, including journeys on the Nile, Mekong, Chobe, Magdalena and Amazon.
Some of these are particularly intriguing to me because the river isn't simply a beautiful route between cities. It's part of the story of the destination itself.
If you've already cruised Europe, or you're simply looking for something a little more adventurous, these five river cruise destinations may change the way you think about river cruising.
1. Nile River Cruises: Egypt
It’s difficult to think of a river more closely connected to the history of a country than the Nile.
A Nile river cruise can become part of a larger Egypt journey, allowing you to combine time on the river with ancient temples, archaeological sites and time in Cairo.
This is one of the things I find most appealing about river cruising outside Europe. The cruise doesn’t necessarily have to be the entire vacation. It can be one piece of a much bigger experience.
For travelers who have always dreamed of Egypt but feel overwhelmed by the logistics of putting the trip together, that combination can be particularly appealing.
2. Mekong River Cruises: Vietnam and Cambodia
A Mekong river cruise offers a completely different experience.
Instead of Europe’s castles and wine regions, you’re traveling through Southeast Asia, with opportunities to experience communities, markets, landscapes, food and history along the river.
A Mekong cruise can also be paired with time on land, making it possible to build a more extensive journey through Vietnam and Cambodia.
This is the kind of trip I think appeals to travelers who have done some of the traditional European destinations and are starting to ask, “Where should we go next?”
3. Chobe River Cruising: Southern Africa
This is where the definition of a river cruise starts to get really interesting.
In Southern Africa, river cruising can become part of a much larger wildlife and safari experience.
Instead of sailing from one European city to another, you’re experiencing a river environment known for wildlife and then combining that experience with time on land.
For me, that’s what makes some of these more unusual river journeys so exciting. You’re taking something people already love about river cruising, smaller vessels and access to destinations along the water, and experiencing it in an entirely different part of the world.
4. Magdalena River Cruises: Colombia
Colombia is one of the newer destinations on the river cruising map, with cruises along the Magdalena River offering another way to experience the country.
For experienced travelers looking for a river cruise outside Europe and something different from the familiar European rivers, this is exactly the kind of destination worth watching.
It also demonstrates just how much river cruising is evolving. Today’s river cruiser has choices that would have been difficult to imagine not that long ago.
5. Amazon River Cruises: Peru and Brazil
An Amazon river cruise is different again.
Here, the draw is largely the natural environment. Smaller vessels can take travelers into waterways and landscapes that would be difficult to experience the same way from land.
Depending on the itinerary and operator, the emphasis may be on wildlife, nature and exploration rather than traditional sightseeing.
This isn’t Europe with different scenery. And that’s exactly the point.
What Are the Best River Cruises Outside Europe?
There really isn't one “best” river cruise outside Europe because these destinations offer very different experiences.
If history and archaeology are what draw you to a destination, Egypt and the Nile may immediately stand out.
If you're fascinated by Southeast Asian culture and want to combine a river journey with a larger land itinerary, the Mekong may appeal to you.
If wildlife is the priority, Southern Africa or the Amazon offer an entirely different reason to travel by river.
And if you're an experienced traveler looking for somewhere less familiar, Colombia's Magdalena River brings another intriguing option into the mix.
The right choice depends much more on how you like to travel and what you want to experience.
Is a River Cruise Outside Europe Right for You?
I don’t think these trips necessarily replace a European river cruise.
They’re a different experience.
If it’s your first river cruise and you’ve always dreamed about sailing past castles on the Rhine or visiting Christmas markets along the Danube, Europe may still be exactly where you should start.
But if you’ve already experienced Europe, or you’re the kind of traveler who is ready to venture somewhere farther from home, river cruising can provide an interesting way to do it.
You get some of the things people love about river travel: a smaller ship, unpacking once, seeing multiple places and watching the destination unfold around you.
But the experience on shore can be completely different.
This Is Where River Cruising Gets Interesting
I’m at a stage in my own travels where I want to keep seeing the places I’ve always dreamed about, but I also want to push a little farther.
That’s one of the reasons these river journeys interest me so much.
Europe will always have an enormous place in river cruising, and there are still plenty of European rivers and itineraries I want to experience.
But the Nile, Mekong, Chobe, Magdalena and Amazon remind us that there’s a much bigger world out there to explore.
And I have a feeling some of my future Hosted Journeys may take us there.
Thinking About a River Cruise?
Whether you're considering your first European river cruise or you're ready to explore somewhere farther afield, I can help you compare the destinations, cruise experiences and itineraries that make the most sense for you.
Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to start exploring the possibilities.
About Lisa Coronado
Lisa Coronado is a Certified Travel Associate specializing in thoughtfully planned European vacations, river and ocean cruises, and hosted journeys. She combines extensive personal travel experience with more than 25 years of professional experience managing complex projects and details.
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