The best new river cruise ships for 2021
New vessels are waiting in the wings for when Brits can get back to river cruising in Europe and beyond
12 May 2021 • 12:37pm
A rendering of the sun deck on the new AmaDahlia, soon to be cruising the Nile
Credit: AmaWaterways
With the cruise world beginning to open up again, river lines are preparing to welcome back eager travellers this year with new ships, new itineraries – and new heights of luxury.
On the Nile, Uniworld is launching the Sphinx with three gourmet venues, including a private restaurant and open-air dining on the top deck, as well as a pool, massage room and 42 suites. The ship, which will be decorated with Egyptian artwork, fabrics and hand-carved furnishings, will sail 12-day itineraries from Cairo.
Cruise Ships Sailing May 2021 Update May 01, 2021
The cruise industry is restarting in a big way in Europe with more ships entering service in May, while in North America, service resumptions involve sailing in the Caribbean and with U.S.-flagged ships in Alaska.
Here are the cruise ships currently back in service or planning restarts in May and into June:
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
Ship: Quantum of the Seas
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,100
Built: 2014
Status: Sailing
Ship: Odyssey of the Seas
Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,100
Built: 2021
Status: Planned – first sailing scheduled on June 2, 2021
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
Ship: Adventure of the Seas
American Queen To Sail Pacific Northwest From June 14 May 03, 2021
American Queen Steamboat Company has announced that the American Empress, cruising the Columbia and Snake rivers, will resume operations beginning June 14, 2021. This was stated in a press release.
The line’s first 2021 Pacific Northwest sailing will feature the popular Pacific Northwest Splendor itinerary from Spokane, Wash. (Clarkston, Wash.) to Portland, Ore. (Vancouver, Wash.) and operate with enhanced health and safety protocols.
“Following our successful March restart with the American Countess and American Duchess on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, the added capacity of the American Empress in the Pacific Northwest will help meet the unprecedented guest demand to travel again,” said Shawn Bierdz, president, American Queen Steamboat Company.
Jeri Clausing
The recent news about Europe reopening to vaccinated travelers this summer was, obviously, welcome news for the long-shuttered river cruise industry.
But with opening dates and details on country-specific buy-in for welcoming travelers still elusive, river operators say it s too soon to say exactly when the season will resume. Still, there s renewed optimism about getting Americans back on Europe s waterways this summer, and possibly sooner than was widely predicted just a month ago. Finally, things are looking up, said Marcus Leskovar, executive vice president of Amadeus River Cruises, which ran a limited series of sailings last summer for European guests. We are currently planning to start the season in June and are preparing for the first group of American passengers onboard a Rhone cruise on July 1, with more American passengers to follow that month and a full return to sailings for Americans in August.