Many experienced deep-ocean cruisers might initially be surprised to learn that not all river cruise ships feature an elevator for passenger use. After all, with most spanning a maximum height of three decks, there’s little need for one – unless you happen to need that elevator.

AmaWaterways' AmaDolce features an elevator that traverses two decks. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

Guests with mobility issues depend on passenger elevators to transport them between decks, narrowing the options for those dependent on scooters or wheelchairs to get around. Fortunately, the vast majority of river cruise lines seem to understand this, and most newly-built river cruise ships feature passenger elevators.

While I was sailing onboard AmaWaterways’ AmaLyra this past December, a reader with mobility issues emailed me to ask how someone who requires a scooter to get around would fare on a river cruise. As it turns out, the necessity of a scooter didn’t seem to be an issue at all for one guest on my sailing. She was able to traverse the ship using the passenger elevator, and was helped ashore with her scooter, where it was loaded into the storage bay of the motorcoach for touring.  It was then removed at every stop by the bus driver, and she scooted off to explore places like Nuremberg, Melk and Vienna with the rest of us.

Now, this lady was able to walk with some assistance, which I would imagine is a necessity in ports with low tides and steep gangway inclines. It is always important to gauge your own level of comfort, particularly in Europe where uneven cobblestone streets can be the norm.

The vast majority of newly-built river cruise ships feature passenger elevators. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

In order to better assist our readers, we’ve put together the following list of river cruise lines and have noted where applicable those ships lacking a passenger elevator.  Thankfully, most do include one, making river cruising a highly accessible and enjoyable mode of exploration for everyone.

AmaWaterways

• Every AmaWaterways ship includes a passenger elevator.

Avalon Waterways

• Avalon Tranquility, Avalon Imagery, and Avalon Tapestry do not have passenger elevators.

Tauck River Cruises

• Every Tauck River Cruises vessel includes a passenger elevator.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

• River Ambassador and River Baroness lack passenger elevators.

Viking River Cruises

•  Viking’s newest vessels, as well as their recently-refitted Russian fleet, offer passenger elevators.

For more information on each of the river cruise lines listed above, be sure to click their name for our full fleet and line overviews!

River cruising has exploded in popularity like never before. Not only can you sail the waterways of Europe, but prospective guests can also explore the mysteries hidden within Egypt’s Nile, Russia’s Volga, and Asia’s mighty Yangtze and Mekong rivers. Not content to rest on their laurels, California-based AmaWaterways wants you to consider a new destination: Africa.

The magic of Africa is featured on three new itineraries from AmaWaterways. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways

Debuting this summer aboard the brand-new, 28-guest Zambezi Queen, AmaWaterways is offering three distinct African itineraries: the 16-day Stars of Africa; the 16-day Africa Sunsets; and the immersive, 19-night Golden Trails of Africa.

In Stars of Africa, guests will enjoy three nights in the beautiful city of Cape Town, three nights in Kruger National Park Area and one night in Johannesburg before embarking for four nights aboard the Zambezi Queen, ending with a two-night stay in breathtaking Victoria Falls. Known as “The Smoke that Thunders”, Victoria Falls is notable for its beautiful, 355-foot high sheet of cascading water.

All three new itineraries feature a four-night safari voyage aboard the 28-guest Zambezi Queen. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways.

African Sunsets includes 16 days of exploration on this beautiful continent. Three nights are spent in Cape Town before travelling to Okavango Delta for two nights. Okavango is the world’s largest inland delta, and one of the richest permanent and non-permanent settlements of wildlife. Upwards of four hundred species of birds and over 70 species of fish can be found here.  After that, it’s off to Savute for two nights before embarking Zambezi Queen for your four-day safari cruise.  This itinerary also ends with two nights in spectacular Victoria Falls.

One of the well-appointed suites aboard the Zambezi Queen. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways

But the grandest journey of all may be AmaWaterways’ 19-night Golden Trails of Africa. Beginning with one night in Nairobi, guests will spend eight nights at game reserves in Amboseli, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti; one night in Johannesburg, followed by four nights aboard the Zambezi Queen and two nights in Victoria Falls. If you’ve always dreamed of seeing the breathtaking wildlife of Africa up-close and personal, this is the trip for you.

“Africa is a popular destination spot that provides so many natural activities,” said AmaWaterways’ Executive Vice President and Co-Owner Kristin Karst. “AmaWaterways is always looking for ways to wow our guests and the safari itineraries do not disappoint. Africa’s diverse wildlife, sweeping plains and towering peaks make it the perfect place for an exciting vacation.”

Even Jack Hanna, host of the hit TV show, Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild, was impressed with AmaWaterways new product, which was featured on a recent episode of his show.

“I highly recommend the Zambezi Queen. It’s a must. Anyone that’s looking to cross something off a bucket list or a way to travel in Africa, this is the way to go,” said Hanna. “From dining to the resting area to the accommodations and the wonderful staff and riverboat guides that get you up close to the wildlife,  everything is top-notch and beyond five star. I’ve done this for 26 years now and this has been the epitome for me and my family to be on this magnificent vessel.”

For more information on AmaWaterways and their new African itineraries, be sure to check out our complete AmaWaterways profile here on River Cruise Advisor, and watch for our profile of the Zambezi Queen, coming soon!

It may be the Year of the Dragon, but we think 2012 may very well belong to the Vikings. It’s only January, yet you can feel the excitement in the air. In late March, Viking River Cruises will experience the single biggest event in its 15-year history: the simultaneous launch of four of its revolutionary new Viking Longships:Viking Freya, Viking Idun, Viking Njord and Viking Odin. They will be followed in July and August by two additional Longships: Viking Embla and Viking Aegir.

A rendering of the foyer and central staircase aboard the new Viking Longships, set to debut in March. Photo courtesy of Viking River Cruises

Representing an entirely new class of ship for the line, the Viking Longships aren’t just merely new; they are a revolution of the Viking River Cruises product and stand to advance not only the company’s standing as a major player in the industry, but challenge and elevate what is possible in terms of onboard design and amenities.

“Every year I am proud of our company’s milestones, but this is certainly a special anniversary in Viking’s history. Over the last 15 years, we have pioneered a new category in the cruise industry, and we have set the precedent for quality and excellence,” says Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking River Cruises. “We have always been an ambitious company, and as we enter this new chapter, we are looking forward to a groundbreaking year that will set the course for innovation and expansion in years to come.”

Viking River Cruises' beautiful new Viking Longships are due to launch this year. Photo courtesy of Viking River Cruises.

These new launches come as Viking celebrates its 15^th year in business. Founded in 1997, the line was founded with little more than four Russian river cruise ships and a company name honouring the first Vikings to travel by Longship to explore Russia’s waterways.  Today, the line owns and operates one of the largest fleet of river cruise ships.  This year, Viking will also complete the ambitious refurbishment of its Russian-based fleet, bringing those vessels closer in line with the line’s European-based offerings.

At River Cruise Advisor, we know one thing for sure: we’re looking forward to March!

For more information on Viking River Cruises and the brand-new Viking Longships, be sure to check out our complete Viking River Cruise profile and fleet overview right here on River Cruise Advisor!