River cruising on the great waterways of the world is a unique experience.  These cruises only operate on the very best, most interesting and most scenic parts of the rivers so you enjoy fantastic scenery and river life on both sides of your ship, all day, every day. Usually the ships carry between 50 and 200 passengers in true cruising comfort. Every day is a new experience with stops at romantic river towns and villages. Special guides help you appreciate the history, culture and ecology of these truly scenic areas. In most cases, the shore excursions are included in the price, and you never get seasick on a river cruise!

Great rivers to cruise include the Rhine and Danube in Europe, the Nile in Egypt, the Volga and Neva Rivers in Russia, Amazon and Orinoco in South America, Columbia and Mississippi in the USA, St Lawrence in Canada, the Irrawaddy, Yangtze and Mekong in Asia, the Sepik in New Guinea, and the Murray in Australia.

We have highlighted the following exciting cruises to get you thinking about great river experiences.

Nile River Cruises

A ‘Dahabiyya’ is the traditionally designed sailing vessel of the Nile. These small sailing ships plied the trade routes up and down the river, and today remind us of a world from long ago when life was gentle and time seemed to stand still.  On board SS Hadeel you will experience the harmony and serenity of times past.

From the exterior the Hadeel reflects the style and grace of these traditional vessels with their billowing sails. There are only 8 cabins on board, each with en-suite bathroom. Days are spent either enjoying the scenery from the Hadeel, or on our regular shore excursions to sites of interest. Some evenings we tie up on deserted islands where we have a barbeque dinner, and each evening when we finally reach our destination for the day, we moor well away from the larger cruise ships which ply the Nile. This is a magnificent way to experience a journey down the Nile.

Life on board the Hadeel offers you the traditions of the past together with the modern comforts you would expect. Our progress is determined by the winds. All the wonderful sites along the Nile are visited, including Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple and beautiful Aswan. There is a fully qualified guide on-board.

Journeys begin in either Luxor or Aswan, and the cost starts at approximately $3196 per person including 4 nights’ accommodation and transfers in Cairo, as well as private sightseeing to the Pyramids and Islamic Cairo.

Amazon River Cruises

Amazon River cruises offer the best of two worlds; the convenience and comfort of a pre-arranged group program and the joy of personal discovery. Our specialized multilingual hosts are able to regale travelers with every single detail of wild life, flora and the Amazon way of living.

In addition to our rainforest explorations, we will visit local communities and learn what living on the edge of this vast trackless forest is like. During our voyage you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with many different communities that live along the shores of the Amazon River Basin and its tributaries.

While on board, you are welcome to participate in any of the varied activities. We may take one launch boat to a lagoon for a swim, another boat to a trailhead for a jungle hike, while a third may visit a remote white-sand beach for a relaxing walk and a check for fresh animal footprints. You can treat it as a relaxing cruise and stay onboard the river boat for your whole stay, or you can make Indiana Jones envious by going full-bore with camera, binoculars, hiking boots, and specimen bottles 24/7. It's up to you. At the end of each day, we often meet upstairs on the viewing deck to have a drink, share the day's adventures, and observe a remarkably vivid Milky Way.

The 10 day Manaus to Iquitos Amazon cruise is a unique voyage on the mighty Amazon River. We explore the world’s most diverse ecosystem, with its fascinating wildlife and stunning scenery. From the roar of howler monkeys to meeting remote indigenous Amazon tribes, this is true expedition. 

Included Highlights:  7 nights aboard Explorer, all meals on board, Zodiac and land excursions with our expert expedition team, from $2,599.

Danube River Cruises

A classic experience!  Cruising the celebrated Danube River, you call on grand cities and quaint villages. Explore both sides of Budapest, Hungary’s capital, and see the city from atop Fishermen’s Bastion. Discover the imperial architecture of Vienna, cruise past hilltop castles and sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Stroll narrow cobbled streets, visit baroque abbeys and magnificent cathedrals.  You will discover why Strauss immortalized this river in his famous waltz. 

Tours with private, English-speaking guides: Budapest/ coach & walking tour; Vienna/coach & walking tour; Melk Benedictine abbey tour; Passau/walking tour & organ concert; Regensburg/walking tour; Kelheim, Weltenburg Abbey & Danube Gorge by boat; Nuremberg coach & walking tour - From $2699.

Yangtze River Cruise

There's no better way to experience China's stunning landscapes, ancient culture and unique architecture than on a Yangtze River cruise. On a Yangtze River cruise, you'll discover China's unique blend of ancient traditions and modern cities, explore world treasures like the Great Wall.

On your Yangtze River cruise, you will experience the clear Daning River, known for its breathtaking canyon views and remote rural village. 7 nights on the deluxe cruise ship departing from Beijing, arrival in Shanghai. Included are: Visit of Beijing and Shanghai, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Three Gorges Dam site; the Qutang Gorges, and more..... starts from $1350 per adult.

Another option is a 17 day holiday from Beijing to Hong Kong where you will visit historic sites, such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, and enjoy a variety of cultural experiences.  Travelling to Xi’an to visit the Dayan Pagoda and see the Terracotta Warriors. In Chongqing, embark on your river cruise aboard the Victoria Anna. On this magical cruise you will marvel at the beautiful landscape of the Three Gorges and sail to the Three Gorges Dam site before disembarking in Yichang on your way to Shanghai. There you will tour the Shanghai Museum, Yu Yuan Gardens, and see an amazing acrobatic show. Travel to Guilin for a relaxing day cruise on the Li River. The sites of the one-of-a-kind port city of Hong Kong are the perfect end to your journey through China - starts from $3129.00

Contact Lynn Eaton or Nicole Blake on 9281 5477 or email Nicole@spencertravel.com.au to experience a very special and peaceful way to travel!