There are only about a dozen major river cruise companies, but dozens and dozens of web sites published by various travel agencies that handle or specialize in river or canal cruises.
Problem is, a thorough study of several of them shows that they are all promoting the very same cruises.
Let's find out why.
In most cases, the river cruise companies - the people who actually own and operate the boats - have to set their schedules many months ahead.
The 2011 schedules will make it to the internet sometime late in 2010.
They have to take into account the weather, docking, loading and unloading, turnaround time, mechanical problems, crewing, etc.
etc.
In other words, it's quite a chore just to set up one simple week-long cruise.
Now multiply that by dozens of warm-weather weeks - plus some run well into the winter So, the river cruise companies set the schedule, choosing rivers, routes, dates, and length of cruise, which boat will go where, etc.
etc.
When you go through an agent or tour company, they are using the very same information you can get directly from the cruise operators.
Does it make sense to deal directly with the cruise company? Well, that depends, but they more than welcome your direct participation.
Cruise tour or travel agencies may lease a boat from a cruise company or, more than likely, will just sell the various itineraries offered by the cruise operators.
Some agencies may offer hundreds of possibilities, world-wide.
There are about a dozen major river cruise companies that handle a very, very large majority of the river cruises with their very own fleets.
However, the system has been reasonably perfected and is so seamless, that it's almost impossible to determine who owns what and why.
However, it doesn't make much difference and if you feel comfortable dealing with a reputable travel or river cruise agency, go for it.
The basic difference is that the travel or tour company usually deals with multiple cruise companies so they have a broader and more comprehensive list of possibilities.
A cruise company is usually limited to its own offerings.
To top it off, there has been a spate of mergers and buy-outs that have changed the face of the river cruising industry, hopefully to make a good product even better.
Keeping that in mind, here are the major river cruise companies listed in alphabetical order.
Many of these websites have pictures, diagrams, schedules, and sometimes videos.
They are quite informative and well done.
AMA Waterways River Cruises (Formerly Amadeus) Extreme luxury riverboat cruising in Europe, Russia, Portugal and Spain.
Arosa or A-rosa is marketed primarily to the German speaking market.
Expect occasional smoke filled rooms and public announcements in German.
Avalon Waterways is a new company formed by Globus and Cosmos.
Its cruises are intended for American passengers and American tastes.
Fleet operates in Europe, Egypt, and China.
CroisiEurope offers river cruises intended for French speaking passengers with other nationalities welcomed.
French food and French chefs add to the flavor.
As well as longer cruises, CroisiEurope offers several short (2, 3, 4, & 5 day) cruises on the Rhine and its tributaries.
Croisi offers river cruises throughout Europe, China and Vietnam/Cambodia, as well.
ewaterways is a new line that owns its own fleet and charters from others.
Offers riverboat cruises in Europe, China, Egypt, Thailand, Australia and canal barging in Scotland, England, Venice, Ireland, and, of course, France.
Grand Circle Travel basically serves retired Americans.
Highlights prime docking in the center of many cities.
Europe, Russia, and Egypt.
Imperial River Cruises has a fleet of ships that specializes in riverboat cruises in Russia and Ukraine.
Orient Express is more than a train ride.
They offer canal boat cruises primarily in France.
Luxurious accommodations on a riverboat cruise in Myanmar (formerly Burma).
Peter Deilmann River Cruises pioneered river cruising.
They build their own vessels and market primarily to North American, British, and German passengers.
They offer over 300 itineraries.
On board announcements are typically in English and German.
Scylla is a river cruise boat charter company.
Announcements in German.
Smoking permitted only on the open deck.
Its fleet is leased to others and operates on most of the main European rivers.
Sea Cloud Cruises has a fleet of two - the most upscale cruisers in Europe.
Sea Cloud often runs charters for other operators.
English and German announcements.
Tauck Cruises has several new ships and offers riverboat cruises in Europe and on the Nile and Yangtze Rivers.
One of the largest tour companies, as well.
Uniworld manages a very large fleet.
Offers cruises in Europe, Russia and China.
Tends toward American passengers.
Has it own dedicated river cruise line based in Europe.
Value World Tours uses chartered vessels for cruises in Europe, Egypt, the Balkans and Russia.
English announcements.
Offers tours in Europe, Burma, (Myanmar), Cambodia, China, Laos, Russia and the Ukraine.
Viking River Cruises is perhaps the world's largest river cruise company.
Offers a plethora of cruises throughout the world.
Problem is, a thorough study of several of them shows that they are all promoting the very same cruises.
Let's find out why.
In most cases, the river cruise companies - the people who actually own and operate the boats - have to set their schedules many months ahead.
The 2011 schedules will make it to the internet sometime late in 2010.
They have to take into account the weather, docking, loading and unloading, turnaround time, mechanical problems, crewing, etc.
etc.
In other words, it's quite a chore just to set up one simple week-long cruise.
Now multiply that by dozens of warm-weather weeks - plus some run well into the winter So, the river cruise companies set the schedule, choosing rivers, routes, dates, and length of cruise, which boat will go where, etc.
etc.
When you go through an agent or tour company, they are using the very same information you can get directly from the cruise operators.
Does it make sense to deal directly with the cruise company? Well, that depends, but they more than welcome your direct participation.
Cruise tour or travel agencies may lease a boat from a cruise company or, more than likely, will just sell the various itineraries offered by the cruise operators.
Some agencies may offer hundreds of possibilities, world-wide.
There are about a dozen major river cruise companies that handle a very, very large majority of the river cruises with their very own fleets.
However, the system has been reasonably perfected and is so seamless, that it's almost impossible to determine who owns what and why.
However, it doesn't make much difference and if you feel comfortable dealing with a reputable travel or river cruise agency, go for it.
The basic difference is that the travel or tour company usually deals with multiple cruise companies so they have a broader and more comprehensive list of possibilities.
A cruise company is usually limited to its own offerings.
To top it off, there has been a spate of mergers and buy-outs that have changed the face of the river cruising industry, hopefully to make a good product even better.
Keeping that in mind, here are the major river cruise companies listed in alphabetical order.
Many of these websites have pictures, diagrams, schedules, and sometimes videos.
They are quite informative and well done.
AMA Waterways River Cruises (Formerly Amadeus) Extreme luxury riverboat cruising in Europe, Russia, Portugal and Spain.
Arosa or A-rosa is marketed primarily to the German speaking market.
Expect occasional smoke filled rooms and public announcements in German.
Avalon Waterways is a new company formed by Globus and Cosmos.
Its cruises are intended for American passengers and American tastes.
Fleet operates in Europe, Egypt, and China.
CroisiEurope offers river cruises intended for French speaking passengers with other nationalities welcomed.
French food and French chefs add to the flavor.
As well as longer cruises, CroisiEurope offers several short (2, 3, 4, & 5 day) cruises on the Rhine and its tributaries.
Croisi offers river cruises throughout Europe, China and Vietnam/Cambodia, as well.
ewaterways is a new line that owns its own fleet and charters from others.
Offers riverboat cruises in Europe, China, Egypt, Thailand, Australia and canal barging in Scotland, England, Venice, Ireland, and, of course, France.
Grand Circle Travel basically serves retired Americans.
Highlights prime docking in the center of many cities.
Europe, Russia, and Egypt.
Imperial River Cruises has a fleet of ships that specializes in riverboat cruises in Russia and Ukraine.
Orient Express is more than a train ride.
They offer canal boat cruises primarily in France.
Luxurious accommodations on a riverboat cruise in Myanmar (formerly Burma).
Peter Deilmann River Cruises pioneered river cruising.
They build their own vessels and market primarily to North American, British, and German passengers.
They offer over 300 itineraries.
On board announcements are typically in English and German.
Scylla is a river cruise boat charter company.
Announcements in German.
Smoking permitted only on the open deck.
Its fleet is leased to others and operates on most of the main European rivers.
Sea Cloud Cruises has a fleet of two - the most upscale cruisers in Europe.
Sea Cloud often runs charters for other operators.
English and German announcements.
Tauck Cruises has several new ships and offers riverboat cruises in Europe and on the Nile and Yangtze Rivers.
One of the largest tour companies, as well.
Uniworld manages a very large fleet.
Offers cruises in Europe, Russia and China.
Tends toward American passengers.
Has it own dedicated river cruise line based in Europe.
Value World Tours uses chartered vessels for cruises in Europe, Egypt, the Balkans and Russia.
English announcements.
Offers tours in Europe, Burma, (Myanmar), Cambodia, China, Laos, Russia and the Ukraine.
Viking River Cruises is perhaps the world's largest river cruise company.
Offers a plethora of cruises throughout the world.