River Cruise Travel Expert | Europe & Beyond

Landing Beach at Normandy

River cruising is one of the most intimate, immersive ways to experience the world — and it has profoundly changed the way I see travel. From the art-lined banks of the Seine to the historic shores of Normandy, I plan river cruise journeys that go far beyond sightseeing and into something that stays with you long after you've come home.

Some travel experiences mark you permanently. For me, one of those moments happened on the beaches of Normandy.

I had dreamed of France since eighth grade — a French class where we recreated a Parisian patisserie, ate chocolate sandwiches, and first fell in love with French history, art, and architecture. Years later, sailing the Seine on a Viking river cruise, that childhood fascination became something far more profound. Onboard historians brought French culture, music, and art to life in ways no textbook ever could. And then we reached Normandy.

Standing in the American Cemetery, I was handed a rose to lay on the grave of a soldier — the same age as my oldest son, who today serves in the United States Air Force. Everything I had ever read about World War II, about the alliance between France and America, about the shared pursuit of democracy — it stopped being history and became something I felt in every part of me.

That is what river cruising does. It makes the world three-dimensional.

Why River Cruising? River cruises offer something that large ships simply cannot — intimacy, authenticity, and genuine connection. The ships are small, the itineraries are destination-driven, and the experience is designed for travelers who want to truly immerse themselves in the places they visit. You'll share meals with the same wonderful people each evening, learn from onboard experts, and wake up each morning in the heart of a new city.

My River Cruise Experience As a certified Viking and Avalon Waterways specialist, I bring firsthand knowledge to every river cruise I plan. I have sailed the Seine through the heart of France to the shores of Normandy with Viking, and in 2027 I'll be leading a group sailing on the Rhine with Avalon — a journey I am personally looking forward to with great anticipation.

What I Can Plan for You

• European river cruises — Seine, Rhine, Danube, and more
• Culturally immersive itineraries with history, art, and cuisine at their heart
• Group river cruise sailings
• Land extensions before or after your sailing
• First-time river cruise experiences for travelers transitioning from ocean cruising

Q: How is a river cruise different from an ocean cruise? A: River cruises are smaller, more intimate, and entirely destination focused. Instead of onboard entertainment and activity-driven days at sea, river cruising is about waking up in a new city every morning and spending your days fully immersed in the culture, history, and flavors of the region. It's a completely different pace — and for the right traveler, it's transformative.

Q: Who is river cruising best suited for? A: River cruising tends to resonate most with curious, culturally minded travelers — couples, empty nesters, and anyone who has done ocean cruises and is ready for something more immersive and intimate. If you love history, art, cuisine, and genuine connection with the places you visit, river cruising may be the best trip you ever take.

Ready to find out if river cruising is right for you? Let's have a conversation — I have a feeling it might change the way you see the world.