River Cruise Specialist

Marksburg Castle on the Rhine River

River cruising, in my experience, is one of the most rewarding ways to explore the world, especially throughout Europe. Imagine waking each morning in a new city, stepping off the ship directly into the heart of your destination, and spending your day immersed in its history, architecture, and culture. With thoughtfully curated excursions and walkable city-center docking, river cruising removes the stress of travel and replaces it with effortless discovery.

One of the defining features of river cruising is its intimate scale. Most ships host between 100 and 170 guests, creating a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere both onboard and during excursions. I have personally sailed multiple times with Avalon Waterways, my preferred partner, known for their spacious Panorama Suites offering approximately 200 square feet of comfort and open-air views. With fewer passengers, every experience, from dining to guided tours, feels more personal and refined.

My first river cruise journey followed the iconic Romantic Rhine, sailing from Basel (near Zurich) to Amsterdam. Along the way, I explored storybook cities like Speyer, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, and Cologne. The highlight was cruising through the Rhine Gorge, where more than 25 castles rise dramatically along the riverbanks, creating a living tapestry of history during a scenic stretch of just a few hours.Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to sail along the Rhine, Seine, Moselle, Main, Saône, and Rhône rivers, traveling through France, Germany, and Luxembourg. Each river offers its own personality, from vineyard-lined valleys to grand historic capitals, making every itinerary distinct and memorable.

River cruising truly welcomes a wide range of travelers. My husband Jeff and I, in our mid-fifties, have found the on board community to be wonderfully balanced, typically ranging from ages 40 to 80. With excursion styles that include active, discovery, and classic options, guests can tailor each day to match their preferred pace, whether that means a guided bike ride, a cultural deep dive, or a leisurely stroll through a charming town square.

While Avalon Waterways remains my top recommendation, I am also extensively trained with Viking, AmaWaterways, and Tauck. This allows me to thoughtfully match each client with the right cruise line, itinerary, and onboard experience based on their personal travel style and expectations.

River cruising isn’t just a vacation, it’s a seamless journey through some of the world’s most fascinating landscapes and cultures. My goal is to share that experience with you and guide you to the perfect itinerary, so you can step aboard with confidence and return home with stories that stay with you for years to come.