Is This REALLY The End Of River Cruising As We Know It?

Michelle’s Personal Douro River Photo

I read an article the other day titled “Is This The End Of River Cruising As We Know It?, by Ralph Grizzle”.

It’s quite the sensational headline, but it caught my eye, and I’m glad I read it because I found that the writer’s thoughts are what mine have been for a long time now, and that is the pandemic will eventually turn into an endemic, and living with COVID-19 will be our New Normal, if you will.  

So, now you’re probably thinking, “Michelle, that doesn’t really answer the question though”, is this REALLY the end of river cruising as we know it?  Not at all!  In fact, it’s having the opposite effect.  River cruising is not only still attracting loyal river cruisers, but it’s attracting a lot more first-time river cruisers as well, because guests are feeling safer sailing on small ships. 

Although no system can eliminate all risks, river cruise companies are doing everything in their power to make sure each crew member and guest is Covid-19 free at the end of their journey by having strict protocols in place.  For Example:

From Summer to late December, Avalon Waterways operated more than 100 sailings and they tested every cruise passenger in preparation for their journey home, and guess what, by late December there were zero, yes, zero, positive Covid-19 cases aboard any of its ships, not 1 crew member or guest tested positive in 2021.  Impressive, right?

My first-hand experience taking a river cruise during the pandemic was when I had the honor of sailing with Scenic down the Douro back in August/early-September 2021.  Testing was a big focus.  In fact, we were tested 3 times:  Once before departing the U.S. for Porto, Portugal; Once before boarding the beautiful Scenic Azure (complimentary testing at the dock); and once more before disembarking for my flight back home to Boston, MA (this too was complimentary).  I can tell you that no one, not one crew member or guest tested positive. 

Scenic, like the many river cruise companies have very specific protocols in place:

1)    Everyone was tested right before embarkation

2)    Masks were required to be worn indoors, at all times, except when seated for dinner or in the lounge

3)    Before embarking the ship after a tour, not only was our temperature taken, but we had to sanitize our hands as well

4)    Hand sanitizer was strategically placed throughout the ship, and it was also provided to us daily in our rooms.

5)    Enhanced Cleaning - frequent and high standard cleaning protocols were in place in public areas and suites, ensuring all surfaces and spaces were kept clean.

I also believe there is another factor that helps keep a COVID-19 breakout from happening on a river cruise, and that is the intimacy of a river cruise ship allows us to make deeper connections with most guests and crew.  By the end of a river cruise you get to know a lot of folks very well because you’ll have dined with them, you’ll have had drinks with them, and you’ll have toured with them for at least a week. And those you didn’t get to know on a deeper level you’ll have at least said “hello” several times during the cruise.  I guess my point is, the new friends you’ll make, those deeper connections, will make you want to ensure everyone gets home safely, so you’ll happily comply with all protocols, I know we did.

The great news is we are seeing that there is a big demand for European River Cruising, and we’re seeing U.S. Rivers becoming more popular as well, especially for those travelers who aren’t quite ready to travel internationally.  So, my question to you is, which river do you want to sail down?  If you don’t know, no worries, Lisa and I are ready to help you, no matter if this is your first river cruise or your next river cruise adventure.