Whilst the average age of a river cruiser is currently somewhere around 60, the number continues to fall as cruise lines look for more ways to attract millennials to the waterways of the world. Last year, we wrote a blog post about all the things attracting this younger audience to river cruising and it seems the trend is continuing. Whether they are creating new brands, like Uniworld, offering special sailings for multi-generational families, like Tauck, or simply providing more activities that younger people might be interested in, like APT, many of the top operators are branching out to a new consumer base.

Something New For U

U by Uniworld is one such brand aiming to draw a new crowd. Details were released recently regarding how they plan to do this and the itineraries sound very exciting. There are four in total - one Seine river cruise from Paris and three on the Rhine between Amsterdam and Budapest – and all are set to sail in 2018. Some of the features include Saturday-Saturday sailings so that limited time off from work is needed and overnight stays in port so that travellers can experience the nightlife in certain destinations.

A range of shore excursions will be offered as usual, with activities tweaked for the 18 to 40 age bracket. Possible options will include brewery tours with beer tasting, cycling and kayaking trips and graffiti tours of Paris. You will also be given the opportunity to ‘do as U please’ in each destination by exploring on your own. On board the ship, there will be DJs setting the mood in the evenings, hammocks and bean bags for relaxing during the day and cookery classes led by passionate chefs.

The cruises will take place on board River Baroness and River Ambassador and both ships will have single, double and triple cabins available.

A Beast-Themed Feast

Meanwhile, over at AmaWaterways, Adventures by Disney have launched a special Beauty and the Beast themed itinerary for 2018. Capitalising on the excitement around the new live-action film, the Disney-owned travel brand will take guests to French towns and villages along the Seine on six different sailings. Upon stopping in Riquewihr, you will realise the similarities with the quintessential town that Belle is from in the film. On board, you will indulge in food inspired by the film, especially during the Beauty and the Beast-themed dinner, and there will be screenings of both the original animation and the new incarnation of the much-loved movie.

Adventures by Disney began partnering with AmaWaterways in 2016 when they came together to offer a type of cruise that would appeal to all ages. Other sailings that are part of the 2018 program include epicurean discoveries along the Rhine and special Oktoberfest departures on the Danube.

If you would like more information on either of these exciting options for 2018, call our team today. We can help you find the right itinerary to suit your dates and even book pre and post-cruise stays.