2022's Top 3 Scenic River Cruises You Must Experience

While travel options have been limited recently, 2022 promises a return to more adventurous journeys. Many cruise companies are adopting strict health and safety measures and offering smaller groups for a more personalized experience. If you've been longing to explore the waterways, here are three premier river cruises to consider in 2022.

Rhine River Adventure to Switzerland
Arena Travel offers a seven-night voyage aboard their elegant 4-star MS Arena. Departing from Cologne, UK, the journey travels along the Rhine Gorge, passing the famous Lorelei rock to Rüdesheim.

On day three, travelers arrive at Speyer to explore its museums and magnificent cathedrals. The cruise then visits Strasbourg and Basel, where guests can enjoy a day in the Swiss resort town of Lucerne. Additional stops include Breisach, Alsace, Mannheim, Heidelberg, and Mainz. The cruise departs in June and July 2022, with prices starting around $1500 per person.

Mekong River Expedition
This 16-night journey with Smithsonian Journeys covers three Southeast Asian nations: Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Highlights include exploring Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the world’s largest temple complexes.

Additionally, you can visit Wat Hanchey in Cambodia and Vietnamese towns like Sa Dec, Vin Long, and Tien Loi Island. The cruise begins in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, sailing in March 2022. Prices start at roughly $8000 for double occupancy; port fees are additional.

Blue Danube Exploration
This seven-night cruise along the Danube features stops in Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. Managed by AmaWaterways, the cruise departs from Budapest, with stops in Bratislava—famous for its historic castles—Vienna, Durnstein, Passau, Regensburg, and Nuremberg. The voyage launches in April 2022, with fares starting around $3400 per person.