Alaska
Canada
Central America, Mexico & Cuba
The Galapagos Islands
South America
Antarctica
The Arctic
North Africa
Arabia
Africa
Indian Ocean
Indian Sub
North Asia & Russia
Southeast Asia
Australasia
Take a relaxing and comfortable cruise on one of the world's great rivers such as the Amazon, Nile or Mekong and observe everyday life, wildlife and scenery at an easy pace.
Request a Brochure
Mekhala Rice Barge, Bangkok, Thailand
There are various pros and cons when it comes to boat size and so we have split these options into two categories and summarised the benefits of both types.
Of course, this is only a guide and there will be some crossover between the two categories. For example, the Steam Ship Sudan, which cruises the River Nile in Egypt, has just 23 cabins and so is not particularly large. It also has bags of character as it was the boat Agatha Christie traveller on and which inspired her to write Death on the Nile, of which scenes from the movie were actually filmed onboard the boat.
Small boats can access smaller rivers and obtain close-up views that larger boats simply can't offer plus there is generally more of a friendly conviviality on board. They often provide more character as well: they might be converted from traditional local boats, such as rice barges, or date back as far as the 19th century.
Large boats can offer an extensive range of activities and facilities not possible on smaller boats, such as restaurants, swimming pools and even jacuzzis. Some are more like floating hotels than boats and you want for almost nothing, but of course, they lack the character and intimacy of smaller boats.
Built upon the original 50-year-old solid teak hull, the Manohra Song features four air-conditioned bedrooms with queen-size beds, en suite bathrooms, an expansive saloon living and dining area.
The Mekhala is fully self-contained and offers individual air-conditioned cabins with double beds, a dressing table, wardrobe and storage lockers.
The RV River Kwai combines the grandest luxuries of the colonial era with ten wood-lined, deluxe air-conditioned cabins, with a window looking out over the river.
A beautifully crafted wooden boat, the R/V Bassac offers comfortable twin cabins with en suite bathrooms, a sun deck and a superb restaurant with bar.
This fine replica of an original 1920s river steamer has teak-lined twin cabins, all with air-con, en-suite shower and bathroom.
The M/V Sepik Spirit is a fully air-conditioned 30-metre boat, specifically designed to cruise the shallow inland waterways of Papua New Guinea.
The MV Aqua has 12 oversized guest suites, including four 180° panoramic master suites, featuring en suite sitting areas and outward-facing panoramic windows.
The most exclusive vessel operating the waters of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve in Peru, the Delfin offers just four luxurious, spacious cabins, excellent on-board facilities and opportunities to spot wildlife and meet local indigenous communities.
Locally known as 'kettuvallam', these craft have been converted into simple, furnished houseboats with en-suite bedrooms, an open lounge and eating area, a deck and kitchenette.
This Oberoi cruise boat offers three days of luxury on the tranquil waterways of Kerala. There are just eight luxury cabins on the lower deck, each with great views.
The Charaidew is a 38m long passenger boat which has been converted to offer twelve air-conditioned en suite cabins on the upper deck.
The Sukapha is a new 38m long passenger boat with 12 twin bed cabins each with private bathroom. All cabins are on the top deck where the best views can be had.
Built in 1885, for King Fouad, this steamship has had many eminent guests over the years. Agatha Christie was inspired to write Death on the Nile after travelling on the boat and decades...
The M/S Eugenie is run by a company called "Belle Epoque", a suitable name as the vessel evokes all the grandeur of fin-de-siecle travel. Larger than the vessels that cruise the...
One of only eight boats cruising on Lake Nasser, the Kasr Ibrim is an Art Deco masterpiece, recreating the look of a 1920's paddle steamer. Curved wooden furniture, cream décor and...
Built as the sister ship to the Royal Lotus, the Lily was launched towards the end of 2007 and offers the same great services and standards that have become synonymous with the Lotus. ...
The Movenpick Royal Lotus is the newest addition to the Movenpick fleet, with sixty cabins and two royal suites. All cabins have a spacious en suite bathroom & have AC, television, mini...
The Oberoi Zahra sets new standards in luxury for those cruising the Nile, and outstrips its rivals in its intimate atmosphere on board and its comfort and luxury. There are...
One of the newest ships on the Nile is the luxurious St. George I, with 49 well-appointed cabins and 10 spacious suites. The boat has a large range of facilities and offers great...
The MS Tolstoy is one of the more comfortable ships cruising on Russia's rivers.