Many experienced deep-ocean cruisers might initially be surprised to learn that not all river cruise ships feature an elevator for passenger use. After all, with most spanning a maximum height of three decks, there’s little need for one – unless you happen to need that elevator.

AmaWaterways' AmaDolce features an elevator that traverses two decks. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

Guests with mobility issues depend on passenger elevators to transport them between decks, narrowing the options for those dependent on scooters or wheelchairs to get around. Fortunately, the vast majority of river cruise lines seem to understand this, and most newly-built river cruise ships feature passenger elevators.

While I was sailing onboard AmaWaterways’ AmaLyra this past December, a reader with mobility issues emailed me to ask how someone who requires a scooter to get around would fare on a river cruise. As it turns out, the necessity of a scooter didn’t seem to be an issue at all for one guest on my sailing. She was able to traverse the ship using the passenger elevator, and was helped ashore with her scooter, where it was loaded into the storage bay of the motorcoach for touring.  It was then removed at every stop by the bus driver, and she scooted off to explore places like Nuremberg, Melk and Vienna with the rest of us.

Now, this lady was able to walk with some assistance, which I would imagine is a necessity in ports with low tides and steep gangway inclines. It is always important to gauge your own level of comfort, particularly in Europe where uneven cobblestone streets can be the norm.

The vast majority of newly-built river cruise ships feature passenger elevators. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

In order to better assist our readers, we’ve put together the following list of river cruise lines and have noted where applicable those ships lacking a passenger elevator.  Thankfully, most do include one, making river cruising a highly accessible and enjoyable mode of exploration for everyone.

AmaWaterways

• Every AmaWaterways ship includes a passenger elevator.

Avalon Waterways

• Avalon Tranquility, Avalon Imagery, and Avalon Tapestry do not have passenger elevators.

Tauck River Cruises

• Every Tauck River Cruises vessel includes a passenger elevator.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

• River Ambassador and River Baroness lack passenger elevators.

Viking River Cruises

•  Viking’s newest vessels, as well as their recently-refitted Russian fleet, offer passenger elevators.

For more information on each of the river cruise lines listed above, be sure to click their name for our full fleet and line overviews!

River cruising has exploded in popularity like never before. Not only can you sail the waterways of Europe, but prospective guests can also explore the mysteries hidden within Egypt’s Nile, Russia’s Volga, and Asia’s mighty Yangtze and Mekong rivers. Not content to rest on their laurels, California-based AmaWaterways wants you to consider a new destination: Africa.

The magic of Africa is featured on three new itineraries from AmaWaterways. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways

Debuting this summer aboard the brand-new, 28-guest Zambezi Queen, AmaWaterways is offering three distinct African itineraries: the 16-day Stars of Africa; the 16-day Africa Sunsets; and the immersive, 19-night Golden Trails of Africa.

In Stars of Africa, guests will enjoy three nights in the beautiful city of Cape Town, three nights in Kruger National Park Area and one night in Johannesburg before embarking for four nights aboard the Zambezi Queen, ending with a two-night stay in breathtaking Victoria Falls. Known as “The Smoke that Thunders”, Victoria Falls is notable for its beautiful, 355-foot high sheet of cascading water.

All three new itineraries feature a four-night safari voyage aboard the 28-guest Zambezi Queen. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways.

African Sunsets includes 16 days of exploration on this beautiful continent. Three nights are spent in Cape Town before travelling to Okavango Delta for two nights. Okavango is the world’s largest inland delta, and one of the richest permanent and non-permanent settlements of wildlife. Upwards of four hundred species of birds and over 70 species of fish can be found here.  After that, it’s off to Savute for two nights before embarking Zambezi Queen for your four-day safari cruise.  This itinerary also ends with two nights in spectacular Victoria Falls.

One of the well-appointed suites aboard the Zambezi Queen. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways

But the grandest journey of all may be AmaWaterways’ 19-night Golden Trails of Africa. Beginning with one night in Nairobi, guests will spend eight nights at game reserves in Amboseli, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti; one night in Johannesburg, followed by four nights aboard the Zambezi Queen and two nights in Victoria Falls. If you’ve always dreamed of seeing the breathtaking wildlife of Africa up-close and personal, this is the trip for you.

“Africa is a popular destination spot that provides so many natural activities,” said AmaWaterways’ Executive Vice President and Co-Owner Kristin Karst. “AmaWaterways is always looking for ways to wow our guests and the safari itineraries do not disappoint. Africa’s diverse wildlife, sweeping plains and towering peaks make it the perfect place for an exciting vacation.”

Even Jack Hanna, host of the hit TV show, Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild, was impressed with AmaWaterways new product, which was featured on a recent episode of his show.

“I highly recommend the Zambezi Queen. It’s a must. Anyone that’s looking to cross something off a bucket list or a way to travel in Africa, this is the way to go,” said Hanna. “From dining to the resting area to the accommodations and the wonderful staff and riverboat guides that get you up close to the wildlife,  everything is top-notch and beyond five star. I’ve done this for 26 years now and this has been the epitome for me and my family to be on this magnificent vessel.”

For more information on AmaWaterways and their new African itineraries, be sure to check out our complete AmaWaterways profile here on River Cruise Advisor, and watch for our profile of the Zambezi Queen, coming soon!

I will admit it: Before I had taken my first river cruise, I had my doubts. Would I enjoy it? Would I be bored? Would it be too laid back? Even though I have 25+ deep ocean cruises under my nautical belt, I still wondered about river cruising and whether it was right for me.

I shouldn’t have worried.

From start to finish, the entire experience left me spellbound. It was every bit as entertaining as the best deep-ocean cruise, and just as infectious. And the ability to visit some of the most beautiful and historic cities in Europe was just the icing on the cake.

If you’re reading this and you’re a seasoned river cruiser, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. But if you’re pouring over this site and are on the fence about river cruising in general, let us show you the way as we take you through Five Reasons to River Cruise in 2012:

1. New Ships

The beautiful new S.S Antoinette is the crown jewel of the Uniworld fleet. Photo courtesy of Uniworld.

We’ve touched on this here before: 2012 is poised to be an unparalleled year for river cruising, thanks to a number of new ships coming online. And more ships means more choices than ever before, both onboard and off. Gone are the days of river cruise ships with cramped staterooms and a lack of amenities; these new high-tech vessels are giving even the most brilliant deep-ocean cruise ships a run for their money.

2. New Itineraries

Ever wanted to sail through China? There's a river cruise for that. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Have you ever wanted to Africa? How about Portugal’s Douro Valley? Or the mighty Mekong, which traverses Vietnam and Cambodia? River cruises are no longer offered only along the waterways of Europe; today, you can sail to all of the above destinations in addition to sailings that explore Russia, the Black Sea, Egypt, and even China. Looking for adventure? Look no further: Many of these sailings can be combined with pre-and-post cruise overland journeys. Our favorites for 2012: AmaWaterways‘ new adventures in Africa, and Viking River Cruises‘ stunning 16-day Roof of the World itinerary that includes an overland journey to historic Lhasa.

3. Convenience

River cruise ships typically dock within walking distance of most towns. Tauck's Swiss Jewel and AmaWaterways' AmaLyra are shown here in Passau, Germany. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

The best reason to river cruise, in my opinion, is the same reason deep-ocean cruises are such an amazing vacation choice: You arrive, unpack once, and sleep in the same bed for seven days. There’s no changing hotels at 6am, or hopping onto or off of motorcoaches at inhumane hours. Instead, all you have to do is sit back, relax, and let the crew of your river cruise vessel do the work. Every day is like a new adventure as you wake up to “magically” find yourself somewhere else.

4. Europe is cooling

Because of the falling Euro, this €5 cocktail will take less from your wallet than before. Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

I’m not talking about temperature; the recent challenges within the European Union have seen the Euro drop to new record lows against the United States and Canadian dollars. Australians too are getting a bargain in Europe, and while that can spell trouble for the European Union, for the meantime it means river cruising through Europe – where onboard accounts are charged in Euros – has never been more accessible for non-Europeans.

5. Unprecedented Deals

Cruising during the off-summer months can save you money and hold some surprises, too - like Vienna decorated for Christmas! Photo © 2011 Aaron Saunders

We want you to river cruise because we believe it’s one of the absolute best ways to see Europe. River cruise lines want you to come to Europe for exactly the same reason – that, and they would like to fill their ships. With the additional capacity coming on-line this year, coupled with the falling Euro, expect to see some great deals on river cruises this year, particularly if you can participate in off-peak runs.

It’s been an exciting decade for river cruising, and 2012 is poised to be the year it all breaks wide open!