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!

In April, AmaWaterways will take delivery of their newest vessel: the elegantly appointed AmaCerto. While she may look similar to her sleek sisters at first glance, there’s no shortage of reasons to sail aboard her next spring.

Some staterooms aboard AmaCerto will feature a unique "twin balcony" concept. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways.

Capable of holding just 164 guests, the AmaCerto is based largely upon the successful AmaBella and AmaVerde, which joined the AmaWaterways fleet in 2010 and 2011, respectively. At 443 feet in length, the AmaCerto offers up all the fantastic features and amenities that made her predecessors such a hit with passengers.

Take the line’s Twin Balcony concept. Aboard AmaCerto, guests in Category AA, AB, BB and Suites are treated to staterooms that feature both French and full walk-out balconies, all within the same room. These rooms measure a very generous 210 to 235 square feet, while Suites come in at 350 square feet – an almost unheard of size among river cruise vessels.

Popular lounges, like the aft lounge aboard AmaDolce, return aboard the new AmaCerto. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways.

AmaCerto also offers staterooms equipped with a single French balcony. These Category C staterooms come in at a roomy 170 square feet – the same size as most staterooms on the lines’ other vessels. Down on the Piano Deck, accommodations featuring fixed windows replicate the feel of Oceanview staterooms found on deep-ocean cruise ships and represent an excellent choice for the budget-conscious.

Most other AmaWaterways vessels in Europe are 360 feet long, and with her expanded length, AmaCerto is able to offer her passengers a little more of, well, everything. In addition to an outdoor sun deck high atop the ship, one deck down on Violin Deck passengers can utilize the Massage and Hair Salon, the fitness room, or the cozy aft lounge. All the way forward, the main Lounge has been expanded to offer more seating and boasts stunning 180-degree views of the surrounding countryside.

One deck down, the Restaurant has also been expanded. Guests sailing aboard any AmaWaterways ship are treated to complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks with dinner, meaning you don’t have to worry about the cost of that glass of wine. You can simply enjoy the excellent food and the magnificent views.

Be the first to sail down the Danube aboard AmaCerto next year. Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways.

Other included niceties aboard AmaWaterways include complimentary internet access, a 24-hour specialty coffee and tea station, a heated swimming pool, an in-stateroom Infotainment centre offering first-run Hollywood movies, and even a passenger elevator, the presence of which can be rare among many river cruise ships.

So where is AmaCerto spending her maiden season in operation? Next year, you can experience this magnificent ship firsthand on the following itineraries:

For more information on AmaWaterways and the forthcoming AmaCerto, be sure to view our complete AmaWaterways fleet overview right here on River Cruise Advisor!

Everyone knows about the Panama Canal that connects the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean, but it’s likely you may not know about the engineering marvel that helped connect the Main (pronounced mine) with the Danube river, and in the process united a continent.

Viking Promadonna alongside beautiful Passau, Germany; here, thanks to the Main-Danube Canal. Photo courtesy of Viking River Cruises

The Rhine-Main-Danube Canal runs between Bamburg to Kelheim via the historic city of Nuremberg, but it’s a surprisingly recent addition to the German landscape. Although an early version of the canal existed prior to World War II, heavy damage during the war years resulted in the route’s abandonment by the 1950′s. A decade later it became obvious that shipping would greatly benefit from a direct connection between the two rivers, and plans for the canal were born.

By the time the last section was completed in 1992, the canal had grown to span a distance of 171 kilometers (106 miles). But this journey is anything but a straight line between two rivers; the canal rises and falls with the surrounding landscape and because of the extreme height differences between the two rivers, a total of 16 locks had to be constructed to alternately lift and lower ships along their journey.

At their highest point along the Continental Divide, the river exists 406 meters above sea level. So while the Panama Canal may be more famous, lock-lovers will be in heaven with a near-full day (or night) of transiting these unique, remotely operated structures, some of which can hold two ships at a time, while others are so narrow as to only permit one ship at a time.

Here’s how it works: Your ship maneuvers into the lock and ties up alongside, to prevent it from moving. Enormous metal doors at either end of the lock slowly shut, and the water level in the lock is either increased or decreased in order to move the ship up or down along the river, which is essentially like a giant aquatic staircase that starts just prior to Nuremberg and ends roughly at Regensburg to the east.

Stay up and enjoy the transit of the Main-Danube canal's many locks from the comfort of your stateroom or one of the ship's public rooms. Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways

So what does all this mean for you as a river cruiser? The transit of the Main-Danube Canal is an event you don’t want to miss. Be sure to keep your camera close at hand, particularly when your ship transits the locks and even sails over a highway! If your transit occurs at night, light sleepers beware: The ship can sometimes bump heavily against the walls of the lock, and the increase and decrease in propulsion will likely be noticeable in the aftermost staterooms.

All the more reason to stay up on deck or in a public room and enjoy this remarkable feat of engineering!