There seems to be a perpetual building boom in the ocean cruise ship market, but not to be overlooked are the vast number of riverboats being constructed for 2020 as well.
These new river cruiser ships, from several lines, are on track to sail a wide variety of domestic and international destinations themselves.
AmaWaterways
Following a busy 2019 that saw the launch of three riverboats including the double-wide AmaMagna, AmaWaterways will introduce AmaSiena in July 2020. AmaSiena will be a sister ship to the 2019-built AmaMora, which was made to comfortably carry 156 passengers in a total of 78 staterooms within Europe.
American Cruise Lines
For clients who prefer not to fly across the pond, American Cruise Lines has another new riverboat coming online this year that will set sail along the lower Mississippi River. It will be a sister ship to predecessors American Harmony and American Song, featuring a convenient opening bow and retractable gangway come August.
American Queen Steamboat Company
Also scheduled to start sailing along the Mississippi River, but in April, is American Queen Steamboat Company’s American Countess. The new paddlewheeler will represent a substantial rebuild and lengthening of the former Kanesville Queen casino boat, making it an ideal product for traveling groups.
Aqua Expeditions
More exotic and ready to sail the Amazon River by October will be Aqua Expeditions’ Aqua Nera newbuild. The modern Peru-registered vessel will feature 20 suites for 40 passengers departing from Iquitos, Peru, toward the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
Avalon Waterways
Preparing to welcome its own new sister Suite Ship is Avalon Waterways. The 166-guest Avalon View will be christened by television personality Meredith Vieira on April 6 in Ybbs, Austria, following last year’s Avalon Envision. The main feature will be the line’s hallmark Panorama Suites with open-air balconies.
A rendering of Victory Sabrina
Credit: 2020 Victoria Cruise LinesRiviera River Cruises
Continuing to expand in the American market is the U.K.-based Riviera River Cruises, which will launch the new all-suite Geoffrey Chaucer, ready to accommodate 169 passengers this spring. What’s more, the successful brand is taking European bookings in 2020 only via travel advisors.
Tauck
Tauck is also growing with its new Andorinha on the Douro River beginning in April. The line features a capacity of just 84 guests, allowing for more space in public spaces, private staterooms and a dozen 300-square-foot Tauck Suites.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has a trio of brand-new ships scheduled for 2020. As of January, Mekong Jewel on the Mekong is already sailing. S.S. Sphinx will launch this fall on the Nile, and another Super Ship — the Sao Gabriel — is scheduled for April on the Douro.
Victoria Cruise Lines
Victoria Cruise Lines may be lesser known, but it plans to introduce the next largest riverboat in the world this year: the Victoria Sabrina. Measuring in at 492 feet long and 71 feet wide across six decks, it will even best the size of AmaMagna when it sails in China along the Yangtze River starting in April. The bigger vessel will take advantage of the increased water levels since the Three Gorges Dam was built.
Viking
Viking also has an Egyptian riverboat coming out. The all-new Viking Osiris will join the existing Viking Ra in May. Plus, two more of the line’s signature Viking Longships — Viking Gersemi and Viking Hervor — will sail on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers while four scaled-down variants will embark along the Seine. Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga will each carry 168 guests in 84 staterooms.
