Above: The Crystal Mahler, Danube River, Austria

As well as tracing some of the world’s most storied landscapes, river cruises offer a convenient way to undertake itineraries that would otherwise be complicated and tiring. Vessels put into a different port each night, so passengers spend far more time ashore than they would typically on an ocean voyage. And aside from high levels of comfort and outstanding cuisine, the leading riverboats provide well-organized excursions and exclusive events, allowing passengers to have unique experiences and see unspoiled areas of a country that would otherwise be inaccessible.

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Above: The Crystal Mahler, Danube River, Austria