Blue Water Blog

The River Rhine flows from the Swiss Alps through Germany to Holland, past cliff-top castles and terraced vineyards. In this article, we share our recommendations for the best towns and cities on the River Rhine, all of which feature on the itineraries of our popular Rhine River cruises.

If you are looking for a unique and authentic way to explore France then a Hotel Barge Holiday could be just what you are looking for. This article uncovers exactly what Hotel Barging is and our suggestions on which canals to cruise.

This magnificent holiday includes a Golden Triangle tour with hotel stays in India’s most luxurious hotels in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, before sailing on the Ganges Voyager II down the sacred River Ganges.

Read about our Exclusive 14-night, fully escorted cruise and safari holiday that explores the best Southern Africa has to offer, from Cape Town in South Africa to Lake Kariba and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

One of our cruise specialists, Samantha, recently joined an APT Danube River cruise onboard Travelmarvel Polaris. Read Samantha's blog as she explores Vienna, Durnstein, Melk and many other unique destinations on a memorable three night short break cruise

One of our cruise specialists, Emmy, was lucky enough to join Ponant on an adventure of a lifetime to Spitsbergen. Read Emmy's blog for a full insight into how truly amazing this journey was.

On Wednesday 5th July on ITV1, Joanna Lumley is embarking on her most epic voyage to date, the Spice Trail, on which she'll be exploring Indonesia, Zanzibar, India and Madagascar to gain a full insight of the age-old tale that is the spice trade...

We asked Julie Nunes from Silversea about why cruising the Galapagos Islands is an experience you will never forget!

Football lovers, foodies, and shopaholics unite as we tell you all about one of South America's greatest gems, Buenos Aires. This thriving cosmopolitan city has so much to offer from world-class steak to the unforgettable Tango tradition, you will never be bored when in this bustling corner of the world.

At Blue Water Holidays we are experts when it comes to river cruising. From tips on when to book to shore excursions, this article contains everything you need to know about river cruising.

The three new river ships will shine bright, like the stars they were named after: Polaris, Capella and Vega. Combining state-of-the-art design with more dining options and social spaces, these contemporary river ships offer a relaxed new standard of cruise.

I have been very lucky in my time at Blue Water Holidays to have taken some wonderful trips, but when I received this invitation, it really did feel like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I had been asked to spend three nights onboard the Star Clipper sailing the Amalfi coast in Italy stopping at Amalfi, Sorrento and Ponza!

Just a small selection of cruises to Europe’s finest gardens, from France to the Netherlands, Scotland and beyond, there is a cruise to tempt all keen horticulturalists.

Whereabouts in the Mediterranean can you find an unspoiled island with astounding natural beauty, quirky towns, vibrant small cities and a fascinating history? This island gem off the coast of Italy has myriad attractions and relatively few tourists!

A sparkling jewel in the Caribbean, Barbados is on every must-visit list. A colourful fusion of the Caribbean’s best beaches, colonial history, spectacular scenery and a mouth-watering cuisine, Barbados has something for everyone. Why not extend your Caribbean cruise with a few days on this beautiful island, where the superb resorts, dramatic east coast and white-sand west coast offer a multitude of exciting and unique ways to pass the time. Read our guide on the top things to do in Barbados.

Cruising in the Middle East brings a sense of luxury with the region’s 5-star amenities, sun-drenched beaches, and culture-rich cities. Relax on pristine beaches, splash out in air-conditioned malls, or haggle at authentic souks. There is warm sun all year round and many opportunities to check off a number of items on your bucket list.

With its picture-perfect white-washed towns, gleaming sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, it’s no surprise that Greece is a favourite destination for film-makers. Many famous films have been set and filmed in the Greek Islands, and here are just some of our favourites.

Norway is one of our most popular cruise destinations and it is easy to see why. Spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, summer’s Midnight Sun and winter’s magical Northern Lights are just a few things that make this exquisite country one of our favourites too. Read our top 10 reasons to visit Norway for even more destination highlights

Looking to book a river cruise but aren’t sure when to travel? The good news is that there isn’t a wrong choice, as every season offers something different. The bad news is that doesn’t make your decision any easier! Read our top tips for choosing which season and river will suit you.

Sales Supervisor Rebecca and Marketing Executive Laura recently joined Uniworld's Authentic Danube river cruise. Read on to find out what to expect on a Uniworld river cruise!

Our Product and Marketing Manager, Kathryn, recently enjoyed Emerald Waterway's Danube Delights cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg. Read her exclusive review!

Samantha, one of our cruising specialists, recently enjoyed Avalon Waterway's Active and Discovery on the Rhine river cruise. Read her exclusive review!

Our Cruise Specialist, Emmy, recently enjoyed a river cruise through Holland and Belgium on board Emerald Waterways' 182-passenger ship, Emerald Star. Read her exclusive review!

The incredible Seven Wonders of the Modern World are architectural marvels, some built by ancient empires and others relatively more recently but no less impressive. Spread across the globe, they can all be visited whilst enjoying a cruise.

We have just released our superb Escape to Faraway Shores brochure, featuring a selection of our exotic river, small ship and luxury cruises that travel to far-flung lands, all with fantastic offers.

Cruising is the perfect way to experience Norway’s contrasting seasons. Hurtigruten’s small ships have been sailing the breathtaking Norwegian coastline for 125 years and continue to offer authentic voyages, departing daily all year round.

Magical Iceland is still being shaped by mighty forces; geysers gush, volcanoes rumble, waterfalls cascade down majestic mountains and huge glaciers carve great pathways through the landscape.

Regent Seven Seas believe that travel should not be a reason to compromise.

Cruising Specialist Karen was lucky enough to be invited on board Viking Cruises' superb ocean ship Viking Sun when she docked in Liverpool.

Staying in shape and keeping fit whilst on a river cruise may seem like a challenging task!

Cruise in style and comfort to remote corners of the world in search of exciting wildlife.

Discover six of our favourite reasons to cruise, then call our cruising specialists on 01756 706537 to secure your cabin today!

Our Cruising Specialist, Ann, recently enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Canada and the America East Coast on board Hurtigruten's expedition ship Fram. Read her exclusive review:

Our Product and Marketing Manager, Kathryn, recently enjoyed a Christmas Markets River Rhine Cruise with AmaWaterways. Read her exclusive review:

One of our customers recently enjoyed her first river cruise, joining the luxurious AmaPrima on a Rhine Christmas Markets itinerary. Read her exclusive review.

Our Cruising Specialists, Karen and Fay, recently enjoyed a luxury, all-inclusive Scotland cruise on 50-passenger Hebridean Princess. Read their exclusive review.

Our Cruising Specialist, Ann, recently enjoyed a cruise along the River Rhine on Riviera Travel’s stunning new ship, Oscar Wilde. Read her exclusive review.

Sarah in our Sales Support team recently joined Cruise and Maritime's flagship, Columbus, for a Scotland and Faroe Islands cruise. Read her exclusive review.

Our Marketing Executive, Laura, and Cruising Specialist, Jade, recently enjoyed a cruise along the beautiful River Rhine, courtesy of Amadeus River Cruises. Read their exclusive review.

Our Cruising Specialist, Jade and Marketing Executive, Margaret, were lucky enough to be invited onboard Hurtigruten's refurbished expedition ship Midnatsol when she docked in Edinburgh Leith.

Our Product and Marketing Coordinator, Kathryn recently enjoyed a trip exploring Spitsbergen with Hurtigruten in the winter. Read her exclusive review.

Our Cruise Specialist Sam recently enjoyed a Travelmarvel by APT tour through Vietnam and Cambodia. Read her exclusive review.

European city tours are becoming increasingly popular with UK tourists, but most of us don’t visit the same city twice. We've discovered some interesting places and unusual activites for those who have seen the most famous landmarks in our top five cities

Incredible India - the official slogan is entirely accurate. India has amazing sights, sounds and smells to assault the senses like no other country.

We had visited Vietnam on a sea cruise, but felt we had barely seen the country. So we were keen to go on the Mekong river through the heart of Vietnam and Cambodia, and particularly to see Angkor Wat at Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

Read the Blue Water Reviews of the Mekong

Heather and Jade, two of our cruising specialists, were lucky enough to be invited on an all-inclusive cruise along the River Seine on the luxurious Scenic Gem.

Our cruise specialist Sam has recently returned from her River Seine cruise with Avalon Waterways

Ann, one of our cruising specialists, was recently invited to experience Star Clipper in the Greek Islands and she shares her amazing experience with us.

Sam, one of our Cruising Specalists was lucky enough to be invited on Scenic Jasper's inaugural sailing from Amsterdam along the Dutch waterways. Read her exclusive review.

I was most excitied to be taking my first cruise with Viking River Cruises and would be sailing from Budapest to Passau over 4 nights on part of their Romantic Danube itinerary.

Asia has a lot to offer, from ancient cities to ornate pagodas and breathtaking natural wonders. There is so much to see but we've handpicked our top three sights along four fascinating rivers; the Mekong, Yangtze, Irrawaddy and Ganges.

I have spent several years trying to convince my partner to accompany me on a river cruise, as despite the stereotype that they are for the older generation, I knew he would love river cruising just as much as I do even though we are in our 30s.

A relaxed island-hopping cruise on Panorama II is the best way to enjoy the private yacht experience. Read our review of a 7-night cruise around the stunning Greek Islands.

Read an exclusive review of a 7-night river cruise from Paris along the beautiful River Seine which is renowned for inspiring many Impressionist artists

According to our latest figures, Mekong river cruises are becoming increasingly popular whilst Rhine River Cruises remain the most popular overall

The Danube is one of Europe's most popular rivers and it's not surprising! With its art, history, scenery and fascinating capital cities, it is a delight to explore. Read Ann's blog about her cruise from Vienna to Budapest on board the brand new Scenic Jade.

All eyes will be on Brazil this year with the annual Rio Carnival starting on Friday and the FIFA World Cup kicking off on the 12th June.

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, why not treat your loved one to a romantic break. We've put together our top 3 'loved up' holiday destinations that are sure to impress that special person in your life!

As a fan of French culture and wines, in particular the reds of the Bordeaux area, this CroisiEurope river cruise exploring the chateaux and vineyards of south-west France proved an excellent holiday choice.

Explore the idyllic Caribbean islands of Antigua, St Kitts and Martinique on a spectacular voyage under full sail. Read Sam's review of her sailing holiday on five-masted tall ship Royal Clipper.

A Mississippi river cruise lets you step back in time to the grand era of steamboating on an authentic paddlewheeler, cruising through America's Deep South. Read our customer's review cruise from their Mississippi holiday

Read our Diary of a week exploring the Treasure Islands of the Caribbean onboard sailing ship Star Clipper.

Holiday of a lifetime - we saw the Northern Lights on five separate nights which fulfilled a life long ambition and left us speechless each time.

The best way to explore the romantic city of Venice and its picturesque Lagoon is on a luxury river cruise. Read our customer's diary about their holiday.

With her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge christening the Royal Princess in Southampton, we were honoured to spend a preview night on board this superb new ship.

A city cruise break is an ideal way to explore the romantic city of Venice and its lagoons. Moor in the heart of Venice and explore the highlights including St Mark’s Square and Burano.

With such a wealth of history and culture in the Mediterranean, we have picked out our favourite five UNESCO World Heritage Sites to help you decide where to start.

The South of France is renowned for its gastronomic delights and magnificent vineyards. We have put together our favourite menus from Burgundy and Provence.

So you want to relax on a beach, he fancies water sports, but you want to spend romantic evenings together? Don't worry, we’ve put together our Top 5 Honeymoon destinations.

Everyone who has been to Greece has a favourite Greek island. The team at Blue Water Holidays has selected three of our favourites.