River cruising is one of the most exciting and innovative ways to travel the world. River cruising is an unforgettable experience suitable for people of all ages, including families traveling with children, seniors enjoying their long-awaited retirement dream trip, students backpacking across Europe, and more.

The global map is teeming with well-known and largely unknown bodies of water, with oceans, lakes, rivers, straits, and canals just waiting to be explored and discovered. Sailing the world’s rivers will literally take you all over the map, including diverse and exotic places such as the Yaroslavl River in Russia, the River Po in Rome, the Murray River in Australia, the Rajang River in Borneo, and more.

There is more than one way to cross the waterways of the world. Cruising in a luxury ship along the French Riviera in the south of France is highly popular, as is sailing the Danube River in what is known as a boutique boat. You can also chart a yacht, rent a hotel barge, paddle in a canoe or kayak, or sail the seas in a paddle streamer, tug boat, or longboat.

If the notion of cruising the world’s rivers appeals to you, here is some information about some of most powerful and prestigious rivers to include on your travel itinerary:

Brahmaputra River: The Brahmaputra River measures 1,800 miles in length and is closely associated with the region of Bangladesh. It begins in Tibet, meanders through the Himalayas and Assam Valley, and ends in Bangladesh. When the snow on the Himalayas melts in the springtime, this river has been known to overflow, causing severe flood damage. It is best known for its strong tidal waves called tidal bares, which travel against the direction of the current.

Congo River: This African river is 2,992 miles long and is also known as the Zaire. The Congo is the most powerful river in Africa, beginning quietly near Lake Tanganyika and gradually picking up speed until the waters become dangerous rapids.

Yangtze River: The Yangtze is Asia’s longest river and the third longest in the world. It is about 4,000 miles long and its strong tides have been known to create massive, devastating floods. The river is mostly used for transport and electricity.

Nile River: Measuring about 4,160 miles in length (6,695 kilometers), the Nile River is the longest river in Africa and in the world. The Nile is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, and throughout the ages until modern times has served as Egypt’s main source of food, water, and trade. If you’re visiting Egypt, be sure to ask your Egypt tour operator about Nile River cruises, which are a great way to visit all the major cities of the country. Most Nile cruises begin and end in Luxor, however you can embark and disembark from any number of ports.

Amazon River: The Amazon River in South America is the second-largest river in the world next to the Nile. It measures approximately 4,000 miles in length (6,400 kilometers) and is known for its powerful water flow. The river is unequaled in depth and at its mouth can release up to eight trillion gallons of water daily.

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