Are you something of a pro at river cruising, with the Rhône, Rhine, Mekong and Mississippi all under your belt? Don't go thinking your chances of new adventures have sailed away just because you've ticked off the big daddies of river cruises.
Never ones to rest on their laurels, APT have expanded their river cruise catalogue for 2016, adding a bunch of left-of-field waterways to their itineraries. These five unique river cruises each offer something a little different and are guaranteed to please even the most seasoned of river cruisers.
1. Chobe River – Botswana
Let the stylish Zambezi River Queen take you on a cruise safari
Here are three words to add to your cruising vocabulary: river cruise safari. The first river cruise safari was launched on the Zambezi Queen in 2013 and its popularity has been growing ever since. APT's 15-day African Journey includes three nights on the Chobe River in Botswana, where you can spot hippos, elephants, lions, leopards and other African wildlife along the river bank.
The Zambezi Queen has just 14 suites for serious VIP treatment, as well as a plunge pool, sun deck and open restaurant and lounge with panoramic windows for checking off your safari animal-spotting list.
2. Lower Ganges – India
Luxurious accommodations on the RV Ganges Voyager
For a cultural cruise like no other, travel aboard the RV Ganges Voyager on a round trip from Kolkata to Murshidabad in West Bengal. This journey along the Lower Ganges – the lifeline to millions of peoples in India and Bangladesh – shows a side of India untouched by tourism.
APT's 15-day Spirit of India is a journey of contrasts, from the luxury suites onboard with private ensuites and flat-screen TVs, to the taste of local life you'll experience when you step foot off the cruise ship, including visiting Mother Teresa's House, Bengal's terracotta temples, and former colonial outposts in rural India.
3. Irrawaddy River – Myanmar
The 5-star digs aboard the RV Samantha
Myanmar (the nation formerly known as Burma) is relatively new to the cruise scene but is making waves as a truly captivating Asian destination. APT's 15-day Hidden Wonders of Burma cruise journeys along the Irrawaddy River, awarding guests a unique perspective of Myanmar's ancient temples, as well as on-shore visits to its traditional villages.
The stylish RV Samantha is the cruise ship that will transport you from Point A to Point B, with a la carte dinner and degustation menus personally designed by APT Asia Ambassador and celebrity chef Luke Nguyen.
4. Garonne and Dordogne Rivers – Bordeaux
Cruise into a foodie's paradise via the Dordogne River
APT's new 2016 cruises in South Western France are sure to excite the gastronomes out there. Cruising along the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers, guests will be immersed in the rich culture and gourmet heritage of the famous Bordeaux region.
The 11-day Grand Bordeaux river cruise includes stops at Bordeaux, Cadillac, Pauillac, Blaye, Libourne and Saint Emilion. This is a full-blown gourmet experience both aboard the MS AmaDolce, plus onshore delights like a private dinner at the Château Pape Clément and a wine tasting in Ludon.
5. Amazon River – Peru
A cruise with a difference in the Amazon
The wild and exotic Amazon River is a cruise destination for the person who thinks they have done it all. Surrounded by the birdsong of tropical feathered friends, you'll be cruising aboard the boutique, 28-room Delfin II for three nights into the depths of the Amazon.
APT's 24-day South America with Amazon Cruise includes some incredible highlights, such as swimming with the elusive pink river dolphins, hiking through the jungle, fishing for piranhas, canoeing calm waterways, and visiting villages by the riverside.
