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River cruises

While longer cruises are expensive, one of their advantages is that the per-day cost is generally lower.

Cruise passengers are taking longer trips, including epic 100-night journeys

While the average length of cruises is getting shorter, anyone looking for a magnificently long journey can satisfy their cruise cravings.

  • Brian Johnston
Viking ships at Valletta in Malta.

Here’s how to save thousands on a cruise, even in pricey Europe

Fwer packed ports, fewer queues, special festivals, no heatwaves, but the best thing about low-season cruising is the price.

  • Brian Johnston
The historic village of La Bouille, nestled along a bend of the Seine River just southwest of Rouen.

Port guide: Rouen, France

France has plenty of small, delightful and historical provincial cities but this is one of the best, and not yet conquered by the tourist hordes.

  • Brian Johnston
Chongqing’s neon skyline.

Port guide: Chongqing, China

One of the world’s newest megacities is just a short ride away from awe-inspiring natural scenery and ancient historical sights.

  • Brian Johnston
Bora Bora’s lagoon is astonishing.

Port guide: Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Sometimes the exaggerated claims of tourist boards are true. Yes, this really is the Pacific’s most outrageously beautiful island.

  • Brian Johnston
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Viking Octantis on the Welland Canal between lakes Erie and Ontario.

Finally travellers are realising the potential of lake cruising

The chilly Great Lakes are seeing record cruise-ship visitors. It seems these vast waterways have become an interesting niche cruising hotspot.

  • Brian Johnston
Vallon des Auffres, a small traditional fishing harbour in Marseille.

Port guide: Marseille, France

This city was once crime-ridden and rundown. Now it’s a capital of culture, a tourist hotspot and one of cruising’s most-visited destinations.

  • Brian Johnston
A panoramic view of the historic city centre of Amsterdam.

River cruise ships extend stops to give passengers more time ashore

Itineraries are moving away from fast-paced, port-hopping schedules towards longer stays and deeper engagement with destinations.

  • Julietta Jameson
The stunning Amazon.

Seven spectacular highlights of the world’s largest river

The almighty Amazon flows from the heights of the snow-capped Andean Mountains and rushes through Peru, Brazil and Colombia before pouring into the Atlantic Ocean, 6400 kilometres away.

  • Sue Williams
The temple complex in Angkor Ban, on the banks of the Mekong River.  

The other Angkor: A village that time forgot

As a murderous regime devastated most of Cambodia, one village managed to remain intact.

  • Tim Richards