Riggins looks at the
reasons behind the ocean liner's emerging reputation as an attraction-laden
journey of distraction, too often providing little incentive or opportunity for
cultural exploration. "I like to say ocean cruising is a drinking man's
cruise. River cruising is a thinking man's cruise," says Torstein Hagen,
the founder and chairman of Viking River Cruises. "With river cruises, a
destination is the destination."
Far from its congested
counterpart, river cruises often accommodate no more than 150 guests - as
opposed to the ocean liner average of 2,300 - and boast the added option of
exploring Europe 's greatest waterways.
"Over the last five years, Europe 's
meandering waterways have evolved into luxury routes," writes Riggins.
"While cruising along the mighty Danube or the majestic Seine, travellers
in superior vessels are given the unique opportunity to revel in the fresh air
of remote valleys - only moments later ducking under the mighty bridges of Paris or Prague ."
The Business Destinations
article is available in print and online now and is essential reading for those
seeking an unrivalled experience of Europe 's
finest waterways