2014 is the year to experience a river cruise with more than twenty new ships launching and the introduction of dozens of new itineraries to a host of exciting destinations. From cruises along the Irrawaddy River in South East Asia and European battlefield cruises to coincide with the anniversaries of the World Wars, as well as the increase of no single supplement cruises, there is a river journey to suit all tastes and budgets.

A river cruise holiday offers a unique perspective on a country, travelling through its heart surrounded by ever-changing landscape and rich cultural heritage in an intimate setting, making it the perfect alternative to a coach tour or city break.

A selection of these new 2014 river cruise ships and itineraries can be seen below:

AmaWaterways introduces two new ships for Europe's rivers from £1,849 per person

AmaWaterways will launch two new ships in 2014, AmaSonata and AmaReina, sisters to the popular, 164-passenger AmaPrima and AmaCerto. Both vessels will feature twin balcony staterooms and suites, Chaîne des Rôtisseurs culinary creations, complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner, a heated pool with swim-up bar, massage and beauty salon, fitness centre, free Internet and Infotainment in every stateroom and a fleet of bicycles for guests to borrow and enjoy. AmaSonata will sail the Danube and Rhine on seven itineraries, while AmaReina will be dedicated to the Enchanting Rhine. www.amawaterways.co.uk

Avalon Waterways introduces three new ships and new themed-cruises for 2014 from £2,169 per person

Avalon Waterways will launch three suite ships into service in 2014 - The Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Illumination and Avalon Impression. These new ships will sail on a range of Avalon's most popular river cruise itineraries on the Seine, Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Main, Rhone, Saone and Dutch Waterways. For 2014, to meet demand for those wanting to combine their interests with a holiday, a new choice of themed cruises are available from beer tasting or golfing on the 'Austrian Highlights & Bavaria' cruise (7th July and 13th October 2014), Wellness Cruise for yoga and healthy dining options on 'Blue Danube Discovery' (14 July 2014) and the history of World War I to coincide with the centenary of its start in 2014 on the 'Paris to Normandy Landing Beaches' (1 April 2014). www.avaloncruises.co.uk

Lüftner Cruises introduces Golden Mandalay cruise for 2014 from €3,005 per person

Lüftner is introducing a nine night Golden Mandalay cruise on board Irrawaddy Explorer in 2014. This Asian cruise is new for 2014 and features exciting excursions to the town of Thayet Myo, local markets to watch craftsmen at work as well as cultural and historical site visits across the region. www.lueftner-cruises.com

Riviera Travel introduces MS William Shakespeare from £1,249 per person

Due to launch in April 2014, the 140 passenger ship has been designed with a number of ground-breaking innovations, including fully sliding floor-to-ceiling glass doors in cabins and wooden furnishings made from sustainably-sourced tropical hardwoods. Decks and public areas of the ship have been named after some of Shakespeare's most famous plays and characters such as the upper Hamlet Deck, the Middle Othello Deck and the Midsummer Bar. Guests can enjoy panoramic views from spacious public areas such as The Globe lounge and bar. The MS William Shakespeare is set to operate three, seven-night itineraries on the Rhine in 2014, namely the Rhine and Strasbourg; Rhine, Strasbourg and Heidelberg and Rhine Cruise to Switzerland. www.rivieratravel.co.uk

New tours aboard the MPS Amsterdam from £329 per person

For 2014 guests travelling aboard the MPS Amsterdam will visit the Dutch waterways, beginning in Bruges where guests have a chance to join an optional tour to the Half Moon Brewery, one of the oldest in Western Europe, before setting off to Ghent and Antwerp. As the ship travels from Ghent to Antwerp, passengers join a full day excursion to the Battlefields including Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest British war cemetery in the world; Sanctuary Wood, where the trench system is preserved for visitors to explore alongside a museum; and Ypres, to visit the Menin Gate and In Flanders Fields Museum. www.rivercruiseline.co.uk

No single supplement on Rhine Cruise on board MPS Lady Anne from £419 per person

Solo travellers will be able to enjoy the solo delights of a cabin at no extra cost on the five days Rhine Explorer - Especially For You cruise departing 18th and 22nd March 2014.  The cruise will begin in Andernach and meander along the Rhine, enjoying delights including the pretty town of Rudesheim, the walled city of Koblenz, West Germany's former capital, Bonn and the beautiful city of Cologne. Prices start from £419 per person for singles or couples.   www.rivercruiseline.co.uk

Shearings introduces new Battlefield cruises for 2014 from £699 per person

2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I, and the 70th anniversary of key events of World War II. In remembrance of these historic occasions, Shearings have created new itineraries taking in famous battlefields among other historic sights. www.shearings.com

Tauck River Cruising introduces two new ships and four new itineraries in 2014 from £2,599 per person

Tauck will be launching two new riverboats, the MS Savor and MS Inspire which collectively comprise Tauck's new Inspiration Class of ships.  With the addition of new vessels, Tauck is able to expand its cruise portfolio with the addition of four new river cruise itineraries, including its first-ever cruises on the Seine. Fully inclusive river cruises for 2014 include "Cruising the Seine, plus Versailles, Paris & London" (14 days), "Rendezvous on the Seine" (10 days), "Danube Reflections" (10 days) and "The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel" (8 days). 

www.tauck.co.uk

Uniworld introduces a new ship and special offers for Uniworld cruises in 2014 - from £3449 per person, with early booking savings of up to £800 per person

In 2014 the new luxury river vessel the 'SS Catherine' will be sailing through the southwest of France with three new Itineraries - 'Bordeaux, Vineyards and Chateaux', 'A Portrait of Majestic France' and also 'Treasures of China and the Yangtze'. All European 2014 sailings are all-inclusive with unlimited fine wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks on board. All gratuities on board and ashore are now included. Free Wi-Fi on board. Early booking savings valid on bookings made before 31 December 2013. www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk

For more information visit The Discover Cruises website http://www.discovercruises.co.uk/guide-to-cruising/how-to-choose-a-cruise/river-cruises.aspx the home for everything cruise, whether it's for a family travelling for the first time, a couple looking for adventure, or a solo traveller in need of a relaxing spa break - all of which can be classed as a great journey.  Offering luxury, deluxe, river and specialist collections, Discover Cruises gives visitors access to the latest information on destinations, what's new on-board and a range of exciting and innovative excursions and activities.

ENDS

About CLIA

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines, travel agents, port authorities and destinations, and various industry business partners before regulatory and legislative policy makers.

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For further information:

Charlie Hampton, Claire Lowe, Rupa Tailor and Sophie Adamson

Bell Pottinger on behalf of CLIA

Tel: +44 (0)20 7861 2431/2446/2447/3922

E-mail: clia@bell-pottinger.co.uk