Willkommen in Wien, Austria
2025 River Cruise Expo Conference and exploring Vienna, Austria
Welcome to Vienna, Austria, the enchanting capital where history meets modern elegance! I love Austria and had a chance to visit this beautiful city in 2024 and I was excited to be back March 10-16, 2025 for a work related trip. This vibrant city hosted the much-anticipated 2025 River Cruise Expo, showcasing a captivating array of river cruise lines including Ama Waterways, Scenic, Avalon, Riviera Travel, Viking, Amadeus, Uniworld and more. This is not just an event; it's an opportunity for travel industry professionals to immerse themselves in the world of river cruising.
During this immersive experience, attendees have the chance to tour an impressive lineup of magnificent ships, each offering a unique blend of luxury and comfort. I was able to explore exquisite cabin staterooms that redefine relaxation, and indulge in the culinary delights and diverse drink offerings on board each of the ships that make river cruising a truly memorable experience. The Expo also offered Travel Designers and industry professionals the opportunity to attend courses to learn more about each brand and what made them unique.
Having the opportunity to tour the ships was amazing. I personally had never been on a river cruise/long ship for a vacation, so I was eager to experience and see the difference that each brand offers. I have seen, as I am sure you have too the commercials for Viking River Cruise but beyond that I was very interested to see what each brand offers. Speaking of Viking, did you know they spent 2 BILLION dollars on marketing, its no wonder that people think river cruise and they think Viking. As I learned this week there are several amazing brands, Viking being one of them. Each ship offers a variety of cabin categories and deck locations. Passengers have the choice of a large suite with a beautiful balcony, a veranda/Juliet type balcony or even on some ships a small river view window cabin or inside stateroom. Of course the prices vary from brand to brand and by cabin category and even itinerary. That being said they are always offering promotions and sales, but working with a Travel Designer like LH World Travel definitely makes navigating the booking process easier. Each day/night I was able to experience the dining options aboard each of the ships. I learned that some have quick grab and go options while other brands have a formal sit down meal option for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The formal dining option was lovely, however be prepared for dinner to take about 2-3 hours as everyone is served at the same time and you don’t move to the next course until its time to be served. The drinks on board were fabulous. Whether it was a morning coffee, soda, juice, or a mid day Bourbon Wassel or champagne each night was sure to end up with a wine with dinner or a late night night cap. The on board experiences range from a spa treatment, entertainment, pickle ball, chess, enjoying the library, engaging in a culinary or wine tasting experience there was something for everyone. Each cruise line offers a variety of shore excursions to book with your trip or in some case you have the ability to explore on your own.
Beyond the ships, Vienna itself is a treasure trove, rich with stunning architecture, charming cafes, and cultural landmarks. As you stroll along the Danube, the city’s vibrant history comes alive, begging to be explored. I loved walking the beautiful; city with some friends and enjoying the vibrant night life at night. There was definitely lots to see and do.
Of course I was thrilled to see my Croatian friends from Lastavica (you can see about Lastavica Yacht Cruising on another Blog post). When we are together we always have a great time. I loved seeing them at the trade show and spending time with them after the conference.
I am so glad I came to the 2025 River Cruise Expo and learned more about the River Cruising experience and the different brands. If you are interested in learning more about river cruising or would like to book a river cruise, contact LH World Travel https://www.lhworldtravel.com/vacationdesignplanning and I can help you. Since coming back from the expo I have officially booked my first Ama Waterways river cruise for summer 2025. I cant wait to share that adventure with all of you.
