River Cruises: 8 Scenic Trips Minus the Mega Ships

Cruising doesn't have to be all about a week in the Caribbean on a monster city at sea. Who really needs to play mini golf or go rock climbing while setting sail, anyway? For a less intense overwater getaway, turn to river cruises. With less-crowded waters and shore excursions to intimate places, it's no surprise passenger numbers are up 15 percent annually on river cruises.

But, with 165 major rivers in the world – and countless more minor ones – choosing the right one can be intimidating. From a tour of French canals on a converted cargo ship to an Amazonian adventure through the flooded forests of Brazil, we've narrowed down eight of the best river cruises on the water.

The Route: Sail on a 7-night cruise from Paris to Caudebec-en-Caux and back through the countryside of Northern France. Stops are made at charming French villages that were depicted by the Impressionists and at Giverney, Monet's home – Japanese bridge and water lilies included. Walk in the footsteps of the Allied forces along the beaches of Normandy, where WWII's D-Day Invasion took place, and see the site where Joan of Arc was martyred. Be sure to spend at least a day or two in Paris at either end of the trip.


The Ship: Named one of the world's "Top Small Cruise Ships" by Conde Nast Traveler's 2010 Reader's Poll, Uniworld's 120-passenger River Baroness was remodeled this year.