TAKE THE SLOW BOAT

The smartest way to vacation next year might just be on a languorous river cruise.

- Janice Wald Henderson

EVEN IF YOU'VE never contemplated going on a river cruise before, 2024 could be your year. With long-haul airfares at elevated levels and travel disruptions a constant threat, savvy travelers are booking long trips that navigate multiple rivers and maximize the transatlantic journey.

"It's been a huge trend in 2023 and will only expand in 2024," says Samuel Spencer, a travel advisor and the owner of Ocean & River Cruises, an agency in Calgary, Alberta. Spencer notes that four different river-cruise lines-Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Scenic, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises-now offer multi-week trips through France. While some of these longer itineraries pre-date the pandemic, several lines tell T+L that they have recently surged in popularity among Americans.

It's a seismic shift for travelers, who've begrudgingly become accustomed to playing Where's-MyLuggage, navigating crowded museums, and paying enormous premiums for high-quality hotels-particularly in Western Europe. Touring by river ship, which often feels more akin to staying in a luxury hotel than cruising on a ocean liner, can address most of these challenges-all while delivering tremendous value, usually at an allinclusive, up-front price.