New River Cruise dates out for 2026

[sayhello]

So the dates for ABD River Cruises are out for 2026 now. At this point, there are 2026 dates only for the River Cruises, not the Expedition Cruises or the Amazon Escape. I don't know if this means they are discontinued, or just don't have the dates released yet. I've seen a report from a TA on fb saying they are discontinued, but she didn't say she got that info from ABD, she seemed to be basing it on the no 2026 dates. But the splash screen on the ABD website specifically says "2026 dates for River Cruises", so who knows at this point?

The Rhône River cruise is back. I haven't had a chance to compare the itinerary to the old one that got cancelled (I'm not sure. Did it *ever* run?) but I'm going to venture a guess that it's been "re-worked".

There are no 2026 dates for the Seine, so I'm assuming that one *is* discontinued, at least for now?

Sayhello

 

[Mathmagicland]

There are no 2026 dates for the Seine, so I'm assuming that one *is* discontinued, at least for now?

Oh no!

 

[Donalyn]

Upon a very quick review, it seems that the Rhone is a little different.

 

[tgeorge]

My Mom and I were booked on the Rhone, but it was canceled before they even sailed. Hopefully there is more interest now. I'd love to do it. I don't remember the exact itinerary, but I agree that it does appear a little different. I thought the previous itinerary had a stop in Aix-en-Provence.

 

[sayhello]

Upon a very quick review, it seems that the Rhone is a little different.

Thanks! You are correct.

My Mom and I were booked on the Rhone, but it was canceled before they even sailed. Hopefully there is more interest now. I'd love to do it. I don't remember the exact itinerary, but I agree that it does appear a little different. I thought the previous itinerary had a stop in Aix-en-Provence.

I still have the .pdf for it. We'd signed up for our excursions and everything before it got canceled due to Covid. And you are correct, Aix-en-Provence is gone.

Lyon:
Missing an early morning leisurely bike ride along the banks of the Rhone.

Institut Lumière – Museum Tour now gone, replaced with a Beaujolais Vineyard Tour & Tasting or a Flavors of Lyon: Food + Wine Tour.

Tournon:

Goat Farm with Cheese-Making and Visit with Chef Bruneton is gone.

Day 4: Viviers is an added port.

First 2 days in Avignon:

Looks mostly the same, but the Avignon Overview & Bakery Visit seems to have replaced the Université du Vin.

Third day in Avignon is gone.

Arles:

Aix-en-Provence Market Tour and Calisson Museum & Factory Tour is gone, as is the Camargue: Carriage Ride, Hiking & Wildlife Viewing and the Les Pastras Farm: Hunting Truffles with Dogs & Truffle Tasting.

The Arles Walking Tour: Roman Monuments & Painting Activity appears to be replaced by the Van Gogh Tour & Painting Activity.

So one day less in Avignon, the addition of a day in Viviers, and a few changes to the activities in most of the ports, most notably in Arles.

Not a huge change, but some "re-working".

Sayhello

 

[tgeorge]

Thanks! You are correct.

I still have the .pdf for it. We'd signed up for our excursions and everything before it got canceled due to Covid. And you are correct, Aix-en-Provence is gone.

Lyon:
Missing an early morning leisurely bike ride along the banks of the Rhone.

Institut Lumière – Museum Tour now gone, replaced with a Beaujolais Vineyard Tour & Tasting or a Flavors of Lyon: Food + Wine Tour.

Tournon:

Goat Farm with Cheese-Making and Visit with Chef Bruneton is gone.

Day 4: Viviers is an added port.

First 2 days in Avignon:

Looks mostly the same, but the Avignon Overview & Bakery Visit seems to have replaced the Université du Vin.

Third day in Avignon is gone.

Arles:

Aix-en-Provence Market Tour and Calisson Museum & Factory Tour is gone, as is the Camargue: Carriage Ride, Hiking & Wildlife Viewing and the Les Pastras Farm: Hunting Truffles with Dogs & Truffle Tasting.

The Arles Walking Tour: Roman Monuments & Painting Activity appears to be replaced by the Van Gogh Tour & Painting Activity.

So one day less in Avignon, the addition of a day in Viviers, and a few changes to the activities in most of the ports, most notably in Arles.

Not a huge change, but some "re-working".

Sayhello

Still looks like a great itinerary! For some reason I was thinking it got canceled before Covid, and it was a 'lack of interest' situation. However, everything seems to be jumbled in my mind around that time, so that's likely the reason

If we choose to go again, luckily Marseille is close enough for us to easily get to Aix-en-Provence to visit my Mom's friend.

 

[Donalyn]

I actually thought that the Rhone itinerary is a little better, as there is less wine heavy activity and maybe a little more kid friendly. I don't think that I will be able to convince DH to do this one, but I'd do it.

 

[sayhello]

Still looks like a great itinerary! For some reason I was thinking it got canceled before Covid, and it was a 'lack of interest' situation. However, everything seems to be jumbled in my mind around that time, so that's likely the reason

If we choose to go again, luckily Marseille is close enough for us to easily get to Aix-en-Provence to visit my Mom's friend.

I was scheduled for the May 2020 cruise, which was one of the first if not the first one (hard to remember at this point!) It was definitely going (we'd already booked excursions and LONG since Paid in Full) but AmaWaterways canceled all their European cruises, so ABD really had no choice (but they really would have had to cancel eventually, anyways.) They did try to re-start it post-pandemic, but those finally all got cancelled, too, due to lack of interest (as far as I know).

And yes, it still does look like an excellent itinerary!

Sayhello

 

[rebeccam31]

So the dates for ABD River Cruises are out for 2026 now. At this point, there are 2026 dates only for the River Cruises, not the Expedition Cruises or the Amazon Escape. I don't know if this means they are discontinued, or just don't have the dates released yet. I've seen a report from a TA on fb saying they are discontinued, but she didn't say she got that info from ABD, she seemed to be basing it on the no 2026 dates. But the splash screen on the ABD website specifically says "2026 dates for River Cruises", so who knows at this point?

The Rhône River cruise is back. I haven't had a chance to compare the itinerary to the old one that got cancelled (I'm not sure. Did it *ever* run?) but I'm going to venture a guess that it's been "re-worked".

There are no 2026 dates for the Seine, so I'm assuming that one *is* discontinued, at least for now?

Sayhello

I’m at the tail end of an ABD right now, and my American guide told me that there will be no Galapagos/Amazon in 2026.

 

[PatricioATX]

Apologies as I am sure this has been asked before.

I am interested in the newly announced DVC member river cruise in France. Would I have to use points or can I pay for the whole thing in cash? We are a family of 4, and I have 375 direct points which I know wont be enough plus I have been told the value given to points by ABD and DCL has never been great.

Thanks

 

[jimmymc]

Apologies as I am sure this has been asked before.

I am interested in the newly announced DVC member river cruise in France. Would I have to use points or can I pay for the whole thing in cash? We are a family of 4, and I have 375 direct points which I know wont be enough plus I have been told the value given to points by ABD and DCL has never been great.

Thanks

In the past, you could pay for member cruises all in cash. Some of the more recent ones required one person to be booked on points. We'll have to see what the case is for this one.

 

[emilymad]

I am dreaming that the lack of Seine cruise means they are being back a land France adventure. Wishful thinking.

 

[sayhello]

I am dreaming that the lack of Seine cruise means they are being back a land France adventure. Wishful thinking.

Not to burst your bubble, but it more likely indicates a lack of interest in that part of France. But I've been wrong before!

Sayhello

 

[emilymad]

Not to burst your bubble, but it more likely indicates a lack of interest in that part of France. But I've been wrong before!

Sayhello

Oh I know . Just living my personal dream today!

 

[Mathmagicland]

Apologies as I am sure this has been asked before.

I am interested in the newly announced DVC member river cruise in France. Would I have to use points or can I pay for the whole thing in cash? We are a family of 4, and I have 375 direct points which I know wont be enough plus I have been told the value given to points by ABD and DCL has never been great.

Thanks

This will be a Member charter so points/cash requirements may be different. I’d suggest you check out the member website for info and points/pricing for the one this year in June to get an idea of how next year’s might be handled.

 

[AquaDame]

I’m at the tail end of an ABD right now, and my American guide told me that there will be no Galapagos/Amazon in 2026.

National Geographic may be "taking over" the expedition cruises going forward, I fear. (I only say fear as they really have very different demographics and feel to them IMO and we prefer ABD.)

 

[AddictedtoTravel]

National Geographic may be "taking over" the expedition cruises going forward, I fear. (I only say fear as they really have very different demographics and feel to them IMO and we prefer ABD.)

I'm looking at the National Geographic Galapagos options for 2027. I've been hesitant in the past to travel with them. However, I just returned from Antarctica on the National Geographic Resolution and it was amazing. Truly incredible, and as a result I am more open to their trips.

I booked a land trip with them for next year: Australia: Reefs, Rainforests & Wild Tasmania. Fingers crossed. I know they are different companies (National Geographic Expeditions verses Lindblad) but I'm hopeful.