River cruising may in the past have been seen as the poor relation of ocean voyages, but that is no longer the case. No fewer than 232,300 river cruises were taken by British and Irish holidaymakers last year.

Passengers have learned to appreciate all the many attractions that a river cruise has to offer: food on board a river sailing tends to be less generically international than its ocean counterpart and is customised to reflect local traditions and tastes, making for a more well-rounded experience.

And, while those sailing the high seas may often tend to over-indulge, wellness activities abound when it comes to river cruising, with many lines at pains to promote healthy activities such as biking and hiking.

Shore excursions, meanwhile, enable enriching experiences and fascinating destinations to be more easily reached, thanks to the smaller size of river cruise ships. This cuts down on transfer times, meaning that visitors have more opportunity to soak up the local culture. All in all, river cruising is a great way to view the world in close-up and personal style.