River Cruising Masterclass

Considering VIVA Cruises? I break down what’s included, cabin sizes, dining, short European river cruises and the differences between VIVA Cruises and VIVA Boutique, including its France and upcoming Italy sailings.Plan your next river cruise with me: https://tidycal.com/thepoodlebookedit/30mintravelconsultationEmail: [email protected]: https://www.thepoodlebookedit.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/traveladvisorsydney/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traveladvisorsydney/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepoodlebookeditJoin the River Cruising Masterclass community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rivercruisingmasterclass/I’m Sydney Schellinger, river cruise travel advisor, owner of The Poodle Booked It Travel Agency and host of River Cruising Masterclass. In this episode, I share my perspective on where VIVA fits in the premium river cruise market and which travelers should consider it.We cover VIVA’s onboard drink and gratuity inclusions, French balconies versus outdoor balconies, restaurant choices, bicycles and wellness amenities, and its international atmosphere with German and English spoken onboard.I also explain how a three-night Rhine sailing could fit into a longer European vacation, along with VIVA Boutique’s smaller ships: VIVA BEYOND on the Seine and VIVA UNIQUE, scheduled to begin sailing in Italy in May 2027. We look at northern Italy’s food, art and culture, plus VIVA’s announced 2028 short and themed cruises.IN THIS EPISODE• What VIVA All-Inclusive covers and which extras to check• How cabins, passenger numbers and amenities differ by ship• Dining options and flexible restaurant hours• Short Rhine cruises and combining cruising with a land vacation• VIVA Boutique in France and Italy• Families, solo travelers and the onboard atmosphere• Who I would consider VIVA for when comparing river cruise linesCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome and introduction to VIVA Cruises02:22 Where VIVA fits in premium river cruising03:31 Destinations and shorter itineraries05:47 Italy, ship sizes and passenger capacity07:55 What VIVA All-Inclusive includes09:37 Extra costs, excursions and cabin sizes11:50 Restaurants and flexible dining14:40 Bicycles and independent exploring15:06 Languages, atmosphere and entertainment16:52 A three-night Rhine cruise and shore experiences19:13 VIVA Boutique: France and Italy21:32 VIVA UNIQUE itineraries and suite benefits23:37 Dining, children and solo travelers26:14 VIVA’s 2028 cruises and who the line suits28:35 My take on VIVA Cruises and planning your tripss

Does travel insurance cover your river cruise if low water changes the itinerary? In this October 23 edition of The River Brief, I’m talking about Riviera’s new vacation guarantee, the insurance questions travelers should ask, and new river cruise options for 2028 and beyond.PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP WITH MEBook a travel consultation: https://tidycal.com/thepoodlebookedit/30mintravelconsultationEmail: [email protected]: https://www.thepoodlebookedit.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/traveladvisorsydney/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traveladvisorsydney/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepoodlebookeditJoin the River Cruising Masterclass community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rivercruisingmasterclass/I’m Sydney Schellinger, travel advisor and owner of The Poodle Booked It. I help travelers choose the right river cruise or luxury vacation and plan flights, hotels, transfers, and tours.This week, we’re looking at what happens when the cruise you booked changes before you leave. I discuss Riviera Travel’s new options for significant pre-departure itinerary changes, including rescheduling and refunds, and reporting on how Travel Guard and Allianz approach low-water disruption.Then we get into the trips I’m excited about: VIVA Cruises’ shorter itineraries and themed departures for 2028, Viking’s seven-ship naming ceremony, and river cruising beyond Europe.We talk about India, Colombia’s Magdalena River, the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Nile in Egypt, and river cruises closer to home in the United States. I also share what I loved about my own Uniworld Egypt trip.IN THIS EPISODE• Riviera’s new vacation guarantee and what it means before departure.• Low-water itinerary changes, alternative transportation, and travel insurance.• Trip cancellation, trip interruption, and Cancel For Any Reason coverage.• Viking’s river ship news and VIVA Cruises’ 2028 season.• Shorter river cruises, jazz, wine, culinary, and crime-themed departures.• River cruise destinations beyond Europe, including my Egypt experience.• How I help match you with the right cruise line and itinerary.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome to The River Brief00:40 Riviera’s vacation guarantee and Danube group cruise02:51 River cruise refunds and low-water disruption05:15 Travel Guard, Allianz, and low-water insurance07:40 Trip interruption coverage and Viking river ship news10:01 VIVA Cruises 2028: shorter cruises and themed departures12:25 River cruising beyond Europe14:47 India, Colombia, and Mekong river cruise options17:05 Mekong cruise lines and my Uniworld Egypt experience19:13 Egypt highlights and U.S. river cruising21:28 Plan your next trip with The Poodle Booked ItWhat river would you like to explore next? Join the conversation in the River Cruising Masterclass Facebook group, and follow the podcast for more.This episode reflects news discussed for the October 23, 2026 edition. Sailing details, offers, and policies can change. Insurance benefits depend on your policy’s terms, conditions, exclusions, and eligibility requirements.

Thinking about booking a Viking river cruise? I’ve sailed with Viking twice, and in this episode I break down what I liked, what I would change, and whether Viking is worth the price compared with other river cruise lines.Plan your next river cruise with me: https://tidycal.com/thepoodlebookedit/30mintravelconsultationEmail: [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/traveladvisorsydney/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traveladvisorsydney/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepoodlebookeditWebsite: https://www.thepoodlebookedit.comRiver Cruising Masterclass community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rivercruisingmasterclass/We talk through Viking Longships, cabin design, dining, the adults-only atmosphere, included excursions, and the extras that can increase your total cost. I also cover beverage packages, gratuities, airport transfers, early final payments, and how Viking handles low water and ship swaps. If you are weighing Viking against Tauck, Scenic, Avalon, or AmaWaterways, this is a good place to start.Listen to River Cruising Masterclass for firsthand cruise line reviews, destination advice, and practical planning tips from Sydney Schellinger of The Poodle Booked It.

What’s happening in river cruising this week? Welcome to The River Brief, a new weekly news series from River Cruising Masterclass.I’m Sydney Schellinger, travel advisor and owner of The Poodle Booked It. This week, I’m talking about the low-water challenges still affecting the Rhine and Danube, how I’ve helped clients change their travel plans, and some new river cruise options I’m excited about.We’ll cover Tauck’s wellness departures on the Seine, AmaWaterways’ new Machu Picchu extension after its Colombia river cruises, Riverside’s expanding 2028 season, and Viking’s newest Longship. Plus, Scenic and Emerald are growing in new destinations, and Explora Journeys is preparing to enter river cruising.If you’re planning your first river cruise or already thinking about your next one, these updates will give you a few more options to consider.Have a question or want help planning? Email [email protected] and join the River Cruising Masterclass Facebook group.Chapters:00:00 Welcome to The River Brief01:00 Rhine and Danube low-water update04:43 Helping clients change their travel plans05:25 Tauck’s wellness river cruises07:50 AmaWaterways’ Colombia and Machu Picchu extension09:40 Riverside’s 2028 season and Riverside Mahler12:10 Viking Rota and fleet expansion13:35 Scenic and Emerald’s upcoming ships and destinations16:00 Explora Journeys enters river cruising17:10 Upcoming episodes and how to connectRecorded October 14, 2026. Published October 16, 2026.Enjoyed the episode? Follow River Cruising Masterclass, leave a review, and share it with a friend who loves river cruising.

Uniworld River Cruises Review: Is This Luxury Cruise Line Worth It?What makes Uniworld different from other luxury river cruise lines, and is it worth the higher price?In this episode of River Cruising Masterclass, Sydney takes a closer look at Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, a luxury cruise line known for its elaborate ship designs, destination-focused experiences, and nearly all-inclusive approach to river cruising.From the grand interiors of the S.S. Maria Theresa to my personal experience sailing the Nile in Egypt, we're talking about what makes Uniworld unique and where I think the cruise line could still improve.We'll cover what's actually included in your fare, which excursions cost extra, suite butler service, dining, and how Uniworld compares to Viking, AmaWaterways, and Riverside Luxury Cruises.We'll also explore Uniworld's Generations Collection for families, river cruises in Europe, Egypt, India, Peru, and Southeast Asia, plus new ships, Christmas market cruises, and unique rail-and-cruise journeys.And because not every luxury cruise line is right for every traveler, I'll share who I think will love Uniworld, who might prefer another brand, and why I place Uniworld in my luxury category rather than ultra-luxury.If you're considering a Uniworld river cruise or trying to decide which river cruise line fits your travel style, this episode will help you understand what you're actually paying for.Episode Chapters00:00 - Welcome Back & River Cruising Updates02:23 - Where Uniworld Fits in Luxury River Cruising04:23 - Uniworld's Unique Ship Designs & Luxury Style05:49 - Uniworld's History & The Travel Corporation07:43 - Who Should Book a Uniworld River Cruise?10:05 - What's Included on Uniworld River Cruises?12:20 - Butler Service, Suites & Luxury Dining14:31 - Uniworld Shore Excursions & Exclusive Experiences16:50 - Generations Collection: River Cruises for Families18:32 - Onboard Atmosphere & Who Sails Uniworld20:46 - Uniworld Destinations: Italy, Egypt & Beyond23:03 - Christmas Markets, Themed Cruises & New Ships25:27 - Uniworld Rail & Cruise Journeys27:28 - Uniworld Pros, Cons & Extra Excursion Costs29:40 - Final Verdict: Is Uniworld Worth It?32:05 - Planning Your River Cruise with a SpecialistReady to plan your next river cruise?As a river cruise specialist and owner of The Poodle Booked It Travel Agency, I help travelers compare cruise lines, find the right itineraries, and plan their entire vacation, including flights, hotels, and pre- or post-cruise extensions.Have questions about Uniworld or another river cruise line? I'd love to help!Website: https://thepoodlebookedit.comEmail: [email protected] River Cruising Masterclass for more cruise line reviews, river cruising tips, destination guides, and insider information to help you plan your next river cruise.