A river cruise is undoubtedly the most civilized way to see the best of a region; you can relax in the comfort of a small vessel as you glide through beautiful towns and spectacular scenery. But how do you choose which cruise company, which kind of rivership, and where to go? This new edition of River Cruising in Europe & the USA will tell you everything you need to know about taking a cruise along the rivers and waterways of both Europe and - for the first time - the USA. Written by cruise expert Douglas Ward, the guide gives you unbiased advice on the different kinds of river vessels and the facilities they offer, helping you to make an informed choice. We take you on a journey along Europe's rivers and waterways, describing the highlights along the way - the historic cities and majestic scenery of the Danube, the castles of the romantic Rhine, and much more. This is followed by a brand new section on cruising the USA's rivers from the Mississippi to the Columbia and Snake, with detailed information on steamboats and the unique aspects of American river cruising. Also included are listings for over 300 river vessels, which are impartially rated, so that you can easily compare ships.