Travelmarvel’s Michelle Ryan discusses – It’s a question that came up while I was out on the road recently: Can a river cruise genuinely be considered a bucket list holiday? Can it deliver those unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime moments? My answer was to ask a question in return: What makes something “bucket list” for you? Some of the responses I had were;
1. Unique and Rare – is the destination or experience extraordinary or hard to replicate elsewhere?
2. Once-in-a-Lifetime – are you likely to repeat it due to a range of factors from cost to distance or time?
3. An Adventure or Challenge – will it push you out of your comfort zone? Something that isn’t the tried and tested route or something the average person might not consider.
4. Your Own Personal Dream – Does it hold emotional or symbolic meaning? Something you’ve always wanted to do but never gotten around to – often tied to a personal milestone or celebration. Something that fulfils a need that you’ve always had, and a desire to experience.
5. Memorability and Story Value – Does it offer monumental value that will have you recounting it for years to come? A defining memory – typically involving an emotional element taking in particular sights or sounds, evoking a deep connection with the place or meaningful encounters.
So, does river cruising pass the test?
Now, I’ll admit I’m biased – as so many of you know my love for rivers goes right back to childhood (I’ may have mentioned that once or twice), never mind getting to talk about them for a living. But consider this – river cruising offers a unique blend of comfort, culture and discovery that can take you to places you’ve always dreamt of and leave you longing for places you had previously never even heard of. For example, one traveller I know often sends me messages along the lines of: “Just having a cuppa and wishing I was in Durnstein.” For those not in the know, this is the most picture-perfect little village along the Danube at the edge of the Wachu Valley. They originally went for the bucket-list cities of Budapest and Vienna but what really stayed with them was the tiniest of storybook village. That’s the quiet magic of river travel: it invites the unexpected.
But, for those sceptics out there, let’s take a look a little bit further afield and see if we can’t convince you.
People who fall for river cruising are mostly curious travellers who value comfort, inclusivity and connection. They tend to be people who want to see the great sights – the temples of Luxor, the ruins of Angkor, the bustle of Phnom Penh – but who prefer to do so at an easy, well-organised pace. They have dreams of visiting places they have long desired but never quite found their way there. Yet now, a perfect option exists in the form of a river cruise.
Where tying together multiple elements may have seemed daunting before, river cruising offers a seamless option – unpack once, travel in comfort, experience destinations in a safe and escorted manner while still feeling the freedom of travel. If your idea of a bucket-list holiday blends big-ticket sights with easy logistics and a relaxed travelling vibe, then Travelmarvel’s long-haul river cruises hit that perfect sweet spot. Check out two of our top-selling, long haul, bucket list contenders below.
The Mekong: life along the river
On the Mekong, Travelmarvel combines a seven-night cruise with land stays in Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, so guests experience both the bustle of modern Vietnam and the majesty of Angkor’s ancient temples. The river itself offers a front-row seat to daily life in the delta: stilt villages, floating markets, farmers casting nets and children waving from the banks.
Each day brings something different, whether it is a visit to a Buddhist monastery, a sampan ride through mangroves, or a walk through a village workshop. You are guaranteed to be left honoured and humbled by the people you meet, the places you see and the history you learn. The pace is perfectly balanced with enough guided touring to feel immersed, but ample time to unwind as the ship drifts past rice paddies and pagodas. Starting with watching the sun either rise or set over the renowned ruins of Angkor Wat and ending with a tour through Ho Chi Minh’s busy yet historic metropolis.
And importantly – this experience is wonderfully easy. No hassles with queuing, no daunting border crossings, no early morning wake up calls or long, laborious bus journeys.
The newly launched Nile experience
Travelmarvel is returning to Egypt with the launch of the Travelmarvel Sirius, a brand-new 62-cabin ship setting sail on the Nile from September 2026. The itinerary between Luxor and Aswan takes in the country’s most iconic sites – Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, and Philae Temple – with options like a private charter flight to Abu Simbel for those who want to go even deeper.
For anyone fascinated by ancient history, a Nile cruise distils thousands of years of civilisation into a single seamless journey. Days are dense with wonder, yet the logistics are refreshingly effortless. There’s no constant repacking, no long coach drives through the desert, just a steady flow of discovery, punctuated by tranquil hours gliding along one of the world’s most storied waterways.
With this stunning sailing you’re also bookending your trip with a 5* stay in the timeless yet captivating city of Cairo, home to the ancient wonders that are the Great Pyramids – something that is surely on more bucket lists than not.
So, when you consider bucket lists, do these items hit the mark? From my point of view they certainly are unique and rare offerings, providing once-in-a-lifetime adventures that will fulfil dreams you have always had in ways you may never even have considered. Surely nobody could deny that they will certainly leave you with incredible and incomparable memories.
Only one question remains. Who will you bring with you?
Travelmarvel Moments of the Year
Have your own cuppa that you’d like to share for a chance to win a fabulous 8-day river cruise on the brand-new Travelmarvel Rigel, launching in 2026? The final round of the Travelmarvel Moments of the Year competition is now open, meaning it’s your last chance to snap a pic with your Travelmarvel mug for a chance to win! To request your Travelmarvel mug, just email [email protected].
Simply snap a photo with your mug, capturing a marvellous moment, from iconic landmarks to quiet countryside scenes and send it with a short description of what made it special to [email protected]. Your photo will also be featured on ITTN.ie, but don’t forget to post it on your socials making sure to use #TravelmarvelMoments.
