Episode Details

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 Sydney@thepoodlebookedit.com and join the River Cruising Masterclass Facebook group.

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to The River Brief
01:00 Rhine and Danube low-water update
04:43 Helping clients change their travel plans
05:25 Tauck’s wellness river cruises
07:50 AmaWaterways’ Colombia and Machu Picchu extension
09:40 Riverside’s 2028 season and Riverside Mahler
12:10 Viking Rota and fleet expansion
13:35 Scenic and Emerald’s upcoming ships and destinations
16:00 Explora Journeys enters river cruising
17:10 Upcoming episodes and how to connect

Recorded October 14, 2026. Published October 16, 2026.

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