Responsible river cruising vacations


At Responsible Travel we’re outspoken about the environmental and economic problems caused by large cruise vessels in destinations such as Dubrovnik, Venice and throughout the Caribbean. Of course river cruise boats are usually far smaller than these ‘floating cities’ – though you do see huge linters on rivers such as the Yangtze and the Amazon – but that doesn’t mean they’re harmless. Motorised vessels pollute the water, and may present hazards to river wildlife, while many cruise itineraries still do too little to properly support or engage with the communities they pass.
We only ever work with suppliers that we believe are making a demonstrably positive impact with their vacations. Rivers don’t have tides, but we think the tide is beginning to turn when it comes to cruising. More and more travelers are thinking about the impact their vacations are having, and looking towards operators that have a more sustainable ethos. On this page we look at some of the current problems caused by river cruising vacations, and how responsible tourism can be an effective way to counter them.
Our River cruising Vacations
China vacation and Yangtze river cruise
A comprehensive China itinerary covering its length and breadth
Nile cruise vacation in Egypt
Discover ancient temples & tombs & travel by Nile cruise boat
Irrawaddy river cruise, Burma
Sail the mighty Ayarwaddy in a unique experience of Myanmar!
Senegal and Gambia river cruise vacation
Discover west Africa's wildlife & Senegal's colonial heritage
Tailor made houseboat cruise in Kerala, India
Cruise along the backwaters of Kerala
Nile felucca cruise in Egypt
Privatized traditional felucca cruise among people and stars
Mekong River cruise to Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Cruise the Mekhong river to the spectacular ruins of Angkor
Nile cruise in Egypt for families
Enjoy a fabulous and relaxing felucca cruise .
Brahmaputra cruise in India
Wildlife, especially rhinos, villages and culture of India
Lower Ganges river cruise in India
Cruise the lower Ganges through west Bengal - India slowly
Orangutan expedition in Central Borneo
Orangutan and Dayak culture adventure in Central Borneo
Nile traditional cruise of Egypt
Join our 9-day, slow-paced Nile cultural voyage of discovery
Wheelchair accessible Nile cruise, Egypt
Egypt wheelchair accessible Nile Cruise
Camp Leakey and Tanjung Puting NP tour, 4 days
Sail downriver to the Orangutan Sanctuary at Camp Leakey
Guilin & Yangtze river cruise vacation, China
Get close to the nature in Guilin and Yangtze river.
Luxury China tour with Yangtze river cruise
China in style with luxury Yangtze Cruise
Wildlife & environment
River cruises operate in what are often very sensitive environments, where any negative effects such as pollution from fuel spills are going to be more severe and obviously apparent than you would see, for instance, with an ocean liner far out in the Pacific. In places such as Kerala, the Amazon and the Nile, where many local communities rely on the health of the river for everything from farming to fishing, cooking and bathing, as well as making an income from tourism, even a small amount of environmental damage can have a devastating impact. And of course the effects of pollution are compounded as rivers flow into seas, oceans and lakes.
Additionally, fast moving boats, and the noise pollution they cause, pose a significant risk to animals such as river dolphins and manatees that may be out of sight beneath the water and don’t have time to get out of the way. Boat strikes and propeller injuries, along with pollution and overfishing, are likely contributors to some species being driven to the point of extinction.
While there is growing awareness of the potential environmental hazards presented by river cruising, in some countries and on some rivers the industry remains alarmingly underpoliced. Self-regulation and the actions of conscientious travelers seeking out responsible operators can only go so far, so this is an area we continue to monitor and apply pressure where we can.
Conscious cruising: What you can do
Given the channels they need to navigate, river cruise vessels are usually quite small, with limited space aboard for containing waste, or large supplies of potable drinking water. In addition, many rural communities have little or no capacity for recycling waste. Any efforts you can make to reduce your use of plastics on a cruise will help, such as by not bringing small or half-empty bottles of shampoo and shower gel (or taking empty containers back home with you), checking if there will be drinking water aboard so you can bring a reusable bottle, and removing any packaging for products you’ve bought at home or in the airport before travel. Carry your own bag so that when shopping in local communities and riverside markets you can refuse plastic bags whenever possible. Taking shorter showers when on board will also minimise your use of fresh water and contribution to the problem of grey water.Before booking a river cruise, find out what the operator does in regard to minimising their environmental impact, such as reducing fuel use. Solar panels are rarely practical given the size of most boats and the amount of power they require, but well maintained engines and traveling with the current rather than against it are more fuel efficient and less polluting. You can help by traveling during periods when the water is likely to be flowing faster, and ensuring the lights and air conditioning in your cabin are turned off during the day – drawing the curtains helps keep cabins cool.
If you plan to cruise along the Nile then consider traveling either all or at least part of the way by felucca. These sail-powered vessels are not only much less polluting, but they also offer a far more relaxing and authentic experience than you would be likely to find on most small ship cruises.
Rather than trying to see everything in one trip, perhaps opt for a slower moving boat that allows for spending more time in a few places. Slower vessels present less of a hazard to river wildlife.
Overfishing leading to depletion of fish stocks is a significant problem on some rivers, where there is a never-ending source of cruise passengers looking for a taste of local cuisine. You can look into whether there are any endangered species you should avoid when they appear on the menu, and try to eat in small, local restaurants when on shore excursions where there is more likely to be an awareness of the need for sustainable fishing.
People & culture
Well known shore excursions can be swamped during peak season with vessels disgorging their passengers throughout the day, and if these travelers then either eat aboard ship or are encouraged to stick to a select group of restaurants, they do very little to benefit the wider community.
Conscious cruising: What you can do
When done well, river cruising can be culturally immersive, but for it to be viable it’s important that local communities see a respectful and economically beneficial impact. Itineraries that feature regular shore excursions where you can meet people and shop for handicrafts help to create sustainable industries. Smaller vessels, such as feluccas on the Nile or the houseboats of the Kerala backwaters, can reach areas and communities that larger vessels cannot. They may also source their food from riverside markets which also helps to provide people with an income. Some operators also make a point of using only local crews and support staff which can provide a decent income for many families.Rather than trying to see everything in one trip, consider a slower-moving boat that allows for more time in different places, and also means that there is less danger to wildlife in the river. Traveling off season, too, helps to spread the economic benefits of cruising across the year. Where you have a trip with a tailor made itinerary, ask the operator to select a few shore excursions that are not so widely visited that will give you a more authentic experience. Eat at locally owned restaurants whenever you can, as that sees your money directly entering the local economy.
In some riverside communities you will encounter extreme poverty and begging, which can be very difficult to deal with. Handing out money only exacerbates the problem, so if you want to really make a positive difference, ask your operator about local community projects that you can either bring donations for, and perhaps visit to learn about their work.
Some river cruises are a good way to learn more about controversial issues, good examples being the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze, or the Aswan Dam on the Nile. Both projects have brought undeniable economic benefits and were arguably necessary, but have also been very controversial for their cultural and environmental impact.