It’s not just the normal person who enjoys a river cruise. This week Her Royal Highness The Queen enjoyed a short river cruise on-board the royal barge, the Gloriana. The ornate ship, rowed by royal waterman dressed in scarlet livery, took a short trip from near Windsor Castle along the Thames before turning round for the return trip.

The Queen sailed with her sons, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex, along with the Earl’s wife the Countess of Wessex. The Gloriana was repaired recently after suffering damage, and was involved in the flotilla for the Diamond Jubilee last year.

While this was just a day trip, The Queen is no stranger to river cruising as a full holiday. She has twice chartered the Hebridean Princess for holidays to celebrate birthdays, granting Hebredian Island Cruises a Royal Warrant, signalling the company as an official supplier to the Royal Family. Hebridean Island Cruises are currently the only travel brand in the entire world with a Royal Warrant issued by The Queen.

On these occasions in 2006 and 2010, The Queen and members of her family sailed on a typical cruise through the waterways of Scotland. The Hebridean Princess is one of the most esteemed river cruise ships on the seas, first launched in 1964 as the RMS Columba making her nearly 50 years old. Despite her age she is a beautiful cruise ship, renovated numerous times over the years including her conversion into a luxury cruise liner in 1989 when she was acquired by Hebridean Island Cruises.

River cruising clearly has the royal approval. Whether it’s a short day trip on her own private boat, or the chartering of a renowned river behemoth, it shows that The Queen is a genuine river fan, so if it’s good enough for Her Majesty then I certainly think it’s a holiday to look into.

By Ian Lewis
Google