We’re a father-daughter team of travel journalists with decades of river-cruise experience, dedicated to helping travelers make better river cruise decisions.
Independent expertise since 2009
Trusted River Cruise Guidance, Built On Firsthand Experience
River Cruise Advisor has been helping travelers make better river cruise decisions since 2009. Our reporting is based on decades of cruise journalism, more than 50 river cruises experienced firsthand, and ongoing conversations with travelers and industry leaders.
Featured in The New York Times, which described Ralph Grizzle as “a river cruise expert who runs the website River Cruise Advisor.”
Who Are We?
Ralph Grizzle is the founder of The Avid Cruiser and River Cruise Advisor. He began his journalism career at age 32 after a decade spent cycling across America, pedaling through Europe and island-hopping in the South Pacific. Ralph has covered cruising (ocean and river) since 1990, with bylines in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and numerous other publications. He has sailed on more than 50 river cruises and brings decades of firsthand experience to his reporting, particularly for travelers who value active, immersive travel.
Britton Frost brings a complementary perspective. With more than a decade in the cruise industry, she has hosted the Avid Travel with Britton Frost podcast, interviewing cruise line executives and sharing insights from her own travels across Europe and beyond. Now a Cruise Planners travel advisor, she has helped hundreds of travelers with decisions ranging from stateroom selection to solo travel. For Britton, the appeal of river cruising is not only the itinerary, but also the people you meet, the experiences you share and the ability to enjoy a trip without unnecessary stress.
Featured in The New York Times
In March 2026, The New York Times featured River Cruise Advisor founder Ralph Grizzle as one of its principal experts in a guide to first-time river cruising.
The article drew on Ralph’s advice about destinations, pricing, dining and what travelers should expect onboard.
The Times described Ralph as “a river cruise expert who runs the website River Cruise Advisor.”
Why Trust River Cruise Advisor?
We’re professional travel writers and frequent river cruisers who have spent years sailing with nearly every major river cruise line.
Our goal is not to steer you toward the most popular brand. It is to help you understand the differences and find the cruise that fits you best.
Through firsthand reviews, practical guides and side-by-side comparisons of cruise lines, ships and itineraries, we give you the information needed to plan with confidence. We combine practical details with personal experience so you understand both what to expect and what the experience actually feels like onboard.
River cruising is our specialty. We love it, but we also believe good travel journalism requires independence. Our aim is to help you choose the trip that is right for you.
We also value what our readers contribute. If you’ve taken a river cruise and have something useful to share, join the conversation in the comments. Your experience may help another traveler make a better decision.
A U.S. Perspective
River Cruise Advisor is written primarily for U.S. travelers. Our readership is worldwide, but we are U.S. citizens reporting from a U.S. perspective. Prices, for example, are generally shown in U.S. dollars.
Readers from around the world are welcome to use the site. Please note that River Cruise Advisor operates under U.S. privacy laws. You can read more in our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.
What Our Readers Say
Helping Travelers Choose With Confidence
For years, readers have turned to River Cruise Advisor for independent, firsthand guidance as they research, compare and choose their river cruises.
“Just wanted to say thank you. We just came back from our first river cruise, the Danube on Viking. It was a great experience. It would not have been possible without following your advice.”
Bobby & Carla Borges
Florida
“Thanks to this wonderfully informative site I went from zero knowledge of river cruising, to comparing six cruise companies using your criteria to really suss out all the costs — and found out just why people rave about river cruising.”
Patricia
Montreal
“Just got back home after a Riverside Luxury Cruise. We took your advice and signed up for a short trip to see how we would like it. As it turns out, we loved it and wish we had signed up for a longer cruise! No worries — we’re already planning our next vacation. You’ve made river cruisers out of us.”
John & Natalie Wyche
Aurora, Colorado
Yes, River Cruise Advisor, Send Me Your River Cruise Recommendations
Would you like our personalized recommendations for a river cruise that’s perfect for you? Fill out our form, and I’ll do our best to help you. – Ralph Grizzle
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