quad city river boat cruises

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Quad Cities River Adventure

From Local Experts

3 Days 80 Miles

Coal Valley, Rock Island, Moline

from the local experts at Visit Quad Cities

In the  Quad Cities , you are the captain of your boat.

Over three fun-filled days, you’ll experience the world-renowned Mississippi River and area waterways, discovering the history of this family of communities. Find out why the river bends to run directly east to west here; what plants and animals are native to the QC; and how this area grew up along the river. Take a break from exploring to enjoy QC favorites that are sure to satisfy.

Moline & Rock Island

Get a great introduction to the Mississippi River with a ride on the  Celebration Belle  riverboat. The riverboat’s captain narrates the cruise and shares some of the rich history of the area. You’ll view the largest roller dam in the world at Lock and Dam #15. Get a treat at  Lagomarcino's , a century-old soda fountain that will transport you back to the days of the Model T. Spend the afternoon at the gardens of the  Quad City Botanical Center  learning about beautiful native plants and some tropical ones too.  Stay at the ornate   Axis Hotel , which includes elements of the original 1920s building and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Follow the river on the  Channel Cat Water Taxi  where you can hop on and off at four different stops. Timeless trails at the  Black Hawk State Historic Site  lead you into one of the least-disturbed forests in Illinois. Six miles of hiking trails are now in the area once settled by the Sauk Native American nation. Take in views of the Rock River, reclaimed prairie, and pioneer cemetery. Start the QC Ale Trail at  Bent River Brewing Company , a local microbrewery.

Other attractions:

• John Hauberg Indian Museum

Coal Valley, Rock Island & Illinois City

Now it’s time to direct your own boat. Lake George at the  Loud Thunder Forest Preserve  has a variety of boats to rent. Try jon boats (small two-person pontoon boats), kayaks, canoes, and regular pontoon boats. Spend the rest of the day at  Niabi Zoo's  outdoor exhibits with over 600 animals representing 200 different species. See species native to the Midwest and from around the world. End your QC River Adventure watching the sun set on the river at  Schwiebert Riverfront Park  enjoying a sweet treat from  Whitey’s Ice Cream .

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• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures
• St. Paul, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana

America’s Great River

• From $12,999
• 12 Guided Tours
• Dates & Pricing

America’s Great River Map

Span the length of the Mississippi

History and culture unfold as you traverse the Mississippi on this enriching voyage. Enjoy relaxing scenic sailing and unparalleled bird-watching as the landscape changes between the bluffs of the North and the bayous of the South. Learn about the American civil rights movement and the Civil War. Along the way, tap your feet to the rhythm of American folk, soul and jazz music—and taste a delicious array of regional cuisine.

SUMMER SALE

Viking Inclusive Value

All you need included, with no surprises or hidden fees

To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.

Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

More features, services and excursions included

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner

24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water

Port taxes & fees

Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase

Visits to UNESCO Sites

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Your Stateroom Includes:

River-view stateroom

Bottled water replenished daily

110/220 volt outlets

Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows

Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror

Premium Freyja® toiletries

Plush robes & slippers (upon request)

40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more

Telephone, safe, refrigerator

Individual climate control

*All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities. Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Pre: Cultural Capitals—Minneapolis & St. Paul

From $699 | 2 Nights

Pre: Twin Cities Discovery

From $279 | 1 Nights

Post: Best of the Bayou: Acadian Lafayette

From $999 | 2 Nights

Post: The Best of “The Big Easy”

From $899 | 2 Nights

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2024-2027 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR FARES:  Offer applies to bookings made from July 1-31, 2024. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all River itineraries. Special fares plus up to FREE International airfare valid on select departures of Grand European Tour, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland, European Sojourn and Capitals of Eastern Europe, Paris to the Swiss Alps, Cities of Light, London DDAY & Paris, Rhine & Main Explorer. Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. 2024 : Pay in full by July 31, 2024 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure. 2025 : Pay in full by September 30, 2024. 2026 : Pay in full by March 31, 2025. 2027 : Pay in full by November 30, 2025. Offers expires July 31, 2024.

$25 DEPOSIT:  For itineraries 35 days or less, a $25 deposit applies to December 2024 & onward departures; for itineraries greater than 35 days, a $25 deposit applies to February 2025 & onward departures; World Cruise products excluded; call for details.

AIR UPGRADE:  Upgrade to Premium Economy air from $799 per person or Business Class air from $3,499 per person based on select gateways and dates. Additional airline-imposed baggage charges may apply; for more information visit  Airline Luggage Restrictions  . Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received. For more information about customized air services and US gateways, visit the Viking Air Plus page.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS:  Cruise fares listed are cruise only in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement savings are off applicable rates. Cruise fares listed are valid for U.S. residents only. All fares and offers are for new bookings only and are subject to availability, may not combinable with other offers except Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits and Viking Referral Rewards, are capacity-controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Special fares are based upon published full brochure fares; cruise fares do not include pre-paid charges, optional facilities, and personal charges, as defined in the terms and conditions of the  Passenger Ticket Contract  which may be viewed elsewhere on this website. Full brochure fares may not have resulted in actual sales in all stateroom categories and may not have been in effect during the last 90 days. Promotional fares may remain in effect after the expiration date. Air promotion applies to roundtrip flights only from select Viking Cruises U.S. gateways and includes airport-to-ship or hotel transfers, air taxes and air fuel surcharges. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares at any time. For up-to-date prices, please call Viking or your Travel Agent. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Complete terms and conditions may be found in the  Passenger Ticket Contract .

AIR OFFER RESTRICTIONS:  Offer expires July 31, 2024.

NOTE: U.S. flights depart one day prior to check-in date. Paid Business or Premium Economy Class may require travel in economy on flights within North America or Europe. Premium economy is limited to specific airlines and we may not be able to accommodate based on aircraft type and availability. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received.

Explore America’s heartland with these Mississippi river cruises

T he Mississippi River is one of the largest rivers in the United States. Starting down in New Orleans, Louisiana, it weaves through the heart of the country’s south and all the way up to northern Minnesota near the Canadian border. As well as being a mighty body of water, the Mississippi is a mainstay in the exploration of America, the civil war and even features in American classics like Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. Bursting with history, one of the best things to do when visiting the south of the United States is hop onboard a Mississippi river cruise to experience the magic for yourself. Here’s four of the best cruises you can book.

The best Mississippi river cruises 2024

Mississippi delta explorer, from $6,195 at viking cruises.

Cruise along the Mississippi for eight glorious days onboard a Viking Cruise ship. Starting in New Orleans, Louisiana, you’ll get to explore the famed architecture and the French Quarter. Afterwards, you’ll move on to Darrow, St. Francisville and Baton Rouge before heading into the state of Mississippi. In Mississippi, you’ll get the chance to hop off the ship and explore civil war sites and other places of historical interest. Finally, the cruise will finish in Memphis, the home of Blues, the civil rights movement and legends like Elvis Presley.

• New Orleans, Louisiana
• Darrow, Louisiana
• St. Francisville, Louisiana
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Natchez, Mississippi
• Vicksburg, Mississippi
• Greenville, Mississippi
• Scenic Sailing: Lower Mississippi
• Memphis, Tennessee

America’s Great River

From $19,895 at viking cruises.

For the whole Mississippi River cruising experience, you’ll want to book this 15 day adventure from Viking Cruises where you can explore the famous river end-to-end. Beginning in St. Paul, Minnesota you’ll sail down to Red Wing and La Crosse, Wisconsin. Next, you’ll float through Iowa, stopping off at Dubuque, Quad Cities, Burlington and Hannibal, where Mark Twain grew up.

After this, you’ll stop into St. Louis, Missouri where the ship will enter the lower Mississippi region with famous towns like Memphis, Tennessee, Natchez, Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana. With 12 guided tours included in the package, this is one of the most extensive river cruises on the Mississippi that money can buy.

Key features:

• St. Paul, Minnesota
• Red Wing, Minnesota
• La Crosse, Wisconsin
• Dubuque, Iowa
• Quad Cities, Iowa
• Burlington, Iowa
• Hannibal, Missouri
• St. Louis, Missouri

Historic Mississippi River Cruise

From $5244 at american cruise lines.

The Mississippi river served as an important passageway for early explorers and as a pivotal strategic asset for the Union during the Civil War. If you consider yourself a history buff, then this is the cruise for you. Spanning over eight days and seven nights, the Historic Mississippi River Cruise will take you a number of key significant sites along the Mississippi including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Vicksburg, St. Francisville and then back to New Orleans.

New Orleans & Southern Charms

From $5,495 at viking cruises.

If you’re looking for a small taste of the charms of the Mississippi river, then this eight day cruise is for you. You’ll begin in New Orleans before heading to Darrow & St. Francisville where you’ll be immersed in American history. Afterwards, you’ll be taken to Natchez and Vicksburg for sightseeing and exploring civil war sites. Then, you’ll head to Baton Rouge before finishing back in the historic and colourful city of New Orleans.

The post Explore America’s heartland with these Mississippi river cruises appeared first on The Australian Women's Weekly .

The Cutest Way to Visit Upstate New York This Summer Is on a Hudson River Cruise

Board this luxe vessel for stunning views of nature, historic tours, and shopping in quaint upstate towns..

NYC’s massive cruise terminal lining the Hudson River means there’s plenty of opportunities to plan a big ship getaway across international waters—today’s options are endless, from music cruises to swinger cruises . But, what if you’ve always wanted to see New York by boat?

American Cruise Lines, the largest river and small-ship cruise line in the US, is now offering an eight-day, seven-night cruise along the Hudson River. After departing from Manhattan’s Pier 81, the Hudson River Summer Classic takes guests through gentle waterways to quaint upstate towns like Catskill, Kingston, West Point, and Sleepy Hollow, before circling back to the Big Apple.

Each Hudson River Summer Classic journey is conducted aboard an American Eagle ship. The luxe vessels accommodate up to 100 passengers, offer staterooms with personal balconies and panoramic windows, and feature a variety of amenities like a fitness center and an outdoor cafe. As an added bonus, every evening after dinner, guests can also enjoy live music from local performers on the outdoor deck or in one of the lounges.

Highlights of the experience include an exploration of the Vanderbilt Mansion, a stroll through the revered West Point Military Academy campus, a tour of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s childhood home, a peek into the picturesque town of Sleepy Hollow (the backdrop for the famous The Legend of Sleepy Hollow short story by Washington Irving), and a narrated excursion around the Statue of Liberty.

Reddit threads are proof that people have been asking for “weekend overnight cruises on the Hudson” for years and TikTok is replete with plenty of Hudson Valley travel inspo from eerie edits of Sleepy Hollow to charming snippets of Catskill.

During this inaugural summer, the new cruise is offering eight voyages throughout July, August, and September with prices starting at around $6,000 per person. Tickets come with complimentary WiFi, all-inclusive dining, and free cocktails in the evening.

All in all, these new cruises have us wondering why would we even go international for an idyllic cruise experience? Looks like we’re staying stateside this summer.

Hudson River Summer Classic cruises are now available through September.

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Mississippi River crests in Rock Island on Monday

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ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Editor's Note: The featured video aired on Sunday, July 7.

After reaching major flood stage on July 2, the Mississippi River is finally cresting in the Quad Cities Monday. 

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the Mississippi River at Rock Island is cresting at 20.1 feet Monday and is forecasted to fall to 19 feet by Monday, July 15. 

Between July 1-8, the river rose from 17.4 feet to 20.1 feet. Major flood stage is classified as 18 feet or higher. The Mississippi River's record height at Rock Island is 22.7 feet.

The flooding has caused several road closures , temporary business closures and business relocations, including the Freight House Farmers Market and Channel Cat Water Taxi . The Red, White and Boom! fireworks show was also rescheduled due to flooding.

You can find the most recent river gauge readings on the NWS QC's website .

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Related Articles

• Flooding expected for the Quad Cities ahead of Fourth of July
• Red, White and Boom! fireworks display postponed due to predicted Mississippi River flooding
• Illinois man dies after attempting to cross floodwaters, Clay County Sheriff's Office says

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Phone 800 331-1467

1 – Day Cruise

AUGUST 8, 9, 10, 11, 30, 31    SEPTEMBER 1    OCTOBER 25, 26, 27, 28

Dubuque, Iowa to Guttenberg, Iowa & Return

Includes : Continental Breakfast, 2 Snacks, Full Lunch, Historical Narration, Great Scenery, Eagles, more relaxation than you have had in years,

$189 Adults     $89 Children 12 & Under 

Terms and conditions.

River Cruises reserves the right to cancel any cruise, change schedules or routes and substitute vessel without prior notice.

Cruises may be abbreviated, altered or cancelled, if in the judgement of the Captain, conditions are not conducive to the safe operations. Passengers, who by their actions, endanger themselves, other passengers, crew members, or the vessel, will be subject to arrest. 

• Know Before You Go

Trip Itinerary

This cruise heads North from Dubuque through Lock & Dam 11 and takes in one of the most beautiful areas of the Mississippi River. Your cruise includes continental breakfast, a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack, and a full lunch. Take in historical narration, great scenery, wildlife, and live entertainment.

If river conditions allow, we will dock in Guttenberg and give our passengers the opportunity to depart the boat and spend time in this quaint, river town. Be sure to listen to the instructions from the Captain for the re-boarding time. Lunch will be served after we depart from Guttenberg. If we are unable to dock in Guttenberg, lunch will be served at approximately 12:15pm. Arrival time back at Dubuque is approximately 5:00pm.

Refunds for Cancellations

Less than 30 days’ notice of cancellation: $50 /person not refunded. – Less than 5 days notice: 50% refund. – Less than 24 hours’ notice, no-shows or late arrivals: no refund . An inconvenience fee of up to 50% of the cruise value may be charged for passengers who fail to show up for their scheduled cruise.  W e may allow you to reschedule, based upon availability.

All passage must be reserved in advance. No fares transacted at the boarding point. 

Boarding Location 450 E. 3rd St. Dubuque, IA 52001

Boarding time is 7:15 am at our dock in dubuque, iowa. departure time is 7:30 am sharp..

If you are running behind, call 1-800-331-1467 .

Free, ample parking  is available at our  boat dock  in Dubuque. Parking is well-lit and routinely patrolled by the local police. 

You may bring a backpack, purse, tote bag, or other carry-on bag onboard , with essential items you need during the day. Coolers are only allowed for medical use.

The Twilight offers ample, indoor and outdoor seating on all three decks. A gift shop and restrooms are located on the main deck; a cash bar is located on the third deck. Stair climbing is required to reach the upper decks.

An indoor, dining table is reserved for your party; we ask that you sit at your reserved table during mealtimes. You may roam throughout the boat during the duration of your trip.

Suggested Items to Bring with You

We recommend dressing in layers and wearing comfortable shoes. Consider bringing onboard items such as a camera, medication, binoculars, sunscreen, sunglasses, and or leisure items such as a book, board games, cards, etc. Charge your devices ahead of time; outlets are limited.

Accommodations & Requests

Please notify us in advance of any specific physical or dietary accommodations. We cannot guarantee requested changes less than 10 days prior to your cruise date.

Our chef can accommodate most special diets (e.g. diabetic, vegan/vegetarian, and gluten free). We cannot guarantee the availability of particular foods once the boat has left the dock. Call 1-800-331-1467 to request dietary accommodations. We encourage anyone with special dietary needs to  read our complete policy here.  Any questions? Call 1-800-331-1467 to request dietary accommodations.

The Twilight has three levels; stairs are required to reach the upper decks. We are unable to accommodate motorized scooters onboard; these can be sent with your overnight luggage and will be waiting for you at our dock in Dubuque. Walkers or wheelchairs are welcomed. If you need seating on the lowest level, an ADA room at the hotel, or any other physical accommodation, call 1-800-331-1467.

Hotel Recommendations (for before/after your trip)

These three hotels are closest to the Port of Dubuque . Additional, local accommodations can be found at https://www.traveldubuque.com/stay

Grand Harbor Resort – 563-690-4000

Hotel Julien Dubuque — 563-556-4200

Holiday Inn Dubuque   — 563-556-2000

If you are not vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to do so, however, at this time the Riverboat Twilight does not ask for proof of vaccination. Mask wearing is the choice of the individual. The Twilight offers ample indoor and outdoor seating on all three decks and plenty of fresh air.

We will continue to maintain our increased sanitization efforts of the TWILIGHT and our boarding facilities, and we continue to provide hand sanitizer aboard the boat and employ a strong air purifier that uses UVC lighting that has been proven to destroy viruses and other bacteria.

For the safety of our passengers and crew and to maintain proper cleanliness, we have implemented the following guidelines for parents of children under the age of 14. While onboard the vessel and when making use of our food and beverages services, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. With your cooperation and understanding, we will be able to continue to offer a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

As an owner, of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Le Claire, IA and the President of Great Lakes Management Group which manages the hotel’s day to day operations, I wanted to say thank you. The business relationship with the Riverboat Twilight and her passengers is valued and much appreciated. We all know businesses from every industry has been operating in a different environment the last 8 weeks and will encounter new changes in the future.

We continue to monitor the franchise, local, state and federal safety guidelines to insure our guest and staff safety. For example, we anticipate a few changes in the near future which will include the following: a plastic shield / barrier at the front desk check,  revised breakfast offerings without a buffet setting, hand sanitizer located in the lobby and all floors at the elevator landings, continued use of hospital grade products to clean and sanitize the guest rooms, individual sanitizer wipes as an in-room amenity, removal of all products in the rooms that are reusable for example, pens, pads, laundry bags, and throw pillows, these items will be available upon request. We hope to see you soon. Stay safe and healthy!

  Respectfully, Neil Densmore | President glmg | hotels

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• World's Best
• World's Best Awards 2024

Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite River Cruise Lines of 2024

Explore the world's coolest rivers via these 10 spectacular river cruise lines, voted the best by T+L readers in the “World’s Best Awards” survey for 2024.

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

Taking a beat, a breath, and a moment to unwind is what travel is all about. And while this can be achieved on every vacation you take, it's always easier on a slow vacation, like the one you'd experience on a magical river cruise. This level of relaxation can really be found in riverways just about anywhere in the world — as long as you choose a winning cruise line like those on this year's World's Best Awards list. Our reader favorites service the waterways of Europe, South America, Asia, and beyond.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

For the cruise category, respondents were asked to rate individual ships; the results were combined to generate scores for cruise lines in different categories based on number of cabins.

Ships were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Cabins/facilities
• Itineraries/destinations
• Excursions/activities

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

Courtesy of Aqua Expeditions

Indeed, slow travel has become all the rage, with Travel + Leisure readers looking to river cruising to help them explore every inch of their destination at a leisurely 8.6 knots per hour.

"Our first river cruise was on Avalon Vista, and that experience turned us on to do more river cruising," one reader wrote about this year's No. 2 river cruise line, Avalon Waterways. "The trip was immediately a hit when we checked into our suite, and there was a bottle of Champagne and a box of chocolates for my birthday. Such a nice touch."

The reader also noted how spectacular the staff, food, and amenities were on board, but particularly called out the unbelievable excursion options, which on Avalon include wine tastings through France, kayaking the canals in Amsterdam, and learning something new with a cooking class through Austria.

But still, there was one river cruise line that captured the hearts of readers even more — their No. 1 pick, Aqua Expeditions. Read on to see what T+L travelers loved most about this line and all the rest who made this year's World's Best list.

Aqua Expeditions

Service. Service. Service. That's what T+L readers praised most about their experience on board Aqua Expeditions. "Exceptional service and staff. Unique excursions and experiences that you could not get anywhere else," one reader said. "It's hard to describe the casual luxury, the detail-oriented staff, the spacious cabins, and the general feeling of total relaxation that Aqua Mekong exudes," another added. "I can't stress how warm, welcoming, and ready to serve the entire staff is." The cruise line took home the No. 1 spot for the second year in a row thanks to this and more, including its distinct staterooms like those on its Aqua Mekong ship, which feature deep wood accents and emerald green pops of color, and its fantastic dining options on Aqua Nera , which serves local Peruvian cuisine using the freshest ingredients possible. "It was amazing," one more reader noted of their experience. "Beautiful areas, excellent service!"

It's hard to describe the casual luxury, the detail-oriented staff, the spacious cabins, and the general feeling of total relaxation that Aqua Mekong exudes.

1. Aqua Expeditions

Reader Score: 98.85

2. Avalon Waterways

Reader Score: 95.91

3. The Oberoi Cruisers

Reader Score: 95.75

Reader Score: 95.71

5. Grand Circle Cruise Line

Reader Score: 95.61

6. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Reader Score: 94.83

Reader Score: 94.73

8. Riverside Luxury Cruises

Reader Score: 94.62

Reader Score:  91.00

10. AmaWaterways

Reader Score: 90.09

Related Articles

A Russian court has ordered the arrest of Alexei Navalny's widow, who lives abroad

Updated July 10, 2024 at 12:09 PM ET

MOSCOW — A Russian court has ordered the arrest in absentia of Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The Moscow court order , issued Tuesday, means Navalnaya — who currently lives outside of Russia — faces arrest if she returns to her home country anytime soon.

Court documents claim Navalnaya hid from Russian investigators and call for her extradition from abroad — saying she would be held for an initial two months pending an investigation.

Similar extremism-related charges have been used to sentence Navalny associates to years in prison — part of a government crackdown on Navalny’s once budding grassroots political network.

Last December, Ksenia Fadeyeva, a Navalny ally who served as a legislator in the Siberian town of Tomsk, was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Lilia Chanysheva, who led Navalny’s operations in Bashkortostan, was sentenced to 7 1/2 years. In April, a court added 2 1/2 more years to her sentence — arguing the initial one had been too lenient.

A reluctant politician emerges

The arrest warrant for Navalnaya suggests that Russian authorities are taking her growing role seriously in Russia’s often fractured opposition.

In the wake of her husband’s still unexplained death in a remote Arctic prison camp in February, Navalnaya reluctantly announced she would carry on her husband’s mission to fight for a more free and democratic Russia — what Navalny once championed as “the beautiful Russia of the future.”

"There should have been another person in my place, but this person was killed by Vladimir Putin," she said at the time.

The Kremlin has repeatedly denied any involvement in Navalny’s death.

This month, the widow announced she had accepted a role as chair of the New York-based Human Rights Foundation.

Navalny had been serving out a lengthy prison sentence on charges including extremism, which he had always said were politically motivated.

Reacting to the arrest warrant, Navalnaya made clear she felt authorities were seeking to put the wrong person behind bars.

“When you write about this, please don't forget to write the main thing: Vladimir Putin is a murderer and a war criminal,” she wrote on X , formerly Twitter.

“He belongs in prison, not in a comfortable cell in The Hague with a television, but in Russia — in the same type of colony and the same 2-by-3-meter cell in which he killed Alexei.”

In denying any role in Navalny's death, President Putin has said Navalny's body simply gave out somehow.

“It happens. There is nothing you can do about it. It's life,” Putin said in his only public comments about Navalny’s death last March.

Prison officials say Navalny collapsed during a walk in the prison yard, in the penal colony in the Yamalo-Nenets region where he had been detained, but have provided no other details.

Copyright 2024 NPR

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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Narrated Sightseeing Cruises

Information, wqad kids count, buy tickets.

Boarding out of Moline, IL

See the Quad City Area (Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa and Moline & Rock Island, Illinois) from our point of view! Our Captain will point out and tell you about some of the rich history of the area and the Mighty Mississippi River. You’ll view the largest roller dam in the world at Lock and Dam #15 as well as the Rock Island Arsenal Island. This arsenal is still a working arsenal manufacturing items for our government. Our Captain will tell you about the people who live and work on the arsenal plus much more on this 1  hour 30 minute cruise

Sit back, take in the scenery and sights, enjoy a cool beverage, and relax while we cruise the Mississippi. You will learn about the rich history of the Quad Cities along with viewing and learning about:

• The Rock Island Arsenal
• Lock and Dam #15 and Roller Dam
• Colonel Davenport’s Home
• The location where the first bridge to cross the Mississippi River. (Note, a young Illiniois attorney defended that bridge and became our 16th President).
• See how he makes it look so easy to maneuver this 1080 ton vessel!

Last but not least be sure to visit our gift shop located on the 3rd deck.

WQAD IS BRINGING IT BACK!   Join us Saturday, August 17 th for a special Kids Count Cruise! 

Celebrate Summer with us! Bring your little Pirates and Princesses on the Kids Count Cruise on August 17th to enjoy Pirate and Princess-themed games & entertainment. Costumes are encouraged! Complete a treasure hunt, dance to live music, meet a pirate or princess or two, and enjoy the beautiful views of cruising the Mississippi River on the Celebration Belle.     A perfect family fun event before the new school year begins! 

WQAD Kids Count Cruise Saturday, August 17, 2024 Boarding starts at 1:30 pm Cruise 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Join us for a special cruise just for the kids on August 17, sponsored by WQAD!

Special rates this day: Adult: $18.00 Child ages 3-10: $12.00 Child ages 2 and under complimentary, but need counts for tickets

Adult: $20.00 Child: $14.00

Children’s prices are for ages 3 – 10 years; children under 3 years are free.

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• Narrated Sightseeing Cruise
• WQAD Kids Count Cruise

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About celebration belle.

(800) 297-0034 (309) 764-1952

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2501 River Drive, Moline, IL 61265

Group Sales and Marketing: Susan Yarolem (800) 297-0034 x 204 (309) 764-1952 x 204

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• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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Who's going.

• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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See photo of the meeting point

Viking River Cruises