european river cruise options

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• River Cruises

15 of the Best European River Cruises

Explore France, Germany, and more on these European river cruises.

Much of the appeal of European river cruises, especially as we emerge from the pandemic with pent-up travel demand, is the small size of the ships, casual atmosphere, and accessibility. Unlike oceangoing ships that carry as many as 5,000 passengers, most river cruise ships accommodate around 150 guests, for a more intimate experience. Balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and open-air viewing are features of most river cruise ships, and some offer pools, spas, fitness areas, and jogging tracks.

Guests are kept busy (if they wish to be) with daily shore excursions, and most cruises offer several options depending on interests and activity levels. Bikes and walking tours are available in most ports, or guests can choose a leisurely day in a comfortable lounge enjoying the passing scenery.

"River cruises offer opportunities to step ashore in fairy-tale towns and fabled cities. You can immerse yourself in contemporary culture and learn something about the history of the towns along the continent's greatest rivers," according to Ralph Grizzle of River Cruise Advisor . "Sitting on the top deck of a ship under brilliant blue skies, you can gaze on fabled landscapes dotted with castles, villages, and vineyards. A flight of stairs down, and you have all the amenities of a modern hotel—restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, spas, internet access, and comfortable staterooms."

With a number of cruise companies and rivers to choose from, planning a river cruise can take some time. Consulting with a travel advisor is always a good idea, and there's plenty of information available online as well. These are the major companies offering the best European river cruises along with examples of their itineraries.

Perhaps the best known of the river cruise companies, Viking promotes their "longships," which include large suites and inviting verandas for outdoor dining. Guests enjoy Viking's destination-focused dining as well as the variety of staterooms and itineraries with a wide range of prices.

Viking's 10-day "Portugal's River of Gold '' begins in Lisbon with a walking tour through its ancient streets before heading to Porto, home of the country's traditional wine, to board the ship and begin the cruise along the Douro River. Guests can explore Baroque palaces, vineyards, and lush scenery along the way, arriving in the World Heritage city of Salamanca, Spain on day six. The itinerary includes visits to Portuguese villages in Pinhão and Régua to sample local foods and wines before returning to Porto.

AmaWaterways

Celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2022, this family-owned and operated cruise company focuses on excellent food and wine, tasteful décor, stateroom views, and innovation in their luxurious fleet. Fares include fitness classes, shore excursions, and all dining on board, including The Chef's Table specialty restaurant. New ships debut each year, and the spacious AmaMagna , launched in 2019, is nearly twice the width of traditional European cruise ships.

Wine lovers will want to experience the seven-night "Taste of Bordeaux," with visits to iconic chateaux, timeless vineyards, and delicious wine tastings while cruising the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. Excursions include a tour of a medieval castle and tasting of Sauternes, a stop in Pauillac, gateway to the Medoc wine region, and a Saint-Emilion tour and tasting. Returning to Bordeaux, guests will explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of the wine world.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Uniworld's one-of-a-kind vessels are inspired by the locales they visit, making their luxurious ships a destination in themselves. Billed as "the world's only authentic boutique cruise line," Uniworld offers in-suite butler service, world-class cuisine, and all-inclusive rates that cover premium spirits and wines as well as gratuities.

Their eight-day "Enchanting Danube" cruise aboard the S.S. Maria Theresa begins in Budapest with a choice of touring by bicycle or walking. A stop in Vienna includes a Mozart and Strauss concert at a Viennese palace, a city tour, and a taste of local delicacies. The cruise ends in Passau with a choice of bicycling, walking, or hiking to explore the city and a special captain's farewell reception and dinner.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. Large private bathrooms include full showers and L'Occitane bath amenities. Their deluxe beds and luxurious linens provide comfort in spacious, quiet quarters with ample closet space. Avalon offers "Active & Discovery" river cruises with activities for a variety of energy and fitness levels, from traditional sightseeing to action-packed experiences.

The "Active & Discovery on the Rhone" cruise begins in Lyon and heads south through the French countryside of Provence and ends in Port-Saint-Louis. On the way, Avalon Choice excursions include a culinary walk, cooking class, painting workshop, wine tastings, guided bike rides, and more, with Active, Classic, and Discovery level activities.

Started as a New England motor coach tour company, Tauck is a family-owned global travel firm offering tours and cruises to a wide range of destinations around the world. Their award-winning European river cruises are praised for their personalized service, exclusive destination experiences, luxurious cabins and suites, fine dining, and professional, caring staff.

"Impressions from the Seine: Paris to Normandy," an eight-day cruise, features stops in historic small villages and towns and a visit to the D-Day beaches of Normandy and the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. A private visit to the home and gardens of Claude Monet at Giverny and a visit to the Impressionist Museum will please art lovers. Other highlights include a guided visit to Versailles, Louis XIV's magnificent palace and gardens, the Cathedrale de Rouen, and Joan of Arc Square.

Scenic offers both ocean and river cruises, all with emphasis on its fleet of "Space-Ships" and their meticulous design and spacious quarters. Guests enjoy personalized butler service and all-inclusive cruising. Ships offer a wellness area, massage services, gym, e-bikes, and onboard entertainment. Scenic's "FreeChoice" excursions offer something for all activity levels.

The "Charming Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle" begins with arrival in Frankfurt and transfer to Mainz for boarding. Stops include Koblenz, where guests can take a walking or e-bike tour. There's a private classical music concert and tour of Reichsburg Castle along the way, as well as optional visits to the Mercedes-Benz factory or a walking tour of Strasbourg and its magnificent cathedral.

Emerald Cruises

Emerald offers both yacht and river cruises, with a range of cruises on the rivers in Europe. Founded in 2013, Emerald now features a fleet of nine "Star-Ships," with stylish suites, first-class amenities, and room for 180 guests. Most carry bicycles, and all staterooms are equipped with hiking poles. Excursions include the EmeraldPLUS program of special experiences to connect with their destinations, and EmeraldACTIVE offers faster-paced guided tours, bike rides, hikes, and activities.

The eight-day "Sensations of Lyon & Provence" cruise begins in Lyon and heads to a quaint village and then south again towards Tournon, with its 16th-century castle. Along the way, guests can choose a hike through vineyards, canoe trip, village walking tours, or wine tasting onboard.

Adventures by Disney River Cruises

Partnering with AmaWaterways, Adventures by Disney offers cruises on the Seine, Rhine, and Danube Rivers, Disney style. Specially designed itineraries and Adventure Guides create experiences for parents, children, and teens, from active excursions to unique onboard activities. Adults-only dinners and wine tasting experiences along with teen programming, Disney movie nights, karaoke, trivia nights, and Junior Adventurer dinners provide entertainment for guests of all ages.

The eight-day Danube River Cruise starts in Budapest where excursions include a horse show at an equestrian park and a goulash-making competition for Adventurers. In Bratislava, Junior Adventurers can visit a petting zoo, and in the evening, there's family karaoke. A tour of Vienna and Schönbrunn Palace, marionette show, concert, and strudel making are options the next day. A day in Salzburg ends onboard with "The Sound of Music" film and singalong. After an Oktoberfest celebration and captain's farewell dinner, the cruise ends the next day.

CroisiEurope Cruises

Established in 1976, Croisi offers cruises on rivers, canals, and seas with a fleet of oceangoing ships, canal barges, and river cruise ships. The company's innovative approach allowed them to be pioneers on several rivers in Europe including the Gironde, Loire, Po, and Elbe, basing their ships' design on the characteristics of the waterways.

CroisiEurope's seven-day "Hamburg to Berlin: Discover the Medieval Charms of Hanseatic Cities" cruise starts with guided tours of Hamburg and Lübeck, A UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a morning cruise, the ship will ride on the Scharnebeck twin ship lift, one of the highest in Europe, with a vertical lift of 125 feet. An optional visit to the Autostadt theme park, dedicated to German auto design, and an afternoon cruise fill day four. The next day, there's a tour of Magdeburg, known for its fascinating architecture and culture. The ship arrives in Berlin for a tour and festive evening.

This German cruise company' s distinctive ships are easy to recognize by the large red lips and rose on the bow. Their fleet of 12 ships was joined by the new A-Rosa Sena , a hybrid powered ship expected to cruise the northern Rhine almost silently and emission-free. Family-friendly amenities include a kids club, heated outdoor pools, and free passage for children ages 15 and under.

The six-day "Highlights of the Rhine" cruise begins in Cologne and cruises on to Rotterdam and then Amsterdam the following day. Options include a bus tour, canal tour, pedal boats, or private auto tour, each at an additional cost. A variety of ways to explore Utrecht the next day are available. On day six, the ship returns to Cologne.

Lueftner Cruises

This Austrian family business dates back more than 40 years and offers European river cruises on its fleet of 16 AMADEUS ships. Five-star service, facilities, and cuisine are their hallmarks, and their ships feature wide panoramic windows and a spacious sun deck.

The eight-day "Saar and Moselle Fairytales" cruise boards in Cologne and cruises down the Rhine to the Moselle and its tributary, the Saar River. The ship passes the Mosel vineyards and docks in the medieval town of Cochem for a guided walking tour. The next day, guests can tour the town of Bernkastel-Kues and enjoy a wine tasting or hike to the ruins of a castle for a stunning view. After a morning tour of Saarburg, the ship cruises along the Saar River with panoramic views of its massive loop. The ship stops in Luxembourg and then continues to Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet, before returning to Cologne.

Apt River Cruises

This Australian-owned organization is the country's largest family-owned tour and cruise company , offering a variety of travel styles. Their Concerto River Ships, AmaVenita , AmaStella , and AmaReina , cruise on the Danube, Main, Rhine, and Douro Rivers with luxury accommodations and excursions. Apt charters the ships from AmaWaterways, but their itineraries and onboard programs are unique to Apt River Cruises. Apt's offerings include rail journeys, as well as small boat, yacht, and ocean cruises.

Their 15-day "Magnificent Europe" cruise begins in Amsterdam with a canal tour and cruises the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers before arriving in Budapest. The ship docks in Koblenz and takes a daytime cruise through the Rhine Gorge before landing in Miltenberg for a guided tour of the city. On day six, guests can choose a trip to Rothenburg or visit a family-owned farm for a home-cooked morning tea. The ship passes through the Main-Danube Canal that connects the Black Sea and the North Sea. In Vienna, there's a cocktail party and private orchestra recital or city tour before heading to Budapest for two days.

Nicko Cruises

This German company offers 30 years of experience on Europe's rivers, and has a fleet of 26 river ships in addition to the expedition ship World Voyager and oceangoing Vasco Da Gama . The company's "time to discover" philosophy focuses on intensive travel experiences, shore excursions, and varied culinary offerings.

The eight-day "Traveling on the Elbe and Havel" cruise covers Germany's north on rivers and canals aboard the Frederick Chopin . Starting in Berlin, the cruise continues to Potsdam for a guided walking tour. A guided tour takes guests through Autostadt Wolfsburg, a park dedicated to the history of the automobile. In Hamburg, there's a city tour and harbor cruise before the cruise continues to the Baltic resort, Laboe, and ends in Kiel.

Teeming River Cruises

Founded in 2017 with the goal of making European river cruises more economical and personalized, family-owned American company Teeming River Cruises developed a different river cruise model. Instead of pre-programmed group activities, guests create their own unique experiences with a complimentary city tour app for each destination. All-inclusive plans and group tours are not part of Teeming's itineraries.

Their cruise in northern Italy along the Po River, "From the Canals of Venice to Renaissance-infused Mantua," is a seven-day excursion starting in Venice where guests can discover St. Mark's Square and Doge's Palace. In partnership with CroisiEurope aboard the MS Michelangelo , the ship heads west to Vicenza and then on to Chioggia. Day four is spent in Verona, with its ancient amphitheater and Giusti Gardens. The next days are spent in Cremona and Mantua with disembarkation and a coach trip back to Venice.

Belmond - Afloat in France

Belmond has another way to cruise some of Europe's rivers — on luxury barges with private chefs and excursions like truffle hunting, hot air ballooning, canoeing, and wine tasting. Seven barges make up Afloat in France , each with its own style and size. The elegant barges cruise the waterways of Burgundy, Provence, Alsace, Champagne, Languedoc, and Franche-Comté from April to October.

On the Belmond Napoleon , guests cruise the River Saône past châteaux, rural river towns, and expansive vineyards. Stops at Montmerle, Mâcon, and Tournus offer opportunities for wine tasting and exploring a Benedictine abbey. There's a walking tour of Chalon-Sur-Sâone and time to browse through St. Jean de Losne.

Related Articles

APRIL SALE Extended:   Book now for   up to 60% off!

Europe River Cruises

Experience the magic of Europe along its majestic rivers! From the Rhine to the Douro , from the Main to the Danube , we have cruises all through Europe, ranging from 1 days up to 31 days. The most popular month for these cruises is August, which has the most tour departures. Looking outside of Europe? See all river cruises .

250+ European river cruises with 1,202 reviews

• River Cruise

Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 2024

Great service on Board The Avalon Vista with a very caring and friendly crew. We felt very welcomed at all times and were not pressured into taking any of the excursions although we nevertheless did take the opportunity if found interesting. We will definitely go on another cruise with Avalon as we were very satisfied with the value for money experience

Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2024

The Wi-Fi didn’t work as expected and it caused quite an inconvenience. The excursion plan is not as clear either. Overall it’s still a good tour but I think my last Danube river with Avalon is better than this rhino river cruise.

Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Bucharest (Turnu Magurele) , MS Fidelio

Classic Rhine cruise (Amsterdam-Basel) MS Crucevita

Very friendly and helpful staff. Itinerary was well designed with lots of variety.

Grand Danube Cruise 2024

• Christmas & New Year

Melodies of the Danube 2024

The beautiful blue Danube (port-to-port cruise)

The tour exceeded all our expectations. We will definitely recognize this company to all our friends and family. Will also do another one in the near future.

Danube Classics Vienna 2024 (8 destinations)

We had a generally good experience. Most new passengers board in Engelhartszell, but 17 passengers boarded the ship in Vienna. We boarded in Vienna and didn’t receive new passenger orientation, which includes basic ship, safety and excursion presentations. The crew was very friendly, although it was primarily a German language oriented cruise lines.

Danube Classics Vienna 2024 (10 destinations)

Splendours of Europe (Start Budapest, End Amsterdam)

From the Blue Danube to the Black Sea (port-to-port cruise) (11 destinations)

Crosieurope had nice food, plenty of beer and wine, very clean boat - both inside and out. Staff were very nice and helpful, always cleaning windows, carpet, etc. The administration staff were a bit at times disorganised. Sometimes they would forget to give message in English after they delivered Message in French.

Classical Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel) (10 destinations)

A good balance of excursions and relaxation and good food and wine

Splendours of Europe (Start Amsterdam, End Budapest)

The program in the Emerald ship was magnificently planned and discussed. The local music during the cruise was so informative. Long live the music from the Netherlands and Germany through Austria and Slovakya to Hungary! Just for the music, dances and songs I will do the cruise again!

Enchanting Danube (2024) (Budapest to Passau, 2024)

Enchanting Danube (2024) (Passau to Budapest, 2024)

This was our first river cruise and everything went beyond our expectation. Services: the staff were accommodating and helpful. Tours: various excursions to choose from for different age group and they were well-organized. Ship: beautiful boutique-design ship. The only cons is a slow Wifi connection but it ain't a big deal. There were so many onboard activity that kept us entertaining. I noticed that the cruise operates in eco-friendly manner, i.e. they eliminates sing-use plastic. That's a big plus!!!!

European River Cruises Reviews

It was a great cruise. The food was amazing, the crew was really helpful, and the tours and tour guides were great. The only thing to imporve on if the WiFi which only worked half the time.

Great company to cruise with. Ship carries 110 passengers. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner each day. Plenty of stops to sightsee. The castles along the Rhine make trip a very enjoyable cruise. All staff were great.

Popular Cruise Ships

• Avalon Passion from Avalon Waterways
• Avalon Tranquility II from Avalon Waterways
• Scenic Opal from Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
• Scenic Jasper from Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
• Emerald Sky from Emerald Cruises
• Avalon Imagery II from Avalon Waterways
• Avalon Impression from Avalon Waterways
• Avalon Envision from Avalon Waterways
• Emerald Destiny from Emerald Cruises
• Emerald Dawn from Emerald Cruises
• Avalon Illumination from Avalon Waterways
• Avalon Expression from Avalon Waterways

Travel Styles

• 10 Best River Cruise Companies (with Reviews)
• 10 Best Luxury River Cruises & Lines 2022
• Best 3 Weeks Europe Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• Hiking in Europe in February
• Hiking in Europe in January
• Hiking in Europe in March
• Hiking in Europe in April
• Hiking in Europe in May
• Hiking in Europe in June
• Hiking in Europe in July
• Hiking in Europe in August
• Hiking in Europe in September
• Hiking in Europe in October
• Hiking in Europe in December

Emergency Banner Component

European River Cruising

The magic of our award-winning European river cruises goes far beyond the riverboat you're aboard or the landmarks you'll visit. It's in the intimate ambiance and personalized service... the places you'll discover off the beaten path... and in the uncommon access to local culture and exclusive destination driven experiences you can't get on your own, as you experience a true slice of European life and return home transformed.

• Danube River
• Douro River
• Rhine River
• Rhône River
• Seine River
• Christmas Markets

• ITINERARIES
• FEATURED TOURS

Welcome to European River Cruising

Whether you're experiencing the Rhine or the Danube, the Douro, the Rhône, Seine, Maas or Moselle... the magic of our award-winning European river cruises goes far beyond the riverboat you're aboard or the landmarks you'll visit. It's in the intimate ambiance and personalized service... the places you'll discover off the beaten path... and in the uncommon access to local culture and exclusive destination driven experiences you can't get on your own, as you experience a true slice of European life and return home transformed.

What to expect on europe's rivers.

Although there's no better way to explore Europe's great cities, castle-dotted countryside and vineyards by riverboat, situations may arise that are beyond our control. In the event we need to modify your journey for any reason, you can trust that we will make every effort to communicate with you and to preserve your experience.

Portugal's golden Douro River, home to our newest cruises

The river of kings – the danube, wine country – france's rhône valley, old world europe – rhine river cruises, paris to normandy – the river seine.

Journey Collection

Experience Tauck European River Cruises

Search Again

{{ title }}

{{shortDescription}}

{{longDescription}}

{{priceFrom}}

From Price, Per Person

Price shown is the lowest price per person, double, on most journeys.

No Tours Match Your Room Configuration

Itinerary Related Content

Take a look below for other tours

Please enter a valid search term

No results found for “ ”.

Make sure your words are spelled correctly or use less or different words.

We can't find any itineraries that match your departure date. Try broadening your search by choosing a different year or month.

The keyword's results do not contain the selected date. Please reset the date filter or choose a different date.

Featured River, Small Ship and Land Journeys

Inspired by the destination.

For 90+ years, the Tauck family has had a passion for sailing — aboard small ships and yachts at sea, riverboats along great inland waterways, and at home on the rivers and lakes of Connecticut and New York. When we began blending our land experience with our strong passion for cruising in our first European river cruise back in 1992, we knew that no "ordinary" river cruise experience would do for our guests. We wanted them to travel Europe's rivers in the same beyond-the-ordinary Tauck style they experienced on our land trips. With that in mind, we searched to find a company to partner with that would share our values and our commitment to "do the right thing" by our guests... and found it in another family-owned company, Scylla. Together, we crafted a river cruise experience that was ahead of its time and inspired by the destinations we explore.

Guest Favorites in River Cruising

Along the Danube... the Rhine... the Rhône... the Seine... or the Douro... our European river cruises are all about the unique cultural access you'll enjoy wherever we visit... the strong connections you'll make with the people you'll meet... and the traditions and genuine little moments they'll share with you  along the way...

Budapest to amsterdam by riverboat, the romantic rhine: basel to amsterdam, rendezvous on the seine, blue danube: family riverboat adventure, tauck's river cruise guide, european river facts.

Tauck shares the basic facts you need about Europe's rivers – plus the history, culture and more.

What to Expect On Europe's Rivers

Unforeseen circumstances may occur on the rivers of Europe from time-to-time, including high and low water levels. Tauck is always prepared to deal with these eventualities in order to preserve your Tauck experience.

Why Take A Tauck River Cruise

Tauck River Cruising means traveling in good company, exclusive access to cultural experiences, distinctively inclusive pricing and more!

Choosing The Best European River Cruise For You

Tauck's European river cruise guide will help you find the right Danube, Rhone, Rhine, Seine or Douro river cruise for you.

Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

• Destinations
• Antarctica & the Arctic
• Australia & New Zealand
• Israel & Jordan
• Latin America
• United States
• Tours & Cruises
• Exclusive Partnership
• Family Journeys
• Guest Favorites
• River Cruises
• Small Groups
• Small Ship Cruises
• Awards and Accolades
• Our History
• Tauck Impact
• The Tauck Difference
• The Taucker Blog
• About Tauck
• Media Center
• Tutorial Video
• Agent Connect
• Register Your Agency
• General Information
• Travel Protection
• Newsletter Sign Up
• Order an eGift Card
• Request a Brochure
• Tauck Forums
• Travel and Health
• Travel Updates

Sign Up to Subscribe to Our Emails

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures

Europe River Cruises

With longer port calls and our destination-focused approach, Viking maximizes your discoveries in Europe. From the fairytale castles of the Middle Rhine to the natural beauty of Norwegian fjords, you will gain deep insight into the continent’s cultural and historic riches.

Rhine Getaway

• PRICE & BUILD

Grand European Tour

Romantic Danube

Danube Waltz

Lyon & Provence

NEW! Rhine & Main Explorer

Paris & the Heart of Normandy

Cities of Light

Paris to the Swiss Alps

Châteaux, Rivers & Wine

Paris & D-Day 80th Anniversary

London, Paris & D-Day

France’s Finest

• Request a Quote

Lyon, Provence & the Rhineland

Portugal’s River of Gold

Passage to Eastern Europe

Capitals of Eastern Europe

Elegant Elbe

Holland & Belgium

Tulips & Windmills

European Sojourn

Treasures of the Rhine

NEW! Treasures of the Danube

Christmas on the Seine

Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle

Christmas on the Main & Moselle

Christmas on the Rhine

Christmas on the Danube

Danube Christmas Delights

Christmas Along the Elbe

Rhine & Viking Shores & Fjords

Highlights of europe river cruises.

Europe’s inland waterways and stunning seaside coasts are brimming with old-world treasures. Discover them in celebrated capitals such as Vienna and Oslo, and in delightfully surprising ports, like Bratislava, Slovakia and Skagen, Denmark. From river to ocean, you can find:

• Cologne’s towering Gothic cathedral
• A traditional Sami ceremony north of the Arctic Circle
• Ancient trade routes of the Vikings
• Budapest’s regal Parliament building and Chain Bridge
• Sheep farming and wool production in a Faroese village
• Vintners tending their vines in quintas along the Douro
• The Hanseatic past of historic Bergen
• Kinderdijk’s windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Picturesque Icelandic waterfalls and fjords
• Award-winning beers at Britain’s oldest brewhouse

Sign up to receive updates from Viking

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Special Offers
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Advisors
• Media Center
• Investor Relations
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

9 best river cruises in Europe

River cruising in Europe is one of those delightfully slow and easy modes of travel. You're in a small floating hotel, exploring calm inland waters, gliding past castles and vineyards and scenery that changes by the hour.

Daily escorted walking tours and other excursions provided by the river line take you to key UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other city and village attractions you've come to see. Or you can choose to explore on your own, which is easy since your ship often will dock right in town.

Lazy afternoons on the ship afford the time to sit in a lounge chair and watch the world go by — kids swimming from the riverbanks, farmers tending their crops, river birds flapping their wings — as you glide to your next destination.

Which European river should you explore? The choices are broader than you might expect.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

The main rivers in Europe are the Danube and the Rhine and their tributaries. They are, by far, the most popular, doable either on one-week segments or longer itineraries that combine areas and sometimes combine rivers. Even if your cruise is only a week, don't underestimate the allure of relaxing for seven days on a river in France or on the dreamy Douro in Portugal.

Here are the best river cruises in Europe.

Upper Danube

When it comes to Europe river cruises, a perfect seven-night starter sailing is the Upper Danube, which takes you through centuries of history as you explore Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.

Ships visit such cultural hubs as Vienna, with its opera and art museums and elaborate royal palaces, and Budapest, Hungary, with its magnificent architecture and modern vibe. If your ship passes the Hungarian Parliament building at night, you're in for a treat; magnificently lit, it's one of the most photographed sights on the river.

Along the route, between Melk and Krems in Austria, you cruise through the Wachau Valley, a key wine-growing region producing rieslings and gruner veltliners, with sipping opportunities available. It's also a great place to bike, which is why it's nice to sail with lines, such as AmaWaterways , that carry bikes on board for passengers to use.

You might also have the option of a side trip to Salzburg, Austria, the birthplace of Mozart — and also where several scenes for the movie "Sound of Music" were filmed. A surprise for many is Old Town Bratislava, Slovakia, which might not have been on your must-do list but which charms with its beer culture and castles.

Related: Booking your first river cruise? Here's what you need to know.

Lower Danube

For a deep dive into Eastern Europe's past and present, the fascinating Lower Danube route between Budapest and Bucharest, Romania, explores history from the medieval times and Victorian era of Dracula to the rise of communism and the Bosnian War.

The seven-night river cruise takes you through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. The most beautiful stretch of the river is a 62-mile passage through a gorge between the Balkan and Carpathian Mountains. It's also one of the deepest stretches of river in the world.

Other sights accessed on shore excursions via bus include Bulgaria's Belogradchik Rocks, which are naturally carved towering red rock pinnacles that appear to take forms such as "Madonna with child," and Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's stunning medieval capital.

When it comes to top cruising rivers in Europe, the Rhine wins for natural beauty and fairytale landscapes. A cruise on the river between Amsterdam in The Netherlands, and Basel, Switzerland — a typical one-week route — takes you past expanses of slope-side vineyards, forests and mountains, historic cities and medieval half-timbered villages.

That's even before you get to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 40-mile stretch of river, between Rudesheim and Koblenz, Germany, has castles galore — you might imagine Rapunzel letting down her hair — and Lorelei Rock, the legendary cliff said to distract sailors with the mesmerizing song of a maiden.

The French city of Strasbourg, with its famous Gothic cathedral and robust Alsatian culinary scene, is often a favorite stop on Rhine itineraries, with other highlights including Heidelberg, Germany, and its imposing castle.

Related: Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing

Sure, you can catch sight of the Eiffel Tower when boarding a river ship in Paris, but you can do that while staying in a hotel, too. The real attractions of a Seine River cruise are sailing on the river outside the city toward the English Channel and a visit to the beaches in Normandy for a perspective on World War II.

Your visit there and to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, as well as other memorials and monuments to the fallen, is a poignant experience (one that requires a two-hour bus ride from your ship, however). Avalon Waterways brings a World War II expert on board to add insight on select sailings.

Other treasures exist along the Seine, not the least of which is Giverny, the home and gardens of impressionist artist Claude Monet. If you are a fan of his art, much of the property might seem familiar.

In historic Rouen, where Joan of Arc was martyred in the Middle Ages, stop by the Rouen Cathedral (another subject of Monet) before losing yourself on cobblestone streets with wonderful cafes.

Related: River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

Bordeaux river cruises are different from other water routes because you explore two short waterways — the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers — and the Gironde Estuary in Southwest France.

You'll spend more time ashore than floating down the river on this itinerary, with your ship docked for two nights in the city of Bordeaux, a mini-Paris with grand 18th-century buildings. Who cares when you are in the epicenter of French culture, in one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world?

Bordeaux serves up the opportunity to sip Medoc, Margaux, Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and Sauternes wines as you expand your wine education. You'll visit vineyards and gorgeous chateaus. Your cruise line might even host a dinner at a wine estate one evening. If you plan your cruise for September or October, you'll be able to admire the grape harvest.

Related: The 5 best cruise lines for solo travelers

Rhone and Saone

Another must for wine-lovers is exploring the interior of France, sipping Cotes du Rhone in such famous winemaking regions as Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape in Provence and Beaune in Burgundy.

Rhone and Saone River cruises typically sail between Lyon and Arles or Avignon, and they're top-loaded with such non-wine attractions as the Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard and the Roman Arles Amphitheater, as well as the massive Palais des Papes (Papal Palace) in Avignon. You'll also be able to take in the lavender fields, haystacks and other scenes that inspired painters like Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gogh.

For a lazy, dreamy, wonderful river cruise experience, nothing quite beats exploring the wine regions of Portugal on the Douro, one of the major rivers through the Iberian Peninsula. The home base for these river cruises is Porto, Portugal, with its historic city center, spectacular bridges and port houses.

On one-week cruises, you'll follow the river 130 miles past green hillside vineyards in the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO-recognized destination, before turning around at the Spanish border. The river cruises typically include a visit to the university town of Salamanca in northern Spain. Viticulture is very much the lesson en route, as you learn about port production on the "River of Gold."

Related: 5 cruise lines to try if you just can't stand being around kids on vacation

Due to fluctuating water levels and narrow passages, the Elbe is a challenging river that runs 680 miles between the Czech Republic and Germany. Historically, it formed part of the border between East Germany and West Germany.

River cruising here is a rare experience. Viking River Cruises is one of the few lines that visits (another is the French line CroisiEurope), offering 10-day itineraries that combine hotel stays in the cities of Berlin and Prague with a stretch of river between Prague and Wittenburg, Germany.

The cruises are on ships built specifically for the Elbe route. They stop in places such as resurgent Dresden, heavily bombed during World War II but expertly rebuilt; the Saxon Switzerland region of Germany with its striking sandstone rock formations; and the spa town of Bad Schandau.

The Po River in northern Italy is tidal, making it another challenging waterway. However, it affords the opportunity to combine a visit to Venice with a river cruise. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises does the Po in high style with its 126-passenger S.S. La Venizia, completely decked out with a sense of place, from Fortuny fabrics and Murano glass to its gilded accents.

The one-week route doesn't take you far but does include the walled city of Padua, the charming fishing village of Chioggia, and the culinary mecca of Bologna.

For those looking for a longer experience, Uniworld cleverly combines a Po cruise with luxury rail journeys to places like Istanbul, Switzerland and beyond.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginner's guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

7 Great European River Cruises to Book Right Now

With an overwhelming number of european river cruise adventures to choose from, we’ve narrowed it down to 7 of the region’s most popular and picturesque rivers..

• Copy Link copied

The Douro River is a rising star in the river cruising world, with almost every major river cruise line introducing itineraries here in recent years.

Photo by Mikhail Gnatkovskiy/Shutterstock

Laid-back and leisurely, yet heavy on adventure and destination immersion, the river cruising industry is booming (both at home and abroad) for good reason. Sure, there’s the unpack-once-and-go appeal of the floating hotel format that’s common to all cruise vacations. But river cruising stands out from its oceangoing counterpart for its small ships (averaging capacity for around 150 guests), rates that bundle in value-add extras like guided excursions and libations with meals, and itineraries that are positively port intensive.

Europe is at the vanguard of this greater global river cruise phenomenon, where winding waterways—from the Danube to the Douro, and the Rhine to the Rhône—invite voyaging inland to the continent’s heartland, areas that are inaccessible to ocean-bound ships. Here you’ll find storybook-setting riverbanks lined with medieval castles and sloping vineyards, historic cities and agreeable villages. And on any given weeklong sailing, it’s not unusual to drift through three or more European countries en route, affording the perfect sampler itinerary for any eager explorer of Europe. These are seven of the very best European river cruises to take.

Passau, Germany, is one of the Old-World gems that line the Danube; city lovers also appreciate access to stunning European capitals like Vienna and Budapest.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

Danube River

Europe’s second-longest river at 1,770 miles (after Russia’s Volga), the storied Danube River—immortalized as “the Blue Danube” in composer Johann Strauss II’s famous waltz—rises from western Germany ’s Black Forest mountains, emptying out to the Black Sea at Romania. En route, it traverses 10 countries: Germany, Austria , Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia , Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine—with access to major European capitals (including Vienna , Budapest, Bratislava, and Belgrade) along its banks. With plenty of appealing Old-World riverfront attractions (castles, fortresses, churches, abbeys, and vineyards galore), paired with a front-row seat to some beautiful blockbuster cities (like Budapest and Vienna), it’s little wonder that it’s one of the world’s most popular river cruise regions.

Itineraries typically break down into the more popular Upper Danube runs, between Bavaria and Budapest (with featured stops in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary), or the lesser-explored Lower Danube, which typically connects Budapest to Bucharest on a river route through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

Set Sail: Sail the Danube on AmaWaterways’s May 2019-launched, 196-guest AmaMagna , which has been making waves for its design; at 72 feet across, it measures twice the width of standard European riverboats. Guests get spacious digs to spread out in (nearly half of the staterooms are balcony-trimmed suites, starting at a roomy 355 square feet), access to four restaurants and lounges, plus riverboat rarities like a water sports platform, heated pool, cinema, and a sizeable wellness studio (host to fitness classes and spa treatment rooms). Seven-night Danube itineraries run between Budapest and Vilshofen, Germany (with stops in Bratislava; Passau, Germany; and several ports in Austria—including Vienna—en route); or sign on for a festive Christmas markets sailing around the winter holidays. Rates from $2,549/person; amawaterways.com

Sail the Rhine in style aboard one of Crystal Cruises’s plush riverboats, with offerings like personal butlers, an indoor pool, and in-room iPads.

Courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Rhine River

The legendary, 765-mile-long Rhine—which flows from the Swiss Alps toward the North Sea at The Netherlands—has served as an important continental transport route for centuries, teeming with historical, cultural, and economic significance for Europe. Regional riverboat itineraries are extremely popular, bringing guests to celebrated cities like Basel, Switzerland, and Strasbourg, France, and placing an emphasis on Germany with calls in locales like Koblenz, Mannheim, Rüdesheim, and Cologne.

Here, riverbanks are loaded with diversions, including a distinct riverscape flanked by fairy-tale castles, along with a setting steeped in history and myths (such as that of the Lorelei siren, who supposedly lures sailors and fishermen to their deaths). The most popular itineraries run between Basel and Amsterdam , with several stops in France and Germany en route.

Set Sail: Upscale Crystal Cruises branched out from ocean sailing to include a river cruise arm in 2016. Since then, it’s emerged as an industry tour de force, most especially on the Rhine River, where it now operates Crystal Bach , Crystal Mahler , Crystal Debussy , and Crystal Ravel , four intimate, 106-passenger, new-build ships that have launched over the past two years. On the only all-suite, all-balcony riverboats in Europe, expect plush onboard touches like in-room iPads, personal butlers, and an indoor pool, along with loaner e-bikes and kayaks for enhanced port exploration. Itineraries range from 7 to 16 nights in duration; try the weeklong “Splendors of the Rhine” sailing, with runs between Amsterdam and Basel and stops in Strasbourg and throughout Germany (at Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Speyer, and Breisach). Rates from $3,799/person; crystalcruises.com

UNESCO World Heritage site Kizhi Pogost with its 18th century wooden churches is a popular stop on Volga cruises.

Photo by Mikhail Markovskiy/Shutterstock

Volga River

The vast Volga is Europe’s longest river (running for some 2,200 miles from central Russia to the Caspian Sea) and sailing it—along with several adjoining waterways (including a network of lakes, like Lake Ladoga)—makes for a fascinating voyage of discovery through Russia. Itineraries run between the nation’s two great cities—St. Petersburg and Moscow—and cruising here pairs time spent exploring both culturally and historically rich metropolises on either end (multi-night calls are typically incorporated at each). Plus, journeys factor in plenty of stops in rural villages and smaller “Golden Ring” cities (including Uglich and Yaroslavl—two featured stops on this designated tourist route, which connects historic locales northeast of Moscow) that span the 400-plus miles between the two mega-cities. And while most days are spent exploring onion-domed Orthodox churches, icon-filled monasteries, and myriad other historic sights, keep in mind that you may have longer sailing stretches between more distant ports (pack some Tolstoy to fill in the gaps with on-deck reading).

Set Sail: Viking has been sailing Russia’s waterways since the company’s debut more than 20 years ago, and today it expertly executes Volga voyages via a fleet of five 196- to 204-passenger riverboats. Its popular 12-night “Waterways of the Tsars” itinerary features three-night stays in both Moscow and St. Petersburg, calls in the Golden Ring cities of Uglich and Yaroslavl, and stops in the village of Kuzino (gateway to the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery) and at the open-air museums at Kizhi and Mandrogy. Expect unique excursions like a private tour of the art-filled vaults of the Hermitage and a hosted home visit for tea and vodka with a local Russian family in Uglich. Rates from $5,499/person; vikingrivercruises.com

Douro River

Rising from north-central Spain and making its way for over 550 miles across northern Spain and Portugal, before emptying into the Atlantic, the Douro is a rising star in the river cruising world. Nearly every major river cruise line has introduced itineraries here in recent years. Most voyages come bookended by the lively cities of Porto, Portugal, and Salamanca, Spain (the latter is typically accessed by the Spanish border village of Vega de Terrón)—or simply sail round-trip out of Porto—with calls at quieter ports and old hilltop towns along the way (like Peso de Régua, at the heart of port wine country).

Here, however, it’s less about any blockbuster sights than the pastoral landscapes, pocked by plenty of quintas (Portuguese for wineries) and verdant vineyards—many of which fall within the UNESCO-recognized Douro River Valley. It’s a natural fit for oenophiles, who will have ample opportunity to tipple the local bounty en route, including, naturally, aromatic port aplenty.

Set Sail: Tauck will launch its presence on the river in 2020 with an all-new riverboat—the 84-passenger m/s Andorinha —that was purpose-built for the Douro, with a reduced passenger capacity that affords roomier proportions compared to most competitor ships on the waterway. The ship will run a trio of Douro River itineraries, including one designed just for families and another featuring land-based extensions in Lisbon and Madrid . Or try its seven-night “Villages and Vintages” itinerary, which cruises round-trip from Porto with stops in Portugal at Régua, Pocinho, Pinhão, and Guimarães. Excursion highlights include an onshore wine-pairing dinner at a Douro Valley wine estate and a guided bike ride through vinho verde wine country. Rates from $4,190/person; tauck.com

France’s Rhône River is a haven for epicures and history buffs, with riverboats, from companies like Avalon Waterways, that bring guests through Provence (and, sometimes, Burgundy).

Courtesy of Avalon Waterways

Rhône River

This 505-mile stretch between the Swiss Alps and southern France lets out in the Mediterranean Sea (near Marseille), affording a lovely ride along the way, marked by Alpine scenery filled in with gorges and valleys. Take in the sights of France’s Provence region, too, with its wine country, groves of olives and citrus, and fragrant fields of lavender (landscapes that inspired Vincent van Gogh and other artists). It’s a downright delicious option for epicures, with itineraries that are anchored in Lyon, considered France’s gastronomical epicenter. Those with a taste for antiquity will appreciate a journey here, too, thanks to regional Roman landmarks like the Pont du Gard aqueduct or Arles amphitheater.

Most of the France-exclusive itineraries here run for a week between Lyon and Arles or Avignon. Some continue north on the Saône River, the chief tributary of the Rhône (the two merge in Lyon), and into the heart of Burgundy; it’s a gateway to stops like Burgundy’s wine capital at Beaune.

Set Sail: In May, Avalon Waterways rolled out new “Active & Discovery” itineraries on the Rhône, on southern France runs between Arles and Lyon, featuring stops in Tournon, Viviers, and Avignon. A departure from the one-size-fits-all excursion packages offered by many of its competitors, on these sailings guests can select from nearly three dozen customizable tour offerings, like a painting class in Arles, a wine-blending workshop in Avignon, or a mountain bike ride in Beaujolais. The seven-night itineraries unfold aboard the 166-passenger Avalon Poetry II , one of the line’s signature “Suite Ships,” featuring staterooms that transform into veritable open-air balconies via their wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows. Rates from $3,099/person; avalonwaterways.com

Docking in Paris is undoubtedly a major draw of any Seine river cruise.

Photo by Shutterstock

Seine River

The storied Seine—revered as one of the world’s most romantic rivers, thanks to its deep ties to Paris —extends beyond the City of Lights for fascinating river voyages into northern France. The 485-mile-long waterway flows northwest from France’s Burgundy area near Dijon, through Paris, and into the Normandy region, before emptying into the English Channel (at Le Havre).

Paris is the point of embarkation (and also disembarkation) for most round-trip sailings here, affording time to enjoy a small taste of the city (where at least one overnight stay is commonplace). Typical itinerary highlights include Monet’s gardens at Giverny ; the Normandy D-Day beaches (with 75th-anniversary D-Day landing commemorations underway in 2019 ); medieval Rouen, with its Gothic cathedral; and the picturesque fishing village of Honfleur.

Set Sail: River cruising has traditionally attracted more mature travelers, although Disney stirred things up with its special brand of family-friendly magic when it launched a partnership with AmaWaterways in 2016 (via its river cruise–inclusive Adventures by Disney arm). Sail aboard the 144-guest AmaLyra on the brand’s new-for-2019, seven-night Seine River voyage to Normandy, sailing round-trip from Paris and including a two-night, land-based extension in the city. (Note that departures in 2020 are cruise only.) Calls include Vernon/Giverny, Le Havre, Rouen, Les Andelys, and Conflans, where family-focused excursions include active tours like hiking the cliffs of Étretat or immersive local experiences, such as a Monet-inspired painting workshop in Giverny or a Normandy apple orchard visit (complete with a calvados tasting for the grown-ups). Rates from $5,169/person (discounted kids’ rates from $4,999/person); adventuresbydisney.com

River cruises in the Bordeaux region often include visits to vineyards and chateaus.

Photo by thierry dehove/Shutterstock

Bordeaux waterways

Another river cruise alternative within France is set within the Bordeaux region in the southwest of the country, where sailings are offered on the Dordogne and Garonne rivers and Gironde estuary (which leads toward the Atlantic Ocean). An increasing number of river cruise options here are anchored out of the UNESCO-protected city of Bordeaux, where ships overnight so that guests can discover its historic structures, outstanding dining, and lively riverfront. From there, itineraries emphasize the surrounding rural areas and most especially, the fine wines that are synonymous with the region. Common ports of call include Blaye, Cadillac, Libourne, and Pauillac, and itineraries come jam packed with visits to vineyards and wine châteaus in celebrated regional wine destinations like Médoc, Sauternes, and Saint-Émilion.

Set Sail: Upscale Uniworld launched the line’s 124-passenger, French-themed S.S. Bon Voyage (fresh from a $14 million renovation) in April, which runs seven-night “Brilliant Bordeaux” itineraries on the Garonne, Dordogne, and Gironde waterways. Sailing round-trip from the city of Bordeaux, the itinerary calls on Blaye, Bourg sur Gironde, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Pauillac, Cadillac, and Libourne en route. Diverse excursion highlights include a private wine tasting at the Château Latour (on the Médoc peninsula), a yoga session at the 17th-century Blaye citadel, and a sunrise hike at Dune du Pyla, Europe’s tallest sand dune. Back on board the ship, unwind at the deck-top infinity pool or while enjoying a food-and-wine pairing dinner at the intimate La Cave des Vins venue. Rates from $2,499/person; uniworld.com

>> Next: Why Your Next Trip to Europe Should Be on the Canals

Travel Alert Advisory

2024 European River Cruises

• from $ 3,599 pp

• from $ 3,699 pp

• from $ 3,899 pp

• from $ 3,499 pp

• from $ 3,799 pp

• from $ 3,999 pp

• from $ 4,999 pp

• from $ 6,099 pp

• from $ 4,599 pp

• from $ 4,299 pp

• from $ 4,499 pp

• from $ 4,099 pp

• from $ 7,098 pp

• from $ 7,198 pp

• from $ 2,999 pp

• from $ 4,399 pp

Experience More Connections

• Terms and Conditions
• Lost & Found
• Passenger Ticket Contract
• Employment Opportunities
• Privacy Policy
• Unsubscribe
• Cruise Finder
• Destinations
• Vietnam & Cambodia
• Wine Cruises
• Golf Cruises
• Christmas Markets
• Land Packages
• Mission Statement
• Why AmaWaterways
• The Luxury Of More
• Already Booked
• Kristin's Blog
• Media Library
• Travel Advisor Portal

How to Choose the Right European River Cruise for You

By Janice Wald Henderson

Planning your first European river cruise ? Picking a waterway, dates, and budget seem easy enough. Then you find there's an overwhelming choice of boats out there, and with seemingly similar appearances, routes, amenities—even cost. What to do? Read on for our river cruising guide, which will help you learn the distinct personalities and perks of the major river cruise lines , to find the right one for you.

AmaWaterways

Vibe : With 144-to-196 passengers, these European ships resemble well-decorated homes-away-from home . Cruises emphasize health and wellness, balanced by fine food and wine. The new AmaMagna , a double-wide boat with a Danube debut in May, offers more amenities and space—including a novel watersports platform (for riverboats). Fellow Passengers : Energetic social Americans, often wine buffs, ranging from 40-plus to Baby Boomers and beyond. Younger cruisers often book themed wine sails. Average Eight-Day Fare : $2,699 per person. Notable Inclusions : All meals, beer, and wine with onboard lunch and dinner; shore excursions; guided hiking and biking tours; bicycles; one-hour daily happy hour with beer, wine, and spirits pre-dinner; and Wi-Fi. Rivers : Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Seine, Garonne, Dordogne, Douro; and Dutch and Belgian waterways and canals. Cabins : Residential-ish staterooms typically run between 155 to 502 square feet. Most cabins sport Ama’s signature twin balconies, featuring both a French and outside veranda. Flat-screen TVs double as computers, and baths sport multi-jet showerheads. Eat and Drink : Count on seasonal, destination-driven menus with healthful bents, fine regional wines—even recipes on pillows at turndown. All cruisers enjoy one complimentary, six-course dinner with wine pairings at the haute Chef’s Table, prepared before passengers. Staying Fit : Devotees like the well-equipped gym, walking track, heated pool, and hydration station with infused detox and gemstone waters. A Wellness Host provides complimentary daily classes, like core strengthening and circuit training, as well as personal training for a fee. Shore Excursions : An Ama specialty: The line partners with Backroads, bringing biking, walking, and hiking tours to more than 120 sails this year and in 2020.

Crystal River Cruises

Vibe : Expect plush, all-suite accommodations serviced by attentive butlers, stellar cuisine, and abundant perks. Riverboats beautifully duplicate Crystal Ocean’s modern luxury style . Fellow Passengers : Consider the mostly American over-50 crowd friendly, well-heeled, travel-savvy, and stylish. Average Eight-Day Fare : $6,333 per person. Notable Inclusions: : All meals, alcohol, and shore excursions (other than über-exclusive); electric bikes (e-bikes); 24-hour room service; self-service laundry (rare to riverboats); Wi-Fi; gratuities onboard and ashore; airport transfers. Rivers : Rhine, Main, Danube, and Moselle. (Note: Crystal riverboats don’t sail in France.) Cabins : Even the smallest suites (188 square feet on the quadruplets; 219 square feet on Mozart), feel swanky. Revel in king—not the typical riverboat queen—beds. Most feature walk-in closets and dual-vanity bathrooms. Modern tech accents include a bedside iPad with room controls. ETRO Italian toiletries, especially the body lotion, are swipe-worthy. Eat and Drink : Think Michelin star-style cuisine, particularly at on-site restaurant Waterside. The Bistro showcases morning specialty coffees and house-baked pastries, midday charcuterie, and later, wine and tapas. A Vintage Room extravaganza (a rare extra cost), paired with legendary wines, is extraordinary. Staying Fit : At the well-outfitted fitness center, personal training’s available. Take comp morning classes like yoga, plunge into the heated indoor pool. Off ship, go kayaking and canoeing, ride an e-bike. Later, unwind in the full-service spa. Shore Excursions : Outings are designed to avoid tourist hordes. Tour groups are limited to an unusually intimate 15 guests, and Crystal’s plush customized coaches deliver leg room, power outlets at every seat, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Emerald Waterways

Vibe : Emerald’s 112-to-182 passenger European riverboats resemble attractive mid-priced modern hotels, awash in glass, chrome, and contemporary art, with buzzy lounges. Most boats have spas and salons. The pool converts to a movie theater on all ships except Emerald Radiance . Fellow Passengers : A fun-loving, energetic group, mostly 45 years old and up, although the line increasingly skews younger. Cruisers are from the U.K., Australia, and North America, and like independent exploration, such as bicycling ashore. Average Eight-Day Fare : $2,600 per person. Notable Inclusions : All meals, beer, and wine with onboard lunch and dinner; most excursions; wifi; gratuities onboard and ashore; and airport transfers. Rivers : Danube, Maine, Rhine, Moselle, Douro, Rhône, Saône. Cabins : Solo cabins—great for friends traveling together—run 117 square feet. Most guests book 180-square-foot Balcony Suites. The fanciest, at 315 square feet, include an iPad, Nespresso machine, and some laundry service. Eat and Drink : Reflections Restaurant provides daytime buffets, and four-course contemporary European evening dining with regional wines. Passengers keep the poolside bar lively. Weather permitting, Emerald hosts a popular once-a-week sundeck lunch barbecue. Staying Fit : The large indoor heated pool has a retractable roof, top deck walking/running track, and wellness center with a small gym. Shore Excursions : Many diversified options, including the popular EmeraldACTIVE, featuring guided bike tours and vigorous hikes.

Hannah Towey

CNT Editors

Jessica Puckett

Steph Koyfman

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Vibe : Scenic —Emerald Waterways’ older, pricier sibling—also leans modern chic, with marble, glass, wood, and steel. Ships host between 44 and 163 guests, who enjoy butlers (service level depends on cabin category), and venues like a gym, salon, and spa. Fellow Passengers : Social, sophisticated passengers, usually 55-plus, who relish food and wine and independent exploration. A whopping 45 percent are fun-loving Aussies, with the rest divided between the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Passengers mix well and many make new international friends. Average Eight-Day Fare : $4,500 per person. Notable Inclusions : All meals and most alcohol; 24-hour room service; gratuities onboard and ashore; excursions and events; Wi-Fi; airport transfers. Rivers : Danube, Main, Rhine, Moselle, Douro, Rhône, Saône. Cabins : Accommodations are dubbed suites, yet the smallest (160 square feet) are considered a cabin by most. All provide Egyptian cotton sheets, down pillows, and L’Occitane toiletries. Butlers stock complimentary mini-fridges, filled with guests’ preferred beverages. Eat and Drink : Scenic offers singular advantages: Six dining choices—like sundeck teppanyaki—and enough dinner tables for two. Tuck into lavish five-course meals in specialty restaurants, perhaps French or Italian. Guests booked in costly suites enjoy one complimentary six-course degustation menu, sommelier-paired with wine, in the haute Table La Rive. Staying Fit : Use the outdoor heated pool, wellness center with workout equipment, running/walking track, and e-bikes. Scenic partners with Trek for 10 sailings per year, melding daily cycling trips into a river cruise itinerary. Shore Excursions : Scenic partners with National Geographic, featuring a Nat Geo photographer and lecturer, on some sails. Most memorable: Every cruise offers a Scenic Enrich event, such as a private ballet performance in a St. Petersburg palace.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Vibe : Admirers of opulent European hotels adore Uniworld’s boats, averaging 130 guests. Think bespoke furnishings, intense hues, antiques, crystal, and marble. No ships are alike; one evokes the Art Deco era, another resembles a baronial estate. Six Super Ships, the line’s crème de la crème, prove particularly posh. Fellow Passengers : Chic, discerning passengers who are mostly North American, with some Brits and Europeans, age 50 and up. Average Eight-Day Fare : $4,000 per person. Notable Inclusions : All meals and alcohol; 24-hour room service; shore excursions; wellness programs; gratuities onboard and ashore; Wi-Fi; airport transfers. Rivers : Danube, Moselle, Rhine, Main, Bordeaux, Dordogne, Garonne, Seine, Saône, Rhône, Douro, Po, Moselle. Cabins : Enthusiasts overlook the small cabins (some just 151 square feet) for luxe appointments, like handcrafted beds from legendary Savoir Beds of England, thick towels on heated bars, and Asprey and Hermés toiletries. Butlers pamper suite guests, including unpacking luggage and drawing bubble baths. Eat and Drink : Chefs excel at classic and contemporary European cuisine showcasing local ingredients. Vegetarians, vegans, and the diet-minded dine well. Bartenders craft cool destination-inspired cocktails. Adventurous guests book Uniworld’s intimate dinners in local host homes. Staying Fit : Work off indulgence in the well-equipped gym; certified wellness instructors offer TRX® Suspension Training on select sails. Exhale with a spa facial or massage. Shore Excursions : Enthusiastic guides, speaking excellent English, lead activities such as walks, hikes, kayaking, and bicycling. Particularly noteworthy: Exclusive excursions, like golfing on France’s most prestigious courses, are complimentary.

Viking River Cruises

Vibe : Virtually identical, the company's 190-passenger Longships possess a contemporary Scandinavian design, emphasizing natural wood, neutral hues, and windows. Enthusiasts praise the alikeness , preferring the same onboard experience wherever they go. With such uniformity, Viking cruises purr along like Bentleys. Fellow Passengers : A primarily American over-50 crowd, well-traveled but sometimes budget-minded, passionate about history, culture, and the arts. Average Eight-Day Fare : $3,748 per person. Notable Inclusions: : All meals, beer and wine with onboard lunch and dinner; one complimentary shore excursion per port; Wi-Fi; ground transfers with Viking Air purchase. Rivers : Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle, Elbe, Dordogne, Garonne, and Gironde. Cabins : Viking’s bathrooms, with glass-enclosed showers, heated floors, and anti-fog mirrors, are knockout. Standard Staterooms are small (150 square feet) but functional; comfort comes in 205-square-foot Veranda Staterooms. Splurge on a 275-square-foot Veranda Suite, or 445-square-foot Explorer Suite. Eat and Drink : Viking dishes up familiar American and modern European cuisine. The casual indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace delivers pleasing daytime buffets. Most passengers happily dine in The Restaurant on three-course meals at night. Staying Fit : No workout facilities, except for a small walking track (and two putting greens). Concierges can arrange visits to local spas and gyms. Shore Excursions : Widely praised for immersive local experiences, Viking standouts include intimate tea and conversation in local residents’ homes, and a fabulous outing to Downtown Abbey’s Highclere Castle.

Recommended

Nolinski Venezia

100 Princes Street: First In

Europe Travel Guide

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Best River Cruises in Europe

European river cruises.

If your idea of the ultimate holiday is to take in as much culture and sightseeing as possible, without having to rise up off your deck chair, then it’s time to consider a European river cruise.

Iconic rivers criss-cross the continent, and most will take you past historic castles, stunning panoramic vistas, famous capitals, and lesser-known towns and villages. Europe’s rivers served as a vital means of transportation for thousands of years, which means along their courses you’ll find some of the continent’s oldest and grandest cities, including several capitals.

There are five large rivers on the continent that see most of the traffic — the Danube, the Loire, the Volga, the Elbe and the Rhine. Each has several tributaries, many of which are also navigable by boat, which means it’s also possible to combine more than one famous river on a single multi-day cruise. There are also several smaller rivers that have fewer cruise options, but are no less attractive or intriguing.

Although luxurious European river cruises tend towards the expensive side of travel, most are all-inclusive of meals and daily tours, such as walking tours and vineyard visits. If you’re unsure where to begin with picking the ultimate cruise, these 14 options are an ideal place to start.

The Danube is one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers. From its source in Germany’s Black Forest to its mouth in the Black Sea, it runs through 10 countries, more than a dozen cities and four national capitals. As such, your options when it comes to cruises along the river are numerous.

The Hungarian capital of Budapest is the most common starting or ending point for cruises along the Danube, owing to its location and the splendor of the river as it flows through the city. The leisure cruise route between Vienna and Budapest is one of the busiest on the continent, but it’s possible to go even further. Several options stretch into Austria, or venture up towards Czechia using the Danube’s large tributaries. If you’re intent on an extended multi-day river cruise, it’s possible to reach Germany, connect to the Rhine, and cruise all the way to the Netherlands.

Whichever option you choose, the Danube will deliver scenic and cultural delights, and if you’d like to mix up your sedate cruise with some activity, most tours will stop along the route for sightseeing, cycling or hiking. Viking Cruises offers several options along the Danube and its tributaries, some of which last up to 15 days.

The Rhine runs some 766 miles from Switzerland to the Netherlands, where it empties into the North Sea. Along the way, it flows through six countries (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands) and some of the region’s most famous cities, including Basel, Strasbourg, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Koblenz and Rotterdam.

The sheer diversity of the scenery, architecture and culture along the course of the Rhine make it one of the best to cruise in Europe. There are several options available to would-be river cruisers, depending on how much time and money you can allow. In particular, the Middle Rhine, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , is a stunning region to tour by boat. It’s over this 40-mile stretch that you’ll pass dramatic landscapes dotted with historic towns, ancient castles and award-winning vineyards.

Although many cruises focus on the Middle Rhine, it is also possible to travel by boat all the way from Amsterdam to Basel. Tauck offers this as an option, with trips lasting approximately eight days, as well as several other itineraries to follow along the Rhine.

If you’ve already ticked the Danube and Rhine off your list, or you want to add a new leg through truly fascinating territory, then the Main River is a great option to consider.

This major Rhine tributary runs for 330 miles through the German Highlands, eventually flowing through Bavaria and joining up with the Rhine close to Mainz. Cruising the Main route will expose you to some of Europe’s most fascinating history, as much of the area it passes was devastated during the Second World War. The river also passes through Frankfurt, one of the world's greatest history-meets-modernity cities.  

The navigable stretch of the river runs approximately 240 miles, and many cruise companies, including Avalon Waterways , choose to combine it with other rivers in the region, usually the Moselle and the Rhine. It’s also possible to connect to the Danube, via the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, which means you can extend your cruise into several nights through additional countries.

The Moselle is another significant Rhine tributary. It runs more than 300 miles from France’s Vosges Mountains all the way to Koblenz in Germany. Sailing along this river will expose you to some historical delights, spearheaded by the fact that this is Joan of Arc territory. The Moselle also passes through incredible Alpine scenery flanked by castles, vineyards and medieval towns, as it skirts the border between Germany and Luxembourg.

Although parts of the journey take you through industrial regions, there are long stretches of unspoiled scenery, and most cruise operators also combine tours of the Moselle with those on the Rhine, which offers increased diversity. Riviera Travel offers several cruise options along the Moselle and Rhine throughout the year.

And if you can’t get enough of the rivers in this part of the world, you can keep going along the Main or Neckar as well. This can extend your trip from five to 15 days, and take you from Amsterdam all the way to Basel.

France’s Rhône River presents some of the continent’s best cruising options, with several companies offering remarkable trips through the country’s south. The Rhône, together with the tributary Saone, offers 500 miles of Provencal scenery as it winds its way towards the Mediterranean. It eventually empties into the sea not far from Marseilles, making this one of the most diverse and captivating cruise options on offer in Europe.

Along the way, the boat will pass through some of France’s best food and wine cities, including Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon-sur-Rhône and Lyon. There will be ample time to take in some the region’s famous walled towns, monasteries and even Papal palaces.

Cruise companies like Avalon Waterways and APT offer trips lasting up to seven days. Most passengers choose to fly into Paris, take a high-speed train to Lyon, and spend a week on board the boat in a memorable roundtrip.

For most people, a cruise on the Seine involves hop-on, hop-off sightseeing to experience a few Parisian highlights. But while this is certainly a great way to see Paris, there’s a lot more river than that which passes through the capital.

Although a lot of people combine a cruise on the Seine with a transfer to Lyon, where they continue towards the Mediterranean along the Rhône, Scenic offers cruises that travel northeast from Paris to Rouen, Honfleur and Vernon.

Each of these cities offers something unique, from the ancient capital of Normandy, to quaint seaside villages like Honfleur. Of course, leaving the French capital by boat, and heading out towards the coast, is an incredible experience in itself, and the perfect way to see the region from an all-new perspective.

At over 2,000 miles, the Volga is Europe’s longest river. It’s western Russia’s main waterway, and has vast historical significance to the region. A cruise along the Volga is a magnificent affair, passing through grand cities, historical villages and impressive scenery.

The river is divided into three key parts: the Upper (which includes the source), Middle and Lower (where it flows out into the Caspian Sea). It’s navigable for most of its course from March to December each year, and if you use the numerous canals along the route, it’s possible to reach the likes of the Baltic and Black Seas, and even Moscow.

Given the sheer length of the Volga, and the size of Russia, it would be impossible to see everything on a single cruise. Many travelers choose to sail between Moscow and St. Petersburg on the stately MS Volga Dream , which can take between seven and 10 days, depending on excursions en-route.

Over the course of this journey, you’ll also pass through numerous locks and cross two of the continent’s largest lakes.

The River Elbe holds historical significance as the one-time border between East and West Germany. Today, it flows from Germany to Czechia, linking the popular tourist cities of Berlin and Prague.

Cruises along the Elbe also expose travelers to more obscure towns along the way, such as Meissen and Wittenberg, which offer authentic insight into the region’s fascinating culture. There’s the added benefit of heading all the way to the Czech capital, one of the continent’s most celebrated destinations.

There are several ways to approach a cruise along the Elbe, but many consider the best starting point to be Berlin, which is close to the river itself. From there, you can coast along the river all the way to Prague, over the course of at least eight days, with scenic stops along the way. There are many cruise lines that operate along the route, including Nicko Tours , Lueftner Cruises  and Shearings .

The Loire river cuts across France from east to west, forming the famous Loire Valley. It’s been the domain of holiday-goers for many years, thanks in large part to the region’s scenic beauty, small towns and exquisite wines.

There’s just one major cruise ship that floats along this famous river, called the MS Loire Princesse . It’ll allow you to explore the valley’s best attractions, including several castles and French national monuments.

In many ways, to cruise down the Loire is to travel sedately through history, and you’ll stop in at several cities and quaint towns along the way. The typical cruise option is eight days long, starting and finishing in Nantes. You’ll venture out east, before retracing your steps all the way back to your starting point.

If you prefer a more active approach to sightseeing, you can also combine your cruise along the Loire with a biking option that combines both modes of transport for optimum sightseeing enjoyment.

The stunning Douro River offers an enticing river cruise option in the far west of Europe. The river winds its way through Spain and Portugal, and a cruise along it will allow you to explore several fascinating cities and attractions.

The Douro is one of the Iberian peninsula’s largest rivers. From its source in northern Spain, it flows all the way to the popular Portuguese coastal town of Porto, where most cruises start and end.

Cruises along the Douro usually venture up into the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This incredible valley, along with several postcard-worthy towns and ancient cities, will give you insight into some of the oldest Portuguese food, culture and traditions. Emerald Waterways and Scenic offer various sailing itineraries through Portugal.

Much like Paris’s Seine, most people who venture out onto the Thames will do so on a short sightseeing excursion in London. But this iconic river flows through more than just the British capital — and all but 25 miles of the river is open to cruising.

The Thames winds sedately through eight English counties, from Cotswold Hills all the way to the North Sea. Along the way, it passes through such prestigious cities as Oxford, Reading and Windsor. Much of the river is controlled by locks, but the final 50 miles are tidal, meaning not all ships can access this section.

Although boats on the Thames are a regular sight, it’s unusual for cruise ships to schedule journeys along this stretch of water. Instead, the majority of scenic cruises are done on large boats, often just for the day, to offer a unique vantage point of London and its nearby attractions.

If you’re intent on an overnight journey on the famous river, then your best bet might be booking a ticket aboard the converted cargo barge Magna Carta . Though built in Holland, it now sails the River Thames with capacity for up to eight overnight guests.

There are few better ways to discover Sweden’s unique beauty than by venturing onto her vast waterways. Arguably the best of these is the 370-mile waterway that links Gothenburg to the Baltic Sea, called the Gota Canal, and you can ride a classic steamer, the  Wilhem Tham, for the majority of it. This jaw-dropping 25-cabin ship dating back to 1912 is an experience in itself.

The canal will take you past churches, castles and remote Swedish villages, with an option to journey for four or six days. Most of the routes along the country’s so-called Blue Ribbon also require the use of locks, which the expert crew will handle, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the incredible sights and sounds.

The Po River is Italy’s longest, flowing for some 400 miles in an easterly direction from Venice. Though it passes through various cities such as Turin, Piacenza, Mantua and Ferrara, it’s only possible to cruise on approximately 100 miles of it, to the town of Mantua.

Cruises along the Po River begin in perhaps the most famous canalized city of them all, Venice. There are various stops along the way, but most cruises will include the likes of Murano, Burano and Verona. Some, such as CroisiEurope Cruises, also offer land-based connections for day trips to famous towns a short distance from the river, including Polesella, Bologna, Ravenna and Ferrara.

Cruises along the Po last anywhere from five to 13 days, with most operating between March and October. Although Italy is not big on river cruises, this is perhaps one of the most unique ways in which to explore some of the country’s iconic cities and towns.

Although the Oder is more inconspicuous than other European rivers, particularly when it comes to large commercial cruises, it’s by no means one to overlook. As part of the Roman “Amber Road,” it was at one stage used to transport amber from the Baltic region all the way to the Mediterranean.

Cruises on the Oder don’t tend to go as far. Most travelers begin in Berlin, transfer to nearby Potsdam, and then spend up to seven nights cruising to the Gulf of Pomerania, where the river empties. Routes between Germany and Czechia, such as those offered by Saga , last up to eight nights, although some tour operators take the trip a step further, and include an additional leg that will take you all the way to Copenhagen.

Whether you choose to continue on to Denmark, or go with a shorter option, a river cruise on the Oder will allow you to experience both German and Polish culture in a way few land-based travelers have.

Europe  River Cruises

Explore the enchanting rivers of Europe and discover the unique history and culture of its extraordinary regions.

• Destinations
• Previous page

Travel through Europe's  picturesque rivers

Be inspired by the history, culture, cuisine, and magnificent sights of Europe, from the charming castles and fairy-tale villages on the Rhine, Main, and Danube, and the iconic sites of France, to the renowned Portuguese wine regions along the Douro River. Explore these incredible destinations while enjoying truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury in a class of its own.

Learn more about what to expect on a river cruise, world-class destinations & our all-inclusive luxury experience—or find your perfect itinerary.

Choose your European Destination

A world of enriching experiences awaits you as you cruise past beautiful towns full of culture and history.

Enjoy a truly all-inclusive river cruise in a class of its own.  

Why   travel on a scenic europe river cruise.

Our luxury, purpose-built Scenic Space-Ships get you closer to shore to create a real sense of immersion in the heart of European life and culture. Let time stand still as you discover the limitless wonders of Europe and enjoy a premium all-inclusive experience.

Innovative Scenic Space-Ships

Our innovative ships feature an abundance of luxurious outdoor, dining, and wellness areas, along with spacious suites. Low guest numbers of only up to 163 guests provide an intimate experience. These sleek ships are also able to dock in the heart of towns, so you can enjoy more time to explore.

Luxurious Suites

Each suite offers you the luxury of personal space. Our generously-sized suites are elegantly appointed with premium amenities including a queen-size Scenic Slumber Bed, a pillow menu, and luxurious bath products. The Balcony, Junior, and Royal Suites* feature your very own window to the world with our signature Scenic Sun Lounges – some of the largest balconies offered on European waterways.

Up to Five Dining Options

Whether you prefer a fine dining experience with a six-course meal, a relaxed café setting or dining in the privacy of your suite, you’ll find delectable options to suit your tastes and mood. Premium international beverages^ – wine, beer, cocktails, spirits – are included and available all day, every day. It’s more than outstanding food and wine – it’s the fresh flavors of each region prepared by our innovative chefs.

Scenic Freechoice

Personalize your river cruise and pursue your own interests as you set off on curated excursions throughout Europe. Scenic’s extensive and diverse list of Freechoice excursions offer an Active, Moderate, or Relaxed pace so you can choose activities best suited to you based on your preferences. Whether it’s a guided hike up beautiful Buda Hill or delectable wine tastings in the French town of Châteauneuf du Pape, the choice is yours.

Scenic Enrich

Our Scenic Enrich experiences are exclusive to Scenic guests and place you at the heart of the world’s most refined art, music, and architecture. You’ll go behind the scenes to enjoy moments inaccessible to the ordinary traveler, from a classical concert at the opulent Palais Liechtenstein in Vienna to after hours access at Bassins de Lumières, a former submarine base turned immersive digital art installation. These carefully curated experiences are destined to be the highlights of your journey.

Salt Therapy Lounge

Scenic is the first and only river cruise company to feature a therapeutic Salt Therapy Lounge* on board its Scenic Space-Ships cruising Europe’s waterways. Mimicking the environment of a salt cave, the Salt Therapy Lounge can assist with healing, improving respiration, and boosting the immune system.

Featured Itineraries

Gems of the Danube

Take a journey rich in culture and beauty

Danube in Depth

A memorable discovery of the Danube

Jewels of Europe

Europe’s most spectacular river discovery

Normandy & Gems of the Seine

Take a journey down the river of dreams

Beautiful Bordeaux

Savour the beauty and romance

Delightful Douro

The soul of Portugal

• Europe River Cruises
• Your Guide to River Cruising

Your guide to Europe river cruising

What to expect  on your river cruise

Learn about the benefits of river cruising with our comprehensive guide to your first time on a river cruise and what you can expect when you travel with Scenic.

Stay up to date and be inspired

Yes, please keep me updated with the latest special offers, travel inspiration, product updates, and event invites.

DATA PROTECTION NOTICE

By clicking 'SIGN UP' you consent to us sending you marketing communications featuring the latest news and offers from Scenic Tours Pty Ltd. You can unsubscribe with ease at any point. You also confirm that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy  and consent to our use of your information.

*Required fields

Cookies help us improve your website experience. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies.

Welcome to Luxury Europe River Cruises

River Cruise Lines

Discover Europe's Finest Rivers

River luxurious accommodations, immersive experiences, explore the best of european rivers.

Embark on a journey of unparalleled luxury and discovery with Luxury Europe River Cruises. Our cruises take you on a captivating voyage through the heart of Europe's most iconic rivers, offering you an exquisite blend of relaxation, culture, and exploration.

At Luxury Europe River Cruises, we invite you to explore the beauty and charm of the following magnificent European rivers:

• The Rhine: Immerse yourself in the enchanting landscapes of the Rhine River as you sail past historic castles, charming villages, and vineyard-covered hills.
• The Danube: Experience the cultural richness of the Danube River, passing through vibrant cities, ancient fortresses, and picturesque countryside.
• The Douro: Delight in the breathtaking scenery of the Douro River, known for its terraced vineyards and the mesmerizing Douro Valley.
• The Rhône: Explore the gastronomic and cultural delights of the Rhône River, where world-class cuisine and historic sites await.
• The Seine: Discover the romantic Seine River, with its scenic beauty, historic towns, and artistic heritage.
• The Maas: Cruise along the Maas River and uncover the charm of charming Dutch and Belgian towns and picturesque landscapes.
• The Moselle: Be captivated by the stunning Moselle River, known for its terraced vineyards and fairy-tale-like castles.

Why Choose Luxury Europe River Cruises?

There are countless reasons to make Luxury Europe River Cruises your choice for an unforgettable voyage:

• Luxurious Accommodations: Our spacious staterooms and suites provide you with the utmost comfort and elegance throughout your journey.
• Exceptional Dining: Savor gourmet cuisine inspired by the regions you visit, complemented by fine wines and impeccable service.
• Immersive Experiences: Our expertly crafted itineraries allow you to delve deep into the culture and history of each destination, with guided excursions and immersive activities.
• Award-Winning Specialists: Cruise Genie's Luxury Europe River Cruises specialists boast an average of 25 years of experience. Their expertise ensures every detail of your journey is flawlessly executed.
• Unparalleled Service: We pride ourselves on delivering top-notch service, earning accolades and awards for our commitment to excellence in luxury river cruising.

Embark on a journey of a lifetime with Luxury Europe River Cruises, where every moment is an opportunity to create lasting memories. Join us as we explore the magnificent rivers of Europe, and experience the magic of river cruising at its finest.

Experience the epitome of luxury with Luxury Europe River Cruises. Join us on a voyage of elegance and discovery as we explore the beauty and culture of European rivers. Let Cruise Genie's specialists, with 25 years of expertise, make your dream luxury river cruise a reality.

RIVER CRUISING IS HOT!!!

The cruise industry's greatest success story in the past two decades has been the surge in growth and popularity of river cruises. With an ever increasing number of new river cruise lines and river boats introduced, and river cruise companies adding new itineraries to more destinations, coupled with the ever expanding interest in river cruises by the traditional ocean cruising population looking for something new, many more lucky travelers are able to enjoy the more intimate, immersive and attentive experience that river cruises bring to the world!

River cruising is a type of travel that involves navigating a river on a small, often luxurious, ship. Unlike ocean cruises, river cruises take passengers on journeys through inland waterways, such as the Danube, Rhine, Nile, Yangtze, Mekong, and many other rivers around the world. River cruises typically offer a more intimate and relaxed experience than ocean cruises, with smaller ships and fewer passengers. The itineraries often focus on exploring smaller towns and cities along the river, allowing passengers to get a closer look at the local culture and history. This can include visits to historical landmarks, museums, and cultural sites, as well as opportunities to sample local food and wine. River cruises often include a variety of amenities and services, such as fine dining, entertainment, educational lectures, and excursions. Some river cruises are all-inclusive, while others offer optional add-ons for certain activities or services. River cruising has become a popular way to explore Europe, Asia, and other regions of the world, with many cruise lines offering a wide variety of itineraries and ship sizes to suit different preferences and budgets.

With so many River Cruise Companies vying for this ever increasing number of passengers, each claiming to be the best option in the Budget, First Class or Deluxe categories, it has becomes quite difficult for travelers to know which is the best River Cruise Company, River Boat, Destination or Itinerary for them! Without years of experience and the knowledge and access to information that those years bring, consumers run the risk of paying more than they need to, or getting less than they expected to!

That is where we come in! RiverCruiseLines.com, a service of Smart Traveler and MisterCruise.com, puts you in touch with the best cruise counselors for your lifestyle and budget - and our service is FREE.

In fact, we guarantee that, at the time of your river cruise reservation, you will never pay more than if you booked it yourself directly! In addition to absolutely NOT paying more using our services, for over 80% of our reservations, our customers pay less, sometimes much less, than if they booked it themselves!

So, please, look around, get some ideas, and whenever you feel ready for some assistance, simply fill out the River Cruise Quote Request Form. You will enjoy exceptional value when you book your discount river cruises and discount luxury cruises with RiverCruiseLines.com. Act now for the best deals on Yangtze River Cruises, Nile River Cruises, Europe River Cruises or Mississippi River Cruises and sail away with bonus offers such as free onboard spending and free upgrades. Plus, discount river cruises include all meals, accommodations, and countless onboard activities. Discount river cruises are the way to save — plan your cruise vacation of a lifetime before these phenomenal river cruise deals are gone.

"Mister Cruise" Peter Coloyan Sr. President, Smart Traveler

RIVERS UPDATE - River cruises continue to be discontinued until further notice on all rivers of the Ukraine and Russia.

**************************

RIVER CRUISE specialist!!!

A river cruise specialist can be a valuable resource for anyone who is considering a river cruise anywhere in the world! Often selling at group discounted prices, which can save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, they can help maximize the value of any budget to add days to your river cruise vacation, upgrade your experience, or both!

Here are some ways in which they can help

Knowledge of destinations.

River Cruise Specialists have extensive knowledge about the different river cruise destinations available worldwide. They can provide information on the various ports of call, cultural attractions, and local experiences that each destination has to offer. This information can help you make an informed decision about which river cruise itinerary will best suit your interests and preferences.

Expertise on Cruise Lines & Ships

River Cruise Specialists can provide information about the different river cruise lines and ships that service various destinations worldwide. They can help you choose the best cruise line for your specific needs, taking into account your budget, travel style, and desired level of comfort.

Experience and Advice

River Cruise Specialists the experience and expertise to provide valuable advice on how to get the best value for your river cruise dollar. They can offer insider deals, promotions, and discounts, as well as provide guidance on how to choose the right cabin category and when to book.

Customization

River Cruise Specialists can help you customize your river cruise experience, tailoring it to your specific interests and preferences. They can help you choose the right shore excursions, onboard activities, and dining experiences to ensure that your river cruise is a truly personalized and memorable experience.

River Cruise Specialists can help you navigate the wide range of options available for worldwide river cruises, providing you with the knowledge, expertise, and advice you need to make an informed decision and get the best value for your river cruise dollar.

Don’t make a costly mistake by booking online or direct. Only a live, experienced River Cruise Specialist can provide the personalized service, experience, access to proprietary pricing, and knowledge of all amenities on the different lines, and ships – and can help compare multiple options! They can also provide additional travel arrangements, such as airfare, travel insurance, pre or post cruise stays and local excursions.

Plus, getting your river cruise booked is only the core part of the process for a successful, less stressful vacation experience. Advice and assistance with your river cruise travel document requirements, travel safety, health requirements, luggage delivery and all other concierge services can best be provided by a River Cruise Specialist!

Completing our River Cruise Quote Request form is the first step to getting true expert advice.. We have been selling, and sailing, river cruises since 1984. We can help you find what is right for you! For avid river cruisers, please join our mailing list, as we will soon be announcing special, Concierge escorted river cruises for those traveling single, with special needs, 55+, and niche cruises for wildlife viewing experiences, Food & Wine, and more!

Special Offer

Save up to 50% on river cruises contact us today.

River cruise Lines

THEME CRUISES

Christmas & holiday river cruises, civil war history, european history & politics, oberammergau passion play, river cruise destination, check out river cruise destinations view now, cruise companies, river cruise quote request.

Want to get more information on GREAT RIVER CRUISEL DEALS - We can help you!

Please click on below button and complete form with as many specific details as possible One of our Expert Cruise Agents will contact you soon. Thank YOU!

We have received your quote request, will get back to you as soon as possible after review request

Use our River Cruise Quote form and a River Cruise Counselor will contact you ASAP. Our website is open 24/7, to contact our River Cruise Counselors and for trip planning!

Smart Traveler - 1127 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Ste 255, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411

• [email protected]

Quick Links

• Cruise Companies
• Destinations
• Theme Cruises
• River Cruise Ships
• Travel News
• Special Offers
• Terms & Conditions
• Travel Links
• Partner Links

Newsletter Subscribe

Contact a Luxury Cruise Specialist for our Free Concierge services on all River Cruises Call 1-833-742-7847 M-F 9A-5P PST for the expert services of experienced, professional river cruise agents!

© 1995-2024 Smart Traveler All Rights Reserved

We have received your quote request,

will get back to you as soon as possible after review request.

You can instant contact using details

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

Considering A European River Cruise? 7 Things To Know

• Cruises and Sailing
• Destinations
• River Cruises
• Types of Travel

When most people think about cruise vacations, they picture large ships moving across the open ocean, stopping at the occasional tropical paradise. That’s certainly one way to cruise — and ocean cruises are an excellent way to spend a vacation — but in recent years, river cruises have presented a viable alternative.

River cruises prioritize excursions and cultural experiences over onboard activities. You’ll spend more time in actual cities, viewing the sights and interacting with locals. If you prefer an active vacation, a river cruise might be right for you.

European river cruises offer an especially good value, and they’ve been gaining popularity. If you’re considering this type of vacation, here’s what you need to know.

leoks / Shutterstock

1. Picking The Best Time Of Year For A European River Cruise Is Complicated

So what’s the best time of year to take that cruise? Well, that depends. Many river cruise lines book voyages year-round, leaving travelers to juggle four risk factors that rise and fall with the seasons: risk of flooding, risk of drought, tolerance for cold, and price.

According to travel writer Lauri Wakefield’s website , Dutch and Belgian rivers see the most traffic in spring, when the tulips bloom. If you’d prefer to visit Central Europe, though, peak season falls in July and August. That’s after the threat of springtime flooding has passed, and before temperatures take an autumnal dip. Of course, as you move deeper into the hot summer, the chance of low water levels disrupting your itinerary increases. ( One of our writers found out about this one the hard way .)

In short, July seems like the safest bet if your primary concerns are water levels that rise too high or sink too low.

Chris Gray Faust of Cruise Critic says you can catch cheaper fares by booking your trip for September, October, or November, at least on the Danube — but be prepared to stack on those layers when you stand on deck. The holiday season brings crowds to the many Christmas markets along the Danube, raising rates accordingly.

Attentive readers may complain that we skipped a fifth potential risk factor in our analysis above: tolerance for crowds. While it is true that you can schedule trips to avoid particularly busy seasons, there’s no avoiding face time with fellow travelers on a cruise ship. These vessels are simply too small; research European river cruises for any length of time, and you’ll see the word intimate pop up more than once. If solitary travel is more to your taste, cruises might not be for you.

canadastock / Shutterstock

2. Picking The Best Time To Book Your River Cruise Is Also Complicated

Like we mentioned above, the season during which you book your cruise can really affect the price you pay. But you can sometimes get a better rate by booking your trip in advance .

Lots of cruise lines will have early-booking specials or offer deals throughout the year, and it pays to know about these. It’s worth it to sign up for newsletters and to follow cruise lines’ social media accounts to keep track of all of the deals. There are sometimes last-minute offers announced, but you have to have an extremely flexible schedule to utilize these. According to travel site Cruise Critic, it’s best to book 12 months out for a peak-season cruise and nine to 12 months out for a shoulder-season or off-season cruise.

Traditional travel agents are another great resource for saving money on cruise bookings. As we’ve discussed elsewhere , travel agents sometimes get “quiet offers” from cruise lines. These are unpublished rates, and they can easily save you more money than you’d pay to the agent for access.

Hey, we don’t get the economics of it, either. Travel agents are wizards.

Nick Starichenko / Shutterstock

3. Traveling Solo Is Not Complicated

Have no fear, solo travelers! European river cruise lines offer plenty of excursion options and onboard amenities for the single occupant. It isn’t hard to find cruises that won’t unintentionally penalize you with “single supplement” fees — and some cruise lines even book specifically for solo adventurers. You just need to know if a ship includes single cabins; if it does, you should be able to escape paying for two.

If you know you’ll be traveling solo, do your research on the most solo-friendly cruise lines. Then — and we can’t stress this enough — sign up for your favorite line’s email list and watch for deals. Solo spots often get filled quickly, so this is another instance in which booking early will redound to your benefit.

At least there’s one thing you won’t have to worry about during a solo cruise along a European river: feeling lonely. Most cruises have onboard events and meals designed to get people to mingle, so there will be plenty of opportunities to meet and talk with new friends.

On the other hand, you could always take a plate back to your veranda. There are reasons we travel solo, after all.

photobeginner / Shutterstock

4. River Cruises Are Packed With All-Inclusive Options

When you’re looking to book a European river cruise, you’ll find that most cruise lines offer a range of all-inclusive package deals. These can be great for reducing your stress during the planning stage, but it’s also important to double-check what all-inclusive means to each specific cruise line. Not all all-inclusive trips are created equal.

Your room and meals are typically included with any booking. But there are some really great perks some companies include that you should look for. Airport transfers and port charges can really add up, especially if an airport is far away from the ship. If you can find a cruise that covers these costs, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars.

Free beverages are another perk you might not realize you miss until you set sail. Most cruise lines include drinks with your meals but not throughout the day. If enjoying an afternoon glass of wine on a whim is something you’re looking for, definitely watch for travel packages that include drinks.

You can also save money on excursions depending on the package you book. Most all-inclusive packages will cover all excursions — experiences that would be quite expensive if you paid separately.

Luciano Mortula / Shutterstock

5. Not Sure Which Vacation To Book? Choose A Theme

European river cruises have become more and more specialized. That’s great news for travelers, because it means you can find a themed cruise to match your passion.

Love golf? Travel the Danube, stopping to hit the links in the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, and more. More of a history buff? Cruise the Seine through France in remembrance of World War II, or ride the Rhine, disembarking to trace Europe’s Jewish history .

Wine lovers have their pick of providers, with Rhine Valley wine cruises available on at least five cruise lines. You can even pack up the family and book a kid-friendly river cruise — without sacrificing adult luxury, of course. We’ve seen cruises for cyclists, cruises for art aficionados, and even cruises for gardeners, all along the inimitable waterways of Western Europe. Oh, there are also plenty of opportunities to celebrate the holidays aboard a luxury river boat, with popular Christmas market tours in December.

If all the variables start to feel overwhelming, just think about how you’d most like to spend your vacation. Odds are you can indulge your interests on your way down a fabulous European river.

Funny Solution Studio / Shutterstock

6. River Cruises Offer Unprecedented Customization Options

On the other hand, choice is a good thing.

We like to compare river cruises to vacations on the open sea, but, excepting the boat, they really couldn’t be more different. Rivers are always close to land. That means travelers have all the options of the open city every time they stop for the night.

River tour companies offer full menus of shore excursions, but they’re always optional. Don’t feel like joining your fellow passengers on a kayaking trip? No problem. Go shopping, check out the architecture, or take a nap onboard. There’s no wrong way to spend time on a European river cruise.

Avalon Waterways even created the Active & Discovery series of cruises to build experiences based on traveler choice. Travel the Rhine, the Rhône, or the Danube, stopping frequently to see the sights, have an adventure, or just relax on deck.

The point is, the providers of European river cruises have noticed that travelers want to chart their own courses. These providers are now offering simple ways to make that happen.

7. How To Find The Best European River Cruise For You

Once you know your budget, it’s time to wade through the options. This is the time to get a travel agent involved, if you’re going traditional. Otherwise, be prepared to do some research.

You could start by picking a river — have you always dreamed of floating down the Rhine, the Danube, or the Seine? Or you could start by picking a country or area that interests you. If you want to brush up on your French, book a trip along the Seine or the Rhône. For a tour of Eastern Europe, head along the Danube from Germany in the west to the Black Sea in Romania.

You could also choose your trip based on your interests. If you want to watch ancient castles pass by, sail the Rhine. Foodies might prefer a wine-tasting trip down the Rhône. In short, there is no perfect European river cruise — there’s just the cruise that perfectly matches your hopes and dreams.

Hop online and open a few tabs. Compare cruise itineraries and prices. Keep track of your research — we like to use a notebook, oddly enough — and narrow down your options. Here’s a list of cruise lines voted Travel + Leisure’s top 10 in 2018, in no particular order, to get you started: AmaWaterways , Grand Circle Cruise Line , Avalon Waterways , Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection , Tauck , Vantage Deluxe World Travel , Viking , Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours , Crystal River Cruises , and Aqua Expeditions .

Photo Credit: taranchic / Shutterstock

Brian Thomas is a professional writer with over 15 years of experience. He’s traveled extensively during that time, frequently touring the American Southwest as both a musician and a tourist. In 2019, he visited Japan and Mexico, and he’s become passionate about spreading a simple message: Traveling isn't necessarily expensive, and it's one of the best paths to self-improvement.

My name is John Miller, and I am the founder of rivercruisecomparison.com.

I find river cruising to be the perfect fusion of exploration, comfort, and cultural immersion. I have personally sailed on over a dozen river cruises with a variety of cruise lines – with more on the books over the coming year. Between firsthand experience and in-depth training, I understand and appreciate the commonalities, as well as the differences, between each cruise line and the rivers they sail. As a European river cruise specialist, there are two main objectives that I hope this website will help provide – matching you to the cruise line that provides the onboard experience that meets or exceeds your needs and preferences, and finding the river that best speaks to your desired experience.

Originally, I developed the content on this website to help my clients learn more about the joys of river cruising – but I decided to put this out on a public website so that non-clients and fellow travel professionals could find unbiased information and resources pertaining to European river cruises.

I highly recommend using a trusted travel advisor when booking a European river cruise – so reach out to yours when you are ready to book your next European river cruise. Not only will you get extra guidance and support from a professional, but you will do so at no extra out-of-pocket cost to you! Don’t have a trusted travel advisor? I am happy to help, so feel free to reach out to start discussing how I can help ensure your voyage is tailored to perfection, helping you create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Where would you like to start exploring? No matter where you start your journey, I hope this website helps  you find the perfect match for your next European river cruise!

Change location

• UK / International
• Call toll-free from 9am EDT
• 617-223-4521 617-223-4390 or
• REQUEST A QUOTE

Top 5 European river cruises

• The Rhine Valley

Whether its hilltop towns in Provence or Gothic castles scattered along the Rhine, a European river cruise allows you to visit a wide range of storied cities and out-of-the-way villages in a relaxed fashion. No matter where you go, you can enjoy gourmet dining, indulgent spa treatments, and your choice of in-depth tours with experts.

Here, we’ve created a primer to river cruising in Europe, introducing the distinctive, wide-bottomed ships and their on-shore experiences. We’ve picked out five of our top routes, which take in everything from tulip fields beside Dutch waterways to the ancient vineyards along Portugal’s Douro River.

About the routes

We’ve spotlighted five of Europe’s greatest rivers for cruising. Each one works well as a standalone trip, but we think you’ll get even more from your experience if you combine them with an in-depth visit to the city or cities at the start or end of the cruise — you can use the itineraries we’ve suggested below as inspiration. Of course, your specialist will craft your trip just for you, choosing hotels and experiences that match your particular tastes.

Waterways in Belgium & the Netherlands

• Duration: 7 nights
• Start & end point: Amsterdam
• Countries: The Netherlands and Belgium

Each spring, the Netherlands  erupts in a riotous celebration of tulips and other spring flowers — from farm fields to botanical gardens, the country boasts millions of bulbs blooming in candy-bright shades of lipstick red, sunshine yellow, and vivid orange. If you’re planning your cruise between late March and early May, you’ll get to soak up the splendor of the blooms.

This cruise gives you a chance to explore the country’s well-known love of tulips, with (optional) visits to a family-run tulip farm and the Floralia flower show in Antwerp . The grand finale is a stop at the annual festivities in the prestigious Keukenhof gardens, where 7 million bulbs — including 800 varieties of tulips, not to mention dozens of daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses — draw visitors from around the globe every year.

The cruise begins and ends amid the scenic, shady canals of Amsterdam . Along the way, you’ll get a chance to admire Belgium’s  wealth of medieval architecture in Bruges , Middelburg, and Ghent , and admire the historic windmills at the village of Kinderdijk. In addition to the floral-themed stops, you can discover the timeless appeal of Delft pottery or indulge in a masterclass from a Belgian chocolatier.

Learn more: You can incorporate this cruise on any trip to Europe, like this ten-day itinerary suggestion   that includes time in Amsterdam.

Germany & Luxembourg: the Rhine & the Moselle

• Start & end point: Luxembourg and Nuremberg
• Countries: Germany and Luxembourg

From the vineyard-lined shores of the Moselle to the castle-dotted bends of the Rhine, this cruise gives you a chance to explore the food, drink, and scenic landscapes of both Germany  and Luxembourg . Many of the experiences here allow you to acquaint yourself with the region’s cuisine and distinctive alcoholic beverages — you can sample smoked beer and traditional wurst in Bamberg, sip the renowned wines of the Rheingau region, or learn to bake a pretzel at a small local bakery. For a more active trip, you might opt for hikes through vineyards or up steep hills to explore local castles.

Along the way, you’ll visit villages like Bernkastel-Kues, Cochem, and Wertheim, which seem lifted from the pages of a storybook with their half-timbered houses painted in cheerful primary hues. You can also opt to visit the Niederwalddenkmal monument via a gondola with panoramic views of the Rhine Valley. Or, you might venture down the Romantic Road  to visit Rothenburg, Germany’s best-preserved walled town.

Learn more: This 13-day suggested trip  adds time in both Paris and Prague before and after your cruise, extending your exploration through the heart of Europe.

Germany & the Netherlands: the Rhine

• Between: Geneva and Amsterdam
• Countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland

It seems like there’s a castle around every curve of the Rhine — imposing Gothic confections of crenellated ramparts and pointed towers that loom over the river. Cruises along the Rhine let you admire the apparently endless parade from the water, and give you the chance to actually slip inside a few — for example, you can opt to take a guided tour of the stately interiors of Burg Lahneck in Germany.

In addition to castles, you’ll find medieval villages dotted along the banks — places you likely wouldn’t visit any other way. For example, you can stop at the Alsatian town of Strasbourg to visit the well-preserved 16th-century old town, packed with brightly painted half-timber buildings.

In Germany, the river is also known for its vineyards — you can enjoy a simple tasting in Rüdesheim am Rhein. Alternatively, join a cycle tour through Breisach or take a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal monument, followed by a sampling of Riesling wines.

Learn more: This cruise pairs well with an in-depth exploration of Amsterdam, which is included in this 12-day suggested itinerary .

France: the Rhône

• Start & end point: Lyon to Arles
• Countries: France

Gentle hills drenched in sunshine, lavender fields that hum with bees, storied vineyards, and fragrant truffles — a Provence  cruise between Lyon  and Arles  lets you fully indulge your senses. The route highlights why this region’s sumptuous character has inspired poets, painters, chefs, vintners, and even popes since the Roman era.

The on-shore tours here include a truffle hunt through the sunny countryside, following a trained truffle-sniffing dog. You could choose a vineyard tour and tasting in the Beaujolais region, known for its gamay grapes and lighthearted approach to winemaking. Or, enjoy a red-wine-and-chocolate tasting at Le Château de Tournon.

With narrow medieval streets paved in honey-gold stones, Arles inspired Vincent Van Gogh when painting his Café Terrace at Night , which has made the French city a popular destination for art lovers. You can take a walking tour with an art historian to learn more about the painter’s time here and visit a Van Gogh-themed gallery.

Arguably the climax of the cruise is a stop in Avignon , home to the Palais des Papes, or papal palace. A tour of this sprawling complex of turrets, fortifications, and battlements will give you a glimpse into the Pope’s power in 14th-century Europe.

Learn more: Get inspired with our 13-day suggested trip , which includes this cruise as well as time in Paris, Versailles, and Cannes.

Portugal & Spain: the Douro

• Start & end point: Porto & Vega de Terrón
• Countries: Portugal and Spain

A cruise down the Douro  in Portugal and Spain is a chance to explore one of the world’s oldest designated wine regions, known for both its vistas and its vineyards. The steep sides of the valley are lined with hand-carved terraces where vintners have been growing grapes for more than a millennium — we think the best way to enjoy the views of the gently undulating terraces is from the river.

The route includes several chances to visit local quintas, a Portuguese word for wine estates. They dot the riverside and you’ll be able to stop at several to try traditional cuisine as well as sample the fortified port wine that the region is known for. You can also stop for another tasting in the city that gave the wine its name — Porto .

Looking beyond food and wine, you can also choose to take guided tours of small local villages as well as the city of Salamanca , a Spanish UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Other options include guided hikes and cycling tours, and a chance to explore the blue-and-white-tiled interior of the Palácio Anadia, a Baroque palace from the 18th century.

Learn more: A Douro cruise is included in this 13-day suggested itinerary , which also gives you time to explore Lisbon and Madrid.

About the ships

These are not the ocean-going liners that many people think of when they hear ‘cruise ship’. They’re much smaller, usually only holding about 150 passengers, creating a more intimate trip. The keels are flat and wide — almost barge-like — and the low, close-to-the-water profile means you’ll have a smooth voyage.

We’ve chosen ships with spacious staterooms that have floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as (usually) both a French balcony and an outdoor balcony. The sophisticated decor, attentive service, and luxe amenities are a match for most elegant hotels in Europe, and usually of a much higher standard than you’d find if you wanted to spend the night in many of the villages en route.

Dining here is a gourmet affair, with both local and international menus, and a generous wine cellar. You can sit down to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as enjoy wine and beer with meals and tapas between eating times — all included as part of your package.

Also included is a wide menu of activities available at each stop. You can go for guided hikes, while a fleet of bicycles onboard means you can explore like the locals do, with or without a guide. Gourmets can opt for a wine tasting, market tour, cooking class, or beer-and-bratwurst feast. And, of course, there are guided walking tours.

In the evenings, as you travel effortlessly between villages, castles, and vineyards, you can take advantage of your ship’s spa for treatments, attend the nightly entertainment, or simply enjoy a cocktail on the sun deck as you admire the countryside scrolling past you.

River cruise ideas in Europe

These itineraries are simply suggestions for how you could enjoy river cruise experiences in Europe. They’re just for inspiration, because your trip will be created around your particular tastes.

Cruising the Rhine: vineyards & villages

12 days from $11,495pp

Germany river cruise, Paris & Prague

13 days from $12,895pp

Rhône river cruise: Roman ruins & truffles

13 days from $17,595pp

Douro river cruise: port tasting & palaces

13 days from $11,295pp

Cruising the Dutch & Belgian waterways

10 days from $8,295pp

Europe river cruises in pictures

Plan your trip

Tell us about your plans and one of our specialists will plan a unique trip for you...

Request our brochure, The World Your Way

Order your digital copy via email.

Matador Original Series

Cycle, Paddle, and Hike Through Europe on an Active River Cruise

S tanding astride a bike on a sunny morning in Austria, I waved goodbye to the AmaSonata , the river cruise ship I’d been on for the last few days, as it continued sailing west on the Danube River.

“There’s no going back now, “ I thought to myself. I tightened the strap of my bike helmet, slung my daypack over both shoulders, and pushed off.

Following a local guide, our small group of passengers from AmaWaterways’ “ Melodies of the Danube ” river cruise began pedaling through the scenery of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Brimming with vineyards, castles, and gorgeous vistas and views, the valley is one of the most beautiful stretches of the entire Danube. Because of this, it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

For the next few hours, we followed the river as it snaked through the countryside, riding on paved bike paths, cobblestone streets, and modern roads. Our group stopped periodically to snap pictures and catch our breath, but otherwise, we maintained a pretty quick pace.

Photo: starmaro /Shutterstock

After a roughly 15-mile ride, we met back up with the ship at the next port. Hungry and tired from the morning’s exercise, I didn’t even bother changing out of my shorts and t-shirt before joining the remaining passengers, who’d instead enjoyed a quiet morning of scenic sailing onboard the ship, for lunch.

This port-to-port cycling excursion is one example of the many ways travelers can stay active on a European river cruise. Though these trips have long had a reputation for being relatively sedentary, that’s changing. River cruise lines are increasingly attempting to convince travelers who like to keep moving to join them on board. On modern European river cruises, you might do yoga before breakfast, hike to a historic fortress before lunch, and play pickleball before dinner.

Here’s what to know about the trend toward activity-focused European river cruises .

Mix-and-match daily excursions

Photo: rui vale sousa /Shutterstock

River cruising is an easy, stress-free way to travel. You only have to unpack once, you get to enjoy fine dining at every meal, and you can let someone else plan all the activities while you travel from city to city. You’ll awake in a new European city most mornings, and explore them on guided tours.

Those factors are what initially made European river cruises popular, and they’re still all true. However, these days, guests can add a wide range of adventurous activity options at every port, like bike rides through national parks, invigorating vineyard hikes, guided kayaking adventures, and everything in between. Guests are able to choose different activities each day, allowing for a fully active adventure or rest days alternated with exploration.

That’s also the premise of Avalon Waterways’ “ Active & Discovery ” cruises, first launched in 2017 on the Danube River. The brand has since added them to many major European waterways.

When I took an Active & Discovery Moselle River cruise with Avalon Waterways, I hiked through vineyards one day, and toured a mustard mill the next. I casually sipped beers at a 350-year-old brewery one afternoon, then braved the streets of Frankfurt on a bike the following morning. Each evening, I returned to the ship in time to freshen up, enjoy a cocktail, and tuck in for a multi-course dinner. It was an ideal blend of soft adventure, culture, and relaxation.

You can stay active, even without guided tours

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by AmaWaterways (@amawaterways)

On most active European river cruises, the ships themselves are also designed to appeal to guests who like to keep moving. Daily yoga classes are common, and many ships have dedicated activity staff to lead pilates, cardio, dance, and other group fitness classes. Some vessels also have small gyms. And occasionally, you’ll find a ship with even more unique features. The AmaMagna, for example, has a full-sized pickleball court on its top deck. And don’t worry about disrupting other guests’ peace and quiet – there aren’t any staterooms below it.

Soft adventure is more common, but ultra-active trips are growing

Photo: nnattalli /Shutterstock

Most active European river cruises focus on soft adventure, which generally means lower-risk activities that require minimal athletic or technical skill. That means almost anyone can participate in most of the adventures; you don’t need to be a weekly road biker or have ever picked up a kayak paddle before. But some European river cruises are beginning to offer slightly more advanced excursions.

More like this

Trending now, the 25 dreamiest airbnbs in italy, the 10 best nudist resorts around the world, explore the uk by foot and train with this comprehensive listing of hikes from train stations, take in the best of french ski country at the grand hotel courmayeur, europe’s top tourist attractions make the list of pickpocketing hotspots for 2024, discover matador, adventure travel, train travel, national parks, beaches and islands, ski and snow.

• Travel Planning Guide

The Best River Cruises in Europe

The ultimate river escape: indulge in relaxation and exploration on these exquisite cruises.

Calling all adventure seekers and relaxation enthusiasts! If you're looking for the ultimate holiday experience, a river cruise through Europe is the answer. Set sail on a journey that combines the thrill of exploration with the serenity of a leisurely voyage. We've carefully analyzed a variety of river cruises, taking into account key factors such as comfort, amenities, price, guest ratings, excursion, and activities in order to find the absolute best river cruises in Europe. Whether you're yearning for cultural immersion, thrilling excursions, or simply a chance to unwind, these river journeys offer everything you could ask for, and more. Prepare to embark on a river cruise to Europe that will exceed your expectations and leave you with cherished memories.

• Daily Bosphorus Cruise Istanbul 1 Days, $40.46
• Christmas Markets Rhine Cruise (Dusseldorf - Dusseldorf) 5 Days, $455.14
• Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Bucharest (Turnu Magurele) , MS Fidelio 11 Days, $2017.22

What are river cruise options in Europe?

Here are the important factors:

• 197 trip options analyzed
• $463 average price per day (USD)
• 1 to 16 days in length
• 4.59 of 5 average rating
• 155 people or less on average

Curious about the diverse range of river cruises? Prepare to be amazed by the array of options available to suit every traveler's preferences. It comes as no surprise that visitors adore these tours, given their exceptional average guest rating of 4.59 out of 5 stars. When it comes to group sizes, the average maximum capacity stands at 155 people, allowing for a comfortable and sociable experience. The shortest tour is 1 days, while the longest is 16 days. And for physical activity , you can choose between easy and relaxing, with most of them being easy. Regarding travel styles options, you'll find tours marked as family and romantic, with the most being family. With a comprehensive analysis encompassing 197 river cruises, you can rest assured that Europe has something tailored to your interests and preferences, promising an unforgettable experience for all.

(All tour prices are in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically.)

So, let's get to it and see...

The 10 Best River Cruises in Europe

Daily bosphorus cruise istanbul.

• Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for river cruises.
• High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Set off on an extraordinary journey that has been awarded a 5 out of 5 stars by previous guests. With a duration of 1 days, this trip offers an intimate group setting, accommodating 99 individuals, while extending a warm welcome to travelers of any age. Istanbul kicks off your expedition, serving as both the starting and finishing point. Brought to you by TravelShop Turkey , this exceptional deal is an incredible steal at a mere $40 per day.

• River Cruise

Christmas Markets Rhine Cruise (Dusseldorf - Dusseldorf)

With this option you can experience an unparalleled journey for 5 unforgettable days. It ensures an intimate group setting with 110 participants at most. Uncover the beauty of 5 destinations on this itinerary, with highlights such as Koblenz, Mainz, and Rudesheim am Rhein. You'll start and end this amazing trip in Dusseldorf. Crucemundo , the organizer of this journey, extends a warm invitation to guests travelers from 1 to 105 years old. This extraordinary opportunity offers exceptional value at only $111 per day.

Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Bucharest (Turnu Magurele) , MS Fidelio

• On Sale: 50% Off See Prices

This fantastic cruise has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, visiting Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Traverse through 9 enchanting destinations, with Belgrade, Vidin, Bratislava, and Budapest among the must-see stops along the route. Vienna marks the starting point, while Bucharest stands as the final stop on your incredible journey. Lasting 11 days, the maximum group size is 130 people, and it's good for travelers from 1 to 95 years old. Organized by Crucemundo , this is a great deal because it's only $108 per day.

Blue Danube cruise, Vienna-Vienna, MS Fidelio

With a stellar 4.5 out of 5 rating, this extraordinary cruise, visiting Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary, is the perfect choice. This trip visits 7 destinations, including Durnstein, Melk, Linz, and Bratislava along the way. Your adventure starts and ends in Vienna. Spanning across 8 days, the cruise accommodates 40 individuals, and is suitable for travelers from 1 to 95 years old. Offered by Crucemundo , this remarkable cruise is priced at just $110 per day. Don't miss out on this incredible experience.

IRON GATES CRUISE, 4 days, MS Fidelio

• On Sale: 30% Off See Prices

This exceptional trip offering by Crucemundo has received a 4.5 out of 5 rating. On this 4-day cruise, visiting Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania, you can unwind while also making new memories. Belgrade will mark the start of your journey, while Bucharest will serve as its final destination. With a group size of 154 people, it's suitable for travelers from 1 to 105 years old. This remarkable trip is priced at an unbeatable $111 per day.

Magestic Danube II (Belgrade - Vienna), MS Fidelio

Check out this river cruise that has received rave reviews, earning a stellar 4 out of 5 rating, visiting Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. Explore 7 incredible locations on this trip, including Mohacs, Budapest, Bratislava, and Novi Sad. Belgrade marks the starting point, while Vienna stands as the final stop on your incredible journey. Spanning across 8 unforgettable days, this voyage offers an intimate group experience with 35 participants, and it's great for travelers from 1 to 95 years old. Brought to you by the renowned Crucemundo , this exceptional opportunity is priced at an incredible $99 per day - an unbeatable value.

Rhône Route Rendez-Vous 2024 (9 destinations)

This 6-day river cruise, visiting France and Austria, is ideal for travelers from 2 and up. And priced at only $131 per day, it's a great value, too. Discover a journey that spans 7 destinations, with notable stops in Avignon, Vienna, Beaujolais, and Viviers. Beginning in beautiful Lyon, you'll have a terrific journey that ends in Beaujolais. It's offered by A-ROSA , a very popular company with rave reviews and knowledgeable guides.

Rhône Route Rendez-Vous 2024 (16 destinations)

Priced at just $131 per day, this terrific 6-day journey is ideal for travelers from 2 and up. This trip takes you on an adventure to 6 destinations, including Beaujolais, Viviers, Arles, and Avignon. Lyon kicks off your expedition, serving as both the starting and finishing point. Organized by the reputable A-ROSA , this is one of the best tours on this list.

Legendary Rhine Cruise (Mainz-Amsterdam) MS Crucevita

Check out this incredible trip that has received a 4.4 out of 5 rating from previous guests, visiting Germany, France, and Netherlands. With a duration of 8 days, this journey ensures an intimate group size of 35 people, and is good for travelers from 1 to 80 years old. With 8 destinations to explore, you'll get the chance to see Strasbourg, Worms, Rudesheim am Rhein, and Koblenz, and more. Mainz marks the starting point, while Amsterdam stands as the final stop on your incredible journey. This fantastic option, organized by Crucemundo , presents an unbeatable value at just $119 per day.

Classical Danube (Passau - Budapest - Passau)

Spanning over 8 days, this river cruise, visiting Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia, has a maximum size of 154 individuals. Welcoming travelers from 1 to 95 years old, it is organized by Crucemundo , a very popular company with plenty of great reviews. Along the way, this journey encompasses 6 destinations, including Budapest, Bratislava, Durnstein, and Vienna. Passau will be both the start and end of your journey. Available at an unbeatable price of only $136 per day, this option also has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from previous guests.

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Europe , The Best Wildlife Tours to Europe , The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Europe , The Best Historical Tours in Europe , The Best 10-Day Tours in Europe , The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Europe , The Best 3-Day Tours in Europe , The Best 2-Week Tours in Europe , The Best 3-Week Tours in Europe , The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Europe , The Best Extended Trip Tours in Europe, One Month or Longer , The Best Bicycle Tours in Europe , Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Europe , The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Europe , The Best Christmas Market Tours in Europe , The Best Coach Bus Tours in Europe , The Best Adventure Tours to Europe , The Best Eco Tours in Europe , The Best Train & Rail Tours in Europe , The Best Thrill-Seeking Tours in Europe , The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Europe , The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in Europe , The Best Sightseeing Tours in Europe , The Best Cultural Tours in Europe , The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Europe , The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Europe , The Best Music Tours in Europe , The Tours for Animal Lovers in Europe , The Best Photography Tours in Europe , The Best Camping Tours in Europe , The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Europe , The Best Self Drive Tours in Europe , The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Europe , The Best Nightlife Tours in Europe , The Best Religious Tours in Europe , The Best Walking Tours in Europe , The Best Northern Lights Tours in Europe , The Best Honeymoon Tours in Europe , The Best Tours Under $1000 in Europe , The Best Luxury Tours to Europe , The Best Budget Tours to Europe , The Best Tours for Seniors to Europe , The Best Contiki Tours to Europe , or The Best G Adventures Tours to Europe for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.

How much do River Cruises in Europe cost?

Travelers to Europe will have a large number of terrific options for river cruises at a variety of great prices. The price of river cruises here can vary by type, destinations, length, and travel style. Based on thorough data from 197 river cruises, their average daily price is a very reasonable $463 per day. If you're interested in more information about tours here, see our guide to tour prices in Europe .

Subscribe to our Newsletter

By signing up for our email newsletter, you will receive occasional updates from us with sales and discounts from major travel companies , plus tips and advice from experienced budget travelers!

Budget Your Trip

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.

• Privacy / Terms of Use
• Activities, Day Trips, Things To Do, and Excursions

Choose Your Own Adventure On This European River Cruise

Thank you to AmaWaterways for hosting our cruise so we could provide this detailed review of our experience.

This AmaWaterways river cruise has become a popular way for active travelers to easily see multiple places, with daily excursions to cities, countrysides, and local landmarks.

We cycled into Melk, Austria, exhausted but deliriously happy, completing a 17-mile bike ride along the Danube River – passing by small medieval churches, castles, monasteries, gravesites, and fruit orchards. We whirred alongside vineyards, by corn fields, and through cobblestone villages, admiring perfectly arranged flower boxes in the stunning Wachau Valley, A UNESCO World Heritage Site and region known for its natural beauty. The ride felt like therapy as we were distracted in a good way after the recent passing of my father-in-law.

Our dream bike trip was one of the active excursions available on AmaWaterways, our “floating boutique hotel” that whisked us from Budapest to Vilshofen for 7+ nights and beyond the typical tourist paths to venture deeper into Old World villages along the Danube – the second largest river in Europe. The ship brought us through five countries and enchanting towns we could never imagine easily getting to like Bratislava, Slovakia; Austria’s Linz, Mondsee, and Salzburg (where the hills come alive with the Sound of Music); and the German villages of Passau and Vilshofen. The regal journey, including a small pool and walking track on the Sun Deck and rooms with French and outside balconies, had us cruising through the Austrian Lake District and the Strudengau Valley and since we were already deep in Europe, we easily extended our voyage with a half-day trip to the fairytale town of Cesky Krumlov, en route to Prague.

The beauty of these river cruises is not just the intimacy, with fewer than 150 people aboard our ship, but the ability to choose your own adventure. In each port, guests can decide on the level of activity they are comfortable with for the day – such as biking, hiking, or walking tours (at gentle, regular, and active paces). While “bike and barge” tours have been around for years, AmaWaterways was the first luxury river cruise line to include a fleet of new comfy 7-speed bikes and introduce a Wellness Program on its European cruises. Last year my mom and I cruised the Seine from Paris to Normandy with Viking , but bikes were not available.

As we glided along the Danube, we slipped into a new location each day where local guides greeted us for biking, hiking, and city walking tours (some with culinary components) to dive deeper into each landscape. While we were cycling through the Wachau Valley, friends we met onboard hiked in Durnstein to the Keunringer Castle, the famous ruins where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Other guests chose to invest their time touring the impressive Benedictine Abbey of Melk while others walked the town of Durnstein to sample apricots, sweets, and local wines.

Biking: Heighten your senses

The freedom of biking to explore new regions was exhilarating to us as we knew it wouldn’t be easy to replicate this experience on our own. We took advantage of the biking options and created a collection of unforgettable travel memories, choosing to cycle in three ports for around 15 miles at each destination. There were fewer than 10 bikers on each excursion, which made each cycling jaunt pleasurable.

In the Wachau Valley, we met several other passengers who were just as eager to view the Austrian countryside on two wheels. Our local guide made sure we didn’t get lost and also helped unveil the history and secrets of the journey with intriguing stops to take in the stunning viewpoints, learn historical information along the way, and point out natural features we might otherwise miss. Five to six-hundred-year-old villages that sprung up during the Middle Ages are still thriving along the Danube and feature unique points of interest – like a romantic little Gothic church from the 1500s, fortified with a tower since the town couldn’t afford a wall. We scaled the tower to admire the interior covered in a 3D mural due to a layered colored painting technique called ‘scrafitti’ where they scratch the layers away – similar to fresco paintings 500 years ago.

In each town, we noticed markings high on the walls where measurements are reminders of how the Danube can rise at an alarming rate – flooding twice in the last 13 years instead of the historical hundred-year event. Flood protection barriers have since been built in certain areas where metal sheets can be slid in to meet up to 25 feet of water.

Later that day we rested our weary bodies on our stateroom balcony – admiring the passing picturesque setting over local beer available on the ship as we snaked along the green Strudengau Valley. In Grein, the 500-year-old residential Greinburg Castle once owned by Queen Victoria of England (by way of her husband Albert) loomed above the town waiting for us to admire its lowkey grandeur and splendid courtyard. A private tour later wowed us with the castle’s diamond-cut ceiling in the music room and Sala Terrena (Stone Theater) crafted entirely out of pebbles from the Danube.

In Vienna, we opted to peddle through the buzzing city with a local guide who gave us a nice overview for afternoon and evening exploration on our own. We zipped along the riverside embankment by miles of graffiti art, with monumental buildings and soaring cathedrals leading us to the famous Ringstrasse, then on to admire architecture in Graben square and peruse Kohlmarkt with its luxury shops. The ride took us by hidden corners of Vienna, spiraling through one of the oldest amusement parks in the world with its popular Ferris wheel and into a city park to the golden statue of John Strauss II (“King of the Waltz”) playing his violin. In the city center, we came across a regal military procession with music in front of The Hofburg, the former 13th-century imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty, and then stopped to witness Vienna’s town hall with its contentious balcony still in existence, where Adolf Hitler conducted one of his most infamous speeches.

In Passau, Germany, we felt motivated to bike again as this jaunt took us along the scenic shores of the Inn River through wooded hills and beaches of poplars, where we gaped at the cobblestone town’s pastel-hued Baroque buildings. A pedestrian bridge brought us across the river (and border) to Wernstein, Austria where we cycled along more woods, corn fields, churches, castles, and pubs, and observed village life before returning to the old town of Passau, known as the “City of Three Rivers” because the Danube, Inn and Liz rivers all converge here.

More biking excursions are available in many other river cruise destinations, such as Cologne’s Old Town, the medieval city of Rouen, St. Emilion’s wine estates, and the idyllic village of Kinderdijk in the Netherlands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its historic windmills. For even more active experiences, adventure travel leader Backroads partners with AmaWaterways to host intense biking tours for experienced cyclists.

Hiking: Get high for the best bird’s eye view

Opportunities abound for those who prefer hiking or want to mix up their exercise on a trip, as the beauty of Europe not only lies in its architecture and landmarks but also in its abundant nature. Most of the ports we visited included hiking to a hilltop castle and opportunities to go off the beaten path with hikes (and extended city walks) ranging from two to ten miles. In Budapest we scaled side streets to the Castle District, beginning with a walk along the Pest embankment to remember the Jewish lives lost at the Shoes Memorial before exploring the Matthias Church and fairy-tale-like Fisherman’s Bastion perched high on a hill above the Danube.

In Slovakia, a brisk hike to the Bratislava Castle was a warmup for a power walk to the towering UFO Building, up to the observation deck and restaurant to watch the sunset from soaring heights above a hanging bridge along the Danube. In Salzburg, we got high again atop Monchsberh hills above the roofs of the old town as the Salzburg Modern Art Museum has a scintillating restaurant perch to admire this Austrian city with its medieval and baroque buildings and eastern Alps.

Walking: Take it all in

Need an alternative to an aggressive day of exercise while on vacation? No problem, choose a walking experience at your preferred speed. We loved getting to know Bratislava with a walking beer food tour to sample various suds and regional treats (like cheeses, meats, and even tongue) at a local brewery. With a guide or on your own, walking the streets of a quaint medieval European town is a trip through a rich and storied past.

Activities: Golf, Pickleball, and Bespoke Wellness Programs

While you might think of a cruise as a crowded bonanza where the most common exercise is a walk to the nearest buffet, river cruises make it possible to keep your fitness goals going while on vacation. Our ship had a professional wellness coach who facilitated active excursions in port and daily fitness classes such as core strengthening, resistance band workouts, and sunrise stretching.

Some ships offer tailored wellness programs featuring yoga, Tai Chi, guided meditations, and an introduction to the traditional way to make organic teas for detoxifying, healing, and re-energizing. Others boast pickleball courts on the deck, juice bars, massage rooms, and beauty services like hair and nails. Some even offer concierge golf programs to experience prestigious courses in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

Dining Options: Stay healthy or splurge

After an active day, it’s rewarding to indulge in sit-down meals in the waterside restaurant – created by expert chefs with daily elaborate multicourse menus featuring traditional and regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced fresh ingredients, including bread baked onboard overnight. Complementary wines selected from the surrounding areas are chosen by acclaimed European sommeliers and presented at each meal.

As a huge food fanatic, dining and discovering new dishes is an important part of my travels as in the past I have learned food can make or break a trip. AmaWaterways was the first river cruise to be inducted into the La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and Tableset Auberges – two of the world’s most prestigious culinary organizations. Dishes were always presented so beautifully that it was shocking how artful the chefs could be in a tight galley. Each meal started with 4 mini appetizers and ended with dessert options – featuring ingredients and impressive options from the regions we were visiting.

Some of our favorite meals included a Bavarian carving station with pork knuckle and pork belly and gnocchi with wild mushrooms but we also appreciated veering off now and again from the region’s hearty dishes for fish and chips and a build-your-own Pho bowl. Also, guests are invited to a night at the Chef’s Table for a multicourse grand affair, and it is one we will never forget as we slipped by Budapest’s Parliament Building in all its glowing gold magic (pictured above). Vegetarians will be easily satisfied too as the daily menus include a special multicourse meat-free option along with menu items that can accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences like gluten-free or low-sodium.

On days we raced to morning biking excursions, I appreciated the grab-and-go breakfast options in the lounge as an alternative to the full-service restaurant while my husband loved the post-activity Sip & Sail daily cocktail hour with complimentary wine, beer, and spirits.

AmaWaterways far exceeded our travel exploration expectations. They make it easy to enjoy a healthy and vigorous lifestyle while on vacation and have now made river cruising our new favorite way to explore Europe.

KEEP READING

- Hotel Review: The Regina Isabella Resort in Ischia, Italy

- 48 Hours in Rome and Our Stay at the Rose Garden Palace Hotel

- Fast or Slow Ferry to Ischia, Italy? You Might Be Surprised - 10 Things You Never Knew About Italy

- What It’s Like To Take the Fast Train From Rome to Naples, Italy  

Want more travel news, tips and deals? Sign up to  Johnny Jet’s free newsletter  and check out these popular posts:  The Travel Gadget Flight Attendants Never Leave Home Without and  12 Ways to Save Money on Baggage Fees . Follow Johnny Jet on MSN ,  Facebook, Instagram ,  Pinterest , and  YouTube  for all of my travel posts.