are river cruises operating in europe

Here's What to Expect for Your European River Cruise This Summer

Courtesy of Viking Cruises

Pre-Trip Requirements

Onboard experience, shore excursions, returning home.

After two years of interrupted travel plans, the sparkling waters of Europe's rivers are finally summoning voyagers back. 2022 is shaping up to be a big year for river cruises, particularly in Europe, where travelers can float past iconic sights on famous waterways like the Seine or the Rhine. Viking Cruises, which recently held a naming ceremony for eight new longships in Paris, will send out its "full fleet," according to Richard Marnell, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Viking Cruises. That means 74 river ships will carry guests worldwide this summer, including for the first time on the Mississippi and the Nile.

"There's almost a degree of urgency in which people realize how precious time is," Marnell explained of the demand for summer river cruises, specifically around Europe. "With the time we've all had taken away over the past few years, they're more eager than ever to get to destinations and places they've yet to see and places they've seen previously. We're also noticing the local destinations we're visiting are much more welcoming than they've ever been in the past of returning travelers. They're very excited. It's a win-win all the way around."

While things are mainly returning to normal—or a new version of normal—there are some considerations travelers should bear in mind when embarking on a European river cruise in the coming months. If you're on the fence, also consider that many of the cruise lines, including Viking Cruises, Uniworld, and AmaWaterways, are retaining many of their COVID-19 safety protocols even as local and international restrictions ease. Still, the cruise lines feel that now is the time to embrace international travel.

"I consider [COVID-19] is really behind us," Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises, said at a media conference during the longship naming ceremony in Paris. "Now, it's obviously a much less serious thing, and I think we should get back to life as normal."

When preparing for your summer European river cruise, here's what you need to know.

For now, guests on most cruise lines will need to be fully vaccinated and booster to embark. Uniworld, which operates numerous river cruises in Europe, will require all guests to be immunized through Dec. 31, 2022. They will also be required to comply with any vaccine and booster requirements set by the destinations visited on a particular cruise. For example, France currently requires proof of vaccination to enter the country, so anyone booked on a Seine journey will need to keep that in mind.

AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Viking Cruises have a similar mandate, although Marnell confirms that Viking will continue to evolve its policies as things change. "That's something we will continue until we feel it's acceptable not to," he noted of the vaccine requirement. "But for the near-term, yes."

To prepare, ensure you have your CDC card (or similar alternative, if you were vaccinated outside of the U.S.) that lists both your original vaccine doses and your booster on hand. Viking uses an app called VeriFLY to check proof of vaccine ahead of their cruises, but some local destinations may require you to show your CDC card for specific shore excursions. It's also worth making a photocopy of your vaccine card to keep in your cabin safe just in case.

For the most part, being on board a river ship these days feels relatively normal. There is more sanitizing than guests may be used to, but the COVID-19 safety measures have not overly impacted the general experience. The biggest question, of course, is: "Do I need to wear a mask on my cruise?" The answer, for the moment, is yes. AmaWaterways requires medical-grade face masks for guests when moving through interior spaces on the ship and does not permit cloth masks. Uniworld asks guests to wear masks when walking in public areas, but they can be taken off when seated in the lounge and restaurant.

Viking Cruises, the first cruise line to stop sailing in March 2020 and has been sailing again since last spring, is taking a different approach. According to Marnell, masks will become optional for guests onboard Viking ships from April 1, 2022. The crew will continue to be required to wear them. Viking will also test its passengers with regular PCR spit tests to help prevent community spread if there is a COVID-19 case, as they have been doing on both the river and ocean ships since last year.

"Masks are going to be optional unless it's a local regulation," Marnell explained. "With testing, we are taking a conservative approach because it's about keeping the guests and crew as safe as we can. But as soon we can, we will roll back on testing." He added, "we will adapt to what we feel is best and safest for our guests and our crew. We start with that, and then, of course, we need to follow whatever local and international regulations are as needed."

Another consideration for guests onboard is social distancing. Cruise lines are booking their river cruises at full capacity this summer, which means you will be in proximity of other passengers in indoor spaces. On some ships, dining in the restaurants is communal, with large, shared tables, so guests should be aware of that possibility and let guest services know if they have any concerns. Several cruise lines, including Viking and Avalon Waterways, have guest rooms that feature small balconies, which is an excellent option for those who need more personal space.

As Europe's countries open up, so do the shore excursion possibilities. Last year, cruise lines weren't always able to allow passengers to self-explore in many destinations; this year, things are back on track. Because river cruise ships are relatively small, expect small group excursions if you prefer something guided. Avalon Waterways, for example, keeps all shore excursion groups to less than 20 people. If you're concerned about crowds, opt for excursions to less tourist-y spots or select walking or cycling tours. At the recent Viking naming event, which featured a mini-cruise up the Seine, Versailles was jam-packed with visitors, while a walking tour of Giverny was relaxed and peaceful.

Many European countries continue to drop restrictions, so masks will most likely be optional at most of your stops. Cruise lines will follow local regulations for shore excursions, so it's best always to bring along a mask and proof of vaccine when heading ashore.

Courtesy of AmaWaterways

While many countries have dropped the requirement to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter, the U.S. currently requires all travelers, regardless of vaccine status, to take an antigen or PCR within one day of their return flight. This is something the cruise lines are aware of and have accounted for in their summer plans. Viking and Avalon Waterways provide the test as an included amenity for all travelers and will continue to do so as long as required. As you discover or re-visit all your favorite European destinations, it's one less thing to think about.

Viking Cruises. "Viking Expands European River Fleet With Naming of Eight New Ships and Marks Beginning of 2022 River Season." March 16, 2022.

Uniworld. "Your COVID-19 Travel Questions Answered." Accessed March 28, 2022.

Schengen Visa. "Now It Is Easier Than Ever to Travel to France In Spite of COVID-19: Vaccination, Testing & More Entry Rules Explained." March 17, 2022.

AmaWaterways. "Frequently Asked Questions." Accessed March 28, 2022.

Viking Cruises. "Viking to Temporarily Suspend Cruise Operations Until May 1, 2022." March 11, 2020.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19." Accessed March 28, 2022.

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2022 European River Cruising Outlook, with Insights from AMA Waterways’ Kristin Karst

Mar 22, 2022 | 0

2022 European River Cruising

By Anne Kalosh

Springtime in Europe means the start of river cruising season, and most international lines expect to be back to operating regular itineraries in 2022 for the first time in a couple years.

Spring in Europe means river cruising starts. Here, Uniworld’s Maria Theresa. * Photo: Uniworld

The big exceptions, of course, are in Russia and Ukraine.

Viking, which got its start on the Russian rivers 25 years ago, will not be taking passengers to Russia in 2022 and canceled its Ukraine itinerary.

“We are deeply opposed to the unfolding conflict in Ukraine and are heartbroken for all the people who are impacted,” the river cruise giant said.

AmaWaterways so far hasn’t changed its Eastern European itinerary through countries that skirt Ukraine — the route stretches between Budapest, Hungary, and Giurgiu, Romania — but the line said it is closely monitoring developments.

Like other lines, Ama’s 21-strong European fleet start getting underway in early March, first with three sold-out charters of the double-wide Danube vessel AmaMagna .

The double-wide AmaMagna kicked off AmaWaterways’ European season in early March. It operates exclusively on the Danube. * Photo: AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways’ new season continues with five vessels dedicated to “Tulip Time” cruises, five cruising the rivers of France and another 10 on the Rhine, Moselle, Danube and Douro.

Tulip time in the Netherlands — a popular draw for river cruises. * Photo: AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways EVP/Co-founder Kristin Karst cited “huge pent-up demand” after so many travelers missed trips with family and friends over the pandemic.

While hopeful, she remains cautious about 2022 because travel is still not fully stabilized and some uncertainties linger.

RELATED: A review of AmaMagna from Gene Sloan.

Splurging on Suites & Longer Sailings

That said, vessels are booking “from the top down,” according to Karst. “Everyone wants a balcony cabin or, if possible, a suite because [people feel they’ve] earned it.”

AmaWaterways’ Kristin Karst. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Bookings for 2022 European river cruising are coming from both loyalists and those new to the rivers, including many travelers who aren’t ready to go back to ocean cruising yet.

River cruises, always in sight of land, and carrying fewer people than ocean ships, with lots of open-air activities like upper-deck scenery-viewing, walking tours and bike treks, seem to be right for the zeitgeist.

In high demand is Karst’s namesake vessel, AmaKristina , the only twin-balcony ship in France, cruising for its first full season on the Rhône between Lyon and Avignon.

France offers many more river cruise options than in the past. Here, AmaKristina on the Rhône. * Photo: AmaWaterways

Also extremely popular are Portugal cruises aboard AmaDouro and sister AmaVida , which kick off the Douro River sailings on March 26.

People are interested in longer sailings, too. Ama currently offers three seven-river trips (cruises that hit seven rivers and 14 countries in one itinerary) planned for 2023 , with a few cabins left in the spring, the summer one sold out and space available for the fall departure.

Cruise combinations are possible, as well.

In France, for example, AmaWaterways explores three rivers with voyages that embark/disembark on the same day of the week. So an ardent Ama fan could sail the Rhône to Lyon, take the TGV from there to Paris and embark on a Seine cruise, sail round-trip then join a Paris to Bordeaux trip.

Viking’s modified Longship design enables Seine River cruises. * Photo: Viking

Still another trend this year at AmaWaterways is for customers to book air travel together with their cruise, instead of arranging air separately on their own. This follows two years of challenges for travel advisors and consumers with flight changes and cancellations. Travel advisors can access Ama’s agents “much faster than calling the airlines and being on hold for hours,” Karst said, adding that the company had doubled its air reservations staff to handle the greater demand.

RELATED: What is River Cruising all About?  Check out These Tips.

Playing it Safe for 2022 European River Cruising

This concurs with consumer sentiment expressed in a recent survey by arrivia , a travel loyalty and cruise booking technology platform that surveyed 1,453 Americans, all members of a travel club or travel benefits program, about their attitudes and preferences regarding cruises.

More than half the respondents said they would want to see universal masking and vaccination onboard and social distancing during activities to feel comfortable cruising again

Omicron is “not in the past,” Karst concurred. AmaWaterways continues its proven protocols, including a vaccination requirement. When it comes to boosters, the company bows to national regulations — some places, like France — mandate them.

Masks are still required when moving around the vessels but not when seated in a lounge or restaurant. Even if such a regulation is relaxed in future, “Everyone should do what they feel comfortable with,” Karst said. Some travelers prefer to keep them on, and crew will always wear them.

Scenery-viewing from the top deck and lots of fresh air. * Photo: AmaWaterways

Harmonized Protocols for European River Cruising

In a welcome evolution, European protocols are starting to become more consistent, across EU countries at least.

Fewer nations are requiring COVID testing or vaccination for foreigners to enter, which should make fewer hassles for river cruisers this year.

But lines and travel advisors are still having to do quite a bit of “hand-holding” to ensure travelers understand the requirements and complete the necessary documentation.

While 2022 is another step toward greater normalcy, some people are opting to wait another year for a big international vacation splurge.

2023, Karst said, is expected to be “very strong,” and AmaWaterways expects to put out its 2024 schedule soon, with group charter requests already coming in.

The Floriade — Once A Decade

Meanwhile, here’s something that can’t wait until 2023: the international horticulture exhibition Floriade, which takes place in the Netherlands once every 10 years.

For 2022, it’s scheduled for April 14 to Oct. 9, in Almere, outside Amsterdam.

The Floriade splays across 148 acres with spectacular flower gardens but there’s much more to it, including fruits, vegetables, pavilions, greenhouses and gondolas soaring through the sky.

“Growing Green Cities” is the theme for 2022 and it will showcase elements ranging from green architecture and environmentally-friendly food production to renewable energy and healthy living.

Among the many river cruise lines that facilitate access to the Floriade via excursions are AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Emerald Cruises, Riviera River Cruises, Tauck and Viking.

Some lines bundle Floriade access and arrangements into their pricing; for others, there’s an extra charge.

Travelers will be able to visit the Floriade with Tauck and other river-cruise lines. * Photo: Tauck

Oberammergau Passion Play

Another once-a-decade event, the Oberammergau Passion Play — which recalls the Passion of Christ from the Last Supper to the crucifixion — has been performed in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau since 1634. Because of the pandemic, its scheduled performance in 2020 was postponed, for the first time in 400  years, until 2022.

All actors of the world’s largest amateur dramatic performance come from the village, since a special play law is in effect. All participants, from actors through to members of the choir, orchestra members, firemen and ushers, must have been born in Oberammergau or have lived there for at least 20 years. * Photo: Uniworld

A number of cruise lines have special Oberammergau departures with add-on land programs with tickets and hotel accommodations for this rare spectacle. Avalon, CroisiEurope, Saga, Tauck, Uniworld, Vantage Travel and Viking are among them.

2022 European River Cruising includes New Viking Longships

Viking doesn’t do anything small and has just ushered in eight new river vessels at joint festivities in Paris and Amsterdam on March 16.

Of the new Viking Longships, four — Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga — are built specifically to navigate the Seine and carry travelers into the heart of Paris to an exclusive docking location at Port de Grenelle, a short walk from the Eiffel Tower.

Viking’s exclusive Paris docking station at Port de Grenelle is a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. * Photo: Viking

The four additional Longships — Viking Egdir, Viking Gersemi, Viking Gymir and Viking Hervor — will sail on the Rhine, Main and Danube.

Viking invited eight distinguished cultural partners and important members of the company’s extended family to serve as godmothers. In Viking tradition, a bottle of Gammel Opland aquavit was broken on the bow of each vessel, a tribute to Founder/Chairman Torstein Hagen’s mother Ragnhild, born in Opland. Gammel Opland was her favorite aquavit.

Doves were released at the Viking Longships naming in Paris. * Photo: Viking

RELATED: Quirky contributor Peter Knego was on hand for the festivities so stay tuned for a full report from him.

Emerald Luna

At Emerald Cruises, 2022 European river cruising sees the inauguration of Emerald Luna , the line’s ninth Star-Ship. It’s due to be named July 21 in Amsterdam.

Most Luna cabins feature Emerald’s distinctive balcony design that puts deck flooring near the floor-to-ceiling window; the upper part of the window drops down at the push of a button.

The 180-pax Emerald Luna becomes Emerald Cruises’ ninth Star-Ship. * Photo: Emerald Cruises

The 180-passenger Emerald Luna joins Emerald Sun, Sky, Star, Dawn and Destiny sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube. Emerald’s river fleet also includes the 132-passenger Emerald Liberté sailing the Rhône and Saône in France and the 112-passenger Emerald Radiance on the Douro.

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© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.

About The Author

Anne Kalosh

Anne Kalosh has written about cruises for decades and her favorites involve small ships. She is the editor of Seatrade-Cruise.com and senior associate editor of Seatrade Cruise Review.

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Europe's Drought: Will It End River Cruises?

(CNN) -- Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the pandemic-snarled water, Europe is having another cataclysmic summer. This time, it's not pandemic red tape, but what looks set to be the continent's worst drought in history. Around  63 percent of the land across the EU  and UK had either drought warnings or alerts, according to the EU's European Drought Observatory last week -- and that figure was issued before the  UK declared a drought  in eight out of 14 areas. New alerts are pouring in every day.

While the landscape is tinder-dry, water levels are plummeting. Rivers and lakes are drying up -- and as well that having devastating effects on trade and industry, it's also hitting a sector that was already on its knees thanks to the pandemic: tourism. Worse, experts say that this is a worrying sign of things to come.

Drama on the Rhine

The 766-mile Rhine is one of Europe's most important trade routes, with container ships plying their way around its looping bends.

It's also a classic cruise itinerary. But now some of those waterway dreams seem set to run aground.

On Saturday, the water level at the German town of Kaub -- a critical juncture -- slipped to just 36 centimeters, or 14 inches, according to  official figures . That's devastatingly low -- at 40 centimeters, commercial shipping becomes unprofitable.

None of this is news, says Clare Weeden, principal lecturer in tourism and marketing at the University of Brighton.

"Anybody who operates river cruise boats would have had an understanding of this because of the way the climate has changed in the last 20 years," she says, adding that low levels on the Rhine and Danube have seen incidents of passengers being bussed from one destination to another for the past five or six years. But while the cruise companies may have foreseen this, clients haven't.

"River cruising is becoming much more popular, particularly for active people," she says.

"You dock early, spend all day enjoying a city, then go back to the boat at the end of the day and sail on. It's much quieter [than mass cruising]. But drought and climate change has coincided with the increase in river cruising."

But she warns that, with the climate crisis, Europe's traditional river cruising is "definitely going to suffer" and predicts "the industry is likely to reset as a result."

A booming business -- for now

Helen Prochilo of cruise specialist  Promal Vacations  calls European river cruising "the hottest thing we are selling this year."

A little too hot: Although none of her clients have been affected yet, she says that among her fellow agents, one had a client's cruise canceled this week, and another had their itinerary adjusted. River cruise alterations tend to be very last-minute, because they depend on water levels and rain.

Prochilo says that many river cruise boats are specifically built with flatter hulls to deal with low water levels. If in difficulty, those with swimming pools on board can empty them. Railings, furniture and even the captain's bridge are designed to be lowered, while passing under bridges in high water, adds Rob Clabbers, president of  Q Cruise + Travel , a Virtuoso member agency in Chicago.

Not that that prevents problems. In 2017, Prochilo booked a Rhine sailing herself with Emerald, only to find "very low levels" of water.

"The ship emptied the pool to lighten the load and we could actually feel the ship tapping the bottom of the river," she says.

"We never saw the captain after the first night. He stayed on the bridge to ensure the ship was carefully handled."

Others weren't so lucky. Prochilo says that they floated past another cruise line offloading their passengers onto buses.

"The ship build and experience of the captains is very important when the weather is like this," she says. And she's not taking any chances -- watching the water levels drop on the Rhine over the past month has made her advise would-be bookers to wait till next year.

"I'm also advising them to cruise earlier in the season as the river levels don't seem to be a problem if traveling in May or June versus July or August," she says.

For those who've already booked, she makes regular calls to the river cruise lines checking the conditions.

Those conditions are pretty devastating -- levels are "exceptionally low" in some areas, German officials  told CNN  on Friday.

In fact, Weeden believes that Rhine cruises "will be a thing of the past" before too long.

So what will happen this year? CLIA, which represents cruise operators, says:

"River cruise operators ... are monitoring the situation and responding appropriately in liaison with the relevant authorities.

"The safety of guests and crew will be central to any decisions relating to itineraries. Where any changes are planned, operators are working hard to minimize any disruption."

River cruise specialist  Riviera Travel  said in a statement: "We have seen minimal disruption so far as we have put measures in place, such as ship swaps and minor itinerary changes, to ensure guests can still make the most of their cruises." A ship might leave a destination a couple of hours early, for example.

Viking Cruises' website  states that "low water levels will affect select river itineraries." Impacted travelers will be contacted by the cruise line.

To mitigate issues, Viking runs sister ships sailing the same itinerary, but in opposite directions. If there's a problem on one side of the river, guests can transfer to the other ship.

Clabbers says that "many lines" do this. "If low (or high) water prevents passage at a certain point, the line simply moves the downstream sailing passengers (and their luggage) to the upstream ship and vice versa. The ships turn back to their point of origin with their 'new' passengers who simply continue their journey without too much interruption."

And if all else fails, they use the boat as a hotel, and bus travelers to their destinations each day. It may not be as romantic, but it's effective.

"The distances traveled by river cruise are not very long, so sometimes passengers will even get to see more as buses travel faster," says Clabbers, from personal experience.

"On a Uniworld cruise a few years ago, high water kept the ship in Vienna for three days, and the company did a fantastic job in setting up additional tours that showed us sights that were not included in our original schedule."

Got a Rhine cruise booked for this year? Don't cancel, he says -- you may be penalized. Just try to go with the flow. But if you haven't yet booked, and want to travel this year, he suggests looking at alternatives like the Seine or the Douro.

No river unscathed

Not that they're much better. The picture is bleak for all Europe's rivers.

In France, some parts of the famous Loire river have  dried up almost completely . Some  canals have also been closed . "I think canals are a no-go," says Weeden, about the future.

In the UK, the source of the Thames has  moved five miles downriver  for the first time in history.

And of course there's the Danube. The situation on Europe's other prime tourism river is looking blue, too.  Emergency dredging  is currently taking place on the lower river, in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Although there are "no problems" on the Austrian stretch, authorities told CNN last Friday, the situation in Hungary -- perhaps the most famous part of the Danube -- is more concerning.

The drought is already devastating for trade -- an average 1,600-tonne vessel can now only navigate the river without any cargo, according to the Hungary Tourist Board. So far, the situation for tourist boats is holding out. The  Mahart Passnave Passenger Shipping Ltd. , which runs river cruises, is still operating all the way along the Danube, although some stations are closed north of Budapest. Between Szentendre and Visegràd, around 15 miles north of the capital, the river takes a major loop. "Some stations [there] have been closed for about a month, as ships cannot moor due to the low water level," says a representative of the Hungary Tourist Board.

But not all companies are managing to navigate the river -- and not all of those are having as good an experience of bussing as Clabbers did.

"I had travelers whose ship couldn't make it to Budapest -- they had to board their ship in Komarno" -- about an hour away in Slovakia -- says tour guide  Julia Kravianszky .

"Travelers flew to Budapest, from where they were taken to Komarno by bus, and they were bussed back to Budapest the next day for their city tour, only to return to the ship by bus after the tour."

Things are already looking different in Budapest, perhaps the most beautiful city along the river.

"The Danube is visibly lower at the moment, it's been really low for two or three weeks now," says Kravianszky.

"Margaret Island looks bigger, because all the rocks at the bottom of the river are visible now. Some parts of the old Margaret Bridge destroyed in World War II are visible now, too."

But don't cancel your trip just yet. The river still "looks large and majestic -- it doesn't really give the image of a dried-up river," she says. For now, it's the locals who can tell the difference.

In Italy, the Po is unnavigable in parts.

'If it's like this next year, I'll retire'

And then there's Italy, where the Po River is at historic lows, and has close to disappeared in places. It's disastrous news for the entire country -- and has also put an end to tourism on parts of the river this summer.

For the past 20 years,  Stefano Barborini  has rented boats and taken visitors out on his stretch of the Po, near Parma. This year, he hasn't been able to manage even a single outing.

"I've been on the Po for 40 years, and this has never happened before," he says. "We've had droughts before, but this low -- never. There's been erosion of the bottom so the river has actually got deeper. Usually it's navigable year-round."

This year, he says, "It started very early -- there was no rain and everything dried up."

His small boats usually dart all over the river, and up close to the beaches, to see things -- Barborini usually points out medieval remains, and has found things like buffalo bones and even mammoth teeth, he says, while out on excursions.

He normally rents boats to fishermen but, he asks, "Where would they go to fish?" Anyone using a boat in the Po needs to be extremely experienced right now -- even professional fishermen are not able to navigate, he says.

Barborini has 30-odd excursions lined up for September. By then, he hopes that the water levels will be higher. Even then, it could be difficult to load and unload passengers, as they'll have to navigate steep walks on and off the boat.

"If it's the same next year, I'll retire," he says.

Dried-up lakes

It's not just rivers. Italy's largest lake, Garda, is  nearing its lowest ever levels , adding a stretch of land around the peninsula of Sirmione, which famously ends with some impressive Roman ruins -- or did, until now.

And parts of Lake Tisza, Hungary's largest artificial lake, are no longer accessible by boat, according to Kravianszky. "In Abadki [a popular rental spot] the water level is 50 centimeters [20 inches] lower than the minimum required," she says.

"They stopped renting out boats, and many owners were forced to remove their boats from the water. The Tisza lake cross-swimming event scheduled for the 13th of August was canceled."

Tisza borders the Hortobágy National Park, a landscape of plains and wetlands, that has UNESCO World Heritage status. Animals have been brought here to graze for around 2,000 years.

"It's one of [Hungary's] defining characteristics... it's heartbreaking to see how it slowly dries up, how the birds have started avoiding the area or nesting less around the National Park," says Kravianszky.

From drought to flash floods

The other side of drought is flash flooding -- something that has hit the US in the past few weeks, with Yellowstone suffering a  once-in-500-years incident  in June, and  two people being killed  in Las Vegas last week.

Barborini says that he's worried for the Po this fall. "Two years ago the water levels were high in January and February, because when the snow fell on the Alps it immediately warmed and came down in levels that weren't normal," he says.

"The climate has changed a lot in the past five or six years."

An uncertain future

"Travel has a front row seat as climate change unfolds in the destinations we visit and, if this becomes a standard summer, it will massively impact our industry. Unless urgent action is taken on climate change, the reality is that extreme weather is going to have an impact on the destinations and communities we visit."

That's the opinion of Susanne Etti, environmental impact manager at  Intrepid Travel , who calls this summer "a wake-up call for the entire sector." She's not alone.

"The places where we can ski have shrunk -- the same will be true for river cruising in 20 years. There won't even be (environmentally damaging) snow cannons to help out," says Justin Francis, CEO of  Responsible Travel .

Weeden thinks that as Rhine tourism dries up, river cruising companies will look elsewhere. "Ships are mobile, companies are not loyal to destinations. They will move and find new areas for river cruises beyond the traditional European ones," she says. They'll also look beyond rivers. Market leader Viking, she says has been "heavily investing in ocean cruising these past few years."

This year, she says, has shown us that "climate change isn't just about heat, but also about water.

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European River Cruises Are Setting Sail This Summer

With europe set to reopen to americans, rolling along the danube, seine, or douro river just became a very real possibility for summer 2021..

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Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is among several river cruise lines planning to restart their Europe sailings this summer.

Courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Soon after European Union leaders on May 19 agreed to allow fully vaccinated travelers, including Americans, to enter Europe this summer, river cruise companies announced their plans to restart sailings along Europe’s scenic inland waterways.

Even though most EU leaders have yet to outline the specifics of their reopening plans, including what will be required for U.S. travelers to enter Europe in terms of COVID-19 vaccination and/or possible testing requirements, river cruise lines aren’t waiting any longer.

“Demand for river cruising is at an all-time high,” Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises , said in a statement about that river cruise line’s 2021 return to sailing.

If sailing along Europe’s storied Danube River, drinking wine on the Seine in France, glimpsing castles along the Rhine, or cruising past vineyards on Portugal’s Douro River sounds like the ideal getaway, you’re in luck.

The cruise lines that will be sailing Europe’s rivers this summer—and beyond—include:

AmaWaterways

Avalon waterways, emerald cruises, scenic luxury cruises & tours, uniworld boutique river cruises.

• Viking River Cruises

European river cruises sailing in 2021, 2022, and beyond

Here is what each of the European river cruise lines has planned thus far.

Sail the beautiful Moselle River on one of AmaWaterway’s wine-themed river cruises.

Courtesy of AmaWaterways

On May 21, AmaWaterways announced that it would return to the rivers of Europe on July 3, with sailings in Portugal.

After that, the company will restart cruises on all of the European rivers it sails throughout July and will begin sailing the Danube River with its largest and most impressive ship, the 196-passenger AmaMagna , on July 21, 2021.

As for what will be required for passengers to sail, AmaWaterways is waiting for the European Union to finalize its entry requirements.

“As we proceed with our return to the rivers, we will continue to monitor the updates from global health authorities, local governments and airlines with regards to the entry requirements. In the coming days, we will be providing more information regarding the specific documentation needed for sailing with us,” stated AmaWaterways president and cofounder Rudi Schreiner.

This classy river cruise line, which puts a strong emphasis on its food and wine program, is an AFAR Travelers’ Choice winner for Best River Cruise Line, and its cofounders were recognized as 2019 AFAR Vanguard honorees for the deeply personal touch they bring to the river cruising experience. AmaWaterways has a fleet of 25 ships on the rivers of Europe, as well as on Southeast Asia’s Mekong River, southern Africa’s Chobe River, and Egypt’s Nile.

For a truly epic river cruise itinerary, it may be worth waiting until June 1, 2023, when AmaWaterways will sail its longest river cruise ever—the “Seven River Journey Through Europe.” The 46-night experience will take 144 guests through 14 countries on four different ships. The rates start at $25,999 per person.

The itinerary will sail France’s Seine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers; the Rhine, Moselle, and Main Rivers through Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands; and the final sailing will be along the Danube River from Germany, through Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and ending in Romania.

Avalon Waterways , which is owned by touring powerhouse the Globus family of brands, is hosting numerous European river cruises in July, August, and September 2021. Avalon offers sailings ranging from short 4-day cruises, all the way up to multi-country 18-day cruises along the Danube and Rhine Rivers, among other European waterways.

One of the line’s more interesting offerings for 2021 and 2022 is its new storyteller series, itineraries hosted by authors and musicians. The first one is a week-long Rhine itinerary that departs on October 30, 2021, and is hosted by Diana Gabaldon, author of the best-selling Outlander novels.

In 2022, the series will continue with a “Sex & the City of Lights” Seine sailing on July 19, 2022, hosted by Candace Bushnell, author of Sex in the City ; a “Wild & Whimsy on the Water” active Danube cruise on July 22, 2022, hosted by Wild author Cheryl Strayed; and a September 14, 2022, Danube sailing hosted by Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn, among several others.

In order to travel with any of its brands, including Avalon Waterways, Globus requires guests to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination from at least 14 days prior to travel; proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test from within 72 hours of travel; or proof of recovery from a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis within three months of travel.

The company will also provide and cover the cost of any additional COVID-19 testing that is required for guests to return to their home country (such as the current U.S. testing requirement for international arrivals ), as well as testing during the trip if guests show symptoms.

Portugal’s Douro River is calling.

Courtesy of Emerald Cruises

Sleek and chic river cruise oufit Emerald Cruises will kick off its 2021 European season on July 31, 2021, on Portugal’s Douro River.

The eight-day “Secrets of the Douro” sailings will go roundtrip from Porto and along the terraced vineyards of the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cruise includes a day trip to the Spanish city of Salamanca, an excursion to the Coa Valley Prehistoric Museum in Pocinho, dinner at a traditional wine estate, and a tour of the baroque village of Lamego. On the ship there will be a port wine cocktail lesson, a Portuguese cooking demonstration, and mosaic tile painting, among other activities.

Emerald vessels feature a trademark pool area that transforms into a cinema in the evening.

All guests must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure.

Emerald’s slightly more grown-up and sophisticated sister brand Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours will also begin offering cruises on Portugal’s Douro River this July. Scenic will be running 8- and 11-night cruises up and down the winery-bedecked waterway. Highlights include canoeing on the Sabor River (a Douro tributary) and a private concert in Porto’s historic São Francisco Church.

Itineraries can be combined with Bordeaux and Seine River cruises in France, or with extensions in Lisbon and Madrid.

As with Emerald, all guests must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure.

Sail France’s Rhône and Saône Rivers on Uniworld’s S.S. “Catherine.”

Following the news that Italy and France plan to reopen their borders to American citizens in June, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises announced its plans to restart European river cruising in those two European countries soon thereafter.

Uniworld will resume its river cruises on June 20, 2021, when it will debut the recently renovated S.S. La Venezia in Italy. On June 27, Uniworld will restart cruises in France on its S.S. Bon Voyage , S.S. Joie de Vivre , and S.S. Catherine vessels.

The S.S. La Venezia will sail Uniworld’s 10-day “ Milan, Venice & the Gems of Northern Italy ” itinerary. The S.S. Bon Voyage will sail Uniworld’s eight-day Bordeaux cruise along the Garonne, Dordogne, and Gironde Rivers. The S.S. Joie de Vivre will sail the Seine for eight-day “ Paris & Normandy ” cruises. And the S.S. Catherine will sail the Rhône and Saône Rivers in France’s wine- and culture-rich Burgundy and Provence regions.

“Restarting these itineraries is just the first step in getting all of our ships back on the rivers this year,” Uniworld CEO Bettridge said in a statement.

Uniworld will also be unveiling its new S.S. Sphinx river cruise ship in Egypt on September 25, and it will begin sailing the Peruvian Amazon on September 1, with two new itineraries aboard the Aria Amazon .

If you want to do “all of the above,” then maybe you should look into Uniworld’s epic 46-night “ Rivers of the World ” cruise, which includes the Nile, Italy’s Venice Lagoon and Po River, the Danube River from Budapest to Passau, France’s Seine, and Portugal’s Douro River Valley. The inaugural sailing takes place on May 20, 2023, and the trip starts at $38,999 per person.

Another unique river cruise experience that may be worth waiting for is Uniworld’s first-ever “ Mystery Cruise ,” a 10-day sailing that begins on June 12, 2022, in Europe. Rates start at $6,999 per person including airfare; the cruise will be hosted by Bettridge. The Mystery Cruise is a totally new itinerary for Uniworld and will feature experiences that have never been included on Uniworld journeys before. The itinerary will be revealed as travelers are on their way to the airport—prior to takeoff, a packing list will be provided, as well as a few clues to help prepare.

A full list of Uniworld’s 2021 Europe sailings is available online .

Viking announced that it will also restart its European river operations in July 2021, beginning with sailings in Portugal and France and along the Rhine.

The cruises are an 8-day “Rhine Getaway” from Amsterdam to Basel; a 10-day “Portugal’s River of Gold” from Lisbon to Porto; an 8-day “Paris & the Heart of Normandy,” roundtrip from Paris; an 8-day “Lyon & Provence” from Avignon to Lyon; and a 15-day “France’s Finest,” that combines northern and southern French river itineraries.

The river sailings are being offered exclusively to vaccinated travelers. All guests and crew will have access to frequent COVID-19 PCR tests. The cruise company stated that it has installed new air-purification technology on all of its ships, and it will conduct additional health checks and sanitization measures and promote physical distancing onboard. All of the health and safety protocols can be found online .

Viking has also relaunched ocean cruises in England, Iceland, Bermuda, and the Mediterranean and intends to announce additional 2021 sailings.

>> Next: Vaccinated Americans Can Cruise in Greece This June

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Low Water Levels Disrupt European River Cruises, a Favorite of U.S. Tourists

As the continent faces a severe drought, companies have had to use buses to transport passengers along parts of the Rhine and the Danube, where water levels have become too low for riverboats.

By Jenny Gross

• Aug. 29, 2022

Mark Farmer’s two-week river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest got off to a bad start. For the first four days, there were no luxurious dinners overlooking the Rhine River or views from the top-deck balcony room that he and his wife had booked.

In fact, there was no boat at all. He and the other 150 or so passengers were shuttled around the Netherlands and Germany on buses, queuing up in long lines for bathrooms at highway rest stops and cramming into small restaurants.

“We were not happy,” said Mr. Farmer, a sales manager for a waste and recycling company. He and his wife, who live in Arizona, had booked the August trip, which had cost $18,000 including business-class flights, to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.

One of Europe’s worst droughts in decades has left the water level of parts of the Rhine and the Danube Rivers too low for ships to pass, paralyzing commerce and causing disruptions for companies that transport goods and commodities like oil and coal. The drought has also affected river cruises, forcing passengers to cope with last-minute changes to their itineraries, long bus rides and missed excursions.

River cruising is a multibillion-dollar industry, with 1.6 million travelers, many of whom were over the age of 55, cruising European rivers in 2018, a number that had nearly doubled from 2013, according to Statista , a provider of market and consumer data. Cruise Lines International Association, a trade group, said the largest group of passengers come from North America.

Nearly 65 percent of European Union territory is currently under some degree of drought warning, according to the European Drought Observatory , which aims to improve drought resilience. Droughts are likely to become more frequent, researchers say, even as hurricanes and other large storms bring flooding to other places around the globe. Climate change from the burning of fossil fuels and other human behavior can play out differently, according to scientists, but the common theme is that extreme weather is becoming more frequent and intense.

Rudi Schreiner, the president and co-owner of AmaWaterways, a river cruise company with a fleet of 26 ships, said that when water levels in the Lower Rhine are too low, cruise passengers are taken on an excursion to a nearby town by bus and then brought back to a spot on the river where water levels are higher. For each day that the cruise itinerary differs from what was scheduled, a passenger receives a voucher for 15 percent off the next seven-night cruise, he said.

Rainfall in Germany last week has provided relief, but the reprieve may be temporary. “The question is how long it will last,” Mr. Schreiner said. AmaWaterways is looking for new technologies to lower the draft of its ships so they can pass through shallower waters. “I don’t see any death of river cruising ,” he said. “I see adjustments.”

Even ships that are able to pass through the Rhine have had to reduce the capacity of their loads, since heavy cargo weighs down ships and causes difficulties in shallow waters.

For Mr. Farmer, the last straw came on day three of his trip, when Viking, the operator, arranged for the guests to stay in a hotel that Mr. Farmer described as subpar, with a man in a building next to the hotel staring into their room when he and his wife walked in.

“That night, my wife and I had had enough. I wanted to go home,” he said. But after two hours on hold with customer service, it became apparent that Viking wouldn’t be giving him a refund. So, he said, he and his wife decided they would change their attitudes. They boarded the ship the next day, and the trip improved significantly.

Viking, which offers trips in Europe, said the circumstances that affected that trip were “highly unusual,” with the Rhine and the Danube Rivers experiencing historically low levels. “We recognized that this was not the experience that our guests expected, which is why we provided all guests with a 15 percent credit toward their next Viking voyage, in the form of a voucher good for one year,” a spokesman said. Customer ratings during the dry period have been “highly satisfactory,” he added.

The company also said in a statement last week that the vast majority of its trips faced no interruptions, even though water levels on the Danube remained unusually low. “Our nautical team is continually monitoring the situation,” the company said. “Guests and their travel advisers will continue to be notified directly by Viking customer relations if we think that their itinerary might be impacted.”

Another passenger on a different Viking cruise this month, Scott Myers, said he and his wife loved their trip, despite viewing one of the most picturesque stretches of the Rhine from a bus.

“It wasn’t as good as if you were sitting on top of the boat as you were floating through, but we were still able to see all the castles,” said Mr. Myers, the director of a county park district in Troy, Ohio. He and his wife were able to spend all but one day of their trip on the cruise they had originally booked. That one day on land involved six or seven hours on a bus, traveling from Cologne, Germany, to Strasbourg, France, with stops, he said.

The pace of climate change has affected other aspects of summer tourism in Europe. With heat waves expected to intensify because of global warming, it is expected that travelers will shift their summer itineraries to destinations further north or on the coasts from destinations like Rome or Tuscany, according to travel agents.

Ellen Bettridge, the president and chief executive of Uniworld, a river cruise company, said that in response to the changing weather in Europe, the company last year expanded into luxury train travel, with itineraries that include both cruise and rail components.

“While we cannot predict future weather changes, we are preparing for it,” she said in a statement. “Our longstanding history and unparalleled relationships within the travel industry have allowed us to be flexible in creating alternate itineraries.” She said most trips had been unaffected, and that the company has had to cancel 7 percent of its cruises.

Lisa Wheeler-Pollington, who had booked a cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest with her husband, said low water levels in the Rhine caused Uniworld to cancel their trip nine days before they were scheduled to depart for Europe.

“My heart just fell,” said Ms. Wheeler-Pollington, a retired real estate worker, who lives in Sarasota, Fla. She and her husband could not reschedule because they had already arranged care for their two Labradors, Cruiser and Scooby-Doo, and contractors were scheduled to do repair work at the house. So Ms. Wheeler-Pollington and her husband accepted a refund and made their way from Amsterdam to Budapest by rail.

It ended up being the best trip of their lives. “Sometimes the unexpected is a lot more fun than things you’ve planned for a year,” she said.

Mr. Farmer, the sales manager from Arizona, said he wished that he and his wife had been offered a refund. On the second-to-last day of their trip, the cruise had to dock in a town far outside Budapest because of shallow waters in the Danube. Passengers then were back on the bus for a 90-minute drive to the city, he said.

The group toured the city by bus and then drove back to the boat for their final night, before waking up at 3 a.m. to get back on the bus to the Budapest airport for their departing flights.

Mr. Farmer and his wife received a $500 voucher each toward their next Viking cruise, but he said he was not rushing back for another river cruise any time soon. “I literally saw Budapest through a bus window.”

Jenny Gross is a general assignment reporter. Before joining The Times, she covered British politics for the The Wall Street Journal. More about Jenny Gross

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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• 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.

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.

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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

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River Cruises in Europe

All-Inclusive, Luxury River Cruises

Uniworld, the world’s best and most awarded luxury river cruise line, cruises spectacular rivers throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Asia, and Peru. Every Uniworld cruise is meticulously crafted to be an experience you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, the included and optional excursions completely immerse you in the authentic culture, sights, and cuisine of the amazing places you’ll visit.

Uniworld Cruises by River

Danube River Cruises

Explore Austria, Germany, Hungary

Rhine River Cruises

Visit France, Germany, Switzerland

All River Cruises

Sail in Europe, Egypt, Asia, or Peru

Why You Should Take a European River Cruise

Sailing by river means enjoying all the conveniences of a traditional cruise, plus the benefits of traveling inland. You’ll visit bustling cities and hidden gem villages, stopping in multiple destinations on every trip, and only unpack once! Even on board, you’ll be absorbed in the sights, with ever-changing views outside your window. 

A Room With a View

Forget about indoor cabins. When river cruising, every room has a view. Relax and enjoy the ever-changing scenery as you sail to your next destination.

Truly Immersive

Never restricted to coastal towns and ocean-liner ports, river cruise ships can take you to the heart of your destinations and dock in the center of town, so you can step right off the ship and start exploring.

Europe is Built on Rivers

There is absolutely no better way to immerse yourself in Europe than from the banks of one of her many distinctive rivers. In the Old World, commerce and life were centered on Europe’s great rivers. They were the arteries of the entire country, and, as a result, many of the quaint, memorable European villages you’re likely daydreaming about right now were built on the shores of these same rivers.

Carefully Crafted Excursions

Every Uniworld cruise is meticulously crafted to be an experience you won’t find anywhere else, filled with moments that are each more breathtaking than the last. We’ve gone the extra mile to ensure our included and optional excursions immerse you in the authentic culture, sights, and cuisine of the places you’ll visit.

Smaller Ships, Fewer Guests

While ocean liners are made to be massive, think 5,000+ guests on a 14-story vessel, river cruises are simply not capable of that scale. They must be able to fit beneath bridges that may be incredibly old and close to the water. As a result, river cruise ships are much smaller and carry far fewer passengers. Uniworld ships have an average capacity of just 120 passengers, which means you get to enjoy an intimate onboard atmosphere and unmatched service with a crew-to-passenger ratio of 1 to 2.3.

Uniworld’s staterooms are unlike anything you’ve experienced cruising. Whichever stateroom category you choose, you’ll enjoy large windows above water, as well as balconies in many rooms. Your room includes luxury amenities and plenty of space to unpack all your things and store your suitcase out of sight.

You’ll always feel like you’re in a boutique hotel, not a massive vessel—and a small ship takes you that much closer to everything! Each Uniworld ship is inspired by the very rivers upon which they cruise. With distinctive themes, color palettes, custom-made fabrics, personally selected original artwork, sumptuous furnishings, and antiques, each element, down to the smallest detail, has been thoughtfully considered and flawlessly rendered.

Crew-to-Passenger Ratio of 1 to 2.3

With Uniworld, you’ll enjoy state-of-the-art ships carrying a smaller number of passengers per journey. Uniworld ships have an average capacity of just 120 passengers, which means you enjoy an intimate onboard atmosphere and unmatched service.

Travel from one exciting destination to the next aboard a stylish floating hotel with inviting lounges, cozy libraries, panoramic restaurants, sumptuous cuisine, exquisite antiques, original art, and luxurious river-view staterooms and suites.

Castles along the Rhine

Paris & Normandy

Authentic Danube & Prague

Douro River Valley

MIlan, Venice & the Jewels of Veneto

Portugal, Spain & the Douro River Valley

Classic Christmas Markets

Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland

The safest way to cruise in europe.

By nature, sailing on the rivers means constant proximity to land and shoreside resources—and, by extension, the ability to stop the ship and disembark at any time, if necessary.

Your Well-Being and Peace of Mind Are Priority

We are committed to giving you an unparalleled travel experience, both onboard and onshore—one that is not only luxurious and memorable but also protects your health and safety while you are in our trusted hands.

We Follow the Experts

As members of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), we have been actively involved in helping to define global protocols and are kept up to date with all government advisories and travel alerts daily. Our protocols will be adapted and adjusted promptly as needed as local governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) define and implement what is required in each country.

Onboard Protocols

We've added new measures to elevate our hygiene standards for every facet of the onboard experience—from the introduction of innovative, non-toxic cleaning solutions to hand sanitizer stations throughout the ship.

No Lines or Crowds

Unlike on an ocean cruise, you won’t have to deal with wait times for embarking or disembarking. And on tours, our guides can bring you right past the long tourist lines at popular museums and attractions.

The Danube is undeniably Europe's most popular cruising river. It flows throughout Austria, Germany, Hungary, and many more, and we have vacations that include can’t-miss cities such as Budapest, Munich, Prague, and Vienna. Uniworld Castles Along the Rhine river cruise tops the list for five-star guest reviews.

The late spring or early fall is the best time for a European river cruise. The cruising season lasts from March through December, but you’ll want to plan for either April-May or September-October if you're looking for fairer weather. If you want to see the Christmas markets of Europe, a river cruise is a wonderful choice. You can even celebrate the holidays on a Christmas and New Year's cruise. 

The answer: No. U.S. citizens traveling to and planning a European river cruise do not need to worry about obtaining visas.

Uniworld River Cruises start at around $1,999 for an 8-day cruise. It’s budget-friendly, considering the cruises are all-inclusive, with five-star cuisine, premium wines and spirits, and incredibly VIP excursions. We think river cruises are one of the best ways to travel, even on a budget. The European fleet features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 120 guests, the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, impeccable hospitality, and numerous other all-inclusive benefits.

You can check out our frequently asked questions about Uniworld River Cruises in Europe or reach out to your GET Travel Specialist.

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Potential Problems for European River Cruises in 2023

There was some discussion here about low water levels in the Rhine last fall, and the effects of that on various tourist river cruises. Regrettably the following appeared in the Economist in a recent issue:

"The Alps are Europe’s water tower. They provide 25-50% of the water running through the continent’s main rivers, the Danube, the Po, the Rhine and the Rhone. With so little snow to melt in the coming months, river levels are likely to be unusually low, and with them water supplies for the people and the plants along their banks."

This will be a major economic challenge for shipping as well as tourism.

Hope for the best.

Let's all pray for a rainy summer. We lucked out on our Danube trip last October. Going back in September 2023 with friends. Would rather not do the trip by bus!

I've considered doing a river cruise for several years. One problem's been that most go places I've already been. Another's been the lack of single supplement or other solo traveler pricing.

But the biggest issue has always been the uncertainty of being able to be on the boat for the whole trip. Whether there's too much water or too little water, it's off the boat and on the bus.

And different boats can handle lower water levels so some river cruise companies can sale when others, like Viking, can’t.

We were affected by low water for one day on our Rhine cruise from Basel to Amsterdam in 2015. It only affected us in Cologne where we could dock as expected and all get off the boat for the day tours, but for reboarding they had to bus us to Düsseldorf. We were told it was because not all the docks were usable due to the low water level and so our Uniworld boat couldn't just hang around as other boats needed to use the dock.

We did have a couple on our boat who had done a separate 8 day Budapest to Passau cruise on the Danube and had spent most of the time on a bus and in hotels. They were NOT pleased.

With the lack of snow in many places this past winter, I’d be concerned with water levels, especially in the autumn.

There are also waterways that are not dependant on the Alps. And I feel like I have to mention Göta Kanal, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Göta_Kanal , for those who want to see a bit of Sweden.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnmCPRs6H3s

I took an aquatic engineering class and got a C+, so let me weigh in.

Unload the boat before traversing the shallow areas to make it more buoyant. Then, design the hull so air can be pumped into it. Embark the passengers and bus them up river. Problem solved.

I'd read the contract carefully. For me it's a no go unless I'm reimbursed for staying in hotels and riding buses. You never know and I'm not a riverboat gambler.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

17 Useful Things To Know Before Your First European River Cruise

From what to pack and cabin choices to excursions and extra costs, here are 17 useful things to know before your first European river cruise.

I’ve just got back from my first European river cruise, enjoying an 8-day Avalon Active & Discovery cruise down the Rhone in France . It was a wonderful experience. I had a large panoramic suite, enjoyed plenty of delicious meals and explored a gorgeous region of France too.

This was my first river cruise and while I’d researched quite a lot about the trip’s itinerary, I had quite a few unanswered questions before I went. I wondered what to pack, whether there would be lots of extra costs and what the other passengers would be like. Also, after everything that’s happened in the last few years, I wondered just how safe I’d feel.

So, whether you’re deciding whether to book or you’re setting off on a trip soon, here are 17 useful things to know before your first European river cruise.

You can read my review of the Avalon Poetry II ship or find out all about the route I took in my South of France itinerary .

17 Things To Know Before Your First European River Cruise

Are there covid-19 measures on board river cruises.

It’s been a challenging few years for cruises, but this trip felt very safe. First and foremost, you have to be fully vaccinated in order to travel with Avalon. That rule applies to all bookings until the end of 2022, but it could be extended further. All staff are fully vaccinated too.

When I arrived to check in, my suitcase was disinfected with a light sanitising mist. There were temperature checks before breakfast some days and there were hand sanitising stations as you board the boat, outside the restaurant area and in our rooms.

In terms of masks, the staff were wearing them, but it was up to guests if they wanted to wear them too. The only requirement was to wear them around the breakfast and lunch buffets, but I chose to wear mine in the lobby area and on the coaches for excursions.

The team on board organised PCR and Antigen tests for guests requiring negative test certificates to return home. I felt very safe travelling with Avalon. It was like our ship was its own bubble!

Can I take my whole family on a river cruise?

While most people on my river cruise were travelling with their significant other, I was amazed to see some multi-generational groups too. Avalon have a policy that you must be 13+ to travel on their river cruises, and if you’re under 18 you must be accompanied by an adult.

It was lovely chatting to all three generations of the same family who were enjoying their first big group trip since Covid. I wondered if the teenagers would enjoy the style of travel (and the fact most people on board were a lot older!) but one of them described it as the ‘best vacation ever!’

I think the fact that this was an Active & Discovery cruise made it appeal to a broader demographic. There were plenty of adventurous activities such as biking and kayaking for the younger ones, while the grandparents could enjoy a slower pace of life on a wine tour or at a painting workshop.

How do I pack for a river cruise?

I was invited on a Rhone river cruise from Lyon to Marseille at the start of October. Everything I’d researched seemed to say the temperatures might reach 20 degrees during the day and drop to around 12 at night. However, the week before I travelled the region was battered by storms, so it would have been quite a different trip if I’d been on the ship then!

I’ll admit I totally overpacked for my trip as it was my first river cruise and I had no idea what to expect! In general, I wore casual clothes during the daytimes and smarter outfits for the evenings. Here are a few other observations if you’re wondering what you’ll need:

• There really is no set dress code, ever!
• Most guests wore comfortable loungewear and sportswear for excursions (tracksuits, leggings, lightweight anoraks, trainers).
• You can dress up as much as you like for dinner and drinks. Some ladies wore smart dresses for the evenings, others just wore jeans and a top. Anything goes!
• I wished I’d packed a warmer coat as there were a few evening excursions where I was a bit cold.
• Think about footwear. I went kayaking one day and wished I’d packed water shoes or a pair of sports sandals. Instead I got my trainers soaked and they took 24 hours to dry out!
• Pack a small day bag and a refillable water bottle for excursions. Avalon have water taps on board so you’ll never need to buy water.
• It can get chilly out on the deck, even when the sun is shining, so pack a few layers.
• Research regions for any extra items that might be useful. For example, The Camargue in France is known for mosquitoes, so packing some repellent or long trousers would be a good idea.

Do river cruises cater for specific dietary needs?

No matter what your diet is, the Avalon team are happy to create dishes that meet your needs. Whether that’s vegan, vegetarian, lactose free, coeliac, a nut allergy or something else, there will always be things you will be able to eat.

Breakfast and lunch are served as a buffet, so you can help yourself to items that suit your diet. There’s also a meeting on arrival day with the catering team where you can discuss any specific requirements. The team was always very accommodating and I thought the food was excellent.

Is there enough to eat and drink on a European river cruise?

I was really impressed that as well as breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, there were always hot drinks and snacks available in the Club Lounge. It’s almost an all-inclusive experience! As well as a tea and coffee machine, there were usually muffins and cookies freely-available 24/7. It’s extremely unlikely you’ll get hungry or thirsty on a river cruise like this!

Is there Wi-Fi on board river cruises?

There is free Wi-Fi available on board the Avalon ships, but don’t expect it to offer the connectivity you’re used to back home! Sometimes it was fine but at times when most guests are on board (for example just before dinner), the connection may weaken. It didn’t take anything away from my experience, but I’d recommend having some data on your phone plan just in case.

Do I need to leave tips or gratuities?

Avalon have an option to pre-pay your gratuities when you book, so you don’t have to think about it once you’re away. If you don’t opt in for this, there’s another option to pay at the end of your cruise. Tips aren’t compulsory, but it is recommended as there are so many amazing staff who go out of their way to make the experience special.

When I travelled the recommendations were €12 per passenger per day for the crew and €3 per passenger per day for the cruise director. That’s a total of €15 per person per day, or €105 for the trip. You can either put the tips in envelopes left in your room on the final evening, or you can pay by card at reception.

Is it noisy when you’re cruising?

This was one of my concerns as I’m such a light sleeper and I knew that some of our sailing times would be overnight. When the boat is moving, there’s a light hum which you get used to quickly. It definitely didn’t keep me awake. There can be a bit of noise when you arrive somewhere as the crew moor the boat.

In general I was amazed by how quiet the ship was. I expected the walls between cabins to be thin, and assumed I’d hear people in their bedrooms or walking along the corridor, but it was very peaceful.

Should I choose a specific cabin?

The Avalon Poetry II has two full decks of Panorama Suites. Each suite has incredible wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. The doors slide too, so you can enjoy the breeze as you go. I’d recommend booking a Panorama Suite, ideally on the upper floor as you’re more likely to have a good view.

While it’s not a major issue, you might find that the side your cabin is on could make a small difference to your experience. For example, we were travelling southbound on the Rhone, and tended to moor up to the right side. As my cabin was on the right, that meant that often when we were moored, my view would be of a wall or a jetty, rather than the open view of the river.

However, sometimes another ship would moor up to ours, which could mean that you’d have a view of another bedroom as you open your curtains! When you book, you might be able to ask the Avalon advisors for info on this kind of thing.

Can I change the activities I booked?

I was amazed by how flexible this trip was. It was recommended that we pre-book the included excursions before travelling, but sometimes it was still possible to change activities the day before or on the day. There were only a few activities that had set numbers due to safety regulations or transport.

Do excursions ever get cancelled?

It’s rare that excursions would be cancelled, but occasionally things might not run due to bad weather. For example, I was hoping to go kayaking in Gorges de l’Ardeche, but the recent storms had made water levels dangerous, so the excursion was cancelled. Avalon quickly added spaces to their hiking trip in the same area, so I was still able to see the same sights.

As a goodwill gesture, the cruise director offered to rebook anyone from the kayak trip to an optional excursion kayaking under Pont du Gard (which usually carries an extra fee). What great service! This happened to be one of my favourite activities too. You can read more about it in my South of France itinerary .

Are river cruises bad for the environment?

To be honest, before accepting this river cruise invite, I researched this in detail. I know that ocean cruises have a pretty terrible reputation, but river cruises are tiny in comparison to those enormous floating eyesores!

Avalon have a good sustainability policy, and are dedicated to reducing waste and emissions too. Here’s what I learned when researching the company’s policy. In the last 2 years Avalon has:

• Eliminated single-use plastics onboard ships worldwide.
• Reduced paper waste by 80% onboard.
• Installed LED lighting throughout ships.
• Partnered with farmers along the routes so that ingredients are sourced locally, reducing food miles.
• Partnered with The Ocean Cleanup which is helping to reduce the flow of plastics from rivers to oceans.

There are also big plans for the next few years, as Avalon is aiming to reduce paper waste to less than 1% and try to reduce total carbon emissions by 50%. There are also good intentions to unveil the first fully electric river cruise vessel by 2027. How amazing would that be?!

I guess when you look at sustainability, you have to remember that staying in a hotel or driving somewhere also has negative impacts on the environment. I was pleased to travel with a company that is eco-aware and actively working to improve.

Will I meet like-minded people on a European River Cruise?

No matter your age or interests, you’re likely to find some like-minded people on a river cruise. Unlike ocean cruises where you might have thousands of people on board, a river cruise has just over 100. It’s intimate enough that you really get to know others.

I also think that if you’ve all chosen to book the same cruise, you’re likely to have a shared passion for travel and new experiences!

One of the most heart-warming things about the experience was watching friendships blossom. Couples who sat in their twos on night one joined up with others by the end of the week, creating dinner tables of four, six and even eight! It really felt like deep friendships were created in a matter of days.

Are there solo travellers on river cruises?

Yes! I spoke to the Avalon team and they always keep a few spots on each European cruise for solo travellers and even waive the single supplement fee. As you’ve just read, it’s a friendly atmosphere and you’ll naturally meet people throughout the week.

Are the days tiring?

Yes and no! On my Avalon Active & Discovery cruise I chose every excursion I went on. I really liked the freedom of this as it meant I could choose tours for the morning and afternoon, or have whole days where I didn’t leave the ship if I wanted a rest.

The morning excursions usually leave between 8-9am and return by lunchtime. The optional excursions in the afternoons tend to leave at 2pm and return by 5pm. The trips were so varied and appealing, it was hard to resist going on tours every day! As dinner is always at 7pm, you could be finished by 8pm and get an early night if you wanted a good rest.

So, in terms of the days being tiring, they’re as relaxed or active as you want them to be, as you choose exactly what you do!

How do the excursions work on a European river cruise?

When I checked into my suite on the Avalon Poetry II there was a little earpiece and lanyard waiting for me. This was for the ‘Whisper’ audio system which is used on most tours.

When you’re heading out on an excursion, you just collect the colour-coded audio receiver from the lobby, plug in your earpiece, and then you’ll be able to hear the tour guide loud and clear. It’s a really good system, and means you’re not straining to hear the guides, and they aren’t having to shout!

Are there lots of hidden extras I should be prepared for?

The price of an Avalon cruise actually covers the majority of your trip. The only things that aren’t included are optional excursions (for example, there were some afternoon wine tasting tours in Beaujolais and Châteauneuf-du-Pape), drinks from the bar and gratuities (unless you prepaid those). I thought it was great that all food and morning excursions were included. This isn’t the same on all river cruises, and definitely sets Avalon apart from the competition.

I hope these river cruise FAQs help you with your trip planning. As mentioned, I was a guest of Avalon so all of my tips and suggestions relate to my Avalon experience. Other European river cruises may differ slightly. Let me know if you have any other questions and I’ll do my best to answer them.

If you’d like a detailed guide to the river cruise ship I travelled on, take a look at my review of the  Avalon Poetry II . You can also read more about the route I took through France in my post:  Lyon to Marseille – the perfect South of France itinerary .

A big thanks to  Avalon Waterways  and  iambassador  for inviting me to be part of the #AvalonAD campaign. As always, all opinions are my own.

Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

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