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Leading cruise lines such as AmaWaterways, Viking and Uniworld continue to create new markets and itineraries to showcase the best of Europe's flowing rivers. 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. 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.
Seine Cruises
Also known as “Dutch Waterways” cruises, Tulip Time river cruises traverse a variety of smaller rivers; the Dutch Waterways are simply the inland seas and canals along the route. We’ll start with popular cruises in the spring and proceed to popular river cruises in the summer, fall and winter. Yes, there are some wonderful river cruises in the cold parts of the year. 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.
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing - The Points Guy
Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing.
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There you have it, a full list of best river cruises in Europe for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Typical itineraries sail between Budapest, Hungary, and Passau or Vilshofen, Germany. Highlights of a Danube river cruise include visiting the Vienna Opera House or Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg (and doing the “Sound of Music” tour). Most European river cruises start in popular cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Budapest, Basel and Porto.
Danube Waltz Budapest to Passau
Europe’s second-largest river, flowing through 10 countries, the river is often referred to as the “Blue Danube,” immortalized in one of Austrian composer Johann Strauss’ most famous waltzes. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. 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. 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.
Night European SojournDetails
All ships have a fitness room and fleet of bikes for tours in places such as Amsterdam and Cochem, Germany. The ships traverse waterways that include the Seine, Rhine, Danube, Douro, Main, Moselle, Rhone, Saone and Mekong. The ships deliver great food and wine and beyond-the-norm experiences on shore, such as the chance to sip local varietals in a wine cave. Special family departures — Tauck Bridges — cater to multigenerational families, adding such kid-friendly adventures as a scavenger hunt at the Louvre in Paris. Some staterooms on the newer ships are lofts with high ceilings and a raised seating area; some ships have a Jacuzzi and putting green on the sun deck.
All ships are stocked with age-appropriate games and books, and family shore excursions to zoos and theme parks feature on itineraries. From Portugal's dazzling Douro to the mighty Danube, a river cruise is a fantastic way of exploring Europe’s magical cities and sensational countryside. Sparkling new Europe-based ships seemingly debut every year, all with innovative features and itineraries that showcase art, history, food and more.
Châteaux, Rivers & Wine
From the fairytale castles of the Middle Rhine to the natural beauty of Norwegian fjords, you will gain deep insight into the continent’s cultural and historic riches. There are still glimpses today of what life was like under Communist rule in the bleak architecture beyond the city centers but more striking is the new dynamism and energy of cities like Novi Sad and Belgrade. There's some stunning scenery, too; 83 miles of the craggy Iron Gates gorge and in rural Bulgaria and Romania, bucolic countryside where the way of life has barely changed for centuries. This 40-mile stretch between Koblenz and Bingen has been a favorite for sightseers since the 1800s. The tale of a beautiful woman named Lorelei, accused of seducing men to their deaths, adds an intriguing twist to the cruise. On the way to the nunnery, she asked the three knights accompanying her if she could climb the Lorelei for one last look at her beloved Rhine.
Danube Dreams with 2 Nights in Prague (Westbound) 2024
You’ll see cultural gems like the Vienna Opera House and Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg on your journey. With all these highlights, it’s clear why the Danube is one of the top picks for European river cruises. "Having traveled on seven Viking longships that are virtually indistinguishable from one another, I believe it's the consistency that makes Viking one of our favorite ways to travel," said one reader. The longships are light-filled floating boutique hotels with a Scandinavian-design aesthetic, indoor and outdoor dining, and herb gardens up on top.
Spring and fall are popular for milder weather and fewer crowds, while summer offers longer daylight hours when taking river cruises in Europe. There’s a reason why the Rhone is a fan favorite when experiencing river cruises in Europe – it’s an adventure you will remember! Let’s remember the exceptional excursions from its awe-inspiring landscapes to enchanting cities. Add the region’s world-renowned wines, and you have a recipe for the perfect adventure. The Moselle River, often considered to have the most stunning river cruises in Europe, shines during fall. This time is perfect for river cruising in Europe as you witness the lively wine harvest.
There's also the exclusive Table La Rive fine dining experience for Diamond Deck suite guests. Daily activities feature a wide choice of included shore tours so you can personalize your cruise experience. With more itineraries than any other, Viking is the best cruise line in Europe for first-time river cruisers. The world's largest river cruise line offers a well-tested river cruise recipe on its fleet of identical Scandinavian-style longships. Insightful port talks provide information on the next day's program that cover all questions, such as how much walking is involved and difficulty levels.
AmaWaterways was also the first river cruise operator to carry a fleet of complimentary bicycles. With balmy summertime temperatures, Portugal's sublime Douro is an idyllic river cruise destination for couples. The intimate 96-passenger Scenic Azure winds through the port-producing (and UNESCO-listed) Douro Valley, with its terraced vineyards, olive groves and tranquil towns and villages.
The line focuses attention on onboard enrichment, such as lectures, dance performances and cooking demonstrations. On shore, Grand Circle's signature experiences are a home visit with a local family and a school visit. River ships dock near key attractions and feature mostly-inclusive pricing; fares include such perks as basic daily walking tours and wine and beer at meals. One person's idea of a great vacation may be extraordinary excursions such as an exclusive dinner in a chateau, while others may want spacious cabins or as much foie gras and French cheese as you can possibly eat.
Top-ranked Viking does all the major riverways of Europe, with ships also on the Nile and the Mekong, and, new in 2022, on the Mississippi. Readers praised the line's value proposition and shore experiences that go beyond the norm. The "Thinking Man's vacation" is the way one reader who sailed on a Viking ship on the Rhine river put it. It’s worth taking a moment to talk about the Lorelei, which you’ll still pass during the daylight hours on many Rhine cruises.
When it comes to a river cruise line in Europe, Scenic's all-inclusive fares are hard to top. They cover all premium drinks, including a minibar in every cabin, plus specialty dining, butler service and gratuities. Riverside Luxury Cruises is a new name on the river cruise scene in Europe in 2023. The line, which is part of the long-established European hospitality group Seaside Collection, consists of five vessels that were previously owned by Crystal Cruises, a storied name in luxury cruising. Grand Circle is a top choice company for solo travelers because the ships feature a good number of small cabins designed and priced for one, plus reduced single-supplement pricing for solos who want larger rooms. CroiseEurope also has ships on the Nile, Mekong, and Chobe River in Africa.
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