The 10 Best River Cruise Lines in Europe
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If you prefer independent travel, Scenic provides a nifty GPS gadget about the size of a cellphone, loaded with maps and commentary that is automatically activated at points of interest. Most of the ships have a pool on the sun deck, along with a fitness center and spa. 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 "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.
Viking
Most of the France-exclusive itineraries here run for a week between Lyon and Arles or Avignon. Some continue north on the Saône River, the chief tributary of the Rhône (the two merge in Lyon), and into the heart of Burgundy; it’s a gateway to stops like Burgundy’s wine capital at Beaune. As well as working for Cruise Critic, she is Cruise Editor of The Sunday Times in London and also contributes to publications worldwide, among them Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Porthole, World of Cruising and Cruise Passenger (Australia).
Grand European Tour Budapest to Amsterdam
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Common ports of call include Blaye, Cadillac, Libourne, and Pauillac, and itineraries come jam packed with visits to vineyards and wine châteaus in celebrated regional wine destinations like Médoc, Sauternes, and Saint-Émilion. The majority of European river cruises are a week long -- typically taking in three countries -- with some lines offering longer trips from 10 days to two weeks or more. They almost always start in fantastic cities such as Paris, Amsterdam and Budapest, and most itineraries include an overnight onboard. Companies also offer pre- or post-cruise stays so passengers can spend more time in these cities. 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.
Emerald Waterways
All menus onboard reflect the region, with vintage wines, dishes featuring truffle, escargot and foie gras and a gout-inducing selection of premium cheeses. Selecting the right river cruise for you depends on the kind of experience you’re after. There’s a European river cruise for every type of traveler, from families and couples to the budget-conscious and luxury seekers. For a true luxury experience, we recommend a sail aboard Uniworld’s S.S. La Venezia, while for active travelers we love the holistic wellness offerings found on AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna. No matter what you’re searching for, these are the best European river cruises to book for 2024 and beyond. Petersburg and Moscow—and cruising here pairs time spent exploring both culturally and historically rich metropolises on either end (multi-night calls are typically incorporated at each).
Cruise fares start from $308 per person, per night, for a windowless inside cabin. You can visit ports like Belfast and Liverpool on cruises from Southampton; Florence and Rome (Civitavecchia) on Barcelona sailings; and Reykjavik, Copenhagen and Lisbon on open-jaw itineraries. Paris is the point of embarkation (and also disembarkation) for most round-trip sailings here, affording time to enjoy a small taste of the city (where at least one overnight stay is commonplace). The most popular itineraries run between Basel and Amsterdam, with several stops in France and Germany en route. The Moselle is one of Europe's most beautiful rivers and also one of the biggest surprises.
The 8 Best European River Cruises For Every Type Of Traveler
Sail the Rhine in style aboard one of Crystal Cruises’s plush riverboats, with offerings like personal butlers, an indoor pool, and in-room iPads. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. In a week, a voyage packs in visits to Lyon, an elegant city famed for its culinary culture; Avignon, the setting of the iconic Popes' Palace; and Arles, the scenery around which inspired Vincent van Gogh. You'll see all manner of scenery, from the lush vineyards of Beaujolais, north of Lyon, to regimented rows of purple lavender and dazzling swathes of sunflowers further south. 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.
European Waterways has 17 barges sailing along the less-visited waterways in the U.K., France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy. Most European Waterways ships are old working barges, though the casual houseboat atmosphere includes beautiful modern interiors. Each all-inclusive cruise holds just eight to 20 passengers and can also be chartered by families and groups. The two routes can be combined into longer 13-day sailings, meaning you'd sail round-trip from Bergen and see all the fjords.
Germany's Moselle
The ship's ample deck space also offers passengers the chance to unwind in the heated pool and indulge in a nap-inducing massage in one of two treatment rooms. Programming and excursions are geared toward kids, To that end, expect a focus on storytelling rather than straight history lessons. You'll also find plenty of energetic and engaging activities, like tobogganing, 4x4 tours and bike excursions. In the evenings, supervised meals for kids and teens (and movie nights) keep the vibe upbeat until bedtime. Adventures by Disney is, unsurprisingly, one of the best river cruise lines for families in Europe.
Disneyland Hotel Paris
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. 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.
So if you want to make the most of your trip, there isn't always as much time to chill out onboard as you might think. Embarking on a river cruise in Europe is a journey into refined luxury, cultural immersion, and scenic splendor. Several river cruise lines stand out for their commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences along the continent’s waterways. Let’s explore the top river cruise lines that redefine travel along the iconic rivers of Europe.
Outside of travel, my passions are my veggie patch, my record collection and spending time with friends and family. The 196-passenger, Danube-based AmaMagna is a standout among the cruise line’s well-equipped offerings. Limber up for a game of pickleball on the full-size court that was just added in 2023. Passengers can work out solo at the Zen Wellness Studio or join an open-air spin class, while drinking in scenic river views.
The fortified wine is the national drink and there'll be plenty of opportunity to taste it en route. The most popular itineraries are one-week sailings between Budapest in Hungary and Passau, situated in Germany and close to the Austrian border, or weeklong round trips from Passau. The Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located between the Austrian towns of Krems and Melk, is particularly stunning. City highlights include elegant Vienna, with its grand palaces such as Hofburg from which the Habsburgs ruled Austria for 700 years. You can also see the gorgeous white Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School.
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However, prices can soar up to $1,500 per person, per night, for an all-inclusive luxury experience or depending on your itinerary and the time of year you're cruising. For more information on how river cruise pricing works, check out our guide that compares European river cruise costs to river cruises in other countries. 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. 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.
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. 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.
Designed with single beds and a bit less square footage, these so-called studio cabins are clustered around an exclusive lounge reserved for solos. It's a great excuse for you and your significant other to rekindle the romance without other passengers' kids running around. Ashore, Disney's family-friendly excursions will take you to laze on the beach, explore museums and learn about history. Prospective cruisers often ask me what the best Europe cruises are, but that question is difficult to answer because Europe is massive. It encompasses some 45 countries and includes such cruise regions as the Mediterranean, the Baltic and Northern Europe, the British Isles and the Canary Islands. France’s Rhône River is a haven for epicures and history buffs, with riverboats, from companies like Avalon Waterways, that bring guests through Provence (and, sometimes, Burgundy).
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