Monday, April 22, 2024

13 European Rivers and Waterways to Cruise

cruise european rivers

Options include a bus tour, canal tour, pedal boats, or private auto tour, each at an additional cost. 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.

What happens when your cruise ship leaves you behind?

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. European Waterways has 17 barges sailing along the less-visited waterways in the U.K., France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy.

Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for a European River Cruise

Emerald Cruises Opens Bookings For 2025 Europe River Cruises - Porthole Cruise and Travel

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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. A river cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium encompasses parts of well-known rivers like the Rhine and lesser-known rivers such as the Issel, Nedderrijn, and Schelde (or Scheldt). Some of the cruises are also on waterways such as the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal or Ijssel Lake. Some ocean ships can sail from the Atlantic Ocean up to the city of Bordeaux, but a bridge prevents them from going further.

Rhine Connoisseur: Montreux to Brussels

AmaWaterways is the only cruise line on Europe's rivers to be a member of the prestigious international gastronomy organization Chaine des Rotisseurs. Additionally, the line's culinary director is a member of the French association Tables et Auberges de France. Explore Angers with its Terra Botanica, a plant-themed amusement park, the Château d’Angers and its Apocalypse Tapestry and the museum of St Nazaire. The 96-guest MS Loire Princess adds to the experience as a luxury paddle steamer designed specifically for the river. A visit to the D-Day beaches at Arromanches is soothed by walking around the harbour at Honfleur, with its narrow five story houses that seem to have been squashed together like the keys on a piano. AmaWaterways' active excursions take in some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery—enticing passengers on hilly bike rides and waterside hikes.

No Tours Match Your Room Configuration

Bordeaux is a gorgeous French city and is fun to explore, even for those who don't like wine. Macon is a city in the south Burgundy region of France, so it has some fine wines and opportunities to taste them. This ancient city dates back to 200 BC, and the town also has several museums and historic attractions. The cruise between Basel and Mainz features stopovers at Strasbourg and Heidelberg. Many visitors find Strasbourg particularly interesting since part of the city is in France and the other (across the Rhine) is in Germany.

cruise european rivers

Lower Danube

Why You Should Cruise Europe's Moselle River - Travel + Leisure

Why You Should Cruise Europe's Moselle River.

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Exploring France by travelling on three of its rivers, with extended stays at ports of call to explore their hinterland, is a great way to truly discover the country. This cruise offers a private, after dark concert in Rouen’s cathedral and a visit to the Normandy beaches. I am a freelance journalist who has covered travel for over a decade and the cruise industry for several of those years. I've written about destinations ranging from the South China Sea to the Arctic and Norway. Some of my favorite cruise experiences include sailing the Rhine during fall or a transatlantic voyage on the Queen Mary 2 during summer. I adore my home city, London, the west coast of Ireland and New York, where I once spent a summer living in Brooklyn Heights on a work abroad program.

cruise european rivers

European Rivers and Waterways to Cruise

After an Oktoberfest celebration and captain's farewell dinner, the cruise ends the next day. 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. 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. CroisiEurope is the largest company based in Europe and operates a fleet of riverboats and hotel barges.

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 line also offers reduced solo-traveler surcharges on higher-grade cabins on select sailings. Tauck's ships carry fewer passengers than riverboats of a similar size, so it's easy for solo travelers to make new friends.

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. 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. Round-trip from Jacksonville, explore the charming towns, impressive wildlife, and native scenery on this exciting river cruise through northern Florida. Start your voyage in Green Cove Springs, known for its warm mineral springs reputed to have healing powers.

It also takes passengers to some of Europe's blockbuster cities, including Budapest, Vienna, Cologne and Amsterdam. Passengers can sip on fine wines in the Wachau Valley, wander Regensburg's UNESCO-listed old town and marvel at Vienna's Habsburg-period architecture. Itineraries feature guided trips to revered museums, cathedrals, and palaces—complemented by slow days sailing these scenic waterways. Many river ships turn around near Rouen, which is 75 miles from the sea and navigable by ocean-going ships. Most cruise lines spend one or two nights in one of these two cities, which allows their guests to have a day on the Normandy beaches and to explore the charming coastal town of Honfleur. The number of river cruise ships sailing in Europe has been rapidly growing for most of this century, and river cruises continue to be a very popular way to see cities and towns inaccessible to ocean-going ships.

You're in a small floating hotel, exploring calm inland waters, gliding past castles and vineyards and scenery that changes by the hour. Tauck's European river cruise guide will help you find the right Danube, Rhone, Rhine, Seine or Douro river cruise for you. From the coast of Maine, to the mighty Mississippi and Pacific Northwest, our Free Cruise Guide provides detailed information about all of our more than 50 U.S. itinerary options. Discover the unspoiled beauty of Amelia Island, with miles of quartz beaches and rolling sand dunes. Fernandina Beach, the island's only city, harbors a treasure trove of history, antiques, and collectibles. Explore Centre Street's Historic District, featuring restored 19th-century Victorian homes and shops.

Its banks are lined with dramatic, unspoiled landscapes, postcard-perfect towns and villages, and grand, opulent cities. Take a river cruise down this majestic river and you’ll encounter some of the world’s most stunning countryside, including the UNESCO-protected Wachau Valley, along with an array of fascinating cultures. For true indulgence, book a table at the fleetwide reservation-only Vintage Room, set up for private dining, with an extravagant seven-course wine-pairing menu. The experience is worth the $295 fee, especially for true oenophiles who will get to savor coveted Bordeaux Grand Crus.

A highlight of Cochem is its spectacular castle, and cruise ship guests all love the views of the river from its towers. This article explains some of the differences in the 13 primary cruise ship rivers and their itineraries. Although each river is discussed individually, note that many river cruise itineraries cover more than one river.

You'll also find a high number of inclusions, such as all drinks from the bar and with meals, to create a stress-free sailing with no hidden extras. Our custom Pre-Cruise Package provides you with a seamless way to experience Jacksonville and easily board the ship. The package includes a 1 night stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, located on the riverfront and steps away from the dock. You’ll berth at towns that reverberate with the names found on sought after red wine labels, finally arriving at the culinary and architectural box of delights that is Lyon. Cruising Europe’s waterways is a great way to see more of the region in a short period of time than you might do by land, and a river cruise can be the ideal introduction to cruise holidays for first-timers.

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. A cruise on Russian rivers and waterways between St. Petersburg and Moscow is the best way to see parts of Russia on a cruise. Many will travel to St. Petersburg on a Baltic cruise and are amazed at the beauty and fascinated by the history and culture of this great city.

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