Monday, April 22, 2024

15 of the Best European River Cruises

cruise european rivers

Picking the best line for a European river cruise can be a challenge as more and more lines compete for attention on European waterways. Many American travelers have heard of river cruise lines like Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways -- and you can find more about them below. The 196-passenger, Danube-based AmaMagna is a standout among the cruise line’s well-equipped offerings.

Classic Rhine cruise (Amsterdam-Basel) MS Crucevita

The first valuable was gold mined in the mountains, but wine eventually replaced the gold. Some Rhone River cruise tours begin with a few days at a hotel in Paris and then include a transfer to Lyon to begin their cruise. It's not a surprise that many of the highlights of one of these cruises include food or drink. Wine and cheeses abound, and a tour of the Valrhona chocolate factory in Tournon is an unforgettable experience for all chocolate lovers.

cruise european rivers

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Chalon-sur-Saone is also in Burgundy, and many local activities revolve around food and wine.

Ships

Palate-pleasing gastronomy and epicurean shore excursions make new arrival Riverside Luxury Cruises a standout for foodies. 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.

European River Cruises

The Mosel (German) or Moselle (French) River begins in France and passes through Luxembourg and Germany before flowing into the Rhine River at Koblenz. The Moselle has 28 locks, but only 12 are on the section of the river used by river cruise ships. The Moselle is 255 miles long, but river cruises only sail on the last 100 miles before it enters the Rhine. The Rhine River cruise region between Mainz and Koblenz is one of the most scenic in Europe. The breathtaking castles lining the Upper Middle Rhine Valley make it a traveler's favorite.

Just Back From TUI Skyla: A Christmas Markets Cruise on the Rhine - Cruise Critic

Just Back From TUI Skyla: A Christmas Markets Cruise on the Rhine.

Posted: Fri, 29 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Many of these cruises are roundtrip from Amsterdam, and a day touring this famous city is often included in the tour before the ship sails. Almost all Seine River cruises sail roundtrip from Paris, heading downstream and north towards Le Havre and Honfleur, where it enters the English Channel.

Outside of travel, my passions are my veggie patch, my record collection and spending time with friends and family. Sail the Seine from Paris to Normandy aboard Tauck’s intimate 98-passenger MS Sapphire to explore destinations such as Caudebec-en-Caux, Les Andelys, Mont-St-Michel and Étretat. The cruise features a number of thoughtful, exclusive excursions, like dinner at the 16th-century Château du Taillis and a walking tour in Rouen to Joan of Arc Square and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. Most poignant, however, is the chance to pause at the D–Day Beaches, with 2024 marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy. The guided tour also visits the somber Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial on Omaha Beach.

best river cruises in Europe

Bordeaux serves up the opportunity to sip Medoc, Margaux, Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and Sauternes wines as you expand your wine education. If you plan your cruise for September or October, you'll be able to admire the grape harvest. A few cruise lines also sail the Netherlands and Belgium in the fall months, but you won't see any tulips blooming in the fields at that time of year. They are not allowed to sail at night, but different shore excursions are offered upstream and downstream, so it doesn't seem repetitive.

Captivating Rhine 2024 Start Amsterdam, End Basel

That's even before you get to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 1,333-mile Dnieper River is Europe's fourth longest and sails from Russia through Belarus and Ukraine before flowing into the Black Sea. Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey. Tauck shares the basic facts you need about Europe's rivers – plus the history, culture and more.

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. When it comes to top cruising rivers in Europe, the Rhine wins for natural beauty and fairytale landscapes. 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.

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

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. 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.

Therefore, the price mentioned on the website can be different to what you actually pay. Plus offers come and go, so it’s always a good idea to look around before you book. Danube cruises can be great value, with our cruise through Austria, Hungary and Slovakia starting just over £2,000 per person for a week. All meals and drinks, including sparkling wines and cocktails, are included, as are snacks and afternoon tea. And that’s all without mentioning the entertainment and facilities onboard your ship.

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