The Beginner’s Guide to European River Cruising

Is it right for you?

Downton Abbey introduced us all to the world of European river cruising with those beautiful images of Viking ships sailing into Budapest. Since that time, river cruising has exploded and it’s not “just your grandma’s trip” anymore.
I will admit it… I get excited when I look at the unique experiences available on these cruises. Here are some that I still want to try:

• Sampling a variety of wines in Portugal with the vineyard owner
• Tubing the moat that encircles the town Disney used as a model for Fantasyland
• Pairing a high-end river cruise with a luxury train adventure

European River Itineraries

The Douro (Portugal)

This has become the new hot itinerary with great wines, historic cities, and beautiful countryside. For seasoned travelers, it is a great option.

The Western Danube (Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, )

This route continues to be the most popular river to cruise with east and west options. See my recommendation below.

The Eastern Danube (Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania)

This newer route goes into post-Communist areas with great historical and cultural interest but not the beauty of the European capitals on the western route.

The Rhine River (Germany, France, Switzerland, Netherlands)

The Rhine River and its stretch of castles remains popular with Amsterdam and Basel (Switzerland) as the beginning and end points. Some Rhine cruises are combined with the Mosel to include an additional part of Germany like Trier or a day trip to Luxembourg. This is the most popular itinerary for Christmas markets.

French Rivers

France has a number of options for cruisers, especially those interested in wines and champagnes. It’s also perfect for fans of the Impressionists, WWII buffs wanting to visit the beaches of Normandy, and foodies who want to try all the local cuisine.

Russia Rivers/Lakes

Several companies offer a combination of river and lake sailing between Moscow and St Petersburg featuring a combination of country and city exploration. I would strongly recommend reading all the US State Dept info before putting down a deposit.

My recommendation:

I have sailed the Danube on both Viking and AmaWaterways and it’s my personal favorite for several reasons:

• You can fly in early (or stay post-cruise) to Prague and visit this famous European capital.  LINK TO PRE/POST CRUISE BLOG
• Many of the Danube cruises goes as far as Budapest, Hungary with intermediate stops in Vienna and several stops at smaller towns in the Wachau Valley wine region.  It’s an incredibly diverse itinerary.  Budapest is a must-see.
• There is now even an option to continue east on the Danube from Budapest into the Transylvania area near the Black Sea. 

What is Common Among River Cruises

There are some commonalities in most river cruising. 

• Complimentary Wine and beer is usually included in lunch and dinner onboard.  Other drinks may have a cost, especially mixed drinks in the lounge.
• You may choose one free excursion in each port.  “Voice boxes” worn on a lanyard around your neck allow you to hear the guide in port. 
• There is daytime cruising of UNESCO World Heritage sites along the rivers.
• A recent trend includes late departures or overnight stays in some cities like Vienna to offer the opportunity to enjoy evening activities. 
• Fitness options are becoming more popular, particularly biking.
• There are cultural programs on board after dinner.
• Many river cruises in Europe have restrictions on traveling with children under 18.
• River cruises are more likely than ocean cruises to have discounted rates for solo travelers not sharing a room.
• A number of ports with easy access to step off the ship and into town.

Choosing the Right River Cruise Line for You

Life onboard the Ship

You might think that life onboard a river boat is basically the same across all cruise lines.  I have not found that to be the case.  Each cruise line has a culture and brand all its own and each cruise line adjusts the size of the ship to fit the size of the river.  These decisions determine the amenities you experience while sailing.

• The Danube has the largest ships with Ama Magna (AmaWaterways) being the largest on any European river–more than twice the size of normal river boats.  It has the amenities you would expect as a result.
• Other AmaWaterways ships often have pools, small fitness centers, masseuse and hair salons.
• Viking cruise line focuses more on cultural experiences as opposed to pools and common areas.  There is little night life after 9 or 10pm.
• Scenic and AmaWaterways are known for having late night music and dancing onboard.
• There has been a lot of buzz about luxury cruise line Crystal venturing into river cruising with the only 6-star service on the river. 
• U by Uniworld is a new venture into a younger market with no paperwork (use What’s App), bars open and dancing until the early hours of the morning, and no dress code or briefings.
• Adventures by Disney (on chartered AmaWaterways ships) invites kids to participate in special activities while their parents attend wine-tastings and adult dinners.

Port Excursions

Excursion options vary from cruise line to cruise line as well. 

• AmaWaterways offers various activity levels of their tours.  For example, when we took a tour of Prague, some of the group opted for the less active version which drove them to and from the castle while the rest of us walked. 
• Viking’s claim to fame is its cultural partnerships with entities like Highclare Castle (Downton Abbey) and can provide special access to these places.
• Crystal offers signature tours like wine-tasting at a monastery followed by a choral chant in its basilica just for Crystal guests.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you now understand that there is a great deal of diversity in river cruising.

• Numerous itineraries throughout Europe provide access to a large number of countries
• River cruising does offer its own culture across all brands with smaller ships, cultural programs, complimentary wine and beer with meals, free excursions, and limitations on children traveling.
• Different lines offer amenities with brand and the size of the ship

With some research you can match the cruise line and itinerary with you personal preferences, and have the vacation you and your fellow travelers will remember for years to come.