Monday, April 1, 2024

15 of the Best European River Cruises

river cruise in europe

A 40-foot statue of King Decebalus, one of the mightiest rulers of the ancient Dacians, guards the entrance. CroisiEurope is the only line to sail on the Loire River in France, with a specially designed modern paddlewheeler to navigate low water levels. Similar vessels sail France's lesser-known Elbe River and CroisiEurope is also the only line to sail on Spain's Guadalquivir River and the Vltava River in the Czech Republic. 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.

Portugal's golden Douro River, home to our newest cruises

A guided tour takes guests through Autostadt Wolfsburg, a park dedicated to the history of the automobile. In Hamburg, there's a city tour and harbor cruise before the cruise continues to the Baltic resort, Laboe, and ends in Kiel. 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 10 Best River Cruise Lines in Europe for Every Traveler

Airport transfers to and from the ship, drinks (non-alcoholic, beer and wine) with lunch and dinner, gratuities, Wi-Fi and a plethora of shore excursions are included. There are often excellent deals to be had, too, such as free flight credit when booking early, buy-one-get-one-free offers and reduced-single supplement for solo travelers. Emerald’s ships are unquestionably elegant, including the 180-guest Emerald Luna, which sails Europe’s Rhine, Main, Danube and Moselle rivers. Guests on board can enjoy a heated pool that transforms into a cinema, spacious suites and a dedicated wellness area.

The 8 Best European River Cruises 2024 - Forbes

The 8 Best European River Cruises 2024.

Posted: Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Enchanting Danube ( (Budapest to Passau,

In Vienna, there's a cocktail party and private orchestra recital or city tour before heading to Budapest for two days. Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. Their deluxe beds and luxurious linens provide comfort in spacious, quiet quarters with ample closet space. Avalon offers "Active & Discovery" river cruises with activities for a variety of energy and fitness levels, from traditional sightseeing to action-packed experiences. Wine lovers will want to experience the seven-night "Taste of Bordeaux," with visits to iconic chateaux, timeless vineyards, and delicious wine tastings while cruising the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. Excursions include a tour of a medieval castle and tasting of Sauternes, a stop in Pauillac, gateway to the Medoc wine region, and a Saint-Emilion tour and tasting.

European River Cruise Lines Worth a Look by Americans

river cruise in europe

Guests enjoy Viking's destination-focused dining as well as the variety of staterooms and itineraries with a wide range of prices. Fancy associations aside, these credentials translate into some truly awesome dining experiences. European ships have the cozy Chef's Table restaurant where all guests get to dine for free once every cruise. In addition to the main dining room, ships have smaller venues where every passenger can have a meal.

Danube Classics Vienna 2024 (10 destinations)

The doyen of Europe's waterways is the adults-only Viking Cruises, a multifaceted cruise line that also boasts a fleet of ocean and expedition vessels. With 55 Nordic-inspired “Longships” sailing mainland Europe—including the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône and Elbe—plus four ships on Portugal's River Douro, Viking has an itinerary for every type of river cruiser. The cruise line’s soothing Scandinavian aesthetic combines a chic design with spacious accommodations that include river views or private verandas, and sails also include drinks during mealtimes, shore excursions and Wi-Fi.

Sail through Europe this summer with 50% off Uniworld river cruises - The Points Guy

Sail through Europe this summer with 50% off Uniworld river cruises.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:31:55 GMT [source]

Travel Styles

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. They stop in places such as resurgent Dresden, heavily bombed during World War II but expertly rebuilt; the Saxon Switzerland region of Germany with its striking sandstone rock formations; and the spa town of Bad Schandau.

Though Europe is vast, river cruises visit multiple destinations in one trip and often port right in the center of the continent's coolest cities. On one-week cruises, you'll follow the river 130 miles past green hillside vineyards in the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO-recognized destination, before turning around at the Spanish border. The river cruises typically include a visit to the university town of Salamanca in northern Spain. Viticulture is very much the lesson en route, as you learn about port production on the "River of Gold." If you’re ready to book your first river cruise, CroisiEurope is the perfect choice.

river cruise in europe

Adventures by Disney is, unsurprisingly, one of the best river cruise lines for families in Europe. The line charters AmaWaterways and, while you shouldn't expect a bevy of Disney branding on the ship, Disney's Adventure Guides are trained to bring kids into the river cruise experience. CroisiEurope is the largest company based in Europe and operates a fleet of riverboats and hotel barges. While people from North America aren't regular passengers on the line's European river cruises, the line is bilingual so English-speaking passengers won't be left out. AmaWaterways ups its dedication to active cruisers with a bevy of wellness spaces as well, including massage rooms, a fitness center, open-air spin classes on the sun deck and a pool. However, despite being twice as wide as most river ships in Europe, there are only about 30% more travelers onboard (just shy of 200 passengers).

It will give you time to have a taste of the highlights, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe. Passengers are transported through medieval cities such as Avignon and Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. The Hungarian capital Budapest, divided in half by the Danube and spanned by the landmark 19th-century Chain Bridge, is packed with history and culture.

Caring, professional and extremely knowledgeable, they are like trusted friends who clearly adore the destinations and are passionate about sharing what they know. Thankfully, you can bring that feeling of excitement and discovery home with you by stocking up on souvenirs at each port of call. Having a keepsake from the destinations you visit is one of the best ways to preserve all those special moments from your river cruise vacation. Seasoned river cruisers know it’s best to arrive at least a day before your departure date. This way, you’ll have time to shake off the jet lag, recover after a long day of travel, and adjust to your new time zone. Getting a goodnight’s sleep is essential to feeling rested and re-energised for embarkation day.

The line's European family program is available on at least one ship on each river the line sails during school breaks. Fun activities include a “meet the captain” event, pizza-making classes and treasure hunts. 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.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Car cake is cake you eat in the car Los Angeles Times

Table Of Content Fentanyl-trafficking deputy worked for cartel, report … The ‘flat croissant’ is a pastry abomination. I’m eating them anywa...