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Here you’ll find storybook-setting riverbanks lined with medieval castles and sloping vineyards, historic cities and agreeable villages. And on any given weeklong sailing, it’s not unusual to drift through three or more European countries en route, affording the perfect sampler itinerary for any eager explorer of Europe. River ships dock near key attractions and feature mostly-inclusive pricing; fares include such perks as basic daily walking tours and wine and beer at meals. One person's idea of a great vacation may be extraordinary excursions such as an exclusive dinner in a chateau, while others may want spacious cabins or as much foie gras and French cheese as you can possibly eat. And some river cruises are much more active than others with, for instance, biking and hiking tours.
What do Itineraries Look Like on the Main, Moselle and Rhine Rivers?
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. Wild nights on board include raucous and sometimes raunchy theater shows, impromptu dance parties and Scarlet Night, a poolside bash reminiscent of a rave where everyone's dressed in red. If that's not enough, attend enough daily activities, and you might be invited to a secret nighttime tour of the crew bar, drinks included.
Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Vienna to Bucharest (Turnu Magurele) , MS Fidelio
The hand-held, everything-taken-care-of luxury experience that Tauck provides is hard to beat. For those watching their pennies, Emerald is the best of the budget-priced ships. For those seeking consistency and value, Viking is the best of the mainstream river companies. Another must for wine-lovers is exploring the interior of France, sipping Cotes du Rhone in such famous winemaking regions as Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape in Provence and Beaune in Burgundy. The fleetwide reservation-only Vintage Room is set up for private dining, with an extravagant seven-course wine-pairing menu.
Rhine
To help you see some of the most famous rivers of the world in style, take a look at this guide to the best luxury river cruises in Europe, from Scenic to Uniworld and everything in between. There is only one itinerary on the Douro or "River of Gold"; a 130-mile seven-night sailing from Porto to Vega de Terron, on the border with Spain. Most cruises begin or end with an overnight stay in the hilly UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto and the option to take a trip on a traditional rabelo, the wooden vessels that once carried port. Rouen and Caudebec are the jumping-off point for excursions to Honfleur, the pretty fishing village with narrow streets and wooden buildings immortalized by artists such as Claude Monet. All Seine cruises offer full-day excursions to D-Day landing beaches, such as Omaha, Juno and Gold, along the Normandy coastline.
Viking Egdir
The Main river flows into the Rhine from eastern Germany; cruise along this, and you'll end up in the Main–Danube Canal, which enables vessels to sail into the iconic "Blue Danube," the gateway to Hungary and beyond. From dazzling Dutch tulip fields in springtime to Germany's atmospheric Christmas markets -- and a host of other destinations -- Europe river cruises offer a world of sights and experiences. With its fleet of more than 50 contemporary "longships" on rivers such as the Rhine, the Danube, and the Seine, plus additional ships in Europe, Egypt, and Vietnam, T+L's top-ranked river cruise line for 2022 is often praised for its steadiness. "Having traveled on seven Viking longships that are virtually indistinguishable from one another, I believe it's the consistency that makes Viking one of our favorite ways to travel," said one reader. The longships are light-filled floating boutique hotels with a Scandinavian-design aesthetic, indoor and outdoor dining, and herb gardens up on top.
Comparing the River Cruise Lines
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Daily activities feature a wide choice of included shore tours so you can personalize your cruise experience. Viking includes one excursion in each port with your fare, and offers a wider variety of river cruises in Europe than others. That gives new-to-river-cruise passengers plenty of options to try their hand at a cruise length that fits their style and a wide array destinations from which to choose. Then you find there's an overwhelming choice of boats out there, and with seemingly similar appearances, routes, amenities—even cost. Read on for our river cruising guide, which will help you learn the distinct personalities and perks of the major river cruise lines, to find the right one for you.
The 10 Best River Cruise Lines in Europe for Every Traveler
After a long day of exploring, parents and grandparents can relax at the spa or in the lounge. 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 ship offers a regular program of 7-, 10- and 14-night voyages, starting from $148 per person, per night, for an inside cabin. The itineraries involve a mix of ports in Greece, Montenegro, Croatia and Turkey, depending on the specific sailing you choose. Uniworld is part of the Travel Corporation, which owns legendary hotels like Ireland's Ashford Castle, and that rarefied air is transported directly to Uniworld's river cruises in Europe.
Best European River Cruise For History Lovers: Tauck River Cruising, MS Sapphire
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Seabourn Sojourn's voyages to the Canaries span 10 to 28 days and visit the islands of La Palma, Gran Canaria and Madeira, as well as Lisbon, Portugal. Extras like Wi-Fi, gratuities and alcohol (including the in-room mini-bar) are rolled into the fares. In addition to the tours, Viking includes Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and beer and wine with lunch and dinner in its prices. Character meet 'n' greets, awe-inspiring nighttime entertainment and fun dining experiences mean your kiddos will never be bored.
Night Rhine GetawayDetails
Their award-winning European river cruises are praised for their personalized service, exclusive destination experiences, luxurious cabins and suites, fine dining, and professional, caring staff. American Cruise Lines offers cruises on more U.S. waterways than any other river line. Of course, the company's fleet of U.S.-flagged 100- to 190-passenger river ships (including authentic paddlewheelers) travels the popular Mississippi and Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. But it also offers itineraries along the rivers of the San Francisco Bay Area (including a stop in Napa Valley's wine country), Florida's east coast (visiting Amelia Island and St. Augustine) and New York (offering overnight trips on the Hudson). Multi-state trips via the Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers round out the offerings.
Uniworld's European fleet of 12 boutique vessels are decorated with original artwork, antiques, posh Asprey toiletries, opulent hand-finished details in gold leaf and lavish suites, including some with four-poster beds and brocade drapes. You'll either fly into Berlin and out of Prague or the other way around, depending which direction you are sailing. You'll also cruise through craggy Saxon Switzerland and call at Litomerice, a pretty little Czech town with a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. They are supposed to stop at marked crosswalks but often don't, so wait until they come to a halt before stepping out into the road. They are supposed to stop at zebra crossings but often don't, so wait until they come to a halt before stepping out into the road.
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. AmaWaterways also has food and wine-themed sailings accompanied by expert hosts. Disney Dream sails three- to 12-night cruises to Northern and Western Europe, the British Isles and the Mediterranean.
AmaWaterways hits a sweet spot for both foodies and active travelers (and families on the Disney sailings). AmaWaterways' partnership with Adventures by Disney means families are on board select chartered sailings on the Seine, Rhine and Danube. In addition to a big presence on all the main rivers of Europe, the line sails the Mekong and Nile, as well as the Chobe River of Botswana.
The inspiration behind the famous waltz by Johann Strauss, the Danube is an enchanting river. A Danube river cruise is also a history lesson about the days when Vienna ruled an empire and, more recently, an Iron Curtain divided Europe. During wintertime, the best things to do on a Main, Moselle and Rhine river cruise is visit enchanting Christmas markets in cities such as Cologne, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Basel. It should be noted that virtually all ships on the Rhine and Danube are exactly the same size in order to fit into locks and pass below bridges. Price differences in fares reflect the number of passengers (the more expensive lines carry less people, others up to 190), onboard facilities such as massage rooms and gyms, plus inclusions (some lines include all drinks and gratuities).
AmaWaterways' holistic wellness program encompasses a variety of fitness classes and wellness-themed excursions, making it the leading European river cruise line for active travelers. Each ship has an onboard wellness director who hosts daily fitness classes as well as meditation and yoga. AmaWaterways was also the first river cruise operator to carry a fleet of complimentary bicycles.
There is also the small, walled city of Viviers and the monastic town of Tournus. Cruises may also include the chance to see the artistic town of Arles, where Vincent van Gogh lived and painted his famous works including "The Langlois Bridge at Arles," which is still instantly recognizable today. You can also expect expert-guided tours of the region's vineyards, with tutored tastings. Munich is less than two hours from Passau, and the majority of cruise lines include transfers. It is also worth considering adding a couple of extra nights in Munich, the capital of Bavaria and famous for its beer gardens. The best river cruises blend refined onboard accommodations with exciting itineraries along some of the world’s most memorable waterways.
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