Choose the Best River Cruise for You
Considering a river cruise but don’t know where to start? There are many different options when it comes to river cruises, and it can be daunting to sort through everything! Read on to learn more about some of the basics of river cruising.
River cruises are a fantastic way to travel. From easy city-center access to small, more relaxed ships and culturally focused itineraries, a river cruise offers meaningful and immersive travel. A river cruise is great whether you are looking for castles and small villages or bustling capital cities.
The Basics of River Cruises
When considering a river cruise, there are a few key areas to understand:
- Rivers: the primary European rivers are the Rhine, Danube, and Seine. Other popular European river choices include the Main, Moselle, Rhône, and Douro. River cruises aren’t just in Europe, though…cruises along the Mekong, Nile, and Amazon rivers are also available!
- Itinerary: each itinerary will vary on the river and type of cruise, but in general you can expect to have a guided tour or excursion in the morning, returning to the ship for lunch. Afternoons can include either more excursions or free time for independent exploration. Evenings are when most sailing happens, or the ship may be docked in port overnight. Occasionally, the ship may sail mid-day and visit two different ports in one day.
- Ship size and cabins: River cruise ships are small, with an average of 100-200 passengers on each ship. Cabins or staterooms on river cruise ships are generally small but very efficiently laid out. Balconies or verandas are rare on river cruise ships; instead, many have large windows or French balconies. A few suites may also be offered on certain cruise ships.
- Seasonality: The European river cruise season is typically from early spring to late fall/early winter, typically kicking off with tulip-theme cruises in March/April and ending with Christmas market cruises in November/December. Other regions like Asia or South America will operate year round.
- Target guests: River cruises are well-suited for anyone who is looking for a slower, more immersive pace. Travelers who enjoy culture, scenery, and/or history will love a river cruise.
Different Strokes for Different Folks
With a wide variety of rivers to choose from, there are many great options for river cruises. Each river has its own vibe, so consider the type of things you want to see and do. Regardless of which river you choose, life on a river cruise ship is a wonderful thing! From the thrill of passing through locks to relaxing on the upper deck to enjoying a feast for the eyes and stomach at each meal, a river cruise is an immersive experience.
Much of your time on a river cruise will be spent off the ship and exploring the beautiful ports of call along the way. Your cabin or stateroom is a wonderful place to relax, unwind, and recharge between excursions.
Some of the different European rivers and what to expect on each:
- Rhine: runs through Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, and Netherlands. It flows north from the Swiss Alps (Basel, Switzerland) to the North Sea (Amsterdam, Netherlands). Choose the Rhine for castles, vineyards, and charming fairytale villages.
- Danube: runs through ten different countries. Cruises are typically divided into the Upper Danube (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary) and the Lower Danube (Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria). The Danube is known for historic cities such as Vienna and Budapest, rich in history and culture. But scenic areas such as the Wachau Valley are also here.
- Seine: focuses on France, especially Paris and Normandy. Great for art and history buffs.
- Rhône & Saône: focuses on the wine regions in Southern France, including Provence and Lyon.
- Douro: an immersive exploration of Portugal’s dramatic landscapes and wine regions.
- Main: connects the Rhine and Danube rivers. Longer itineraries may combine two or all three of these rivers. The Main offers both wine regions and medieval towns.
- Moselle: a tributary of the Rhine, with charming villages and picturesque vineyards.
- Scheldt: runs through Belgium and the Netherlands, with popular stops like Brussels, Antwerp, and Bruges.
Rhine River
The Rhine River is one of the “big 2” rivers for European river cruises. One of the highlights of a Rhine River cruise is sailing through the Rhine Gorge. This sailing will typically happen during the day, allowing passengers front-row seats to the approximately 40 medieval castles and fortresses along the 40 mile (65 km) section of the Rhine between Bingen/Rüdesheim and Koblenz in Germany. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it has one of the highest concentrations of medieval castles in the world.
The scenery along the Rhine river will vary from more picturesque in the South (Switzerland, France, and Germany) to more industrial in the North (Netherlands).
- Explore larger cities such as Basel, Strasbourg, and Amsterdam
- Soak in medieval gems like Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, and Cologne
- Enjoy fairy tale locales such as the Black Forest, Colmar, and the Rhine Gorge
Danube River
The other “big 2” river for European river cruises is the Danube. The Danube is a great option for travelers who are looking for big cities, history, architecture, and scenery. On a Danube river cruise, you will sailing through the heart of some of Europe’s most beautiful cities such as Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest. History buffs will love the opportunity to explore many different eras along the way: Roman, Ottoman, and Habsburg to name a few.
River cruises often offer more immersive excursions. I thoroughly enjoyed attending a cooking class in Vienna on my Active and Discovery on the Danube cruise with Avalon Waterways a few years ago. Learning how to make Kartoffelsalat (German potato salad), Wienerschnitzel (breaded veal cutlet), and Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) in the heart of Vienna is an experience I will never forget…it was fun to make it all, and it was delicious to eat it all!
- Explore larger cities such as Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava
- Participate in cultural and culinary experiences like wine tastings, local foodie tours, and folk music performances
- Get active with bicycle tours, hiking, and canoeing
Mekong River
A popular river cruise in Asia is along the Mekong River. River cruises on the Mekong typically sail through Cambodia and Vietnam, and extension options in Thailand or Laos may be available. Cruising the Mekong River takes you to large, bustling cities like Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Along the way, stops in small villages offer amazing opportunities to fully immerse into the culture and history.
On a Mekong River, you will meet many local people: fishermen, handicrafters, people working in floating markets, and local families.
One main difference of a Mekong River cruise to a European river cruise (aside from the obvious location and cultural differences, of course!) is the ship itself. The Mekong River is dotted with narrow channels, shallow waters, and low bridges, so the ships that sail there must be small. While European river cruise ships typically accommodate 100-200 passengers, Mekong River ships have capacities around 30-80 passengers.
- Explore larger cities such as Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
- Meet the locals in small villages like Kampong Tralach, Chau Doc, and Cu Lao Gieng
- Admire the ancient Khmer architecture and spirituality at temples in Siem Reap such as Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm
Themed Cruises
There are many fantastic themed cruises available as well. River cruise lines highlight many different special interests. Foodies may opt for culinary, wine, or beer themed cruises. History buffs can explore famous WWII locations. Music lovers can enjoy jazz in France or classical music in Austria. Special interest cruises are a great option if you want to have an immersive experience.
I have enjoyed two special interest river cruises (so far!). My Christmas Markets cruise was a thrill for me…combining two of my passions (river cruising and Christmas!). It was a fun and festive way to explore Europe, with each charming village and bustling city fully decked out in its Christmas finery. If you think the fairy tale villages in Europe are charming in the summer, they are downright magical at Christmastime.
Another themed cruise I did was actually one that combined two special interests: tulips and beer. I loved my Tulip Time Cruise for Beer Enthusiasts on Avalon Waterways, which sailed through the Netherlands and Belgium. Many garden lovers flock to Amsterdam and the Netherlands every spring to see the millions of gorgeous tulips in bloom. This cruise hit many of the highlights, including a day at Keukenhof Gardens.
Along with the gorgeous blooms everywhere, the Tulip Time Cruise for Beer Enthusiasts also focused on the fantastic breweries in Belgium and the Netherlands. We had a Beer Expert, a local brewer, onboard with us the entire cruise. He hosted several events, including beer tastings and a beer dinner pairing. He also guided several of the excursions to local breweries along the way.
- Look for a themed cruise if you would like a cruise more focused on culinary, art, history, or cultural experiences
- Themed cruises are a great way to go a bit ‘off the beaten path’ and explore some different options along the way
- Special interest cruises also offer more standard excursions as well, so not all travel companions need to share the same passion!
Common Questions
How long are typical river cruises?
River cruises will vary in length. There are shorter 3-5 day itineraries, and some longer itineraries can span several weeks. But in general, most river cruises are 1-2 weeks long.
Are river cruises available around the world?
Yes! While European river cruises are probably the best known, there are also river cruises available in Asia (Mekong), Africa (Nile), and North America (Mississippi, Columbia, and Snake Rivers).
What types of cabins are available?
Most cabins on a river cruise ship are standard cabins, which are all or mostly facing outside with river views (inside cabins are rare on river cruise ships). Standard cabins either offer a large window, a French balcony, or small balcony. There are a few suites also available, and these are larger cabins with more amenities.
What is included in the price of a river cruise?
Generally, river cruise fares include meals onboard (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), onboard entertainment (usually low-key, like a piano player, singer, or local performers), wine and beer with meals, port fees, and gratuities. Excursions are usually included as well, with some lines offering included excursions and a selection of optional (extra charge) inclusions.
Will I get seasick on a river cruise?
River cruise ships are very stable, and the rivers themselves are generally very calm. So, most passengers do not experience motion sickness while on a river cruise. Those who are sensitive may still experience some motion sickness, so bringing some medication or other supplies may be a good idea.
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