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"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. Viking's carefully crafted itineraries and "good value" also received praise from readers. "Met wonderful new friends. Absolutely outstanding service and terrific food," said one fan. When it comes to Europe river cruises, a perfect seven-night starter sailing is the Upper Danube, which takes you through centuries of history as you explore Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Perhaps the best known of the river cruise companies, Viking promotes their "longships," which include large suites and inviting verandas for outdoor dining.
How to Choose the Right European River Cruise for You
Readers praised the line's value proposition and shore experiences that go beyond the norm. The "Thinking Man's vacation" is the way one reader who sailed on a Viking ship on the Rhine river put it. 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. It's also a great place to bike, which is why it's nice to sail with lines, such as AmaWaterways, that carry bikes on board for passengers to use. Their cruise in northern Italy along the Po River, "From the Canals of Venice to Renaissance-infused Mantua," is a seven-day excursion starting in Venice where guests can discover St. Mark's Square and Doge's Palace. In partnership with CroisiEurope aboard the MS Michelangelo, the ship heads west to Vicenza and then on to Chioggia.
Uncover history along the Eastern Danube
All the New River Cruise Ships for 2024 - TravelAge West
All the New River Cruise Ships for 2024.
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Family-friendly amenities include a kids club, heated outdoor pools, and free passage for children ages 15 and under. The 280-passenger ship—the largest on the Rhine—has a kids splash pool next to a larger pool, with some sailings offering kids swimming lessons for an extra fee. When it comes to a river cruise line in Europe, Scenic's all-inclusive fares are hard to top.
Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite River Cruise Lines of 2023
Best cruise lines for solo travelers 2024 - The Independent
Best cruise lines for solo travelers 2024.
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Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines in five categories, including river cruising. Another river cruise alternative within France is set within the Bordeaux region in the southwest of the country, where sailings are offered on the Dordogne and Garonne rivers and Gironde estuary (which leads toward the Atlantic Ocean). An increasing number of river cruise options here are anchored out of the UNESCO-protected city of Bordeaux, where ships overnight so that guests can discover its historic structures, outstanding dining, and lively riverfront. From there, itineraries emphasize the surrounding rural areas and most especially, the fine wines that are synonymous with the region.
Exploring the Rhine River is surely worth anyone’s time, so if you plan to take this trip, it is best to save up and enjoy a multi-day cruise. Visitors to Amsterdam seeking a short European canal cruise as part of a day trip instead of a multi-day tour can opt for one for as little as $40. You can travel in style in one of the latter bad boys between some of Europe’s most iconic locations. Best of all, when your accommodation is your ride, you can see many more of your chosen destinations without worrying about transport logistics.
Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 2024
These are the major companies offering the best European river cruises along with examples of their itineraries. Guests are kept busy (if they wish to be) with daily shore excursions, and most cruises offer several options depending on interests and activity levels. Bikes and walking tours are available in most ports, or guests can choose a leisurely day in a comfortable lounge enjoying the passing scenery. The 196-passenger, Danube-based AmaMagna is a standout among the cruise line’s well-equipped offerings. Limber up for a game of pickleball on the full-size court that was just added in 2023.
Petersburg and Moscow—and cruising here pairs time spent exploring both culturally and historically rich metropolises on either end (multi-night calls are typically incorporated at each). Laid-back and leisurely, yet heavy on adventure and destination immersion, the river cruising industry is booming (both at home and abroad) for good reason. Sure, there’s the unpack-once-and-go appeal of the floating hotel format that’s common to all cruise vacations. While virtually all river cruises in Europe operate in the warmer months, the one exception is Christmas market cruises, which most river cruise lines offer. Christmas markets are a centuries-old tradition in European cities and cruising is a novel way to enjoy more than one. Partnering with AmaWaterways, Adventures by Disney offers cruises on the Seine, Rhine, and Danube Rivers, Disney style.
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. European Waterways has 17 barges sailing along the less-visited waterways in the U.K., France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy. Most European Waterways ships are old working barges, though the casual houseboat atmosphere includes beautiful modern interiors.
Popular Uniworld River Cruises
It’s a natural fit for oenophiles, who will have ample opportunity to tipple the local bounty en route, including, naturally, aromatic port aplenty. The most popular itineraries run between Basel and Amsterdam, with several stops in France and Germany en route. The Douro River is a rising star in the river cruising world, with almost every major river cruise line introducing itineraries here in recent years.
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. Embarking on a river cruise in Europe is a journey into refined luxury, cultural immersion, and scenic splendor. Several river cruise lines stand out for their commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences along the continent’s waterways. Let’s explore the top river cruise lines that redefine travel along the iconic rivers of Europe.
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.
The next days are spent in Cremona and Mantua with disembarkation and a coach trip back to Venice. The intimate 96-passenger Scenic Azure winds through the port-producing Douro Valley, with its terraced vineyards, olive groves and tranquil towns and villages. If you love dazzling landscapes, magnificent architecture and fabulous food, a Danube river cruise is hard to beat. Exploring Europe by water requires no internal flights and train rides and eliminates schlepping around with your luggage in tow. See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021. As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share!
You’ll explore the sea lochs of the west, with day excursions to the Hebridean islands of Eigg, Iona and Mull, before sailing the length of Loch Linnhe and into the canal itself. One of the highlights here is Neptune’s Staircase, an extraordinary flight of eight locks. You’ll also sail the length of narrow Loch Ness, sheer-sided mountains plunging into the deep, dark, peaty waters that conceal the secret of “Nessie”. Frankfurt, Germany’s financial centre (hence its nickname, “Mainhattan”), is a largely modern city with a sensitively restored medieval heart and lively pubs lining the riverbank. In the elegant university town of Würzburg, meanwhile, you’ll visit the Residenz, one of Europe’s most opulent Baroque palaces.
Viticulture is very much the lesson en route, as you learn about port production on the "River of Gold." Established in 1976, Croisi offers cruises on rivers, canals, and seas with a fleet of oceangoing ships, canal barges, and river cruise ships. The company's innovative approach allowed them to be pioneers on several rivers in Europe including the Gironde, Loire, Po, and Elbe, basing their ships' design on the characteristics of the waterways. Palate-pleasing gastronomy and epicurean shore excursions make new arrival Riverside Luxury Cruises a standout for foodies.
There are also four different dining venues (more than most river ships), and that choice has proven popular with previous passengers. European Waterways isn't the most widely known European river cruise line, but for travelers craving something truly intimate and unlike any other sailing, it's the best. Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. You can filter by departure port and duration and then compare prices to find the best deal. Last but not least, no European river cruise list would be complete without mention of the Douro River, which meanders through Spain into Portugal. This trip is perfect for tourists who want to experience sleepy Mediterranean villages and vineyards set against rolling hillsides.
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