Best European River Boat Cruises: Top Picks

There are many options for river boat cruises in Europe, with the two most popular rivers being the Danube and the Rhine. The Danube tends to be more scenic, with charming cities and the UNESCO-recognised Wachau Valley, while the Rhine offers access to bustling metropolises and Europe's industrial hubs. Both rivers flow through excellent wine country.

If you're looking for a cruise line, Viking River Cruises is the world's largest river cruise line and is a good option for first-time river cruisers. Avalon Waterways is a good option for active travellers, while Scenic is the best all-inclusive option. For families, Adventures by Disney is a great choice, and for solo travellers, Tauck waives single supplement charges on all of its Category 1 lower-deck cabins.

If you're looking for a specific cruise, you could try the Taste of Bordeaux with AmaWaterways, which includes visits to iconic châteaux, vineyards, and wine tastings while cruising the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Or try the nine-night Portugal's River of Gold trip, which begins in Lisbon and includes visits to baroque palaces, vineyards, and the World Heritage city of Salamanca, Spain.

Viking Cruises

One of Viking's most popular river cruises in Europe is the Viking Danube River Cruise. This week-long sailing takes passengers through the Black Forest in Germany and along the 1,770-mile Danube River, which winds through ten countries and four capital cities: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade. Viking's Danube River cruises sail between Budapest and Passau in Germany, with stops in the Wachau Valley and magnificent Vienna, where passengers might hear the famous "Blue Danube" waltz by Johann Strauss.

For those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path experience, Viking offers voyages along the Lower Danube to explore the Iron Gates gorge and the culture-rich capitals of Bucharest and Belgrade. Viking also offers a 15-day Grand European Tour, combining the best of the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers with Dutch waterways. This cruise takes passengers through the heart of Europe, from Amsterdam to Budapest, offering a combination of scenic beauty and city exploration.

Viking's Rhine River cruises are another popular choice, offering spectacular scenery of the Alps, meandering rivers, and fairy-tale castles. The Rhine sailings wind through Germany's largest wine-producing region, with shore excursions to vineyards and tastings of the region's famous Rieslings. The UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, with its legendary Lorelei Rock and picturesque castles, is a highlight of this cruise.

For those seeking a more intimate experience, Viking offers Seine River cruises in France. These cruises depart from the heart of Paris, with an exclusive docking location near the Eiffel Tower. The eight-day itineraries include excursions to Normandy beaches, the Normandy American Cemetery, medieval Rouen, and the fishing village of Honfleur. Art lovers will also appreciate visits to the gardens of Claude Monet, whose paintings immortalized these landscapes.

For foodies and wine lovers, Viking's Bordeaux Region Cruise is a delightful option. This eight-day cruise includes itineraries along the Garonne, Gironde, and Dordogne Rivers, winding through rolling hills and home to more than 9,000 wineries. Passengers can expect to indulge in tastings of Saint-Emilion, Medoc, and Sauternes wines. The cruise begins and ends in the elegant port city of Bordeaux, with additional stops in the charming town of Blaye and the Camus Distillery, where one can create a personalised bottle of Cognac.

Viking's Douro River Cruise in Portugal is another highlight for wine enthusiasts. This ten-day cruise sails along the Douro River, which cuts through tranquil landscapes filled with vineyards. The cruise starts and ends in the city of Porto, known for its port wine warehouses. Passengers can learn the secrets of port wine production and enjoy scenic tours to Salamanca, Spain. The Douro, once a wild river, now offers awe-inspiring sights such as the Carrapatelo Lock, the deepest in Europe.

AmaWaterways

One of the things that sets AmaWaterways apart from other river cruise companies is its focus on personalised service. The company's crew members go above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels like a member of the family, with dedicated wellness hosts, knowledgeable cruise managers and tour guides, and concierge services that can help guests with anything from connecting flights to planning excursions.

• Luxurious Ships: AmaWaterways boasts some of the most luxurious ships in the industry, featuring elegant staterooms, multiple dining venues, spas, pools, and more. Each ship is designed to provide guests with a comfortable and stylish home away from home.
• Unique Itineraries: AmaWaterways offers a wide range of unique itineraries that take guests to some of the most fascinating and off-the-beaten-path destinations. From wine-themed cruises to heritage cruises, there is something for everyone.
• Exceptional Service: AmaWaterways is renowned for providing exceptional service to its guests. With a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:3, guests are sure to receive personalised attention and a high level of service throughout their journey.
• Small Group Excursions: AmaWaterways offers small group excursions, which means that guests can explore destinations in a more intimate setting with fewer crowds.
• All-Inclusive Pricing: AmaWaterways offers all-inclusive pricing, which means that guests don't have to worry about hidden fees or unexpected charges. All meals, beverages, and excursions are included in the price of the cruise.
• Culinary Excellence: AmaWaterways is known for its exceptional culinary offerings. The onboard chefs use locally sourced ingredients to create gourmet meals that showcase the flavours of the regions visited.
• Wine and Beer Included: Guests can enjoy a selection of regional wines, beer, and soft drinks with their meals, as well as complimentary sparkling wine at breakfast.
• Wellness-Focused: AmaWaterways offers a range of wellness-focused activities and amenities, including yoga classes, fitness centres, and massage services.
• Bicycles and Hiking: For guests who want to explore on their own, AmaWaterways offers complimentary bicycles and hiking excursions in select destinations.
• Enrichment Programs: AmaWaterways offers a range of enrichment programs, including onboard lectures, cooking classes, and local cultural experiences, that provide guests with a deeper understanding of the regions they are visiting.

Whether you're a foodie, a wine lover, or a wellness enthusiast, AmaWaterways offers something for everyone. With its luxurious ships, unique itineraries, and exceptional service, AmaWaterways is a top choice for river cruising in Europe and beyond.

Avalon Waterways

One of their unique offerings is the "Active and Discovery" river cruises, catering to various fitness levels. These cruises include options for traditional sightseeing, as well as active pursuits like hiking or rail cycling, allowing you to explore picturesque towns and villages while staying active.

For those seeking a European river cruise, Avalon Waterways offers sailings on the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Moselle, Seine, and Dutch waterways. Their "Active & Discovery on the Rhône" cruise is a standout option. This seven-night journey begins in Lyon and takes you through the French countryside, with stops in Avignon, Port-Saint-Louis, and Arles. During the cruise, you can choose from a variety of excursions, including culinary walks with cooking classes, panoramic hikes, wine tastings, and classic sightseeing, all tailored to different activity levels.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Uniworld's one-of-a-kind vessels are inspired by the destinations they visit, making them luxurious destinations in their own right. Amenities include in-suite butler service, world-class cuisine, and all-inclusive rates that cover premium spirits and wines, as well as gratuities.

Uniworld attracts affluent, sophisticated travellers, the majority of whom are North Americans, but you'll also find passengers from the U.K., Australia and Asia onboard. The bulk of passengers fall into the traditional 60-plus river cruise age group, but a growing number of people aged 40 to 60 are also drawn to the stylish onboard ambience.

Uniworld was one of the first lines to offer themed cruisings, and you'll find sailings aimed at Jewish Heritage, LGBTQ+ travellers and active travellers, as well as families.

The ports of call draw passengers off the ship for much of the day and when they return onboard, they tend to spend quite a lot of time in the public rooms socialising. The indoor or outdoor pools attract more passengers than usual on river cruises, and the gym and spa facilities get plenty of use.

Whenever offered, passengers gather for onboard programs, such as wine tastings, culinary classes and local group performances of traditional regional arts.

Uniworld's ships feature an average capacity of 130 guests and one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the river cruise industry. Each ship is designed to be as unique and inspiring as the destinations you visit. Dock in the city centre and be right in the middle of the action from the moment you step ashore. Experience both iconic sites and hidden gems as you travel from city to city in sophisticated style.

Trip to Try: Enchanting Danube

The seven-night Danube cruise aboard the S.S. Maria Theresa or the S.S. Beatrice begins in Budapest with a choice of tours, such as a food tour or a panoramic drive with a guided visit to the Franz Liszt Academy. In Vienna, walk between the city's best attractions or take an early-access guided tour of the Vienna Art History Museum. Excursion options include a vineyard visit and tasting or a saffron workshop in Dürnstein, or a stop at an abbey library in Melk. Dock in Linz for a full day of culinary exploration or transfer to Salzburg to visit music-themed highlights like Mozart's birthplace and "The Sound of Music" filming locations. The cruise ends in Passau after a walking tour of the city and a riverside stroll or a hike along the Ilz, a Danube tributary.

Adventures by Disney

Programming and excursions are geared towards children, with a focus on storytelling rather than straightforward history lessons. There are plenty of energetic and engaging activities, like tobogganing, 4x4 tours, and bike excursions. The ships also have small pools on board, which are popular with kids. In the evenings, supervised meals for children and teens (and movie nights) keep the vibe upbeat until bedtime.

Partnering with AmaWaterways, Adventures by Disney offers cruises on the Seine, Rhine, and Danube rivers. In true Disney style, specially designed itineraries create experiences for parents, children, and teens, from active excursions to unique on-board activities. Entertainment for guests of all ages includes adults-only dinners and wine-tasting experiences, teen programming, Disney movie nights, karaoke, and trivia nights.

The seven-night Danube River Cruise trip starts in Budapest, where excursions include a horse show at an equestrian park, a petting zoo, and a goulash-making competition. In Bratislava, wander the cobblestone streets on a walking tour. Visit Schönbrunn Palace, enjoy a marionette show, or learn to make strudel while in Vienna. In Melk, Austria, hike to a castle or bike along the Danube for an active day. Dock in Linz, then visit Salzburg to see famous film locations featured in "The Sound of Music". A stop in Passau, Germany allows guests to walk among treetops on a high-ropes course or spend a more leisurely afternoon with a monastic brewery tour and tasting. Say farewell to the ship in Vilshofen, Germany, before transferring to Munich for the flight home.

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