River Cruise
During river cruises the countryside is usually in view, so they are especially relaxing—and interesting—to those who prefer land nearby. River cruises usually last from 7 to 15 days, although some can last 3 weeks or longer.
Some river ships resemble 5-star hotels, with sun decks, dining rooms, lounges, fitness facilities, swimming pools, casinos and other entertainment. Accommodation, meals on board, entertainment and special events (holidays, festivals, contests, concerts, etc.) are usually included in the cruise price, while bar expenses, sauna, massage, laundry and cleaning, and phone calls are not.
Most cruises have a variety of onboard and onshore activities. The latter include guided tours to historic and cultural sites, visiting local attractions, museums and galleries, and other points of interest. Guides give a running commentary while sailing.
A river cruise provides travelers a unique way to travel. According to Douglas Ward, "A river cruise represents life in the slow lane, sailing along at a gentle pace, soaking up the scenery, with plentiful opportunities to explore riverside towns and cities en route. It is a supremely calming experience, an antidote to the pressures of life in a fast-paced world, in surroundings that are comfortable without being fussy or pretentious, with good food and enjoyable company."
Mr. Ward continues: "A river cruise is very different from an ocean cruise. For a start, you are in almost constant sight of land and stops are far more frequent than they are at sea. The vessels are like small, friendly, floating inns, whereas ocean-going ships tend to be bigger, flashier, busier and livelier, the crew practised in the art of moving up to 4,000 people from one port to another and getting them on and off the ship. In contrast, when your river cruise vessel docks you simply walk up the gangway and into the town or city—in many cases the dock is located right at the heart of things. Despite these differences, however, most people who enjoy ocean cruising and the relaxing rhythm of life afloat are attracted to river cruises as well."
Popular river cruises include trips along the Nile, the Amazon, the Mississippi, the Yangtze, the Mekong, the Danube, the Loboc River, the Rhine, the Seine, the Volga, the Douro or the Po river in Italy. There are several dozen river cruise companies ranging from single-ship businesses to large shipping companies operating dozens of river cruise ships.
Cruises
2024 : Lyon & Provence : Lyon to Avignon
From $2,499.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Viking Hermod
Tour lands of fine wine & cuisineTap into your inner van Gogh at an Arles painting class.2023 : Europe's Rivers & Castles : 7-Night Cruise with 3 Nights Pre-Cruise and 3 Nights Post-Cruise
From $6,149.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: ms AmaCerto
OverviewEurope's Rivers & CastlesCruise FROM : Luxembourg to NurembergTwo iconic cities, Prague and Paris, bookend this perfect journey ...2023 : Essence of Burgundy & Provence : Nice to Geneva : 7-Night Cruise with 3 Nights Pre-Cruise and
From $5,159.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: ms AmaCello2023: Christmastime from Basel to Nuremberg (WMN) - Imagery II
From $4,398.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Imagery II
Experience the holiday season like never before with a Christmastime cruise through Germany and France.2023: Active & Discovery on the Moselle with 2 Nights in Paris (WRFQ) - Artistry II
From $4,398.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Artistry II
Begin your Active & Discovery river cruise vacation with two nights in romantic Paris.2024: Danube Symphony with 2 Nights in Munich & 1 Night in Budapest (Eastbound) (WPBY) - Impression
From $3,527.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Impression
Experience your Danube River cruise from Germany to Hungary your way with two nights in Munich before your cruise.2024: A Taste of the Danube with 2 Nights in Vienna (Westbound) (WBVE) - Envision
From $2,218.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Envision
From the Gypsy violins of Budapest to the romantic sounds of Vienna, the 'City of Music,' this European river cruise highlights the natural...2024: The Danube from Germany to the Black Sea with 2 Nights in Prague (WDOQ) - Impression
From $7,986.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Impression
Embark on an 18-day journey from Czech Republic to Romania, beginning with two nights in dazzling Prague.2024: Tulip Time Highlights with 1 Night in Brussels (WXAQ) - Tranquility II
From $3,798.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Tranquility II
Make your visions of tulip season in Holland and Belgium come into view!2023: German Grandeur (Westbound) (WNZ) - Tranquility II
From $3,699.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Tranquility II
See the grandeur of Germany on a European river cruise through its most picturesque destinations along the Main and Rhine Rivers.2024: Romantic Rhine with 1 Night in Amsterdam & 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound) (WAZ5) - View
From $5,087.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: View
Your 11-day river cruise vacation includes stays in Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland-all beginning with an overnight stay in Amsterdam...2023: Christmastime on the Danube with 2 Nights in Prague (Westbound) (WVNE) - Envision
From $3,348.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Envision
This Christmastime river cruise begins in Austria's magical capital of Vienna, home to the sounds of Mozart, Strauss, and the Vienna Boys' ...2024: Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Paris (Southbound) (WJLQ) - Poetry II
From $4,548.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Poetry II
Take a wondrous French river cruise along the Rhone and Saone Rivers with guided sightseeing in famous French locales, as well as off-the-...2023: Active & Discovery in Holland & Belgium with 1 Night in Amsterdam (WADQ) - Impression
From $3,658.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Impression
Explore Holland and Belgium in more ways than ever on this Active & Discovery European cruise.2024: Tulip Time Highlights (WXA) - Imagery II
From $3,499.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Imagery II
Make your visions of tulip season in Holland and Belgium come into view!