Expert tips for an unforgettable European river cruise

Winding through Europe on a luxury river ship brings contrasting scenery, grand riverside capitals and as much culture and history as you can absorb, says travel expert Teresa Machan.

In terms of scenery and variety, river cruises in Europe are arguably the best in the world, says Teresa. Your balcony and ship’s observation lounges are a window to the past as riverside hamlets, castles, half-timbered villages, wine country, and valleys and gorges roll by. All this – and you’ll only unpack once.

Unlike ocean ships, which skirt the coast, your floating hotel takes you through the heart of a city or region, putting you in pole position for panoramic views, day and night.

I won’t forget the front-row view of Cologne Cathedral’s twin Gothic spires and luminous stained-glass windows or the theatre of a night-time mooring in Budapest. As dusk settled over the Danube, which runs between medieval Buda on the western bank, and Pest on the east, the city’s illuminated bridges and neo-Gothic parliament building cast the river in soft golden light. No luxury hotel could match this view.

Itineraries on European river cruises are varied. Covering wine and viticulture, beer tasting, jazz and classical music festivals, art, spring blooms, golf, gastronomy and Christmas markets, there’s a river cruise for everyone. The hardest part is deciding, which is why we have done the research for you.

Let’s have a detailed look at what European river cruises have to offer and the considerations you need to make when planning a trip.

What insurance will I need for a river cruise?

Before we dive into Teresa’s tips, it’s worth mentioning that you will need to choose travel insurance that covers you for cruise-specific eventualities such as itinerary changes or a missed port departure. Let your travel insurer know which countries or regions you’ll be sailing in, and about any pre-existing medical conditions. Age Co Travel Insurance, provided through AllClear, has cruise cover available as an optional extra on the Gold Policy Plus and is included as standard on Platinum policies.

Where to go on a European river cruise

Some of the best Europe river cruises visit the Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Seine and Douro, according to Teresa. The Moselle flows through France, Luxembourg and Germany, while cruises on Italy’s Po river take in the Venetian lagoon and the plains of the Po Delta.

Rhine river cruises (the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland)

Choose a Rhine river cruise if you’d like to sample renowned Rieslings, meet cuckoo-clock makers in the Black Forest and explore the chocolate-box towns and villages of the Rhine Valley. A highlight is the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge – a steep-sided valley sprinkled with towers and turrets. A two-week Rhine cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest also takes in the Main river, the Main-Danube Canal and the Danube.

Danube river cruises (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary)

Rising in Germany and emptying into the Black Sea, Europe’s second longest river scoops up a trio of handsome European capitals – Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava – and the enchanting, vineyard-clad Wachau Valley. Two-week Danube cruises finish at the Danube Delta, a protected wetland area, and for me the trip’s main highlight. When I went I saw wild horses; the guide also pointed out white-tailed eagles and Dalmatian pelicans.

Douro river cruises (Portugal)

Ships sail from Porto, famous for its port wine houses. I toured the cellar at Graham’s (one of the world’s leading port producers) and stayed for lunch on the terrace, which has panoramic views over the Douro. I tacked on an extra night and stayed in the historic waterside district of Ribeira. Cruising under the Dom Luís I bridge, river ships follow the terraced contours of the vine-clad Douro Valley. Be sure to pick an itinerary that features a visit to the Casa de Mateus palace (where Mateus Rose is produced), a traditional quinta (wine estate) for a tasting and lunch, and a bus excursion to the Spanish city of Salamanca.

French river cruises

Breeze past the chateaux of Normandy, admire the spires of Rouen and raise a glass of fizz on the rooftop deck as the Eiffel Tower illuminations sparkle in the night sky. Seine river cruises  visit the D-Day Beaches and Monet’s garden at Giverny. They include a mooring in Paris, where passengers enjoy uninterrupted views of the Eiffel Tower’s dazzling night-time light show. Cruises on the Rhone and Saone visit Provence and Camargue, and Bordeaux can be explored on a Gironde, Garonne and Dordogne river boat cruise.

Vltava river cruises

In the Czech Republic, you can take paddle river boat cruises on the Vltava, which flows through Prague and joins the Elbe. ​South of Prague, where the Vltava winds towards the Slapy Dam through bucolic countryside, we woke to the sound of birds and tinkling cow bells. Locals waved and shouted: “Ahoj, Ahoj” from boats and littoral beaches. 

Dutch Waterways cruises

The Rhine meets the North Sea at Amsterdam and from here, river boats explore the windmill-dotted canals, lakes and waterways of the Netherlands. Having marvelled at the millions of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths rolled out like giant hand-sewn carpets last spring, I can see why cruises that include a visit to Keukenhof (a major Dutch tulip garden) sell so quickly. Itineraries also visit De Haar Castle in Utrecht, and the Zuiderzee ‘village’ museum, in Enkhuizen.

Tips for taking a river cruise

• Don’t delay
  River ships are smaller than ocean ships (140 to 180 passengers), which means popular cruises sell out quickly. Book well in advance if you’ve got a particular place, theme or on-board suite in mind, and book online for specific museums or sights not included on the itinerary.

• Make the most of your destinations
  Whether it’s beer tasting in Cologne, horse riding in the Camargue or a trip to a castle, quinta or vineyard, river ships offer a huge variety of shore excursions. In Vienna, travel operators such as Avalon and APT offer evening recitals in historic buildings and Viking’s ‘privileged access tours’ include lessons in the Viennese waltz. Consider the options before leaving home.

• Purchase your travel insurance early
  For a worry-free trip, ensure you have the right travel insurance in place in advance. Be sure to choose a policy that covers cruise-related eventualities and inform the insurer if your trip will cover multiple countries.

• Stay active
  River lines including Scenic, Uniworld, Avalon and Tauck carry walking poles and e-bikes for towpath cycling and excursions. Some ships have small gyms and pools, and AmaWaterways recently added a pickleball court on AmaMagna.

• What to pack
  Pack all-weather layers, walking shoes and/or boots and swimwear for small spas and hot tubs (if your ship has them). USB ports are common but take an adaptor. Ask about walking poles. Although river cruising is informal, attire at evening meals tends to be a bit smarter.

• Budgeting
  Although the upfront fare may seem steep, European river cruises offer great value for money. Fares include food and many also include drinks with meals, and a daily excursion. Look out for “early bird” prices, when new programmes are launched.

• Accessibility

  River ships are sometimes less accessible than larger, ocean cruisers so ask your cruise operator or travel agent for information about lifts, gangways and accessible cabins.

Are you planning a trip away? Check out our travel articles for advice and inspiration. For those travelling alone, Advice for Travelling Solo: Staying Safe, Having Fun, and Top Locations offers essential guidance to ensure a memorable experience. If you have mobility concerns, check out Planning an Accessible Holiday, which provides useful tips and resources to make your trip smoother.