Sunday, April 21, 2024

The 3 Best River Cruises in Europe 2024 Trip Canvas

best river cruise in europe

This ship truly embodies the decadence of Renaissance Venice, with a playful interior featuring hand-painted Venetian masks and flamboyant custom-made fabrics by Venice-design house Fortuny. Passengers can dine on fresh wood-fired pizza at Cielo's and sip Bellinis at Hari's Bar, all while taking in views of Venice's sparkling lagoon. Christian Petzold is a successful touristic entrepreneur, experiential traveller and round-the-world backpacker.

Danube Dreams (Westbound) 2024

best river cruise in europe

You can expect to see the Roman amphitheater in Arles, the papal palace, and the charming old-town region of Lyon. But as you travel the world with your budget in mind, you can still see the sights for 40 minutes to two hours of a river cruise along the Thames, costing only around $16 to $17 per person. 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. It is the second-longest in the continent, but, more impressively, it passes through 10 different European countries and four capital cities. Set against the Carpathian Mountains, the skies feel endless, and the atmosphere beats with history.

Emerald Cruises

Aboard the cruise ships, travelers will find immediate comfort in the spacious staterooms and will satisfy their passion for worldly culture through various destination-based lectures, music performances and cooking classes. Plus, Viking provides historic guided tours and intimate experiences in every destination. For those who want to explore more while onboard, Viking offers pre and post-cruise packages to help book your lodging and extend your stay. Viking River Cruises was founded in 1997, and has since then has provided passengers with amazing river cruising experiences throughout Egypt, Asia and Europe.

The 10 Best River Cruise Lines in Europe for Every Traveler - Cruise Critic

The 10 Best River Cruise Lines in Europe for Every Traveler.

Posted: Fri, 22 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Best European River Cruise For History Lovers: Tauck River Cruising, MS Sapphire

Started as a New England motor coach tour company, Tauck is a family-owned global travel firm offering tours and cruises to a wide range of destinations around the world. Their award-winning European river cruises are praised for their personalized service, exclusive destination experiences, luxurious cabins and suites, fine dining, and professional, caring staff. There are almost an overwhelming number of river cruises in Europe that vacationers have to choose from when planning a trip. All the best cruise lines offer itineraries along picturesque rivers in Europe, with castles, wineries, historic sites and much more, just minutes away from your ship. Best for dramatic scenery The Elbe is tricky for most river cruise ships to navigate but a generation of shallow-draft boats and paddlewheelers is able to take you from edgy Berlin to medieval Prague. A typical cruise visits Wittenberg, including a look at Dr Martin Luther’s house; Meissen, of pottery fame; and elegant Dresden.

Many cruise lines offer pre- and post-cruise land packages, allowing you to explore European cities further before or after your cruise. These river cruises in Europe start in Paris and cruise along the Seine River to Rouen or Honfleur. The Rhine boasts parts of stunning beauty, particularly the breathtaking Rhine Gorge. The Main Danube Canal, which opened in 1992, connects the North Sea to the Black Sea. This makes river river cruises in Europe, particularly from Budapest to Amsterdam, an exciting adventure. You can filter by departure port and duration and then compare prices to find the best deal.

Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle

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.

Uniworld’s unique local relationships allow guests to have authentic exploration of the destination. One of these is a Rhone River cruise in the Provence region between Lyon and Arles or Avignon. The 500-mile Rhone River has 13 locks, and 12 of these are between Lyon and where the Rhone empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Almost all Seine River cruises sail roundtrip from Paris, heading downstream and north towards Le Havre and Honfleur, where it enters the English Channel. Paris is a beautiful city and a perfect place to begin a French river cruise vacation.

NEW! Treasures of the Rhine

Cruises include numerous excursions to must-visit sites like the Normandy beaches and the Eiffel Tower, with delicious meals and plenty of French wine. I recommend taking this trip in the summer so that you can enjoy your evenings as much as your days. Bordeaux river cruises are different from other water routes because you explore two short waterways — the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers — and the Gironde Estuary in Southwest France. When guests disembark from the ship, they can fully immerse themselves in the culture of the villages and landmarks they visit.

Starting from Amsterdam, you’ll sail across the Dutch Waterways in Belgium and the Netherlands. 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. Typically setting off from the French wine town of Bordeaux, these trips will give you a peek at the magnificent Garonne River while allowing you to relax to the soothing sounds of the city. This includes a classic yacht cruise and a leisurely lunch while admiring the stunning architecture.

The cruise line’s soothing Scandinavian aesthetic combines a chic design with spacious accommodations that include river views or private verandas, and sails also include drinks during mealtimes, shore excursions and Wi-Fi. Since 1976, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has provided travelers with luxurious pampering and unforgettable European experiences. Each of Uniworld’s 17 luxury ships is uniquely designed and provides the feel of staying in a luxury boutique hotel catered to adult passengers. While aboard guests can enjoy relaxing with Uniworld’s spa services, swimming pools and all-inclusive local wine and beer options.

Sparkling new Europe-based ships seemingly debut every year, all with innovative features and itineraries that showcase art, history, food and more. The best European river cruises make it easy to enjoy the continent’s marvelous scenery to its fullest, with thoughtful amenities, intimate ship sizes and a slower pace to soak it all in. The 300-mile long Saone River is a tributary of the Rhone River, merging in Lyon. Since river ships can only sail about 80 miles upstream from Lyon through Macon up to Chalon-sur-Saone, cruises usually include time on the Rhone River also. Many river ships turn around near Rouen, which is 75 miles from the sea and navigable by ocean-going ships. Most cruise lines spend one or two nights in one of these two cities, which allows their guests to have a day on the Normandy beaches and to explore the charming coastal town of Honfleur.

Or you can choose to explore on your own, which is easy since your ship often will dock right in town. Uniworld's one-of-a-kind vessels are inspired by the locales they visit, making their luxurious ships a destination in themselves. Billed as "the world's only authentic boutique cruise line," Uniworld offers in-suite butler service, world-class cuisine, and all-inclusive rates that cover premium spirits and wines as well as gratuities. The 196-passenger, Danube-based AmaMagna is a standout among the cruise line’s well-equipped offerings.

The itinerary for most cruise lines is the same, sailing from Paris between Rouen or Caudebec. In Rouen, the capital of the Normandy region, tours to its historic cathedral, built between the 13th and 16th centuries and landmarks relating to Joan of Arc, are a must. All Seine cruises offer full-day excursions to the Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, plus visits to the Point du Hoc monument and the American Cemetery.

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