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Sure, river ships are smaller in stature than their ocean-going counterparts, but luxury European river cruises provide everything from pools and fitness centers to massage, hair and beauty salons plus a choice of restaurants and lounges. River sailings remain a popular choice for cruisers, with new ships being launched each year -- Viking alone launched eight new ships in Europe in 2022. On the plus side, this means more choices, including an ever-increasing number of themed vacations, such as food and wine, active and family-oriented sailings. On the other side of the coin, the biggest challenge about planning a European river cruise is identifying one that is right for you.
The 10 Best River Cruise Lines in Europe for Every Traveler
Grand Circle generally draws travelers aged over 50 and is a popular line for Americans cruising the rivers of Europe. Grand Circle attracts a high number of repeat passengers, drawn by value-for-money fares that are often lower than other European river cruises. In addition to the main dining room, ships have smaller venues where every passenger can have a meal. There's also the exclusive Table La Rive fine dining experience for Diamond Deck suite guests.
Best Budget-Friendly European River Cruise: Grand Circle Travel
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. Upscale river line Tauck is the best for solo river cruises in Europe, even though Grand Circle gives the line a run for its money. Tauck waives single supplement charges on all of its Category 1 lower-deck cabins on every ship in its European fleet. Perks include a roommate matching service for solo cruisers, competitively priced single supplements and group discounts, plus price match guarantees.
25 BEST Europe Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Europe on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
25 BEST Europe Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Europe on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 16:11:17 GMT [source]
Riverside Luxury River Cruises in Europe
These Are the Best Luxury River Cruises to Take in 2024 - Veranda
These Are the Best Luxury River Cruises to Take in 2024.
Posted: Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The most popular cruises sail the Rhine, which runs from Amsterdam to Switzerland; the Danube, which spans Austria, Hungary and parts of Eastern Europe; the Douro in Portugal; and the Seine in France. Some lines, however, offer excellent value—especially when you compare the price to the overall cost of a land-based vacation in Europe. One cruise line that consistently offers great value is Emerald Cruises, a river cruise operator that gets travelers more bang for their buck—without compromising on quality or service. As standard, Emerald’s eight Europe-based “Star-Ships” offer a generous number of inclusions built into the cost of the cruise, with typically lower entry level fares. A-Rosa Sena, launched in 2022, is a knockout for its array of family facilities.
The ship's stellar kids clubs go above and beyond with a likeness of Andy's room from "Toy Story" and a replica of the Millennium Falcon from "Star Wars" (with visits from R2-D2 and a squad of stormtroopers). Here, however, it’s less about any blockbuster sights than the pastoral landscapes, pocked by plenty of quintas (Portuguese for wineries) and verdant vineyards—many of which fall within the UNESCO-recognized Douro River Valley. It’s a natural fit for oenophiles, who will have ample opportunity to tipple the local bounty en route, including, naturally, aromatic port aplenty. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. There is only one cruise option -- seven nights, sailing either from Magdeburg in Germany to Melnik in the Czech Republic, or vice versa.
In addition to Table La Rive, the luxury European river cruise experience continues with a choice of restaurants including smaller specialty venues L'Amour or Portobellos (dependent on whether the ship is sailing in France or the rest of Europe). If you like food and wine, this is the river cruise region for you, as it sails through Provence and Burgundy, the gastronomic heartland of France and two of the country's top wine-making regions. You'll cruise past acres of vineyards and have ample opportunities to taste the local grapes. With more castles than any other river, the Rhine river cruises combines centuries of history and culture with spectacular scenery and some of the oldest and most historic cities in Germany. The lesser-known Moselle, running through northeast France and Luxembourg, joins the Rhine at Koblenz.
The world's largest river cruise line, Viking has a fleet that in Europe includes dozens of cutting-edge, 190-passenger "longships" with light-filled atriums, an appealing contemporary Scandinavian decor, and cabins with step-out balconies. An outdoor restaurant on the bow means you never miss a chance to take in unobstructed views. Most European river cruises start in popular cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Budapest, Basel and Porto.
Classical Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel) (10 destinations)
The line, which is part of the long-established European hospitality group Seaside Collection, consists of five vessels that were previously owned by Crystal Cruises, a storied name in luxury cruising. There is only the one itinerary on the Elbe, but you really must add extra days in Berlin and Prague at the start and end (included in some itineraries) to make this vacation complete. The delightful town of Meissen is renowned worldwide for its fine porcelain, and excursions include a visit to a factory to see craftsmen at work. In 1517 Martin Luther, one of the most influential figures in Christian history, nailed his thesis to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg and triggered the Protestant Reformation.
Cruises run between the culture-rich cities of Berlin and Prague, and in between are the vineyards of Saxony and rocky landscapes of the soaring sandstone massif south of Dresden. Cruises on the Douro are very different from other European rivers, such as the Rhine and Danube, which were commercial arteries for the towns and cities that grew up on their banks. There is often little to see at mooring spots and motorcoaches are needed to visit places of interest.
If you're a senior traveler who loves great food and excellent wine, one of the best luxury European cruises you can book is a Canary Islands cruise on Seabourn's Seabourn Sojourn. Plus, all cabins on Viking's ships have balconies, which is great if you want some fresh air but feel like keeping to yourself. Complimentary room service is available 24/7, so you can order dinner to your cabin for a relaxing alfresco dining experience for two. River cruises in the Bordeaux region often include visits to vineyards and chateaus. Riverside Luxury Cruises is a new name on the river cruise scene in Europe in 2023.
There's some stunning scenery, too; 83 miles of the craggy Iron Gates gorge and in rural Bulgaria and Romania, bucolic countryside where the way of life has barely changed for centuries. This is quite a strenuous itinerary with a lot to see, so if you have mobility concerns, discuss them first with your river cruise operator. Weeklong cruises usually visit Rudesheim, with its bustling main Drosselgasse street, and Heidelberg, with a castle perched on a rocky hilltop. Built between the 13th and 17th centuries, it's had a turbulent past and disproves the old saying that lighting never strikes twice -- having been hit in both 1537 and 1764. Grand Circle is a top choice company for solo travelers because the ships feature a good number of small cabins designed and priced for one, plus reduced single-supplement pricing for solos who want larger rooms. Avalon is owned by the Globus Family of Brands, a tour operator company, and that experience comes into play on shore, with such VIP experiences as skipping the line at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The beautifully restored city of Dresden, immortalized by Italian painter Canaletto as the "Florence on the Elbe," is among the must-see sights. Destroyed during World War II, the city rose from the rubble and highlights include the rebuilt Cathedral of Our Lady, with its distinctive bell-shaped dome, which is the symbol of Dresden. Paris, Monet's garden in Giverny and poignant wartime cemeteries and the Normandy landing beaches are among the unique features of a cruise on the Seine river through northern France.
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