Trish York

In more than 10 years of sending travelers to Europe I've had the opportunity to travel and experience many destinations, including a number of river cruises, one of my favorite ways to see the small, charming towns of Europe as well as some impressive capital cities. River cruising is perfect for the first time traveler to Europe. You get a nice overview of multiple countries with a local flavor and then can come back on another trip to explore a destination further. Your biggest decisions on a river cruise are what to eat from the many choices at each meal or which excursion to take that day.

The most popular river cruises are on the Rhine and Danube but there are more options in France on the Rhône and Seine Rivers and in Portugal on the Douro River, with trip add-ons to Spain. Some Rhine itineraries also include additional days in Switzerland and Italy. A unique itinerary in Germany includes cruising on the Mosel, Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. A combination cruise can take you all the way from Amsterdam to Giurgiu, Romania, towards the Black Sea – just think of the number of locks you will experience on that one! There are even river cruises in Egypt, Cambodia, Vietnam, Africa and coming soon – Colombia in South America.

Of course a great river cruise should include pre-cruise time to get acclimated after a long flight. This also ensures you arrive on time for embarkation day. Many people spend a few days in Amsterdam, Munich, Paris, Budapest or Lisbon before embarking on their cruise. At the end they often add on destinations that were not reachable via ship, like Prague, but easily reached by rail or private transfer for a few extra days to explore before flying home. 

There are many river cruise lines to choose from so it’s invaluable to work with a travel advisor who understands the styles and differences of each company. Service, cuisine, tours and décor are all things to consider before making a decision. That way we can ensure you’re traveling with the line that matches the trip you want to experience. Some offer a truly all-inclusive experience while others are more ala carte letting you select what is most important to you on your well-earned vacation. If you want a more active experience then some ships have bikes on board and offer hikes or fast-paced walking tours. One cruise line even has a full-time wellness host on board. 

A fun way to experience a river cruise is with an affinity group – what about gathering the gals from your book club or perhaps some couples from your country club who love wine? Or maybe friends from your garden club or home-brewing buddies. You can explore the beautiful gardens of France or taste the beer of Belgium or Germany. As river cruising grows in popularity more families are taking multi-generational trips with grandparents and grandkids who can enjoy time together. You will now see a wide variety of passengers on a river cruise making it an interesting experience as you meet others with a love of travel.