Well, beyond the fact that logically you’re cruising on a river, that really sets the tone for what sets it apart from other forms of cruising. Although we tend to think of river cruising on rivers, it doesn’t actually have to be; we could also translate the same concept to lakes, although there are very few where you could make a cruise out of them!
At its core, though it’s a way of travelling in style, exploring the world’s most historic and scenic rivers and waterways, with great access generally in the centre of town or in convenient locations. With a new destination every day, there are no sea days here; the focus is on culture, landscapes, and history.
By its very nature, river cruising is completely different from the ocean; you’re not going to see 7,000 passenger ships down the Danube, for example. Instead, it’s more destination-led, with different experiences such as visiting vineyards, attending concerts, or visiting historic museums.
How River Cruising Works
On a river cruise, you’ll be travelling on a purpose-built ship designed to navigate narrow waterways, locks, and low bridges. As a result, we’re talking about substantially smaller ships that generally carry between 100 and 200 guests.
Many river cruises operate on an all-inclusive basis, which usually includes a river-view cabin or suite, all meals on board with wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; daily guided excursions and onboard talks or light entertainment in the evening.
However, with fewer people on board, it does tend to be quite flexible, and if you wanted to go off on your own whilst the ship is docked, it’s not a problem.
Ships often cruise overnight and dock early in the morning. Because they berth in central locations, guests can usually walk straight into town rather than relying on long transfers from seaports.
Popular River Cruise Destinations Around the World
Europe really is the heartland of river cruising. We have a number of iconic waterways on our doorstep, each with its own character and history. There really is something for everyone, whether you’re looking for historic cities, countryside or wine and gastronomy.
Danube
Germany to Hungary and beyond, linking cities such as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. You can continue on through the Balkans as well, and end up on the Black Sea coast, via Bucharest.
Rhine
Famous for castles, vineyards and dramatic scenery through Germany and the Netherlands.
France
Paris to Normandy, which combines art, history and the countryside. It’s also extremely convenient to get there by Eurostar as a river cruise option without flying.
The Rhône and Saone in Southern France have a strong food and wine focus, either around Bordeaux or in Provence.
Douro
One of the most popular in Europe, Portugal’s vineyard-lined river connects the beautiful city of Porto with excursions to the gorgeous Spanish city of Salamanca.
If you don’t want to travel too far, and the idea of an ocean cruise doesn’t appeal, a river cruise in Europe is ideal. It’s also great for first-timers as you really get immersed in the heart of the destination without having to unpack!
River Cruise Ships
Standard European River Ships
Essentially, in Europe, the size of each of the river cruise ships is the same, as they have comfortably fit under bridges and into locks. Therefore, the designs are somewhat similar— three (although technically four if you include the sun deck) decks, the lower deck often having a restaurant and passenger cabins with small windows. The middle and upper decks, which are usually preferred, have floor-to-ceiling windows or mini balconies. These form the backbone of the industry and are designed to maximise views and comfort within river size limits. Expect multiple passenger decks, panoramic lounges, and sun decks.
Boutique and Luxury Ships
As we said, the actual size of the ships is very similar, but what does make one more luxurious than another is the number of suites onboard. Some, like Scenic, have butler service and added inclusions, with all-suite accommodation and additional dining options.
Expedition-Style River Vessels
Sometimes there is a little bit of a crossover, especially in areas where ‘river cruising’ isn’t a hugely commercial operation. So, in places like the Amazon or maybe in Africa, they are usually smaller and specialised vessels designed specifically for the waterway you’re travelling on, carrying fewer guests and having a focus on exploration, wildlife, and local cultural experiences.
Partners We Work With
We work with all the well-known names in the industry, including the largest Viking, where we have our own direct contract. We also work with the likes of AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Riviera, Scenic, Emerald, Riverside, APT, Travelmarvel, Avalon, Amadeus, and American Cruise Line in America.
We’re experienced in river cruising and are happy to assist you in making sure we find the right ship or itinerary for you. Additionally, we will have Scenic with us for the day in March; please let us know if you would like to join us.
