Ideal for: castles, scenery, historic towns and a classic introduction to river cruising.

The Rhine is probably the river many people picture when they think of European river cruising. Depending on the itinerary, you might travel between Amsterdam and Basel, with visits to destinations such as Cologne, Koblenz, Strasbourg and Heidelberg. The Rhine Gorge is one of its great highlights, with castles and vineyards rising above the river. Some itineraries will include the Moselle, Main, or continue to the Danube on an Amsterdam-to-Budapest cruise.

Ideal for: grand cities, history, music and variety.

The Danube is all about some of Europe’s grandest and most opulent cities. Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest can all feature on a standard Danube cruise, alongside smaller towns and the beautiful Wachau Valley. There are also alternative longer cruises which sail east from Budapest to the Black Sea, sailing through Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania, again with a mix of incredible history, scenery and iconic cities.

Ultra-luxury • highly inclusive • spacious • sophisticated • excellent choice of excursions • strong food and wine

Scenic sits firmly at the ultra-luxury end of river cruising.

Its European Space-Ships carry up to 163 guests, with spacious suites, butler service, multiple dining options and premium drinks included throughout the cruise. Scenic also has its distinctive Scenic Sun Lounge balconies, which convert from an indoor sitting area into an open-air balcony.

What particularly differentiates Scenic is the level of inclusion. Excursions are built around its Scenic Freechoice programme, allowing guests to choose between different styles and activity levels, while Scenic Enrich provides exclusive experiences such as private concerts and after-hours access.

Ideal for: France lovers, food, wine, history and Provence.

A French river cruise can combine the Rhône and Saône, often linking Lyon with destinations such as Avignon and Arles. This is a particularly good choice if the appeal of France lies in its food, wine, markets and history rather than simply ticking off major cities. Depending on the itinerary, expect Roman history, Provençal landscapes, vineyards, markets and some of France’s great culinary regions.

Ideal for: Paris, Normandy and French art and history.

A Seine cruise can be an excellent way to combine Paris with the landscapes and historic towns of Normandy. Some itineraries include Giverny, Rouen and the Normandy coast, making this particularly appealing to travellers interested in Monet, French history and the events of the Second World War.

Best for: vineyards, smaller towns and a quieter alternative to the Rhine.

The Moselle is less famous than the Rhine but can be hugely rewarding. The river winds through Germany and Luxembourg, with steep vineyard-covered hills, castles and attractive riverside towns. It can also be combined with the Rhine.

River ships are narrow, so cabin sizes and layouts differ considerably from one operator to another, and you won’t find all of these different categories all on one ship.

Fixed-window cabins: You have natural light, but the window may not open. These are more common on the lower deck, where there’s a small window at the top which looks out just above the water line.

French balcony: A floor-to-ceiling glass door opens to a railing, giving you the feeling of an open balcony without a conventional outdoor space.

Step-out balcony: The doors open to a small external balcony where you can stand or sit.

Suites: Larger accommodation, often with separate sitting areas and additional amenities.

Middle deck: Often the sweet spot for river cruising, the middle deck offers more daylight and better views than the lower deck without the highest price. Many ships feature French Balcony cabins here, with floor-to-ceiling doors opening to a railing. You can’t sit outside, but you can enjoy fresh air and unobstructed views while sailing.

Lower deck: The lowest passenger deck sits closest to the waterline and is usually the most affordable cabin option. On many European river ships, cabins here have fixed windows rather than balconies, so views and natural light are more limited than on higher decks. They can, however, be a sensible choice if you spend most of your time ashore or in the ship’s public areas. Cabin position is important: midship is generally preferable to the very front or rear, where there can be more noise or vibration. If keeping the cost down is a priority, a well-positioned lower-deck cabin can offer good value.

Upper deck: The upper deck usually has the most desirable balcony cabins and suites, with better views, more natural light and easy access to the Sun Deck. However, higher isn’t always better: check what is above and below your cabin, as nearby lounges, lifts or Sun Deck activity can create noise.

Food is an important part of modern river cruising. Many lines use the destination to influence their menus, with regional dishes and wines appearing throughout the journey. It’s quite common to find regional specialities and local wines, vineyard visits, food markets and demonstrations onboard, and sometimes even tasting menus. Generally, luxury operators put a greater emphasis on food and wine, and Riviera, for expample have specific gastronomy cruises.  On some itineraries, dining may not always be on the ship, especially when visiting vineyards or special concerts in the evening.

Dining options depend on the company. Most will have a main dining room where breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available. Some may have a second speciality restaurant or cafe to give a little variety.

The excursions on offer, which may be included depending on the operator, can vary a lot. These may include classic guided sightseeing tours of a city or town to highlight their history, activities such as cycling or hiking, cultural experiences with concerts or museum visits (sometimes these can be specially arranged private visits), food and wine tours at local artisans or visiting sights of significant interest.

If you’re worried about how active you need to be, some operators now offer excursions that suit various abilities, alongside more active alternatives. However, it’s worth remembering that in Europe you are generally stopping in very old, historic towns and cities, so there’s likely to be uneven ground, steps, and many different walking tours.

In their very nature, river cruises are structured holidays. There are set times when you can go ashore, set times for meals and the same for the excursion you may choose to go on. However, you don’t have to do the excursions on offer and can go off on your own independent exploration, enjoying free time in the places you visit (just as long as you remember what time you need to be back on the boat).

River cruising is generally informal, so smart casual is absolutely fine. Some cruise companies may be a little more ‘dressy’ in the evening, but generally not to the black-tie level you find on some ocean cruises.

With the majority of river cruises being on mainland Europe, you can never always tell what the weather is going to do, so unless you know it’s going to be sunny, we would always recommend packing for all eventualities. As walking can be involved, always take a comfortable pair of shoes, and wear layers. As you never know what the weather is going to do, have a waterproof and umbrella, as well as the usual sun protection for when it does actually come out.

Dining options depend on the company. Most will have a main dining room where breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available. Some may have a second speciality restaurant or cafe to give a little variety.

River cruising has traditionally been associated with older travellers, but that is changing. Some operators actively welcome families and offer connecting cabins, family accommodation and activities suitable for different generations. AmaWaterways, for example, specifically promotes multi-generational travel.

That said, a river cruise isn’t automatically the right family holiday. You won’t find kids clubs, waterslides, children’s pools, or family entertainment programmes. However, if you have teenagers who enjoy history, cycling, food, and wildlife and want to explore new places, a river cruise might be an option, especially if you include it as part of a longer itinerary, say to Egypt.

River cruising isn’t inexpensive, and it can therefore become quite expensive for solo travellers. Single supplements can vary hugely, and there are some companies, such as Riviera Travel, that have focused heavily on this market and even have solo-only cruises throughout the summer season (whereas others may have dedicated single cabins or reduced supplements, although these might not be available at the most popular times of year). Being smaller ships, they generally have a more social atmosphere and are ideal for solo travellers.

A Christmas river cruise on the Rhine or Danube can be a really interesting way of doing the traditional ‘Christmas market city break’. These generally are a little shorter than the standard at four or five nights, and offer a mixture of different market opportunties in the heartlands of Germany and Austria.