Europe River Cruise Reviews 2024 UPDATED: Ratings of Cruises to Europe
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With 55 Nordic-inspired “Longships” sailing mainland Europe—including the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône and Elbe—plus four ships on Portugal's River Douro, Viking has an itinerary for every type of river cruiser. 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. Tauck uses the word "lagniappe" to describe the unexpected extras passengers receive on their luxury river cruises in Europe. This might be a glass of Champagne on a tour of Baden-Baden's glam casino, a tasty waffle in Holland or flowers to put on the graves of veterans at Luxembourg's American Military Cemetery. And if any tour takes place over lunchtime, guests are given money to buy something to eat.
Europe Travel Guide
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. Best for unique sailingsThe Vltava is shallow enough in places to wade across, so it’s understandably not an option for the ships of most river cruise lines. But the lightest vessels can sail here, heading deep into the countryside of the Czech Republic. There’s time in Prague itself, too, to see the Charles Bridge, the castle and the atmospheric old town. The most eye-catching vessel in the Riverside fleet is Riverside Mozart, the former Crystal Mozart.
Most popular rivers in Europe
Best for romanceWith big cruise ships now banned from the heart of Venice, an unobtrusive luxury river cruise boat is the best way to explore the city and the islands of the misty lagoon. You’ll dock at San Basilio, on the Giudecca Canal, an easy walk from Piazza San Marco. You’ll usually spend three or four nights here, with plenty of time to lose yourself among Venice’s greeny-blue canals, marble palaces and sunlit squares. For a lazy, dreamy, wonderful river cruise experience, nothing quite beats exploring the wine regions of Portugal on the Douro, one of the major rivers through the Iberian Peninsula.
Splendours of Europe (Start Amsterdam, End Budapest)
Our Readers' Favorite River Cruise Lines of 2023 - Travel + Leisure
Our Readers' Favorite River Cruise Lines of 2023.
Posted: Tue, 11 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
From Lyon to Avignon, this relaxing cruise boasts the best of Provence, including whimsical landscapes and charming chateaus. You can expect to see the Roman amphitheater in Arles, the papal palace, and the charming old-town region of Lyon. 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. If you’re looking for something more modest, one hour of Vltava river cruising comes with an educational audio commentary and costs only fifteen bucks per participant.
Lower Danube
The river loops around a series of curves as you head upstream to the historic villages of Cochem and Bernkastel, both famed for their wine production, and on towards Trier. The city has some of the best-preserved Roman structures in the whole of Germany, including the original Porta Nigra town gate and an amphitheatre built to seat 20,000. "Having traveled on seven Viking longships that are virtually indistinguishable from one another, I believe it's the consistency that makes Viking one of our favorite ways to travel," said one reader. The longships are light-filled floating boutique hotels with a Scandinavian-design aesthetic, indoor and outdoor dining, and herb gardens up on top.
The best options include MEININGER Budapest Great Market Hall, Barceló Budapest, and the Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa. The River View Residence is a great spot to stay because of its proximity to the western bank of the Vltava River. The Free Spirit Apartment is about 0.8 miles away and offers another traveler-friendly option. The one-week route doesn't take you far but does include the walled city of Padua, the charming fishing village of Chioggia, and the culinary mecca of Bologna. AmaWaterways' active excursions take in some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery—enticing passengers on hilly bike rides and waterside hikes. The fleetwide reservation-only Vintage Room is set up for private dining, with an extravagant seven-course wine-pairing menu.
Why I still think Avalon Waterways has the best river cruise cabins - The Points Guy
Why I still think Avalon Waterways has the best river cruise cabins.
Posted: Tue, 26 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
of the best river cruises in Europe
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. Murano glass, Savoir beds and marble-clad bathrooms with Asprey toiletries are just some of the sumptuous features that make Uniworld high-end European river cruising at its finest.
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Among the companies offering cruises along the Danube are A-ROSA Cruises, with whom we have partnered to bring you our remarkable river cruise. A-ROSA has 20-plus years of experience in sailing couples, families, groups and solo travellers along some of Europe’s loveliest rivers in laidback style, giving you lots of freedom to explore port stops at your own pace. The past year put the entire travel industry through the wringer, perhaps no segment more so than cruising. Though the pandemic forced ships around the world to remain in port, readers nevertheless looked back fondly on their times at sea while ranking the world's top 10 river cruise lines for Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards.
Bordeaux waterways
The French city of Strasbourg, with its famous Gothic cathedral and robust Alsatian culinary scene, is often a favorite stop on Rhine itineraries, with other highlights including Heidelberg, Germany, and its imposing castle. Ships visit such cultural hubs as Vienna, with its opera and art museums and elaborate royal palaces, and Budapest, Hungary, with its magnificent architecture and modern vibe. If your ship passes the Hungarian Parliament building at night, you're in for a treat; magnificently lit, it's one of the most photographed sights on the river.
German river cruise line A-Rosa has carved a niche for multigenerational river voyages after pioneering its kids club in 2014. The line's European family program is available on at least one ship on each river the line sails during school breaks. Fun activities include a “meet the captain” event, pizza-making classes and treasure hunts. All ships are stocked with age-appropriate games and books, and family shore excursions to zoos and theme parks feature on itineraries. From Portugal's dazzling Douro to the mighty Danube, a river cruise is a fantastic way of exploring Europe’s magical cities and sensational countryside.
A relaxing cruise along one of Europe’s famous waterways is a surefire way to make the most of your vacation across the pond. That's even before you get to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But it's royal-level service that just might define Uniworld's luxury river cruises in Europe. That means white-gloved butlers trained at the Ivor Spencer Butler School to the standards required by London's Buckingham Palace. The noble treatment extends to shore excursions, which can include a cocktail reception hosted by Princess Anita von Hohenberg -- a descendant of the Habsburg dynasty -- at Artstetten Castle, her Austrian home. You’ll also pass by boatbuilding sites and rowing courses while enjoying unique city and countryside views. If that sounds like your bag, look into luxury river cruise lines, like the cruises undertaken by the Magna Carta. Best for food and drinkWine tasting, gourmet cuisine, beautiful landscapes… the treasures of the Douro River are easy to discover on a luxurious river cruise from Portugal’s Porto to the Spanish city of Salamanca.
The fee for this luxury cruise, which includes stays at 4-star hotels, is relatively affordable at about $1,450. You’ll find all the amenities you need to enjoy a relaxing holiday in some of the world’s most beautiful places. While a Douro tour offers excursions to various historical monasteries and ports, it also takes you through a vibrant urban scene full of world-class eateries. When you board the river cruise line, you’ll be treated to breathtaking sights, including the Bordeaux Cathedral and the Place de la Bourse. 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.
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