River Cruise Lines: World's Best in 2021
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There are almost an overwhelming number of river cruises in Europe that vacationers have to choose from when planning a trip. All the best cruise lines offer itineraries along picturesque rivers in Europe, with castles, wineries, historic sites and much more, just minutes away from your ship. This German company offers 30 years of experience on Europe's rivers, and has a fleet of 26 river ships in addition to the expedition ship World Voyager and oceangoing Vasco Da Gama.
of the best river cruises in Europe
A jaunty kids' club with a climbing wall and secret nooks is positioned next to 12 family cabins, each sleeping up to five, featuring nautical-themed bunk beds. The 280-passenger ship—the largest on the Rhine—has a kids’ splash pool next to a larger pool, with some sailings offering kids swimming lessons for an extra fee. Mealtimes are peachy, too, with dishes such as dressed salmon and pork goulash, plus a children's buffet luring kids to the table. After a long day of exploring, parents and grandparents can relax at the spa or in the lounge.
River Cruises Plan a River Cruise - Cruise Critic
River Cruises Plan a River Cruise.
Posted: Mon, 06 Nov 2023 21:36:09 GMT [source]
Day 5
Unlike oceangoing ships that carry as many as 5,000 passengers, most river cruise ships accommodate around 150 guests, for a more intimate experience. Balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and open-air viewing are features of most river cruise ships, and some offer pools, spas, fitness areas, and jogging tracks. The doyen of Europe's waterways is the adults-only Viking Cruises, a multifaceted cruise line that also boasts a fleet of ocean and expedition vessels. 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.
Scenic
You'll also find a high number of inclusions, such as all drinks from the bar and with meals, to create a stress-free sailing with no hidden extras. And that’s all without mentioning the entertainment and facilities onboard your ship. The Danube is a year-round destination with the exception of January and February, when few cruise lines operate here. Summer, when the weather is hottest, is peak season and as a result Europe’s cities are particularly crowded. Because of that, we recommend taking a Danube river cruise in April, May, September and October.
Danube Classics Vienna 2024 (8 destinations)
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]
Viking is one of the top companies for finding, planning, and building luxury river cruises, including custom ones. You can find some of the best river cruises Europe has to offer through Viking River Cruises. There is no better way to experience this region than aboard a luxury river cruise experience along the River Rhône, one of the major rivers in France and Switzerland. Over the last few years, riverboat cruises have grown immensely in popularity, and understandably so. These range in length, price, and the type of boat you’ll be cruising in, from amphibious WW2 vintage “Ducks” (DUKWs) to luxury river cruisers with all the modern conveniences of a modern-day hotel or restaurant.
In between Frankfurt and Würzburg, you’ll visit medieval Miltenberg, its crooked, half-timbered houses straight out of a Grimm’s Fairytale. A cruise in winter is particularly scenic, the banks cloaked in snow and the Christmas markets in full swing. Rivers have always formed essential transport arteries across the continent, so it’s along their banks that Europe’s great cities have grown, from Budapest and Vienna to Cologne, Paris and Prague. A river cruise is an effortless, stress-free way to take all this in, returning to the comfort of your luxurious floating hotel at the end of each day. On a typical seven-night cruise from Amsterdam, ports and excursions include Basel, Cologne, Koblenz, the Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Mannheim and Strasbourg. There are a lot of variations, of course, with different starting points and stops, which offers cruisers plenty of interesting options.
Your visit there and to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, as well as other memorials and monuments to the fallen, is a poignant experience (one that requires a two-hour bus ride from your ship, however). Avalon Waterways brings a World War II expert on board to add insight on select sailings. The seven-night river cruise takes you through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. The most beautiful stretch of the river is a 62-mile passage through a gorge between the Balkan and Carpathian Mountains. The "Charming Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle" begins with arrival in Frankfurt and transfer to Mainz for boarding.
Splendours of Europe (Start Budapest, End Amsterdam)
If you like to stay fit and healthy on vacation, Avalon Waterways is the best line for get-up-and-go European river cruises. In addition to regular itineraries, Avalon offers Active & Discovery sailings on the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Moselle, Seine and Dutch waterways. Work up an appetite with action-packed kayaking, hiking and cycling tours before returning to a well-earned meal.
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.
It’s also possible to go beyond the typical Black Forest routes and wind along the Moselle. Since 1976, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has provided travelers with luxurious pampering and unforgettable European experiences. Each of Uniworld’s 17 luxury ships is uniquely designed and provides the feel of staying in a luxury boutique hotel catered to adult passengers.
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. River cruising in Europe stands out as a distinctive and memorable way to explore the world. On one-week cruises, you'll follow the river 130 miles past green hillside vineyards in the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO-recognized destination, before turning around at the Spanish border. The river cruises typically include a visit to the university town of Salamanca in northern Spain.
Viking River Cruises was founded in 1997, and has since then has provided passengers with amazing river cruising experiences throughout Egypt, Asia and Europe. This award-winning river cruise company offers thoughtfully selected itineraries with luxurious onboard amenities as you cruise through the many rivers they sail on. Best for seeing the Black ForestOne of Europe’s longest and most important waterways begins its journey high in the Swiss Alps and finds its way to the North Sea in the Netherlands. The Rhine is yours to discover on a romantic river cruise — a voyage that can cover the Netherlands, Germany and Austria all on one sailing, on a trip that can last up to 20 days. Whichever direction you choose to head in, and whichever cruise ship you choose, you’ll pass lush vineyards, medieval towns and dramatic rocky gorges with stops to explore the cities of Strasbourg, Koblenz and Cologne.
At only 19 miles long, this is one of the smaller rivers on our list, although no less impressive than the others. It makes up for its small size by connecting some of Europe’s most important art and architecture collections, such as the famous Museumplein. The Amstel also hosts various tributaries that divert into Amsterdam’s incredible canals. Spending a few nights in Budapest is best experienced leisurely, so make sure your accommodations are up to par. 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.
Those interested in learning more about World War II can visit the Normandy beaches and American Cemetery and Memorial. But, like with any cruise line, schedule adjustments or trip cancellations may be necessary if water levels are unusually high or low. Some attractions near the ship docks include the Old Masters Picture Gallery, Green Vault Museum, and the Semperoper. Tourists and visitors can experience luxury and relaxation at Campanile Bordeaux Nord and Pullman Bordeaux Lac.
Take a river cruise down this majestic river and you’ll encounter some of the world’s most stunning countryside, including the UNESCO-protected Wachau Valley, along with an array of fascinating cultures. Readers had high praise for the incredible service and interesting itineraries on these river cruise lines in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2023. Usually, the cruising seasons in European waterways are from March to December, but it would be better to go on a cruise from April to May. Off-peak seasons, however, should be considered because there are frequently discounted deals from river cruise lines. Due to its relatively small size, the Moselle doesn’t have much in the way of grand river cruises. Any luxury cruises, including the Moselle, normally feature it as part of a larger cruise incorporating rivers like the Rhine or the Main, like this Christmas on the Main and Moselle river cruise.
Most of the France-exclusive itineraries here run for a week between Lyon and Arles or Avignon. Some continue north on the Saône River, the chief tributary of the Rhône (the two merge in Lyon), and into the heart of Burgundy; it’s a gateway to stops like Burgundy’s wine capital at Beaune. This 505-mile stretch between the Swiss Alps and southern France lets out in the Mediterranean Sea (near Marseille), affording a lovely ride along the way, marked by Alpine scenery filled in with gorges and valleys. Take in the sights of France’s Provence region, too, with its wine country, groves of olives and citrus, and fragrant fields of lavender (landscapes that inspired Vincent van Gogh and other artists). It’s a downright delicious option for epicures, with itineraries that are anchored in Lyon, considered France’s gastronomical epicenter. Those with a taste for antiquity will appreciate a journey here, too, thanks to regional Roman landmarks like the Pont du Gard aqueduct or Arles amphitheater.
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