AmaWaterways
Award-winning European river cruising — heated pools, twin balconies, daily included excursions.
Cruise styles
River Cruises
Small ships on Europe's great rivers and beyond, mooring in the heart of historic towns with excursions usually included.
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River Cruises with Travelisto
A river cruise is a very different holiday from an ocean cruise. The ships are small, there is no open sea, and you usually moor right in the centre of a town, so you can step ashore and be in the old quarter within minutes. Most fares include a guided excursion in each port, plus Wi-Fi and often drinks with meals, so the price you see is closer to the price you pay.
River cruising suits curious travellers who enjoy history, food and wine, and who prefer a relaxed pace. It is a natural choice for first-time cruisers who are unsure about big ships, and for anyone who worries about seasickness. Some lines, such as Viking River Cruises, are adults-only, while others offer active excursions like cycling and hiking.
In Europe the season runs from about March to November. Spring brings blossom and tulip-time sailings in the Netherlands and Belgium, summer is warm and busy, and autumn is ideal for wine regions on the Douro, Rhone and Moselle. December is Christmas market season on the Rhine and Danube. Further afield, the Mekong and the Nile are best in the cooler months, roughly October to April.
Typical itineraries run 7 to 15 nights. Rhine cruises often sail between Amsterdam and Basel, Danube cruises between Passau, Vienna and Budapest, Douro cruises from Porto, and Rhone and Saône cruises from Lyon or Avignon. Some of the longest European itineraries combine the Rhine, Main and Danube to cross the continent from the North Sea towards the Black Sea. A Travel Designer can help you choose the river, the season and the ship.
Our Cruise Experts Love
Lines we recommend
The cruise lines our Travel Designers suggest most often for this kind of trip. Tap a line for the full guide.
AmaWaterways
Avalon Waterways
Panorama Suites with floor-to-ceiling windows on Europe's rivers — active excursion programme.
Emerald Cruises
Star-Ship river cruising in Europe — modern fleet with included excursions and pool deck.
Viking River Cruises
The original European river-cruise specialist — adults-only, included excursions, fleet-wide consistency.
Scenic
All-inclusive luxury yachts and river ships with submarine, helicopter and kayaks aboard.
A-Rosa
Premium Rhine, Danube, Rhone and Douro river cruising with German-style hospitality.
Which line suits you?
| Cruise line | Best for |
|---|---|
| AmaWaterways | Active travellers who want included bike rides and guided walks alongside classic tours. |
| Avalon Waterways | Travellers who want cabins designed around wide river views. |
| Emerald Cruises | Value-conscious travellers who want a modern, premium feel. |
| Viking River Cruises | Adults who want a destination-focused, child-free river cruise. |
| Scenic | Travellers who want a luxury, all-inclusive river cruise. |
| A-Rosa | Travellers who prefer a relaxed, informal style and flexible dining. |
Europe’s rivers at a glance
- Rhine
- Castles, vineyards and the Rhine Gorge, usually between Amsterdam and Basel. A popular first river cruise.
- Danube
- Grand capitals such as Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava, with options that continue east towards the Black Sea.
- Douro
- Portugal’s port-wine valley, with terraced vineyards and a slower pace, usually from Porto.
- Rhône and Saône
- Provence and Burgundy, with Lyon, Avignon and plenty of food and wine.
- Seine
- Paris and Normandy, with Monet’s garden and the D-Day beaches within reach.
- Moselle and Main
- Quieter wine regions and small towns, often combined with the Rhine or Danube.
River cruise or ocean cruise?
A river cruise suits travellers who want to see towns and cities without long days at sea. Ships are small, the pace is gentle and you usually step ashore straight into the town centre.
There are fewer facilities on board than on an ocean ship, with no big theatres or water parks, and the focus is on the places you visit. Many fares include excursions, Wi-Fi and drinks with meals, which makes the overall cost easier to compare.
Further afield, river cruises on the Mekong and the Nile combine a cruise with temples, villages and ancient sites, and are often paired with a land tour or hotel stay.
Choosing a river cruise line
River cruise lines differ more than their similar-looking ships suggest. Some include drinks throughout the day, gratuities and premium excursions, while others include drinks only with meals and charge extra for certain tours.
Look at the style of excursion, too. Some lines focus on classic guided city tours, while others include bike rides, hikes and tastings. Cabin layouts vary, with some ships offering French balconies and others full balconies or wide picture windows.
Finally, think about the atmosphere. Some lines are adults-only and quiet, others are more informal and welcome families on selected sailings. Our Travel Designers can compare the lines side by side for your chosen river.
FAQ
River Cruises: your questions answered
When is the best time to go on a European river cruise?
April to June and September to October are the most comfortable months, with mild weather and fewer crowds than high summer. July and August are warm and lively. December is popular for Christmas markets on the Rhine and Danube. Very hot summers or very dry or wet spells can occasionally affect water levels, and lines will adjust itineraries if needed.
Which river is best for a first river cruise?
The Rhine and the Danube are the classic first choices. The Rhine combines castles, vineyards and cities such as Cologne and Strasbourg, while the Danube links Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. For wine lovers, the Douro in Portugal and the Rhone in France are excellent, and both have a slower, more rural feel.
Are excursions included on a river cruise?
On most river lines, yes. A guided walking or coach tour is usually included in each port, and some lines offer a choice of included activities such as bike rides, tastings or hikes. Optional premium excursions are available at extra cost. We will confirm which excursions come with your sailing before you book.
How long is a typical river cruise?
Most European river cruises are 7 or 8 nights, which is enough to cover a stretch of the Rhine, Danube or Douro without rushing. Longer itineraries of 10 to 15 nights combine rivers or add land stays in cities like Prague or Budapest. Short breaks of 4 or 5 nights are available too, especially at Christmas market time.
Can I combine a Mekong or Nile cruise with a longer holiday?
Yes, and most people do. A Mekong cruise pairs naturally with time in Vietnam and Cambodia, including Ho Chi Minh City and Angkor Wat. A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan sits well alongside a few days in Cairo. A Travel Designer can build the land stays, flights and transfers around your sailing.
Too many options? We'll narrow it down
Tell a Travel Designer where you want to go, when, and what kind of ship suits you. Three honest recommendations, same business day.