Sunday, March 31, 2024

15 of the Best European River Cruises

best river cruise lines

Privately owned and infused with passion and great hospitality, Grand Circle cruises feature romance at every stop. Asian river cruise company Pandaw recently launched an incredible seven-night Brahmaputra River itinerary, giving couples a chance to discover Northern India's abundant wildlife on a part land, part water safari. You'll start at Guwahati, sail to Peacock Island, and witness endangered Golden Langur monkeys before arriving in Silghat in search of river dolphins and birds of prey. Then, it's on to Kaziranga for a safari to look for the elusive Indian rhinoceros and Indian tigers. In addition, there are many opportunities to catch sights of kingfishers, eagles, vultures, water buffalos, monitor lizards and otters. The cruise line provides bicycles for guests to explore city centers and offers a range of onshore and onboard entertainment.

Book a cruise on Tauck

Billed as "the world's only authentic boutique cruise line," Uniworld offers in-suite butler service, world-class cuisine, and all-inclusive rates that cover premium spirits and wines as well as gratuities. The world’s largest river cruise line has a fleet of 75 ships plying Europe’s great waterways as well as the Mississippi, Mekong and the Nile. Its light-filled, 190-capacity ‘longships’ are thoughtfully designed with plenty of balcony cabins (a rarity on river vessels) and space to dine al fresco. Avalon’s cruise itineraries range from 8 to 24 days and include shore excursions, onboard entertainment and fine dining. Exploring destinations along iconic rivers such as the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Douro, and Seine allows travelers to immerse themselves in rich history and culture. Tauck have an interesting collection of themed river cruises, such as Christmas Market River Cruises and Musical Magic Along the Blue Danube.

Can solo travelers take a river cruise?

Danube river cruises: an ultimate guide to cruising the Danube - Good Housekeeping uk

Danube river cruises: an ultimate guide to cruising the Danube.

Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 08:15:03 GMT [source]

Options include a bus tour, canal tour, pedal boats, or private auto tour, each at an additional cost. It also highlighted the brands with lacklustre cabins, unimaginative excursions and overpriced packages. Specializing in all-suite river journeys in India, Antara Cruises guarantee a memorable trip. As well as river ships, they have catamarans – exclusive 2-suite vessels built specifically for the river in Bhitarkanika National Park.

Best New River Cruise Ship

The 8 Best European River Cruises 2024 - Forbes

The 8 Best European River Cruises 2024.

Posted: Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

River cruises get you straight to city centres, so there’s more time for sightseeing and excursions. Our ratings reveal that paying more for your river cruise doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a better time. Known for their French cuisine and hospitality onboard, CroisiEurope excels at multi-generational all-inclusive cruising. Belmond’s highly curated and exclusive itineraries focus on exclusive experiences, culinary delights, and scenic landscapes.

The 4 Best Luxury River Cruises

Though many European countries have been off-limits for travelers, memories of recent trips to one of the world's iconic river cruising destinations helped inform voters' choices this year. Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. The iconic river ships of No. 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers giving the stalwart high marks, moving it up three places. Viking has river ships across Europe, of course, but also sails the Mekong and the Nile. 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.

Not only can passengers cruise major rivers and European coastlines, but they can also experience more intimate French canals aboard one of CroisiEurope’s fleet of 11-cabin barges. Guests plying America’s waterways with American Cruise Lines enjoy some of the most environmentally-friendly small ships and riverboats on the continent. Professional chefs cook up delectable meals from locally sourced ingredients, while musicians, naturalists, and historians come aboard to enhance the cruising experience.

What Readers Loved

best river cruise lines

River cruise line AmaWaterways is bringing back its Soulful Epicurean river cruises in 2024 with two additional departures available for the 10-night “Soulful Epicurean Experience on the River” sailing on the Rhône River. Along with visits to bustling cities like Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City, Aqua Expeditions' Mekong River cruises also visits serene ports in the countryside. Imagine kayaking to floating villages, watching silk weavers at work, and biking to village markets. Beyond the beautiful sights in Cambodia and Vietnam, the ship, Aqua Mekong, is a marvel in itself.

Next, from Kalama, Washington, you can join an excursion to visit the remnants of the area around Mount St. Helens, which suffered a devastating eruption in 1980. There's eagle spotting in Red Wing and agricultural innovation in Quad Cities, Iowa. You'll enjoy Mark Twain lore in Hannibal, Missouri, and architectural landmarks, such as the soaring Gateway Arch, in St. Louis. The Tauck Suites are large, at over 300 square feet and have a large bed as well as a fold-out sofa.

AmaWaterways has been leading the way for wellness on river cruises for years, but it never rests on its laurels. Instead, it innovates and creates new options for active guests that are fun and challenging. Each ship sails with a wellness director, who leads multiple fitness class daily, somehow making them accessible to all skill levels. Active excursions are offered, and ships have fleets of bikes available for borrowing.

Excursions include a tour of a medieval castle and tasting of Sauternes, a stop in Pauillac, gateway to the Medoc wine region, and a Saint-Emilion tour and tasting. Returning to Bordeaux, guests will explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of the wine world. The UK’s biggest provider has landed one of the top spots in our past five surveys. Riviera charters a dozen ships in Europe, carrying 120 to 169 passengers, and it uses local companies for its Egyptian and Vietnamese cruises.

U.K.-based Riviera River Cruises offers more than 20 itineraries throughout Europe that appeal to value-conscious travelers. The fleet of young ships features extras like tea- and coffee-making facilities in all cabins, free Wi-Fi, and Juliet balconies in some cabins, as well as fares inclusive of meals, excursions, and entertainment. The 106- to 196-passenger ships in Europe also have a wellness focus with small spas and fitness rooms and a fleet of bikes for use either on your own or on organized excursions. Guests are kept busy (if they wish to be) with daily shore excursions, and most cruises offer several options depending on interests and activity levels. Bikes and walking tours are available in most ports, or guests can choose a leisurely day in a comfortable lounge enjoying the passing scenery.

The eight-day Danube River Cruise starts in Budapest where excursions include a horse show at an equestrian park and a goulash-making competition for Adventurers. In Bratislava, Junior Adventurers can visit a petting zoo, and in the evening, there's family karaoke. A tour of Vienna and Schönbrunn Palace, marionette show, concert, and strudel making are options the next day. After an Oktoberfest celebration and captain's farewell dinner, the cruise ends the next day. The eight-day "Sensations of Lyon & Provence" cruise begins in Lyon and heads to a quaint village and then south again towards Tournon, with its 16th-century castle.

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