Reasons To Enjoy a River Cruise

From April's tulips to December's Christmas markets, hundreds of riverboats sail along Europe's historic
rivers and canals, which span thousands of miles of Continental waterways, connecting North Sea to Black Sea. A Europe river cruise is one of the best ways we know to explore inland Europe, visiting cities, towns and villages that traditional big ships usually can't access.


Too small to offer the amount of big-ship options -- Las Vegas-style entertainment and gambling, vast sun decks and kids clubs -- riverboats serve more as floating hotels than as destinations in their own right. The boats are built long, sleek and low-slung, designed out of the necessity to squeeze under short ancient and medieval bridges and through narrow canal locks. Typically the ships, carrying as few as 100 and as many as 200 passengers, each feature one restaurant , few onboard activities, and evening entertainment that's inspired by the cultures of the ports visited.

However, times are changing on Europe's rivers, as operators like Avalon, Tauck, Viking River, AmaWaterways,  and others are investing in new boats that incorporate more of today's contemporary features. These new-builds feature amenities like spacious two-room suites, cabins with full balconies, Wi-Fi, alternative eateries, gyms, spas, swimming pools and museum-worthy art collections.

Beyond the boats, what makes a river cruise so different from an ocean cruise is the intense emphasis on the places visited. Every day a new port is featured, guided tours are included, and no one opts to spend a day enjoying the boat when they could be out exploring. With this focus, it's nice that river itineraries in Europe feature a diverse mix of sophisticated cities -- such as Vienna, Paris, Amsterdam and Budapest -- and picturesque villages like the Rhone's Provence, the Danube's Durnstein and the Rhine's Cochem.

Need more convincing … check out some fantastic reasons to cruise the rivers.

Cruises Provide Great Value

River cruising offers great vacation value, with meals, modest entertainment, shore excursions and, often, local wines with dinner included in their fares. Tauck River Cruising does an especially good job offering compelling shoreside activities, such as private concerts, dance performances and chef-led excursions to food markets.

Shore Tours Are Free

Shore touring is central to the concept of river cruising -- and nearly always included in the cost of the cruise. Tours vary; some are traditional city and village walks, while others feature active or experiential options (meals in private homes, cycling tours, wine tastings). One big plus: They use technology that makes it easy for you to follow along. Avalon, AmaWaterways and Tauck, among others, issue passengers personal headsets, which plug into wireless receivers so that all can hear their guides, perfectly clearly, no matter the distance or venue.

Daytime Cruising Offers Scenic Vistas

Riverboats don't spend full days out on the rivers, but when passing through particularly beautiful stretches like the Danube's Wachau Valley and the Rhine's River Gorge, cruise lines feature daytime cruising and often fun, themed meals and entertainment. For example on Viking's Viking Prestige, crewmembers will haul out beer steins, period costumes and special decorations, transforming the sun deck cruising along Austria's Wachau.

You'll Never Get Bored

Between tour-packed days in port, there are lectures, shore tours, cocktail parties and, of course, meals.  Sea days can also be hectic, kicked off by at 6 a.m. mimosa party sailing by castles on the Danube en route to the Iron Gate, a narrow gorge that forms the boundary between Serbia and Romania.  Another reason river cruising is not as sedate as you thought: The folks at Tauck have even rigged up a Nintendo Wii in the lounge for some competitive gaming.

You Can Sightsee by Bicycle

Bicyclists are given great respect in Western Europe, with huge, tree-lined paths and smoothly paved lanes

set aside just for them. Like many other riverboats, AmaWaterways' Amacello carries roughly 20 bikes that can be taken out (at no charge) in port if you're eager for a more active option than the typical city tour. Especially adventurous? You can ride along the riverside and meet the ship at the next port. The cruise director can help chart a route and warn you about making reckless choices.


Boutique Custom Cabins Are Spacious and Unique

As river lines like Avalon, Uniworld, and Viking River update ship designs, standard cabins have gotten more spacious, featuring hotel-style beds and marble bathrooms that, while compact, are still practical. Suites are also becoming more popular and prevalent onboard. Avalon has launched several all-suite ships, and Viking River's Longship design (there will be a dozen by 2014) includes two-room suites.

Happy Cruising!