are river cruises in europe operating now

Will the drought in Europe affect your river cruise vacation?

Experts are saying that the current drought in Europe could be the worst in 500 years, with water levels dropping, especially along the Rhine River. If have a river cruise planned for the end of the summer or the fall, should you be concerned?

Not at all, according to Rudi Schreiner, president and co-founder AmaWaterways — as long as you're willing to be a little bit flexible.

Here's what you need to know about water levels on Europe rivers and what to expect if you're booked on a river cruise or considering booking one.

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Cargo ships have it worse because of draft

The dire news you're reading about low water levels in Europe now, especially along the Rhine River, mostly concerns the cargo shipping industry in Europe.

"The Rhine River is the main artery for German and Swiss transportation and also French," said Schreiner. If water levels are low, cargo ships cannot carry their normal loads of freight.

That's because the weight of the cargo such vessels carry affects their draft (the distance between the ship's bottom and the water line). A weighted-down ship sinks lower in the water and therefore needs more distance from the water line to the river bottom to sail safely without scraping the riverbed.

If ships have to lighten their loads to cross shallow water, fewer goods can be transported at once. Companies will need more ships to carry the same amount of cargo, increasing transportation costs — all of which have a negative impact on the European economy.

Schreiner says that the last time Europe experienced extremely low water levels, in 2018, the economic impact was around 5.4 million euros ($5.4 million). You can see why people are worried.

However, the same problems do not affect river cruise ships.

"Our ships have a very low draft…about five feet," he explained. "We also carry about 500 tons of water, that is ballast and fresh water for the guests."

In the case of low water, the crew can dump the ballast water and reduce the freshwater to 60 tons (two days' worth), and just refill as needed. The low draft and the adjustability of the ballast allow the ships to navigate through sections of the river where the water levels are not very deep.

Low water is only a problem at critical junctions, not along the entire river

Another point that travelers should understand is that when the news reports low water levels, it's not that an entire river has dried up and is impassable.

"There are critical points, like the one on the Rhine River, right in the Rhine Gorge," Schreiner explained. "There is rock on the bottom; there's also this little house in the middle of the river. The area is protected and that's where you have the low water issues. You could tear down the house and build a dam there, but that is not what is going to happen."

Where the European rivers have locks and dams to control water levels, ships can still sail problem-free. Another section of river that can be negatively affected by low water levels is the Danube, past the last lock in Slovakia heading downriver toward Hungary. If water levels fall, riverboats can have trouble sailing all the way to Budapest.

Because these problem spots are well known, river cruise lines can find ways to mitigate the issues with savvy itinerary planning.

Related: Best river cruises in Europe

River cruise lines plan itineraries with water levels in mind

The river cruise lines will tell you that low water levels are rare, and that few sailings are altered due to water levels – but the truth is the risk is always present. Any time there's a heat wave in Europe, especially if coupled with lighter-than-average spring snow melt or rainfall, you can end up with low water in certain parts of Europe.

The cruise lines plan their itineraries to mitigate this risk.

One thing Amawaterways and many other river lines do is run two ships simultaneously on the same one-way itinerary, with one ship starting at one end and the other on the opposite end.

Schreiner gives an example of two identical sister ships, AmaLucia and AmaSiena, that both sail the Rhine.

"We have one ship starting in Amsterdam and one ship starting in Basel…If they cannot pass Kaub [the critically low water point on the Rhine], then [the passengers] all disembark on either side," he explained. "They disembark in the morning, they go on the shore excursion, and they come back on the other side on the sister ship. In the same cabin. Their luggage has been moved over automatically so by the time they arrive on the ship they have their luggage, and then they sail on the other ship back to the destination."

Other than the hassle of packing up in the middle of the cruise, travelers still get the full Rhine experience they paid for.

If the water issues are closer to the beginning or end of an itinerary, cruisers may have to spend a few days in hotels or bussing to destinations rather than sailing there. In some cases, an itinerary may be adjusted with certain destinations dropped and new ones added. Only in very rare circumstances are the sailings canceled outright.

"We will not cancel any cruises," said Shreiner. Instead, in the most extreme cases, AmaWaterways will create a new itinerary.

Not every river cruise line takes the same stance.

"We've canceled one cruise on the Danube and have made a few mostly minor alterations to a small handful of cruises on the Rhine," a Tauck spokesman told TPG when asked about this year's cruises. "Like other river cruise lines, we've dealt successfully with low-water situations in the past, and we have a variety of strategies that we can deploy as necessary. Unlike other river cruise lines, however, we're very fortunate that we also operate numerous land tours throughout the region, so we have a fantastic network of local supplier-partners that we can leverage as necessary should alternate arrangements become necessary."

The situation changes day by day

Water levels are unpredictable and can vary day by day, depending on what the weather brings.

"We've been cruising since March with no issues" until August, said Schreiner. "We have a very good rain forecast for this Thursday/Friday, and fairly heavy rains coming, so [the situation] might change."

However, as everyone knows, predicting the weather is not an exact science. This is why most lines are not offering flexible cancellation policies or waiving penalties for canceling a river cruise because they're worried their itinerary will get disrupted due to low water levels.

"If you want to cancel a cruise right now in October because of low water, I will tell you, 'Sorry, we don't know if there's low water in October,'" said Schreiner. "You don't know a week or 10 days in advance what will happen with the water levels. They can go up, they can go down, rain can come in."

Ships might be able to pass through a tricky spot, like Kaub, today but not tomorrow, or can't this week but can next week. Some years, low water levels caused disruptions as early as June and some years as late as October. Just as with ocean sailings, there's always a risk that weather and river/sea conditions can impact that itinerary, and cruisers must accept that itineraries cannot be set in stone.

If you book a river cruise, you acknowledge that you might not get the exact itinerary you signed up for.

Related: Booking your first river cruise? Here's what you need to know.

You will be reimbursed

Most river cruise lines do not allow guests to cancel pre-cruise without penalty except for in the most extreme circumstances. However, you won't be entirely out of luck if your itinerary changes once you arrive at your ship.

For every day that is altered, AmaWaterways guests will get 50% of the daily rate they paid as a future cruise credit. If the whole itinerary is changed, you'll get to sail the new itinerary and receive a 100% future cruise credit to book another cruise. Tauck says it deals with compensation on a case-by-case basis.

Should your cruise be canceled, the cruise line will also offer compensation. "While we may have to make changes to some of our itineraries and have had to cancel a few voyages, impacted guests and travel partners have and will receive transparent updates and the opportunity to re-book onto another sailing," shared Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld, in an email to TPG.

This is not the end of river cruising

A recent CNN article proclaimed that summer droughts like the current one, plus global warming, could signal a death knell for river cruises in the near future. Schreiner does not hold with that assertion because river cruise lines simply adjust their schedules year after year for optimal weather conditions.

"Look at the Mekong — you don't cruise in May, June, July and August because it's too hot. You don't cruise in Egypt in June/July because it's too hot. In Europe, we don't cruise in January, February and into early March because it's too cold," he explained. "Maybe 10 years from now we cruise the Danube and Rhine in January/February/March and we stop in the summertime because August is too hot and there are low water areas."

"We don't know what the future will bring," he continued. "But it's clear that river cruising is not going away anytime soon."

Bottom line

This year's summer drought in Europe could affect your upcoming river cruise, but it's highly unlikely your cruise will be canceled outright.

At best, you'll do a ship swap mid-cruise, a slight inconvenience that will allow you to follow your planned itinerary. Or, you might have a few port stops changed out for new ones, or spend more time than you prefer in busses or hotels, possibly with shorter visits to destinations that now require longer bus rides.

You will, however, still get a vacation in Europe, even if it's not the one you expected.

Schreiner's advice is simple: Just go. "You will be cruising, you will be enjoying," he said. "You might see some cities you might not have expected to see and you might miss some you wanted to see. In the end, you will have a fantastic vacation and you will get a future cruise credit according to what you miss."

He added: "It's better than canceling and sitting at home and not doing anything."

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Low Water Levels Disrupt European River Cruises, a Favorite of U.S. Tourists

As the continent faces a severe drought, companies have had to use buses to transport passengers along parts of the Rhine and the Danube, where water levels have become too low for riverboats.

By Jenny Gross

• Aug. 29, 2022

Mark Farmer’s two-week river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest got off to a bad start. For the first four days, there were no luxurious dinners overlooking the Rhine River or views from the top-deck balcony room that he and his wife had booked.

In fact, there was no boat at all. He and the other 150 or so passengers were shuttled around the Netherlands and Germany on buses, queuing up in long lines for bathrooms at highway rest stops and cramming into small restaurants.

“We were not happy,” said Mr. Farmer, a sales manager for a waste and recycling company. He and his wife, who live in Arizona, had booked the August trip, which had cost $18,000 including business-class flights, to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.

One of Europe’s worst droughts in decades has left the water level of parts of the Rhine and the Danube Rivers too low for ships to pass, paralyzing commerce and causing disruptions for companies that transport goods and commodities like oil and coal. The drought has also affected river cruises, forcing passengers to cope with last-minute changes to their itineraries, long bus rides and missed excursions.

River cruising is a multibillion-dollar industry, with 1.6 million travelers, many of whom were over the age of 55, cruising European rivers in 2018, a number that had nearly doubled from 2013, according to Statista , a provider of market and consumer data. Cruise Lines International Association, a trade group, said the largest group of passengers come from North America.

Nearly 65 percent of European Union territory is currently under some degree of drought warning, according to the European Drought Observatory , which aims to improve drought resilience. Droughts are likely to become more frequent, researchers say, even as hurricanes and other large storms bring flooding to other places around the globe. Climate change from the burning of fossil fuels and other human behavior can play out differently, according to scientists, but the common theme is that extreme weather is becoming more frequent and intense.

Rudi Schreiner, the president and co-owner of AmaWaterways, a river cruise company with a fleet of 26 ships, said that when water levels in the Lower Rhine are too low, cruise passengers are taken on an excursion to a nearby town by bus and then brought back to a spot on the river where water levels are higher. For each day that the cruise itinerary differs from what was scheduled, a passenger receives a voucher for 15 percent off the next seven-night cruise, he said.

Rainfall in Germany last week has provided relief, but the reprieve may be temporary. “The question is how long it will last,” Mr. Schreiner said. AmaWaterways is looking for new technologies to lower the draft of its ships so they can pass through shallower waters. “I don’t see any death of river cruising ,” he said. “I see adjustments.”

Even ships that are able to pass through the Rhine have had to reduce the capacity of their loads, since heavy cargo weighs down ships and causes difficulties in shallow waters.

For Mr. Farmer, the last straw came on day three of his trip, when Viking, the operator, arranged for the guests to stay in a hotel that Mr. Farmer described as subpar, with a man in a building next to the hotel staring into their room when he and his wife walked in.

“That night, my wife and I had had enough. I wanted to go home,” he said. But after two hours on hold with customer service, it became apparent that Viking wouldn’t be giving him a refund. So, he said, he and his wife decided they would change their attitudes. They boarded the ship the next day, and the trip improved significantly.

Viking, which offers trips in Europe, said the circumstances that affected that trip were “highly unusual,” with the Rhine and the Danube Rivers experiencing historically low levels. “We recognized that this was not the experience that our guests expected, which is why we provided all guests with a 15 percent credit toward their next Viking voyage, in the form of a voucher good for one year,” a spokesman said. Customer ratings during the dry period have been “highly satisfactory,” he added.

The company also said in a statement last week that the vast majority of its trips faced no interruptions, even though water levels on the Danube remained unusually low. “Our nautical team is continually monitoring the situation,” the company said. “Guests and their travel advisers will continue to be notified directly by Viking customer relations if we think that their itinerary might be impacted.”

Another passenger on a different Viking cruise this month, Scott Myers, said he and his wife loved their trip, despite viewing one of the most picturesque stretches of the Rhine from a bus.

“It wasn’t as good as if you were sitting on top of the boat as you were floating through, but we were still able to see all the castles,” said Mr. Myers, the director of a county park district in Troy, Ohio. He and his wife were able to spend all but one day of their trip on the cruise they had originally booked. That one day on land involved six or seven hours on a bus, traveling from Cologne, Germany, to Strasbourg, France, with stops, he said.

The pace of climate change has affected other aspects of summer tourism in Europe. With heat waves expected to intensify because of global warming, it is expected that travelers will shift their summer itineraries to destinations further north or on the coasts from destinations like Rome or Tuscany, according to travel agents.

Ellen Bettridge, the president and chief executive of Uniworld, a river cruise company, said that in response to the changing weather in Europe, the company last year expanded into luxury train travel, with itineraries that include both cruise and rail components.

“While we cannot predict future weather changes, we are preparing for it,” she said in a statement. “Our longstanding history and unparalleled relationships within the travel industry have allowed us to be flexible in creating alternate itineraries.” She said most trips had been unaffected, and that the company has had to cancel 7 percent of its cruises.

Lisa Wheeler-Pollington, who had booked a cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest with her husband, said low water levels in the Rhine caused Uniworld to cancel their trip nine days before they were scheduled to depart for Europe.

“My heart just fell,” said Ms. Wheeler-Pollington, a retired real estate worker, who lives in Sarasota, Fla. She and her husband could not reschedule because they had already arranged care for their two Labradors, Cruiser and Scooby-Doo, and contractors were scheduled to do repair work at the house. So Ms. Wheeler-Pollington and her husband accepted a refund and made their way from Amsterdam to Budapest by rail.

It ended up being the best trip of their lives. “Sometimes the unexpected is a lot more fun than things you’ve planned for a year,” she said.

Mr. Farmer, the sales manager from Arizona, said he wished that he and his wife had been offered a refund. On the second-to-last day of their trip, the cruise had to dock in a town far outside Budapest because of shallow waters in the Danube. Passengers then were back on the bus for a 90-minute drive to the city, he said.

The group toured the city by bus and then drove back to the boat for their final night, before waking up at 3 a.m. to get back on the bus to the Budapest airport for their departing flights.

Mr. Farmer and his wife received a $500 voucher each toward their next Viking cruise, but he said he was not rushing back for another river cruise any time soon. “I literally saw Budapest through a bus window.”

Jenny Gross is a general assignment reporter. Before joining The Times, she covered British politics for the The Wall Street Journal. More about Jenny Gross

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What It’s Like to Take a River Cruise Through Europe Right Now

With covid rules and restrictions varying by country, crossing the border by boat has its own new challenges—but there are some advantages, too..

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The German town of Rüdesheim, which sits on the Rhine River and is known for its wine production

Photo by Nick Zastenski/Shutterstock

At the end of August, I hopped in a car to take a plane from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Amsterdam. My mission, from there: a Rhine River cruise, traveling from the Netherlands to Germany, then France, Germany (again), before ending in Switzerland. My vessel? The new-as-of-2021 AmaSiena , a 156-passenger ship from AmaWaterways that—at just 38 feet wide and 443 feet long—would carry me and 102 other passengers through Europe, stopping in seven cities along the way.

Though this had a typical cruise schedule, it wasn’t a typical cruise. For one, as of August 4, AmaWaterways required all guests to be vaccinated, and the ship was capped at 75 percent capacity. In between new sailings, the crew spent four hours deep cleaning cabins and common areas, and a fogging system is deployed to sanitize surfaces. Temperatures were to be taken before boarding and at breakfast. All guests were required to be masked unless seated and dining, and all staff wore masks and manned sanitizing stations that flanked all entry and exit points of the ship. Gone was buffet dining, and the gym—which normally could fit eight for workouts—was limited to two people. Dancing? Forbidden. Says Kristin Karst, executive vice president and cofounder of AmaWaterways: “Things have changed since the Delta variant. But these protocols are better for everyone, and safer for everyone.”

Off the ship, things were different, too. We were to pass through several European countries, each with its own entry and exit and quarantine requirements. What would it be like on the ground—and what would crossing borders be like? My anxiety over what I needed to produce was quickly eased: Before arrival in each new country, AmaWaterways staff would brief us on what was required in each destination and share links to paperwork to complete (and in some cases, physical documents).

Although I had never been on a river cruise before, I quickly saw the appeal: Your food—all you can eat, served by crisply dressed waiters—was steps away from your room, your room steps away from the ship’s sun deck, and the deck mere steps away from a destination, when docked. It was a floating hotel, in a sense, and after more than a year of no traveling, this slow return not only felt fitting, but also kind of the point.

For those planning or thinking about a European river cruise, here are some details about what to expect.

In the Netherlands

Before I even got to the ship, to fly to the Netherlands, I needed to produce either a negative COVID test or vaccine card, as was required by the Dutch government. (Ever the overpreparer, at the airport, I produced both with a flourish.) I also had to complete a health declaration form for the Netherlands, which confirmed I had no COVID symptoms. But once I landed, I was through customs and baggage claim faster than you could say tot ziens (goodbye): It was off to the port to drop off my bags and meet my brother, who is based in Brussels and was joining me for the trip. “Get ready,” he told me, when I called to let him know I’d arrived. “No one here is wearing masks.”

He was not exaggerating. I can count on one hand the number of people I saw wearing masks outside in Amsterdam, and inside, the numbers were about the same. He and I both wore masks when we entered a shop, but it was not mandatory, nor were we asked to produce any sort of vaccination proof. (Chalk it up to vaccination rates: Roughly 83 percent of Dutch people have had at least one dose of a vaccine, and the country has one of the highest vaccination rates in the European Union.) We were a little wary, but it did not take long for us to settle into our what-we-always-do-in-Amsterdam routine, given that our parents own a small caravan outside of the city: sit by the canal, drink beer, and eat bitterballen , or Dutch meatballs.

Hours later, back on the ship, we nodded “nice to meet yous” at our fellow socially distanced travelers and took our masks off, briefly, to dine at the Chef’s Table, a tasting menu with three appetizers, three main courses, and three desserts. I felt uneasy, despite the distancing and sanitization and knowledge that everyone was vaccinated. In the morning, we would sail to Germany.

Netherlands travel rules: At press time, to visit the Netherlands, vaccinated travelers will need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test performed within 24 hours prior to departure for the Netherlands. (Children under 12 are exempt.) Unvaccinated travelers are prohibited from entering the Netherlands for nonessential or leisure travel purposes. Read more about entry requirements for travel to the Netherlands.

Our first sail day was sunny, but the threat of paperwork loomed: Prior to arrival in Germany on days two, three, and five of sailing—where we would be visiting the towns of Köln, Rüdesheim, and Breisach—I needed to complete the digital registration form , which asked for the countries I’d visited in the last 14 days, the address where I’d be staying, and whether or not I had proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. I uploaded my proof of vaccination, and then received a QR code that I could show to officials in case anyone asked. In total, it was a 20-minute process—not bad, all told, though I did complete it twice for fear of being hit with a 25,000-euro fine . Once finished, I headed to the sun deck on top of the ship, which had a walking track, swim-up pool, and deck chairs. A waiter handed out mimosas, and as we nosed toward Germany and left the Netherlands behind, city gave way to green pastures and grazing sheep. My brother and I spent those first few hours sailing there, just sitting. I could practically feel some of the COVID travel anxiety melting away.

The next day, out on land in Germany, I did not encounter anyone who asked for proof of my digital entry form. What everyone in restaurants and bars—even outdoors— did ask for, without fail: name, email, address, and phone number for contact tracing purposes. After a few rounds of completing paperwork by hand, I did as the Germans do and downloaded the Luca app , which functions as a de facto digital guest list for restaurants. Just scan the QR code to check in, and swipe in the app to check out, creating a record of where you were—and for how long—in the event the info is needed for contact tracing purposes.

Unlike in Amsterdam, masks were prevalent in Germany. (Our tour guides in Köln and Breisach told us they were required to wear them, even outdoors.) Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test was required for indoor dining, and other than a few second glances at the dates I had received vaccines—Germans enter the day, month, and year rather than the month, day, and year—I had no issues presenting my CDC card as proof. The more time I spent out and about in Germany, the more it felt like a homecoming: My brother and I grew up in Germany and had traveled to Köln and Rüdesheim countless times, but it had been years since we’d returned. Back to Germany, back to travel.

Germany travel rules: At press time, Germany is no longer allowing unvaccinated Americans to enter for leisure travel after removing the United States from its list of unrestricted countries. Those arriving from countries that are not on the list must either be vaccinated or be traveling for an essential reason (such as an approved work purpose). For proof of vaccination, it must have been at least 14 days since the last vaccine dose was administered, and travelers must have a physical copy of their vaccine certificate. A digital photo of a card will not be accepted. Read more about entry requirements for travel to Germany.

Before arriving in Strasbourg, France, I was required to complete a statement of honor , in which I verified I did not have COVID or any symptoms. (I printed two copies and carried the paperwork with me, though I was never asked to show it.) And though we were just two miles from the German border, the rules were different: You were not allowed entry into a restaurant or bar—even if you were sitting outdoors—without showing proof of a negative COVID test or physical vaccine card. There was a bit of whiplash: In Germany, mere hours earlier, we had been allowed to sit outside as long as we submitted information for contact tracing—nothing else.

Still, as it had in the Netherlands and Germany, this requirement quickly became a routine we adjusted to: We sat for an espresso in the sun near the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg, flashing our vaccine cards before ordering. We walked toward the Petite-France neighborhood to eat outdoors at La Fignette, an Alsatian restaurant specializing in tarte flambée (or flammkuchen , in German). We drank more beer on a boat moored on the river, before returning to our own ship to set sail, once again.

France travel rules: At press time, vaccinated travelers from the United States can enter France with no additional requirements other than submitting the health declaration form . Unvaccinated U.S. travelers are no longer allowed to travel to France unless they have a pressing or compelling reason, such as being an EU citizen or resident, for an essential work purpose, or for studies. Read more about the rules for travel to France.

In Switzerland

From France, we traveled back into Germany for a foray into the Black Forest, so it was another change—a return to contact tracing, but otherwise, all existing documentation held up. After that, we sailed to the Swiss town of Basel, where we disembarked. Once there, I ended my journey much the same way I had begun it a week ago: a car to a train to a plane.

Switzerland travel rules: At press time, as of September 20, travelers aged over 16 entering Switzerland who have not been vaccinated or have not recovered from COVID-19 will have to present a negative test result (PCR or antigen) and be tested again after four to seven days. (Testing is not required for travelers with proof of vaccination or recovery.) Read more about the rules for travel to Switzerland.

Key tips for taking a European river cruise right now

Regardless of how you travel, be sure to take a photo of your vaccine card and carry the physical copy with you when you go out, as well as any health declaration forms. Research countries and respective contact tracing apps, and download them prior to arrival in order to expedite your entry and exit into bars, restaurants, and other venues.

>> Next: These Countries Are Open to Vaccinated Travelers

Here's What to Expect for Your European River Cruise This Summer

Courtesy of Viking Cruises

Pre-Trip Requirements

Onboard experience, shore excursions, returning home.

After two years of interrupted travel plans, the sparkling waters of Europe's rivers are finally summoning voyagers back. 2022 is shaping up to be a big year for river cruises, particularly in Europe, where travelers can float past iconic sights on famous waterways like the Seine or the Rhine. Viking Cruises, which recently held a naming ceremony for eight new longships in Paris, will send out its "full fleet," according to Richard Marnell, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Viking Cruises. That means 74 river ships will carry guests worldwide this summer, including for the first time on the Mississippi and the Nile.

"There's almost a degree of urgency in which people realize how precious time is," Marnell explained of the demand for summer river cruises, specifically around Europe. "With the time we've all had taken away over the past few years, they're more eager than ever to get to destinations and places they've yet to see and places they've seen previously. We're also noticing the local destinations we're visiting are much more welcoming than they've ever been in the past of returning travelers. They're very excited. It's a win-win all the way around."

While things are mainly returning to normal—or a new version of normal—there are some considerations travelers should bear in mind when embarking on a European river cruise in the coming months. If you're on the fence, also consider that many of the cruise lines, including Viking Cruises, Uniworld, and AmaWaterways, are retaining many of their COVID-19 safety protocols even as local and international restrictions ease. Still, the cruise lines feel that now is the time to embrace international travel.

"I consider [COVID-19] is really behind us," Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises, said at a media conference during the longship naming ceremony in Paris. "Now, it's obviously a much less serious thing, and I think we should get back to life as normal."

When preparing for your summer European river cruise, here's what you need to know.

For now, guests on most cruise lines will need to be fully vaccinated and booster to embark. Uniworld, which operates numerous river cruises in Europe, will require all guests to be immunized through Dec. 31, 2022. They will also be required to comply with any vaccine and booster requirements set by the destinations visited on a particular cruise. For example, France currently requires proof of vaccination to enter the country, so anyone booked on a Seine journey will need to keep that in mind.

AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Viking Cruises have a similar mandate, although Marnell confirms that Viking will continue to evolve its policies as things change. "That's something we will continue until we feel it's acceptable not to," he noted of the vaccine requirement. "But for the near-term, yes."

To prepare, ensure you have your CDC card (or similar alternative, if you were vaccinated outside of the U.S.) that lists both your original vaccine doses and your booster on hand. Viking uses an app called VeriFLY to check proof of vaccine ahead of their cruises, but some local destinations may require you to show your CDC card for specific shore excursions. It's also worth making a photocopy of your vaccine card to keep in your cabin safe just in case.

For the most part, being on board a river ship these days feels relatively normal. There is more sanitizing than guests may be used to, but the COVID-19 safety measures have not overly impacted the general experience. The biggest question, of course, is: "Do I need to wear a mask on my cruise?" The answer, for the moment, is yes. AmaWaterways requires medical-grade face masks for guests when moving through interior spaces on the ship and does not permit cloth masks. Uniworld asks guests to wear masks when walking in public areas, but they can be taken off when seated in the lounge and restaurant.

Viking Cruises, the first cruise line to stop sailing in March 2020 and has been sailing again since last spring, is taking a different approach. According to Marnell, masks will become optional for guests onboard Viking ships from April 1, 2022. The crew will continue to be required to wear them. Viking will also test its passengers with regular PCR spit tests to help prevent community spread if there is a COVID-19 case, as they have been doing on both the river and ocean ships since last year.

"Masks are going to be optional unless it's a local regulation," Marnell explained. "With testing, we are taking a conservative approach because it's about keeping the guests and crew as safe as we can. But as soon we can, we will roll back on testing." He added, "we will adapt to what we feel is best and safest for our guests and our crew. We start with that, and then, of course, we need to follow whatever local and international regulations are as needed."

Another consideration for guests onboard is social distancing. Cruise lines are booking their river cruises at full capacity this summer, which means you will be in proximity of other passengers in indoor spaces. On some ships, dining in the restaurants is communal, with large, shared tables, so guests should be aware of that possibility and let guest services know if they have any concerns. Several cruise lines, including Viking and Avalon Waterways, have guest rooms that feature small balconies, which is an excellent option for those who need more personal space.

As Europe's countries open up, so do the shore excursion possibilities. Last year, cruise lines weren't always able to allow passengers to self-explore in many destinations; this year, things are back on track. Because river cruise ships are relatively small, expect small group excursions if you prefer something guided. Avalon Waterways, for example, keeps all shore excursion groups to less than 20 people. If you're concerned about crowds, opt for excursions to less tourist-y spots or select walking or cycling tours. At the recent Viking naming event, which featured a mini-cruise up the Seine, Versailles was jam-packed with visitors, while a walking tour of Giverny was relaxed and peaceful.

Many European countries continue to drop restrictions, so masks will most likely be optional at most of your stops. Cruise lines will follow local regulations for shore excursions, so it's best always to bring along a mask and proof of vaccine when heading ashore.

Courtesy of AmaWaterways

While many countries have dropped the requirement to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter, the U.S. currently requires all travelers, regardless of vaccine status, to take an antigen or PCR within one day of their return flight. This is something the cruise lines are aware of and have accounted for in their summer plans. Viking and Avalon Waterways provide the test as an included amenity for all travelers and will continue to do so as long as required. As you discover or re-visit all your favorite European destinations, it's one less thing to think about.

Viking Cruises. "Viking Expands European River Fleet With Naming of Eight New Ships and Marks Beginning of 2022 River Season." March 16, 2022.

Uniworld. "Your COVID-19 Travel Questions Answered." Accessed March 28, 2022.

Schengen Visa. "Now It Is Easier Than Ever to Travel to France In Spite of COVID-19: Vaccination, Testing & More Entry Rules Explained." March 17, 2022.

AmaWaterways. "Frequently Asked Questions." Accessed March 28, 2022.

Viking Cruises. "Viking to Temporarily Suspend Cruise Operations Until May 1, 2022." March 11, 2020.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19." Accessed March 28, 2022.

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Europe's Drought: Will It End River Cruises?

(CNN) -- Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the pandemic-snarled water, Europe is having another cataclysmic summer. This time, it's not pandemic red tape, but what looks set to be the continent's worst drought in history. Around  63 percent of the land across the EU  and UK had either drought warnings or alerts, according to the EU's European Drought Observatory last week -- and that figure was issued before the  UK declared a drought  in eight out of 14 areas. New alerts are pouring in every day.

While the landscape is tinder-dry, water levels are plummeting. Rivers and lakes are drying up -- and as well that having devastating effects on trade and industry, it's also hitting a sector that was already on its knees thanks to the pandemic: tourism. Worse, experts say that this is a worrying sign of things to come.

Drama on the Rhine

The 766-mile Rhine is one of Europe's most important trade routes, with container ships plying their way around its looping bends.

It's also a classic cruise itinerary. But now some of those waterway dreams seem set to run aground.

On Saturday, the water level at the German town of Kaub -- a critical juncture -- slipped to just 36 centimeters, or 14 inches, according to  official figures . That's devastatingly low -- at 40 centimeters, commercial shipping becomes unprofitable.

None of this is news, says Clare Weeden, principal lecturer in tourism and marketing at the University of Brighton.

"Anybody who operates river cruise boats would have had an understanding of this because of the way the climate has changed in the last 20 years," she says, adding that low levels on the Rhine and Danube have seen incidents of passengers being bussed from one destination to another for the past five or six years. But while the cruise companies may have foreseen this, clients haven't.

"River cruising is becoming much more popular, particularly for active people," she says.

"You dock early, spend all day enjoying a city, then go back to the boat at the end of the day and sail on. It's much quieter [than mass cruising]. But drought and climate change has coincided with the increase in river cruising."

But she warns that, with the climate crisis, Europe's traditional river cruising is "definitely going to suffer" and predicts "the industry is likely to reset as a result."

A booming business -- for now

Helen Prochilo of cruise specialist  Promal Vacations  calls European river cruising "the hottest thing we are selling this year."

A little too hot: Although none of her clients have been affected yet, she says that among her fellow agents, one had a client's cruise canceled this week, and another had their itinerary adjusted. River cruise alterations tend to be very last-minute, because they depend on water levels and rain.

Prochilo says that many river cruise boats are specifically built with flatter hulls to deal with low water levels. If in difficulty, those with swimming pools on board can empty them. Railings, furniture and even the captain's bridge are designed to be lowered, while passing under bridges in high water, adds Rob Clabbers, president of  Q Cruise + Travel , a Virtuoso member agency in Chicago.

Not that that prevents problems. In 2017, Prochilo booked a Rhine sailing herself with Emerald, only to find "very low levels" of water.

"The ship emptied the pool to lighten the load and we could actually feel the ship tapping the bottom of the river," she says.

"We never saw the captain after the first night. He stayed on the bridge to ensure the ship was carefully handled."

Others weren't so lucky. Prochilo says that they floated past another cruise line offloading their passengers onto buses.

"The ship build and experience of the captains is very important when the weather is like this," she says. And she's not taking any chances -- watching the water levels drop on the Rhine over the past month has made her advise would-be bookers to wait till next year.

"I'm also advising them to cruise earlier in the season as the river levels don't seem to be a problem if traveling in May or June versus July or August," she says.

For those who've already booked, she makes regular calls to the river cruise lines checking the conditions.

Those conditions are pretty devastating -- levels are "exceptionally low" in some areas, German officials  told CNN  on Friday.

In fact, Weeden believes that Rhine cruises "will be a thing of the past" before too long.

So what will happen this year? CLIA, which represents cruise operators, says:

"River cruise operators ... are monitoring the situation and responding appropriately in liaison with the relevant authorities.

"The safety of guests and crew will be central to any decisions relating to itineraries. Where any changes are planned, operators are working hard to minimize any disruption."

River cruise specialist  Riviera Travel  said in a statement: "We have seen minimal disruption so far as we have put measures in place, such as ship swaps and minor itinerary changes, to ensure guests can still make the most of their cruises." A ship might leave a destination a couple of hours early, for example.

Viking Cruises' website  states that "low water levels will affect select river itineraries." Impacted travelers will be contacted by the cruise line.

To mitigate issues, Viking runs sister ships sailing the same itinerary, but in opposite directions. If there's a problem on one side of the river, guests can transfer to the other ship.

Clabbers says that "many lines" do this. "If low (or high) water prevents passage at a certain point, the line simply moves the downstream sailing passengers (and their luggage) to the upstream ship and vice versa. The ships turn back to their point of origin with their 'new' passengers who simply continue their journey without too much interruption."

And if all else fails, they use the boat as a hotel, and bus travelers to their destinations each day. It may not be as romantic, but it's effective.

"The distances traveled by river cruise are not very long, so sometimes passengers will even get to see more as buses travel faster," says Clabbers, from personal experience.

"On a Uniworld cruise a few years ago, high water kept the ship in Vienna for three days, and the company did a fantastic job in setting up additional tours that showed us sights that were not included in our original schedule."

Got a Rhine cruise booked for this year? Don't cancel, he says -- you may be penalized. Just try to go with the flow. But if you haven't yet booked, and want to travel this year, he suggests looking at alternatives like the Seine or the Douro.

No river unscathed

Not that they're much better. The picture is bleak for all Europe's rivers.

In France, some parts of the famous Loire river have  dried up almost completely . Some  canals have also been closed . "I think canals are a no-go," says Weeden, about the future.

In the UK, the source of the Thames has  moved five miles downriver  for the first time in history.

And of course there's the Danube. The situation on Europe's other prime tourism river is looking blue, too.  Emergency dredging  is currently taking place on the lower river, in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Although there are "no problems" on the Austrian stretch, authorities told CNN last Friday, the situation in Hungary -- perhaps the most famous part of the Danube -- is more concerning.

The drought is already devastating for trade -- an average 1,600-tonne vessel can now only navigate the river without any cargo, according to the Hungary Tourist Board. So far, the situation for tourist boats is holding out. The  Mahart Passnave Passenger Shipping Ltd. , which runs river cruises, is still operating all the way along the Danube, although some stations are closed north of Budapest. Between Szentendre and Visegràd, around 15 miles north of the capital, the river takes a major loop. "Some stations [there] have been closed for about a month, as ships cannot moor due to the low water level," says a representative of the Hungary Tourist Board.

But not all companies are managing to navigate the river -- and not all of those are having as good an experience of bussing as Clabbers did.

"I had travelers whose ship couldn't make it to Budapest -- they had to board their ship in Komarno" -- about an hour away in Slovakia -- says tour guide  Julia Kravianszky .

"Travelers flew to Budapest, from where they were taken to Komarno by bus, and they were bussed back to Budapest the next day for their city tour, only to return to the ship by bus after the tour."

Things are already looking different in Budapest, perhaps the most beautiful city along the river.

"The Danube is visibly lower at the moment, it's been really low for two or three weeks now," says Kravianszky.

"Margaret Island looks bigger, because all the rocks at the bottom of the river are visible now. Some parts of the old Margaret Bridge destroyed in World War II are visible now, too."

But don't cancel your trip just yet. The river still "looks large and majestic -- it doesn't really give the image of a dried-up river," she says. For now, it's the locals who can tell the difference.

In Italy, the Po is unnavigable in parts.

'If it's like this next year, I'll retire'

And then there's Italy, where the Po River is at historic lows, and has close to disappeared in places. It's disastrous news for the entire country -- and has also put an end to tourism on parts of the river this summer.

For the past 20 years,  Stefano Barborini  has rented boats and taken visitors out on his stretch of the Po, near Parma. This year, he hasn't been able to manage even a single outing.

"I've been on the Po for 40 years, and this has never happened before," he says. "We've had droughts before, but this low -- never. There's been erosion of the bottom so the river has actually got deeper. Usually it's navigable year-round."

This year, he says, "It started very early -- there was no rain and everything dried up."

His small boats usually dart all over the river, and up close to the beaches, to see things -- Barborini usually points out medieval remains, and has found things like buffalo bones and even mammoth teeth, he says, while out on excursions.

He normally rents boats to fishermen but, he asks, "Where would they go to fish?" Anyone using a boat in the Po needs to be extremely experienced right now -- even professional fishermen are not able to navigate, he says.

Barborini has 30-odd excursions lined up for September. By then, he hopes that the water levels will be higher. Even then, it could be difficult to load and unload passengers, as they'll have to navigate steep walks on and off the boat.

"If it's the same next year, I'll retire," he says.

Dried-up lakes

It's not just rivers. Italy's largest lake, Garda, is  nearing its lowest ever levels , adding a stretch of land around the peninsula of Sirmione, which famously ends with some impressive Roman ruins -- or did, until now.

And parts of Lake Tisza, Hungary's largest artificial lake, are no longer accessible by boat, according to Kravianszky. "In Abadki [a popular rental spot] the water level is 50 centimeters [20 inches] lower than the minimum required," she says.

"They stopped renting out boats, and many owners were forced to remove their boats from the water. The Tisza lake cross-swimming event scheduled for the 13th of August was canceled."

Tisza borders the Hortobágy National Park, a landscape of plains and wetlands, that has UNESCO World Heritage status. Animals have been brought here to graze for around 2,000 years.

"It's one of [Hungary's] defining characteristics... it's heartbreaking to see how it slowly dries up, how the birds have started avoiding the area or nesting less around the National Park," says Kravianszky.

From drought to flash floods

The other side of drought is flash flooding -- something that has hit the US in the past few weeks, with Yellowstone suffering a  once-in-500-years incident  in June, and  two people being killed  in Las Vegas last week.

Barborini says that he's worried for the Po this fall. "Two years ago the water levels were high in January and February, because when the snow fell on the Alps it immediately warmed and came down in levels that weren't normal," he says.

"The climate has changed a lot in the past five or six years."

An uncertain future

"Travel has a front row seat as climate change unfolds in the destinations we visit and, if this becomes a standard summer, it will massively impact our industry. Unless urgent action is taken on climate change, the reality is that extreme weather is going to have an impact on the destinations and communities we visit."

That's the opinion of Susanne Etti, environmental impact manager at  Intrepid Travel , who calls this summer "a wake-up call for the entire sector." She's not alone.

"The places where we can ski have shrunk -- the same will be true for river cruising in 20 years. There won't even be (environmentally damaging) snow cannons to help out," says Justin Francis, CEO of  Responsible Travel .

Weeden thinks that as Rhine tourism dries up, river cruising companies will look elsewhere. "Ships are mobile, companies are not loyal to destinations. They will move and find new areas for river cruises beyond the traditional European ones," she says. They'll also look beyond rivers. Market leader Viking, she says has been "heavily investing in ocean cruising these past few years."

This year, she says, has shown us that "climate change isn't just about heat, but also about water.

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2022 European River Cruising Outlook, with Insights from AMA Waterways’ Kristin Karst

Mar 22, 2022 | 0

2022 European River Cruising

By Anne Kalosh

Springtime in Europe means the start of river cruising season, and most international lines expect to be back to operating regular itineraries in 2022 for the first time in a couple years.

Spring in Europe means river cruising starts. Here, Uniworld’s Maria Theresa. * Photo: Uniworld

The big exceptions, of course, are in Russia and Ukraine.

Viking, which got its start on the Russian rivers 25 years ago, will not be taking passengers to Russia in 2022 and canceled its Ukraine itinerary.

“We are deeply opposed to the unfolding conflict in Ukraine and are heartbroken for all the people who are impacted,” the river cruise giant said.

AmaWaterways so far hasn’t changed its Eastern European itinerary through countries that skirt Ukraine — the route stretches between Budapest, Hungary, and Giurgiu, Romania — but the line said it is closely monitoring developments.

Like other lines, Ama’s 21-strong European fleet start getting underway in early March, first with three sold-out charters of the double-wide Danube vessel AmaMagna .

The double-wide AmaMagna kicked off AmaWaterways’ European season in early March. It operates exclusively on the Danube. * Photo: AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways’ new season continues with five vessels dedicated to “Tulip Time” cruises, five cruising the rivers of France and another 10 on the Rhine, Moselle, Danube and Douro.

Tulip time in the Netherlands — a popular draw for river cruises. * Photo: AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways EVP/Co-founder Kristin Karst cited “huge pent-up demand” after so many travelers missed trips with family and friends over the pandemic.

While hopeful, she remains cautious about 2022 because travel is still not fully stabilized and some uncertainties linger.

RELATED: A review of AmaMagna from Gene Sloan.

Splurging on Suites & Longer Sailings

That said, vessels are booking “from the top down,” according to Karst. “Everyone wants a balcony cabin or, if possible, a suite because [people feel they’ve] earned it.”

AmaWaterways’ Kristin Karst. * Photo: Anne Kalosh

Bookings for 2022 European river cruising are coming from both loyalists and those new to the rivers, including many travelers who aren’t ready to go back to ocean cruising yet.

River cruises, always in sight of land, and carrying fewer people than ocean ships, with lots of open-air activities like upper-deck scenery-viewing, walking tours and bike treks, seem to be right for the zeitgeist.

In high demand is Karst’s namesake vessel, AmaKristina , the only twin-balcony ship in France, cruising for its first full season on the Rhône between Lyon and Avignon.

France offers many more river cruise options than in the past. Here, AmaKristina on the Rhône. * Photo: AmaWaterways

Also extremely popular are Portugal cruises aboard AmaDouro and sister AmaVida , which kick off the Douro River sailings on March 26.

People are interested in longer sailings, too. Ama currently offers three seven-river trips (cruises that hit seven rivers and 14 countries in one itinerary) planned for 2023 , with a few cabins left in the spring, the summer one sold out and space available for the fall departure.

Cruise combinations are possible, as well.

In France, for example, AmaWaterways explores three rivers with voyages that embark/disembark on the same day of the week. So an ardent Ama fan could sail the Rhône to Lyon, take the TGV from there to Paris and embark on a Seine cruise, sail round-trip then join a Paris to Bordeaux trip.

Viking’s modified Longship design enables Seine River cruises. * Photo: Viking

Still another trend this year at AmaWaterways is for customers to book air travel together with their cruise, instead of arranging air separately on their own. This follows two years of challenges for travel advisors and consumers with flight changes and cancellations. Travel advisors can access Ama’s agents “much faster than calling the airlines and being on hold for hours,” Karst said, adding that the company had doubled its air reservations staff to handle the greater demand.

RELATED: What is River Cruising all About?  Check out These Tips.

Playing it Safe for 2022 European River Cruising

This concurs with consumer sentiment expressed in a recent survey by arrivia , a travel loyalty and cruise booking technology platform that surveyed 1,453 Americans, all members of a travel club or travel benefits program, about their attitudes and preferences regarding cruises.

More than half the respondents said they would want to see universal masking and vaccination onboard and social distancing during activities to feel comfortable cruising again

Omicron is “not in the past,” Karst concurred. AmaWaterways continues its proven protocols, including a vaccination requirement. When it comes to boosters, the company bows to national regulations — some places, like France — mandate them.

Masks are still required when moving around the vessels but not when seated in a lounge or restaurant. Even if such a regulation is relaxed in future, “Everyone should do what they feel comfortable with,” Karst said. Some travelers prefer to keep them on, and crew will always wear them.

Scenery-viewing from the top deck and lots of fresh air. * Photo: AmaWaterways

Harmonized Protocols for European River Cruising

In a welcome evolution, European protocols are starting to become more consistent, across EU countries at least.

Fewer nations are requiring COVID testing or vaccination for foreigners to enter, which should make fewer hassles for river cruisers this year.

But lines and travel advisors are still having to do quite a bit of “hand-holding” to ensure travelers understand the requirements and complete the necessary documentation.

While 2022 is another step toward greater normalcy, some people are opting to wait another year for a big international vacation splurge.

2023, Karst said, is expected to be “very strong,” and AmaWaterways expects to put out its 2024 schedule soon, with group charter requests already coming in.

The Floriade — Once A Decade

Meanwhile, here’s something that can’t wait until 2023: the international horticulture exhibition Floriade, which takes place in the Netherlands once every 10 years.

For 2022, it’s scheduled for April 14 to Oct. 9, in Almere, outside Amsterdam.

The Floriade splays across 148 acres with spectacular flower gardens but there’s much more to it, including fruits, vegetables, pavilions, greenhouses and gondolas soaring through the sky.

“Growing Green Cities” is the theme for 2022 and it will showcase elements ranging from green architecture and environmentally-friendly food production to renewable energy and healthy living.

Among the many river cruise lines that facilitate access to the Floriade via excursions are AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Emerald Cruises, Riviera River Cruises, Tauck and Viking.

Some lines bundle Floriade access and arrangements into their pricing; for others, there’s an extra charge.

Travelers will be able to visit the Floriade with Tauck and other river-cruise lines. * Photo: Tauck

Oberammergau Passion Play

Another once-a-decade event, the Oberammergau Passion Play — which recalls the Passion of Christ from the Last Supper to the crucifixion — has been performed in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau since 1634. Because of the pandemic, its scheduled performance in 2020 was postponed, for the first time in 400  years, until 2022.

All actors of the world’s largest amateur dramatic performance come from the village, since a special play law is in effect. All participants, from actors through to members of the choir, orchestra members, firemen and ushers, must have been born in Oberammergau or have lived there for at least 20 years. * Photo: Uniworld

A number of cruise lines have special Oberammergau departures with add-on land programs with tickets and hotel accommodations for this rare spectacle. Avalon, CroisiEurope, Saga, Tauck, Uniworld, Vantage Travel and Viking are among them.

2022 European River Cruising includes New Viking Longships

Viking doesn’t do anything small and has just ushered in eight new river vessels at joint festivities in Paris and Amsterdam on March 16.

Of the new Viking Longships, four — Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga — are built specifically to navigate the Seine and carry travelers into the heart of Paris to an exclusive docking location at Port de Grenelle, a short walk from the Eiffel Tower.

Viking’s exclusive Paris docking station at Port de Grenelle is a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. * Photo: Viking

The four additional Longships — Viking Egdir, Viking Gersemi, Viking Gymir and Viking Hervor — will sail on the Rhine, Main and Danube.

Viking invited eight distinguished cultural partners and important members of the company’s extended family to serve as godmothers. In Viking tradition, a bottle of Gammel Opland aquavit was broken on the bow of each vessel, a tribute to Founder/Chairman Torstein Hagen’s mother Ragnhild, born in Opland. Gammel Opland was her favorite aquavit.

Doves were released at the Viking Longships naming in Paris. * Photo: Viking

RELATED: Quirky contributor Peter Knego was on hand for the festivities so stay tuned for a full report from him.

Emerald Luna

At Emerald Cruises, 2022 European river cruising sees the inauguration of Emerald Luna , the line’s ninth Star-Ship. It’s due to be named July 21 in Amsterdam.

Most Luna cabins feature Emerald’s distinctive balcony design that puts deck flooring near the floor-to-ceiling window; the upper part of the window drops down at the push of a button.

The 180-pax Emerald Luna becomes Emerald Cruises’ ninth Star-Ship. * Photo: Emerald Cruises

The 180-passenger Emerald Luna joins Emerald Sun, Sky, Star, Dawn and Destiny sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube. Emerald’s river fleet also includes the 132-passenger Emerald Liberté sailing the Rhône and Saône in France and the 112-passenger Emerald Radiance on the Douro.

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About The Author

Anne Kalosh

Anne Kalosh has written about cruises for decades and her favorites involve small ships. She is the editor of Seatrade-Cruise.com and senior associate editor of Seatrade Cruise Review.

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Europe River Cruises

Experience the magic of Europe along its majestic rivers! From the Rhine to the Douro , from the Main to the Danube , we have cruises all through Europe, ranging from 2 days up to 31 days. The most popular month for these cruises is May, which has the most tour departures. Looking outside of Europe? See all river cruises .

250+ European river cruises with 1,175 reviews

• River Cruise

Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 2024

We felt very welcomed at all times and were not pressured into taking any of the excursions.

Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2024

Avalon really got everything right. Personalized but organized. Great value. Great service.

Classic Rhine cruise (Amsterdam-Basel) MS Crucevita

The whole experience was amazing. The onshore tours were great.

Danube Serenade: Romantic Journey from Bucharest (Turnu Magurele) to Vienna, MS Fidelio

Grand Danube Cruise 2024

The food was exceptional, the excursions fun and enlightening and the entire crew was exceptional, fun, and professional.

Captivating Rhine 2024 Start Amsterdam, End Basel

A wonderful relaxing experience. Made great because you could do more or less depending on your choice of excursions.

The beautiful blue Danube (port-to-port cruise)

The Danube is wonderful to cruise on. The tours were great and the food was of excellent quality.

From the Blue Danube to the Black Sea (port-to-port cruise) (11 destinations)

Crosieurope had nice food, plenty of beer and wine, very clean boat - both inside and out.

Splendours of Europe (Start Budapest, End Amsterdam)

Splendours of Europe (Start Amsterdam, End Budapest)

The local music during the cruise was so informative. Just for the music, dances and songs I will do the cruise again!

Classical Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel) (10 destinations)

We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise. It was well organized and the food was superb.

Douro Experience 2024 (9 destinations)

We did not realize that we were the only passengers speaking English as their first language

Danube Classics Vienna 2024 (8 destinations)

Food was good and lots of it, the cabin was clean and comfortable. We had a great holiday!

Rhine Highlights with Switzerland 2024 - 12 Days (from Zurich to Amsterdam)

The trip itself was the usual wonderful Scenic Cruise. Our admiration and respect for Scenic remains very strong.

The Legendary Danube with 2 Nights in Prague 2024

European river cruises reviews.

It was a great cruise. The food was amazing, the crew was really helpful, and the tours and tour guides were great. The only thing to imporve on if the WiFi which only worked half the time.

The Wi-Fi didn’t work as expected and it caused quite an inconvenience. The excursion plan is not as clear either. Overall it’s still a good tour but I think my last Danube river with Avalon is better than this rhino river cruise.

Great company to cruise with. Ship carries 110 passengers. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner each day. Plenty of stops to sightsee. The castles along the Rhine make trip a very enjoyable cruise. All staff were great.

Top operators

"The tour is a very complete experience. in both Soain and Portugal you cover the essentials of each city with the tour guides but also have time to explore on your own. In Morocco, the itinerary covered all the must dos (Marrakech, Fez and the dessert) with lots of other interesting destinations in between. The tour is very high paced, with sometimes late nights and early mornings, which allows you to make the most of each day and cover a lot. You also get to meet people from all around the world, with around 50 people in each group you’re part of and travel with. All in all, I considered it a wonderful experience

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"Very rigorous schedule, but we saw and did a lot. Hotels were extremely hit or miss. Really need to consider quality control. I wasn’t expecting the Ritz, but hot water is a must. Spending the night an hour outside of the city/town we’re scheduled to visit is also pretty unacceptable. Food was also hit or miss, but that wasn’t as important as the accommodations. Just please be attentive, especially with such a busy schedule. Everyone needed their rest and sometimes the hotels didn’t allow for much of that.

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• River Cruises

15 of the Best River Cruises in Europe

See fairy-tale villages, iconic landmarks, and vineyards as you explore the continent's waterways.

Much of the appeal of European river cruises lies in the small size of the ships, casual atmosphere, and accessibility. Unlike oceangoing ships that carry thousands of passengers, these vessels typically 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. Many also include fitness centers, spas, and internet access.

Cruises usually offer several daily shore excursions with options based on interests and activity levels. Biking and walking tours are available in most ports. On boats traveling along rivers at all hours, collecting passengers from another port, guests can choose a leisurely day in a comfortable lounge enjoying the passing scenery.

While there are several famous rivers in Europe, the Danube and the Rhine are the most popular cruise options, according to  River Cruise Advisor . The Danube River tends to be more scenic, studded with charming cities and the UNESCO-recognized Wachau Valley. Alternatively, the Rhine offers access to bustling metropolises and passes Europe's industrial hubs. Both rivers flow through excellent wine country as well. Whether you want to explore an iconic route or less-traveled waterways, these are the best river cruises in Europe.

Viking Cruises

Perhaps the best-known river cruise company, Viking Cruises promotes its “longships,” which are designed to deliver maximum space and comfort. There are ample staterooms with full balconies to choose from — including two-room suites. Guests enjoy Viking's destination-focused dining as well as the variety of itineraries.

Trip to Try: Portugal's River of Gold

This nine-night trip begins in Lisbon with a walking tour before heading to Porto, home of Port wine, to board the ship on the Douro River. Guests can explore baroque palaces, vineyards, and lush scenery along the way, arriving in the World Heritage city of Salamanca, Spain, on day six. The itinerary includes visits to Portuguese villages Pinhão and Régua to sample local food and wine before returning to Porto.

AmaWaterways

A family-owned and -operated cruise company, AmaWaterways focuses on excellent food and wine, tasteful decor, stateroom views, and innovation in its luxurious fleet. Fares include fitness classes, shore excursions, and all dining on board, including The Chef's Table specialty restaurant. New ships debut each year, but the AmaMagna, which traverses the Danube, features the most spacious suites available. Rooms outfitted with full-sized balconies are worth the splurge on these small ships; it's like having a bonus room in your cabin. For a wider berth, book a part-charter to accommodate large groups.

Trip to Try: Taste of Bordeaux

Wine lovers will want to experience this seven-night journey with visits to iconic châteaux, timeless vineyards, and delicious wine tastings while cruising the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Excursions include a Saint-Emilion tour and tasting, a stop in the Medoc wine region, and a tasting of Sauternes in medieval Roquetaillade Castle. Returning to Bordeaux, guests will explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of the wine world.

Adventures by Disney River Cruises

Chloe Rice/Adventures by Disney River Cruises

Partnering with AmaWaterways, Adventures by Disney offers cruises on the Seine, Rhine, and Danube rivers. In true Disney style, specially designed itineraries create experiences for parents, children, and teens, from active excursions to unique onboard activities. Entertainment for guests of all ages includes adults-only dinners and wine-tasting experiences, teen programming, Disney movie nights, karaoke, and trivia nights.

Trip to Try: Danube River Cruise

The seven-night trip starts in Budapest where excursions include a horse show at an equestrian park, a petting zoo, and a goulash-making competition. In Bratislava, wander cobblestone streets on a walking tour. Visit Schönbrunn Palace, enjoy a marionette show, or learn to make strudel while in Vienna. In Melk, Austria, hike to a castle or bike along the Danube for an active day. Dock in Linz, then visit Salzburg to see famous film locations featured in “The Sound of Music.” A stop in Passau, Germany allows guests to walk among treetops on a high-ropes course or spend a more leisurely afternoon with a monastic brewery tour and tasting. Say farewell to the ship in Vilshofen, Germany, before transferring to Munich for the flight home.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Uniworld River Cruises

Uniworld's one-of-a-kind vessels are inspired by the locations they visit, making them luxurious destinations in their own right. Amenities include in-suite butler service, world-class cuisine, and all-inclusive rates that cover premium spirits and wines as well as gratuities.

Trip to Try: Enchanting Danube

The seven-night Danube cruise aboard the S.S. Maria Theresa or the S.S. Beatrice begins in Budapest with a choice of tours, such as a food tour or a panoramic drive with a guided visit to the Franz Liszt Academy. In Vienna, walk between the city's best attractions or take an early-access guided tour of the Vienna Art History Museum. Excursion options include a vineyard visit and tasting or a saffron workshop in Dürnstein, or a stop at an abbey library in Melk. Dock in Linz for a full day of culinary exploration or transfer to Salzburg to visit music-themed highlights like Mozart's birthplace and "The Sound of Music" filming locations. The cruise ends in Passau after a walking tour of the city and a riverside stroll or a hike along the Ilz, a Danube tributary.

Avalon Waterways

When you cruise with Avalon Waterways, you can observe the riverfront scenery from the comfort of your bed. The line's spacious staterooms and suites boast wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows, luxurious linens, and ample closet space. Large bathrooms include full showers and L'Occitane bath amenities. Avalon offers “Active and Discovery” river cruises with options for a variety of fitness levels, from traditional sightseeing to action-packed experiences like hiking or rail cycling, which is a bike fitted to a former train track.

Trip to Try: Active & Discovery on the Rhône

Southbound on the Rhône River, this cruise begins in Lyon and heads south through the French countryside with picturesque towns and villages. Throughout Provence, stops include Avignon, Port-Saint-Louis, and Arles. During the seven-night journey, Avalon Choice excursions include culinary walks with cooking classes, hikes with panoramic views, a painting workshop, wine tastings, classic sightseeing, and more directed by three available activity levels.

Started as a New England motor coach tour company, Tauck is a family-owned travel firm offering tours and cruises to destinations worldwide. Its award-winning European river cruises are praised for personalized service, exclusive destination experiences, luxurious cabins and suites, fine dining, and professional, caring staff.

Trip to Try: Impressions from the Seine: Paris to Normandy

This seven-night round-trip cruise from Paris features stops in historic small villages and towns after sightseeing in the City of Light. In the days following embarkation, highlights include a guided tour of Versailles, Louis XIV's magnificent palace and gardens, Rouen Cathedral, and Joan of Arc Square. See the D-Day beaches of Normandy, and the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. Art lovers will enjoy a private experience of Claude Monet's home and gardens at Giverny and a visit to the Impressionist Museum.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Scenic Cruises offers both ocean and river voyages. Both feature its fleet of “Space-Ships,” which are meticulously designed for spacious quarters. Guests enjoy personalized butler service and all-inclusive cruising. Ships offer a wellness area, massage services, a gym, and onboard entertainment. Scenic's “FreeChoice” excursions offer something for all activity levels.

Trip to Try: Charming Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle

Board the ship in Basel, Switzerland. For seven nights, slowly sail up the Rhine to Breisach in the Alsace region of France. Stops include Koblenz, where guests can take a walking or e-bike tour. There's a private classical music concert and tour of Reichsburg Castle along the way, as well as optional visits to the iconic Eltz Castle or a walking tour of Strasbourg and its magnificent cathedral. Disembark in Mainz to conclude the trip with a transfer to Frankfurt.

Emerald Cruises

For its European river cruises alone, Emerald features a fleet of eight “Star-Ships” with stylish suites, first-class amenities, and room for 180 guests. Most carry bicycles, and all staterooms are equipped with hiking poles. Excursions include EmeraldPlus, a program of special experiences to connect with destinations, and EmeraldActive, which offers faster-paced guided tours, bike rides, hikes, and other activities.

Trip to Try: Sensations of Lyon & Provence

Travel from Lyon to Marseille on a seven-night cruise on the Rhône River. Overland to a quaint village before returning to Lyon to set sail. The ship cruises south toward Tournon, with its 16th-century castle. Other stops include Avignon and Arles. Throughout the cruise, choose from optional activities such as canoeing, hiking through vineyards, walking tours of villages, or onboard wine tastings.

CroisiEurope Cruises

Established in 1976, Croisi holds a fleet of oceangoing ships, canal barges, and river cruise ships. The company's innovative approach stems from basing its ships' design on the characteristics of the waterways. This allowed them to be pioneers on several European rivers including the Gironde, Loire, Po, and Elbe.

Trip to Try: Hamburg to Berlin: Discover the Medieval Charms of Hanseatic Cities

CroisiEurope's six-night cruise starts with guided tours of Hamburg and Lübeck, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a morning cruise, the ship passes through the Scharnebeck twin ship lift. This industrial marvel vertically raises vessels to 125 feet where the River Elbe connects to a canal. An optional visit to the Autostadt theme park, dedicated to German car design, and an afternoon cruise fill day four. The next day, there's a tour of Magdeburg, known for its fascinating architecture and culture. In Potsdam, wander the Sanssouci Palace gardens before enjoying an evening gala. The boat then docks in Berlin, where guests can tour the city before disembarking the following day.

A-ROSA River Cruises

This German cruise company's distinctive ships are easy to recognize by the large red lips and rose on the bow. The 15-strong fleet includes a hybrid-powered ship, A-Rosa Sena , that cruises the northern Rhine almost silently and emission-free. Family-friendly amenities include a kids club, heated outdoor pools, and free passage for children ages 15 and under.

Trip to Try: Highlights of the Rhine

This five-night, round-trip Rhine river cruise begins in Cologne, Germany, followed by stops in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Each city has a unique style of architecture and a thriving art scene. Sightseeing options include guided tours by bus, private car, or even pedal boats on Amsterdam's canals, each at an additional cost. Turning back toward Cologne, enjoy two days in Utrecht before disembarking.

Lüftner Cruises

Lueftner Cruises

This Austrian family business dates back more than 40 years and offers European river cruises on its fleet of 11 Amadeus ships. Five-star service, facilities, and cuisine are hallmarks, and the ships feature panoramic windows and a spacious sundeck.

Trip to Try: Saar and Moselle Fairytales

Board the ship in Cologne and spend seven nights cruising down the Rhine River to its tributary, the Moselle River, one of Europe's best-kept secrets , and the Saar River. The ship passes the Mosel vineyards and docks in the medieval town of Cochem for a guided walking tour. Guests can tour the town of Bernkastel-Kues and enjoy a wine tasting. After a morning tour of medieval Saarburg, the ship cruises along the Saar with panoramic views of Great Bend, an impressive curve in the river. It then stops in Luxembourg and Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet, before returning to Cologne.

Nicko Cruises

Plying Europe's rivers since the early 1990s, this German company has a fleet of over 20 river ships. Nicko Cruises focuses on giving guests a flexible itinerary to explore destinations in a way that best suits their tastes. While guests might have to pay more for a drinks package or additional excursions, this river cruise line delivers value.

Trip to Try: Renaissance and Reformation

The seven-night cruise sets off along the Elbe and Havel rivers from Potsdam, Germany, aboard the Katharina Von Bora . In Magdeburg, visit the Green Citadel, a unique space with shops and cafes designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The next stop is Wittenburg, home to the Castle Church where Martin Luther sparked the Protestant Revolution in 1517. From Bad Schandau, guests have the option to take an excursion by bus to Prague for the day. Having seen the impressive architecture, cathedrals, and Prussian fortresses, travelers sail back to Dresden to end the week.

Teeming River Cruises

Jeff and Gina Paglialonga/Teeming River Cruises

Founded in 2017 with the goal of making European river cruises more economical and personalized, this American company developed a different model. Teeming River Cruises offers a mix of programmed group activities and free time, and guests get a complimentary city tour app to explore each destination on their own. Passengers can also opt for excursions on top of the basic itinerary for an extra fee.

Trip to Try: From the Canals of Venice to Renaissance-infused Mantua

Set in northern Italy along the Po River, this six-night trip starts in Venice where guests can discover the most popular sites like St. Mark's Square. In partnership with CroisiEurope aboard the M.S. Michelangelo , the ship heads west to Chioggia. Join an excursion to Vicenza before boarding again in Porto Viro and cruising to Rovigo. After arriving in Torretta, spend time in Verona, with its ancient amphitheater and Giusti Gardens. The next days are spent in Cremona, with a visit to a violin workshop, and Mantua, where key properties of the House of Gonzaga are located. After disembarkation, take a bus back to Venice.

Les Bateaux Belmond

Belmond has another way to cruise some of Europe's rivers — on luxury barges with private chefs and excursions like truffle hunting, hot-air ballooning, canoeing, and wine tasting. Seven private charter barges make up Les Bateaux Belmond, each with its own style and size. The elegant barges cruise the waterways of Burgundy, Provence, Camargue, and Champagne. Each can accommodate four to 12 passengers, making this a personal experience.

Trip to Try: Les Bateaux Belmond's Napoleon

On the Belmond Napoleon , which runs scheduled trips as well as private charters, guests cruise the Rhône River past châteaux, rural river towns, and expansive vineyards. Begin the journey in Tain l'Hermitage and enjoy a wine tasting. After a stop at the medieval village of Viviers, the cruise continues to Grignan, where you can participate in a luxurious truffle tasting at a farm. Visit the palace where 14th-century popes lived in Avignon. In Arles, explore the surrounding landscape that inspired Van Gogh's work. Along the cruise, enjoy fragrant fields of lavender and wild roses, too.

Riviera River Cruises

WESTEND61/GETTY IMAGES 

United Kingdom-based Riviera River Cruises has four decades of experience traversing Europe's best-known waterways and lesser-visited regions. The ships, many named after British literary greats, feature standard amenities such as Wi-Fi, a fitness room, a pool, and a sauna. Staterooms have plush furnishings and balconies for outdoor lounging.

Trip to Try: Budapest to the Black Sea

While many European river cruises cover the most popular stretches of the Danube, this itinerary picks up where most end, in Budapest. The 15-day cruise follows the Danube through Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania to the Black Sea. Along the way, passengers see pastoral lands and steep river canyons. Picturesque stops include Novi Sad with its beautiful baroque architecture, the Iron Gates Gorge marking the boundary between Serbia and Romania, and Oltenița from which guests can visit Bucharest. After reaching the Danube Delta, travelers return to Budapest for disembarkation.

Related Articles

'You're not fighting the crowds' in Europe when you visit on a river cruise

Europe has no shortage of marquee tourist hot spots , but Diamond Meadows’ first river cruise there didn’t include them.

The 28-year-old graduate student took a cruise along the Rhine and Moselle rivers that took her to cities like Koblenz and Trier in Germany (she supplemented the sailing with train travel around Austria, Switzerland and elsewhere).

Meadows was traveling with her mom and her mom’s boss, who uses a wheelchair. The group chose the CroisiEurope Cruises sailing for the ease of sailing with a mobility device . But she discovered other upsides.

“It takes you exactly into the heart of the city,” said Meadows, who is based in Tennessee. Their roughly 160-guest vessel offered convenient drop-offs in smaller destinations, allowing them “to access so much more.”

Many European destinations were packed with tourists last summer . But river cruises in the continent can offer a more laid-back way to travel with small ships visiting a mix of popular and less-crowded ports.

Are river cruises better than ocean cruises?

Jen Campbell Boles, founder of the travel agency Explore More Family Travel, said that while cruising in general is a “great value for seeing Europe,” river sailings are particularly immersive. “One quote we always use in the travel industry is, ‘Ocean cruise liners take you to the destination, river cruises take us through the destination,’” she said.

Passengers visit not only major cities but also quaint villages and often disembark within walking distance of attractions. When they are done exploring, they return to a ship with an average of 150 guests.

“It's more intimate, it's cozier,” said Campbell Boles. “You're not fighting the crowds, obviously.”

That was part of the draw for Jim Jones, 57, who took Avalon Waterways river cruises with his wife in 2011 and 2014.

“The smaller cities were an attraction,” said Jones, who is based in Phoenix and works for a software company. He enjoyed visiting Avignon in the south of France, for example, which was once the seat of the papacy . “I’m a total history geek,” he said. On their first cruise, he recalled, “just about every town” they visited had a farmers’ market, allowing them to sample local food.

'Access to hidden-gem ports': Why this luxury yacht is the best option for beach lovers

Unlike ocean cruise ships, with their large casinos and plentiful bars, onboard “it was very relaxed and a much slower pace.”

River cruise vessels tend to have “less bells and whistles,” Campbell Boles said (though she added that guests get a more personalized experience as a result of their small size).

Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, echoed that. He said the cruises are less about the ship than where it’s going. “This is truly an experience about itineraries.”

Are European river cruises cheaper than land-based trips?

While travelers can find land-based accommodations that are less expensive than river cruises, there are other factors to consider.

River cruises tend to bundle more costs, such as alcohol in the fare, than a mainstream ocean cruise line, Duckworth said (though exact policies vary by line). At least one excursion per day is typically included, as well, Campbell Boles added.

She said demand for Europe is still “through the roof” and land-based pricing is particularly high. “Even if you're staying in the highest category stateroom or suite, you're spending less than an equivalent hotel,” she said.

Are luxury cruise ships worth the money? We did the math for Silversea's Silver Nova.

Would you spend $14,000 on a cruise? Here's why these travelers splurged.

Transportation from one destination to another is also built into a river cruise, whereas travelers might have to take a train or make other arrangements to visit a mix of places. “I mean that really adds up in Europe, so this is a great way to see a lot more variety,” Campbell Boles said.

Passengers can also add pre- and post-cruise stays, allowing them to “get the best of both worlds.”

“What we say is that a river cruise oftentimes can be a premium product,” added Duckworth. “But for what you're experiencing – the comfort, the (lower) stress, the luxurious experience on board – we find it to be actually the best value through Europe from our experience.”

Are European river cruises kid-friendly?

Since river cruises require a certain amount of free time – most are at least seven days long – they have tended to be popular with older guests, according to Duckworth.

But in the past couple of years, he has noticed more multigenerational travel in the sector. “We're seeing grandparents bring their grandkids, we're seeing young professionals go on a river in Europe for the first time,” Duckworth said.

Some operators have offerings that are particularly well-suited to younger guests. Adventures by Disney offers river cruises with AmaWaterways, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has a Generations Collection .

How long should I go on a cruise?: How long and short cruises compare

Even if programming is curated with kids in mind, though, Duckworth cautioned that river cruise vessels don’t offer the same breadth of amenities as large ocean ships. “If your kids want to go to a waterpark and they want to go on a FlowRider and they want to play putt-putt all day, there are great lines for you, but a European river cruise is probably not one of them currently,” he said.

Some lines also don’t allow kids or have varying age requirements, so it’s important to do some research beforehand.

For those going for the first time, Campbell Boles suggested starting with a cruise on the Danube or Rhine since they are “kind of the most iconic.”

“I mean, it’s Europe,” she added. “It’s going to be great no matter what river you go on.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach him at [email protected].

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7 of the best river cruises around the world for 2024

Take a tour of the world’s most famous waterways on your next holiday, article bookmarked.

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A cruise holiday isn’t always about setting sail across vast oceans. For an alternative type of break on the water, winding your way inland might sound similar but it’s a vastly different experience.

From crossing deep into the untouched areas of the Amazon rainforest to exploring some of Europe ’s finest cities, the river cruise experience is one that allows tourists to get to grips with the history, culture and tradition of a destination in a slow, immersive fashion.

This could be in the form of sampling Creole cuisine in Mississippi or discovering historic sites in Vietnam , but whatever it is, there’s plenty of choice across Europe , Asia , South America and North America .

Read on for a selection of the best cruises, from the Mississippi to the Mekong.

Europe’s second longest river – and arguably its most famous – river takes you through amazing capital cities and host of charming towns, as well as plenty of scenic countryside in Austria , Hungary , Slovakia and Romania. Cruises along the Danube can vary from a handful of days to almost three weeks, giving you time to explore the elegance of cities like Vienna , Budapest, Bratislava or Belgrade.

Emerald Cruises lets you see the best of the Danube with the addition of a hefty dose of traditional German culture in Munich. Leaving the Bavarian capital, you’ll travel to Passau before a quick cross-border trip to the Unesco-listed Czech city of Cesky Krumlov. Vienna is the next city, replete with opulent architecture, before a quick overnight stay in Bratislava on the sixth night. Guided tours and hikes around the castle are included, before you get three nights to explore Budapest, the Hungarian capital that is blessed with picturesque buildings, relaxed thermal baths and a buzzing nightlife scene. 

From £1,999pp, including nine nights’ accommodation, full board, tours of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest and airport transfers. Departing 7 May 2024 to 20 October 2024.

Read more on Europe travel :

• The lesser-known Croatia destinations you may not have considered
• The best spas in Eastern Europe for an affordable, yet luxurious, break
• Lisbon travel guide: Where to eat, drink, shop and stay in Portugal’s vivacious capital

This famous river runs for over 4,000 miles throughout South America and is a major part of the eponymous rainforest, one of the most biodiverse and important natural areas on the planet. A river cruise remains the best way to reach deeper into the jungle, with many cruises beginning in the northern Brazilian city of Manaus or in the Peruvian city of Lima.

Start in Peru’s enchanting capital with the Peruvian Rivers and Rainforest Discovery cruise from Uniworld. You’ll fly to Iquitos, the largest city in the Amazon as your next stop, before delving into some of the most remote areas in the world as you take to the waters. From here, nature takes centre stage, with a variety of experiences – including jungle walks and kayaking on a lake – added to the enjoyment of natural features such as giant lilies, towering barrigona trees and around 10 per cent of the world’s known animal species.

From £8,799pp, including 10 nights’ accommodation, full board, return flights from London, domestic flights and various excursions. Departing regularly from 17 January until 6 November 2024.

Start in  Cairo  and make your way down to Aswan over a few days (though many shorter routes operate between  Aswan and Luxor  only). For a relaxing way to take in riverside scenery and some of Egypt’s most important historical sites, a river cruise is the ideal choice.

AP Touring’s  Egypt Discovery  trip takes you on a round trip from Cairo. You’ll cross thousands of years of history, starting with West Bank the Valley of the Kings, before a short flight to Aswan to explore Abu Simbel and a sighting of the landmark Pyramids of Giza near the Egyptian capital. The scenery along the route is exceptional, too, with palm trees, green spaces and mini oases dotted in between the yellow-hued rock.

From £6,995pp, including 12 nights’ accommodation, 30 meals (including unlimited local beer and wine) return flights from London Heathrow, domestic flights within Egypt and activities in each of the 10 destinations. Departing regularly from September 2024 to April 2025.

Exploring this land of castles and fairytales is a worthwhile European trip, with tours often starting in the pretty Dutch capital of Amsterdam and weaving across the German and French countryside, with the route broken up by cities such as Cologne, Dusseldorf and Strasbourg. Many of the towns located on the banks of the Rhine, such as Koblenz, are incredibly picturesque, with a range of medieval castles and natural sites like the Black Forest also featuring.

Ama Waterways provide a seven-night cruise that runs from Basel to Amsterdam. Get your cultural fix at either end of your trip in either of these two cities, before admiring the vistas around the Rhine Valley, the medieval castles that loom over towns like Heidelberg and the timber-framed buildings that line the streets of Riquewihr and Strasbourg. Stops in both Freiburg and Dusseldorf are also included, as well as an optional excursion to Cologne.

From £2,399pp, including seven nights’ accommodation, full board and tours in each destination. Departing regularly between 18 February and 28 December 2024.

The views around the Douro Valley are some of the best in Portugal , whether you’re sitting by the banks in Porto or admiring the verdant hills and vineyards around Pinhao. This region, well-known for its port production, has cruises lasting roughly one week that usually begin and end in Porto – where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean – with a brief crossing over into Spain and Salamanca.

The Riviera Travel package offers an affordable eight-day Douro option starting and ending in Porto , with two nights to explore Portugal’s magnificent second city (and to go on a guided tour of a well-known port producer). Days three and four take you to sleepy Castelo de Rodrigo and the historic Spanish city of Salamanca (with guided tours and time to explore at your leisure) before traversing the cascading vineyards of the valley on your way back to Porto via the beautiful Peso de Regua (and a local wine tasting).

From £1,599pp, including seven nights’ accommodation, full board, flights from a London airport, one excursion one each day and airport transfers. Departing regularly from 7 April 2024.

The Mississippi

Discovering the Deep South is often done by car, but with new routes recently from Viking Cruises, exploring Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota and Tennessee has never been more idyllic. The famed cities of New Orleans and Memphis can bookend your tour, with lesser-known locations such as Baton Rouge, Natchez and Darrow making up the other stops.

Opt for Viking’s ‘Heart of the Delta’ cruise to if you really want to immerse yourself in the Deep South. The cruise begins with a few days exploring the French influences and Creole cuisine of New Orleans , before moving on to Baton Rouge – a haven of Creole and Cajun culture – and then onto Natchez, the oldest city on the river. You’ll travel through other towns on the Mississippi – complete with walking tours or excursions to the Atchafalaya Swamp basin – before reaching Memphis, the atmospheric home of blues music.

From £6,545pp, including 12 nights’ accommodation, full board, return flights from London and one excursion per destination. Departing weekly from March 7 until 13 June, with additional departures on 7 November and 13 November.

The Mekong flows through a host of Asia’s most fascinating countries, including Vietnam , Thailand , China and Cambodia. Most cruises only take in parts of Vietnam and Cambodia , though this mix of floating fishing villages, traditional markets and the two capitals of Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh will be enough for most travellers. With Avalon Waterways , you’ll combine energetic, modern cities with some of the most vibrant culture in Asia and a history that is equal parts sobering and fascinating.

It starts in Siem Reap, site of the Angkor Wat temple, before moving on to the Cambodian capital, where you can learn about the dictatorship of Pol Pot and visit several must-see landmarks. After this, Vietnam beckons, with a visit to the dizzying Ho Chi Minh City to see its admirable architecture. Visits to markets, old Vietnam War tunnels, temples and cooking classes are dotted in between these city trips for good measure, with stops at characterful towns like Vinh Long, too.

From £4,229pp, including seven nights’ accommodation, full board and activities on each day of the trip. Departing regularly from 15 January to 11 March and from 12 August to 2 December 2024.

Read more: Best hotels in Europe: Where to stay for a city, beach or retreat break

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We Took Our 5-year-old Son on a European River Cruise — Here's Why It Was the Ultimate Family Vacation

Most river cruise lines offer few accommodations for families, but German cruise line A-Rosa is working to change that.

"Keep up, mummy," bellowed Sebastian, my fearless 5-year-old, as he and my husband, Eamonn, descended into Antwerp Cathedral's eerie crypt. This subterranean vault, accessed via a narrow coiling staircase off the church nave, is a small room with a low ceiling and crumbling hollow tombs. A shiver crept up my spine as I stood among the remains of this former burial chamber. This was my cue to return to the ground floor of Antwerp's extraordinary Gothic cathedral. 

While Sebastian and Eamonn explored the dimly lit crypt, I took the opportunity to gaze at the church's three Baroque masterpieces by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, before we reconvened at the cathedral's bar and bistro, De Plek, moments later. The bar, inside a chapel of the cathedral, serves the church’s own brews, including a dark and blond ale. Only in beer-loving Belgium, I thought to myself, would you find beers served inside a church. 

We were visiting Antwerp on day six of a seven-night family river cruise on the Rhine aboard A-Rosa Cruises ' A-Rosa Sena . Starting in Cologne, Germany, our voyage would take us northwest to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Dordrecht in the Netherlands, then to Antwerp before returning to Cologne. 

River cruising and families don't — typically — go together, with most river cruise lines catering to a much older market and offering few family facilities, if any at all. German river cruise line A-Rosa Cruises has set about changing this with the launch of the family-orientated A-Rosa Sena, which debuted in June 2022. 

The hybrid ship, partially electric-powered, is the largest on the Rhine, carrying up to 280 guests, and the vessel also boasts some nifty industry firsts. There's a jaunty kids' club; 12 large family cabins measuring 301 square feet, sleeping up to five with built-in bunkbeds; and a dedicated kids' splash pool on the top deck. 

The main pool, adjacent to the splash pool, is almost 250 square feet, making it big enough to swim short laps. For grown-ups, there's a spa, a buzzy lounge, a sun deck bar, and a wine room for tasting local libations.

It's all part of A-Rosa's mission to draw more families to river cruising — and it's working, says Serkan Bilici, A-Rosa Sena's assistant hotel manager. "We currently have 32 children onboard, and all of our family cabins are occupied," Bilici told Travel + Leisure . "During summer, this was even higher, with over 40 children sailing, from babies up to teens, and guests from over 20 different countries." 

"We also offered swimming lessons aboard selected sailings in August, which were very popular," Serkan adds. Indeed, there were babies, toddlers, older children, and teens on our weeklong October sailing. 

The ship, which primarily operates in English and German, ensures that children are well taken care of. Typically, there are two hosts at the kids' club, and on our sailing, host Mai organized a "Meet the Captain" event, treasure hunts, and arts and crafts sessions. The children were given independence too, free to choose exactly how they spend their time at the club, with games, books, and plenty of space for young passengers to relax.  

The kids' club is a real treat for families. Decorated with nautical-themed artwork, the space is soft and inviting, with children reading, coloring, and building dens while we played countless rounds of Snakes and Ladders with Sebastian.  

It wasn't the family facilities alone that lured us in, though — our voyage, " Rhine Experience Amsterdam & Rotterdam ," was a big pull.

Admittedly, this northwest section of the Rhine, flat and more industrial, doesn't have the cinematic drama of the more southerly stretch, where vineyards, castles, and medieval towns flank the waterway. But with overnight stays in ludicrously pretty Amsterdam and modern and buzzy Rotterdam, our itinerary excited us. 

We explored Cologne's ravishing twin-spire cathedral on a gloriously crisp fall day. Later, we roamed Rotterdam’s famous Piet Blom-designed cube houses and the city's excellent Maritime Museum, where the entire rooftop is dedicated to children.  

Lesser-known Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, felt like wandering a real-life fairytale. Compact and walkable, its cobbled streets are jam-packed with wonky, characterful merchant houses, antique stores, artisan workshops, and quaint cafes. 

We split our day here between exploring the town's enchanting streets and De Biesbosch National Park on the edge of Dordrecht. If it hadn't been lashing down with rain, we would have cycled from Dordrecht's center to the reserve, which takes around 40 minutes. Instead, we made the breezy 10-minute journey via the local Waterbus service.  

We'd just heard of De Biesbosch a few weeks earlier, yet it's among Europe's largest freshwater tidal zones, home to some 300 dam-building beavers. Made up of around 22,000 acres of streams, rivers, willow forests, marshes, and meadows, it was a welcome discovery.

As well as beavers, the reserve is rich in birdlife, including osprey, sea eagles, kingfishers, and kestrels. Canoes and boats can be hired and are the best way to explore this vast network of swampy paths and islands. 

A-Rosa offers some excursions geared towards families, such as a trip to Antwerp Zoo or Madurodam, a miniature park in the Netherlands. We opted to do our own thing at each destination, carefully balancing time onboard with time in each river port. 

"But I don’t want to leave the boat," Sebastian would grumble each morning we left the ship. However, his reluctance was soon forgotten as we explored family-friendly museums and thrilling nature reserves, and he was treated to a warm waffle with lashings of chocolate in Antwerp.

Early on in our voyage, after a less than harmonious night's sleep that saw Sebastian climb into our king-size bed at 2 a.m., I almost wept with gratitude when I remembered the kids' club had programming start right after breakfast. So, while Sebastian happily played, we caught a blissful extra hour of rest before heading to the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam, a big hit with families thanks to its five floors demystifying sciences. 

Our penultimate day aboard saw us spend a whole day sailing. It was our chance to carve out time to relax. My husband joined a salmon-curing class while I visited the sauna, where I was instantly reminded that A-Rosa is a German tour operator — with mostly German passengers — meaning bathing suits are optional and rarely worn. I also indulged in a Thalgo facial, where Jelena, a former spa manager with Cunard and Celebrity Cruises, gave my dull-looking skin a blissful facial massage. 

We accompanied Sebastian to a pizza-making class with some of the other kids led by the chef in the ship's pastry galley. His jaw dropped as he experienced a real-life Willy Wonka moment; only the chocolate-filled conveyor belts were replaced with vats of colorful churning ice cream. 

As he ate his chaotic-looking pizza with his newfound friends, Eamonn and I pondered whether to choose a sliver of dressed salmon, pork goulash, or both for dinner. Another mealtime highlight was osso buco, a divine sauce-laden veal shank. 

Veal was a reoccurring theme, with juicy, seared cuts of the meat served one evening and meatballs another. A nightly children's buffet also featured popular dishes such as spaghetti bolognese and macaroni and cheese. A highlight for Sebastian: the three homemade ice creams set out each evening, complete with various toppings. In addition to the main buffet restaurant, A-Rosa Sena has a specialty steak restaurant where passengers can dine on salmon sashimi and beef entrecôte for an additional fee. 

One evening, we dined off the ship in Amsterdam and ate supper at a cozy bistro on a corner of Prinsengracht. Dining on bowls of lightly curried mussels at a sun-dappled canal-side table, we imagined milestones and romantic dinners were celebrated over the restaurant's intimate candlelit tables inside.

Later, instead of joining the quiz in the ship's lounge, we crashed out in our cabin to watch one of the family movies ("Peter Rabbit" was selected by Sebastian). Our Deck 3 room had a balcony, plenty of closet space, a sofa bed, and a flatscreen TV as big as you'd find in any luxury hotel. Some nights, we drifted to sleep with the blackout curtains slightly ajar, allowing moonlight to drift in as we lazily floated along the Rhine.

Thinking of our entire trip, traveling to five cities in three countries over eight days any other way would have been, frankly, whiplash-inducing and undoubtedly exhausting, But this way, taking in the gentle bends of the Rhine, felt unhurried, perfectly punctuated with cities that matched the energy and curiosity of our almost 6-year-old.

In the end, it wasn't just the sights that made the trip memorable, but the serene pace of the river that allowed us to truly savor each moment with our son.

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