River cruises provide the ideal experience for first-time river travelers as well as those looking for something different. Unlike oceangoing ships, most river cruises carry no more than 150 passengers for a more intimate voyage experience.
Grand Circle River Cruises offer several budget-minded European trips. Their seven-night Rhine Getaway itinerary from Amsterdam to Basel in March and their Romantic Danube cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg are both under $2,000 with daily excursions included.
Cost 
River cruises differ from ocean cruises in that they’re all-inclusive experiences that include accommodations, meals and excursions – which makes for an affordable way to travel through Europe in just a few days. Though not the cheapest form of travel available today, river cruising offers more value than high-speed train tickets could ever do!
Many river cruise lines feature tours as part of select itineraries that span from cultural and culinary experiences to physical activities and historical excursions, with Avalon Waterways offering tours to Normandy beaches for an eye-opening insight into World War II on select trips.
Viking Cruises, for instance, provides two-for-one savings on select European river cruises; early payment and loyalty offers may also be available. Furthermore, some tour operators combine river cruises with land tours for an all-encompassing vacation package to Europe that’s generally more cost-effective and lasts longer.
Time of Year
European river cruises make for an excellent vacation option year-round, depending on weather, activity options, and special events. Summer is generally considered the ideal season for traveling through northern Europe as its landscapes burst with color while days get longer as you head further north.
On a Seine river cruise, for example, you can visit the home and gardens of impressionist painter Claude Monet in Giverny as well as landmarks such as Rouen Cathedral (where Joan of Arc lived during childhood), Rouen Cemetery and other significant locations.
Viking offers an enchanting ten-day Rhine River Cruise departing Amsterdam and stopping in Belgium and Holland before reaching Basel – perfect for exploring canals in the region, taking in historical sights, taking part in theater performances, tasting culinary treats as well as exploring southwestern France with visits to Burgundy, Provence and Champagne!
Itinerary
River cruises offer itineraries to suit a range of interests and preferences. A European Danube cruise provides travelers with the opportunity to discover eastern and central Europe with stops such as Vienna, Munich and Prague. Meanwhile, travelers interested in wine will appreciate a journey down the Rhine where its waters wind their way past slope-side vineyards, historic old towns and fairy tale castles.
AmaWaterways is the industry leader for European river cruises, boasting elegant vessels with all-inclusive experiences on Europe’s rivers. Fares cover meals onboard (including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant) fitness classes and shore excursions; with AmaMagna featuring cabins nearly twice as spacious than typical European ships for guests to take in views either from their staterooms or one of her many terraces.
Ports of Call 
As opposed to ocean cruises, European river cruises sail through the heart of Europe and stop at cities and towns renowned for their opera houses, museums and grand royal palaces – as well as stunning natural landscapes such as lush vineyards on the Moselle riverbanks or vast gorges in which you’ll pass.
River cruise companies vary widely in what’s included with their voyages; most provide daily escorted walking tours and excursions to UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as lectures to bring your destination alive. Some lines, like Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours, even include unlimited drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi access and transfers in their price.
Road Scholar’s European riverboat trips take you to some of the best spots on the Rhine, Danube, Main, and other great rivers of Germany, Austria, France, Belgium and The Netherlands. Enjoy intimate ambiance, personalized service and access to local culture on these unforgettable tours.
