Once the wedding bells have stopped ringing and you and your new spouse are ready to start their lives together, why not plan a European riverboat cruise as your honeymoon trip? These trips provide an incredible way to see iconic European destinations while indulging in delicious gourmet cuisine without having to deal with crowds or children!
Romance on the River
Luxury cruise lines like Crystal and Viking provide honeymooners with romantic itineraries designed around unique destination experiences and round-the-clock room service, making their cruises ideal for honeymooning couples. A seven-night Rhine River trip with Viking includes scenic cruising as well as stops full of cultural/historical attractions; such as Kinderdijk Windmill Fields, Rijksmuseum & Anne Frank House Museum in Amsterdam, Gothic architecture in Cologne etc.
Liane Lance of Cruise Holidays/Picture This Travel in Kansas City, MO recommends this itinerary as being less crowded than other river cruises. Enjoy lunches under shaded weeping willows under an outdoor lunch pavilion; explore Chateau de Chissay; and stroll through lush gardens at Chateau de Villandry for an unforgettable romantic river cruise experience!
Bordeaux cruises are also an ideal way to indulge in food and wine enthusiasts. Take in breathtaking vineyards around Beaune while visiting charming villages perfect for strolls together.
A More Intimate Experience
An intimate riverboat cruise offers couples an immersive and memorable experience, particularly on smaller vessels. Unlike oceangoing ships, riverboats can dock closer to iconic landmarks like Eiffel Tower and Louvre for easy sightseeing trips.
Many riverboats also provide couples with multiple no-surcharge restaurants so that they can share meals together each evening of their trip, satisfying culinary cravings while sharing information about favorite dishes.
Consider embarking on an American Queen Steamboat Company Washington Wine Country cruise for an indulgent honeymoon, featuring chef- and sommelier-designed wine pairings to accompany dinner.
Alternatively, spring or fall travel offers you the best chance at escaping crowds. At these times of year it is easier to book accommodations and enjoy ideal European weather – like Scotland with long sunny days and mild temperatures – perfect for romantic walks in Glen Coe or scenic train rides on Jacobite Steam Train tours.
A More Exciting Experience
River cruises offer plenty of active exploration opportunities. On Regent’s 3,238-passenger Norwegian Prima, for instance, you can explore Northern Europe during a summer tour and witness breathtaking fjords along Norway’s rugged coast as well as hike wildflower-covered hills or soak in iconic hot springs – not forgetting stylish Amsterdam and charming Bruges in Belgium!
French rivers offer plenty of adventure — particularly during sailing trips in spring and early autumn when balmy weather and less-crowded ports make a trip more pleasurable than during peak summer months. Plus, enjoy visiting famous chateaux like those found in Loire Valley as well as wine tasting.
Scenic’s luxury vessels provide the ideal platform to combine food and romance, offering culinary-themed honeymoon cruises on board one of their hotel barges – not too large so as not to feel overwhelmed by fellow passengers, and not too small so as not to have access to amenities you require for an ideal romantic honeymoon cruise experience.
A More Affordable Experience
River cruises tend to cost less than ocean voyages and will save on accommodations, meals and shore excursions. Plus, river ships are usually smaller than ocean liners so can feel less crowded during your voyage.
Avalon Waterways hosts its “Magnificent Europe” cruise each summer from Amsterdam with canal tours. After traveling along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, Avalon takes guests through Bruges where you can explore medieval streets while tasting some of Belgium’s delectable chocolates and waffles.
Silversea offers luxurious cruises featuring all-suite cabins with private balconies and an extensive list of European destinations, such as Loire Valley with outdoor lunch beneath weeping willows or Chateau de Villandry – as well as all meals, drinks, excursions and off-shore excursions – for honeymooners at discounted rates compared to other cruise lines – its new AmaMagna sailing this summer to Austria and Germany is an especially good deal.
