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As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. It lacks the grandeur of the suites, and is small at about 172 square feet, and has small windows peaking above the waterline. European Waterways isn't the most widely known European river cruise line, but for travelers craving something truly intimate and unlike any other sailing, it's the best. AmaWaterways' partnership with Adventures by Disney means families are on board select chartered sailings on the Seine, Rhine and Danube. In addition to a big presence on all the main rivers of Europe, the line sails the Mekong and Nile, as well as the Chobe River of Botswana.
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The cruise ends in Passau with a choice of bicycling, walking, or hiking to explore the city and a special captain's farewell reception and dinner. I am a freelance journalist who has covered travel for over a decade and the cruise industry for several of those years. I've written about destinations ranging from the South China Sea to the Arctic and Norway.
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With more itineraries than any other, Viking is the best cruise line in Europe for first-time river cruisers. The world's largest river cruise line offers a well-tested river cruise recipe on its fleet of identical Scandinavian-style longships. Insightful port talks provide information on the next day's program that cover all questions, such as how much walking is involved and difficulty levels. The ships deliver great food and wine and beyond-the-norm experiences on shore, such as the chance to sip local varietals in a wine cave.
River Cruises Plan a River Cruise - Cruise Critic
River Cruises Plan a River Cruise.
Posted: Mon, 06 Nov 2023 21:36:09 GMT [source]
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Returning to Bordeaux, guests will explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of the wine world. The 196-passenger, Danube-based AmaMagna is a standout among the cruise line’s well-equipped offerings. Limber up for a game of pickleball on the full-size court that was just added in 2023. Passengers can work out solo at the Zen Wellness Studio or join an open-air spin class, while drinking in scenic river views.
They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). These cruises offer 25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). CroisiEurope is the largest company based in Europe and operates a fleet of riverboats and hotel barges. While people from North America aren't regular passengers on the line's European river cruises, the line is bilingual so English-speaking passengers won't be left out. There are also four different dining venues (more than most river ships), and that choice has proven popular with previous passengers.
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With 55 Nordic-inspired “Longships” sailing mainland Europe—including the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône and Elbe—plus four ships on Portugal's River Douro, Viking has an itinerary for every type of river cruiser. Most luxury river cruise companies offer all-inclusive packages, with alcohol, shore excursions, airport transfers and gratuities factored into their fares. You can also expect superior service, magnificent ships, five-star amenities and exceptional cuisine. Although these cruises typically have fewer inclusions—you’ll spend extra on things such as shore excursions and alcohol—comfort river cruises are the best option for budget-minded travelers. Companies such as CroisiEurope and A-ROSA package their fares to include wine, beer and soft drinks, so finding a largely all-inclusive cruise at the price point is possible. Along with visits to bustling cities like Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City, Aqua Expeditions' Mekong River cruises also visits serene ports in the countryside.
Established in 1976, Croisi offers cruises on rivers, canals, and seas with a fleet of oceangoing ships, canal barges, and river cruise ships. The company's innovative approach allowed them to be pioneers on several rivers in Europe including the Gironde, Loire, Po, and Elbe, basing their ships' design on the characteristics of the waterways. Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. Their deluxe beds and luxurious linens provide comfort in spacious, quiet quarters with ample closet space. Avalon offers "Active & Discovery" river cruises with activities for a variety of energy and fitness levels, from traditional sightseeing to action-packed experiences. Guests are kept busy (if they wish to be) with daily shore excursions, and most cruises offer several options depending on interests and activity levels.
Similar vessels sail France's lesser-known Elbe River and CroisiEurope is also the only line to sail on Spain's Guadalquivir River and the Vltava River in the Czech Republic. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. The hand-held, everything-taken-care-of luxury experience that Tauck provides is hard to beat. For those seeking consistency and value, Viking is the best of the mainstream river companies. For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor.
Best European River Cruise For Foodies: Riverside Luxury Cruises, Riverside Ravel
Vicksburg, Mississippi, is home to one of the Civil War's most famous battlefields. Baton Rouge, Louisiana's capital, has something to satisfy every interest, from Cajun cuisine to tours of the restored World War II-era USS Kidd. Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet.
American Cruise Line sails all the waterways mentioned above, while Viking offers itineraries solely on the Mississippi. Additionally, Lindblad Expeditions has introduced a food-and-wine-centric river cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The entry-level cabin, the Petit Suite, is about 188 square feet is larger than most standard rooms, while the Deluxe Suite has French balconies, and opulent Explorer Suites boast large windows. All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. Solo travelers will appreciate that there are dedicated Solo Traveler Suites with no surcharge for a non-double occupancy booking, which is unheard of with cruising. Programming and excursions are geared toward kids, To that end, expect a focus on storytelling rather than straight history lessons.
If exploring the central U.S. — Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri — without driving is appealing, consider the 15-night Grand Ohio River Cruise offered by American Cruise Lines. You'll enjoy regionally inspired dining and eclectic landmarks along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers as you sail. American Cruise Line offers this itinerary on five ships from April to October 2024, 2025 and 2026. Three of the ships (American Song, American Jazz and American Harmony) are 180-passenger modern river ships launched from 2018 to 2020. American Pride is a 150-passenger paddlewheeler launched in 2012, and American West is a 110-passenger veteran paddlewheeler launched in 1995. In Tennessee's two famous music cities, you'll have a chance to visit Elvis Presley's Graceland, stroll blues club-lined Beale Street and check out the Grand Ole Opry.
Activities include educational lectures from visiting professors, and well as local entertainment, and even Broadway-level performances. The ship's "Design Your Time" concierge service will help personalize your onboard and onshore experiences. The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. Throughout the voyages, they feature special drinking and dining events for guests along with entertainment themed to the country you're visiting such as a string quartet or folk dancing. Adventures by Disney is, unsurprisingly, one of the best river cruise lines for families in Europe. The line charters AmaWaterways and, while you shouldn't expect a bevy of Disney branding on the ship, Disney's Adventure Guides are trained to bring kids into the river cruise experience.
A naturalist, historian and geologist will be on hand to guide you on excursions by foot, kayak, Zodiac and jet boat. These excursions are all included in the price of the cruise and are considered part of the river experience, although they aren't included for the sole domestic option on our list, the American Queen Steamboat Company. The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable.
For those that love the outdoors, river journeys are a way to experience the natural landscape of the dream destinations. This year, the river cruise market has been anticipating more travel, so consider booking these once-in-a-lifetime voyages as early as you can. Though many European countries have been off-limits for travelers, memories of recent trips to one of the world's iconic river cruising destinations helped inform voters' choices this year. Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. The iconic river ships of No. 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers giving the stalwart high marks, moving it up three places. Viking has river ships across Europe, of course, but also sails the Mekong and the Nile.
Their cruise in northern Italy along the Po River, "From the Canals of Venice to Renaissance-infused Mantua," is a seven-day excursion starting in Venice where guests can discover St. Mark's Square and Doge's Palace. In partnership with CroisiEurope aboard the MS Michelangelo, the ship heads west to Vicenza and then on to Chioggia. The next days are spent in Cremona and Mantua with disembarkation and a coach trip back to Venice.
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