Picture a journey that puts travelers in the heart of the action and amidst enchanting towns and magnificent cities. Imagine an itinerary that simultaneously unveils little-seen views and winds through landscapes rife with natural beauty. This dream vacation is more accessible than you might think and is perfectly curated in a European river cruise.
River cruising, the quaint, romantic cousin of traditional ocean-liner cruising, takes to waterways that are not large enough to support massive ships. Wind through the dramatic Rhine Valley on the River Rhine, past Europe's Imperial cities on the Blue Danube River, or along picturesque French rivers like the Rhône or Seine. These journeys keep all the excitement within reach, ensuring that each day brings new views and sightseeing options in delightful ports of call. With vineyards, gorges, and ancient castles filling the gaps between destinations, there is always something new on the horizon.

What Sets a European River Cruise Apart From Other Tour Options?
When traveling through Europe via its scenic rivers, you quickly learn that a river cruise is a well-orchestrated symphony of elements. It is not just the journey or the destinations along the way but the compilation of both. It is not just experiencing a country's offerings through sightseeing but being immersed in its food, culture, and daily life.
Because river cruises cater to much smaller groups of travelers than ocean cruises, there are plenty of opportunities to wander through quaint riverside locales that do not typically cater to tourists or visit more intimate venues for touring or cultural immersion. Further, these boats can navigate to places that are sometimes difficult to reach by land or have previously been inaccessible by cruise, opening a world of possibilities.
On board the ship, there is room to spread out without the overwhelming options that sometimes come standard with ocean cruises. You may notice that there are not multiple restaurants to choose from, casinos, or giant game rooms. River cruises focus more on providing an excellent itinerary than an extravagant onboard experience. That is not to say that you will not be surrounded by luxury - because you will be. Most river vessels liken themselves to floating five-star hotels and provide access to incredible dining experiences, onboard enrichment, and bonding experiences with your intimate group of fellow travelers.
If you are ready to join the excitement, read this guide of top tips for river cruises to make the most of your first time on Europe's winding rivers.
River Cruise Tips for Before You Go:
Leave Your Sticker Shock At the Door
It is no secret that ocean cruises are among the cheapest forms of travel, but nearly everything after the base ticket and cabin is another fee. Expect to pay out of pocket for soft drinks, alcohol, onboard restaurant meals, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi.
A river cruise journey is truly all-inclusive. Enjoy three meals daily in the onboard dining room with complimentary snacks and drinks throughout the day, including wine or beer with dinner. Further, free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the ships, where it is available, and extras like bicycle rentals, shore excursions, and onboard enrichment are all wrapped into the up-front cost. No surprises.
Get Ready for the Adventure of a Lifetime
European river cruises are best suited for active adults, and daily ports of call open up endless possibilities for exploration. Walking tours alongside an expert local guide are among the most popular options. These excursions move at a leisurely pace; however, if you are not used to extended walks, it could be challenging. You may also wish to sightsee on your own by walking through the waterside towns or joining tours of popular attractions, like castles or vineyards.
With these things in mind, one of the best tips to consider before you leave is to increase your activity level. Start taking short walks around your neighborhood, in the mall, or on an indoor walking track to build your stamina. While you are at it, do so while wearing the pair of sturdy, supportive shoes you plan to bring on your vacation. You will be on your feet a lot - both on board and in the ports of call - and the last thing you want is sore arches or blisters from brand-new shoes.
Research the Destinations Along Your Course
Whether joining a Rhine River cruise, a Danube River cruise, a Dordogne River cruise, or setting out upon an entirely different waterway, make sure you map out your course before departure. Look at the trip itinerary and travel documents provided to you by Vacations By Rail, and note the ports of call along the way. Read about the destinations and their attractions, cuisine, and unique experiences. After making notes about what you hope to do or see in each town, keep them with you as you travel to take each day by the horns and customize your voyage.
Minimize Your Packing List
The beauty of river cruises is that the dress codes call for one thing: stylish comfort. Leave your luxe evening wear and high-heeled shoes at home, and instead, focus on building a suitcase full of smart yet cozy pieces that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits. Items like jeans, khaki pants, quick-dry hiking pants, skirts, casual dresses, shirts in a mixture of short and long sleeves, sweaters, and jackets are essential. Stick to a neutral color scheme for your clothing so it is easy to create numerous options from a few staple pieces. Finally, include less than you think you need on your river cruise packing list, as there is limited storage space in your cabin, and most ships come equipped with laundry services.
On the River and Beyond: Tips to Enhance Your River Cruise Experience:
From the Top Deck to the Lounge, Learn the Layout of Your Ship
River cruise ships are much smaller than ocean-going vessels, with cabins and amenities typically spread over three or four decks rather than ten-plus. While getting acquainted with the layout will not take long, you should still dedicate some time to wandering around. Seek out the dining room and the common lounge areas. Walk the ship's decks to find any games or inclusions available. Locate your cruise manager's desk and find the concierge desk so you always know where to go for help. And do not forget to look for quiet corners where you might wish to take a moment to enjoy the view or read a book in peace.
Get to Know Those Around You
One of our best tips for a river cruise for time-time travelers is to immerse yourself in the cruise experience by getting to know those around you. The intimate nature of a river cruise lends itself to building new friendships quickly. You will see the same groups of people at meal times and during excursions, and the onboard enrichment activities allow you to get to know other travelers while making memories.
With less than 200 passengers onboard, the staff will also recognize you sooner and vice versa. By sitting in the same sections in the dining room, the servers are likely to learn your preferences, and soon, they may even greet you by name.
Strive for Adaptability on Your European River Cruise
From unpredictable weather to jetlag, fatigue from long days of exploring, and unexpected attraction closures, your journey can bring any number of curveballs. While the itinerary for your river cruise is solidified ahead of time, and you will receive information regarding what each day brings in your tour documents, you are free to do as much or as little as you please. Feel free to say no to a shore excursion if you need a rest day or the day's plans do not align with your interests.
You might like to explore a port of call on your own terms or sightsee at an alternative point of interest. Many ships offer complimentary access to bikes, and you could instead ride along the shoreline while the rest of your travel group heads out on an excursion. Check in with yourself, assess your options, and adapt accordingly.
Pick Your Cruise Manager's Brain
A smart traveler utilizes all their resources, and one of the most valuable is your Cruise Manager. These well-versed experts know all the tips to make a journey successful and, therefore, are an invaluable tool to enhance your voyage. Listen to any tricks he may provide about the cruising experience, such as when to arrive for meals or how early to meet for group tours. Ask them about onboard activities or questions about the places you are visiting. He may even be able to offer additional sightseeing recommendations based on your interests as the cruise unfolds.
As you prepare for your maiden voyage, keep these tips for river cruise in mind and remember, a memorable experience is always within reach when you cruise with Vacations By Rail.