European travel without having to pack and unpack your luggage constantly? Yes, please! Our European river cruises are a sightseer's dream, opening the door to unique port cities and tucked-away villages best accessed from the water. These itineraries are built with leisure and luxury in mind, including plenty of free time to soak in the changing shorelines as you meander along the continent's most scenic waterways.
But relaxation is not all that is on offer; the best cruises for seniors have plenty of adventure, too. Each day brings a new port of call to explore under the guidance of your Tour Manager and Cruise Manager, who, together, are a fountain of knowledge to enhance your journey. Let their stories and years of experience inspire your free time and make your shore excursions truly unforgettable.
Diverse as the rivers themselves, our excursions are selected to immerse you in the region through which you are traveling. There are a range of options on each cruise, which cater to a range of mobility levels. Your day might look like embarking on a driving tour of a famed wine route, wandering through the old town of a city, or exploring a stunning chateau or palace. Of course, you are also welcome to wander ashore at your own pace or bask in the views while soaking up the amenities of your luxurious ship; your vacation is yours to customize.
Whether you want to see the castle-bedecked cliffsides of the Rhine or the golden valleys that frame the Douro, here are our favorite tour options for seniors.
Convenient River Cruise-Only Tour Options
With convenient starting points in major cities, easily accessible ships, and no extra time to try to fill on land, our true river cruise vacations delve into the heart of adventure while keeping you on the water. Each thoughtful itinerary is curated to maximize your sightseeing from your chosen river and gives you the privilege of unpacking your bags only one time.
The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel
Uncover the beauty of the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland on this cruise along the River Rhine. Step aboard the ship in Amsterdam for a seven-night journey, and check into your cabin before any adventures begin. Enjoy quintessential Dutch sightseeing opportunities before setting sail for Cologne and Königswinter, where we ride the Drachenfelsbahn. Drifting onto the Moselle River, travel into the heart of the Moselle wine trade in Cochem, and then sail through the Rhine Gorge and to the wine town of Rüdesheim. The journey wraps up with sightseeing in Heidelberg and Speyer and a day in the border city of Strasbourg. Upon docking for the final time in Basel, Switzerland, an independent rail transfer takes you to Zürich for your flight home.
Paris & Normandy Seine Cruise
One of the best river cruises for seniors over 60 who desire a French getaway, this eight-day journey takes to the elegant Seine River in Paris. Begin the cruise surrounded by iconic architecture and then drift into the timeless landscapes of Conflans St. Honorine, where the scenery inspired renowned Impressionist artists, including Van Gogh. Continuing into Normandy, see the medieval city of Rouen before cruising to Le Havre to see Honfleur's artistry and the breathtaking Étretat Cliffs. More time in Normandy reveals the harrowing sites tied to WWII, and then even more beauty lies ahead at Château Gaillard and Monet's Garden in Vernon. Arriving back in Paris, you can tour the city or visit the Palace of Versailles before heading home.
Exclusive Golden Douro
A round-trip European river cruise from Porto, this journey is a showcase of Portuguese wonders and gorgeous Iberian Peninsula landscapes. Step aboard your intimate river cruise ship on the Douro, and set sail for destinations filled with authentic flair. Docking in Peso da Régua, we visit the town of Lamego and a local wine estate, then continue to Castelo Rodrigo on the Spanish border. Stepping off the ship for the day, cross into the "Golden City" of Salamanca to explore, and spend a day tasting the world's finest Port along the Port wine route. Enjoy time in Vila Real, visiting Mateus Palace, and then return to Porto for a guided city tour and a wine tasting experience before heading home.
The Best Rail and European River Cruises for Seniors
See Europe from two time-honored perspectives as you travel by train and ship on our rail and cruise tours. The marriage of these two forms of travel creates a vacation like none other, which allows you to immerse yourself in Europe in all the best ways. With a professional Tour Manager guiding the way, expertly chosen hotels during your land touring, gorgeous waterways and a fantastic selection of excursions, each journey is sure to impress.
Glacier Express and The Romantic Rhine Cruise
Combine an exceptional cruise along the River Rhine with a trip on the world-renowned Glacier Express on this well-planned 11-day vacation. Begin in Amsterdam, transferring directly to the ship to begin the cruise portion of your itinerary. After touring the city or getting to know Dutch cheese culture, your luxurious ship drifts down the Rhine to ports of call like Cologne, where we ride the Drachenfelsbahn; Cochem in the Moselle Valley; and Koblenz. Uncover the beauty of the Rhine Gorge and charming Rüdesheim, as well as ancient Heidelberg and Speyer. Enjoy a day in the border city of Strasbourg before docking for the final time in Basel. From here, journey by train to Zermatt and Chur, where rides on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway and the Glacier Express introduce the majesty of the Swiss Alps.
Munich, Bavaria & the Classic Danube
A new multi-country adventure and one best river cruises for seniors over 60, this unique expedition begins in the heart of Bavaria in Munich. Alongside a Tour Manager, sample Bavaria's iconic dishes and beers and soak up fairytale scenery during a trip to Neuschwanstein Castle. After transferring by train to Passau, the cruise portion of your Danube vacation begins as you sail into Austria to Linz, where you can visit the Austrian Lake District or Salzburg. Continuing along the Danube, uncover the 11th-century Melk Abbey and the breathtaking Wachau Valley before docking in the charming town of Dürnstein. From here, sail to fascinating Imperial capitals like Vienna and Bratislava, with tours in each, and sail through the Danube Bend to Budapest. Complete with captivating onboard entertainment and wonderful sightseeing adventures, this journey has something for everyone.
Paris, Provence & the Elegant Rhône
A French immersion beckons on this trip from Paris. Arrive in the "City of Love" and join your Tour Manager in uncovering Paris on a coach tour and visiting the Palace of Versailles. After two full days to explore, travel by TGV to Lyon, where your ship awaits on the Rhône. This waterway takes us to Beaune to sip local Burgundy wine before we return to Lyon for a history-laden tour. The cruise continues to Tournon sur Rhône to ride the Train de l'Ardèche , and Avignon, the "City of Popes." Upon docking in Arles, witness Van Gogh's inspiration and choose from optional excursions before one final adventure takes us to the Ardèche Gorge, "Europe's Grand Canyon." The journey concludes in Lyon with a TGV transfer to Paris - a high-speed conclusion to this leisurely adventure.
European river cruises for seniors have widespread appeal that can cater to all walks of life. Customize your adventure as you travel, choosing the shore excursions that most appeal to you, and enjoy the luxury of included meals and attentive service during your time on the river. Don't miss your chance to get the best perspective of Europe this year with a river cruise vacation.
