European River Cruising Guide— Map, What to Pack, Facts & More!
Focused on four rivers and seven European countries, this is one of our most jam-packed travel destination posts to date! European River Cruises are a great way for first-time international travelers to experience the continent, but can be confusing to explain to clients who don’t know the region. This post is designed to help you understand river cruising in Europe, but also to you to get the most out of your river cruise vacation. With an easy-to-follow map, valuable fact sheets, seasonal packing lists and itineraries, and a variety of focused images, we hope this helps you confidently book your European River Cruise!
A European river cruise is a great choice for a vacation!
Whether it’s an eight day cruise down the Rhine or a twenty-two day cruise to see the entirety of the Danube, there is so much to see and do.
Seasons to European River Cruising
The high season for river cruises are usually June through August, and late November through December for the Christmas Markets.
The low season is typically April through May, and September through October.
Also, most ships are in dry dock and do not sail from January through the early part of March.
There is so Much History
Large rivers, like the Rhine and Danube, run through the historic towns
which were important to the history of the area. Most villages and cities
were established on these rivers and grew from there, consequently, lots
of history has happened along the rivers. A river cruise will allow you to
experience them up close.
Safety and Security Concerns
As you travel through Europe, there are numerous languages, currencies,
and other things you might need to navigate. The Tour Manager from
your ship will be there to guide you and provide support throughout it all.
They travel the same stretch of the river multiple times a season and are
very familiar with it and the cities they visit. Also, because you are on a
river, you are right near land should you need anything that isn’t provided
by the ship.
River Cruise Efficiency
A European river cruise is an incredibly efficient way to travel. There will
be no down time as you move from country to country. Rather, your travel
time becomes part of the vacation. You’ll be enjoying scenic landscapes
and great cuisine instead of waiting in lines at bus or train stations.
About the Accommodations
There will be one beautiful room which will be all yours for the entirety
of your trip. You will have a comfortable bed and private bathroom. Although they are relatively small, everything you need will be there. And
the best part is you won’t have to keep changing hotels as you travel
through the continent.
5 Fast Facts for European River Cruises
1. You won’t get seasick on a river cruise! This is great news for travelers who are prone to motion sickness.
2. It is important to “go with the flow” while on a river cruise. Itineraries can change due to the water level. If the water is too high and the ship cannot get under bridges, they may change the itinerary or arrange for alternative transportation for excursions. The same may happen if there is a drought.
3. River cruising feels more like staying at a movable, boutique hotel than on a cruise ship. This is because they hold much fewer people. You will likely know most of your fellow passengers by the end of your trip, making it easyto create life-long friendships.
4. A river cruise is an active vacation. You will be up early and off the ship to explore your destination. If you go back to the ship for lunch, you will be out again for an afternoon excursion.
5. While at their destination, another river cruise boat might moor next to you. This means if you open the curtain in your cabin, you will be looking directly into a room on the neighboring ship. Be sure to keep those curtains closed.
5 Things to Pack
1. Comfortable walking shoes — River cruises are active and will have you walking several miles a day as you explore each destination. Additionally, historic streets may be made of cobblestone, so thick soles may be preferred.
2. Rain gear — The weather can change quickly on a river cruise, so be sure to pack a waterproof jacket. They should be lightweight and easy to carry with you on your excursions.
3. Power cord and/or adaptors — Many cabins have only one or two outlets per room; that’s where a power cord will come in handy. Look for one that is made for travelers and comes with plenty of USB ports. Adaptors should be certified EU.
4. Neutral clothing — Pick items that can be mixed throughout your cruise. The space can be tight in your cabin. For river cruises, think five to seven items that can be matched with different sweaters and jackets and a few, small accessories for a pop of color on top.
5. Over the counter medication AS a whole, medical clinics onboard: pack acetaminophen, cough and allergy medicine. Should the medicine you board with not be enough, your crew will help you make arrangements to see an English doctor.
Map of Europe's Major River Cruise Rivers
European River Cruise Packing List
Depending on the time of year you visit, your clothing needs will change.
Pay close attention to the weather and pack accordingly. In cooler months, you will need layers including gloves, hat, and a warm coat.
CLOTHING:
@ Shirts, Light sweater, or jacket (for cool months)
@ Shorts evenings, winter months, or
@ Pants/Capris indoor AC
@ Activewear (for hiking/biking or Undergarments participating in fitness classes)
@ Jacket or dress (for Captain’s Dinners — “Country Club Lightweight waterproof jacket club casual”)
SHOES:
@ Walking shoes @ Shoes for evening
MISCELLANEOUS:
@ Sunscreen
@ Day bag for excursions
@ Sunglasses
@ Device/Phone chargers
@ Toiletries
@ Swimsuit/Cover up/Sandals
@ Over the counter medications (if your ship has a plunge pool)
@ EU certified plug adaptors
TOURS/EXCURSION IDEAS
. Go to a thermal bath house in Budapest, Hungary
. Visit the Basilica of St. Michael, the wedding venue of Maria and Captain Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” in Mondsee, Austria
. Schonbrunn Palace located outside Vienna, Austria
. Taste apricot brandy in Krems, Austria
. Kuenringerburg Castle in Durnstein, Austria
. Melk Abbey in Melk, Austria
. Take a walking tour of Nuremberg, Germany
. Stolzenfels Castle in Koblenz, Germany
. Explore the Black Forest, Germany
. Take a gondola ride in Rudesheim, Germany
. Kolsch beer tasting in Cologne, Germany
. Visit the Christmas Markets
The Danube or The Rhine?
Once you are in Europe, you can maximize your time by doing back-to-back river cruises. This can mean combining 2 or more rivers in one trip! Maybe you would like to experience the Danube and the Rhine. Or The Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers. There are many combinations available.
Do you prefer art or music?
Although both The Rhine and Danube rivers go through historic centers, the ones on the Rhine are larger and more modern. These include Amsterdam, Basel and Strasbourg with museums and a thriving art scene.
The Danube River’s cities have more of an old world feel, with music playing an important role. In fact, classical music performances occur on a daily basis.
How do you feel about crowds?
Do you become energized by them or do you prefer to get away from it all? The Rhine River is typically more busy. This means more ships on the river and cities which can be a bit more crowded. Some of those ships will be much larger and not nearly as sweet as yours.
Danube River Cruises have a greener feel, with fewer ships and people on the river.
To cap it all off, the Rhine is perfect for those who like romance and fairy tales, art, and are more comfortable with crowds. Choose the Danube if you like an old world feel, fewer crowds, and classical music.
Once you think you know which cruise is right for you, reach out to your friendly travel advisor. You’ll then be matched up to the correct cruise line based on what you want to see, how long you would like to be gone, and your budget. Then you’ll be on your way!
“All you’ve got to do is decide (where) to go, and the hard part is over!” — Tony Wheeler
Variety is the Spice of Life
River cruise companies offer plenty of variety in onboard entertainment, with some exceptional performers and guest speakers. On many Paris & Normandy river cruises, the night before going to the Normandy Beaches, a guest speaker talked about the events leading up to World War II. It added tremendous historical insight and enriched our experience. Also, on this river cruise, there was an outstanding performer who did the life of Édith Piaf, the famous French singer known for “La Vie en Rose.”
Reasons to Get Excited about European River Cruising!
Krems Old World Streets — Established in 995, Krems, Austria has a rich history. It was one of the first places to create coins in Austria and was one of the wealthiest cities during medieval times due to its production of wine. It also has the dubious distinction of having the oldest grave in Austria.
Beer in Germany — Looking for beer in Cologne, Germany? Kélsch is it! Currently there are 13 breweries making this local beverage. Prost! (Translation: Cheers!)
Black Forest Cake — Black Forest Cake originated in Germany during the late 16th Century. Bakers combined their love of the regional sour cherries with chocolate, which was a relatively new ingredient for them. Today, people all over the world are delighted by this truly distinctive cake.
Fun Fact — You won’t get seasick on a river cruise. There are several factors that contribute to this wonderful experience. Rivers don’t have large waves and the ships that sail on them have flat bottoms.
Vineyard Near Krems, Austria — Lying along the banks of the Danube River, the climate in Krems, Austria is perfect for producing Riesling. The warm air currents coming from the east, combined with the soil make a ripe and aromatic wine. Some of the best Rieslings in the world are produced right here. We can see why!
Rhine river cruises are some of the most popular in the world and there’s a reason why. Scenic landscapes and a stress-free vacation are just the start. Contact us to learn all about what this amazing cruise has to offer. While the ship sails quietly amongst villages and vineyards, we dream of the treasures waiting just around the bend.
Christmas Market Snacks — If you’re heading to the Christmas Markets in Europe, suggest you go hungry! Each town and village put their own spin on it with local delicacies. The food options are many, varied, and absolutely delicious!
Basel — Basel, Switzerland is located on the Rhine River. It boasts over 300 days of sunshine which means you’ll need to bring sunscreen no matter when you visit.
Budapest, Hungary — The Danube River winds through Budapest allowing river cruisers to see the two cities which combined to make the capital of Hungary: Buda and Pest. These two cities are connected by famous bridges such as the Széchenyi Chain Bridge.
‘The river has great wisdom and whispers its secrets to the hearts of men.’ — Mark Twain
Thermal Bath — Gellert Spa is one of the most famous thermal baths in Budapest. It opened in 1918 and is still serving clients with mineral rich, thermal baths today. It’s decorated with tile mosaics and beautiful balconies. If the thermal baths are on your “must do’ list, give us a call. We would love to help you get there. Don’t forget your rubber duckie when going to the thermal baths in Budapest.
Ship at Sunset — A river cruise will remove all the stress and strain of planning a trip through Europe. No need to unpack your luggage only to repack them when going to a different destination as your ship will serve as your hotel for the entirety of your trip. Instead of worrying about details like hotel confirmations or transportation tickets in each town, you’ll be able to truly enjoy your vacation.
With the wake trailing behind us and the sun setting in the west, we look forward to sweet dreams and another day on the river.
