If you’re considering booking your first river cruise, you’ve come to the right place, as this river cruise 101 guide covers everything from picking the right destination to packing tips. Even if you have enjoyed ocean cruising, your first question is likely to be: “What are river cruises like?”
A river cruise offers everything you could wish for in a vacation: relaxation, the chance to explore different cultures, comfortable accommodations, great food and wine, and top levels of personal service. With a river cruise, you get all of this, plus ever-changing panoramic views.
What is a River Cruise?
Budapest, Hungary
If you want a seamless, leisurely, and enriching vacation where everything is organized for you, then you have a short answer to the river cruise 101 question: “What is a river cruise?”
While ocean cruises sail long distances, often with several days at sea, to reach different destinations, river cruise ships sail for shorter periods of time. They navigate calm inland waterways—rivers, canals, and lakes—and itineraries are carefully planned around daily, sometimes twice-daily stops, at places of interest. There is always something different to see and do.
Rüdesheim, Germany
To maximize time ashore, river ships often sail quietly through the night, and you’ll open your drapes to somewhere completely new in the morning. Look upon your river ship as a floating boutique hotel, without all the hassle of constantly having to pack and unpack as you would if you were doing a similar journey on a road trip.
The two main rivers of Europe—the Rhine and the Danube—have been important transport routes since Roman times, connecting a chain of important trading hubs. Today, river cruise ships can take advantage of these mighty waterways so curious travelers can marvel at the magnificent cities and charming villages that have grown up over the centuries on the river banks.
Who Should Go On a River Cruise?
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Whether you’re looking to relax and slow down, or you’re eager to go out and about on a bike or active hike, then river cruising is for you. This is because itineraries offer so many choices and you can plan your days exactly as you wish.
River cruises are suited to culture lovers looking for authentic experiences and an effortless way to visit some of Europe’s most fascinating towns and cities while soaking up the beauty of the local countryside.
Bratislava, Slovakia
They are ideal for retirees, younger couples, groups of friends, and solo travelers who will quickly get to meet fellow shipmates on the small and sociable ships. They also suit families with older children who are interested in sampling food from different countries and exploring European history through centuries-old castles, chateaux, and other attractions along the way.
Read: What Is a River Cruise Like?
What to Expect On Board a River Cruise Ship
Dürnstein, Austria
First impressions are lasting impressions, and when you step aboard a river cruise ship for the first time you can expect to be wowed. European river ships all have to conform to a maximum length, height, and width to sail beneath bridges and fit into locks. However, be prepared to put aside any preconceptions. First-timers are invariably amazed at the smart interior design and how modern ships manage to offer so many venues and amenities, yet never feel crowded.
When you’re onboard, you can take a dip in the outdoor pool before lazing on a lounger on the sun deck, or settling in a shady spot to watch the world float by. Or you can find a quiet place indoors to curl up with a book or read about an upcoming destination.
Stateroom
You’ll also be surprised by the variety of accommodations. All staterooms are river-facing—there are no inside rooms—and you can expect everything you’d find in an upscale hotel room, from premium bed linen and toiletries to a mini-bar, in-room dining, a cozy robe and slippers, and daily housekeeping and turndown service. Book a suite and you’ll have extra perks, such as butler service.
The various dining venues are a feast for all the senses, serving regional specialties, familiar favorites, and healthy options. To complement the imaginative cuisine, you can take your pick from an extensive wine list. And, of course, you can dine when you want and with whom you want.
There will be daily excursions—none of them compulsory—to hand-picked places of interest, or the knowledgeable concierge can help you plan an independent tour.
Restaurant
Entertainment on river ships is low-key, but this lends itself to a sociable atmosphere, and there’s always so much to talk about in the evening as you swap tales with fellow guests over a cocktail. And nothing beats going out on deck with a sundowner as your ship glides to the next destination. You certainly don’t get that in hotels.
Top River Cruise Destinations
Strasbourg, France
The two top river cruising destinations are the Rhine and Danube, making them an ideal starting point for first-timers. They’re popular because you can see so much—up to four countries in the space of a week—and really maximize your vacation time while traveling at a restful pace.
The 775-mile Rhine winds through six countries—including Switzerland, Germany, and France—from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea in the Netherlands. This opens the way for enticing itineraries that visit cities such as Cologne and Strasbourg, both topped by towering cathedrals.
Breisach, Germany
You can visit Breisach on the edge of the Black Forest to sample the namesake cherry-topped gâteau or sip the locally brewed, copper-colored Altbier in Düsseldorf. Along the way you’ll pass castle-crowned hills—epitomized in the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine Gorge—and pause at cute wine villages such as Rüdesheim.
There’s just as much to see on the Danube, forever associated with the famous waltz by Johann Strauss Jr. This sinuous, 1,775-mile river flows through 10 countries, and the scenic, UNESCO-listed highlight is the Wachau Valley, covered with golden apricot orchards and vineyards producing fruity Grüner Veltliner wine.
Vienna, Austria
Danube itineraries visit up to four captivating capital cities—Vienna in Austria, Budapest in Hungary, Bratislava in Slovakia, and Belgrade in Serbia—where ships often moor overnight.
Both of these rivers provide an easy way to explore multiple destinations and offer a spectacular introduction to river cruising.
Best Time of Year to Take a River Cruise
Basel, Switzerland
This all comes down to personal preference. In Europe, March through May offers pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and the beautiful sight of springtime flowers coming into bloom.
From September through October, you can see the fall colors on the river banks and experience celebrations in wine-growing towns to mark the annual grape harvest.
If you enjoy the sunshine, June to August are the hottest months with longer daylight hours to stroll around in the evening. Meanwhile, late November through December offers the magical experience of Christmas markets, with the chance of a sprinkling of snow.
River Cruise Packing Tips for Beginners
The top river cruise 101 packing tip is comfortable shoes, which means those you have worn before that don’t need breaking in. On a river cruise, you are going to be walking—a lot—and the last thing you want on the first day are blisters. One day you might be walking along medieval cobblestone streets and the next climbing up uneven stone steps in a castle, so you need a good pair of sneakers, walking shoes, boots, or, if you’re visiting in summertime, sturdy sandals.
Next up, take layers. Bear in mind European weather, even in the summer, can be unpredictable. You might have showers in June and unseasonably sunny days in late fall, so layers are the answer.
Always take a lightweight rain jacket and a fleece to ensure you’re comfortable outdoors. Pack a baseball cap or wide-brimmed sun hat—or a woolen hat, scarf, and gloves for winter—along with sunglasses and a foldable umbrella. A rucksack is useful for carrying water bottles and other items.
Unlike ocean ships, there are no dress codes on river vessels and the vibe is always casual and relaxed. Informal clothes, including jeans, T-shirts, and open-neck shirts, are fine throughout the day. Some folks like to change for dinner, and bring smarter attire including dresses, jackets, and dress shirts, but this isn’t required. The main criterion is to feel comfortable in whatever you choose.
Read: What to Wear on a River Cruise in Europe
FAQs
How is a river cruise different from an ocean cruise?
Celebrity Beyond
The most obvious difference between ocean vs. river cruises is size. The majority of ocean ships carry a couple of thousand passengers, while river vessels provide a highly personalized service to fewer than 200 guests.
Ocean vessels hug a coastline, or spend days at sea, while river ships explore the European heartland and dock right in the center of towns and cities.
How long is a typical itinerary?
Budapest, Hungary
A typical itinerary is seven nights, which is an ideal length for first-time cruisers to find out what river cruising is all about and whet their appetite for another cruise. To extend your vacation in Europe, you can also add on a pre- or post-cruise land stay in capital cities such as Prague in the Czech Republic, and Budapest in Hungary.
Are river cruises good for first-timers?
Cologne, Germany
Whether you’ve already been on an ocean cruise or it’s your very first time on the water, a river cruise is ideal for first-timers. You will never feel overwhelmed or lost, and staff will always be on hand to show you around and answer any questions.
What is a typical day like?
Breakfast
One of the many joys of a river cruise is there is no typical day. Unlike a hotel, you will be waking up somewhere different each morning, with new things to see and places to explore. There is no rigid program and you are free to do as much or as little as you want.
Some guests might opt for the early risers’ breakfast and head out on a guided shore tour, or explore independently, while others might opt for a late brunch and stay on board and relax on the sun deck.
Is a river cruise worth it?
Budapest, Hungary
River cruises offer excellent value for money. Fares include so much when compared with the cost of booking different elements of a land-based vacation: hotels, meals, drinks, snacks, excursions, and transportation, making it far easier to budget.
Vienna, Austria
Are you ready to explore Europe’s waterways? Browse Celebrity’s European river cruises to find the perfect itinerary for you.
