5 European River Cruises that You Should Consider
European rivers with myriad stunning views and scenic spots, allows you to grasp all the experiences you could possibly get. The biggest advantage of opting for a river cruise rather than the ocean-going giant ship is that it is more intimate. Moreover, you won’t be sharing the space half the city. Many large ships can easily carry about 5,000 passengers but when it comes to river cruises, you might find a maximum of 150 – 175 guests.
Besides that, there are several activities one can opt for. Some of these river cruises have pools, spas, fitness corners, and jogging tracks. If you wish to be entertained, there are also several excursions spread across various activities.
European rivers are filled with ancient cities, historic landmarks, and mesmerizing towns with their jaw-dropping sceneries. If you have decided to spend your holiday cruising on the European rivers, you have made a fantastic choice. It surely takes more than one visit to enjoy these pristine rivers.
Here are some great options to consider:
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
These state-of-the-art vessels are truly inspired by the locales they visit and it certainly makes them a designation in themselves. They are also referred to as the world’s only authentic boutique cruise line. The cuisine is world class and has raving reviews all over the internet.
Their popular cruise includes the 8-day Enchanting Danube, which starts from Budapest and ends in Passau. With an all-inclusive pricing model, it includes stopovers at four countries: Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia, which includes visits to four UNESCO world heritage sites. The cost per person for this cruise line is around $5100 for a French balcony and $5,600 for deluxe balcony.
Viking Cruises
They are quite renowned for various reasons. However, the topmost would be the stunning views that their suites offer. Firstly, the suites are large and inviting with great veranda space for privacy and fine dining. Some of their famous cruises include the Portugal’s River of Gold. This 10-day cruise begins at Lisbon before heading to Porto. Before the tour begins, there is a walking tour through the ancient streets. As Porto is home to some of the country’s best traditional wine, a good wine tasting session is held after which the passengers are taken to Duoro River. The guests are allowed to explore the lush greenery and also explore the Baroque palaces and vineyards before arriving at the world heritage city of Salamanca, Spain. On an average, this cruise costs $4000 per person, but if you are lucky, you might avail this at $3500 through the Viking Cruises’ website.
AmaWaterways
This is a family-owned and operated cruise company. They are well-known for their luxury fleet with highly curated choice of food and wine and remarkable decor. While they do offer what the rest of the cruise liners offer, in terms of excursions and other amenities, AmaWaterways is famous for their Taste of Bordeaux tour. This 7-day cruise visits some of the best and iconic chateaux and vineyards while cruising the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. The price per person comes around $3400 – 3600.
Tauk
This is a global travel firm which is run by the fourth generation of Tauk. Their cruises are praised for their impeccable itinerary, personalized services, luxurious cabins with spacious suites, and professional staff just to name a few.
One of their famous cruises is the 8-day Impressions from the Seine: Paris to Normandy. Costing around $4390 to $4500 per person, the famous landmarks visited by this cruise would be Versailles, Paris, Beaches of Normandy, Rouen, Giverny, and Caudebec-en-Caux. There are several activities planned, right from the guided walking tours to explore the local market to the inspiring museums.
Avalon Waterways®
Their open-air deck features wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows for some perfect views. The rooms are nothing but luxurious. Their itinerary ranges from 2 days to 15 days and the prices largely vary on the itinerary selected. Check out their Burgundy and Provence cruise which goes along the Rhone and Stone Rivers and stops at Macon, Lyon, Avignon, and Arles. This cruise costs anywhere between $4100 to $5300, depending on the room that one selects.
Happy cruising!