Skys The Limit More Than $500 Per Person Per Day
If the skys the limit, youll find a good fit with AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Crystal, Scenic, Tauck or Uniworld. Scenic and Tauck are truly all-inclusive whereas on Crystal and Uniworld, port charges are not included. On AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways youll spend extra for gratuities, port charges and some beverages.
Expect to spend more than $500 per day per person during peak season for cruises with these river cruise companies.
On its June 25, 2020 departure, for example, AmaWaterways seven-night Colors of Provence itinerary will cost you $585 per person per day for a 170-square-foot fixed window stateroom. Upgrading to a French balcony will cost you about $689 per person per day. See our Rhone River Cruise Prices 2020.
How Much Currency Will I Need For Land On Rhine River Cruise
I am going on an 8 day all-inclusive Rhine river cruise in May. I will be flying into Zurich and taking a train to Basel, where we begin a cruise through Switzerland, France, Germany, and ending in Amsterdam. Since everything on-board and tours, including tips, is included, I’m not sure how much cash to bring. I was planning on $400 Euros and $100 Swiss Francs for any food and gifts I may want to purchase in the towns, but after reading some of these posts, maybe that is too much. I will use a no-foreign exchange fee credit card whenever possible, but I don’t know that every little shop in these quaint towns will take cards. Any advice?
ATM’s are virtually everywhere. My first stop when landing is to visit an ATM and pull 200 out which usually lasts for a week if using CC’s. Suggest you do the same- ATM for Swiss Francs on landing and a stop at your first ATM on your cruise.
Yes, you will need cash in those towns for small purchases. If you are out and about with free time, you will need cash for that cup of coffee or a bratwurst or a pastry. If you go on tours of the towns with tours arranged by your ship, it is nice to give your guide 1-2 if you enjoyed the tour.
You do not have to have that cash ahead of time. Pull out 100 when you need it from a bank ATM in any city you visit with your debit card.
European River Cruises Highlights
- Glide through countries filled with captivating history, impressive cities and spellbinding beauty.
- Unpack once and wake up to a new city every day to the sights, sounds and flavours of Europe.
- Relax without having to navigate roads, your cruise is an all-in-one travel experience.
- Enjoy ultimate luxury from the second you step on board youll be spoilt for choice.
- Danube: With a dozen languages spoken on its banks, the Danube is a haven for traditional delicacies and panoramic views.
- Rhine: Explore fairytale castles and vineyards along the banks which highlight the value of the historical towns that line the waters.
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For The Wellness Lover: Amawaterways
AmaWaterways, which strikes the perfect balance between luxury and comfort, debuted the game-changing AmaMagna. This revolutionary ship is twice the width of traditional European river cruise vessels, allowing for spacious staterooms that average an impressive 355 square feet.
Our beautiful stateroom included an outside balcony, open seating areas and a bathroom with marble-clad walk-in showers and double sinks. Not worrying about space while sharing amenities was a major plus, and so was the option to eat in any of the four dining venues onboard.
A major upside to sailing with AmaWaterways is the wellness hosts that lead group fitness classes as well as biking and hiking tours through some of Europes most beautiful places. The ability to take a pilates, yoga or spinning class before starting the day was one of the highlights of my trip. AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line to carry an entire fleet of complimentary bikes on board.
Price: The seven-day Danube itinerary, which will be known as Magna on the Danube after the new year, starts at $2,499 per person and includes all meals, wine, beer, wellness programs and onshore excursions. Port calls include stops in Austria, Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Comparing The Costs Of A 7
Below, we compare these cruise lines for a seven-night cruise on the Danube in late April 2016. As you can see, prices are quite comparable but make sure you are comparing all the amenities and inclusions.
ScenicBeginning standard cabin 160 sq. ft. $2995 ppBalcony Suite: 205 sq. ft. $4025 ppRoyal Suite: 360 sq. ft. $5290 pp
AMA WaterwaysBeginning standard cabin 160 sq. ft. $3399 ppFrench/outside balcony: 210 sq. ft. $4798 ppSuite: 300 sq. ft. $6598 pp
Avalon Waterways
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River Cruise Company Reviews
Part of the fastest growing segment in the cruising, river cruise lines have been popping up all over the place these days. There are more than 20 river cruise providers around the globe, and a little less than half of those could be considered premium or luxury standouts. From there, we did the hard work for you, with an in-depth look at some of the most popular river cruises available.
After our evaluation, we chose the three best river cruise lines: Viking River Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Uniworld. With multiple ships, destination countries and themed adventures, these four lines stood out for their enrichment, culinary expertise and high-touch service.
- Great Destinations and Itineraries
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Whilst you may not have heard of this much awarded company , you should certainly add it to yourroster of the best river cruise vessels in the world.
When you step on one of their vessels, you immediately start toappreciate the Uniworld difference. The concept is all aboutrecreating the feel of a small boutique hotel on board anall-inclusive river vessel, and every ship is different, personallydesigned by members of the Tollman family who own Uniworld’sparent, TravCorp.
If you’ve seen pictures of Uniworld’s ships then you’ll probablyhave been struck by the slightly garish interiors depicted in theofficial photography but in reality, the decor is a lot moresubtle than it appears in the oversaturated promo shots. Quirky,yes, but elegant and tasteful with it.
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Down To Earth Up To $500 Per Person Per Day
If your budget is up to $500 per day per person youll typically find a good fit with CroisiEurope, Emerald Waterways and Viking River Cruises. That said, Avalon and AmaWaterways also can fall within this price range, particularly during shoulder season.
On its October 29, 2020, for example, AmaWaterways seven-night Colors of Provence itinerary will cost you $457 per person per day in a 170-square-foot fixed-window stateroom. Thats a savings of more than $250 per day per couple if you are willing to cruise in the late fall instead of during the peak-season rate cited above. See How To Save On A 2020 Rhone River Cruise
Price Comparisons For River Cruises In Europe
Rivers |
Video Review |
Riverside Chat Video |
|---|---|---|
| Click Between Amsterdam & Budapest Typically 14 days or longer and Includes the Rhine, Main, Main-Danube Canal & the Danube. | ||
| Click Bordeaux, Garonne & Dordogne rivers Ranges from four days to 12 days typically roundtrip Bordeaux. | ||
| Click Danube Christmas Markets Typically a weeklong between late November and end of December. | ||
| Click Danube River Typically weeklong cruises between Germany and Hungary, although cruises also run from Romania to Hungary or Austria. | ||
| Click Douro River Typically weeklong cruises roundtrip Porto with excursions to Salamanca, Spain. | ||
| Click Rhine River Typically weeklong cruises between Basel, Switzerland and Amsterdam. | ||
| Click Rhone & Saone rivers Typically weeklong cruises between Lyon and Arles. | ||
| Click Seine River Typically weeklong cruises from Paris, roundtrip, with visits to the Normandy landing beaches. |
I truly appreciate your unbiased advice. It’s difficult to find these days.
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You May Be Tested For Covid
At the end of my cruise, all passengers returning to the U.S. and Canada were tested for COVID-19 PCR tests for Canadians and antigen tests for Americans, as required by their respective governments. While Canadian travelers had to visit a lab for their tests, crew members were trained to administer the rapid antigen tests U.S. travelers needed to return home.
So far, no cases of COVID-19 have been reported on any of Avalon’s sailings since the cruise line started sailing again in July, the company said. All of my fellow passengers tested negative at the end of our journey and we boarded our respective flights.
Viking Cruises, another river cruise line, is requiring passengers to take daily COVID-19 tests on board its ships.
% Of Travelers Rated This Trip Excellent
The overall traveler excellence rating is based on the results of post trip surveys completed by travelers who have taken this trip. Travelers can choose to rate their experience excellent, good, fair, and poor this percentage indicates how many travelers rated their experience excellent. More than 70% of travelers complete this survey after returning from their trip. Travelers rate excellence across their entire travel experience, focusing on the categories below:
- Program Director: 92% of travelers rated their Program Director excellent, citing his or her facilitation of people-to-people interactions, communication skills, and overall performance.
- Learning & Discovery: 86% of travelers rated the learning and discovery activities on this trip excellent, citing its authentic cultural experiences and controversial conversations.
- Solo Women Excellence: 92% of solo women travelers who joined us independently or shared a room with a mother, daughter, sister, or friend rated their experience on this trip excellent.
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When Is The Best Time To Go On A Europe River Cruise
The majority of European River Cruises sail between April and October, when the climate is mild and warm. Typically a week to two weeks in length, European River Cruises often depart from Amsterdam, Budapest, or Paris. A few days on either end to explore one of these iconic European cities is encouraged.
Frequently Asked Questions About River Cruises
What is river cruising?
Its a form of leisure boat travel along inland waterways most popularly along the worlds major rivers, including the Mississippi, Danube, Rhine, Volga and Yangtze. River cruise boats are smaller than ocean liners to maneuver smaller waterways and can carry up to 250 guests. This reduced capacity makes the whole experience of river cruising more intimate than typical ocean cruising.
Are river ships different from other cruise ships?
River ships are much smaller in size compared to giant ocean liners, so they cater to fewer guests. It is easier to get to know some of the other travelers on a river ship. Also, because rivers are shallow, river cruises tend to be smoother sailing than ocean liners.
How long does a typical river cruise last?
River cruises are typically just over a week in length and include several port stops during each passage. Instead of spending many days at sea, you will spend less time sailing on a river cruise and can expect to awaken each day in a new port.
What are some amenities found on river cruises?
Ocean liners often sail with amenities such as pools, fitness centers, casinos, entertainment venues and so on. River ships tend to have fewer onboard amenities and instead offer educational, cultural or culinary experiences to keep things lively on board.
What can I expect a river cruise to include?
Whats the best season for a river cruise?
What should I pack for a river cruise?
What type of person enjoys a river cruise?
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Active & Discovery Cruises
Everyone travels to see new things, but many travel to do new things as well. Avalon offers activities for travelers with varying interests and for all energy and fitness levels. From action-packed experiences and interactive discoveries, to traditional sightseeing, you can tailor a vacation to suit your interests and pace.
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Length Of River Cruise Trip
A river cruise typically lasts for seven days or longer. Its common to find five day and ten-day cruises along rivers that span across multiple countries. Along the Rhone the sailing duration can last up to 22 days.
Account for the additional travel time to and from the original port. Oftentimes, passengers will choose to extend their trip on either end to spend a longer duration in surrounding cities or countries.
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Europe River Cruise Prices
If price is an important consideration, look at Europe first. Fares start at about $200 per person, per night, for budget-priced river cruises and range up to $500 per person, per night, for an all-inclusive luxury experience. Cruise tours typically span seven to 21 nights. Seven-night Rhine or Danube cruises are the most affordable. It’s worth noting that France has the highest Europe river cruise prices.
Europe also has shoulder seasons when cruises can be had — if not on the cheap, then at least more cheaply. Hands down, mid-May through late September are the most popular months for European river cruises, and sailings during that time are usually 15 to 20 percent higher in price. Business slacks off a bit in the heat of July and August, as do prices by as much as 10 percent.
Price-sensitive travelers should consider late March and late fall, when cooler temperatures prevail and crowds thin out — shoulder-season river cruising is one of Europe’s best-kept sercrets.
Holiday Christmas market cruises in November and December are priced lower than those during any other time of the year, offering the best deal in Europe overall — though these are also becoming more expensive as they gain in popularity. There are no sailings in Europe in January or February.
Expect Face Masks And Lots Of Hand Sanitizer
When I stepped on board the Avalon Poetry II in Lyon, the first thing I noticed was that every employee was wearing a face mask and properly. Upon boarding the ship, I was greeted by one of several hand sanitizing stations as well.
I was then shown to my suite, where I found even more hand sanitizer waiting for me. Here, I took off my mask and settled in.
During the journey, every crew member I encountered was wearing a face mask indoors. For the most part, guests were, too, though some did become a bit more lax as the days wore on.
The ship didn’t require masks when seated with your party or outdoors on terraces and the Sky Deck, giving everyone a chance to see one another’s faces on board. Crew members, however, did remind guests of indoor face mask requirements anytime a buffet was present.
In addition to the hand sanitizing stations found everywhere, crew members armed with large jugs of sanitizer also made sure everyone entering a dining area sanitized their hands. At breakfast, they took guests’ temperatures as an additional precaution.
“It’s really not different than what we’re experiencing at home,” said Steve Born, chief marketing officer for Globus, the company that operates Avalon Waterways.
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The 25 Point List Of River Cruise Pricing Variables
1. How far away the destination you are visiting is from your home 2. Time of year of travel 3.Country/ies that the cruise is taking place in and their cost of living 4. Number of nights on the cruise 5. Number of meals included 5. The size of your accommodation on the ship 6. The situation of the accommodation on the ship which deck 7. How many people are sharing a cabin 8. Number of nights in a hotel if part of the holiday 9. Standard of the accommodation on the ship 10.Facilities on the ship 11. Level of service on the ship 12.Number of people on the ship and staff ratio 13.Number of destinations visited 14. What you do in those destinations and how you do it 15. Excursions included or not 16. Gratuities included or not 17. Drinks packages included or not 18. Insurance policies and financial protection 19. Standard of food and choice of food 20. Level of management and staff 21. Whether the ship is charter from another company or owner run 22. Exchange rate versus your home currency 23. Local taxes and port charges included or not 24. Perceived or real discount level offered during different months on sale 25.When pricing a river cruise it helps to bear all the above points in mind and understand which are most important to your ultimate happiness during and with the holiday. If one river cruise is more expensive than another, then it will come down to the factors listed above.
What To Know Before Buying A River Cruise
A river cruise is just what it sounds like, a smaller-scale cruise along inland waterways throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam and many other locations. Sailing along narrow waterways means stopping at more destinations than you would on a typical ocean cruise, with easier docking and more picturesque shoreline views along the way. River cruises can be a great way to cover a lot of ground in Europe and Asia.
If you prefer to stay closer to home, there are abundant offerings for U.S. river cruises along the Mississippi, Columbia and Snake Rivers in Oregon and Washington, and Alaskan river cruises.
What has propelled the boom in river cruises are the unique cultural, historical and culinary themes offered by many river cruise lines. Some river cruises focus on wine or art from a region, others on cooking or cultural lessons.
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