What Is The Accommodation Like On A Scenic River Cruise
The aptly named Scenic Space Ships boast some of the largest balcony suites in the sector with butler service and the ability to transform your balcony into your own personal sun deck at the push of a button. The largest suites available are the opulent collection of Royal Suites featuring wrap-around views. With up to six different on-board cabin grades, all luxuriously appointed and equipped with lavish amenities including slumber beds, Apple TVs, complimentary LOccitane toiletries, there is bound to be a Scenic River Cruise Cabin to suit you.
Danube River Cruises In A Nutshell
The inspiration behind the famous waltz by Johann Strauss, the Danube is an enchanting river. A Danube river cruise is also a history lesson about the days when Vienna ruled an empire and, more recently, an Iron Curtain divided Europe.
What Does a Danube River Itinerary Look Like?
The Danube flows from the Black Forest in Germany to the Black Sea in Romania, passing through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia and Bulgaria on the way.
The most popular itineraries are one-week sailings between Budapest in Hungary and Passau, situated in Germany and close to the Austrian border, or weeklong round trips from Passau. The Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located between the Austrian towns of Krems and Melk, is particularly stunning. City highlights include elegant Vienna, with its grand palaces such as Hofburg from which the Habsburgs ruled Austria for 700 years. You can also see the gorgeous white Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School. Although it can be hard to plan a cruise to coincide with one of the evening dressage displays, there are daily stable tours and visitors can sit in on the morning exercise sessions to music, which take place in the ornate, chandeliered riding school.
How Do I get to the Danube River?
Is There Anything I Should Watch Out For When Choosing a Danube River Cruise?
Moorings in Vienna and Budapest are beside busy roads, and due to the number of ships of the river, you might find yourself moored alongside another vessel.
American Queen American Queen Voyages
American Queen truly stands apart from the crowd of other riverboats plying the waterways of North America. Designed as a tribute to the glory days of paddlewheel travel, this very special riverboat has a big, red working wheel, old-fashioned fluted stacks and dangling ramps extending from the bow.
The American Queen is simply the best replica steamboat that money could buy. From the riverbank, the public sees a palatial showboat that resembles a multi-layered wedding cake. Within, the rich interior design is High Victorian, evoking opulence with lavish details including fine antiques and high-quality replicas, says maritime expert Ted Scull, co-founder of QuirkyCruise.com.
The dramatic, two-deck-high J.M. White Dining Room is straight out of a film set, with its fanciful white filigree woodwork, huge gilded antique mirrors and wall tapestries. Keeping to the extravagant theme, the Grand Saloon takes its design cues from a small-town opera house, complete with classic theater-box seating and a pair of chandeliers with gas-style lamps hanging from a plaster ceiling embellished with twinkling stars.
American Queens variety of cabins are done up in elaborate Victorian style and include rooms with private verandas as well as a number of popular cabins with open verandas that have direct access to the public promenade and the river views beyond.
Mississippi River cruise between Minneapolis and St Louis, seven nights , starts at $2,699 per person .
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River Elbe Cruises In A Nutshell
An Elbe cruise is for anyone who loves discovering the past and wants to explore one of Europe’s lesser known rivers. There will be time in the fascinating cities of Berlin and Prague at the start and end of the cruise, plus the chance to discover the birthplace of the Reformation along the way.
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What Does a River Elbe Itinerary Look Like?
The River Elbe rises in the Czech Republic, flows into Germany and empties into the North Sea at Cuxhaven, near Hamburg.
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There is only one cruise option — seven nights, sailing either from Magdeburg in Germany to Melnik in the Czech Republic, or vice versa. Cruises run between the culture-rich cities of Berlin and Prague, and in between are the vineyards of Saxony and rocky landscapes of the soaring sandstone massif south of Dresden.
The beautifully restored city of Dresden, immortalized by Italian painter Canaletto as the “Florence on the Elbe,” is among the must-see sights. Destroyed during World War II, the city rose from the rubble and highlights include the rebuilt Cathedral of Our Lady, with its distinctive bell-shaped dome, which is the symbol of Dresden.
You’ll also cruise through craggy Saxon Switzerland and call at Litomerice, a pretty little Czech town with a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings.
How Do I get to the River Elbe?
You’ll either fly into Berlin and out of Prague or the other way around, depending which direction you are sailing.
Private Dining Onboard And Onshore
On board your ship, your Connections group dines at reserved tables, joined byyour Resident Tour Director. When ashore, your small group has the opportunityto dine at hand-picked local restaurants something no one else on your cruisedoes. In addition, local wine and beer are always included with both lunch anddinner.
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Rhone & Saone River Cruises In A Nutshell
If you like food and wine, this is the river cruise region for you, as it sails through Provence and Burgundy, the gastronomic heartland of France and two of the country’s top wine-making regions. You’ll cruise past acres of vineyards and have ample opportunities to taste the local grapes.
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What Does a River Rhone Itinerary Look Like?
The 505-mile Rhone flows from the Swiss Alps through southern France and into the Mediterranean Sea, west of Marseille. Rising in France, the Saone is the chief tributary of the Rhone and the two converge at Lyon, where the Saone becomes the Rhone.
Once an important trading route for the Greeks and Romans, today’s cruises run along the southernmost stretch. The main itinerary is a seven-night cruise from Lyon to Arles or nearby Avignon, or the reverse. Some cruises also depart from Chalon-sur-Saone, just north of Lyon.
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Passengers are transported through medieval cities such as Avignon and Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy.
How Do I get to the River Rhone?
If you’re cruising from Lyon, you’ll fly into Lyon airport, from which it’s a short transfer to your vessel, and out of Marseilles, which is just over an hour by road from Arles. Some operators fly passengers in and out of Lyon, with a coach trip between Avignon and Lyon at the start or end of the cruise.
Is There Anything I Should Watch Out For When Choosing a Rhone River Cruise?
Exclusive Excursions With Dedicated Vehicles
Every trip ashore is an invitation-only affair for just you and your fellowConnections guests. Whenever you disembark, enjoy exploring with your ResidentTour Director in a private vehicle designated exclusively for your group andexperiencing unique shore excursions curated just for Connections guests.
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Adventures By Disney River Cruises
Partnering with AmaWaterways, Adventures by Disney offers cruises on the Seine, Rhine, and Danube Rivers, Disney style. Specially designed itineraries and Adventure Guides create experiences for parents, children, and teens, from active excursions to unique onboard activities. Adults-only dinners and wine tasting experiences along with teen programming, Disney movie nights, karaoke, trivia nights, and Junior Adventurer dinners provide entertainment for guests of all ages.
The eight-day Danube River Cruise starts in Budapest where excursions include a horse show at an equestrian park and a goulash-making competition for Adventurers. In Bratislava, Junior Adventurers can visit a petting zoo, and in the evening, there’s family karaoke. A tour of Vienna and Schönbrunn Palace, marionette show, concert, and strudel making are options the next day. A day in Salzburg ends onboard with “The Sound of Music” film and singalong. After an Oktoberfest celebration and captain’s farewell dinner, the cruise ends the next day.
What Is A Luxury River Cruise
European Luxury River Cruise Lines offer trips that last approximately one week.
Unlike ocean-going ships that carry anywhere from 2000 to 5000 passengers, most luxury river cruise ships welcome 150 guests, sometimes less. It means a more intimate experience, where you are made to feel like royalty with the undivided attention of the staff. The atmosphere is much like a high-end hotel, floor-to-ceiling windows, open-air views, and balconies in your suite!
You can also find amenities such as pools, spas, fitness areas, and jogging tracks to name a few.
Guests can keep themselves busy and entertained with daily shore activities. Biking, walking, and hiking tours are available in most of the ports. If that much activity doesnt appeal to you, no problem! Guests can choose a leisurely day lounging around and just enjoy the beautiful scenery pass by.
The easy part of this type of travel is that most of the best European luxury river cruise lines offer all-inclusive cruises. You dont have to give another thought to paying for anything on the cruise once you step onboard, hows that for peace of mind?
River Cruises are an amazingly relaxing way to catch some of the continents most spectacular sites, all from the comfort of your ships luxurious cabin.
View the French coast, travel from Amsterdam into Trier, or go through Budapest. Europes rivers are among the most diverse with ancient cities, historic landmarks, charming towns, and breathtaking scenery.
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Why Local Access Matters
Having over 55 offices in more than 30 countries six in Europe alone is onlythe beginning for A& K. We build lasting relationships with local experts so thatyou experience each place from a truly local perspective. Imagine with residentartisans, musicians and culinary experts who lend an incomparable perspective onthe local culture.
Best Cruise Lines For European Cruises
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The best cruise lines for european cruises as ranked by verified reviews submitted over the past 12 months. This list is continuously updated as we receive new reviews from our members, so be sure to check back often! Note, a minimum of 40 reviews are required to be part of this list.
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Expect a true British cruising experience aboard comfortable, intimate and inviting vessels. Enjoy traditional formal dining or a more relaxed experience in the buffet restaurant. Stay active at the fitness center, lounge by the pool or work on your golf game. Along with afternoon tea, an internet cafe and evening cabaret productions are just some of the highlights onboard…
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P& O Cruises is one of the most recognizable names in European cruising. As the oldest cruise line in the world, P& O has established a presence in European destinations that include Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia, British Isles, Italy, Spain, Norway, and of course England.
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When it comes to cruising the Meditteranean, Azamara offers among the best top-notch luxury sailings complete with fully immersive experiences in the region. The line sails to Mediterranean regions including the Greek Isles, Amalfi Coast, French Riviera, the Adriatic, and more.
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Inspired By The Destination
For 90+ years, the Tauck family has had a passion for sailing aboard small ships and yachts at sea, riverboats along great inland waterways, and at home on the rivers and lakes of Connecticut and New York. When we began blending our land experience with our strong passion for cruising in our first European river cruise back in 1992, we knew that no “ordinary” river cruise experience would do for our guests. We wanted them to travel Europe’s rivers in the same beyond-the-ordinary Tauck style they experienced on our land trips. With that in mind, we searched to find a company to partner with that would share our values and our commitment to “do the right thing” by our guests… and found it in another family-owned company, Scylla. Together, we crafted a river cruise experience that was ahead of its time and inspired by the destinations we explore.
Accommodation On Board A Viking River Cruise
Luxury River Cruising Accommodation – Viking Longship Veranda Suite Living Room. Image Credit: Viking River Cruises.
Viking provide a variety of stateroom choices, from the deluxe comfort of spacious Veranda and French Balcony Staterooms to Veranda and Explorer Suites. Viking Longships suites are true suites, each with two full-size rooms. These spaces are among the largest suites on Europes rivers.
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Which Is The Best River Cruises In Europe
There are many incredible river cruises available in Europe. The best way to find the perfect cruise is to map out your own personal itinerary or use one of the European river cruise travel companies pre-made packages. Popular river cruise destinations include France, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Italy.
One particularly exciting line is Viking River Cruises. Imagine traveling through the heart of Europe on a Viking riverboat, exploring cities like Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Prague, Berlin, and Amsterdam.
The best European river cruises are generally found in the following regions: France & Germany Czech Republic & Hungary Bohemia & Austria. Most European river cruises are between seven to fourteen days long.
Taking a European river cruise is an excellent way to see some of Europes most beautiful and historically significant sites in the world. Some of the highlights that passengers can expect to see on a European river cruise include the Palace of Versailles in France, the city of Prague in the Czech Republic, and the ancient city of Rome in Italy.
The best time to set sail is during the Spring or Autumn months when there are more daylight hours and warmer weather. At these times, many ships offer special deals.
Learn why our travel experts are the ultimate source on all things River Cruises. Were here to help.
Browse our exclusive packages and request more information from our travel specialists.
Natalie, River Cruise Travel Advisor
Whats A River Cruise Experience Like
Lets start by answering this question.
In general, river cruises are more intimate than ocean cruises.
Ships are smaller , and its easy to get to know fellow passengers. Typically, you spend lots of time ashore.
As well, river cruise rates are all-inclusive.
Along with cruise accommodation and meals, fares include shore excursions, alcohol and cruise gratuities.
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The Giant On The Danubethe Amamagna
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Launched in May 2019, the AmaMagna, is a double wide vessel, & carries 196 passengers.
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It has expanded on board facilities4 restaurants 5 bars, 2 massage rooms, and a water sports platform.
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It can only sail on portions of the Danube, as their extra width does not allow it to use some of the locks on the Danube River
Why Is River Ship Length Important
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One of the real subtle differences in river cruising is what the cruise line has on board their ships.
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For accommodations, this includes # of passenger cabins, what is in the cabin & views from the cabin.
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Unlike Ocean Cruising, there are no inside cabins, but there is a significant difference in window size & balconies.
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On board facilities & equipment is another factor that should be considered.
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What River Cruises Sail Through Europe
Many luxury cruise lines offer cruises along the European waterways. The most popular ones are AmaWaterways, Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Scenic Tours, and Abercrombie & Kent. All of these companies feature ships that are equipped with state-of-the-art amenities that provide passengers with luxurious accommodations and top-of-the-line service. These river cruises dont come cheap, but they are definitely worth the cost if you do some research beforehand and plan your vacation well enough in advance to take advantage of European river cruise deals.
European river cruises can also include guided tours of the cities that passengers will be visiting, so you wont spend your whole time on the ship. This means visitors can see all of the famous landmarks and explore the cultures of these fascinating countries without worrying about wasting any time or paying expensive tour guide fees. Here are a few of the most popular European river cruises.
How To Choose A Europe River Cruise
From dazzling Dutch tulip fields in springtime to Germany’s atmospheric Christmas markets — and a host of other destinations — Europe river cruises offer a world of sights and experiences.
River sailings remain a popular choice for cruisers, with new ships being launched each year — Viking alone launched eight new ships in Europe in 2022. On the plus side, this means more choices, including an ever-increasing number of themed vacations, such as food and wine, active and family-oriented sailings. On the other side of the coin, the biggest challenge about planning a European river cruise is identifying one that is right for you.
We’re here to help you narrow down your choices. First, here are some things you should know, followed by a few tips.
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We Include The Amenities That Matter Most
Enjoy included private arrival and departure transfers and complimentary Internetaccess during hotel stays, along with ship-wide Wi-Fi available free to Connectionsguests on each of our European River Cruise Journeys. In addition, all of yourgratuities are included, save for your Resident Tour Director, which is at your solediscretion.