Find a river cruise for every personality and budget, from fitness fans to control freaks
“This is not the casino, 24-hour buffet experience,” I told my mom when we booked our mother-daughter river cruise on the Danube.
It took 16 hours to get there from Los Angeles, but the travel time was well worth it: We visited Mondsee, the famous Austrian town where the wedding scene from "The Sound of Music” was filmed, biked our way through Vienna’s Danube canal, ate buttery pastries such as the Linzer torte, and drank more wine than I care to admit.
Each river cruise experience I’ve had leaves me wanting another, so I can experience that perfect moment on the water just after the sun has set and I'm treated to a panoramic view of some of the world’s most incredible cultural institutions lit up to perfection.
If you have the budget and time, you can certainly get a top-dollar experience, but there are also cruises that cater to more budget-minded customers as well as culturally curious types, wellness gurus, Instagram-addicted millennials and even travelers who loathe group tours and would rather plan their own vacations.
No matter what you’re starting point is, here are some options to get you out into a great, wide river of adventure.
Why take a river cruise? So you can watch Europe unfold before your eyes
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 Europe’s 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.
For the budget-minded river cruiser: CroisiEurope
CroisiEurope is a French river cruise line that has an incredible mix of international travelers, though most come from France and Germany. It is one of the more affordable river cruise lines. The Romantic Rhine Valley and the Rock of Lorelei cruise travels to Strasbourg, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Heidelberg and Speyer or Mannheim. Excursions include a guided tour of Heidelberg Castle and a hike through the vineyards of Rudesheim.
Price: Fares for the five-day Romantic Rhine Valley and the Rock of Lorelei itinerary begin at $1,163 per person and include all meals, drinks and excursions.
For the adventurous, social traveler: U River Cruises by Uniworld
Uniworld's U River Cruises is the first river cruise dedicated to millennial travelers, offering immersive experiences and longer stays at each destination, allowing travelers to connect with local people and each city’s vibrant nightlife.
Debuting in 2020, U’s eight-day, seven-night itineraries will sail to European hot spots such as Vienna, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Amsterdam (as well as those cities' less-visited ethnic enclaves) and up-and-coming destinations such as Bratislava and Belgrade.
In addition to the typical biking and hiking excursions, there are eclectic outings such as a photographer-led tour of Antwerp, a police-led "crime cruise" through the history of Amsterdam's red-light district and hands-on cooking classes where participants learn to make Serbian barbecue and Belgian chocolates.
New offerings on the sailings include added overnight stays, complimentary happy hour every night for guests to socialize and even more active excursions.
Price: Rates for the Eastern Europe Escape itinerary begin at $1,959 per person and include three daily meals, select shore excursions, daily happy hour drinks, complimentary WiFi and classes. The cruise, which begins in Vienna, makes stops in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava, the Hungarian cities of Budapest and Mohács and the Serbian cities of Novisad and Belgrade.
Are you too young to take a river cruise? Here's why the under-50 crowd is getting onboard
For the foodie: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
All aboard … but only if you’re hungry. The eight-day Brilliant Bordeaux itinerary from Uniworld's Boutique River Cruise Collection immerses passengers on the S.S. Bon Voyage in French culture, art and wine. Offshore excursions include a walking tour and wine tasting at Saint-Emilion, a wine town in Bordeaux; a trip to Libourne’s farmer’s market; and a bike tour through the lush Médoc vineyards.
Travelers can explore the world of gourmet French cuisine with Uniworld’s Connoisseur Collection Program on select sailings, which includes an assortment of culinary-inspired excursions and events, featuring visits to vineyards, orchards, restaurants, museums and culinary hot spots.
Price: Rates for 2020 Brilliant Bourdeaux cruises start at $3,099 per person, based on double occupancy and include an unlimited choice of spirits and wines; five-star meals; scheduled airport transfers; all gratuities onboard and ashore; curated excursions; wellness programs; onboard entertainment and enrichment; in-suite butler service and WiFi.
For the independent traveler who hates group tours: Le Boat
If you’re ready to be the captain of your own adventure, Le Boat is the way to go. It’s the biggest self-driving boating operator in Europe and North America. You can choose your own canal escapade with 17 destinations and nine countries, do your own cooking and even bring your dog if you like. The company provides itinerary suggestions, but what you do is completely up to you.
The Horizon Cruisers are the newest boats specifically for parties ranging from two to 12 people. There are more features on this line, including a large forward stateroom and the roomy "fundeck" which is the largest top-deck area of any boat of its size on Europe’s inland waterways.
All of Le Boat’s lines are navigation-friendly with bow and stern thrusters to help you park and navigate locks and canals. No previous boating experience or special license is required to drive in most locations, except for certain regions of Germany. You will get a boat-handling lesson before embarking.
Price: Fares for Le Boat's popular Canal du Midi tour in France start at $1,099 for a seven-day boat rental in the last week of March, but the price climbs the further into summer you go. Your rental includes a fully equipped galley kitchen and all towels and bed linens. You pay for fuel and whatever extras you want, such as barbecue rentals, groceries, WiFi and boat damage insurance.
For the experienced traveler: Viking River Cruises
Viking succeeds by not attempting to make every cruise appeal to every customer. This river cruise’s target demographic is experienced travelers, ages 50+, who are interested in history, art and culture. Founder Torstein Hagen often calls Viking “the thinking man’s cruise” and considers it an alternative to mainstream cruises. Onboard, you won’t find casinos, waterslides or formal nights; instead, there are serene, Scandinavian-inspired spaces, quiet libraries and cultural performances.
Price: The eight-day Romantic Danube cruise starts at $2,499 for 2019 sailings, but the price drops as low as $1,999 for 2020. The fare includes an outside stateroom, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, all onboard meals and beverages and all port charges and government taxes.
