Table Of Content
With an AAA Membership, you can enjoy exclusive benefits and savings to spend more on what counts—creating memories along the Seine or wherever your cruise takes you. Some lines, however, offer excellent value—especially when you compare the price to the overall cost of a land-based vacation in Europe. One cruise line that consistently offers great value is Emerald Cruises, a river cruise operator that gets travelers more bang for their buck—without compromising on quality or service. As standard, Emerald’s eight Europe-based “Star-Ships” offer a generous number of inclusions built into the cost of the cruise, with typically lower entry level fares.
Seine
The ship passes the Mosel vineyards and docks in the medieval town of Cochem for a guided walking tour. The next day, guests can tour the town of Bernkastel-Kues and enjoy a wine tasting or hike to the ruins of a castle for a stunning view. After a morning tour of Saarburg, the ship cruises along the Saar River with panoramic views of its massive loop. The ship stops in Luxembourg and then continues to Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet, before returning to Cologne. Guests are kept busy (if they wish to be) with daily shore excursions, and most cruises offer several options depending on interests and activity levels. Bikes and walking tours are available in most ports, or guests can choose a leisurely day in a comfortable lounge enjoying the passing scenery.
Châteaux, Rivers & Wine
For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. You'll either fly into Berlin and out of Prague or the other way around, depending which direction you are sailing. 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. They are supposed to stop at marked crosswalks but often don't, so wait until they come to a halt before stepping out into the road. They are supposed to stop at zebra crossings but often don't, so wait until they come to a halt before stepping out into the road. Passengers who can take the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel direct to Gare du Nord in the center of Paris.
Splendours of Europe (Start Budapest, End Amsterdam)
Took Luxury River Cruise in Europe Alone After Being Stood up, Worth It - Business Insider
Took Luxury River Cruise in Europe Alone After Being Stood up, Worth It.
Posted: Tue, 26 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
A surprise for many is Old Town Bratislava, Slovakia, which might not have been on your must-do list but which charms with its beer culture and castles. Ships visit such cultural hubs as Vienna, with its opera and art museums and elaborate royal palaces, and Budapest, Hungary, with its magnificent architecture and modern vibe. If your ship passes the Hungarian Parliament building at night, you're in for a treat; magnificently lit, it's one of the most photographed sights on the river. Most countries in Europe accept the Euro, but destinations like Hungary and the Czech Republic have their own respective currencies, so having a small amount of those on hand will save you some hassle when you arrive. It’s certainly tempting to pack your schedule to the brim when your itinerary is filled with so many exciting ports of call, but constantly being on the go is a surefire way to leave yourself feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. AmaWaterways' active excursions take in some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery—enticing passengers on hilly bike rides and waterside hikes.
Common Questions Common questions about river cruising in Europe
These are often divided into groups, with tours taking in points of particular interest for U.S., U.K. Journey through Burgundy and Provence on a scenic river cruise along the Saône and Rhône rivers. This extraordinary journey is filled with remarkable food, world-class wines, and a deep dive into history.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2022, this family-owned and operated cruise company focuses on excellent food and wine, tasteful décor, stateroom views, and innovation in their luxurious fleet. Fares include fitness classes, shore excursions, and all dining on board, including The Chef's Table specialty restaurant. New ships debut each year, and the spacious AmaMagna, launched in 2019, is nearly twice the width of traditional European cruise ships. The highly engaging and informative excursions already included with your river cruise sometimes take you further afield, so you can fully experience and appreciate the destinations we visit. Travelers can partake in authentic shore excursions and cultural experiences at AmaWaterways’s various destination ports. AAA members can enjoy Welcome Amenities and stateroom savings across several journey lengths.
Grand European Tour
Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. The one-week route doesn't take you far but does include the walled city of Padua, the charming fishing village of Chioggia, and the culinary mecca of Bologna. Another must for wine-lovers is exploring the interior of France, sipping Cotes du Rhone in such famous winemaking regions as Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape in Provence and Beaune in Burgundy.
Paris to the Swiss Alps
With longer port calls and our destination-focused approach, Viking maximizes your discoveries in Europe. From the fairytale castles of the Middle Rhine to the natural beauty of Norwegian fjords, you will gain deep insight into the continent’s cultural and historic riches. Bordeaux river cruises are different from other water routes because you explore two short waterways — the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers — and the Gironde Estuary in Southwest France. Since weather conditions and water levels can affect your itinerary (river ships can’t fit under bridges during periods of heavy rain or flooding), you’ll want to keep an open mind and remain flexible throughout your holiday. If you’re visiting several countries on your river cruise, it’s worthwhile to get some local currency before you depart for your trip.
Nicko Cruises
Once a wild, turbulent waterway, the Douro has been tamed by five dams including the landmark Carrapatelo, the world's deepest lock, and sailing past the 115-foot walls is an incredible experience. Cruises stop at Regua, in the heart of port wine country, for excursions to Lamego, where the main attraction is the 18th-century Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies pilgrimage church, standing atop of a 686-step baroque staircase. 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. Perhaps the best known of the river cruise companies, Viking promotes their "longships," which include large suites and inviting verandas for outdoor dining.
Mealtimes are peachy, too, with dishes such as dressed salmon and pork goulash, plus a children's buffet luring kids to the table. After a long day of exploring, parents and grandparents can relax at the spa or in the lounge. Murano glass, Savoir beds and marble-clad bathrooms with Asprey toiletries are just some of the sumptuous features that make Uniworld high-end European river cruising at its finest.
Each of Uniworld’s 17 luxury ships is uniquely designed and provides the feel of staying in a luxury boutique hotel catered to adult passengers. While aboard guests can enjoy relaxing with Uniworld’s spa services, swimming pools and all-inclusive local wine and beer options. Guests can also indulge in tasting regional cuisine and participating in art auctions between stops. Built on seven hills around the banks of the river Tagus, Portugal's capital was the departure point for the great explorers who set off to find new land in the 16th and 17th centuries. The fortified wine is the national drink and there'll be plenty of opportunity to taste it en route. Part of the fascination of the Seine is that it remains an important commercial waterway.
Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey. AmaWaterways is the only cruise line on Europe's rivers to be a member of the prestigious international gastronomy organization Chaine des Rotisseurs. Additionally, the line's culinary director is a member of the French association Tables et Auberges de France. For those looking for a longer experience, Uniworld cleverly combines a Po cruise with luxury rail journeys to places like Istanbul, Switzerland and beyond. That's even before you get to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You might also have the option of a side trip to Salzburg, Austria, the birthplace of Mozart — and also where several scenes for the movie "Sound of Music" were filmed.
Quieter and narrower than the Rhine, the Moselle snakes past small wine towns including Cochem, with a charming old town filled with half-timbered houses. Nestled in the southwest of France, lies Bordeaux - a region renowned for its gastronomic prowess and world-class wines. Be treated to breathtaking views of lush vineyards, historic châteaux, and charming villages that dot the landscape. The six-day "Highlights of the Rhine" cruise begins in Cologne and cruises on to Rotterdam and then Amsterdam the following day. Options include a bus tour, canal tour, pedal boats, or private auto tour, each at an additional cost. This German cruise company's distinctive ships are easy to recognize by the large red lips and rose on the bow.
Other highlights include visiting a truffle farm near Viviers and savoring a selection of wines at Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard. In Lyon, guests can visit foodie heaven at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the city’s outstanding indoor food market filled with a vast array of produce. The scenic highlight on this cruise is the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, which is dotted with castles and medieval wine-growing villages. Belmond has another way to cruise some of Europe's rivers — on luxury barges with private chefs and excursions like truffle hunting, hot air ballooning, canoeing, and wine tasting. The elegant barges cruise the waterways of Burgundy, Provence, Alsace, Champagne, Languedoc, and Franche-Comté from April to October. Programming and excursions are geared toward kids, To that end, expect a focus on storytelling rather than straight history lessons.
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