Cruise ship passing Duernstein on the Danube

European River Cruises: Book Your Dream Vacation

A Tapestry of European Beauty

Europe is an old and vibrant continent with historic towns built on the side of rivers. River cruises are a must for people who want to explore these waterways in a unique and fun way.

In this article, we review three of the best river cruises in Europe, each catering to different preferences and desires. From luxury to family-friendly, we have a European river cruise for you.

3 of the Best River Cruises in Europe

1. Jewels Of Europe River Cruises

The Jewels of Europe River Cruise is a 15-day all-inclusive cruise on the state-of-the-art luxury river cruise liner. Enjoy a relaxed and luxurious vacation that is steeped in history as you follow and learn about the ancient trade routes on the rivers of the Rhine, Main and Danube.

While on this river cruise, you'll discover the iconic Dutch windmills from the village of Schermerhorn, visit the owners of Garmburg Castle when you visit the castle and have many excursions into historic towns and cities of Europe.

The river cruise comes with five different on-board dining options, from fine dining to a casual dinner. This includes the 41 meals you will get throughout the cruise. You will also get complimentary drinks and premium beverages throughout the day.

All suites aboard this river cruise have a butler service to help create the best vacation with needs and services anyone may need during the cruise. You also get complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the cruise liner.

While you can enjoy many activities on the cruise ship, such as the salt therapy lounge and fitness area, you also have access to e-bikes from the liner to go explore the towns and try out activities inside the cities that you can not get anywhere else.

2. Holiday Magic: Danube Family River Cruise

This eight-day family cruise only happens in December, as the whole cruise celebrates the holiday season and festivities throughout Europe. On the cruise, you'll learn about the customs and traditions of the winter holidays from Budapest to Salzburg.

This family cruise will teach you the sights, sounds and flavors of the festive season. It will start with sightseeing in Oberndorf, where the famous song “Silent Night” originated. Then, you'll visit the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and the Melk Abbey in the old town of Bratislava, where you can enjoy medieval games and their yearly scavenger hunt.

While on the river Passau, you will stop by the famous Simon Cafe to watch a live demonstration from the Simon family and learn how to make traditional gingerbread and marzipan.

While in Budapest, you'll toast the festive season by attending a Tauck Exclusive evening event at a private palace in Vienna. This includes a fine cuisine experience, a magnificent live performance and a waltzing lesson.

When your cruise ends in Vilshofen, you'll get an inclusive transfer from the riverboat to Munich International Airport. If you have a post-cruise stay, you'll be transferred to Tauck’s hotel in Munich so you can continue your European holiday.

3. Grand European Tour by Viking Cruise Liners

This cruise is for travelers who want to enjoy an adult-only river cruise so they can relax in peace and enjoy more mature and refined amenities aboard the ship. The Scandinavian aspects of these cruise liners have a unique and welcoming feel for guests.

One of the best reasons to go on a Viking Cruises holiday is that there are multiple cruises throughout the year. They have 55 Nordic-inspired cruise ships that travel throughout Europe for guests to enjoy.

One of the best cruise liners in the Viking fleet is the Viking Edgir, which accommodates 190 passengers. This cruise liner offers guests the chance to explore famous vineyards and castles on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.

This cruiser also takes you through some of Europe’s biggest and greatest cities, such as Budapest, Vienna, Amsterdam and Cologne. It also allows passengers to explore these cities while it docks at the many ports throughout Europe.

These cruises often last 15 days, and all-inclusive packages include access to elegant libraries on the liner, complimentary drinks and cuisine and many activities on these cruise itineraries.

Tranquil Waters, Timeless Charm

Whether you want to explore the festive season cruising through the rivers of Europe, have an adult-only peaceful vacation or learn about the trade routes of the European rivers, these three river cruises offer you the opportunity of a lifetime while traveling.