10 Reasons to take a European River Cruise

River cruising shares many benefits with its land-dwelling and seafaring counterparts. Like coach touring and ocean cruising all the logistics are taken care of, itineraries are carefully curated, and travel directors and guides are on hand so that you get the most out of your holiday. However, taking a river cruise through Europe remains an experience like no other. Here are some reasons to give it a try.

You only need to unpack once

One of the standout benefits of taking a river cruise is that you get to see so many incredible places without having to think about your luggage once it is safely stowed in your stateroom. There is no need to lug it across cobbled streets or haul it from place to place (or get a porter to). You don’t need to worry about repacking it in the evening or putting it outside your room in the morning, which is particularly handy if it is steadily expanding day by day with your souvenirs!

You can choose your pace

Given that you have a home-away-from-home that ferries you around for the duration of your holiday, you can choose your pace. You can venture ashore independently or on a prearranged shore excursion of varying activity levels or choose to stay onboard if you prefer some down time. With meals and entertainment hosted on the ship you don’t need to worry about getting to and from venues, and you can join a performance when you like and retire to your room before it is finished should you choose – your holiday, on your terms.

Dining times are also often flexible, with meals (particularly breakfast) usually served over a window of time rather than at a set hour. Many river cruise operators also have snacks available throughout the day and some have 24-hour coffee and tea stations with some little treats, so you don’t need to be constricted by meal times if you don’t want. You can also check your options for in-room dining if you prefer to stay in your stateroom and watch the world glide by.

The inclusions are great value

River cruises may appear pricey, but once you add up your inclusions they work out at incredible value. While inclusions vary by operator and sometimes by destination, your European river cruise price generally includes your meals onboard, drinks (varying levels dependent on operator), shore excursions, and tipping and gratuities.

If you consider adding the cost of all these together, along with accommodation and transport, doing it yourself will often work out to be far more expensive particularly for the standard you receive on a river cruise. Not to mention the stress you eliminate by having it all taken care of for you – that alone is worth its weight in gold!

You get the most out of your time

The beauty of river cruising is that you generally cruise at night, meaning that you don’t lose any time getting from place to place and you wake up at a new destination each day. If you do cruise during the day it is usually a ‘scenic’ cruise incorporated in your itinerary to showcase the landscapes sprawling from the riverbanks around you. You’ll often get a full day in port and a lot of the time won’t set off until late at night, so you can head ashore to experience the city or town after the sun goes down – just be sure to check with reception what time ‘all aboard’ is on any given day.

The locks are really cool

You may imagine spending your time on the top deck gazing off in the distance in awe of the scenery beyond the river. This will often be the case, but not when you are going through a lock. Now, if you aren’t an engineer and have little-to-no interest in these things, don’t let your eyes glaze over and write off this highlight. It is actually really cool (from one non-engineer to another!). Watching the water levels steadily rise and fall and take the ship safely with it is truly incredible.

Local culture is welcomed aboard

Aboard your river cruise you will find touches and flourishes that reflect the experiences ashore. Tailored menus are infused with the produce and flavours of each region and the entertainment is handpicked to suit. Picture dining on the most delicious schnitzel you have ever tried followed by an apple strudel that melts in your mouth as you set off on a river cruise from Vienna, indulging in Swiss chocolates atop the waterways of Switzerland, or sampling regional wines as you cruise through Bordeaux.

The ships are beautiful

River cruise ships are continually adapting, adding amenities, enriching their designs, and outdoing themselves time and time again. The restricted size of the vessels means that passenger numbers are limited and the communal spaces on board never feel crowded. Everything is organised seamlessly so that you won’t find yourself standing in long queues and there is always a very accommodating crew to passenger ratio. The ships are designed to provide plenty of viewing areas both indoors and outdoors and if you prefer your privacy you can relax in your beautifully appointed stateroom and watch the scenery glide by.

There are experiences aplenty

There is certainly nothing boring about a river cruise. Every itinerary offers shore excursions packed with culture and immersive moments with local experts showcasing the best of each port. You can also get tips from the staff and wander ashore yourself if you choose, or take advantage of the complimentary bicycles that are available on many river cruise ships.

There is also no shortage of experiences onboard including educational lectures by handpicked specialists, activities like dance lessons and competitions, sunrise yoga, and local entertainment all hosted on the ship. You can choose what interests you and participate in as many or as few as you wish.

The destinations are accessible

The beauty of a river cruise is that the ship will generally dock in the heart of town making it easy for you to head ashore and explore. It allows you to maximise your time in port and truly feel like you are getting under the skin of a place, rather than feeling removed from it. You often see more smaller towns and villages that may be bypassed on coach tours that stick to the highways between major destinations. River cruising exposes unique places and experiences to give you the most out of your holiday.

Cruising is comfortable and convenient

Every comfort is taken into consideration when designing a river cruise – both in terms of the itinerary and the ship. All cabin classes include at least a window, and you can choose to upgrade to have a balcony to enjoy the view from. You have the convenience of numerous amenities and staff at your disposal, so you can enjoy your holiday hassle-free. You also don’t need to worry about motion sickness which is sometimes a concern when travelling by coach or on an ocean cruise. If this is something you are sensitive to, then a river cruise may just be for you!