During river cruises the countryside is usually in view, so they are especially relaxing—and interesting—to those who prefer land nearby. River cruises usually last from 7 to 15 days, although some can last 3 weeks or longer.
Some river ships resemble 5-star hotels, with sun decks, dining rooms, lounges, fitness facilities, swimming pools, casinos and other entertainment. Accommodation, meals on board, entertainment and special events (holidays, festivals, contests, concerts, etc.) are usually included in the cruise price, while bar expenses, sauna, massage, laundry and cleaning, and phone calls are not.
Most cruises have a variety of onboard and onshore activities. The latter include guided tours to historic and cultural sites, visiting local attractions, museums and galleries, and other points of interest. Guides give a running commentary while sailing.
A river cruise provides travelers a unique way to travel. According to Douglas Ward, "A river cruise represents life in the slow lane, sailing along at a gentle pace, soaking up the scenery, with plentiful opportunities to explore riverside towns and cities en route. It is a supremely calming experience, an antidote to the pressures of life in a fast-paced world, in surroundings that are comfortable without being fussy or pretentious, with good food and enjoyable company."
Mr. Ward continues: "A river cruise is very different from an ocean cruise. For a start, you are in almost constant sight of land and stops are far more frequent than they are at sea. The vessels are like small, friendly, floating inns, whereas ocean-going ships tend to be bigger, flashier, busier and livelier, the crew practised in the art of moving up to 4,000 people from one port to another and getting them on and off the ship. In contrast, when your river cruise vessel docks you simply walk up the gangway and into the town or city—in many cases the dock is located right at the heart of things. Despite these differences, however, most people who enjoy ocean cruising and the relaxing rhythm of life afloat are attracted to river cruises as well."
Popular river cruises include trips along the Nile, the Amazon, the Mississippi, the Yangtze, the Mekong, the Danube, the Loboc River, the Rhine, the Seine, the Volga, the Douro or the Po river in Italy. There are several dozen river cruise companies ranging from single-ship businesses to large shipping companies operating dozens of river cruise ships.
Cruises
Musical Magic Along The Blue Danube Aboard ms Joy
From $6,390.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: ms Joy
Join Tauck's maestros to walk in the footsteps of Mozart, Beethoven, Bartok and others on a melody-filled adventure including a 7-night Danub...2022 : Romantic Danube : Prague to Budapest : 7-Night Cruise with 3 Mights Pre-Cruise : ms AmaViola
From $3,049.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: ms AmaViola
OverviewCRUISE FROM : Vilshofen to BudapestThose longing for the romance of Old World Europe will get to travel into the very heart of t...2022 : Iconic Christmas Markets : 7-Night Cruise with 2-Nights Pre-Cruise, 3 Nights Post-Cruise : Bu
From $4,459.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: ms AmaVerde
OverviewCRUISE FROM : Nuremberg to BudapestTravel back through centuries as you walk along cobblestone streets through grand cities and ...2022 : Christmas Markets on the Danube : 7-Night Cruise : Vilshofen to Budapest : ms AmaViola
From $10,497.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: ms AmaViola
OverviewCRUISE FROM : Budapest to VilshofenExperience timeless holiday traditions and elegant pageantry in five countries-Hungary, Slova...2023 : Rhine Getaway : Basel to Amsterdam
From $2,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Viking Herja
Castles & cathedralsExplore one of Europe's best-loved rivers, the Rhine.2023 : Rhine Getaway : Amsterdam to Basel
From $2,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Viking Herja
Castles & cathedralsExplore one of Europe's best-loved rivers, the Rhine.2023 : Christmas on the Danube : Budapest to Regensburg
From $2,499.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Viking Egil
Sail to charming cities & villagesDiscover grand cities, medieval towns and quaint villages along the "Blue Danube," highlighting three ...2022 : Oberammergau, the Alps & the Rhine : Munich to Amsterdam
From $5,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Viking Sigrun
Alpine beauty & old-world charmTake in a dramatic performance of The Passion Play, celebrated once every ten years, and visit the pict...2023 - 18 Day Jewels of Europe with Prague: Amsterdam to Prague aboard Scenic Crystal (Cruise)
From $7,815.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Crystal
Save $$ Per Couple2022 - 8 Day Treasures of the Rhine: Amsterdam to Nuremberg aboard Scenic Pearl (Cruise)
From $3,495.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Pearl
Flight Offers2023 - 16 Day Peru & Atacama Delights - cruise & land journey: Santiago to Lima aboard Scenic Eclipse I (Combo)
From $13,137.00 (USD)
Destination: South America
Ship: Scenic Eclipse I
Save $$ Per Couple2023 - 8 Day Rhine Highlights: Amsterdam to Zurich aboard Scenic Crystal (Cruise)
From $4,545.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Crystal
Flight Offers2023 - 21 Day Jewels of Europe with Prague & Paris: Prague to Paris aboard Scenic Jewel (Cruise)
From $9,665.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Jewel
Save $$ Per Couple2023 : Christmas on the Rhine : Amsterdam to Basel
From $2,299.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Viking Hlin
'Tis the season to be joyfulImmerse yourself in the spirit of Christmas as you journey through storybook villages.2022 : Mississippi Holiday Season : Memphis to New Orleans
From $5,499.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Viking Mississippi
Savor the holidays in the Old SouthDiscover the history and charm of the Lower Mississippi on this special voyage.2022 : Oberammergau, Innsbruck & the Rhine : Amsterdam to Oberammergau
From $4,999.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Viking Tialfi
Alpine beauty & old-world charmExplore one of Europe's best-loved rivers, the Rhine.2023 : Medieval Treasures : Basel to Nuremberg : 7-Night Cruise : ms AmaCerto
From $3,049.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: ms AmaCerto
OverviewMedieval TreasuresCRUISE FROM : Basel to NurembergWalk through thousands of years of history in the medieval towns of Rothenburg...2022 - 8 Day Rhine Highlights: Amsterdam to Basel aboard Scenic Jade (Cruise)
From $4,545.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Jade
Flight Offers2023 - 15 Day Jewels of Europe: Budapest to Amsterdam aboard Scenic Jewel (Cruise)
From $6,895.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Jewel
Save $$ Per Couple2022 - 8 Day Gems of the Danube: Nuremberg to Budapest aboard Scenic Jasper (Cruise)
From $4,495.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Jasper
Flight Offers