European River Cruises Nature & Wildlife Tours & Trip...

European River Cruises Nature & Wildlife Tours & Trips

64 European River Cruises trips. Tours from 23 tour companies. 9 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

28 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Nature & Wildlife
River Cruise to Northern France
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5/5 Excellent
81 reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They’ve been recognized by major travel publications for their pioneering adventure travel expertise that spans back to their founding in 1979.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Paris, Reims

Highlights

  • Visit the Abbey of Hautvilliers where the monk Dom Perignon first made Champagne
  • Visit to the world famous cellars of Moet and Chandon for a tour and tasting
  • Visits to small family-run vineyards
  • Visit Meaux and Coulomniers, one of the centres of Brie cheese
  • Visit the magnificent Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte

Themes

50 plus, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"I have travelled with ROW numerous times, including four trips on the Rogue River. Every trip has been wonderful and every person associated with ROW has been nice, knowledgeable, professional and fun. The Rogue is a great river and the trip is an excellent one for two people or a large group—and I have done both. I’ve taken both of my kids, one time each, and have organized groups of colleagues twice; most recently in 2019 when 14 of us gathered. The guides at ROW are great and help to make the trip very enjoyable. The scenery, lodging and the wonderful outdoors including warm air and refreshing water, make for a wonderful escape from the everyday routine. The fact that this trip offers beds and indoor plumbing is a nice benefit and allows those who have an aversion to camping a chance to see the wilderness. I have recommended ROW and the Rogue trip more times than I can count and my group has already reserved our trip for 2021. What are you waiting for?"

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Elegant Elbe
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5/5 Excellent
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Berlin, Dresden, Meissen, Prague, Wittenberg

Highlights

  • Discover Berlin’s modern chic, Potsdam’s rococo whimsy
  • Experience cruise along Elbe which is one of Europe’s most unspoiled rivers
  • Opportunity to visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Explore Wittenberg’s and see the historic landmarks.
  • Explore Prague

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

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European sojourn
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2.7/5 Average
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Koblenz, Nuremberg, St. Martin's Cathedral, Vienna

Highlights

  • Get an opportunity to Visit 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Enjoy the amazing river cruising across Amsterdam
  • Explore Budapest enjoy innovative, efficient metro.
  • Discover Vienna
  • Experience a tour of Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

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Tulips & windmills
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4.7/5 Excellent
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Antwerp

Highlights

  • Opportunity to Visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Explore Netherlands
  • Visit Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Discover Amsterdam
  • Visit Netherlands

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

Trip dates & details
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France's Finest
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4.7/5 Excellent
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Arles, Avignon, Eiffel Tower, Lyon, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Highlights

  • See the fantastic Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral,
  • Get an opportunity to see historic beaches of Normandy
  • Explore France
  • Discover Lyon a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Enjoy cruising to Les Andelys, known for its imposing castle

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

Trip dates & details
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Essence of the Elbe: Berlin to Prague
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Berlin, Dresden, Meissen, Potsdam, Prague, Wittenberg

Highlights

  • Enjoy twelve days River Cruise vacation
  • Insightful and informative port tour
  • Land tours and shipboard programs

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I am a 12 time traveler with Grand Circle and OAT. But maybe no more. They are impossible to reach by phone without waiting for hours. I even tired their emergency phone number and was on hold for hours. What if I had been stranded in a foreign country? They cancelled my Eastern Europe to Black Sea Cruise in Sept 2021 and cited "covid" or "civil unrest" issues. Baloney. They cancelled because they did not sell out the cruise and lied about it to me. I know because I went with Viking during the same month with no excuses like Grand Circle gave me. Add to that they promised me a $1,000 credit on my next trip- which was to Antarctica in December. The invoice they sent me showed the credit- and 1 month later a new invoice arrived with the credit removed. Why? Another lie? Something is really wrong here with the company now and I would suggest be very careful with bookings as they are not the same company I traveled with for the past 12 years."

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Romance of the Rhine and Mosel
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Antwerp, Bonn, Brussels, Strasbourg, Trier

Highlights

  • Best way to travel through Europe
  • Discover five different countries
  • Relaxing and rewarding experience

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I am a 12 time traveler with Grand Circle and OAT. But maybe no more. They are impossible to reach by phone without waiting for hours. I even tired their emergency phone number and was on hold for hours. What if I had been stranded in a foreign country? They cancelled my Eastern Europe to Black Sea Cruise in Sept 2021 and cited "covid" or "civil unrest" issues. Baloney. They cancelled because they did not sell out the cruise and lied about it to me. I know because I went with Viking during the same month with no excuses like Grand Circle gave me. Add to that they promised me a $1,000 credit on my next trip- which was to Antarctica in December. The invoice they sent me showed the credit- and 1 month later a new invoice arrived with the credit removed. Why? Another lie? Something is really wrong here with the company now and I would suggest be very careful with bookings as they are not the same company I traveled with for the past 12 years."

Trip dates & details
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The Great Rivers of Europe
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Nuremberg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Unpack just once, journey 948 miles through three countries, and enjoy an abundance of included features—from all meals to 11 guided tours, and more—on our #1 River Cruise for more than a decade
  • Cruise aboard our award-winning 140- to 164-passenger ships with a dedicated English-speaking crew
  • Experience this European itinerary, and uncover a local and American perspective in destinations like Nuremberg’s Room 600
  • Explore with an expert, local Program Director—a native or resident of Europe—who will be dedicated to your group of no more than 47 from the start to the end of your trip

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I am a 12 time traveler with Grand Circle and OAT. But maybe no more. They are impossible to reach by phone without waiting for hours. I even tired their emergency phone number and was on hold for hours. What if I had been stranded in a foreign country? They cancelled my Eastern Europe to Black Sea Cruise in Sept 2021 and cited "covid" or "civil unrest" issues. Baloney. They cancelled because they did not sell out the cruise and lied about it to me. I know because I went with Viking during the same month with no excuses like Grand Circle gave me. Add to that they promised me a $1,000 credit on my next trip- which was to Antarctica in December. The invoice they sent me showed the credit- and 1 month later a new invoice arrived with the credit removed. Why? Another lie? Something is really wrong here with the company now and I would suggest be very careful with bookings as they are not the same company I traveled with for the past 12 years."

Trip dates & details
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European River Cruises Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
9  Reviews
See all European River Cruises tour reviews
Excellent
4
Great
0
Average
1
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
G

Golf Fool

Oct 2019

Written on

Great if you like 5-star hotels and lots of food

The tour covered most of Switzerland, with one day in Italy, which could have been eliminated. If you want to see the country from a bus or train, and you desire lu...

R

Rick & Fran

Aug 2015

We enjoyed the entire experience

We enjoyed the entire experience; Normandy and Omaha Beach were especially moving. The food and service deserve praise too. This is our third Viking cruise and we'll...

L

Larry

Oct 2018

Misleading and often just plain dishonest.

We paid for a 3 week luxury river cruise but received a large group bus trip across Europe with many days of packing and unpacking. I called our Viking representativ...

C

Charles

Oct 2022

Good and no so goog

Recently returned from a Viking Rhine trip on 10/14. The good: Rhine water levels were good, no issues. Service on the vessel was A+, excluding one attendant with...

T

Tonya

Aug 2015

Incredible experience

Incredible experience sailing on the Grand European tour from Amsterdam to Budapest! Just wonderful! The tours were interesting, and most allowed for adequate free t...

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European River Cruises Tour Selection Trips

  • Recognize that despite similarities in appearance, not all European river cruises are alike. The boats of varying river cruise operators usually have the same number of rooms, decks, etc. and are generally the same size overall.
  • Look beyond the physical appearance of your river cruise vessel and focus your Europe river cruise search on factors such as the amenities that are offered, how long you stay in various ports and what activities are available onboard and onshore.
  • Decide where you want to go before beginning your Europe river cruise research. This helps narrow down your choice of cruise operators on Europe’s major rivers. You’ll have fewer choices of river cruise company the more specific your destination, while you’ll find that most of the major river cruise operators offer itineraries on the Rhine and Danube, for example.
  • Be sure that your river cruise vessel can accommodate your physical needs. River cruises need not be ADA compliant and may provide challenges to those with physical limitations.
  • River cruises come in a variety of options. Be sure to check all inclusions. Some include all beverages, even alcohol, others include limited alcohol at certain meals.
  • Consider your budget when researching where and with whom to take your next river cruise in Europe. Many of the luxury river cruise operators offer easy, seamless, all-inclusive packages so you won’t have to worry about being nickel and dimed throughout your voyage. 
  • In the mid-range, value-conscious Europe river cruisers can expect great accommodations and fine dining, but perhaps not around-the-clock wine or prepaid gratuities. Budget river cruise operators in Europe typically do not include shore excursions (which can be purchased separately).
  • Decide what’s important to you on your Europe vacation. If you want a European river cruise focused on food and wine, consider the Rhine and its countless vineyards, wine villages and waterside restaurants. Hoping to see the tulips in bloom? Consider sailing the Dutch Waterways in springtime. Christmas markets? Sail through Nuremberg in December.
  • Although children are welcome on many European river cruises, check for age restrictions and be aware that few companies offer dedicated facilities or programming for children.
  • Most cabins are configured to provide sleeping space for two people. Interconnecting cabins are found on many ships.
  • If you enjoy active sports, you will be pleased to find that some ships offer bicycles or Nordic walking sticks. Be sure that your particular ship offers these if this type of activity is an important feature of your river cruise.
  • Be aware that water levels impact river cruises and be prepared for itinerary alterations.

Additional details

Best Affordable River Cruises in Europe 

It’s easy to think a budget-friendly European river cruise is an oxymoron. Rest assured, however, that if your travel dreams include gliding down the Rhine or Danube, wine glass in hand, medieval castles on the shore - and you’re not an international jet-setter - you, too, can cruise the likes of Europe's rivers.

When selecting a European river cruise that is budget-conscious, look for cruise operators that offer a choice of inclusions. This might mean a selection of meal or drink plans, instead of free-flowing beer and wine and three gourmet meals a day. You might pick and choose, and pay separately for, your shore excursions to Europe’s riverside attractions.

And while many river cruise vessels look alike from the outside, with a little research, you’ll find that some have more swanky amenities than others. Think about what you must have and what you can do without on your Europe river cruise and you’ll find something that fits the bill. 

Consider, too, cruising Europe’s major rivers in the shoulder season, not the expensive high season of June through August. Look for river cruises in March and April, October and November. There will likely be fewer riverboats in each port you visit and the crowds will be lighter, but you will have to be prepared for unpredictable weather. 

Look for budget-friendly Europe river cruise itineraries. Often one can sail just a segment of a longer river cruise - experience a luxury river cruise operator for one week instead of two, for example. The most popular Europe river cruise locations - the Rhine and Danube - offer the most choices, so there’s more chance of snagging a good deal. 

A few other tips for getting the best price on a European river cruise:

  • Ask about airfare and whether or not it’s included in your cruise fare. 
  • Go on a Europe river cruise with a group of family or friends and enjoy a group discount. 
  • Plan ahead, about a year in advance. 

Packing for a European River Cruise

One of the top perks of taking a river cruise is the fact that you only have to unpack and pack up once. Assuming you are sailing during the height of the cruise season on Europe’s top rivers, consider these packing tips to make traveling even easier:

  • Pack casual clothing. You’ll be doing a fair amount of onshore sightseeing, from terraced vineyards to medieval castles, so keep things comfortable. There is typically no formal event on a Europe river cruise, so leave the evening wear at home. As for color palette, stick with neutrals - black, tan, gray, white - and then mix and match outfits.
  • If you can, aim to bring one carry-on piece of luggage per traveler on your Europe river cruise vacation. River cruise staterooms aren’t overly large, so it’s nice to be able to tuck your small suitcase away under a bed.
  • Even if you’re taking a Europe river cruise during the peak of summer, it’s important to pack layers. This is especially important if you are sailing along Europe’s rivers in the shoulder seasons of spring or fall. Evenings can get chilly and you may have rain showers on sightseeing days. Bring a sweater, a light jacket, a wrap, a long-sleeve shirt, a raincoat - a couple of items you can turn to for warmth and dryness. 
  • Pack comfortable footwear. Plan to walk a couple miles a day on land, often on cobblestones dating back centuries. Choose sneakers or sandals that are comfortable, supportive and sturdy. 
  • Bring a cross-body, lightweight tote that you can use when out and about on shore excursions. Throw in a reusable bag for carrying souvenirs. 
  • If you have a lot of devices like cameras, tablets, smartphones, etc., pack a light power strip to give you lots of charging options.

When Is the Best Time to Go on a European River Cruise?

You’ve narrowed down what major European river you want to cruise along, which sights you most want to see and what level of luxury you’re seeking in a river cruise vessel. Now for the “when.” What month should you go river cruising in Europe

Generally speaking, the best time to go on a Europe river cruise is from June to October. The climate is at its warmest and driest during these summer and early fall months.

If you’re a budget-minded traveler, the top months for European river cruising are the shoulder months of March-April and October-November. You may not get the region’s best weather at these times, but you’ll see far fewer crowds and riverboats in port, and you’ll get the best pricing.

If it’s your first time river cruising in Europe or if you just have to see the continent in all its summer glory, the optimum time to sail the major rivers of Europe is June through September. In fact, September has been called the very best month to go river cruising in Europe, thanks to great weather, fewer tourists and optimum water levels. (The heat of August can actually drop the water levels in the river so much that some river cruise operators have been forced to cancel or reschedule departures.) 

Where you are sailing in Europe greatly affects when you should go. For example, you might consider cruising the Rhine River in March and April, which along with the benefits of traveling in the shoulder season, will offer great views of blooming tulips. Dutch tulip gardens from Amsterdam to Budapest, along the Main, Rhine and Danube, are best viewed in April and May. 

December marks a European river cruising season unto itself due to the many Christmas markets, celebrations and decadent decor in riverside cities and villages as they dress up for the holidays. Focus on the Rhine and Danube for the most Christmas market opportunities.

One more factor to keep in mind is the water level throughout the year. As the snow melts, high water levels can be a culprit in cancelled or rescheduled departures (just as low water levels can affect hot August departures).

Good options for safe water levels in the springtime include the Bordeaux region of France, the Douro River in Spain & Portugal, and the Seine around Paris. If you are sailing the Rhone River, the optimal times to cruise to avoid high-water levels are late spring, summer and fall.

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