River cruising and why we think you’ll love it!

So you think you know all there is to know about cruising? Perhaps you’re (sea) sick of cruising? 

Perhaps you think cruising is just not for you? But, before you jump ship, have you thought of river cruising? 

A river versus an ocean cruise is entirely different. 

Apart from the “floating-on-water bit”, the experience and the adventure of a river cruise is incomparable to that of cruising at sea. 

The romance of river cruising takes you into the heart of a country, meandering amongst ever-changing countryside, passed storybook villages, ancient castles and lush vineyards and slicing right through historic cities. 

While the ships at sea are akin to huge resorts, river ships are more like small hotels. They’re more intimate. The experience is more immersive. The adventure more cultural. 

This is cruising but from a completely different view point. If you’re willing to take a look, let us help you explore the joys of river cruising. 

So many of our customers are river cruise converts, so perhaps we can persuade you to step on board?

First up, let’s investigate the key differences between river and ocean cruising.

1. Size matters

When you think of a cruise ship, chances are you envisage the humongous, multi-deck ships packed to the rafters with facilities that ply the world’s oceans. Well, you can scrap that vision when you contemplate a river cruise. 

The ships that glide down the world’s iconic rivers are on a totally different scale. They are so much smaller than their ocean-going counterparts. 

Think about it – they need to be smaller and more slender in order to navigate narrow rivers, pass under low bridges and dock right on the banks of city centres. 

While this smaller size means fewer facilities onboard, it does mean the ships are more intimate, easier to get around and less overwhelming. Think of them more like plush, boutique hotels. 

2. Crowd control 

Being so much smaller has more than just access benefits. It means fewer passengers on board. 

Rather than holidaying with thousands of other people (as you would be doing on board most of the ocean-going vessels), you’ll be sharing the ship with just 130 to 200 like-minded, fellow travellers.  

This means the spaces are more social. 

You’ll find that mingling with your fellow cruisers happens effortlessly, catching up with them in the bar at the end of the day to exchange and compare stories. Think of it more like a private party.  

3. No cabin fever

Owing to their narrow shape, one thing you won’t find on a river cruise ship is an inside cabin. 

This means everyone gets a room with a view to watch the world glide serenely by. 

Most river ships have cabins boasting a Juliet or French balcony, while some cabins have a full balcony or veranda.

Yes, of course, the cabins tend to be smaller than those you’ll find on ocean-going cruise ships – but not always. 

The more compact size means they have to be cleverly designed to ensure they’ve got all the mod cons you’ll need. 

4. Food, glorious food

The dining options are obviously not as extensive on river ships. You’ll probably have just one or two restaurants to choose from. But it’s a case of quality over quantity. 

Menus change to reflect the local specialities and often the chefs can nip ashore each day to stock up on fresh produce from local markets. 

Breakfasts and lunches tend to be buffet style, while dinners are more likely to be four-course culinary affairs paired with local wines.

Overall, dining tends to be fairly informal and the smaller passenger numbers mean everyone dines together, without the rush of multiple sittings.

5. That’s entertainment

Don’t expect the large-scale, all-singing, all dancing theatrical shows you get on the big ocean-going ships. 

Entertainment on a river cruise is more low-key. The emphasis is more likely to be on enrichment programmes – in other words, talks from local historians, cooking demonstrations, live music and cultural performances. 

Folk singers, local choirs or classical musicians may come on board in the evenings, and in the afternoon a local wine and cheese expert might host tastings.

6. Get ready to explore

One thing you’ll certainly need to pack for your river cruise is a pair of comfy walking shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of exploring. 

On a river cruise, you’ll find that the distances between ports are much shorter than on the ocean itineraries. 

The journeys are carefully crafted so that you’ll traverse the less scenic stretches of the river under the cover of night.

Each day you’ll wake up to explore, visit and sail through the most scenic parts of the river.

You’ll have more time to explore too. Docking on the banks of the river means there’s none of this jumping into small boats to be transferred to shore, or lengthy transfers to contend with. 

What’s more, with fewer passengers to deal with, getting on and off the ship is so much swifter than the inevitable queuing you’ll have to factor in with the big ocean vessels. 

All this equates to giving you more time to explore new and exciting destinations each day. 

7. Touring town

Excursions are a fundamental part of the river cruising experience.

Guided city walks, museum visits, food tours, afternoons at the opera and time touring castles and palaces: these are the sort of things you can look forward to. 

Each river has its own unique delights to offer. 

The waters of the Rhine flow through Amsterdam where you can tour the famous Anne Frank museum. 

The Danube takes you to Budapest where you can admire the stately Parliament Building, before taking you to the Bratislava Castle in Slovakia. 

And as you glide down the sun-drenched Douro River, step ashore to savour the grapes from Portugal’s lush vineyards. 

And the great thing? Many river cruises include excursions in their fare, so you don’t have to shell out any extra. 

8. All inclusive 

It’s not just the excursions that tend to be included in your river cruise package. You can also throw in all meals, flights, transfers, drinks with dinner and gratuities. 

All you’ll need is some spending money for once you step ashore to buy souvenirs. 

Now we’ve got that straight, let’s delve a little deeper into the world of river cruises. 

If you’re curious, adventurous, love culture and are hungry to explore, then a river cruise is for you. 

It’s a great option for anyone who enjoys city breaks and is a lover of history, culture, gastronomy and fine wines.

In the past, river cruises were often seen as the reserve of elderly people. That’s no longer necessarily the case. 

River cruising is picking up steam in terms of popularity with the younger generations. Couples in their 50s are becoming more the norm. 

Plus, today’s definition of “old” does not mean inactive. We’re seeing a number of river cruise operators respond to this by introducing more active excursions. Rather than just relaxed walking tours, we’re seeing cycling tours. Some ships even carry their own fleet of e-bikes for passengers to whizz around on. 

And passengers are being offered more challenging excursions, such as hiking tours or kayaking adventures. 

Well, that’s completely up to you. Where there’s a river, there’s a way. 

River cruises run pretty much year round. There’s barely a month when river ships don’t sail. 

Visits to Europe’s famous Christmas markets form part of the river cruise options in winter.

In the spring you can sign up to see the tulips in full bloom in the Netherlands and in the summer the vineyards are bursting.

And of course, the change of the seasons throw up ever more options. The mighty Nile river, the grand Amazon or musical Mississippi are all magical options during our colder months. 

To be honest, the ships tend to be pretty similar, particularly size wise. Most tend to have two or three decks; one or two restaurants; a couple of lounges and some have added extras such as small spa rooms and plunge pools on deck. 

What tends to differ is the atmosphere on board and that is shaped very much by the operators. 

So a better question to ask would be: 

Which river cruise line should you choose? 

Catering to the tastes of passengers from the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland, Riveira offers a sense of familiarity that you might appreciate. 

For a start, you’ll find tea and coffee-making facilities in your cabin, which is not the norm with other cruise lines. And menus are designed for the British palate. 

What’s more, a Riveira cruise comes at an accessible price, offering comfort without the high price tag. In fact, in 2024, Riveira scooped the Which? award for Best-Value River Cruise operator.  

Costs are kept on the lower side because the operator cleverly “unbundles” the packages. For example, you’ll pay extra for things like bottled water and beer, wine and spirits. Alternatively you can buy the drinks package. 

And while standard tours and excursions are included, there are a number of options that require an additional fee should you opt for them. 

Riviera also offers some nice extras aboard its ships, including two dining venues aboard most ships, luxury toiletries, onboard fitness centres plus steam rooms and saunas aboard select vessels. 

It has a fleet of 14 ships that ply the waters of Europe’s great rivers. Itineraries are crafted to suit UK travellers, often with departures from regional UK airports. Its cruises typically start and end at the same port – which means sometimes a quicker pace is necessary in order to get back to where you started. 

It also cruises the Nile and Mekong.

For those who appreciate great value over extensive inclusions, Riviera Travel strikes the right balance.

It’s a household name, so you may find that reassuring. 

River cruising is not a massive part of this behemoth operator. Tui has five ships, plying Europe’s Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Douro and the Dutch and Belgian waterways, plus Egypt’s Nile. 

The European ships hold a max 155 guests on board – all of whom are adults-only.

Excursions are not included in your TUI river cruise, but your flights direct from UK airports, transfers, three meals with drinks per day, your tips and your luggage allowance are all included as standard. 

You can enjoy soft drinks, tea, coffee, beer and wine at mealtimes as part of your standard package. But, if you fancy a bigger selection of drinks or want a coffee or a glass of wine outside mealtimes, you can upgrade to all inclusive. 

You’ll also be able to tuck into a gala dinner once during your sailing, as long as you’re sailing for five nights or more. And, you can enjoy the happy hour every evening in the Observatory Lounge, as well as a buffet afternoon tea hosted in the Observatory Lounge.

This is another budget option – although usually more expensive than a river cruise with TUI. We’d say it’s ‘moderately priced’.

Emerald is the sister brand to the more luxurious Scenic line.

It’s fleet of nine ‘Star Ships’ ply Europe’s waters as well as the Mekong and many of its vessels have adopted some of its sibling’s luxury touches – such as the swimming pools with retractable roofs.

Fare includes gratuities, Wi-Fi, mealtime drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks), airport transfers to and from the ship and daily excursions. Tours are primarily walking or bus tours, but it also offers a number of EmeraldActive tours using e-bikes. 

You'll also find trekking poles in your cabin that can be useful for guided hikes or independent strolls. Aboard the ships, Emerald's activity managers and wellness coaches host daytime classes like yoga, pilates and aqua aerobics. 

The Sun Deck also features a putting green and a walking track.

Children must be at least 10 years old to sail on Emerald's river cruises.

With APT and TravelMarvel, two brands owned by the same company, you get the best of both worlds: all-inclusive luxury with APT or premium cruising at great value with TravelMarvel. 

Both brands are backed by nearly a century of travel expertise, meaning well-crafted itineraries, excellent service, and an English-speaking onboard experience that feels effortless.

APT’s next-generation luxury fleet – including the new APT Solara and Ostara – brings five-star boutique hotel comforts to Europe’s rivers. 

You’ll enjoy multiple dining venues, butler service in top suites, and exclusive Signature Experiences, like private palace concerts or VIP tours. 

Everything’s included – flights, home transfers, excursions, premium drinks, and gratuities – making for a seamless, no-hidden-costs experience. 

Beyond Europe, APT also excels in Asia, cruising the Mekong in style aboard the brand-new Mekong Serenity, and offers select itineraries in India, Egypt, and even Australia’s Murray River.

Prefer a more flexible, relaxed experience at a lower price point? TravelMarvel delivers modern, premium river cruises that keep things easy. 

The line’s newest ships – Polaris, Vega, and Capella – feature a rooftop garden, heated whirlpool, and McGeary’s Bar, a unique onboard Irish pub for casual drinks and dining. 

Fares include flights, meals, drinks with meals, guided tours, and tips, but leave room for personal choice – so you only pay for extras if you want them.

If fine food is what you’re after, then you can’t go wrong when you board a river ship belonging to this line. 

AmaWaterways is the only cruise line on Europe's rivers to be a member of the prestigious international gastronomy organisation Chaine des Rotisseurs. If you’ve never heard of this association before (admittedly neither had we), don’t worry – you’ll be able to appreciate it when you dine onboard any of its ships. 

The food is exceptional. European ships have the cosy Chef’s Table restaurant where all guests get to dine for free once every cruise. 

The line also offers a series of food and wine-themed sailings accompanied by expert hosts. 

Alongside these culinary delights, AmaWaterways takes wellness seriously. Among its excursions are a choice of more active options, including hiking and cycle tours. Its ships are equipped with a fleet of bicycles, a fitness room, whirlpool or swimming pool and a walking track. 

This is the choice for those wanting the finer things in life. The emphasis on their small fleet (14 at the latest count) of “Space Ships” is on luxury. Fares cover all premium drinks, including a minibar in every cabin, plus specialty dining, butler service and gratuities.

The suites are opulent, the dining is fine and the excursions are exclusive.

It’s luxury, but not ‘in-your-face’ luxury – while butler service is provided for every cabin on a Scenic cruise, the attendants don't wear formal butler uniforms.

It’s the finer touches that matter here. For example, it’s the fine art that lines the walls; it’s having a choice of pillow; it’s the designer toiletries and the GPS touring device for exploring independently. 

Plus, it’s the exclusive, private events. 

How about attending a private performance showcasing music from Mozart and Strauss during an evening of indulgence at Palais Liechtenstein? 

All this creates a relaxed, yet refined vibe on board. And together with the active excursions, Scenic is attracting passengers typically 50 years old and above.

This river cruise line is all about Luxury with a capital L. Think original artwork, antiques, posh Asprey toiletries and lavish suites, including some with four-poster beds and brocade drapes.

Expect service fit for royalty on board its 12 boutique vessels. That means white-gloved butlers trained at the Ivor Spencer Butler School to the standards required by Buckingham Palace.

Dining on Uniworld is a true culinary experience, with farm-to-table cuisine and carefully selected local wines. Each meal is designed to be as memorable as your surroundings.

Uniworld is truly all-inclusive, with excursions and gratuities covered in your fare. 

Expect two excursions per day, with a variety of options at most ports. Expect delights such as cocktail receptions in Austrian castles, private chef-hosted dining experiences and exclusive access to galleries and museums before they are open to the public.

No wonder Uniworld is often regarded as the world’s most luxurious, all-inclusive river cruise line. 

In our opinion, a river cruise makes for a fantastic holiday. 

Unlike any other form of travel, a river cruise allows you to experience the heart of a region, docking in charming towns and vibrant cities where history, culture and cuisine await just steps from your vessel. 

Whether you dream of sailing past the illuminated skyline of Budapest on the Danube or sipping fine wines in Bordeaux along the Garonne, river cruising promises an unforgettable journey filled with beauty, romance and discovery. 

And we can set you on that journey. 

Booking a river cruise is not straight forward. The options can be overwhelming. 

Which cruise line is right for you? 

What ship would suit you best? 

What cabin should you book? 

What’s included in your package? 

And then there’s the not-so-small matter of which river do you want to sail (more on that here)

We've got all the options at our fingertips and once we've had a chat, we can give you our educated opinions and present you with some ideal river cruise holidays. 

And the best part? We don’t charge a penny for this service! 

So what’ve you got to lose? We look forward to hearing from you.