On a river cruise the ship usually moors right in town. Instead of sea days you reach a new place almost every day, the ships are small and life on board is calm. That makes river cruises a good choice for first-timers and for anyone who wants to see a lot without the crowds.
Here we compare Europe's most popular rivers and the lines that sail them: A-ROSA, nicko cruises and VIVA Cruises. Find out which route suits which traveller, where the trip starts and how to get to the ship with ease.
The big rivers at a glance
| River | Typical route | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Rhine | Basel – Cologne – Amsterdam | Castles, wine towns, cities |
| Danube | Passau – Vienna – Bratislava – Budapest | Culture, capitals, classical music |
| Seine | Paris – Rouen – Normandy | Impressionists, coast, food |
| Douro | Porto – Régua – Pinhão | Vineyards, port wine, scenery |
Guides in progress
- Rhine: castles, wine towns and cities from Basel to Amsterdam
- Danube: from Passau to Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest
- Seine: from Paris to Normandy
- Douro: port wine country in northern Portugal
- Cruise lines compared: A-ROSA, nicko cruises and VIVA Cruises
For a first overview, read “River or ocean?”.