European River Cruise Ideas

So far I've only taken cruises on the ocean, but I'm definitely planning to try some river cruises in the near future. After we do Alaska this summer, that is!

Europe has some great rivers, and there are a number of cruise options if you'd prefer to see the inland areas by boat rather than by tour bus or train. Technically I've been on a "European river cruise" since our Rick Steves tour sailed the Rhine for about an hour after some castle hopping. The cruise ideas I'm going to list below are a little longer than an hour though. You can find lots of multiple day river cruises that can be a part of your vacation or the cornerstone. Let's take a look at some options:

European Rhine River Cruise

Lots of outfits send ships up and down this famous European river, and you can book sailings for anything from a couple of hours to two weeks or more.

The Amsterdam to Strasbourg run is a popular one, and you can book with Euro River Cruises for just about any week during the primary tourist season (April through October). As with ocean-going cruises, prices include most of your room, board, and transportation expenses: "Full board cruise from dinner of the first day to the lunch of the last day in a double cabin with shower and toilets, welcome drink, entertainment, the Captain's Evening, the assistance of our hostess on board, and port taxes."

Click the link above for an itinerary and more information.

Black Sea & Ukraine River Cruise

If you've never been to Eastern Europe, then a cruise through Ukraine to the Black Sea would be a unique experience. Visit the Land of the Kosacks by river boat.

Smart Tours offers Ukraine cruises with prices starting at $1400 (including air fare from New York) for 11-nights aboard the MS Dnieper Princess cruise boat in an outside cabin on the Lower Deck, with private bath. "The first class MS Dnieper Princess was built for cruising the Ukrainian Waterways and can accommodate 240 guests. All cabins are river facing and cozy, with two lower beds and a private bath/shower."

Visit their site to see a sample itinerary.

Holiday River Cruise Along the Danube

While you may think of cruises as something to be done in the warm weather of late spring and summer, this particular cruise, put on by Viking River Cruises, departs later in the year.

"Celebrate a variety of Central European countries in just 8 days, and mingle with locals as they prepare for the holidays during this refreshing cruise along the storied Danube. Get a taste of Germany in beautiful Passau. Cruise through Austria, stopping in riverside towns along the way, and enjoy a full-day excursion to picture-perfect Salzburg. Experience the Old World capitals of Budapest, Hungary and Bratislava, Slovakia."

14-Day European River Cruise That Visits Multiple Waterways

Here's a vacation for those who don't want to settle for one river. Hosted by Avalon Waterways, this vacation hits four countries, three rivers, and the Main Danube Canal.

"Start in Zürich, Switzerland, then enjoy guided sightseeing in the cities of Strasbourg, Würzburg, Nuremberg, and Vienna. There’s an excursion to Heidelberg with its imposing castle ruins, and a visit to the beautiful Benedictine Abbey of Melk. Guided walks of the smaller towns show you their highlights, and there’s a chance to sample some of Germany’s famous beers on this Rhine river cruise vacation."

As I write this, prices run about $3500 for 2010 sailings (airfare not included).


Are there any other European river cruise destinations that should be mentioned here?

Cruise Canada's Northwest Territories via the Hay and Mackenzie Rivers

If you've already taken an Alaska cruise and you want to experience more of the culture, history, and scenery of the frozen north, then perhaps you'll dig a riverboat cruise in northern Canada. It's a chance to explore the Arctic up close.

The M.S. Norweta is a riverboat that cruises from the Hay River (located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake) to Inuvik, which is on the northern end of Mackenzie River. Total distance? More than 1000 miles.

This is a small ship, too, so if you'd like to experience more remote ports and and live in a quaint family-friendly atmosphere while you're aboard, this could be a nice change from your typical megaship cruise to Alaska.

Here's a blurb from the company's website:

"Historical, archaeological, flora and fauna, wildlife or lunch on shore - whatever the interest - the tour will travel new and ancient sites for everyone on board to experience.

Like any marine adventure, sleeping accommodation are compact but the ship has a large lounge, sundeck, and dining lounge. A combination of the scenic beauty of the North and an abundance of Aboriginal culture and hospitality will ensure the Adventure Traveller a vacation of a lifetime."

M.S. Norweta

Columbia River Cruise Traces Lewis & Clark Route

When I first started researching cruises, it didn't even occur to me that there might be ships cruising waterways in my own backyard (I live in Washington state), unless you count the big megaships sailing out of Seattle for Alaska. But I wasn't thinking about river cruises, and we do indeed have some of those in the Pacific Northwest.

If you like the idea of a cruise that is more about relaxation and exploring American history than constant entertainment in the Caribbean, then a cruise that meanders along the Columbia and Snake Rivers might be perfect for you.

Portland Spirit's Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler Company offers a cool cruise that lets you explore the geography, history, and cuisine of the area:

"Step on board the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler and experience history, legend, delicious northwest cuisine and riverboat hospitality. Our captains provide narration on Lewis and Clark, the Oregon Trail, Bridge of the Gods, and riverboats. Join us for a relaxing river cruise and enjoy the sights and history of the Columbia River Gorge."

And you get to do it in a nifty looking ship too.

This particular cruise outfit looks like it only does day cruises on the Columbia, but there are also week-long adventures that sail through both the Columbia and Snake rivers available through the Majestic America Line (the folks who do the Mississippi River cruises I mentioned a while back).

Cruise the Mississippi River on the Historic Delta Queen Paddlewheel Riverboat

Thinking of taking a cruise vacation? Don't limit yourself to destinations at sea. Several companies offer riverboat cruises that provide a unique way to see the heartlands of a country.

For example, you can experience river travel as Mark Twain once did, cruising the Mississippi River via a paddle-wheel-powered ship. Itineraries explore destinations up and down the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tributary Rivers.

The Delta Queen

For a taste of the authentic, book passage on Majestic American's Delta Queen:

"Built in 1926, gleaming with four decks of teak and original Tiffany-style stained-glass windows, the Delta Queen accommodates just 176 guests, all in outside staterooms. Unique touches abound, including a rare ironwood floor gracing the Orleans Room, the heart of the ship's nightlife, and an 1897 steam calliope that was once salvaged from a sunken showboat and sold to a circus. You'll even find the very same ship's bell that sounded out landings for the steamboat Mark Twain rode downriver in 1883."

Cruises on the Delta Queen run 4 to 11 days, with prices ranging from about $285 a day for an outside cabin (there are no inside cabins) to $445 for a suite.

Depending on the month you book, some cities you might expect to cruise through are Memphis, New Orleans, St. Louis, Little Rock, Chattanooga, and Birmingham.

http://www.majesticamericaline.com