If you want to explore Europe without packing and unpacking in every city, a river cruise is the perfect choice. Europe is criss-crossed by a number of rivers with the Rhine and the Danube being the most noteworthy. The 2 rivers were connected in 1992 creating a 3,540 km long waterway through the heart of Europe. With stops at various cities en route, a luxury river cruise on two of Europe’s legendary rivers lets you explore the best of Europe at a casual, unhurried pace.

Danube River Cruises
The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe. It begins in Germany and meanders through Austria, the Slovakian border, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, and the borderlands of Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine before emptying into the Black Sea.

River cruises along the Danube travel eastwards as well as westwards and usually focus on visiting 3-5 countries. Take the 5-Night Danube Symphony cruise for example. It begins in Vilshofen, Germany, and sails to Linz, the picturesque Wachau Valley and Vienna, the City of Music, in Austria, and Bratislava in Slovakia before reaching its final stop in Hungary’s Budapest.

If you want a longer holiday, there’s the 14-night Grand Danube Christmas Cruise that takes you to 8 countries. After an overnight stay in Vilshofen, the cruise takes you to Linz, Weissenkirchen, and Vienna in Austria and Bratislava in Slovakia before an overnight halt in Budapest. It’s a chance to see the city’s historic monuments as well as enjoy its nightlife. From here the cruise continues to Mohacs-Pecs in Hungary, Vukovar in Croatia, Belgrade in Serbia, and Vidin and Rousse in Bulgaria before it ends in Romania’s Giurgiu.

Rhine River Cruises
Steeped in myth and legend - the Rhine has it all, with castles stolen from fairytales, majestic cathedrals, historic hilltop towns, vineyards, rolling meadows, and the mountains of the Black Forest. It originates in Switzerland and flows westward towards the North Sea. En route, it defines much of the Swiss-German and Franco-German borders.

Rhine river cruises have northbound and southbound itineraries. While some cruises run throughout the year, others are event-specific such as cruises that run through Amsterdam’s Tulip season. Christmas market cruises is another popular theme.

The 9-night Tulips & Windmills cruise is a popular pick for tourists wanting to explore life along the Rhine. This round-trip cruise from Amsterdam takes you to the famed tulip gardens and Dutch windmills as well as some of the most well-preserved medieval villages in Holland and Belgium.

There’s also the 7-night Romantic Rhine cruise itinerary. This cruise goes between Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Basel in Switzerland. En route, it stops at a new German port every day – Cologne, the Rhine Gorge, Mainz, Kehl, and Breisach.

If you’re a history buff, you’ll be fascinated by the 8-night Castles Along The Rhine cruise. As you cruise through Amsterdam, Germany, and the Franco-German border, you can stroll through fairytale towns, get an insider’s view to some of Europe’s most magnificent castles, and of course, savour wines in the villages they are made.

Choosing a Cruise Line
4 main luxury cruise lines operate on the Rhine and the Danube. These river cruises are usually all-inclusive experiences.

Avalon Waterways
As part of the Globus family of brands, Avalon Waterways has a fleet of 12 ships cruising down the Danube and the Rhine. The ships are best known for their panorama suites. These suites aren’t just the biggest cabins found on river cruise ships; they’re also designed with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that give you the best views. There’s plenty to do onboard with a variety of dining venues, a whirlpool, and organized activities on the top deck. Check out this article on what to expect from an Avalon cruise and the sailing schedule.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Cruising with Uniworld is like being in a floating boutique hotel. The design of each ship is inspired by the river it sails on and no 2 suites are the same. The meals too are inspired by the ports included in your itinerary. Don’t be surprised to see the ingredients brought onboard from local farmer’s markets! The butler service is an added luxury to look forward to if you book a suite for your cruise. Here’s their river cruise schedule for this year.

Viking
Viking probably has the most ships cruising along the Danube and the Rhine. The ships are designed as elegant luxury hotels with an expansive sun deck, beautiful al fresco dining options, and many more amenities. While you sail between ports, Viking also gives you plenty to do with craft and cooking demonstrations, live performances, and guest lectures. Each cruise is a truly enriching experience. Check out their sailing schedule.

AMA Waterways
Backed by over 2 decades of experience, AMA Waterways offers curated experiences on-board and on-shore. They were the first to introduce twin-balcony staterooms. At every port, AMA Waterways offers guests a wide choice of excursions at 3 distinct activity levels so you can enjoy your holiday at your own pace. What’s more, there’s an extraordinary team of cruise managers and crew who go above and beyond expectations to deliver award-winning personalized service. Check out the sailing schedule for 2025.

Booking a Luxury Cruise on the Rhine and Danube
With so much to see and do, zeroing in on a single cruise can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in. The CruiseBay team can help you pick a cruise, select a stateroom, plan your excursions, and more. We’ll also help you take care of flight tickets, visas, and insurance so you don’t have anything to stress about. It’s the most fun way to plan a river cruise!