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You can taste bourbon and explore the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory or the Kentucky Derby Museum & Horse Park in Louisville. Take time to appreciate American artistry at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. There is a wide variety of cabin categories from a 350 square foot suite that sleeps four with a balcony to Category D, the most affordable cabin, which is about 170 square feet, sleeps two, and features small windows. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line.
Best European river cruise operators with reviews
The fleetwide reservation-only Vintage Room is set up for private dining, with an extravagant seven-course wine-pairing menu. Passengers were unimpressed by the facilities on board, while cabins and meals (described by one guest as ‘a bit school dinners’) tended to be mediocre. A great option if you’re after unusual itineraries, characterful boats and well-organised excursions.
Christmas markets in Europe with Scenic
Yet, passengers were more impressed with Riviera’s cabins, shore excursions and food and drink. Experience the past and present of Portugal as you travel through the Douro River Valley. The river flows from Spain to the Northern Portuguese countryside, which is known for its wine production. Five different tours are being offered with stops in Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, and Salamanca. Passengers will have the chance to explore charming villages, see the Palace Duques de Bragança, kayak along the Pinhão River, and sample delicacies of the region.
Black history and culture in France with Amawaterways
Instead of pre-programmed group activities, guests create their own unique experiences with a complimentary city tour app for each destination. Palate-pleasing gastronomy and epicurean shore excursions make new arrival Riverside Luxury Cruises a standout for foodies. All menus onboard reflect the region, with vintage wines, dishes featuring truffle, escargot and foie gras and a gout-inducing selection of premium cheeses. German river cruise line A-Rosa has carved a niche for multigenerational river voyages after pioneering its kids club in 2014. The line's European family program is available on at least one ship on each river the line sails during school breaks. Fun activities include a “meet the captain” event, pizza-making classes and treasure hunts.
13 Best River Cruises in the World to Take in 2024 - AFAR Media
13 Best River Cruises in the World to Take in 2024.
Posted: Wed, 13 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Guests were equally impressed by the ‘friendly’ and ‘helpful’ staff for whom ‘nothing was too much trouble’. Drinks with meals, on-board gratuities and an escorted tour in every port are included. Expect roomy modern ships, smartly furnished cabins and top-notch food, including local dishes.
If you prefer independent travel, Scenic provides a nifty GPS gadget about the size of a cellphone, loaded with maps and commentary that is automatically activated at points of interest. Most of the ships have a pool on the sun deck, along with a fitness center and spa. "Having traveled on seven Viking longships that are virtually indistinguishable from one another, I believe it's the consistency that makes Viking one of our favorite ways to travel," said one reader. The longships are light-filled floating boutique hotels with a Scandinavian-design aesthetic, indoor and outdoor dining, and herb gardens up on top. Viking's carefully crafted itineraries and "good value" also received praise from readers.
Best river cruise companies
The world’s largest river cruise line has a fleet of 75 ships plying Europe’s great waterways as well as the Mississippi, Mekong and the Nile. Its light-filled, 190-capacity ‘longships’ are thoughtfully designed with plenty of balcony cabins (a rarity on river vessels) and space to dine al fresco. We found peak-season Rhine cruises around £1,700 cheaper with Riviera than Uniworld.
Rhine Getaway Basel to Amsterdam
Its péniche (barge) tours in France carry 20 or so guests around Provence, Bourgogne and Alsace, while its Danube cruise is on a plush 16-cabin boat that Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip sailed on. That said, with nearly all meals taken on board – and usually only one dining option – you’ll want to make sure the food and drink is good quality. River cruises get you straight to city centres, so there’s more time for sightseeing and excursions. Our ratings reveal that paying more for your river cruise doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a better time. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Viking is offering special fares, reduced airfare and a$25 deposit on select voyages.
Viking River Cruises
The ship stops in Luxembourg and then continues to Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet, before returning to Cologne. Wine lovers will want to experience the seven-night "Taste of Bordeaux," with visits to iconic chateaux, timeless vineyards, and delicious wine tastings while cruising the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. Excursions include a tour of a medieval castle and tasting of Sauternes, a stop in Pauillac, gateway to the Medoc wine region, and a Saint-Emilion tour and tasting.
You'll also visit Paducah, Kentucky, and Dover and Clarksville in Tennessee, where experiences include whiskey and bourbon tasting, tours of landmark art murals and, of course, Civil War history. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay a supplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef.
For a true luxury experience, we recommend a sail aboard Uniworld’s S.S. La Venezia, while for active travelers we love the holistic wellness offerings found on AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna. No matter what you’re searching for, these are the best European river cruises to book for 2024 and beyond. From Portugal's dazzling Douro to the mighty Danube, a river cruise is a fantastic way of exploring Europe’s magical cities and sensational countryside. Sparkling new Europe-based ships seemingly debut every year, all with innovative features and itineraries that showcase art, history, food and more. The best European river cruises make it easy to enjoy the continent’s marvelous scenery to its fullest, with thoughtful amenities, intimate ship sizes and a slower pace to soak it all in. Considering that river cruising came into its own in Europe, it won't come as a surprise that it continues to be one of the most popular destinations for this travel style.
Three of the ships — American Melody, American Symphony and American Serenade — are 180-passenger modern river ships launched in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The fourth, American Splendor, is a 180-passenger paddlewheeler that debuted in 2016. They range from seven to 15 nights and visit destinations in 16 states; itineraries take you through the colonial-heritage-rich Northeast, America's agricultural heartland and the pioneer routes of the Pacific Northwest. Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate.
Their fleet of 12 ships was joined by the new A-Rosa Sena, a hybrid powered ship expected to cruise the northern Rhine almost silently and emission-free. Family-friendly amenities include a kids club, heated outdoor pools, and free passage for children ages 15 and under. The eight-day Danube River Cruise starts in Budapest where excursions include a horse show at an equestrian park and a goulash-making competition for Adventurers. In Bratislava, Junior Adventurers can visit a petting zoo, and in the evening, there's family karaoke.
A river cruise is an all-inclusive journey where you unpack once but visit many destinations. They are smaller than traditional cruise ships and boast more tailored offerings, such as carefully curated cuisine that is reflective of the areas being visited. On all these journeys — from the Ganges to the Rhône — dining is a big part of the adventure. Tauck prides itself on offering off-the-beaten-track experiences in each destination, including multigenerational family tours that are curated to include itineraries for both kids and adults. There are also Christmas market sailings that include tree-trimming, caroling, and a Christmas dinner feast. In addition to traditional ships, there are also sleek black U by Uniworld boats, which offer a modern take on river cruising with a younger demographic in mind.
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