11 Reasons to Take a European River Cruise

I just returned from my first European river cruise in over a decade, and it reminded me why I enjoy this style of travel so much. Over the years, I’ve now sailed on nearly a dozen European river cruises with several different cruise lines, including Viking, Uniworld, Scenic, AmaWaterways, Vantage and, most recently, VIVA Cruises. My latest trip was a week aboard VIVA Moments, sailing the Danube through Austria, Hungary and Slovakia with Natalie and our two kids, Jack (9) and Olivia (6).

When I first tried river cruising back in 2013, I honestly wasn’t sure it was for me. Like many travelers, I assumed river cruises were designed almost exclusively for retirees. While it’s true that most passengers still skew older, my recent sailing proved that families, couples and even solo travelers can have a fantastic experience as well.

River cruising has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry, and after experiencing it with multiple cruise lines over the years, I’ve come to appreciate what makes it so different from ocean cruising.

Whether you’re considering your first river cruise or wondering if it’s worth the cost, here are 11 reasons why I think everyone should experience a European river cruise at least once.

1. You won’t get seasick

I know tons of people who have no desire to go on a cruise because they are afraid they are going to get seasick. I was one of those people and though I rarely get seasick on the big ships, I can still feel them moving. On a river cruise, the water is so flat you can barely tell when the ship is moving. Only once in a while did I feel it and it was when we made a turn or went through a lock. I’ve heard of many people getting seasick on an ocean cruise but never anyone on a river cruise. You? In fact, you don’t even see seasickness remedies like ginger or green apples out like you do on the ocean cruises.

2. You won’t feel claustrophobic

Another reason many travelers don’t want to go on a cruise is because they are afraid they are going to feel claustrophobic. Again, I was one of those people. But these ships are big (443 feet long) and since they stop at least once a day, you won’t even have time to feel claustrophobic or trapped. There’s way too much to see and do.

3. You don’t have to worry about sinking

One of the best parts of a European river cruise is the fact that land is never more than 200 yards away—so you don’t have to worry about sinking in open waters. In fact, the rivers are so shallow that one of the cruise directors said in his welcoming remarks that if we do start to sink, just go up to the top deck and bring a drink from the bar.

4. No tenders required

One of the downsides of taking an ocean cruise is that it takes a while to get on and off the ship. There are so many passengers and there are a lot of ports that are not large enough to accommodate these mega ships so they have to use tenders, which takes even longer. On most river cruises, there aren’t more than 190 people so there’s no waiting and they always dock so there’s no need to take a tender. Note: You will most likely encounter a scenario when your ship will tie up to another ship so you might have to walk through or even over another riverboat. The worst part about tying up next to another ship is that you may lose your view.

5. No going through security

Ocean cruise lines and most of their ports all have airport-like security (as seen above), which is another reason why they take longer to embark and disembark. Fortunately, they aren’t as tedious and usually only take a few seconds per passenger to go through and for your bags to be screened. On river cruises, they don’t have any of that … yet. I asked what happens when a stranger comes aboard and was told that since the ship is so small, the crew members all know who belongs and who doesn’t.

6. You can walk from the ship into town

This remains one of the biggest advantages of river cruising. In most ports, you simply walk off the ship and you’re already in or near the city center. During my recent Danube cruise, we were able to explore Budapest, Bratislava, Melk and Linz within seconds of leaving the ship.

7. Excursions are often included

Most river cruise lines now include at least one guided excursion in every port, while premium lines include even more. Depending on the cruise line, you can choose walking tours, bike rides, culinary experiences or optional premium excursions.

8. You’ll rarely be bored

River cruise ships don’t have Broadway shows, casinos or waterslides, but they don’t need them. Every day brings a new destination, and between sightseeing, scenic cruising, onboard lectures and simply watching Europe drift by from the lounge or sun deck, there’s very little downtime.

9. Local culture comes onboard

Both of my cruises brought local performers to sing and dance for the passengers on multiple days. They also had guest lectures where you can learn about the different destinations or customs. On top of that, they often coincided those visits by serving local dishes and drinks.

10. Staying connected is easier than ever

This section has changed the most since I first wrote this article. Wi-Fi has improved dramatically on most river cruise lines, although speeds still vary depending on where you’re sailing. Since you’re almost always close to shore, cell service is generally excellent throughout much of Europe, making it easy to stay connected.

11. Tasty meals

The food continues to impress me. Every river cruise line has its own style, but one thing they all seem to do well is incorporating local cuisine into the menus. On my latest cruise, I enjoyed Austrian Tafelspitz, Hungarian Chicken Paprikash, traditional goulash and other regional specialties that made each destination feel even more authentic.

After sailing with six different river cruise brands over the past decade, I’m an even bigger fan than I was when I first wrote this article. River cruising isn’t for everyone, but if you enjoy unpacking once, waking up in a new destination almost every day and traveling at a slower pace, it’s hard to beat.

And if you’re wondering whether families belong onboard, my answer is yes. However, not every river cruise line welcomes children, so be sure to check before booking. While river cruises aren’t designed around kids’ clubs and waterslides, my two children had an incredible time simply watching castles glide by, exploring medieval towns and trying new foods. It turned out to be one of our favorite family trips.
Have you ever taken a European river cruise? If so, I’d love to hear which cruise line you sailed and whether you’d recommend it in the comments below.