1. Are most European river cruise companies the same?
While there are many similarities across all of the cruise lines, there can be small, but impactful differences that you should be aware of when comparing different cruise lines.
Work with a river cruise specialist (like me) that knows the differences and can explain them to ensure you get matched to the line that is the best fit for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
​2. How to choose the right European river cruise line and/or itinerary?
Keep an open mind to considering all possible cruise lines when you begin the planning process. Assess what is import to you and rank that criteria, such as:
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What sites and attractions are of utmost interest to you
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Do you have firm travel dates, or do you have flexibility on when you can sail
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What type of cabin (size & aesthetics) are you open to considering
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Are there any cabin locations you do not want to consider
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What type of excursion experiences are you interested in (group size; number of options per port)
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What type of dining experience is important to you (fine dining vs casual options, importance of available wine selection, perceived quality of food)
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Budget (this should probably be listed first; understand upfront what your upper limit is and if it is realistic for what you are expecting to receive)
Once you have your criteria ranked, work with a river cruise specialist (like me) that can use your criteria to assess which cruise line and itinerary will be the best fit for you.
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Related:
Top 10 European River Cruise Lines
Planning & Logistics
1. Are most European river cruise companies the same?
​2. How to choose the right European river cruise line and/or itinerary?
​3. How is a European river cruise different from an ocean cruise?​
4. What is the average age on a European river cruise?​
5. What is the best cabin or deck location on a European river cruise ship?​
6. How many passengers are on a typical European river cruise?​
7. How far in advance should I book my European river cruise?
8. When is the best time to take a European river cruise?
9. What are the best European river cruise itineraries for first timers?
10. What happens if the river levels are too high or too low for ships to sail?​
11. Do I need a passport and visa for a European river cruise?
Onboard Experience
19. What is the dress code onboard a European river cruise?
​20. Do European river cruises have assigned dining times and tables?
​21. Can my food allergies or dietary restrictions be accommodated on a European river cruise?​
22. What type of entertainment can I expect on a European river cruise?​
23. How much time will I get to explore each destination/stop on a European river cruise?​​
​3. How is a European river cruise different from an ocean cruise?
​River cruises are on small ships with a typical capacity of 125-200 passengers, creating a more intimate and personalized experience. Itineraries travel through the heart of cities, towns, and villages; providing easy access to cultural sites. On a river cruise, you’ll always be in sight of the riverbank, and your ship is more like a floating boutique hotel where you wake up each day in a new destination just steps from the ship.
In contrast, ocean cruises are on larger ships with up to several thousand passengers. The ships sail along coastlines, between continents, and sometimes spend days at sea.
River cruising is not for everyone though. River cruises are for people that are more interested in the destination rather than the ship. If you enjoy the nonstop action on an ocean cruise ship, with activities throughout the day, a casino, and Broadway type shows, you may find a river cruise too small. With river cruising, it’s about exploring the places visited and connecting with your fellow cruisers in a more intimate setting.
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​4. What is the average age on a European river cruise?
​In general, you will find the average age on a river cruise to be in the 60's or 70's. But things are changing over time as younger travelers have begun to find the benefits that river cruising offers. Cruise lines have noticed, and are slowly shifting to address this change in demographics. For those that want the older crowd - don't worry - change is slow. The bread and butter for any cruise line will always be the 50 and over crowd. But a subset of options that appeal to a younger crowd, as well as the more active older crowd, are beginning to get a foothold in the market, offering an even wider choice of itineraries and experiences.​​
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Cost & Value
12. How much does a European river cruise cost?
13. Where can I find the best deal for a European river cruise?
14. Does booking directly with a river cruise line get me better pricing or benefits?
15. Where can I find a river cruise specialist to help me book my European river cruise?
16. I am a solo traveler - how can I avoid paying a high single supplement?​
17. Are gratuities/tips included on a European river cruise?
18. Should I buy travel insurance for my European river cruise?
5. What is the best cabin or deck location on a European river cruise ship?
​River cruise ships have 3 decks with guest cabins:
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The lower deck is where you will find the entry level cabins that are the most economical. These cabins are partially below river level with narrow, fixed windows that do not open.
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The middle deck will be where the standard French balcony and/or veranda cabins are located. Some lines will also have a handful of suites on this deck.
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The upper deck will be similar to the middle deck, but is the more common location for suites.
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Unlike ocean cruising, I don't typically find that step-out balconies are required on a river cruise. In fact, if you are on your balcony then you are missing out on half of the experience! The views on each side of the river can be vastly different. In addition, you'll find that the majority of your day is spent onshore, in the restaurant, or mingling with other guests on the top deck or in the lounge.
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For those that are light sleepers, I find that the upper deck can sometimes get more noise from those that are on the sundeck above you - especially in the mornings when the crew might be putting up or taking down railings. I also find that the last 2 or 3 cabins on the middle or upper deck are more apt to hear engine noise. If having natural light is important to you, the lower deck should be avoided.
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Based on my travel experiences, my favorite location is the middle deck, middle cabin location. Keep in mind that cabin location and pricing tend to go hand-in-hand. The more sought after locations will price higher, so if your budget is tight you will want to remain open to all cabin locations as you explore your booking options.
6. How many passengers are on a typical European river cruise?​
​Most vessels in Europe are designed to carry between 100 and 200 passengers, with many falling around 150-175.
Viking carries the most passengers with approximately 190 guests. Tauck and Uniworld ships skew toward the lower end of passenger counts, typically ranging from 100 to 130.
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The Douro River requires smaller ships, so you will find specially designed ships that are smaller than most other European river ships. Expect passenger counts to typically range from 100 to 125.
7. How far in advance should I book my European river cruise?​
In general, booking a river cruise is recommended between 9 and 18 months prior to your planned sail date. I highly recommend booking at least a year in advance. Keep in mind that for most cruise lines you are just putting down a deposit to hold the cabin, with final payment not due until 90-120 days prior to the sailing (Viking being the exception), so the financial commitment needed to book in advance is manageable. The earlier you can book provides better access to:
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Preferred cabin categories and locations
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Ideal travel dates
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Highly sought-after itineraries
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Popular routes such as the Danube River cruise, Rhine River cruise, Seine River cruise, and Rhône River cruise frequently sell out for their peak season dates. Christmas Market river cruises are particularly competitive, and often fill up over a year in advance.
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​For those looking for a deal, waiting until just a few months prior to sailing is possible but requires flexibility on dates, itineraries, and cabin selection.
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8. When is the best time to take a European river cruise?​
Honestly, any time can be a great time to take a European river cruise. Each season on each river offers something of interest. Let your schedule dictate the possible time frames, and then investigate the options on the rivers of interest. For an overview of best time frames, drill down into each specific river on our Rivers Page.
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Related:
Price Comparison Charts by River
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9. What are the best European river cruise itineraries for first timers?​
For those that have never sailed on a European river cruise, the vast options can be overwhelming. But picking the best itinerary for a first time river cruiser is really a choice between two rivers - and you can't go wrong with either one:
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The Danube River is one of Europe's most beautiful rivers, offering breathtaking views of rolling hills, picturesque vineyards, charming villages, and magnificent cities. Sailing the Upper Danube allows you to visit numerous historical cities and towns along its banks. From the capital cities of Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava to small town charm of Passau, Linz, and Krems (and more).
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​The Rhine River is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, including lush vineyards, charming medieval towns, and majestic castles. From Amsterdam to Basel, you'll be treated to picturesque views of rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, charming riverside villages, and castle galore!
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10. What happens if the river levels are too high or too low for ships to sail?
High/low water is a fact of life on any river, and it will impact a small number of sailings each year. Typically, the issue only impacts certain sections of a river, not the entire length. It’s more important to understand how the river cruise lines may react to these natural disruptions to try and execute an itinerary. For a more in-depth explanation on the causes and possible cruise line remedies, review my European River Water Levels page.
11. Do I need a passport and visa for a European river cruise?
U.S. citizens will need a valid passport when traveling to Europe for a river cruise. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your expected return date.
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U.S. citizens currently do not need a visa to travel to Europe for short-term tourist stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) in most European countries. However, beginning in late 2026, U.S. citizens will be required to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) travel authorization before traveling.
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13. Where can I find the best deal for a European river cruise?
Deal and value are two words you will want to clearly understand in the world of river cruising. The best deals are not always the best value, making price comparisons across options a challenge unless you understand the underlying components that are included. You should work with a European river cruise specialist (like me) to help ensure an apples-to-apples comparison. Plus, you'll want to take advantage of any exclusive savings and onboard credit that a specialist like me has access to.
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14. Does booking directly with a river cruise line get me better pricing or benefits?
No, booking directly with a river cruise line does not provide you with better pricing or benefits. In fact, a river cruise specialist (like me) clearly provides more value and perks than booking direct at no extra cost to you.
Commission is built into the cruise fare you are paying, so even when you book direct you are paying for a specialist's time and knowledge. Not only that, a specialist can talk to you about ALL of your options across ALL cruise lines, whereas a call center employee (who might have never stepped foot on a river cruise) can only talk to you about their line of products.
I offer personalized, expert advice and have access to exclusive savings and amenities. For those that purchase travel protection plans, I provide a comparison of up to three options which typically ends up saving my clients several hundred dollars or more (with better coverage limits) than what they would have initially purchased without my assistance or directly through the river cruise line.
15. Where can I find a river cruise specialist to help me book my European river cruise?
If you are reading this, you've already found the river cruise specialist for you! I am a seasoned specialist, with a vast array of knowledge (as this entire website demonstrates) to assist you in booking the best river cruise option, at the best price. I treat each client's trip as if it were my own, and receive outstanding reviews - both for my main agency (Freestate Travel LLC) and its division dedicated to river cruising (RiverCruiseComparison.com).
16. I am a solo traveler - how can I avoid paying a high single supplement?​
Many of the river cruise companies offer reduced or no single supplements on their entry level cabins. Specials offered throughout the year might extend this offer to additional cabin categories. As a solo traveler, you should look to book early, as reduced or no supplement offers are typically capacity controlled and go away once the quota for a specific sailing has been met.
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There are also a handful of ships in some of the fleets that have actual single cabins (one twin bed) so no additional supplement is charged.
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18. Should I buy travel insurance for my European river cruise?
For most, purchasing travel insurance for a European river cruise is an essential tool protecting you against high cancellation fees, and expensive medical emergencies abroad (which most insurance plans do not cover). This plan will also likely include trip interruption, missed connection, lost luggage, and emergency evacuation; helping to protect yourself against costly, unexpected issues.
For those with a higher risk tolerance who balk at purchasing a travel insurance plan, I highly encourage considering a medical only plan. This type of plan doesn't provide reimbursement for lost funds, but covers you for any unexpected medical emergencies while overseas. Let's face it, no one expects to have a medical emergency, but if one were to happen, can you absorb the cost of treatment - or medical evacuation? These plans are quite economical, and I consider this the bare minimum for each of my clients.
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One key thing to note regarding medical coverage is pre-existing conditions. A waiver for these conditions is typically only included if a plan is purchased within 14 days of deposit (though some plans allow for 21 days, and I have exclusive access to a plan that allows it up until final payment).
19. What is the dress code onboard a European river cruise?
Most river cruise lines recommend casual and comfortable clothing, which many call 'Country Club' casual. Daytime dress on almost all European river cruises will be casual: blouses and polo shirts paired with pants, jeans, and shorts or athleisure wear and comfortable sneakers, sandals or walking shoes along with sun hats and sunglasses. Comfort is the key, as you'll typically be walking over rough and uneven ground such as cobblestones.
Dinner attire is typically smart casual including open-neck shirts, slacks and dresses. Most lines will discourage shorts or jeans during dinner time. It's common to see women in sundresses or business casual attire and men in slacks and a button-down shirt on most nights. Sport coats may be worn if preferred but are certainly not required, and a rare site on most lines.
For colder months and Christmas Market cruises, bring a warm coat, gloves, and water-resistant footwear.
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20. Do European river cruises have assigned dining times and tables?
Most European river cruise ships do not have assigned dining tables nor assigned dining times for their passengers and offer a more opt-in flexible food service routine.
Timing for each service will vary by that day's activities, but as a general guide you can expect the hours to be between 7-9AM for breakfast; 12–2PM for lunch; and 7-9PM for diner.
For all meal services, most cruise lines follow an open seat policy. This allows you to have the option of eating with the same tablemates or switching it up at different meals.
21. Can my food allergies or dietary restrictions be accommodated on a European river cruise?
Yes, each cruise will allow for food and allergy accommodations while dining aboard their ship. You should advise your river cruise specialist about your dietary restrictions or allergies prior to departure. Once onboard, the dining staff should meet with you on embarkation day to discuss your needed accommodations. Please ask about the meeting time and place during your embarkation process.
There are exceptions to what a river cruise can accommodate, though. For instance, kosher and Halal meals have specific rules regarding food and its preparation and the shipboard environment has limitations that prevent river cruise lines from being able to adequately cater to these dietary needs. Guests should also note that while each cruise line can provide options to accommodate food allergies and sensitivities, they cannot guarantee there will not be any cross-contamination.
22. What type of entertainment can I expect on a European river cruise?​
Overall entertainment on a European river cruise is designed to complement the daily shore excursions and is typically low-key, intimate, and culturally focused. Think enrichment events, emphasizing local experiences over large-scale production shows. Evenings often feature live music (pianists, local musicians), enriching port talks and lectures, cooking demonstrations or tastings, performances by regional artists or dancers, and trivia or interactive shows fostering a sociable atmosphere. Socializing in the lounge/bar with cocktails is both a daily and evening activity on many ships.
River cruising offers an unparalleled travel experience, blending the ease of all-inclusive travel with intimate access to some of the world’s most beautiful and historical places. However, like any unique travel experience it can bring up a lot of questions.
Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions that I get asked. I hope they will help you navigate the river cruising landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler looking to try something new or a river cruising novice ready to dip your toes into the world of river cruising, I hope they will help you navigate the river cruising landscape. Do you have a question that isn't answered? Feel free to reach out and inquire.
17. Are gratuities/tips included on a European river cruise?
Gratuities are included in some cruise line fares, and will be extra expenses for others. When comparing various cruise lines and itineraries, this is one of the components that you will want to pay attention to. The cost of gratuities will typically come in around $150 per person for a 7 night cruise, so ensuring an apples-to-apples comparison requires knowing which lines do - and which don't - include gratuities.
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Working with a river cruise specialist (like me) helps ensure you are comparing all components of a river cruise fare to ensure you are getting the best value.
23. How much time will I get to explore each destination/stop on a European river cruise?​​
In general, European river cruises offer a significant amount of time in each port (6-12 hours), allowing for a full day of exploration or a mix of morning/afternoon excursions. Passengers generally have the flexibility to participate in guided tours or explore independently, with many stops lasting for most of the day. Some itineraries might even include overnight stays, particularly in larger cities, providing even more time to experience the local culture and attractions during the evenings.
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Some stops are more limited with time (1-4 hours), especially if the port is small or if the ship is on a tight schedule for the day (or has a scheduled lock time that can't be missed).
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Some stops can be shorter in nature, especially if it's a stop where guests are basically boarding or debarking for a specific excursion. Once the embarkation/disembarkation is completed, the ship will continue to sail and guests will meet up with the ship at a different location.
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12. How much does a European river cruise cost?
The overall cost of a European river cruise will vary by itinerary, type of cabin, time of year, and brand (budget, premium, luxury). It's hard to provide precise figures without knowing each of these items upfront. Working with a river cruise specialist (like me) will help you review all of the options available to you based on your specific criteria.
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If you are looking to assess what the minimum budget you need to take a river cruise, here's a very rough estimate (priced for 2 people):
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Entry level cabin (lower deck; fixed window) - $5,000
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Round trip airfare (economy)- $2,400
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Trip insurance (varies by age) - $600
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TOTAL cost - $8,000
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I find that most clients end up paying for an upgraded cabin (French balcony or veranda), putting the overall cost between $10,000 and $12,000. For those wanting suites, expect a minimum budget of $15,000.
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Let Me Help Plan Your Next River Cruise
Expert Guidance, No Booking Fees, Never Pay More than Booking Direct
With so many options available, choosing the best cruise line at the best price can overwhelm anyone. Let's face it, river cruising isn't cheap, so making the right decision is critical. My vast experience and personalized service will help guide you to the cruise line, river, and itinerary that best fits you and your budget.