European river cruises offer deluxe river cruises along the rivers of Europe, Russia, and China allowing you to explore fascinating destinations up close River cruise ships operate on the great rivers of Europe from early spring through November and again for the German Christmas markets in early December.

* European Destinations
* European River Cruises
* Travel Tips

Summer is the best weather, but the fall colors are spectacular and the temperatures are moderate. "Tulip" cruises operate in the Netherlands from March through mid-May, with April the best month for tulip-maniacs.

European river cruises

There are cruises all over the rivers and waterways of Europe: France, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Romania; nearly every region has rivers and a choice of riverboats.

From the top deck as you cruise along, you see bridges, castles, and the ever-changing riverfront. On port stops you can visit medieval villages, taste wine, stop in Vienna for the opera, see the tulip fields in Holland.

You can even combine a series of rivers to cruise all the way from Amsterdam to the Black Sea. Most also offer several days in ports before and after a cruise. River cruises are 'timeless' - whereas travel by road or rail surrounds you with 20th and 21st century technology, on the river, you're in a more natural environment. And because the rivers were the original travel routes before roads, rail, and air, you get to see ancient buildings and towns - and the parts of these towns facing the river - that you'd miss when traveling by other methods.

List of Lines
The following cruise companies appear to operate good quality European river cruises and have good reputations.

Amadeus Waterways
This company is our current favorite and we are using them for two upcoming cruises - our December 2006 Christmas Markets cruise and a Russian cruise, details yet to be announced, in May 2007. Amadeus is a new company (founded in 2003) but is headed by an industry veteran, and they are quickly rolling out excellent ships and itineraries. Although their range of itineraries is currently small, if they offer a cruise in an area you want to travel, you'd be well advised to closely consider them. Their US staff are all competent, knowledgeable, and helpful, and their policies and application of them are all very fair. Their values are good and they even include wine with dinners. Speaking from personal experience, this can be a considerable saving!

Viking River Cruises
I enjoyed a Viking cruise in Nov/Dec 2004. The ship was of a very high standard, the food was good, the itinerary excellent (what a shame they no longer offer the same itinerary), and the crew ranged from average to good.

Peter Deilmann Cruises
This is another well established company (formed in 1983), and with a high reputation for quality. Their cabins, on some boats, are as large as 204 sq ft - the largest of all boats on the European rivers. Note that shore excursions are generally not included in their cruise rates, and the ships are bilingual, with everything being in both German and English. Prices are high.

Ports of Call
Here are some of the city ports the voyages visit:

* Agde Macon
* Amsterdam Mantova
* Ancone Montceau-les-Mines
* Andance Montelimar
* Arles Nancy
* Asnois Niderviller
* Autun Orange
* Auxerre Padov
* Avignon Paray-le-Monial
* Barca d'Alva Paris
* Baye Pinhao
* Beaune Polesella
* Bitetos Porto
* Boretto Regua
* Burano Revere
* Camargue Rotterdam
* Caudebec-en-Caux Rouen
* Chablis Saint Remy
* Chagny Saint-Bris-le-Vineux
* Chalon-sur-Saone Chateauneuf-en-Auxois
* Chateauneuf-du-Pape Saint-Jean-de-Losne
* Chevroches San Benedetto Po
* Chioggia Sarrebourg
* Chitry Saverne
* Clamecy Sete
* Clos de Vougeot Strasbourg
* Couches-les-Mines Tain
* Cremona Torcello
* Dijon Tournon
* Dole Tournus
* Ferradosa Quay Trevoux
* Ferrara Vallabregues
* Giverny Vandenesse-en-Auxois
* Hochfelden Venice
* Honfleur Vernon
* La Bussiere-sur-Ouche Verona
* Legarde Vienne
* Les Andelys Viviers
* Lyon Waltenheim-sur-Zorn