For most of us, cruising means flying down south to Florida and catching a week long cruise that navigates around the Caribbean Sea and hops between a few countries.  This is great for those wanting to catch some sun and spend time in the tropics without sacrificing the comforts of a 168,000 tonne ship but what other options are there?

Where things get interesting is when start looking at the Europe River Cruise options because that’s when you start introducing spectacular scenery with history, art and culture.  These voyages allow you to explore a large number of European cities as the ship meanders down waterways that span thousands of years of history.  The beauty of it all is that each itinerary is masterfully crafted to give you an unforgettable experience.

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What You Should Know

Image via Flickr scenictours
Image via Flickr scenictours

Unlike cruises in the Caribbean, you’re going to be pretty busy on a European river cruise.  There concept of having an “at sea” day is almost non existent and as you go from port to port, you’ll be busy following your itinerary that will include visits to fairy-tale castles, charming small villages nobody has ever heard of, and bucket-list checking cities.

A typical cruise is a week long and is usually the perfect amount of time because this gives you some time to tack on your own adventures pre-cruise or post-cruise.

While you may be experiencing some FOMO (fear of missing out) when considering a river cruise because there’ll be so many other cities you want to go to, what may put your mind at ease is the fact that most European cities were born out of being in close proximity to the water that acted as natural trade routes.

Now what about the ships themselves?  If you’re looking for glitz and glamour, this may not be for you as the ships on the river have to be a lot smaller on purpose and entertainment is going to be lacking in comparison to the big cruise lines.  That being said, a lot of river cruise ships are being upgraded as we speak.

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Picking a River Cruise

Image via Flickr scenictours
Image via Flickr scenictours

Finding the right cruise for you ultimately depends on where you want to go.  The river networks in Europe are so expansive that you’d be surprised where it can take you.Let’s go through a few of the popular routes and why you might be interested.

Rhine and the Danube

These are the two most popular rivers for cruising and where it all began when the industry boomed in the 90’s.  The Rhine flows from Switzerland to Amsterdam in the North, passing through numerous towns and cities in France and Germany.  The Danube flows from the Black Sea in Romania to the Black Forest in Germany and what makes this river different is that passes through mostly Eastern European countries like Austria, Croatia and Slovakia.   Both rivers provide dramatic scenery along the way and is steeped in history whether it’s the romantic era or the time of the Iron Curtain.

The Seine and The Rhone

If you’re up for exploring France, both the Seine and the Rhone provide amazing opportunities to cruise through Normandy or down south and the Provencal region.

Other Rivers

Other rivers to consider is the Moselle that runs through a bit of France, Belgium and France.  Russia is another country that has river cruising opportunities with the Svir and Volga which has voyages that sail between Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Best Time To Go

Image via Flickr scenictours
Image via Flickr scenictours

The river cruising season typically runs between April to October when the weather is good.  I would recommend avoid going in April though just because spring flooding can make certain areas impassable.  By the same token, rainy season is also bad so late Fall may also not be optimal depending on where you want to go.  Ironically drought and low water can also be an issue since the boats depend on having enough water to pass through.  If for any reason extreme weather occurs during the cruise, operators are well equipped to handle these situations and will put passengers on busses if necessary.

 

Booking a River Cruise

Image via Flickr scenictours
Image via Flickr scenictours

Once you’ve decided on going on a river cruise, where you want to go, when you want to go, and with what company the next step is to make a booking.  In cruising, honestly the best way is to book directly with the cruise line that you’re interested in.  I’ve always found that they have the best prices and there’s less hassle if you need to make changes or something else comes up.


Featured image via Flickr michaelleggero

Travel Resources For Your Next Trip

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.

Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.

Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.

  • AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
  • Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
  • KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
  • AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
  • Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
  • UbigiAWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.

Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).

Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

  • HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 15% discount (from June 19-29)!
  • RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
  • SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
  • Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
  • InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

William Tang of Going Awesome Places
About The Author

Will Tang

Will Tang, founder of Going Awesome Places, has traveled to 51 countries. He shares his insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists. Will’s travels have been featured on Huffington Post, Men’s Journal, and Entrepreneur.

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