Choosing a river cruise is not easy. With a vast variety of options to choose from, it may get quite confusing to make the right choice. There are often similar prices, amenities, and even experiences, which may cause many to second-think their choice. In order to help you make an informed decision, here are some of the major European river cruises and what they offer:
1. AmaWaterways
These European ships are decorated tastefully and designed to make you feel at home. They allow for around 140-190 passengers on a single cruise. The tourists include all age groups from families to young couples. The cruise focuses on relaxation and wellness and the AmaMagna is great for watersports as well.
The average fare is around USD 2,699 per person, which includes hiking, shore excursions, all meals, guided tours, happy hours, pre-dinner snacks, and Wi-Fi. The cabins go up to a spacious 500 square feet and are equipped with television screens that double up as computers. The main rivers that Ama travels through include Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Seine, and Garonne.
2. Crystal River Cruises
These cruises are built for the discerning passenger and come with plenty of perks and indulgences. The cruise comes with personalized services like butlers and excellent cuisine. The rooms are luxurious and you feel pampered for the entire duration of your stay. The average crowd is older and quite stylish and savvy. The average fare for eight days is over USD 6,000 and this is inclusive of meals, shore excursions, e-bikes, room service, and laundry service. Other inclusions include Wi-Fi and airport transfers along with other gratuities. The rooms come with king-sized beds and have walk-in closets as well. The smaller suites are around 188 square feet.
The cabins even come with an iPad that allows you to change the room settings. The food is comparable to a Michelin-star restaurant and there is a wide selection of morning coffees and pastries and tapas to choose from. The cruises sail on the rivers of Rhine, Danube, Moselle, and Main. However, this cruise does not sail in France.
3. Emerald Waterways
These European riverboats are mid-range options and resemble hotels with décor in chrome and glass. These cruises also have spas and pools on-board; the pool can even be converted to a movie theatre on many of the ships as the need arises. These European river cruises attract younger couples and people from all over the world but most notably people from North America, Australia, and the UK. The fare is around USD 2,600 and includes all meals and shore excursions together with airport transfers and other gratuities.
The most unique feature about this cruise is the solo cabins which are great for friends traveling together and the more common balcony suites. Emerald Waterways travels along the Danube, Rhone, Rhine, Moselle, and Maine amongst others.
