5 Ways Your Clients Can Experience Europe on a River Cruise

Now, more than ever, travelers are choosing to take to the water to see Europe’s rich and varied history. And what better way to do it than on a river cruise? But wait -- a river cruise? I know you’re probably thinking, “Aren’t those a thing of the past?” River cruises are better than ever, offering more authentic experiences for travelers.

On many ships, river cruisers get to experience the luxury of a cruise in a more intimate setting, and they have operators that are encouraging them to explore life at each port – something you don’t always find with larger cruise ships (with all those water slides, who really needs to get off the boat?). Not to mention, the cruise lines at the forefront of the industry are curating itineraries and guided tours for their cruisers, making the experience as relaxing and immersive as possible. So, if your clients are looking for a new way to see Europe, check out this list of some of the most interesting river cruises sailing through must-see destinations.

1. Riviera Travel – Riviera River Cruises offers a European River Cruise Collection with highly rated cruises like the Burgundy, the River Rhone and Provence River Cruise where cruisers can take a guided tour of Lyon and Arles, visit Beaune and do a wine tasting and marvel at the Pope’s Palace. On the Heart of Europe Cruise, cruisers spend 15 days exploring cities like Budapest, Vienna, Würzburg and Bratislava, while also stopping in smaller towns like Boppard and Rüdesheim, where cruisers can experience daily life by the Rhine. On the guided tours, cruisers can visit the site of the Nuremburg Trials, tour the 2,000 year-old Koblenz and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bamberg.
2. AmaWaterways – For AmaWaterways, it’s all about the journey. Cruisers will have an abundance of options to choose from, but one cruise that’s popular right now is their Tulip Time cruise, which celebrates spring in the Netherlands and Belgium. This cruise comes with a complete lineup of tours and excursions. And to top it off, cruisers can choose how they want to explore by picking from standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. Whether cruisers want to walk, bike or hike, they can immerse themselves in the easygoing and joyful spirit of the Dutch culture.
3. Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours – Scenic River Cruises boasts an all-inclusive luxury experience that would be perfect for cruisers that value superior amenities and a lavish retreat. Cruisers can choose from river tours that take them through famous waterways, such as their South of France Tour where cruisers can spend 13 days experiencing everything from Chalon-sur-Saone to Tarascon. On this tour, cruisers can indulge in the culinary scene in Lyon, enjoy entertainment in Tarascon and sample the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape at the Côtes du Rhône vineyard.  Scenic also offers all-inclusive guided tours, as well as their “Scenic Freechoice” option, which gives cruisers the freedom and flexibility to choose from activities they can do at their own pace.
4. Viking Cruises – Viking Cruises is known as a leader in the cruising industry and has even won awards for their river ships. One of their newest tours is the Grand European and Viking Fjords cruise. It’s a 22-day trip that features 20 guided tour options and takes cruisers to six countries! But one of the most interesting parts of this tour is that Viking doesn’t call this a river cruise; they call it an “Ocean and River Voyage,” which was crafted for those who want to get the most from their river and ocean itineraries.
5. Tauck – Tauck River Cruises immerses their cruisers in the culture and history of each destination, making it clear that they understand the transformational effects of travel. So, if the idea of not just visiting a city, but rather experiencing  a city appeals to cruisers, then Tauck might be the right fit for them. On their 14-day Danube River Cruise, which includes Berlin and Kraków, cruisers will visit Bavarian towns like Bayreuth, Nuremburg and Kehlheim, have the opportunity to spend the evening in Vienna at a private palace and pay homage to lives lost with stops at Kraków, Auschwitz and Kazimier.

For those looking to experience Europe in a new and immersive way, river cruises might just do the trick.