10 of our best-selling river cruise itineraries, listed below in no particular order.
On these vacations, you'll glide along scenic and historic waterways on an intimate and comfortable vessel, enjoying river-view staterooms, superb dining and personalized service. Daily excursions ashore and onboard entertainment and enrichment activities also are generally included in the upfront rate.
Rhine Getaway, 8 days with Viking River Cruises -- On a route between Amsterdam and Basel, you'll visit 700-year-old Marksburg Castle, the Alsatian city of Strasbourg and Rudesheim's Drosselgasse, a cobblestone lane lined by taverns, shops and restaurants.
Charms of the South, 9 days with American Queen Voyages -- Travelers cruise the lower Mississippi River on a modern-day paddle wheeler, learning about Vicksburg's role in the Civil War and visiting 19th-century mansions in Natchez.
Burgundy & Provence, 8 days with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises -- A cruise of France's Saone and Rhone rivers reveals Roman ruins, a 14th-century papal palace and the culinary treasures of Lyon.
Melodies of the Danube, 8 days with AmaWaterways -- This trip starts in Budapest, where you'll take in the views from the Fisherman's Bastion. See St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna and enjoy a hike up to Bratislava Castle in Slovakia.
Paris to Normandy, 8 days with Avalon Waterways -- Tailor this French cruise to your interests: In Vernon, tour Monet's Giverny or 18th-century Chateau de Bizy, and while in Caudebec, choose a trip to D-Day landing beaches or a "Taste of Normandy" culinary excursion.
Secrets of the Douro, 8 days with Emerald Cruises -- Sail Portugal's Douro River in a region known for its port wine production. Enjoy dinner at a local wine estate and also cross into Spain to visit Salamanca, a lively university city.
Columbia & Snake Rivers, 8 days with American Cruise Lines -- Discover the Pacific Northwest's rugged beauty, particularly along the Columbia River Gorge, and visit Mount St. Helens and sites associated with explorers Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery.
Gems of the Danube, 8 days with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours -- Guests can choose from a variety of included excursions on this itinerary. In Vienna, tour opulent Schonbrunn Palace or journey to the city's acclaimed wine region. In Nuremberg, visit World War II sites or sample beer in the city's underground cellars.
Grand European Tour, 15 days with Viking River Cruises -- See the sights along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers on a panoramic sailing between Amsterdam and Budapest. Guided tours reveal the history and culture of Vienna, Regensburg, Cologne and more.
Romantic Rhine, 8 days with Avalon Waterways -- Classic highlights of this itinerary include the picturesque Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg Castle and Strasbourg's pedestrian-friendly old quarter. You'll also visit whimsical spots like a museum devoted to mechanical musical instruments.
Looking for a Themed River Cruise - Call us at 847 593-6700
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American Queen Steamboat Company operates a large selection of themed cruises on the Mississippi River and its tributaries. They focus on a variety of topics, like Southern culture, the music that developed along the rivers, gardens, Oktoberfest and Mark Twain.
Food and wine cruises explore a region's culinary traditions, and passengers are invited to participate in tastings, food pairings, onboard cooking demonstrations and discussions with experts. Wine cruises in Europe focus on the vineyards and wineries along the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine, Saone and Rhone rivers, and along waterways in the Bordeaux region. Avalon and AmaWaterways have beer-tasting cruises. In the U.S., American Cruise Lines offers wine cruises in the Pacific Northwest.
Fall foliage cruises take place along the Mississippi River, the Hudson River and other North American waterways, when riverbanks are ablaze in brilliant hues of crimson, gold and orange.
Christmas markets cruises take in the famous outdoor holiday bazaars of Europe. You can stroll among decorated stalls that sell handcrafted ornaments, toys and woodcarvings and enjoy treats such as gingerbread, grilled sausages, roasted chestnuts, warm pretzels and mulled wine. You also can celebrate aboard a New Year's Eve river cruise.
Tulip time cruises are in March and April, when the flower fields of the Netherlands peak in color. A highlight of these itineraries through Holland and Belgium is a visit to Keukenhof Gardens, an 80-acre park planted with more than 7 million bulbs.
Music cruises celebrate a variety of genres. Look into the lives of composers like Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and the Old World cities that inspired them. There are itineraries that stop in Vienne, France, during its world-renowned July jazz festival, and departures devoted to opera. Some Mississippi River cruises explore America's musical heritage, with sailings centered on bluegrass, country, the blues or the songs of Elvis.