It's really a good way for people to travel if they have never been to Europe before or if they like having all their transportation arranged. You don't have to constantly pack and unpack, board trains or search for hotels when taking a river cruise. You are on a floating hotel that takes you directly to some of the most beautiful cities in Europe. In Budapest, our ship docked right in front of the Four Seasons Hotel downtown. That is prime real estate and we could never afford to stay in a such a central location. But on the Viking River Cruise, we had prime hotel space every night! Read: 16 Things to do in Budapest If you plan properly, you can have an authentic experience in Europe while witnessing the stunning views of the Danube from your river boat. Tips to Taking a European River Cruise The beautiful town of Melk 1. Plan our Own Tours and Shore Excursions When our cruise was booked, we should have taken a good look at our itinerary and planned on what we wanted to see. There are great day tour operators in Europe like Get Your Guide and Urban Adventures.
I would have preferred a quieter ride with them chiming in only when there was something worth noting like a landmark or interesting piece of architecture. 3. Book Dinners Out in the Cities Enjoying a nice dinner out in Budapest Many times we didn't leave port until later at night so we could have eaten in town. It's difficult to add the extra expense on when food is included on the ship, but to really get a feel for a city, it's nice to eat locally. We could have easily eaten out more often and would have enjoyed ourselves much more. I wish that we had lunch on land and frequented more coffee shops. Instead, we took the bus tours that got us back to the ship every time just in time for lunch or dinner. If we traveled on our own, we would have been forced to explore and eat out more. 4. Book Vienna Orchestra concert independently In Vienna we made a huge mistake. One of the things we were most looking forward to was going to a concert featuring compositions by Mozart and Strauss performed by a Viennese Orchestra.
There are river cruises in Vietnam and Cambodia on the Mekong, (a wonderful experience), on the Irawaddy River in Burma, on the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers of India, the Amazon river and the Zambezi Chobe Rivers in Africa. If you know which river or country you would like to cruise, see the destinations we serve or choose by the river If you know how long you would like to cruise, choose from one of our many Itineraries where you will be able to review cruises by the length of the cruise program Contact us to request a reservation or ask a question. If you are interested in ocean cruises on small ships, please visit our Small Ships Website. Our specialists will find the right ocean cruise for you – whether it be aboard a sailing ship or yacht we can offer you a variety of high quality vessels that are sailing all over the world
From the incredible Rhine to the endless wonders of the Douro valley, Europe's rivers offer breathtaking landscapes and culturally rich cities. Nick Dalton selects the best European river cruises 2015 Rudesheim, The Rhine, Hesse, Germany. Image credit: © Sabin Lubenow / AWL Images Ltd There's nothing quite like sitting on deck, the sun on your face, as you slip through the heart of Europe. A river cruise is an experience that hypnotises and enthrals with its constantly changing scenery. It's a revelation how the waterways twist and turn, passing the gorges one moment, the gentle countryside the next. European river cruises span the continent, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, and delve deep into former Eastern Bloc countries. If you've never cruised before, this is a great way to start. You'll never get bored as there are different places to explore every day, and many excursions are included – think of it as an escorted tour on the water. It's also a great reason to go if you're a veteran of river cruising as you can always head off on your own since the ships mostly dock in the heart of a city or town – opposite or near Budapest 's iconic parliament building, for instance.
If we would have taken a breath and said "How can we fix this" We would have realized that we could still have a good time. We needed to see the positive instead of the negative. It wasn't until our final three days that we actually figured it out and finally enjoyed ourselves. Many people enjoyed the Viking River complimentary tours very much. I heard passengers stating that the guides were very knowledgeable and that they learned a lot. We suggest taking a ship tour when you first arrive to see what you think of them. It's easy to book other tours a day or two in advance, so if you find that you don't like the prearranged tours, you can easily change your mind. All Viking River Ships offer free wifi, so you can plan your excursions while at sea in the evening. Organization is key. What do you want to see in each city and how do you want to see it? We would definitely give a European River Cruise another shot. The next time, we will plan better, take charge more and decide what we want to see at each stop at.
"Go with the flow" could be the motto of river cruisers, the fastest growing segment of the cruise market. Unlike oceangoing ships that carry as many as 5, 000 passengers, most river cruise ships accommodate around 150 guests, for a more intimate experience. Balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and open-air viewing are features of most river cruise ships, and some even offer pools, spas, fitness areas, and jogging tracks. %image1 Guests are kept busy (if they wish to be) with daily shore excursions, and most cruises offer several options depending on interests and activity levels. Bikes and walking tours are available in most ports, or guests can choose a leisurely day in a comfortable lounge enjoying the passing scenery. Several cruise lines even offer all-inclusive cruises, so you never have to think about paying for anything once you step on board. European cruises can be a great way to see the continent's best sites from the comfort of your ship's cabin. See the French coast on a Mediterranean cruise, or pass stunning capital cities on a trip along the Danube.
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