Timeless Elegance
European River Cruises
Top River Cruises
European River Cruises: Timeless Elegance
Europe is the most popular destination for first-time river cruisers. Whether you are interested in history, wine, food, music, art, hiking, or biking, these rivers offer an amazing vacation experience.
The Rhine, Seine, Rhone, and Danube Rivers are great options for your first cruise. Christmas Markets cruises in the winter offer a magical experience and a change to buy handcrafted gifts for the family.
Below is a snapshot of the three most people rivers in Europe. If you are interested in the Douro in Portugal or other rivers, please give us a call for more information.
What’s included:
Easy overnight flights to destinations in Europe.
Passports and ETIAS (in some countries) are required.
Cruises start in amazing destination cities such as Amsterdam, Netherlands; Basel, Switzerland; Budapest, Hungary; Nuremberg, Germany; Paris, France; Lyon, France, and more.
Daily port stops along the river with a variety of opportunities, including wine tastings, medieval villages, castles, churches, UNESCO heritage sites, hiking, and biking.
Top River Cruises
The Rhine River
Discovering the Rhine River Gorge with castles dotted along the riverbanks…
Rhine river cruises sail between Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Basel, Switzerland and give you views of the 40 castles dotted along the riverbanks in the Rhine River Gorge.
Explore Amsterdam with a canal cruise before heading to Cologne and enjoy Altbier (beer) tastings, the Fishmarkt, and the 13th century Cologne Cathedral that was struck 14 times during WWII. At Rüdesheim, enjoy wine tasting, a gondola ride, or Siegfried’s Mechanical Museum.
Other stops along the way may include Ludwigshafen, Ladenburg, Heidelberg, or Riquewihr. The quaint village of Riquewihr with half-timbered homes is highly recommended. This village was the inspiration for the village scene in Beauty & the Beast. Don’t miss Speyer with its delicious pretzels and well-preserved ancient Jewish Quarter.
You won’t want to miss the Strasbourg Cathedral, a medieval structure that is home to the Strasbourg Astronomical Clock. On down the river, take a hike through the magical Black Forest or cycle through the scenic countryside.
A few days in Amsterdam pre-cruise is highly recommended.
Windmills, Dutch Master’s museums, beer, wine, pretzels, cathedrals, castles, medieval villages, hiking, and biking are waiting for you along the Rhine River.
The Seine River
Discovering King Richard the Lionhearted, artist enclaves and honoring the heroes of D-Day at Normandy…
The Seine River cruises sail from Paris to Le Havre, France, with roundtrip itineraries from Paris available. Enjoy the sites of Paris before stepping into the world of Richard-the-Lionhearted as you visit his castle, Chateau Gallard, in Les Andelys, France.
Along the Seine River you can explore the beautiful gardens of Monet in Giverny, walk in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise, and marvel at the well-preserved medieval village and artist enclave of Honfleur.
Rouen is a must-see medieval city along the river. Visit the stunning Cathedral Notre Dame Rouen, the historic restaurant La Couronne, which was founded in 1345. This was where famous French chef, Julia Child, found inspiration for many of her fabulous creations.
Joan of Arc was also burned at the stake here in Rouen. Visit her beautiful church near La Couronne and the Great Clock of 1389. This astronomical clock sits on a Renaissance arch that spans Rue du Gros-Horloge.
Finally, honor the heroes that fought at D-Day with a moving trip to the American or Canadian Cemeteries in Normandy; visit Omaha Beach, German battery remnants, and Arromanches with its man-made landing harbor. Arromanches is the perfect place to pick up your WWII souvenir.
The Seine River is one of our favorite river cruises and there is plenty of time pre- or post-cruise to explore Paris. Walk off the ship at each morning and go back in time to another world. This adventure is waiting for you!
The Danube River
Discovering the world that was behind the Iron Curtain…
Upper Danube River cruises include the following capital cities: Budapest, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Vienna, Austria.
Budapest is home to the famed Parliament Building, which is illuminated at night. It is walkable, and a tour inside the Parliament building is a must if you have extra days in Budapest. We highly recommend a few days in Budapest. Fisherman’s Bastion, thermal hot springs, shopping, gelato, Dohany Street Synagogue, and St. Stephen’s Basilica all await your visit.
Bratislava was the coronation city of 11 Hungarian kings and queens until 1830. Stand on the top deck of your ship when passing by Devon Castle and the walls that separated Slovakia from the free world.
Vienna will treat you to world class shopping; you can purchase tickets to see the Lipizzaner (Spanish) Riding Horses or an afternoon opera. Horse-drawn carriage rides can be purchased near St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Continuing on, select itineraries may visit Melk, Durnstein, Linz, Mondsee and Salzburg (all things Sound of Music), Cesky Krumlov, Passau, Regensburg, or Nuremberg. Discover the world of the Habsburgs that ruled Austria, who were one of the most important dynasties in Europe.
Music, shopping, history, palaces, cathedrals, the Sound of Music, apricots, and chocolate invite you to take this journey through time.
How to Book Your River Cruise
You relax while we do the planning!
Give Us a Call
Give Eagle Adventures a call for a free consultation. We are paid by the cruise vendors and will help you plan a seamless river cruise vacation. The perfect itinerary is only a phone call away.
1-936-756-1217 (CST)
Toll Free for Canada:
1-855-358-0181
Receive One-on-one Support
Receive One-on-one Support
After the deposit on your chosen river cruise, we will remain available to you until the day you get safely home. Let us build you a seamless dream vacation, which includes air, transfers, land extensions, and insurance. Your final documents will include pier locations and emergency contact information.
Get Travel Planning Help
We will give you advice on:
Clothing to Wear
Electrical Adaptors
Passport Expiries
ETIAS- Starting in 2025
Excursions Options
Future Cruise Bookings
We will give you a call when you return to ask about your vacation and confirm it was fabulous.