Luxury Cruise News

As river cruises on the Rhine River become more popular, bringing in visitors from around the world, it’s important to be prepared for it in every aspect. Cruises offer the most convenient, all-inclusive way to travel Europe’s greatest locations without unexpected costs. While preparing a budget is the first step, the next thing you’ll want to do is get prepared for the cruise itself. One of the most important things in preparing for a European river cruise on the Rhine is deciding what to pack. From clothes to accessories, our experts have put together the best tips to pack for the Rhine.

When packing clothes for a river cruise on the Rhine, it’s always a best practice to layer up. That way, if the nice, sunny weather takes a dip in the evening, or you’re faced with a chilly breeze, you’ll be ready. We recommend packing lighter layers -- like t-shirts and button downs -- for your base layer, and then a sweater, light jacket, or vest that can be easily removed. 

You won’t need to pack as many clothes on most of our cruises due to many of the lines featuring laundry services. Make sure you check with one of our cruising specialists before your journey so we can help you pack accordingly. While laundry services can save you a lot of room in your bag, you’ll still want to get the most out of your clothes. The best way to do that is by sticking to an easily interchangeable color scheme.

​Doing so will allow you to continue wearing the same clothes in different ways, saving space in your luggage. Some of our most skilled packers are even able to make due with just a carry-on because of careful planning. While that’s not everyone, we always recommend trying to bring clothes that can be swapped to make multiple outfits for your Rhine River cruise.

At the end of the day, you’ll be choosing your cruise line based on the offerings you desire and how well it fits into your budget. With multiple Rhine European river cruise offerings from different lines here at Authentic Voyages, actual cruise prices may vary. Regardless of your choice from our range of Rhine cruises, you can save money and stress compared to an independent trip. It's important that you know what to look for to be prepared price-wise when planning your European vacation, and that’s where we’re here to help.

If you choose to cruise the Rhine River, as opposed to traveling on your own, you’ll likely be putting yourself in the best possible place financially. Not only that, you’ll have the convenient relief of a ship suite to sleep in each night -- so you’ll never have to track down a hotel or transportation. 

Hotels -- if you’re planning to stay in a five-star room comparable to one on our ships -- and transportation can end up costing you almost $8,000 for the average one week trip. Based on the level of luxury and the amenities you choose for your river cruise, you can potentially save thousands in opting to forgo independent travel.

Your European river cruise price, even compared to a lower cost trip across Europe, is often competitive. On board each ship offered by our cruise lines, you’ll have a luxurious suite and a host of features to make your trip more enjoyable. Each ship comes with one or more restaurants, staffed by trained culinary experts. In addition, you’ll have access to spas, lounges, fitness centers, and adventures not available to those traveling the Rhine on their own. Consider the potential cost of paying for these additional amenities -- like spas and adventures -- and you’ll see that they add up quickly. Choose to cruise, and you can save even more with an all-inclusive Rhine river voyage. 

The Rhine River offers one of Europe’s most sought after river cruise experiences. Throughout the entire year, traveling the river on a luxurious cruise ship is the best way to experience the Rhine and all the wonderful things it has to offer. 

The river is one of Europe’s most historic rivers as well. Traditionally used as a trade route for ancient Romans, the Rhine today features a host of UNESCO world heritage sites that your cruise can stop at. In addition to its historic beauty, the river is known for the beautiful flowers that bloom along its banks. If you’re lucky, your Rhine River cruise may stop in a city hosting one of the many flower festivals.

While the Rhine River has pleasurable cruises year round, our favorite time of the year is during the Spring. The river is simply stunning this time of year. Flowers line the banks and plants and trees are green, giving any European river cruise on the Rhine a surreal feel. Along the river, travelers can visit Brussels, Belgium via the Rhine’s tributaries, and have the chance to see the festivals like Floralia Brussels. Other great cities you’ll be able to visit on a Rhine cruise include:

In the Fall, you’ll have the opportunity to catch the Rhine in Flames Festival. During this time, the trees have changed to eye-catching shades of red, orange, and yellow. At night on the Rhine, towns shoot off fireworks as part of the festival.