Luxury Cruise News

For instance, Bordeaux, France was first settled by the Celtics before coming under Roman rule. It was one such city where the river brought in trade. Other cities, like Amsterdam, began as modest fishing villages before growing to the large metropolises they are now. Regardless, Europe’s rivers are full of history, being where the first European civilizations settled. On one of our all inclusive European river cruises, you’ll have complete access to the bustling cities dotting each river, along with their histories.

Each of our luxury cruise lines features itineraries created by true European river cruise experts. These people have experienced nearly all that Europe has to offer, then compiled only the best of it into a convenient package tailored to you. 

On each of our river cruises through Europe, you’ll get to experience the greatest places and excursions the continent has to offer. Not only that, but you’ll get a good amount of time in each port along the way, allowing you to visit multiple places and make the most of each. 

River cruising is one of the most cost-effective ways to see Europe. Though the upfront cost may seem hefty with certain cruises, it’s often cheaper than when you travel independently. If you add up all the hotel stays, transportation, meals, and attractions, you’ll likely end up with an even larger cost. On top of that, you’ll have the luxury features of a five-star hotel on our river cruises, including meals from culinary professionals.

​We think European river cruises are the greatest way to travel Europe, and we only offer the best of them. To learn more about our luxury European river cruises, contact an Authentic Voyages cruising expert today.

Cruise port terminals are a common feature along all European river cruises. At almost every stop, you’ll have to pass through one to enter a city or new country. Many countries will ask for your passport before you’re able to properly disembark and explore the port, while some just need to see your cruise line provided cruise card. 

Cruise port terminals are most comparable to airports. While you won’t necessarily have to go through a TSA checkpoint every time you get off the ship, you will have to get your passport or cruise card checked. Fortunately, staff from each cruise line are on standby to help you in case anything goes awry. 

From here, you’ll either show your cruise card or passport, then head through customs. Once you’re through, you’ll be free to explore your port city or take part in a pre-planned excursion, like a guided tour.

You’re free to come back at any time during your cruise’s port excursion window. If you’re running late for any reason, make sure to give your cruise ship a call so they can wait for you. Once you get back to the port terminal, you’ll simply show your passport or cruise card again, go back through customs, and board your ship.

While port terminals are an official place for countries inviting newcomers in, that doesn’t mean they’re all official-use, drab places. Europe takes a lot of pride in its created spaces, and that means ports too. 

For travelers around the world, Europe is a popular destination. The continent is full of bustling cities, delicious food and drink, important architecture, and over 400 UNESCO world heritage sites. 

Europe is the world’s largest tourist destination, with around 700 million people coming to visit each year. As travel has become more and more the go-to for vacations, European river cruises have also become a popular means of seeing the best the continent has to offer. ​

While river cruises can seem like a large cost up-front, that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you plan to independently travel Europe -- visiting multiple cities, countries, restaurants, and hotels -- you’ll likely end up spending more than you would on a river cruise.

With a European cruise, you’ll avoid the quickly added-up cost of transportation and overnight stays. Considering that you’ll be staying in the equivalent of a five-star hotel room each night, you’ll also be saving compared to the cost of actual five-star hotels.

Whether you take a Danube River cruise, Rhine River cruise, Rhône River Cruises, or cruise any other river in Europe, you’ll be led by area experts. Staff on board each of our river cruise lines are familiar with each area. They’ll be able to point out exciting features along Europe’s rivers, like landmarks, famous wineries, and cities. 

In addition, if you cruise with Uniworld, Scenic, or Viking, you’ll be easily connected with guides once you arrive in each city. City tour guides help you make the most of each visit. Not only can they show you key spots around Europe’s cities, but they can also translate for you if you’re not familiar with a country’s language.