avalon river cruises rhine

Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.

We know why you travel. You’d rather have an extra day exploring than a fancy chocolate on your pillow at night. Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you.

Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.

Rhine River Cruises

Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.

We know why you travel. You’d rather have an extra day exploring than a fancy chocolate on your pillow at night. Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you.

Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.

'You're not fighting the crowds' in Europe when you visit on a river cruise

Europe has no shortage of marquee tourist hot spots , but Diamond Meadows’ first river cruise there didn’t include them.

The 28-year-old graduate student took a cruise along the Rhine and Moselle rivers that took her to cities like Koblenz and Trier in Germany (she supplemented the sailing with train travel around Austria, Switzerland and elsewhere).

Meadows was traveling with her mom and her mom’s boss, who uses a wheelchair. The group chose the CroisiEurope Cruises sailing for the ease of sailing with a mobility device . But she discovered other upsides.

“It takes you exactly into the heart of the city,” said Meadows, who is based in Tennessee. Their roughly 160-guest vessel offered convenient drop-offs in smaller destinations, allowing them “to access so much more.”

Many European destinations were packed with tourists last summer . But river cruises in the continent can offer a more laid-back way to travel with small ships visiting a mix of popular and less-crowded ports.

Are river cruises better than ocean cruises?

Jen Campbell Boles, founder of the travel agency Explore More Family Travel, said that while cruising in general is a “great value for seeing Europe,” river sailings are particularly immersive. “One quote we always use in the travel industry is, ‘Ocean cruise liners take you to the destination, river cruises take us through the destination,’” she said.

Passengers visit not only major cities but also quaint villages and often disembark within walking distance of attractions. When they are done exploring, they return to a ship with an average of 150 guests.

“It's more intimate, it's cozier,” said Campbell Boles. “You're not fighting the crowds, obviously.”

That was part of the draw for Jim Jones, 57, who took Avalon Waterways river cruises with his wife in 2011 and 2014.

“The smaller cities were an attraction,” said Jones, who is based in Phoenix and works for a software company. He enjoyed visiting Avignon in the south of France, for example, which was once the seat of the papacy . “I’m a total history geek,” he said. On their first cruise, he recalled, “just about every town” they visited had a farmers’ market, allowing them to sample local food.

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Unlike ocean cruise ships, with their large casinos and plentiful bars, onboard “it was very relaxed and a much slower pace.”

River cruise vessels tend to have “less bells and whistles,” Campbell Boles said (though she added that guests get a more personalized experience as a result of their small size).

Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, echoed that. He said the cruises are less about the ship than where it’s going. “This is truly an experience about itineraries.”

Are European river cruises cheaper than land-based trips?

While travelers can find land-based accommodations that are less expensive than river cruises, there are other factors to consider.

River cruises tend to bundle more costs, such as alcohol in the fare, than a mainstream ocean cruise line, Duckworth said (though exact policies vary by line). At least one excursion per day is typically included, as well, Campbell Boles added.

She said demand for Europe is still “through the roof” and land-based pricing is particularly high. “Even if you're staying in the highest category stateroom or suite, you're spending less than an equivalent hotel,” she said.

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Transportation from one destination to another is also built into a river cruise, whereas travelers might have to take a train or make other arrangements to visit a mix of places. “I mean that really adds up in Europe, so this is a great way to see a lot more variety,” Campbell Boles said.

Passengers can also add pre- and post-cruise stays, allowing them to “get the best of both worlds.”

“What we say is that a river cruise oftentimes can be a premium product,” added Duckworth. “But for what you're experiencing – the comfort, the (lower) stress, the luxurious experience on board – we find it to be actually the best value through Europe from our experience.”

Are European river cruises kid-friendly?

Since river cruises require a certain amount of free time – most are at least seven days long – they have tended to be popular with older guests, according to Duckworth.

But in the past couple of years, he has noticed more multigenerational travel in the sector. “We're seeing grandparents bring their grandkids, we're seeing young professionals go on a river in Europe for the first time,” Duckworth said.

Some operators have offerings that are particularly well-suited to younger guests. Adventures by Disney offers river cruises with AmaWaterways, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has a Generations Collection .

How long should I go on a cruise?: How long and short cruises compare

Even if programming is curated with kids in mind, though, Duckworth cautioned that river cruise vessels don’t offer the same breadth of amenities as large ocean ships. “If your kids want to go to a waterpark and they want to go on a FlowRider and they want to play putt-putt all day, there are great lines for you, but a European river cruise is probably not one of them currently,” he said.

Some lines also don’t allow kids or have varying age requirements, so it’s important to do some research beforehand.

For those going for the first time, Campbell Boles suggested starting with a cruise on the Danube or Rhine since they are “kind of the most iconic.”

“I mean, it’s Europe,” she added. “It’s going to be great no matter what river you go on.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach him at [email protected].

Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.

We know why you travel. You’d rather have an extra day exploring than a fancy chocolate on your pillow at night. Enjoy hand-selected inclusions and world-class experiences for value-minded travel lovers like you.

Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.

The Rhine River

Avalon Waterways’ European River Cruises: a New View of the Old World

Perfectly balance elegance and ease as you set sail down some of the world’s most legendary waters.

Embark on an Avalon Waterways river cruise and immerse yourself in the essence of each destination along the world's greatest rivers. Explore the tranquil villages of Germany, the enchanting retreats of Austria and Hungary, the majestic cliffs and fortresses of France, and the vibrant hues of Holland. Avalon brings the world—and dreams—to life.

Cruising Elevated 

Avalon Waterways goes against the current, delivering boundless exploration with everything from unexpected in-port experiences—for example, a guided kayaking tour of Amsterdam's storied canals—to a dynamic selection of “Special Interest” cruises highlighting some of the continent’s most beloved features. These include Holland’s spring tulips, the beers of Belgium and Germany, and Christmastime markets along the Danube .  

Wide Open Wonder—Better by Design  

Then there are the vessels themselves: Avalon Waterways operates a fleet of 13 suite ships across Europe’s many rivers, with each vessel featuring exclusive Panorama Suites. These spacious rooms—which make up 80 percent of each individual ship—are specially configured to highlight every view, with beds facing a floor-to-ceiling panoramic window so that the outside world is right there at your disposal, without ever missing a moment. Larger suites also result in fewer passengers, adding to the ship’s intimacy, while onboard farm-to-fork fare includes a bevy of regional flavors, from mushroom schnitzel with tartar sauce to Burgundy snails served up with fresh baguette.

Amazing, Included  

Avalon Waterways’ growing list of itineraries showcase Europe’s most storied and fabled channels such as the Danube, the continent’s second-longest river and a former frontier for the Roman Empire, and the Seine, which stretches 485-miles from Dijon, France , to the English Channel. Not only is this river central to French culture and identity, but its captivating banks have inspired many an Impressionist painting, including Claude Monet’s 1869 masterpiece, Bathers at La Grenouillere.  

One of the newest river offerings includes cruises along Portugal’s enchanting Douro River , which flows among verdant forests, steep hills, and terraced vineyards,—meandering through the heart of one of the oldest wine-producing regions on earth—as well as the Garonne River, a grape-lined waterbody in France’s Bordeaux region, brimming with quaint country hamlets and famous wine cellars.  

Sail Away from the Ordinary 

Each Avalon Waterways cruise features an average of 23 excursions, all arranged into three categories—Active, Discovery, and Classic. This way travelers can tailor a trip to fit individual needs and interests.  

Take the eight-day European river cruise, The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards, which sails from Luxembourg to Holland along the Moselle River, stopping at picturesque towns nestled among vineyards and through spectacular cliff-hugging scenery. One port-of-call is Cochem, where you can choose between all three categories of excursions

If it’s a bit of exercise you’re after, book the “Active” hike above Cochem to see its medieval architecture through a bird’s-eye view. Looking for something educational? The “Discovery” option includes a visit to an early-19th century mill, where travelers can experience the traditional art of mustard making. Along with a guided walk through Cochem’s winding streets, the “Classic” excursion also includes a visit to the hilltop Reichsburg Castle, a neo-gothic masterpiece situated 330-feet above the river.  

There’s also Avalon Waterways’ eight-day Vide Portugal: Vineyards & Villages cruise along the splendid Douro River, which winds its way among family farms, sleepy villages, and a world of cultural treasures, including the hauntingly melodic Fado music. Day two of the itinerary includes a visit to the country’s greater Porto region. Whether it’s picking up a bicycle from the ship’s Adventure Center and pedaling along the riverbanks, opting for a Discovery excursion to a Romanesque monastery to savor the beatific sounds of a choir-sung Gregorian Chant, or enjoying a full-day guided tour of Braga, an elegant town northeast of Porto that’s often regarded as the country’s religious center, how you spend the day is entirely up to you.  

Coming Full-Circle  

Avalon Waterways offers a myriad of ways to see the Old World of Europe anew—whether it’s through one of our Avalon Choice excursions, a special interest cruise, or a panoramic window. It’s all yours to choose.   

Find Your Cruise. Learn More

The Editorial Staff of Smithsonian magazine had no role in this content's preparation.

Love Exploring

Beautiful River Cruises That Will Take Your Breath Away

Posted: January 2, 2024 | Last updated: January 2, 2024

River adventures

There are trips especially for solo travelers

Finding alone time is increasingly easy on river cruise ships, many of which are going all out to cater to solo travelers. Take Riviera Travel River Cruises – every year the line operates a number of sailings designed specifically for solos. On these cruises, all cabins are single-occupancy only and there are no single supplement charges. In 2023, Riviera’s solo-friendly cruises include sailings along the Danube, Douro, Rhine, Rhône and Seine.

Ganga Vilas offers the world’s longest river cruise

Does disembarkation day always come too soon? Consider opting for one of the growing number of longer cruises. Ganga Vilas currently offers the world’s longest river cruise – a 51-day sailing along 27 rivers in India and Bangladesh onboard the luxurious 18-suite Ganga Vilas riverboat. The downside? These cruises don’t come cheap – prices start at around $32,000 per person.

CroisiEurope offers paddlewheel cruises on two European rivers

Paddlewheel ships aren’t just found on US rivers. CroisiEurope is the only cruise line to run paddlewheel cruises on two European rivers – the Elbe and the Loire. Other boats are few and far between – these rivers are notoriously shallow but the latest paddlewheel technology means CroisiEurope’s boats can sail these stretches of water year-round.

A-ROSA SENA is one of Europe’s most family-friendly ships

River cruises are often seen as the preserve of couples, but change is afoot. In 2022, A-ROSA River Cruises launched A-ROSA SENA , the only river cruise ship in Europe to have a dedicated kids’ club room. AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna has a theater area where children (and big kids) can watch movies and play games consoles, and Uniworld’s Generation Collection cruises offer kid-friendly activities and excursions.

Viking Cruises’ fleet has both ocean and river boats

If you’re a fan of cruising, what could be better than pairing a river cruise with an ocean one? For example, combine a sail along the Douro, which cuts across Spain and Portugal and finishes at the Atlantic coast, with an ocean-going cruise sailing out of Porto. Doing so is easy, especially if you sail with a line like Viking Cruises , which has a fleet including both ocean and river boats.

Viking holds the record for launching the most new ships in a single day

AmaWaterways’ Color of Provence cruise focuses on Black heritage in Paris

Europe’s rivers are lined with ancient cities and landmarks, but several cruise lines are delving deeper in Europe’s history by tackling a more diverse range of subjects. AmaWaterways is a great example – in 2023 its Color of Provence cruise includes a three-night visit to Paris which focuses on the city’s Black heritage, while another AmaWaterways cruise along the Rhône river includes a Black heritage tour of Marseille.

Excursions are varied, with smaller groups

Because river cruising ships are smaller, the chances of having to join tour groups the size of a Glastonbury crowd are slim, and excursions are more intimate. A case in point is European Waterways , known for their passion for slow travel. Excursions include a tour of the Château de la Motte led by the resident Baroness and visits to the Dalwhinnie whisky distillery, which you’ll travel to in an air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz minibus.

You can explore the Amazon Basin with Seabourn

More river cruise lines are heading to remote rivers. One example is Seabourn . In 2023 the line launches a 14-day Wild Guianas To The Amazon Basin cruise, which sails along Brazil’s Guajará River, a tributary of the Amazon. Excursions include a trip to meet local Indigenous groups – a reminder that Amazon river cruises are great options for getting off the beaten path.

Avalon Waterways has some of the largest windows on a river cruise

River cruise ships make excellent use of space, and we’re increasingly seeing this applied to windows. If you don’t manage to bag a balcony suite, don’t panic – it’s highly likely that you’ll have floor to ceiling windows. If you’re a stickler for a fantastic view, consider sailing with Avalon Waterways – their windows are some of the largest on a river cruise ship, and their Panorama Suites have the widest opening, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in river cruising.

American Queen Voyages has launched exciting new itineraries

American river cruises have become incredibly popular in recent years, and in 2023 the American Queen Voyages launches the longest itineraries offered by this historic cruise line. The 23-day itineraries (the first one departs in July) will sail along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and take in lesser-known destinations such as Maysville in Kentucky, Madison in Indiana, Point Pleasant in West Virginia and Marietta in Ohio.

You might meet your hero onboard an AmaWaterways ship

River cruising companies are going all out to provide deeper insights into the places their ships sail through. One example is National Geographic Expeditions, which recently announced that it will join forces with AmaWaterways and launch several National Geographic Expeditions-chartered departures in 2024. Onboard experts – all of whom will be familiar with itinerary destinations – will include photographers, authors and explorers.

You can sail along the Hudson River with American Cruise Lines

Fancy sailing past the Empire State Building? Now you can – kind of. American Cruise Lines is the only cruise line that offers sailings along the mighty Hudson, along with several other lesser-known rivers, including the Napa and San Joaquin Rivers in California.

You can combine rail and water with Uniworld

In 2022 Uniworld launched cruises combining Danube River sailings with trips on Golden Eagle Luxury Trains. These rail and river cruise packages offer guests the chance to take a five-day train journey through central Europe before boarding the ship. Expect more cruise lines to combine these modes of transport in the coming years.

Experts will join passengers onboard Ponant ships

Uniworld’s decision to combine sailing with luxury railway trips onboard Golden Eagle’s trains is a sign of the times – we’ll see more collaborations designed to enhance guests’ experience. In 2023 Ponant is collaborating with Smithsonian Journeys to offer sailings with onboard experts, such as world-renowned climate specialist Steve Paton, who will provide further insight into areas such as the San Blas archipelago.

Riverside Luxury Cruises is the new kid on the block

River cruising might sound like a crowded market, but the launch of Riverside Luxury Cruises in April 2023 proves that there’s always room for more. This new line launched with one ship – Riverside Mozart – and offers cruises starting in Vienna, Budapest and Passau. The ship’s rooftop bar looks pretty special, although we’re equally excited about the cuisine, inspired by regions the ship sails through.

Even the busiest rivers have quiet spots

The landscape is fabulously diverse

Some river cruise companies cover lakes too

CroisiEurope is the only river cruise line operating on Lake Kariba in Southern Africa. There are two cruise ships to choose from – African Dream and Zimbabwean Dream. Both ships accommodate 16 passengers in eight cabins, and there’s a rooftop bar and restaurant from which guests can soak up the views.

Most river cruises are truly all-inclusive

We’ve all come across cruise lines which claim to be all-inclusive but are actually anything but. These days, more cruise lines are going all out to offer passengers better value for money by including everything from premium drinks to excursions. Scenic River Cruises is a great example – cruise prices include flights from the UK, transfers, premium drinks, all meals (including fine dining ones) and excursions.

You’re unlikely to feel seasick on a river cruise

River cruises will take you to the end of the world (almost)

River cruises can take you to some of the world’s most remote places, as well as waterways which simply aren’t explored very often. CroisiEurope, for example, is the only operator to offer cruises on Spain’s Guadalquivir River (pictured at Seville), while the Heritage Line’s new Upper Mekong cruise, which sets sail in August 2023, will focus on remote areas of Laos.

You can cruise the world’s longest river

The views are better

There are no interior cabins on river cruise ships – all cabins face outwards and most have floor-to-ceiling windows. Cruise lines make the most of the space in innovative ways, too. On several Uniworld vessels, for example, mirrors are actually concealed televisions. The cabins at the rear of riverboats are often the cheapest – but if you’re a light sleeper, remember that this is because the engines are located here. 

Cruise lines are investing in air-filtering technology

One example is Amadeus River Cruises . In May 2023 the line launched Amadeus Riva, which has a hi-tech air filtration system with a two-stage purification system capable of removing aerosols – including any containing microscopic virus particles – from interior spaces.

The added extras are getting better

It's easier to avoid the crowds

There are no (or at least fewer) boring transfers

On ocean cruises, the excitement about seeing the local landmark/record-breaking attraction/ancient site quickly dissipates when there’s a one-hour bus journey between you and the site in question. Not so with river cruising, simply because of the increased accessibility. A great example is the iconic arch in St Louis, Missouri (pictured) –  this feat of engineering is just a 10-minute walk from the dock used by river boats.

Now check out the world's oldest man-made structures still in use today

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Angara cruises

Table of contents:, power plant cascade, bridges and ferries, outside the ship.

Video: Angara cruises

2024 Author : Graham Hoggarth | [email protected] . Last modified: 2023-12-16 04:49

The only river flowing from Lake Baikal is the majestic and full-flowing Angara. Its length is more than one and a half thousand kilometers. The Angara flows through the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Irkutsk Region, and its maximum width in the area of the lake is more than a kilometer. For fans of excursions around their native land, the best way to get acquainted with the great Siberian river is the Angara cruise, which can be taken from the city of Irkutsk.

Angara is famous for a cascade of hydroelectric power plants built here in the middle of the 20th century. This energy network includes the Bratsk, Irkutsk and Ust-Ilimsk HPPs, the construction of each of which has significantly reduced the risk of navigation on the Angara. Previously, because of the stormy rapids, ships could not pass freely along the river.

The first pontoon bridge across the Angara was opened at the end of the 19th century during the passage of Tsarevich Nicholas through Irkutsk. After almost half a century of operation, the crossing was replaced by a permanent bridge connecting the center of Irkutsk with its left-bank regions.

In addition to the bridge named Glazkovsky, you can use the Innokentyevsky, Akademichesky and Boguchansky bridges to cross the Angara.

Navigation in Irkutsk usually opens not earlier than mid-May, but in warm weather, the first motor ships can go on cruises along the Angara River as early as May holidays. During the trip, tourists visit a whole constellation of amazing Siberian cities:

• Angarsk, which in 2003 won the second place in the competition for the most comfortable city in Russia. In Angarsk, expositions of local museums of clocks and minerals are of undoubted interest, and among the main architectural attractions is the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
• Bratsk, located on the banks of the same name and Ust-Ilimsk reservoirs. A unique architectural and ethnographic museum "Angarsk Village" has been opened in the city. The settlement of the indigenous inhabitants of these places has been recreated in the open air.
• Svirsk, which was first mentioned in 1735. Then a settlement was founded here, and later Idinsky prison. The well-maintained embankment of Svirsk is a favorite resting place for its residents and guests of the city.
• An even more ancient city is Usolye-Sibirskoye, founded in 1669 by the Yenisei Cossacks. Having discovered a source of salt in these places, the Mikhalev brothers built a salt brewhouse. Participants of the Angara cruise will be able to see what the city looks like today.

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