Best European river cruise lines for younger seniors

My husband and I are are new to river cruising. We are younger seniors (both 61 yrs) and would like to know which cruises/ cruise lines cater more to

younger more active seniors. Thanks for the help. (We are especially interested in the Amsterdam to Basel cruise) but are open to suggestions!)

My husband and I are are new to river cruising. We are younger seniors (both 61 yrs) and would like to know which cruises/ cruise lines cater more to

younger more active seniors. Thanks for the help. (We are especially interested in the Amsterdam to Basel cruise) but are open to suggestions!)

I'm thinking Caviargal is going to be a big help to you. She and her DH do a lot of river cruising and from what she posts, they're VERY independent. I'm sure she'll be posting in response to you, so look for her posts.

We use Vantage, as you can see, and are doing Amsterdam to Basel with them in August. As far as age is concerned, I think you'll fit in just about anywhere. You may be in the younger half, but even the older ones, we're in our 70's, are pretty active and well-traveled. Depending on need, many times the TM's will offer walking tours for the "fit and feisty" as well as the "halt and lame"! But I have found that most of us have dinner and then retire to our cabins unless there's a program after dinner. (usually local entertainment that comes on board, performs for 90 minutes or so and leaves). There is very little after dinner partying....no band, shows or casinos like on the big ships.

I cast my vote for Uniworld. My wife and I took our first river cruise with them on the SS Antoinette that did sail from Amsterdam to Basal. We were 50 and were certainly on the lower end of the age spectrum. But I would say that most were in their 60's. However as a whole was an extremely active group. Uniworld does run a minimum of two groups for active and less active for each excursion. So we never felt the excursions were moving too slowly. Also they have bikes that can be used at each place. They also have an indoor pool with jets that when turned on is greating for swimming in place The have a small gym and they have a wellness instructor who has yoga classes, excercise classes, water aerobics, etc... The SS Antoinette is a beautiful ship and first class all the way. We have booked two more cruises with Uniworld.

We did this trip on AMA and loved it. They have a fleet of bikes on board and every day one of the options is a bike tour; otherwise you can borrow them on your own. They also divide the passengers into several small groups for the walking tours, and usually announce one "slow" and one "fast" group -- the normal groups don't get bogged down, and if you like to take a lot of pictures you are fine in a normal group because the QuietVox lets you lag behind to get clear shots and still hear the guide. Everything else about the cruise was great too, so we are booked for Provence this fall.

I am in my 50s and my husband in early 60s and we have taken 9 river cruises in 6 years.

The last 5 have been with AMA and we have another booked with them for this fall. Already looking at options for 2016 now that schedules are out.

We are very independent and active and appreciate the active tours, biking tours and specialty (Limited Edition) tours AMA offers as they suit us well. We also often opt to spend time on our own.

AMA's theme cruises (in my experience) attract a younger crowd overall, and we have been on several with very diverse age ranges. We really enjoyed our wine cruises with AMA as well as the Christmas Market and holiday cruises. We find the staff and crew on AMA to be young, energetic, warm and professional and more personable and engaging that the other river cruises we have taken.

We are recently back from an AMA cruise Basel to Amsterdam and really enjoyed the mix of ports (cities and small tows) and the itinerary in general.

Look into Advantage..

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I also vote for Uniworld as they cater to both less & more active as someone described earlier, by organizing most tours into several energy-compatible groups. Also, it can be up to you to find ways to step out. A good gui=de book and some advice from the ship's staff will allow you to do more on your own if that's what you want to do. Lots of fun doing things this way.

If you go in the summer months the demographics will be skewed younger. Many teachers and many from Australia take their holiday during July and August. Avalon attracts many Australians

We started river cruising when we were in our early-mid 50s and traveled with Avalon.

Got2cruise is correct; there have always been many Aussies and Kiwis on our trips and they are just about the best companions I've ever traveled with.

On one cruise, there were 6 Americans, 4 Canadians, 2 from UK and about 100 from Australia and New Zealand!

If you can, travel in May or September-October. The little river towns will be far less crowded with those darn tourists!

We started river cruising when we were in our early-mid 50s and traveled with Avalon.

Our first 4 cruises were with Avalon. They did not offer any active tours (as advertised at the time) nor do they offer bike tours. The personality aboard was quite staid on our cruises with them. Their boats are quite nice, especially the Panorama Suites. But, for us, it is unlikely we would have continued to river cruise if we had not discovered AMA as we were quite bored on our Avalon cruises.

I think certain itineraries attract younger pax also. Our Avalon Paris/Normandy had several families with teenagers on board. My husband and I hiked up to Richard the Lionheart's castle. Others stayed down in the small town. This itinerary has a very active pace.

We also enjoyed the Basel to Amsterdam cruise. There was a bike excursion offered in Amsterdam.

There is no need to be bored on a rivercruise, simply leave the tour and do another activity and then return at the appointed hour.

There is no need to be bored on a rivercruise, simply leave the tour and do another activity and then return at the appointed hour.

We normally DIY for tours. It was not the ports that were boring.

I ve been on 12 river cruises,starting in my 40s ,and ea.ship,company,route,etc. offered PLENTY to keep active(if you chose).

Ea.one had a variety of ages, admittedly mostly seniors,but YOU can decide in ea.port what to do,can walk on top deck,some have exercise rooms.

So go with the company that fits your budget,dates,itinerary,etc...LOTS to determine.

We now prefer the more upscale lines,and suites,(since we can finally afford them)..now love Scenic,but second choice is AMA.

You get what you pay, try one line,then if not perfect for YOU....try another.

Everyone seems to have their favorites,oddly I enjoyed every one.Just some more than others.Find your favorite..and good luck/.:)

I ve been on 12 river cruises,starting in my 40s ,and ea.ship,company,route,etc. offered PLENTY to keep active(if you chose).

Ea.one had a variety of ages, admittedly mostly seniors,but YOU can decide in ea.port what to do,can walk on top deck,some have exercise rooms.

 

So go with the company that fits your budget,dates,itinerary,etc...LOTS to determine.

 

We now prefer the more upscale lines,and suites,(since we can finally afford them)..now love Scenic,but second choice is AMA.

 

You get what you pay, try one line,then if not perfect for YOU....try another.

 

Everyone seems to have their favorites,oddly I enjoyed every one.Just some more than others.Find your favorite..and good luck/.:)

Totally agree. We were in our early 60's on our first one and more active then...Vantage was our first river cruise and we were more than satisfied so we stayed with them because loyalty does have its privileges...and we know exactly what to expect from cabin, food and staff. The surprises should come in the ports and on the tours, not on the ship!

FYI pp suggested op try "Advantage"....I know that he meant "Vantage" ....spell check strikes again!! :D

I was very hopeful looking into Vantage, but the cruise price started at about $3200 turned into an $18000 price. Oh my. My question is: do I book cruise insurance on my own? I've done that in the past for the ocean liner cruises, but I'm not sure about the river cruises. Plus, I'm not sure the cruise does an excursion in Austria that I'm basing my trip around. The person I spoke with said they would send more detailed information. I'm wondering if this is normal? Thanks for your help and input.

ChaChing!

I was very hopeful looking into Vantage, but the cruise price started at about $3200 turned into an $18000 price. Oh my. My question is: do I book cruise insurance on my own? I've done that in the past for the ocean liner cruises, but I'm not sure about the river cruises. Plus, I'm not sure the cruise does an excursion in Austria that I'm basing my trip around. The person I spoke with said they would send more detailed information. I'm wondering if this is normal? Thanks for your help and input.

 

ChaChing!

 

Unfortunatley river cruising isn't cheap as you have already discovered! The base price of $3200 doesn't include things like tax, port fees, plane fare or trip insurance and it's for the lowest cabin grade (which isn't bad, it's what we call "aquarium class" because it's usually at water level....and then you take that final number and times it by two and your mind goes numb!!! Keep in mind though that the final price does include all of your meals (save possibly 1 or 2 lunches where you might be sight seeing and on your own for lunch, although many times Vantage gives you money to buy lunch) and it includes all of your transportation to and from airport (if Vantage buys your air fare and I let them buy mine most of the time because I can't beat their prices) and it includes virtually all of your shore excursions, including transportation and admissions where required. You may have a few optional excursions that cost extra but they're usually further away from the port, include admission and often a meal..The trip insurance is based upon your age and the older you are the more it costs...if you buy the all inclusive package it includes cancellation for ANY reason, as well as repatriation in the event of a medical emergency...it covers lost, damaged or delayed luggage as well. As for the itinerary and whether it includes Austria, you will have to read all documents very carefully, no matter who you choose, and then confirm it with a live person who will include it in your invoice.

.The trip insurance is based upon your age and the older you are the more it costs...if you buy the all inclusive package it includes cancellation for ANY reason, as well as repatriation in the event of a medical emergency...it covers lost, damaged or delayed luggage as well

Independent trip insurance is based on age and cost of trip per person. We don't cruise with Vantage but AMA's trip insurance is not age based so can be a good value for older travelers. My mom is 83 and the cost for her with insurance from AMA is substantially less than purchasing it elsewhere. They also offer a voucher program for an extra $60 that allows you to cancel without a covered reason.

they don t COST you anything and can get discounts, obcs,etc. Also, can handle insurance, airfare,etc..or can check out on own and have THEM book and handle it all.

Sorry, but would NOT use cruise company that doesn t work with TA s, so no advantage in that.Always check FIRST to see that they do.Just my opinion,of course,but that s why I have avoided those companies that DON T.

Mine even gives a discount when I use "luxury lines" like Scenic,AMA,and others.Not sure but THINK Grand Circle, Vantage,and some others DO NOT allow TA s. I ask,,,WHY??Just a hassle and can nickel and dime you as above poster said,see no reason to use those..but that s another topic.:confused:

We don't usually buy cancellation insurance from the cruise line itself, but have recently done so for both a Uniworld and Tauck river cruise. In the case of Uniworld, they include a "cancel for any reason" rider (which if used is in the form of a cruise credit), and in both cases include pre-existing condition coverage (which we now need.)

For any Canadians reading, we recently were told by our TA that CSA, the company that has covered us many times for cruises, have stopped writing policies for Canadians. No reason why, afaik.

Can we use the same insurance company we use for our ocean liners? Or do those companies not do river cruises?

I called AMA yesterday and their insurance was around $300 vs. the Vantage $1700. Maybe the guy at Vantage made a mistake.

I'm still very excited to get to Europe next year and any river cruise we select, I am sure we will have an amazing time!

Toni

Can we use the same insurance company we use for our ocean liners? Or do those companies not do river cruises?

I called AMA yesterday and their insurance was around $300 vs. the Vantage $1700. Maybe the guy at Vantage made a mistake.

I'm still very excited to get to Europe next year and any river cruise we select, I am sure we will have an amazing time!

Toni

You can use the same third-party travel insurance companies, but they will probably be more expensive. The big benefit of using them is coverage for vendor default (i.e. the cruise line goes out of business and keeps your payment) -- but check the fine print because they only cover listed companies and your river cruise line may not be covered. If that's the case, there's no reason not to take the cheaper policy from the cruise line.