Where to learn about short river cruises

[mapsd]

Still leaning towards an Amsterdam->Basel cruise, but considering going our own way. Like the idea of at least getting a taste of river cruising.

 

Seems like the sites mentioned here are solely longer cruises.

 

Can someone direct/refer me to a good source for a short 2-4 night river cruises (Germany/Neth. with castle viewing)?

[Cobbie48]

Look at EuroRivercruises.com

 

Don't know anything about it. Googled Rhine river cruises and it came up

[FuelScience]

Don't know anything about this outfit, but if you go to the Rhine or Mosel River cruises, there are cruises as short as 3-4 days.

 

FuelScience3

 

http://www.rivercruise.com/

[poss]

AMA has, I think, a 7 night cruise on the Seine. We're thinking of trying it as a first river cruise because we're not sure we'd be comfortable in the narrow beds.

[notamermaid]

Those that definitely have shorter cruises with English-language options are: Riviera Travel (UK-based), CroisiEurope (France-based) and Transocean (Germany-based). Arosa has arranged a mixed English and German cruise Amsterdam - Basel, i.e. the "most popular" as in terms of number of cruisers itinerary. You could ask through their US agent if they offer English on their shorter cruises.

 

Apart from those there are Phoenix and Plantours in Germany and Lüftner - as high end of the market - in Austria. They offer short cruises but might be more awkward to deal with, solely as regards the booking process I mean.

 

Several UK tour operators have river cruises in their catalogues but their emphasis will be on coach tours and flights.

 

notamermaid

[caviargal]

CroisiEurope has a lot of short itineraries. Keep in mind they would be more basic than the lines that are popular with North American travelers. No frills but prices to reflect that.

Edited June 18, 2015 by caviargal

[Shebely]

CroisiEurope. One set meal sit down for lunch and dinner served in courses. No buffet for lunch. Lunch drawn out so that we barely had time to go back to cabin before afternoon tours. Assigned table for dinner for length of cruise. Some people have said you could ask for alternative meal, but we did not see that on our cruise. For us, it was boring to be at the same table with the same people all week. Crew was great, cabins small and bathroom was very small. You could hardly turn around in the shower. Large size window, not french balcony. We were on upper level of Ms France one way on Seine Paris to Normandy. Cruise we were on we were bused back to Paris. Ship was chartered by US based travel group.

[Floridiana]

Still leaning towards an Amsterdam->Basel cruise, but considering going our own way. Like the idea of at least getting a taste of river cruising.

 

 

Would you consider taking a day trip on the Middle Rhine with its many castles?

 

There are also day trips on Dutch canals.