New to River Cruise - looking for recommendations

[dacf]

Hello

We are new to river cruising, but we've done several ocean cruises in the past.   We are going to be in Vienna, Austria next summer (Aug. 5th) for my nieces wedding and after the wedding we were thinking of doing a river cruise.   My husband and I have never been to Europe before, so I'm thinking the best way to see the European countries is by River Cruise.   We also want to do a Mediterranean cruise (Italy/Greece) but thinking it'll be too hot there at that time of year, so we plan on putting that on hold for another year.

 

My parents did a river cruise a few years ago.  They are seasoned ocean line cruisers but wanted to try a river cruise.   She said it was fine, but they were bored at night.   I noticed that some of the river cruises offer bike and hiking excursions during the day which would be fun but wondering if there are any river cruises that offer entertainment or fun things to do at night ie., trivia, karaoke, movie under the stars, etc.?   Also, another option, do they stay overnight in ports or at least late departures?

 

I read that if the rivers are not high enough, they bus you to the next port.  Is that true?  If so, what are the odds that would happen in Aug.?

 

Thanks for any help anyone can offer 🙂

 

[Canal archive]

dacf say hello to Calgary for me, we were there some few years ago now after our wandering through your absolutely beautiful country.
River cruising is so different to Ocean cruising. Depending on the company less than 200 or 160 people on board as opposed to hundreds on ocean cruising. Bored in the evening why? get to know your compatriots there is usually a host to keep you entertained, enjoy a cocktail or an exotic coffee. Okay from what I can see maybe River Cruising is a little bit more hard work than Ocean cruising but what the heck isn’t that part of life’s rich pattern?

[JerseyGem]

dacf:  Welcome to the River Cruising area of CruiseCritic!  Since you're in Vienna for the wedding, trying out a river cruise afterwards is a great idea. You will have an interesting view of several countries on your daily visits along the way.   First, please read Host Jazzbeau's  "stickies" at the top of this forum, especially the one about "New to River Cruising" and "water levels' (there may be one to help you sort through the various companies that offer river cruises).  

 

Your selection will mostly depend on what line (or ship) has a starting cruise in Vienna a few days after the wedding.  As for nightlife- there won't be a casino, a theater, etc. but most lines offer something at night.  Maybe a local show, a lecture or discussion about the area.  Or learn a new card game with fellow travelers.  Hubby and I love to go up to the top deck to read while we enjoy the passing scenery (since most lines will sail to the next city each evening).

 

You are correct that a Med cruise will be too hot in early August! 

 

Have fun planning your cruise.  Come back with all your questions.  Lynn

[Roz]

@dacf, you will find river cruises have a different pace.  There are no sea (river) days, so you'll be up early every morning for the first of what may be two tours that day.  There's a lot of walking on most tours.  Honestly, most nights after dinner I was happy to sit in the lounge with a drink and listen to some music or watch a performance by a local group of performers.

 

Yes, bussing is always a possibility, and some lines seem to handle things better than others.  I've done three river cruises and never had to be bussed, but my last cruise had its itinerary changed due to low water levels.  

 

I think river cruising is the best and easiest way to see a number of countries in one trip.  Looking forward to my river cruise next month after a 4-yr. hiatus. 

[Roz]

Also, there are lots of informative "stickies" at the top of this forum.  They're worth reading, especially for first timers.

[TMLAalum]

@dacfI have a different suggestion for you. Forgo a river cruise and take a train from Vienna to one or more European cities that aren't too far from there. Further south along the Danube are Bratislava and Budapest. Prague and Munich are other options. Spend a few days in the city or cities of your choice and enjoy the nightlife in each. If you are a bit more adventurous you could rent a car, although having a vehicle is not ideal in the major cities I mentioned. Or fly to another city such as Paris via one of the many low-cost airlines such as Easy Jet.

 

While river cruising is an excellent way to explore along the Danube and other European rivers, it might be too staid for you two. 

 

[Got2Cruise]

Hi. I’ll recommend Amawaterways for you if you are active. Every stop there is an active excursion which are either hikes and/or bike rides. 
 

You’ll be able to visit many more places along the Danube than if you did independly by train. Consider the ship your floating hotel. You can’t compare it to an ocean cruise. 

[dacf]

6 hours ago, Canal archive said:

dacf say hello to Calgary for me, we were there some few years ago now after our wandering through your absolutely beautiful country.
River cruising is so different to Ocean cruising. Depending on the company less than 200 or 160 people on board as opposed to hundreds on ocean cruising. Bored in the evening why? get to know your compatriots there is usually a host to keep you entertained, enjoy a cocktail or an exotic coffee. Okay from what I can see maybe River Cruising is a little bit more hard work than Ocean cruising but what the heck isn’t that part of life’s rich pattern?

Hello Canal Archive, Calgary says hi back LOL!!   Thanks for your response. My parents go to the casino, the theatre to see live shows, karaoke, etc.   I'm not sure what she was expecting as it was her first river cruise.  On our ocean cruises we always do the above, but not the casino.  You said there's usually a host to keep you entertained.  What takes place?  What's the type of entertainment?

[dacf]

5 hours ago, JerseyGem said:

dacf:  Welcome to the River Cruising area of CruiseCritic!  Since you're in Vienna for the wedding, trying out a river cruise afterwards is a great idea. You will have an interesting view of several countries on your daily visits along the way.   First, please read Host Jazzbeau's  "stickies" at the top of this forum, especially the one about "New to River Cruising" and "water levels' (there may be one to help you sort through the various companies that offer river cruises).  

 

Your selection will mostly depend on what line (or ship) has a starting cruise in Vienna a few days after the wedding.  As for nightlife- there won't be a casino, a theater, etc. but most lines offer something at night.  Maybe a local show, a lecture or discussion about the area.  Or learn a new card game with fellow travelers.  Hubby and I love to go up to the top deck to read while we enjoy the passing scenery (since most lines will sail to the next city each evening).

 

You are correct that a Med cruise will be too hot in early August! 

 

Have fun planning your cruise.  Come back with all your questions.  Lynn

Thanks so much for your response JerseyGem - Lynn:)  I'll take a peak at the articles when I have time.  I run my own business which leaves me little time to research this type of travel.   Actually, I was just thinking it may be worth-while finding a travel agent who has experience with river cruises.  

[dacf]

3 hours ago, Roz said:

@dacf, you will find river cruises have a different pace.  There are no sea (river) days, so you'll be up early every morning for the first of what may be two tours that day.  There's a lot of walking on most tours.  Honestly, most nights after dinner I was happy to sit in the lounge with a drink and listen to some music or watch a performance by a local group of performers.

 

Yes, bussing is always a possibility, and some lines seem to handle things better than others.  I've done three river cruises and never had to be bussed, but my last cruise had its itinerary changed due to low water levels.  

 

I think river cruising is the best and easiest way to see a number of countries in one trip.  Looking forward to my river cruise next month after a 4-yr. hiatus. 

Roz, thanks for your input.   Actually, thinking if we're up early every morning, going to bed early would probably be a good idea LOL!!  But just curious, can you ever have the option to sleep in?

[notamermaid]

2 minutes ago, dacf said:

Actually, I was just thinking it may be worth-while finding a travel agent who has experience with river cruises.  

Yes, that is a good idea. Especially when you have limited time as you say. I do wonder if river cruising will be for you. You may not miss evening activity that much if you are active all day. but you will certainly notice how quiet river cruising evenings can be. In some ports you stay until late, in one or two overnight, especially Vienna. My excursion was to a wine village evening for example. From about eight till ten in the evening. You will need to research which company offers what. The Danube in Bavaria can be a bit tricky as regards water levels in August..

 

Do you fancy train travel? There are some great options from Vienna and there are good connections to many European cities.

 

notamermaid

 

[Roz]

@dacf, you can sleep in if you don't want to take the included tour for that morning.

[Roz]

Finding a TA with river cruise experience would be an excellent idea.  

[dacf]

3 hours ago, TMLAalum said:

@dacfI have a different suggestion for you. Forgo a river cruise and take a train from Vienna to one or more European cities that aren't too far from there. Further south along the Danube are Bratislava and Budapest. Prague and Munich are other options. Spend a few days in the city or cities of your choice and enjoy the nightlife in each. If you are a bit more adventurous you could rent a car, although having a vehicle is not ideal in the major cities I mentioned. Or fly to another city such as Paris via one of the many low-cost airlines such as Easy Jet.

 

While river cruising is an excellent way to explore along the Danube and other European rivers, it might be too staid for you two. 

 

TMLAalum - Thanks for your response.   We actually considered that, but he can only take appx. 2.5wks for vacation and I don't want to waste days checking out - traveling to next city - checking in to next hotel.  We're still young at heart and adventurous but by next summer I'll be 58yrs and my husband 60's and we love the comfort of settling in and seeing many places which is why we love cruising.   My parents also want to join us and next summer they'll both be 87yrs and she really wants to do a cruise with us, which is another reason we didn't pursue hotel jumping idea.   So, if we don't do a river cruise then we'll look at an ocean cruise.  The only thing is (correct me if I'm wrong) a river cruise drops you off right in the heart of the cities we would like to explore, and the ocean liners don't.  For example, NCL will have Paris on their itinerary, but the dock is in Le Havre and it's a 3yr journey to Paris - no thank you!!  This is why we're looking at river cruises.

[*Miss G*]

I just took My First River Cruise (Avalon) and LOVED it.  You are up early and going physically strong for much of the day so there’s not much energy left for evening activities.  They brought entertainment from the local area if we were in port in the evening and there was dancing.  I also recall a movie night in the Club Lounge.  Daytime activities are super busy so I was happy to fall into bed at night.  I needed the rest!

[dacf]

3 hours ago, Got2Cruise said:

Hi. I’ll recommend Amawaterways for you if you are active. Every stop there is an active excursion which are either hikes and/or bike rides. 
 

You’ll be able to visit many more places along the Danube than if you did independly by train. Consider the ship your floating hotel. You can’t compare it to an ocean cruise. 

Thanks Got2Cruise!  Yes, I love that idea of a floating hotel - really that's the ocean cruises also.   But thanks for the recommendation.   We like the idea of bike and hike tours.   We are still active and young at heart.  Last month when we were in Niagara Falls, we went go carting LOL!!  It was a lot of fun!!

[dacf]

25 minutes ago, notamermaid said:

Yes, that is a good idea. Especially when you have limited time as you say. I do wonder if river cruising will be for you. You may not miss evening activity that much if you are active all day. but you will certainly notice how quiet river cruising evenings can be. In some ports you stay until late, in one or two overnight, especially Vienna. My excursion was to a wine village evening for example. From about eight till ten in the evening. You will need to research which company offers what. The Danube in Bavaria can be a bit tricky as regards water levels in August..

 

Do you fancy train travel? There are some great options from Vienna and there are good connections to many European cities.

 

notamermaid

 

Thanks notamermaid - If we are out in the evening doing things, then no I definitely won't miss the entertainment.  We'll get back and settle in to bed.   However, if we are active, you're right we may not miss it.   We've done ocean cruises to the Caribbean but mostly we'll be on the beach or it's a sea day, so we're still ready to go that evening.  I need to speak with a travel agent who specializes in river cruises.

 

[dacf]

Just now, dacf said:

Thanks notamermaid - If we are out in the evening doing things, then no I definitely won't miss the entertainment.  We'll get back and settle in to bed.   However, if we are active, you're right we may not miss it.   We've done ocean cruises to the Caribbean but mostly we'll be on the beach or it's a sea day, so we're still ready to go that evening.  I need to speak with a travel agent who specializes in river cruises.

 

When you say train travel - what do you mean?  Taking a train to the next destination, checking into a hotel for a few days, check out and back on a train to the next city?   No thank you.   We only have 2.5 wks and I don't want to waste any days on travel to next destination.   I prefer the captain to take us while we sleep.

 

[notamermaid]

2 minutes ago, dacf said:

Taking a train to the next destination, checking into a hotel for a few days, check out and back on a train to the next city? 

For example. The train journey can be exciting, especially over the Alps. But as you say

2 minutes ago, dacf said:

I prefer the captain to take us while we sleep.

then that is a "tick" in the box for river cruising. We sailed overnight and in the morning I pulled the curtains to see the embankment of Bratislava with a nice brick building in early light. Loved it!

 

notamermaid

 

[dacf]

12 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

I just took My First River Cruise (Avalon) and LOVED it.  You are up early and going physically strong for much of the day so there’s not much energy left for evening activities.  They brought entertainment from the local area if we were in port in the evening and there was dancing.  I also recall a movie night in the Club Lounge.  Daytime activities are super busy so I was happy to fall into bed at night.  I needed the rest!

Ahh good to know Miss G!   Yes that's the feel I'm getting now, as long as we stick with the active tours during the day, we won't have the energy and will just want to drop into bed that night.   I'm starting to think it's like a skiing holiday.  You spend the day skiing and by the end of supper you just want to either settle in and watch a movie or just go to bed.  No energy to go out!!  I've been comparing it to an ocean cruise to the Caribbean.

 

[dacf]

4 minutes ago, notamermaid said:

For example. The train journey can be exciting, especially over the Alps. But as you say

then that is a "tick" in the box for river cruising. We sailed overnight and in the morning I pulled the curtains to see the embankment of Bratislava with a nice brick building in early light. Loved it!

 

notamermaid

 

Exactly!!!  That's what I love!!   I'll find a travel agent who specializes in river cruises.  What would be great is if we found one that did a late departure in a port or two.  If not then oh well, that's not a deal breaker.

[*Miss G*]

4 minutes ago, dacf said:

Ahh good to know Miss G!   Yes that's the feel I'm getting now, as long as we stick with the active tours during the day, we won't have the energy and will just want to drop into bed that night.   I'm starting to think it's like a skiing holiday.  You spend the day skiing and by the end of supper you just want to either settle in and watch a movie or just go to bed.  No energy to go out!!  I've been comparing it to an ocean cruise to the Caribbean.

 

 

Definitely nothing like a Caribbean cruise.  Avalon has an adventure host for biking and hiking tours, on top of the really active walking tours which are included in your cost.  Also included, to go with the amazing food, is beer and wine at lunch and dinner.  They also have a lot of bicycles available (included) if you want to do a bit of biking on your own.  Just before dinner you’ll go to Happy Hour for the port talk, which is something you need to attend in order to know what’s happening that evening and the next morning.  There is no energy left after dinner but there is another Happy Hour if you’re up to it!

[Roz]

Starting in Vienna somewhat limits you as to cruise lines and itineraries.  Budapest or Passau (Munich) offer more jumping off points.  

[Host Jazzbeau]

Scenic has more evening entertainment than many other river cruise lines.  The former 'assistant cruise director' is now called 'enrichment manager' and does shows as well as booking local performers [much like an ocean Cruise Director, only lower key].  And each cruise will have one or more onshore evening entertainments (e.g. a concert at a chateau).  But with an interesting excursion starting early the next morning following today's heavy schedule, most folks want a quiet evening and retire early.

[CPT Trips]

Grand Circle Travel does longer river cruises, many of them with overnight stops. These stops are convenient, by foot or public transportation to the city centers. This company only does direct sales, they do not commission TAs. We are in a minority on this board that has cruised with GCT multiple times and have not cruised with any of the other companies frequently mentioned here.

 

Overnights in Antwerp and Strasbourg - https://www.gct.com/trips/river-cruises/europe/romance-of-the-rhine-and-mosel/2021/itineraries?anchor=itinerarylisting&icid=prnavsb_itinerary

 

Overnights in Amsterdam and Vienna - https://www.gct.com/trips/river-cruises/europe/the-great-rivers-of-europe/2021/itineraries?icid=global:itineraries:europe-by-river-cruise:river-cruises:sge

 

Overnights Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, and Linz as well as Prague (in a hotel). https://www.gct.com/trips/river-cruises/europe/romantic-blue-danube-budapest-to-prague/2021/itineraries?icid=global:itineraries:europe-by-river-cruise:river-cruises:edr
 

Overnights Paris, Vernon, Rouen, and Honfleur. https://www.gct.com/trips/river-cruises/europe/the-seine-paris-to-normandy/2021/itineraries?icid=global:itineraries:europe-by-river-cruise:river-cruises:sen

 

We took each of these cruises as well as almost all the cruises listed on the website. They each are about 2 weeks duration.