Europe River Cruises
Enchanting riverways await
The vast expanse of the European Continent is home to many countries and varied cultures, with so much diversity that everything from language to food and architecture can change dramatically within even one day of travel. A river cruise will give you the chance to see the best of the best that Europe has to offer, travelling through the hearts of incredible countries like France, Germany and more. There’s so much that a conventional coastal cruise could never show you, so select a river and prepare for the trip of a lifetime.
Featured Cruises
The Rhine and Moselle - Northbound
- 23 Jul 2025 - 06 Aug 2025
- 14 Nights MS Inspire
- Fly Cruise
14 nights including flights from £7,390 per person for outside cabin
Venice & the Jewels of Veneto
- 25 May 2025 - 01 Jun 2025
- 7 Nights S.S. La Venezia
- Flights included
7 nights including flights from £2,399 per person for outside cabin
Brilliant Bordeaux
- 13 Apr 2025 - 20 Apr 2025
- 7 Nights S.S. Bon Voyage
- Flights included
7 nights including flights from £2,399 per person for outside cabin
Paris & Normandy
- 06 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025
- 7 Nights S.S. Joie de Vivre
- Flights included
10 nights including flights from £2,969 per person for outside cabin
Tulip Time
- 13 Mar 2025 - 20 Mar 2025
- 7 Nights AmaSerena
- Flights included
7 nights including flights from £2,388 per person for outside cabin
Helpful Tips To Know Before You Go
- With the wide variety of countries you may travel through, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re carrying money of the correct kinds for your chosen ports. While most countries in Europe use the Euro, this is not the case for all of them.
- Summer is the most popular time to visit Europe, and this holds true for European river cruises too. You’ll have the best and warmest weather during this time, but the crowds will be correspondingly immense in particularly popular destinations. Spring or Autumn are excellent times to travel to go if you want to skip the crowds.
- Prepare for the weather. Especially if you’re planning on doing a lot of walking tours or hikes, you’ll need to be sure to pack appropriate supplies, like suncream and sunhats for hot weather and waterproof layers for rain.
- Visiting the European cities you’ll make port at tends to involve a lot of walking to see the local sights, so be sure to pack good comfortable shoes. Your favourite water bottle wouldn’t go amiss, either.
- Plan your shore time appropriately. There’s often so much to do that you may be overwhelmed if you don’t decide beforehand what you absolutely must include in each port visit. Some popular shore excursions may be out of places if you try to book on the day, so it’s wise to book these as far in advance of your cruise as possible.
Things To Do
- Sample local food. Some of the most famous cuisine in the world is available on a Europe river cruise, including the French cuisine that the word comes from in the first place. Enjoy Spanish tapas, delicious French dishes, German delicacies, and more.
- Tour historic cities. Depending on your choice of itinerary, you’ll have the opportunity to visit UNESCO World Heritage towns and sites, walking along streets that have been carefully preserved for their historic value.
- Behold famous landmarks. From the Eiffel Tower in Paris to every local wonder in the many cities you’ll see, there’s an endless variety of iconic landmarks and monuments to visit, so keep your camera ready.
- Marvel at beautiful European landscapes. From the majestic Alps or Pyrenees with their towering jagged peaks, to the rolling hills and verdant vistas of the Netherlands, you’ll drift by countless picture-perfect sights on your river cruise.
- Visit historic wine country. Many of the river cruises available pass through vineyards in regions which have been famous for their wines for hundreds or even thousands of years, and any trip here must include a wine tasting.
- Learn local history. The storied past of the European continent extends back for millennia of rich and incredible history, and the cities you’ll stop at are the perfect place to learn about the incredible struggles and triumphs of humanity across hundreds and hundreds of years. Take a tour or visit a museum; there’s lots of ways to explore the past.
Why Book With Kenwood Travel
With decades of experience in the cruise industry and a wealth of local knowledge, our cruise experts are in a perfect position to arrange the best European river cruise you could dream of. Depending on what kind of river cruise you’re yearning for and what you want to see, we’ll advise you of the best rivers to traverse and the best itineraries, helping with all the finicky details to make your experience as smooth as can be. Get in touch today, and prepare to see the heart of Europe in style.
Ports of Call & Places to Explore
Danube River
Cruising along the Danube River, you’ll pass through the heart and the east of Europe, paying visit to four famous capitals as you go. Stroll the iconic streets of Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade in turn, immersing yourself in the culture and wonder of these incredible cities.
River Douro
On this, the highest-flow river of the Iberian Peninsula, the winds and turns of the water will take you through the verdant rolling richness of sprawling vineyards, whose ancestral presence in the Douro region dates back to the days of the Roman Empire. Explore a spectacular range of wines, and a truly vibrant history.
Dutch Waterways
Across the territory of Holland, the branching waterways that diverge from the River Rhine form a twisting network of beautiful waters, home to over 3000 houseboats. Winding across rich green countryside and through picturesque Dutch towns, a cruise along these is sure to be a unique experience.
Garonne River
Cruise between the sprawling peaks of the Spanish Pyrenees and all the way along the best of France’s Bordeaux, stopping by picturesque medieval villages whose long history is visible in the old stone buildings and beautiful streets. Stunning scenery and delightful dining await everywhere you look.
Main River
The longest river located solely in Germany, a river cruise here is sure to show you the best that this amazing country has to offer. Meander through the rolling landscapes of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and more, witnessing beautiful towns and villages and going ashore to discover the history and hidden gems you’ll find in every port.
Moselle River
Beginning in the beautiful Lorraine region of France, this river flows through mountains and rolling fields alike, winding across French countryside and then into Luxenbourg, and from there into Germany. Along the more than 500 kilometres of the Moselle, you’ll make port in a wide array of stunning European towns, each with their own attractions and delights.
River Rhine
As one of the greatest European Rivers, this behemoth flows from Switzerland through to Germany and the Netherlands. There’s no other river in the world with so many old and renowned cities on its banks, and the ports you can call at include names like Basel, Strasbourg and Cologne.
River Rhône
Among the largest and best known rivers of Europe, the Rhône starts in the majesty of the Swiss Alps, running through the gorgeous spectacle of Lake Geneva and over into France. From the beauty to be found in its Swiss origins to the myriad wonders of southern France, you’ll witness vineyards, mountains, historic cities and more.
River Seine
The third longest river of France, the Seine is famous for its prominent place cutting through the heart of Paris, supplying around 50% of the water that this iconic city depends on. Paris will of course be the most famous port on your Seine cruise, but you’ll also have plenty of chance to stop by in the charming environs of Dijon on the Seine’s path to the English Channel.
River Volga
Boasting its status as the longest river in Europe, the Volga flows through central to southern Russia and into the Caspian Sea, making it the perfect river to select to witness the best of Russia. On your course, visit major cities like Astrakhan, Volgograd, Saratov, Samara, Ulyanovsk, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Yaroslavi, and Tver.
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