6 Reasons to Embark on a European River Cruise

It’s no secret that a river cruise is one of the best ways to explore the European continent. After all, a river cruise journey offers all the conveniences of a traditional cruise holiday, with the added benefits of inland travel through Europe.

Arriving in a new port-of-call every day, you’ll visit destinations both familiar and off-the-beaten-path, while only having to unpack once. You’ll even be immersed in the local sights whilst onboard your perfectly designed ship, with regionally-inspired food and beverages, and unsurpassed views of romantic riverways wherever you look. Here are six reasons why you’ll love the relaxed luxury of river cruising with Avalon Waterways.

1. Boutique Ships

Expect a relaxed, intimate atmosphere when onboard a river cruise. Each ship in Avalon’s fleet carries less than 170 passengers, and every single stateroom is at least 20 percent larger than the industry standard. Better yet, Avalon’s boutique hotel-inspired Panorama Suites feature the industry’s only Open-Air Balconies, complete with the widest-opening windows in river cruising. Beyond your stateroom, Avalon’s ships have no shortage of comfortable spots to stretch out, daydream or simply watch the world go by.

Modern living room interior with large window overlooking a historical building across a river.

 2. Travel to the Heart 

Enjoy more off-ship adventures when exploring Europe via river cruise. Avalon’s immersive river cruise itineraries stop at a new port-of-call every day, visiting a mix of iconic cities, like Budapest and Amsterdam, and lesser-known but equally as beautiful towns, such as Strasbourg and Heidelberg. Best of all, Avalon’s fleet is built to sail under centuries-old bridges and right into the heart of every port. Plus, Avalon promises dock-to-discovery in mere minutes, so you can step off your ship and get straight to exploring your dream destinations.

Sunset over Budapest with the Chain Bridge in the foreground and Parliament building in the distance.

3. Scenic Sailing

By choosing a river cruise, you’ll swap sea days for see days. Prepare for abundant sights at every turn when cruising down Europe’s most legendary riverways, like the Danube’s Wachau Valley or the stunning Rhine River Gorge, with Avalon. Whether you’re relaxing in your stateroom, socialising in a restaurant or lounge, or soaking in the sun on the sky deck, the scenic shoreline – dotted with medieval villages, rolling vineyards and fairytale castles – is always in view.

4. Culinary Delights 

Savour next-level culinary experiences when cruising Europe’s rivers. Designed around a paddock-to-plate philosophy, menus onboard your river cruise are regionally inspired, with produce sourced directly from ports along your route. Naturally, dining is accompanied by the service of fine wine and beer, also of local origin. Thanks to Avalon’s FlexDining approach, you can choose from a range of onboard dining options, including breezy al fresco lunches, elegant four-course feasts and everything in between. On an Avalon cruise, dining is part of the journey.

Elegant plated dish with garnish on a set table at a fine dining restaurant.

5. Personalised Service

With high crew-to-guest ratios, the service onboard a river cruise is second to none. This is particularly true onboard Avalon, who take special care to ensure that you are perfectly taken care of every step of the way. From your Captain and Cruise Director right through to your stateroom attendants, Avalon delivers extraordinary, personalised service that’s warm, intuitive, and knowledgeable. This superior service continues even when in port, with friendly local guides ready to greet you at every port-of-call with engaging tales that bring you closer to your destination.

Waiter pouring wine in a luxurious room with a sofa and modern art.

6. Travel Your Way

Destination immersion is an integral part of every river cruise, which is why onshore excursions are typically included. No two travellers are alike, so Avalon would never expect you to enjoy the same cruise experiences as everyone else. That’s why they’ve curated a collection of varied experiences, with three distinct shore excursion types: Classic, Discovery and Active. For instance, Classic excursions include guided walking tours, Active excursions include biking, hiking and kayaking tours, and Discovery excursions include cooking and painting classes. The choice is yours with Avalon.

Two people canoeing on a river, with splashing water and trees in the background.

Discover Europe with Avalon Waterways

It’s time to discover Europe in a new light. Explore our River Cruise Collection today!

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Categories : Cruise