Cruising Europe

Revised January 27, 2008

There are a number of international cruise companies sailing the waterways of Europe. For the big companies, the major destinations are the Norwegian Fjords and the Mediterranean ports. Smaller companies running small boats take people down the famous rivers of Europe: the Rhine,the Rhone, the Seine and the Danube. Cruises in northern Europe will be cool, even in midsummer while summer cruises on the Mediterranean and the rivers that flow into the sea are much warmer. Bargains can be found if you choose to sail the waters of eastern Europe, but keep in mind that the level of luxury and service may not be as high. For a good place to start your search, cruise with Orbitz!

River Cruises

Large canals connect the major rivers France, Germany and Austria making it possible to travel by river from the Rhone to Amsterdam, from Amsterdam to the Black Sea and down many other popular rivers. We met some British travelers in Budapest who had boarded a ship in Amsterdam that traveled up the Rhine and down the Danube to Budapest where they ended their cruise and returned to Amsterdam by air. They described the entire experience as delightful, and echoed their ship captain's opinion that Budapest was, with their late evening arrival, the most spectacular city they had seen on the journey. You can also take shore day excursions from one city to another and return. A very popular route is from Vienna to Budapest with a stop in Slovakia.

• Amadeus Waterways Large river cruise ships sailing the Rhine and Danube with an English-speaking staff
• Canal & Company Barge Cruises in France
• Loreley Linie Cruises to Loreley Rock and other parts of the Rhine
• Peter Deilmann Cruises Elegant ships with deluxe service sailing the major rivers of Europe
• Rhine River Cruises Day long trips along the Rhine
• Rhine River Lights Half day cruises of the Rhine that include fireworks displays
• Seacloud Cruises Upscale cruises on the rivers of central Europe

Lakes to Cruise

• Lake Geneva, Switzerland
• Lake Constance, Switzerland-The Bodensee (near German Border)
• Lakes Thun and Brienz near Interlochen, Switzerland
• Lake Balaton, Hungary
• Lakes of the Italian Alps: Como and Garda where you can find many local ferry and boat cruises

Ocean and Sea Cruises

• Radisson Seven Seas Cruises Stately ships sail the most popular ports of call in Europe
• Seabourn Cruises Intimate cruising on elegant ships

For the confident boat operator, choosing to sail on your own from one European port to the next will create memories to last a lifetime. It is important to remember that the Mediterranean and neighboring seas are huge bodies of water subject to dramatic changes in weather. Unless you hug the coastline, you need strong navigation skills to get safely to your next destination. For the less adventurous, there are many rivers and lakes surrounded by classic beauty that would be a thrill to navigate. Before you put a deposit on a rental, carefully analyze your skills and then make a choice. And if you are feeling like a landlubber but know you can drive a motorhome, maybe a barge trip would be the right holiday for you.

• Barging in France Barging the beautiful rivers of France
• Beacon Park Boats Rent "narrowboats" on a canal through the beautiful Brecon National Park in Wales
• Canal Boat Holidays Provides information on boat rentals on many rivers in Europe
• Connoiseurafloat, Luxury houseboat trips in Europe
• Dubrovnik Online Sailboat Charters Rent comfortable sailing yachts to cruise the Adriatic Sea
• Easy Sailing, Greece Rent a sailboat or motor yacht and visit the Greek Isles
• Easy Yacht, Greece Sailboats and motor yachts with crews
• Europe Afloat Links to many houseboat and barge rentals
• Mediterranean Adventure Provides crewed yachts in the Mediterranean and to the Canary Islands

  Kayaking and Canoeing

  The rivers of Europe offer opportunities for kayaking, canoeing and rafting. Most are short trips, but if you are prepared and adventurous, there are great whitewater rafting experiences in the Alps. Among our favorite days in Europe were the days we paddled down the Dordogne past the castles of the 100 Years War and the day we drifted along the Vlatva River past the Romberg's Castle in Czesky Krumlov.

  Good Kayaking or Canoeing (Beginner to Intermiediate Level)

  • Dordogne River in the area of Sarlat, France where historic castles dot the cliffs you pass
  • Altmuhl River in the area of Eichstatt, Germany north of Munich, with convenient camping and lots of nearby breweries
  • Lahn River through the Lahn Valley past beautiful medieval towns

   

  Sleep in A Hotel

  The clever entrepreneurs of Eastern Europe have found a charming use for old cruise ships. Docked in convenient locations on the Danube, they have converted ships that are no longer profitable as sailing ships into comfortable lodging. Budapest has a few of these "boat-tels."

    Orbitz: Free Shore Excursions on Select Cruises!

Cruising the Danube in Budapest

Cruise ship docked in the Venetian Lagoon

Small Boat ferrying passengers through the lagoon in Venice