How to Get The Most Out of A European River Cruise


With its elaborate array of windmills, castles, historical sites, villages and ruins, a European river cruise lends an air of mystery, adventure, luxury and most of all an unforgettable European travel experience.

There are many reasons why a European river cruise sounds more appealing than a bus, train or self drive tour around Europe for most of us. Some of the advantages of river cruises include:
•    One accommodation for the duration of the tour without the need to pack and unpack from one destination to another;
•    Whether it is 7 days or one month your meals are provided and you do not have to plan where to eat next;
•    The water is calmer, not like open ocean which can be rougher;
•    It's relaxing and comfortable with cruise staff always on hand to help you enjoy your vacation;
•    You can enjoy the passing scenery from the comfort of your own room as you travel from destination to destination;
•    Unlike ocean cruise liners, most of your tours are included when you purchase a river cruise.

Traveling to Europe is on most of our travel bucket lists. There are many ways to see and enjoy Europe for any age group. Traditionally, river cruises may have attracted older folks but now, families with children and those old and young alike see the value and convenience of traveling on a river cruise through Europe.

Recently Viking River Cruises was voted by Travel and Leisure readers as the top river cruise company in Europe.  Vacationers however have more than one option when it comes to choosing which European river cruise line best suits their budget, needs and itineraries. We've done some of the research for you to get you started.  Below is a list of five cruise companies to explore, and research before booking your next European vacation:

1.    Avalon Waterways
2.    AmaWaterways
3.    Uniworld
4.    Scenic River Cruise
5.    Tauck

You'll want to review these companies to find the best fit based on budget, itinerary, ship size and times for your vacation.

To put fun into the planning of a European River Cruise of your dreams, here are 4 tips to help you get the most out of our cruise before you set out:

Get fit before going
European cities, museums, castles and villages may not have the comfortable walkways and elevators that you may be accustomed to. There may be 300 steps to climb in historical churches, ancient walkways, or lack of adequate bathroom facilities.

Start taking walks before you leave for your vacation and determine what may or may not work for you and your family. Families with young children may need to rethink the stroller situation and some additional planning may be required for older family members.

Getting fit is always a good thing for any vacation you are planning. What is a vacation without walking around town and exploring? European cities are rich in history and most cities still have their beautiful cobblestone narrow main streets and side streets to explore.

Learn the language
English is widely spoken in Europe but don't expect everyone to speak English. Pick up a phrase book and learn another European major language like German, Italian or French. A little knowledge may take you a long way and increase the fun of your exploration in Europe.  Making a sincere attempt to greet someone or say "thank you" in their language will be appreciated and will add to the cultural experience.

Cash is king
Cash is generally always accepted - but not just any cash. When you are traveling in Europe, it is important to bring Euros with you. To calculate your exchange rate, use Travelmath’s travel calculator and click on currency converter. Type in your currency and convert to Euros. It is $1 USD to 0.81 Euros at the time of this writing.

Determine how much cash you need to bring and get your local currency ready for tips, souvenir shopping and miscellaneous expenses while you are on your European river cruise. Remember not all local small merchants accept credit cards or traveler’s checks.

Having cash on-hand can prevent paying a high commission or bad exchange rate while you are at your destination or cruise ship.

Your flight:
Into which European city do you plan to fly?  Find out from your river cruise company possible embarkation cities. Most European river cruises do not include airfare. Check with your river cruise company.

For example, if your city of embarkation is Amsterdam, you can use Travelmath’s travel calculator to find the airlines flying into Amsterdam. Through our calculator, you can find direct flights and book your airline tickets.

Start your journey by looking into the possibilities here. We look forward to hearing from you. Was this helpful? Come on over to our Facebook Wall and let us know your thoughts. https://www.facebook.com/travelmath




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