The Most Popular River Cruise in Europe: Ranking the Top Choice for Adventure and Luxury
Voting rules: Choose the cruise you think is the most popular!
Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 4, 2023 09:02)
Embark on a mesmerizing journey as we set sail to discover the most enchanting river cruises in Europe! From the legendary Danube to the romantic Rhine, Europe's waterways offer a treasure trove of unforgettable memories, and we want YOU to decide the ultimate river cruise experience. Join in on the adventure by casting your vote in our exclusive StrawPoll ranking of "What is the most popular river cruise in Europe?"! Share your passion for exploration, indulge your wanderlust, and help us uncover the hidden gems of Europe's rivers. Can't find your favorite cruise on the list? Fret not! You can effortlessly suggest a missing option and share your insider knowledge with fellow travel enthusiasts. So, grab your virtual passport, dive into the world of European river cruises, and let your voice be heard – your dream voyage awaits!
What Is the Most Popular River Cruise in Europe?
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169votesThe Danube River is one of the longest rivers in Europe and it is popular for river cruises due to its scenic beauty and the numerous historical and cultural sites along its banks. This cruise takes you through major cities like Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava.DescriptionThe Danube River Cruise is a popular river cruise in Europe that takes travelers on a scenic journey along the Danube River, spanning across multiple countries including Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. This cruise offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes of these countries.
- Duration: Typically 7-14 days
- Itinerary: Various itineraries available, often including stops at cities such as Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Regensburg, and Belgrade
- Accommodation: Luxury river cruise ships with comfortable cabins and amenities
- Onboard Activities: Live entertainment, lectures, culinary delights, wine tastings, and more
- Shore Excursions: Guided tours of historical sites, city sightseeing, visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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236votes
HenSti · CC BY-SA 4.0This cruise takes you through Germany, France, and Switzerland. The Rhine is famous for its picturesque castles and vineyards, and it is also home to the famous Lorelei Rock.DescriptionThe Rhine River Cruise is one of the most popular river cruises in Europe. It offers a scenic and enchanting journey along the majestic Rhine River, showcasing picturesque landscapes, charming towns, and historic sites.- Length: Approximately 1,233 kilometers (766 miles)
- Countries Visited: Germany, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands
- Major Cities/Towns Visited: Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Strasbourg, Basel, and Rotterdam
- Scenic Highlights: Rhine Gorge, Lorelei Rock, Black Forest, and Middle Rhine Valley
- Historical Sites: Cologne Cathedral, Marksburg Castle, Strasbourg Cathedral, and Heidelberg Castle
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331votesThis cruise takes you through the heart of Paris, giving you a view of the city's most famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre Museum.DescriptionThe Seine River Cruise is a popular river cruise in Europe that takes passengers along the scenic Seine River, offering breathtaking views of the French countryside and iconic landmarks. This cruise is known for its combination of relaxed sailing, cultural experiences, and historic attractions.
- Duration: Typically 7 to 10 days.
- Embarkation and Disembarkation: Usually in Paris, France.
- Route: The cruise often covers popular destinations such as Paris, Giverny, Rouen, Honfleur, and Normandy.
- Landmarks: Passengers have the opportunity to see landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Palace of Versailles, and the picturesque villages along the Seine River.
- Excursions: Numerous optional excursions are available, including visits to historical sites, museums, and wine tasting experiences.
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421votes
The Douro River Cruise
DouroAzulThe Douro River is located in Portugal and it is famous for its vineyards and wine production. The cruise takes you through the picturesque Douro Valley, where you can sample some of the best wines in the world.DescriptionThe Douro River Cruise is a popular river cruise in Europe that takes passengers along the scenic Douro River in Portugal. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the captivating landscapes, picturesque vineyards, and charming towns along the riverbank. The creator of this cruise is DouroAzul, a renowned travel company specializing in river cruises in Portugal.- Duration: 7 to 10 days
- Starting Point: Porto, Portugal
- Itinerary: Porto - Régua - Pinhão - Vega de Terrón - Barca d'Alva - Salamanca (optional) - Peso da Régua - Porto
- Cruise Ship: Luxurious river vessels with comfortable amenities and panoramic views
- Shore Excursions: Visits to local wineries, historical sites, and cultural landmarks
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515votes
Biberbaer · CC BY-SA 4.0The Elbe River flows through Germany and the Czech Republic and it is famous for its stunning landscapes and historical sites like the city of Dresden and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.DescriptionThe Elbe River Cruise is a popular river cruise in Europe that navigates the scenic Elbe River, offering passengers a unique and picturesque journey through Germany and the Czech Republic. This cruise allows travelers to explore the rich history, culture, and stunning landscapes along the river's route.- Route: Elbe River (Germany and Czech Republic)
- Duration: 7-10 days
- Starting Point: Hamburg, Germany
- End Point: Prague, Czech Republic
- Top Destinations: Dresden, Meissen, Wittenberg, Magdeburg, Litomerice, Melnik
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612votes
Mike1979 Russia · CC BY-SA 3.0The Volga River Cruise
Various cruise operatorsThe Volga River is the longest river in Europe and it is located in Russia. The cruise takes you through the heart of Russia, giving you a view of the country's most famous landmarks like the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral.DescriptionThe Volga River Cruise is a popular river cruise in Europe that takes travelers on a scenic journey along the iconic Volga River. Spanning over 2,290 miles, it is the longest river in Europe and passes through the heart of Russia, showcasing breathtaking landscapes, historic cities, and cultural experiences.- Duration: Usually 7 to 14 days
- Starting point: Typically Moscow or St. Petersburg
- End point: Depends on the cruise, but commonly Astrakhan or Rostov-on-Don
- Ports of call: Kizhi Island, Uglich, Yaroslavl, Kazan, Samara, Saratov, and more
- Key attractions: Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Volga-Baltic Waterway, scenic countryside, historical landmarks
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74votesThe Po River is located in Italy and it is famous for its scenic beauty and the numerous historical sites along its banks like Venice, Ferrara, and Bologna.DescriptionThe Po River Cruise is a popular river cruise in Europe that takes travelers on a journey along the picturesque Po River in Italy. This cruise allows tourists to explore the stunning landscapes, charming villages, and historical treasures of the Po Valley.
- Duration: typically 7-10 days
- Starting Point: Venice, Italy
- End Point: Cremona or Mantua, Italy
- Main Stops: Chioggia, Ferrara, Bologna, Verona, and Padua
- Scenic Highlights: Venetian lagoon, Po Delta, Valpolicella wine region
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85votes
The Loire River Cruise
Unnamed cruise companyThe Loire River is located in France and it is famous for its chateaux, gardens, and vineyards. The cruise takes you through the Loire Valley, which is known as the "Garden of France."DescriptionThe Loire River Cruise is a popular river cruise in Europe that takes passengers on a scenic journey along the Loire River in France. This cruise offers a unique combination of history, culture, and natural beauty, allowing travelers to explore the picturesque landscapes, visit charming towns and villages, and experience the rich heritage of the region.- Duration: 7 to 10 days
- Starting/Ending Point: Nantes/Nevers
- Cruise Season: April to October
- Vessel Type: River Cruise Ship
- Accommodation: Cabins with private facilities
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95votes
The Main River Cruise
ABC CruisesThe Main River is located in Germany and it is famous for its picturesque landscapes and the numerous historical sites along its banks like Würzburg and Bamberg.DescriptionThe Main River Cruise is a popular river cruise in Europe that takes travelers along the scenic Main River, starting in Frankfurt and ending in Bamberg. This remarkable journey offers breathtaking views of charming towns, historic castles, and lush vineyards along the way. With its rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes, The Main River Cruise provides a truly unforgettable experience for its passengers.- Duration: 7 nights
- Start Point: Frankfurt, Germany
- End Point: Bamberg, Germany
- Main Stops: Aschaffenburg, Wertheim, Würzburg, Kitzingen, Nuremberg
- Vessel Type: River cruise ship
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104votesThe Moselle River is located in Germany, France, and Luxembourg and it is famous for its vineyards and stunning landscapes. The cruise takes you through the picturesque Moselle Valley, where you can sample some of the best wines in the world.DescriptionThe Moselle River Cruise is a popular river cruise in Europe that takes travelers along the picturesque Moselle River. Known for its stunning landscapes, charming vineyards, and historic towns, this cruise offers a unique and enjoyable way to explore the region.
- Duration: Typically 7-10 days
- Starting Point: Various cities along the Moselle River, such as Trier or Koblenz
- End Point: Different cities depending on the cruise itinerary, often Luxembourg or Metz
- Destinations: Visits to charming towns and cities along the Moselle River, such as Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, and Traben-Trarbach
- Scenic Highlights: Stunning landscapes of vineyards, rolling hills, and medieval castles
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular river cruise
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Scenic beautyThe picturesque landscapes, cityscapes, and natural beauty experienced along the river course play a significant role in a cruise's popularity.
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Cultural and historical significanceRivers that pass through or near famous historic and cultural sites, cities, and landmarks tend to be more popular among travelers.
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Variety of itineraries and destinationsThe availability of various itinerary options and flexibility in the destinations covered make a river cruise more appealing to tourists.
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Onboard experience and amenitiesFactors such as the quality of accommodation, dining, and entertainment options, personalized services, and overall comfort in the cruise ship contribute to the popularity of a river cruise.
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Shore excursions and activitiesA range of shore excursions, such as guided city tours, wine tastings, and cultural experiences, make a river cruise more popular among travelers.
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Seasonality and weatherFavorable weather conditions and seasonal events, such as Christmas markets or festivals, enhance the overall experience of a river cruise.
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Pricing and value for moneyCompetitive pricing and the overall value for money offered by a cruise can make it more attractive to potential travelers.
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Reputation and reviewsA cruise line's reputation, as well as positive reviews from previous travelers, can significantly influence the popularity of a river cruise.
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Duration of the cruiseThe available time commitment for a particular river cruise can affect its popularity among travelers with different vacation lengths.
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Ease of access and embarkationCruise start and end points that are easily accessible and well-connected to transportation hubs are more likely to attract travelers.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular river cruise in Europe. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or cruise is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1974 views
- 202 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each cruise once every 24 hours. The rank of each cruise is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular river cruise in europe
Europe is home to some of the most beautiful and historic rivers in the world, making it an ideal destination for river cruises. With its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and charming cities, it's no wonder that river cruising has become a popular way for travelers to explore Europe. The most popular river cruises in Europe offer breathtaking views of iconic landmarks, picturesque villages, and stunning countryside. From the Rhine to the Danube, these cruises provide an unforgettable experience that combines relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, a river cruise in Europe is a must-do experience that is sure to leave you with lasting memories.
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