River cruising for first-timers

We’ve spent a good while exploring Europe by river — along the Danube, the Rhine, the Rhône, the Douro and more — and we’ve picked up a thing or two. Our useful guide will put your mind at ease and make your first cruise smooth sailing.

What a day on board is like

No two days are quite the same: itineraries change with the river and no two ships are decked out identically, but the rhythm is reliably gentle, which is why so many people adore river cruising.

Mornings begin in your cabin, which comes with either an external window or a balcony, and is infinitely more comfortable than the word ‘cabin’ might suggest. If you’re the sort who’s up before everyone else, there’s tea, coffee and a pastry waiting for early risers; if not, join the rest of the ship for a buffet breakfast with plenty of hot options. If your first excursion isn’t till later in the day, there’s no need to rush. Relax on a lounger on the sun deck and watch the scenery glide by.  

When it’s time to head ashore, you’ll find the included excursions are one of the real joys of river cruising. Our excursions are led by English-speaking guides, often locals who know the destinations inside out and tell their stories well. Some itineraries add optional experiences too, so you can shape parts of the trip around whatever you’re most curious about. None of it is compulsory, of course. If you’d rather stay on board or explore under your own steam, that’s entirely your call.

Back on board, there’ll be free time to enjoy your ship’s facilities. Depending on the vessel, facilities may include a small spa, fitness room, splash pool, hair salon or tucked-away library — or the bar is a perfectly respectable choice before dinner, too.

Dinner itself is a four-course affair, prepared with local ingredients by chefs who draw inspiration from the places you visit, and served in a relaxed setting in a single sitting with no assigned seats. Pull up a chair with your new friends or enjoy a table to yourself.

River cruise entertainment is wonderfully intimate and culture-focused, compared to ocean cruising’s grand productions. Think wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, guest speakers worth listening to, quizzes and live music, depending on your route.

Booking advice (and when to book)

A typical cruise, such as on the Douro and the Rhine, usually runs to around eight days. If you’d like to test the waters, our shorter Discovery cruises are a lovely way to find your sea — or river — legs before committing to anything longer.

A superb tip: think about extending. Where it’s available, add a few extra days in your disembarkation city — Lisbon and Budapest reward those who linger. Our Rhine Cruise to Switzerland even comes with the option of a Glacier Express extension, a truly memorable train journey.

Many European river ships carry around 160 guests, which is part of why they feel relaxed yet convivial, but fewer cabins also means the popular sailings fill quickly. Spring and autumn departures go fast, as do our Christmas market cruises. If a cruise has caught your eye, our advice is not to dither. Book as early as you can and tell us about any dietary requirements, mobility considerations or special requests while you’re at it. 

Choosing your cabin

Cabin prices vary with size and position. As a rule, lower decks tend to be lower priced. Before you choose, have a look at the deck plan and ask us about where a particular cabin sits to make sure it’s right for you. Early-to-bedders or light sleepers might sleep more soundly in a cabin away from social spaces.

A double cabin can usually be made up with twin beds instead, so let us know which you’d prefer when you book.

And good news for those travelling alone. Selected cruises offer a number of cabins for sole occupancy, subject to availability and a supplement. Of course, we also have dedicated solo holidays for guests who like the independence of going solo, accompanied by like-minded explorers.

Food and drink

Dining on board is one of the highlights of your cruise, and we’ve done our best to take the hassle out. On our European river cruises, an all-inclusive drinks package comes as standard on 2026 and 2027 departures — one less thing to think about once you’re aboard.

Our drinks package includes red, white, rosé and sparkling house wines, selected draught beers, soft drinks and juices, our signature Riviera cocktail, mocktails, house spirits and mixers, daily recommended wines, and tea and coffee from the bar. On cruising days, it runs from 10am until midnight, with different hours on arrival and departure days. If you’re attached to your morning cuppa, every cabin has tea- and coffee-making facilities, and there’s always something hot to be had on board.

What to pack

Fortunately, there’s a reassuringly simple answer: comfortable, casual clothes you can sightsee in, plus a few things you can smarten up for dinner. There’s no formal dress code at meals, so you can leave the black tie at home. Pack layers and a light water-resistant jacket, and don’t forget sunglasses, sun cream and a sun hat.

A few excursions visit churches and other religious sites, where modest dress is expected, and shoulders and knees should be covered. A shawl or a light long-sleeved top does the job nicely, while zip-off trousers come in handy.

Snap-happy photographers might want to pack extra camera storage. The scenery has a way of demanding photos and you won’t always find a well-priced memory card waiting if yours fills up.

Our included experiences are made to be enjoyed but walking distances and terrain do vary. If that’s a consideration for you, speak with your Cruise Director about how far and rigorous a particular outing is — or get in touch with us before you book for the mobility details. If you enjoy taking in a tour guide’s engaging history lessons, a shooting stick with a seat can make things more comfortable.

Tipping, cash and money matters

There are no compulsory gratuities on a Riviera Travel river cruise, so any thank-you for good service is entirely up to you. If you’d like to leave something, our current guideline is €8–12 per person per day — tips are usually shared equally among the crew, and anything for your Cruise Director is, again, your call.

A word on currency: even on a European cruise, not every country you visit will accept euros. A Danube sailing, for instance, may include Hungary as well as Austria and Slovakia, so a few Hungarian forints can come in handy for the markets, cafés and smaller shops that don’t take cards. It’s worth checking which currencies you’ll need before you leave home. And although there are no currency exchange facilities on the ship, your Cruise Director will be able to point you towards somewhere ashore.

A few things worth knowing

Wi-Fi is free on board our European river cruises, though we’ll be honest about its moods. Cruising between mountains and cliffs, slipping under bridges, or easing through a lock, the signal can come and go. Perhaps pack a book or a puzzle magazine — or simply make the most of your river cruise by enjoying the ever-changing scenery and the good company onboard.

Seasickness is rarely an issue, since river cruising is usually smooth. If you do feel a little off, head up on deck, look the way you’re travelling and fix your eyes on a steady point in the distance.

Getting ashore is easy too. River ships are built for shallow water and locks, and being compact, they often moor right in the heart of town, so there are usually no tenders or lengthy transfers on our European river cruises. On some of our worldwide cruises things can differ, and where a ship can’t pull in alongside, a smaller boat or a short local transfer occasionally helps.

Start your river cruise adventure

From the Rhine to the Rhône and from the Douro to the Danube, there’s a river out there with your name on it and a chair on deck waiting. Have a look through our European river cruises whenever the mood takes you and if you need our advice, we’d be delighted to help you find the right one.