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River Cruise Line Suggestion based on travel style preference

Posted by on

All -

We are looking to do a 5 day river cruise either on the Rhine or Danube and wanted to find a line that meets our travel style. Here is what we are looking for (or not as the case may be):

Basically if Rick Steves had a River Cruise line this would be it - mostly trying to uncover a more local feel and not crazy scheduled or structured

We don't want a lot of ambient music on the boat - guessing that most a pretty tame but any line that needs to pipe in music all the time is out for us - same goes for engine noise - where should we book a cabin to avoid it

We actually would like one that is not all-inclusive and we can pick and choose meals, drinks, and excursions as we like. We even would like the option of going out to eat for lunch and dinner most meals in major cities or places where Rick Steves guides have good options for local cuisine. I know this kind defeats the purpose of a river cruise for many but for us we love the idea of floating hotel and seeing the river scenery but want the food and sightseeing up to us so - if we can get a cheaper river cruise line option that maybe does not do amazing food makes it not so bad to skip meals that would be fine - if there is a ship that nails the local cuisine in every way then we would consider eating on the ship for more money - for us the local cafes and dining are part of place and eating on the ship every night might take away from that

the ship does not need to be fancy - Hilton hotel level decor is fine no need for opulence, clean and functional is great - Viking is a bit too bougie, more Ikea vibe is preferred

we are GenX age and would like a cruise that caters to the 50s set vs older or younger if possible - active excursions are great but no bungee jumping or super short slow walks/tour buses - somewhere in the middle - my wife has a concussion so bike riding is out i am afraid

love to see lots of nationalities traveling onboard but would avoid any line that does not feature English as main language for crew comms - my French is ok to order a meal at a cafe but would not work if I needed to communicate a room issue or preference of offshore excursion plus I would worry that the other passengers only spoke their native tongue and we could not easily meet new people

any ideas on a River Cruise line that fits this bill

Posted by
2000 posts

Definitely NOT Viking. I took a river cruise with them a few years ago. I loved river cruising, but as an active solo in my 60s then, I didn't fit in. There were only 3 other singles, most passengers were couples in late 70s/early 80s and did not want solo passengers at their table. After asking 2 nights in a row if I could join a table with open seats, and being told no, I didn't bother the rest of the trip. IF you find a company with more of a Rick Steves' attitude about travel, please let us know. I will say that for a small kitchen, Viking produced a very good menu every day. I had no complaints about the food.

Posted by
5429 posts

From your long list of likes and dislikes, I would say you are unlikely to find anything that will suit you. I will go so far as to say that I don't think river cruising,by its very nature, would be something you would enjoy.

However, the Cruise Critic website has a river cruising forum. It has a few stickies pinned to its main page for first time cruisers. You might get some ideas there, or at least develop some realistic expectations about what you would experience. There are also You tube videos that compare the experiences among several of the main companies,.

Posted by
4656 posts

This might be an interesting enterprise for you to design and implement, but at present, there are none.
However, nothing says, within the confines of the sail times, you can't do what you want and eat where you want. Just know you'll be paying more for it.
If I recall, Rick does discuss a day boat trip from Vienna to Melk. That's on the Danube, but shorter than wished.
If you can find the Hurtigruten ferry (vs cruise) details, and if you have an interest in Norway, it would fit the bill. There are cabins on board and everything is a la carte.

Posted by
3439 posts

I have been looking for a European river cruise line that would be a good fit for me and my husband. This goal became much more difficult after watching many people boarding many cruise boats in Avignon. Honestly, it was like watching part of "Cocoon".

I don't think there is a river cruise line that fits your bill.

Posted by
7837 posts

The problem is that River Cruising has gone very up market. There may be companies that suit your style but they are probably very hard to find out about. A company like Merlijn sounds like you, except that they are cycling based. You don't have to cycle at all, but it's kind of their overall market.
I also wonder if Marella River Cruises (part of the TUI group) might suit- but they are extremely hard for North Americans to book.
Have you thought about day cruising on the Danube with DDSG. Perhaps @Mister E or @TexasTravelMom may be able to flesh that idea out?
Although clearly currently accessible due to the war I think one of the Russian river cruise ships would have been right up your street- not the Rhine or Danube admittedly, but I have loved each one of those I have done on the Dneiper and the Yenisey.
You sound the same sort of market for river cruising as me, I am aware of companies that once existed, but have been squeezed out by the likes of Viking- who are not at all my style either.
I almost think a self drive boat on the French waterways might suit you.
They are an English company based in Skipton, Yorkshire but Blue Water Holidays may be able to help you- they are a specialist company- I have no idea if a company like them exists in the US.

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