Enjoying a River or Barge Cruise through Europe

River cruising and barging provide an up-close-and-personal view of the European interior, with plenty of time for contemplation and relaxation.

Just as big-ship cruising has been growing steadily, sometimes spectacularly, European river cruising has been riding a healthy wave as well. Appealing to seasoned travelers who don’t require all the bells and whistles and other amusements found on large cruise ships, river cruising - and barging - is a vacation that provides a closer more relaxed look at the passing countries and cultures.

A barge allows you to experience Europe in a totally different way. These itineraries carry you beyond the major cities and introduce you to a country’s regions in charming and intimate ways. Along the waterways, you’ll enjoy the beauty of the countryside, and shore excursions provide opportunities to visit small villages and perhaps even mingle with somebody other than a souvenir hawks and tour operators.

There are two distinct forms of European waterway trips to consider, barging and river cruising. Barges float on human-constructed canals covering just a few miles a day and as little as 100 miles in a week. Barges meander along slowly to a point that passengers can literally step off, walk or bike into town, and catch up again without a lot of fuss. Generally, barges accommodate 8 to 12 passengers, which makes them ideal for families or friends who want to occupy the entire vessel. The cuisine and local wines are sumptuous and wonderful, and shore excursions to private wineries and other historic sites are all included in the fare.

Although the name may conjure images of rusty scows, barges are actually first-class floating hotels typically equipped with a sun-deck, lounge and dining room. Accommodations include staterooms and suites, with full-sized beds and private baths. Since passenger capacity is low and the pace is slow, barge cruises are all about intimacy and relaxation.

Sailing at a faster pace, river cruises will work their way down key European rivers, passing through one or more countries and making stops in the center of larger cities like Budapest, Vienna or Cologne. A river cruise ship really is a cruise ship, just smaller than the big ships with which we are most familiar. With cabin space to accommodate 100 to 180 people, they typically feature all
the amenities - including restaurants, lounges, a library and scheduled entertainment in the evening. They generally have large decks, and some of the ships that classify themselves as deluxe, which translates to best, may even have swimming pools, a hot tub or sauna.

If you need a lot of glitz on your vacation a river cruise may not appeal to you, but the real attractions are the itineraries, the pace and the value, particularly shore excursions included. There are plenty of activities on the ships too. These include reading, games, and in the evening there’s folkloric shows, live music or just a stroll into town, which is just a stone’s throw away.

The season runs from April through November, with the high season in May, June, September and October. The lower season is April, July, August and the beginning of November. As barges and river cruises often book up far in advance, do book early to avoid disappointment.

Please call us if you’d like more information.