A Short River Cruise in Europe is a great way to enjoy river cruising without costing a lot of money or time.
A 4 day Rhine River Cruise or a short Danube Cruise are great first cruise itineraries to experience river cruising in Europe.
Short river cruises in Europe usually last 3 to 7 days, depending on the cruise you choose. You will be able to enjoy the scenery and bask in European culture without having to stay too long on the ship. It is the perfect vacation for families with small children, an add-on to an existing trip, or for those who simply want a quick getaway. You will be able to experience so much in a short time. You do not have to spend more than a month in Europe to enjoy its luxurious culture and beautiful landscapes. For instance, you can visit Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria on a three-night Danube river Cruise.
River cruise itineraries include voyages through countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Hungary, Czech Republic, Portugal, Spain and Italy without the usual inconveniences of packing and unpacking. The "Floating Hotels" cruise by beautiful cities, villages, castles and vineyards. On a Rhine River Cruise, a variety of itineraries depart from Amsterdam, Strasbourg and Basel. On the Danube River Cruise, voyages depart from Passau, Germany or Vienna Austria and cruise to the Austrian and Hungarian capitals of Vienna and Budapest. In Italy, we offer round trip cruises out of romantic Venice visiting fascinating cities like Verona, Ferrara, and Parma. In France, we offer French River Cruises on the Rhone, ships sail round-trip from Lyon, France to the Burgundy and Beaujolais wine regions and the Mediterranean style cities of Avignon and Arles as well as one-way between Lyon and Avignon; Bordeaux round trip cruises; Loire Valley cruises roundtrip Nantes and on the Seine River Cruises, we offer cruises round trip Paris and cruises between Paris and Honfleur.
River cruises in comparison to barge cruises are different in that they cruise the rivers of Europe rather than the small canals. The ships are larger and hold from 80 to 200 passengers. You will often find a swimming pool, beauty salon, gift shop, dancing and entertainment on board where you will not on the barge cruises.
In contrast, where the smaller barges include shore excursions have bicycles for guests and often have open bar, most of the river cruises do not have an open bar policy, bicycles, and several do not include shore excursions.
For short river cruises, we offer a primarily French/English or German/English language cruise line.
We have sent many travelers on these cruises that do not speak any French or German and have had no complaints.
Most of the staff speak English and many Europeans speak English as well.
The French/English language cruise line is a good value for the money. The rates include the cruise, port tax and meals as well as a beverage package - Soft Drinks, as well as tea, Beer, sparkling white wine, and Cocktails from the bar. Some specialty liquor has a charge. There is Wi-Fi on the ship as well at no charge and there are Tablets for loan if you did not bring one. For the excursions, there will be headsets with a bi-lingual guide. Excursions are additional unless otherwise noted. CroisiEurope cruises most of the rivers of Europe and offers many varied itineraries.
Single Supplement rates are low as well as upgrading to higher decks. Several of the ships have triple cabins with 3 lower beds.
Some of their newer ships are around 80 passengers and feature French doors or a balcony to the outdoors.
Below are sample itineraries:
For the German/English language cruise line, they feature bigger cabins and on the 2nd deck the cabins include French doors that open to the outdoors. On the new ships, they even have some balcony cabins and connecting cabins. The cruise line is known for its spa and features a swimming pool on many of the ships as well as nice spa facilities.
The standard rate includes the cruise, round trip transfers between the Cologne / Passau train station and the ship and also the port taxes. FOR REGULAR PRICED 4 NIGHT or LONGER CRUISES, the rate includes a beverage package - Soft Drinks, as well as tea and coffee specialties, Beer, sparkling white wine, Cremant and Prosecco (in a glass), as well as open wines and daily recommendations from the wine menu (by the glass), Cocktails and long drinks throughout the day and evening. Free Wi-Fi. All meals are buffet with food stations. There will be some sit down dinners available. SPECIAL DISCOUNTED OFFERS will include the cruise (without transfers), water with meals (beverages available for purchase) and use of the onboard facilities. Arosa cruises the Danube, Rhine, Mosel, Rhone and Seine Rivers
For both cruise lines, the towns you are visiting are pretty easy to explore some on your own. Or you can take the excursions and take advantage of the transportation to sites not within walking distance.
Ship | 2024 / 2025 Itineraries | On Board Language and Inclusions |
---|---|---|
Arosa Stella 6-8 days 174 pax |
FRANCE
|
German **Please note that this is a bi-lingual ship with information provided in both English and German, and an international cruise host on board.** Rates include the cruise, all meals,beverage package, room service and Wi-Fi. E-bike. 7 night cruises include a half day excursion including dinner Sightseeing excursions are not included and can be booked on board
|
Arosa Viva 6-8 days 174 pax |
FRANCE 5 night Mini Seine 7 night Seine
|
German **Please note that this is a bi-lingual ship with information provided in both English and German, and an international cruise host on board.** Rates include the cruise, all meals,beverage package, room service and Wi-Fi. E-bike. 7 night cruises include a half day excursion including dinner Sightseeing excursions are not included and can be booked on board |
Arosa Danube Ships 6-8 days 242 pax |
DANUBE
RIVER 4
Night Danube Cruise 5
Night Danube Discovery Cruise 7 Night Danube Cruise 7 Night Danube Cruise from Vienna | German **Please note that this is a bi-lingual ship with information provided in both English and German, and an international cruise host on board.** Rates include the cruise, all meals,beverage package, room service and Wi-Fi. E-bike. 7 night cruises include a half day excursion including dinner Sightseeing excursions are not included and can be booked on board
|
A-ROSA Sena
A-ROSA Aqua
Arosa Alea
Arosa Clea |
HOLLAND 4
night Mini Netherlands Rhine North 5-night Rhine Metropolises 5 night Rhine Experience 7 Night Holland and Belgium 7 Night North Rhine Experience 7 Night Amsterdam and Rotterdam
| German **Please note that this is a bi-lingual ship with information provided in both English and German, and an international cruise host on board.** Rates include the cruise, all meals,beverage package, room service and Wi-Fi. E-bike. 7 night cruises include a half day excursion including dinner Sightseeing excursions are not included and can be booked on board |
Arosa Silva and Flora
Arosa Clea
Arosa Alea |
GERMANY 4 night Mini Rhine and Loreley 5 night Rhine Legends 5 night Rhine Legends - A-ROSA Alea 5 night Mosel Discovery 5 night Rhine and Mosel - A-ROSA Alea 7 Night Mosel Romance 7 Night Mosel - A-Rosa Clea 7 Night Southern Rhine Experience 7 Night Southern Rhine City Experience | German **Please note that this is a bi-lingual ship with information provided in both English and German, and an international cruise host on board.** Rates include the cruise, all meals,beverage package, room service and Wi-Fi. E-bike. 7 night cruises include a half day excursion including dinner Sightseeing excursions are not included and can be booked on board |
Azul Spirit of Chartwell 4 - 5 days 30 pax |
PORTUGAL |
English Language
|
Croisi
Beethoven |
DANUBE RIVER 7 Night
Danube Cruise |
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board . |
Croisi
Various Ships |
DANUBE 5 Day Capital Cities of the Danube River
|
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board |
Croisi Loire Princesse 6 and 8 days 96 pax |
LOIRE VALLEY 6 Day Loire Valley Cruise
7 Day Loire Valley Cruise
8 Day Brittany and Loire Valley Cruise |
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board |
Cyrano De Bergerac |
FRANCE 5 Day Bordeaux River Cruise - Bordeaux - Pauillac - Blaye - Cadillac - Saint Emilion - Bordeaux
Bordeaux - Pauillac - Gironde Estuary - Blaye - Cadillac - Saint Emilion - Bordeaux
Bordeaux - Cussac-Fort-Medoc - Royan - Rochefort - La Rochelle - Libourne - - Saint Emilion - Cadillac - Bordeaux |
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board. |
Croisi Botticelli
Croisi Croisi Seine Princess |
FRANCE 5 Day Seine River Cruise - Paris - Les Andelys - Rouen - Honfleur - Caudebec-En-Caux - Vernon - Paris 6 Day Seine River Cruise 7 Day Seine River Cruise - 8 Day Seine River Cruise |
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board |
Croisi Various Ships 4 - 6 days 156 pax |
5 Day Rhone River FRANCE 8 Day Burgundy and Provence - |
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board |
Croisi Elbe Princess I and II |
GERMANY Hamburg - Bleckede - Luneburg -
7 Day Elbe River Cruise roundtrip Prague Prague - Slapy - Stechovice - Melnick - Dresden - Prague
|
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board
|
Croisi Elbe Princess I and II |
GERMANY Prague - Litomerice - Bad Schandau - Dresden - Meissen - Lutherstadt Wittenberg - |
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board
|
Croisi Symphony |
GERMANY Amsterdam
– Emmerich-am-Rhine - Cologne – Koblenz - Mainz - Strasbourg - Breisach – Basel |
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board
|
Croisi
Various
Ships |
GERMANY 5 Day Rhine River - 5 Day Rhine River + Glacier Express 5 Day Rhine River + Jungfraujoch 5 Day Neckar Valley 6 Day Rhine River - 7 Day Rhine, Main & Moselle Rivers 7 Day |
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board |
Croisi
Various
Ships |
GERMANY 5 Day Mosel River -
5 Day Rhine River
6 Day Rhine Cruise
6 Day Rhine River |
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board |
Croisi
Various
Ships |
HOLLAND 5 Day Amsterdam - Antwerp |
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board
|
Croisi La Bella Cadix |
SPAIN (excursions included) 6 Day Amazing Andalusia: (excursions included)
|
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board.
|
Croisi
Michelangelo |
ITALY
- Po River
5 Day Venice
Harbor 6 Day Venice Classic
|
French Rate includes the cruise, all meals, a beverage package, port taxes and Wi-Fi. Sightseeing packages are not included and can be pre ordered or booked on board
|
Belgium Cruises, Bordeaux River Cruise, Douro River Cruises, French River Cruises, Loire River Cruises
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