As any veteran river cruiser will tell you, which riverboat you choose makes all the difference. With the recent surge in the popularity of European river cruises, competition between the main cruise operators has really improved the quality of the itineraries and river ships across the board, so there aren’t any bad options - it just depends on what you’re looking for on your Europe river cruise.

Riverboats are already much smaller than the giant ocean liners that cruise the Atlantic and Caribbean, but they can still be characterized as floating hotels, complete with several dining areas or bars, multiple lounges and social areas, occasionally a pool, hot tub, or spa, and occupancy for up to 200 or more guests.

European river cruises can be an amazing experience for families with members of all ages, and if you’re traveling with minors (under the age of 18), a cruise can be a fantastic way to engage them in history and culture as they see their textbooks come to life in the form of castles, museums, battlegrounds of ancient and modern wars, ruins, and so much more.

From the comfort of modern and elegant river vessels, travelers no longer have to worry about packing and unpacking their suitcases at every hotel, long haul train and bus rides between destinations, or uncertainty about where they’ll have their next meal - Adventure Life’s hand-picked European River cruises offer all-inclusive experiences along the most interesting waterways of Europe.

Our hand-selected menu of cruises is all-inclusive, with shore excursions, meals, and drinks, and guides all wrapped into what you pay. We have done our best to curate unique cruise experiences for travelers of all interests - from history buffs to active explorers…and everyone else!

The highlights and what to expect on the various Mediterranean cruises. This article also touches on the various destinations you can visit, some of Adventure Life's different ships, and benefits and drawbacks of trip lengths.