{"id":27164,"date":"2020-02-10T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-10T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/?p=27164"},"modified":"2022-08-18T08:54:11","modified_gmt":"2022-08-18T07:54:11","slug":"tips-for-your-first-european-river-cruise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/tips-for-your-first-european-river-cruise\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips for Your First European River Cruise (Updated 2022)"},"content":{"rendered":"

This story was created in partnership with: <\/em>CroisiEurope\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve never been on a river cruise before, we\u2019re guessing you have a few questions about this increasingly popular style of travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you\u2019re curious to know how it compares to ocean cruising, or perhaps you\u2019re looking for advice on how to make your overall experience that much better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t worry \u2014 once you\u2019re onboard, you\u2019ll quickly discover why so many people fall in love with river cruising. While you\u2019re waiting for your departure date to arrive, however, you can refer to this guide to ensure you know what to expect on your maiden voyage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are ten of the top tips you need to know for your first European river cruise.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Travel to: <\/em>Europe with CroisiEurope <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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Discover iconic cities like Paris on a river cruise | \u00a9 Skeeve\/Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Remember that river cruising is different from ocean cruising <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While river cruising and ocean cruising share some similarities, these two travel styles differ in many ways. River cruise ships are considerably smaller (typically accommodating no more than 200 passengers), and the overall experience is much more personalised and intimate than you\u2019d find on an ocean-going mega-ship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another thing to note is that river cruises focus on the destinations rather than the ships themselves. You\u2019ll likely be visiting a new port every day, which means you can pack a whole lot of sightseeing into one trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arguably the best thing about booking a river cruise is that just about everything is built into your fare. CroisiEurope river cruises, in particular, are packaged to include wine and beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and WiFi, so there\u2019s no need to worry about racking up a hefty onboard bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Try not to overpack<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Storage space is at a premium on river cruise staterooms, so it\u2019s important to pack smart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pack for comfort first and foremost (river cruises typically have a very relaxed dress code), and choose outfits that can easily be mixed and matched. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to be prepared for a variety of situations and weather conditions (a light waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes are definitely essential!), but you can always take advantage of your ship\u2019s laundry service in order to cut back on the number of items you bring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Danube is a great destination for your first river cruise | \u00a9 Falco\/Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Don\u2019t feel obligated to do it all <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no doubt river cruising is one of the best ways to discover several new destinations in a week or two, but like on any holiday, it\u2019s important to remember that you don\u2019t have to see and do everything!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s certainly tempting to pack your schedule to the brim when your itinerary is filled with so many exciting ports of call, but constantly being on the go is a surefire way to leave yourself feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything on your daily itinerary is optional (apart from the port departure time, of course!), so if you\u2019re not interested in a particular tour, take the time to stay on the ship and relax or head off to explore at your own pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might feel like wandering around on your own for the entirety of the trip, or maybe you\u2019d prefer to join most of the guided excursions \u2014 both options are totally fine, and the choice is always yours.<\/p>\n\n\n

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See Also: <\/em>What to Pack for a River Cruise in Europe<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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4. Read up on your destinations ahead of time<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The great thing about booking a river cruise holiday with CrioisiEurope is that their state-of-the-art ships allow you to reach destinations that are inaccessible to ocean liners and larger ships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re heading on a cruise along the Danube, for example, you can expect to moor right in the heart of cities like Budapest and Vienna, often only a short walk or quick bus ride from the most iconic attractions and places of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With all that extra time to explore, you\u2019ll want to ensure you\u2019re making the most of every moment! The easiest way to maximise your time on land is to research your destinations in advance. Grab a guidebook and take note of all the top things you absolutely don\u2019t want to miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, be sure to check how long you\u2019ll be docked in each port and what excursions are on offer to get a better idea of the best way to spend your time there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Remember to get local currency prior to your trip | \u00a9 Markus Spiske\/Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Bring local currency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re visiting several countries on your river cruise, it\u2019s worthwhile to get some local currency before you depart for your trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most countries in Europe accept the Euro, but destinations like Hungary and the Czech Republic have their own respective currencies, so having a small amount of those on hand will save you some hassle when you arrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s an idea of the currencies you’ll need if your river cruise visits the following countries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n