What To Expect On A Danube River Cruise
Rhona O'Connor
Cruise along iconic rivers and waterways
Experience a different view every morning
From the Danube to the Nile river
Local expert guides to assist & inspire
River Cruises
Set sail on one of our river cruises with us to discover fascinating history, new cultures and breath-taking landscapes. No matter where you choose to go, we believe river cruises offer one of the best ways to see the beautiful countries the globe has to offer.
Cruise Holidays 2025
Looking for cruise holidays in 2025? Look no further than Travel Department! Sail with us down the River Nile and through Egypt with us, enjoying multiple excursions to see the sights you’ve always wanted to see. Ancient Egypt is on everyone’s bucket list and it’s no surprise; Temples of Horus, the Valley of Kings and the High Dam are all amazing landmarks that we’ll get to see on our river cruise.
See more of Austria, Hungary, Germany and Slovakia with our escorted river cruise holiday. Taking you into the heart of most cities you visit, travelling by river cruise gives you more time to explore some of Europe’s most exciting places. Like the highlights of France, gliding down the River Seine in the luxurious MS Amadeus Diamond, a 4-star boutique hotel on the water. From the Eiffel Tower to the beautiful Gardens of Giverny, our European river cruises from Ireland are the best way to holiday.
Another great example of our cruises for 2025 is our Rhine River cruise, taking you through The Netherlands, Germany, France & Switzerland. With optional excursions and guided walking tours, we create our itineraries so you get the most out of your travels.
Whether it's the Rhine, Danube, Seine or the Nile, on all our river cruise holidays, we include return flights, guided transfers, and full board accommodation aboard the ship, so all you need to do is start packing for the trip of a lifetime!
Select A Guided River Cruise Holiday
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Why Choose A Travel Department River Cruise Holiday?
Sail To The Heart of the City
As the ships used on our European river cruises and Nile cruises are smaller than traditional ocean liner cruise ships, we are able to dock in the heart of almost every city we visit. By making our way into the centre of each city, our holiday will include more time to explore all of the incredible destinations that we offer. Each river cruise includes several ports of call including visits to world-renowned cities like Vienna, Budapest and Paris.
Enjoy Included Excursions
On all of our holidays, we make sure to include plenty of guided tours and trips to help us get the most out of our time away. Our river cruises are no different and offer multiple shore excursions, some included and some optional, throughout our journey. We’ll have the opportunity to visit the home of classical music in Vienna, explore the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, and hear the history of one of Europe’s oldest universities in Salamanca, Spain. On each excursion, we’ll be accompanied by a local, expert guide.
Onboard Entertainment
While travelling on our river cruises, we’ll have the opportunity to experience local culture through unique onboard entertainment. On our river cruise holiday through Vietnam, we’ll participate in the ancient art of Tai Chi and traditional cooking demonstrations. On our river cruise through Germany, we’ll hear traditional Bavarian music and sample authentic regional cuisine. Whether it be traditional dance lessons in Cambodia or a folklore show in Budapest, each river cruise offers something unforgettable for us to enjoy.
Savour Local Flavours
One of the best ways to learn about a new culture while travelling is to sample their local delicacies. Whether it’s goulash in Hungary or pretzels in Bavaria, every country or region has something new to discover. When travelling with us, each of our river cruise holidays offer full board and an exciting selection of both authentic regional cuisine and international dishes. So, we can enjoy Port in Porto, Schnitzel in Vienna or Pho in Vietnam.
What To Expect On A River Cruise Holiday
River cruises are a fantastic way to discover hidden gems in multiple destinations as we cruise along the most stunning waterways in Europe and beyond. We hand pick our 4 and 5 star ships to make sure they offer a range of fantastic facilities, including restaurants, bars, spas and lounge areas. Beyond the amenities of the ship itself, we’ve chosen a superb selection of cruises to some of the world’s most wonderful destinations. Choose from cruises along the Danube, Rhine, Nile, Mekong and more. Some of our most popular European river cruises are along the Danube, which include excursions to the famous European cities of Munich, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, among others. With expert, local guides to give us the history in some of the places we visit, we’ll be sure to get the most out of our ports of call.
River Cruise Holiday FAQs
Are river cruises expensive?
Our river cruises are fantastic value for money as flights, transfers, accommodation aboard the ship, meals and some guided offshore excursions are all included in the price. Drinks are not included and will have to be signed for whilst on board, along with other expenses like beauty treatments and extra excursions. A final bill for these extras will be given to you on your last evening onboard. Local wine is included with dinner with Lueftner cruises and an optional drinks package is available with Nicko cruises.
What river cruise shore excursions are included?
A number of excursions are included in your package and other optional tours can be booked on board at extra cost. We’ll be sure to get the most out of our ports of call as excursions are led by local guides who will give us the best insights in some of the places we visit. This usually consists of short walking tours of beautiful historical towns, full day tours and sometimes we’ll have free time to do our own exploration. The advantage of a river cruise is that your ship takes you to the heart of each destination, giving you more time to experience the attractions and enjoy your time ashore. A Travel Department Representative will be onboard for your holiday to deal with any issues that may arise. They have experienced all the places you are to visit and will be happy to make recommendations for free time activities.
What are the river cruise cabins like?
Accommodation varies from ship to ship, and the style and layout of cabins will differ, depending on which deck/cabin type has been booked. Travel Department’s River Cruise holidays include a lower deck cabin as standard and upgrades to middle and upper decks are available at a supplement. Many lower deck cabins have smaller, non-opening windows, while middle and upper deck cabins generally have opening panoramic windows. Detailed information can be found in the individual holiday descriptions. All cabins have a bathroom with shower and are equipped with a hairdryer, safe and air conditioning.
What on-board facilities of a river cruise ship are provided?
General facilities vary from ship to ship but most include a sun deck, bar/lounge area and restaurant. Wi-Fi is also available at an additional cost but please note that due to the movement of the ship and varied geographical locations, the signal can be weak. When not exploring the ports of call, it is possible to relax on the top deck or in the lounges reading or sunbathing, chatting with fellow passengers or just watching the river life pass by.
How long will we be sailing for on a river cruise ship?
Although each itinerary varies, on most tours much of the sailing takes place overnight, so you will wake up in a different destination and be ready to disembark and explore a new place. When the sailing is by day, there are opportunities to relax on the top deck or in the lounge and take in magnificent landscapes and scenic river views; such as castles and abbeys along the Rhine or Danube, or the villages and vine-clad hills of the Douro Valley.
Is there a dress code on river cruises for dining?
On our river cruises there is no formal dress wear for meal times but the cruise operator does ask that you dress smart-casual for dinners and special meals. All of the towns on the cruising route offer their own traditional specialties and the food on board sometimes will mirror these. Following dinner each evening entertainment is provided by the onboard musicians or local groups displaying their traditional song and dance. Quizzes and other types of evening entertainment are also sometimes provided.
Are gratuities included on a river cruise?
Gratuities for your river cruise crew are not included in your holiday. The amount of your tip is left to your discretion and should be seen as a reward for good service. If you would like a recommendation we suggest, as a guideline, €8 per guest per day for general staff and €2 per guest per day for the Cruise Director.
Are river cruising holidays suitable for people with reduced mobility?
Generally, river cruise holidays are not suitable for those with reduced mobility. Many of the ships do not have lifts and often ships are moored beside other vessels which you will have to walk across to get to your own. Likewise, some guided excursions will involve periods of walking and standing, at times on uneven or cobbled surfaces. There will be steep inclines or steps to negotiate at some locations. For all our tours we have an activity level guide to help you decide which holiday suits you best. For specific advice regarding our river cruises and to discuss any special needs, please contact us directly and we will be happy to assist.
Can you get motion sickness on a river cruise?
It’s usually very smooth sailing on a river cruise, unlike some ocean cruises where the seas can get rough, so there’s a much smaller chance of travel sickness.
What if there is an emergency?
We have local representatives in all of our destinations who are available 24/7 as well as an emergency contact number for our offices in Ireland should you ever need it.
