Main Restaurant

Observation Lounge and Bar

On the Diamond Deck is the magnificent panoramic observation lounge, the heart of the ship with wonderful views through floor to ceiling windows of the ever-changing landscape as you move along the river. This is where the ships superb design really is so evident. You’ll love the quality feel, the genteel ambience, the rich carpeting, the marble-tiled bar and the choice of sumptuous leather armchairs and soft modern settees. What could be better than to lose yourself in conversation with like-minded new friends, sip a coffee, perhaps play chess or bridge, or just relax whilst admiring the incredible scenery? And after a delicious dinner, appreciate our pianist, a gentle dance on the purpose-designed dance floor, or just enjoy a quiet read in the peaceful La Brasserie at the rear of the ship, ideal to while away an hour on a comfortable terrace absorbing the sights and sounds of Europe’s great rivers.

Wellness Area

The Emerald Deck boasts a very special feature of the Jane Austen – its purpose-designed and extensive spa and wellness area You can reserve the spa for your private use to take a sauna or use the steam room, or perhaps visit the on-board hairdresser (small additional fee).

Please note: The Emerald Deck is only accessible by stairs.

Excursions and activities

A daily programme is produced on board and delivered to your cabin each evening, detailing the following day’s activities.

On our river cruises we love to take you right into the heart of each town or city you visit along the way, and during your cruise local guides will offer a variety of guided walking tours, panoramic coach tours and/or visits to museums and local cultural favourites such as a wine tasting in Burgundy and a train journey through the Swiss mountains.

You will have a good mix of touring and free time to learn about the history and the little quirks of each place, with plenty of time to explore at your own leisure. Please check the itinerary of the cruise for more specific details.

Optional excursions

Visits to places of interest are organised for most of the days of your holiday, but it it is not compulsory that you go on all the included experiences that have been arranged.

Please note: entrance fees to museums are not usually included in the price of your holiday.

Dress Code

There is no requirement to bring formal dress – smart/casual is acceptable for both day and evening as there is no dress code enforced.

However, men are requested not to wear shorts for dinner or vest tops at any time in the dining room. You may wish to wear a jacket and tie for dinner.

The Chef’s Dinner offers the opportunity, should you wish, for more special attire.

Water level impact on itineraries

Water levels on rivers can fluctuate on a daily basis. In serious cases it is possible that the itinerary can be affected with little or no warning. Should the ship be unable to follow the planned itinerary, we will do all we can to ensure all places are visited by alternative means, usually by coach. 

Passengers with reduced mobility

Do the coaches have wheelchair access?

The coaches we use have not been adapted for wheelchair access.

Please note: all of our tours involve coach travel.

Can I arrange airport assistance?

We are able to arrange airport assistance for anyone with reduced mobility.

This is a free service which must be arranged with the airline prior to travel.

If you would like us to arrange this assistance for you, it needs to be pre-booked more than 48 hours before your flight departs.

Eurostar accessibility

If you have reduced mobility and are travelling on one of our Eurostar tours please contact us.

Should you need to travel in your own wheelchair, Eurostar does have specially adapted wheelchair spaces which need to be pre-booked.

If you would like assistance at St. Pancras we can make Eurostar Assist aware of this requirement, you would then need to make your way to the Eurostar Assist desk at St. Pancras at least 60 minutes prior to your departure.

Are the hotels accessible?

The hotels we use have been chosen due to their location and standard, the facilities offered can differ, it is therefore important that we make the appropriate enquiries with our suppliers on your behalf to ensure any special needs or requests can be catered for.

How do I make a special request regarding my mobility?

We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us.

If you have any concerns or special requests you would like to make regarding your reduced mobility, we encourage you to contact us 01283 688 206 to discuss these concerns.

Will there be lots of walking required?

We include guided tours, however due to the natural terrain of the locations we visit these may be a challenge for anyone with reduced mobility.

Are there any accessibility challenges on the excursions?

We also sometimes use different modes of transport to complete our itinerary which includes, though not limited to: boats, trains and jeeps. These may also pose a challenge for anyone with reduced mobility.

Can I take my own wheelchair with me on board?

Our ships are not adapted for wheelchair access. If you are intending to take a wheelchair or mobility scooter with you, it is essential that you contact us to let us know.

Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be used on excursions but they cannot be used on board the ships due to safety reasons and must not be left in corridors, the lounge or restaurant or any other public areas.

They must be stored in your cabin.

Will I be able to get on and off the ship with ease?

Due to popularity of river cruising when there is more than one ship in port, the ships could be moored alongside each other.

If our ship happens to be moored away from the landing pier disembarking could involve walking across gang planks and the sun deck of other ships.

Passengers must be able to walk on and off the ship themselves, without the use of crutches or other aids, as gangplanks can be positioned at a steep angle.

Will there be assistance available on board?

River cruises operate with a smaller crew than ocean cruises and do not have the crew available to personally attend to passengers with reduced mobility, therefore a travelling companion would need to be able to help with any physical needs.

Are there any accessibility challenges on the excursions?

The itinerary we include with our river cruises involves shore excursions visiting places with cobbled streets which can be on an incline making navigation of these streets difficult for anyone with reduced mobility.

If you can’t do many shore excursions, river cruising in Europe can still be very enjoyable and worthwhile. Cruising down the Rhine, Danube or any of the European rivers we offer gives you the opportunity to take in the spectacular scenery and there is a lot to enjoy from the comfort of the ship. Please contact us with any concerns you may have.

Are there lifts between decks?

Whilst most of our ships have a lift on board, it does not operate to all decks.

We include mobility information regarding lifts between decks on each ship under the deck plan section of the page. You may wish to view all of our ships before booking.

Drinks Packages

We have a drinks package included for all European river cruises in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Superior Drinks Package

For all 2024 and 2025 European river cruises:

Over lunch in our restaurants enjoy unlimited drinks from a choice of:

• Red, white, rosé and sparkling house wine, including non-alcoholic
• Draught beer, including non-alcoholic
• A selection of soft drinks and juices

Then from 6 pm until midnight in our bar and restaurants, enjoy all of the above, plus unlimited drinks from a choice of:

• Our cocktail and mocktail of the day
• House spirits and mixers (including gin, vodka, rum and whisky)
• A recommended regional wine during dinner
• Martini & Sherry pre-dinner
• Port & Brandy after dinner

All-inclusive drinks package

Available on 2026 European river cruise departures

Available from 10am to midnight each day:

• Red, white, rosé and sparkling house wine, including non-alcoholic​
• A choice of draught beer, including non-alcoholic​
• A selection of soft drinks and juices​​
• Our cocktail and mocktail of the day​
• House spirits and mixers including vodka, gin, rum, whisky, martini, sherry, brandy, port and Baileys (excluding liqueurs)
• Daily recommended wines ​
• Tea and coffee from the bar

Dietary Requirements

We cater for most dietary requirements, please ensure you advise our sales team when making the booking.

Children

• The minimum age limit is 12 years old at the date of departure.
• We reserve the right to limit the number of children on any particular cruise.
• Any minor must be accompanied by and share a cabin with an adult aged 21 or over.
• If the adult is not the minor’s parent, a ‘Parental Consent Guardianship Form’ must be signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to sailing.