Restaurant

Sun Deck

Located on the Upper Deck

Images Copyright: Travel Europe

Terrace

Located on the Upper Deck

Images Copyright: Travel Europe

Onshore Experiences

We are a well-travelled collective – made up of our guests as well as our team. We’ll admit it – we’re obsessed with travel.

But that’s not our only interest. We also love architecture, history, the arts, and gastronomy – everything that makes a culture unique. And we plan our itineraries to ensure we’re catering to those interests. Perfecting every excursion to ensure you get the most out of your onshore adventures.

Most days are filled with full or half-day excursions. Whether that’s a city tour, an introduction to a brand-new town or a more in-depth visit to a specific landmark or attraction. You’ll see the very best of every destination. Not just the legendary locations, we’ll uncover the top-secret local spots too.

World-famous landmarks

You’ll get to experience some world-famous destinations in the company of our passionate local guides. Sites like the Benedictine Melk Abbey on the Danube, spectacular Pont du Gard on the Rhône, Keukenhof Gardens – the world’s largest flower gardens – on the Dutch Waterways and Cologne with its cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe.

A taste of your destination

Food has the uncanny ability to reveal the softer parts of the destination most tourists overlook. Recipes passed down through the generations slowly become ingrained within a culture, featuring fresh local produce and traditional cooking techniques. Our excursions often include delicious local produce perfected over centuries – sample cheese in Switzerland and chocolate in Germany (it’s not a cruise for those watching their weight), wine tasting in the world-famous wine region of Burgundy and port in the port wine cellars of Porto.

For even more, why not choose one of our Gastronomy themed departures?

Authentic cultural experiences

Our river cruise itineraries deliver authentic and engaging moments to fully immerse you in the culture. You’ll remember being seduced by the fiery passion of flamenco dancing after a cruise along the Douro. Hold on to that feeling of wonder you felt as you watch the glassblower creating the most beautiful vase out of a glowing mass. And tell the stories you heard during a Hungarian folklore show to your grandchildren at bedtime. The memory of these authentic cultural experiences will last a lifetime. 

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.

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

View more about our drinks packages.

Air Conditioning

Our ships are fully air-conditioned throughout. Each cabin has individual air-conditioning and heating controls.

Age Restrictions

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.

Dietary Requirements

Breakfast: In the morning a full breakfast is served which includes healthy options and your choice of eggs made to order.

Lunch: For lunch enjoy salads from the buffet, soup and a choice of main courses, including local dishes, plus dessert.

Dinner: The four course a la carte dinners include a selection of international and regional specialities.

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

Medical Facilities

If you have any concerns about your health whilst on tour, please see your Cruise Director or Concierge. They will be able to advise you about chemists and availability of doctors, etc. In an emergency you could always phone our emergency number as issued on your itinerary. There are no on-board medical personnel, although specific crew members will have basic first aid training. However, the ship can stop at any time to transfer any passenger requiring emergency medical attention to local medical facilities.

Disabled Facilities

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

Please take a look at our Passengers with Reduced Mobility FAQs page for more information.

Alternatively, you can contact us online or call us on 01283 688 164 to discuss these concerns. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi available for your convenience

Smoking and E-Cigarette Policy

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted anywhere on board except for designated areas on the sun deck. More and more countries in Europe are adopting a stricter legislation on smoking in public places.

Smoking is not allowed on any public transport and there may be other restrictions in hotels, bars and restaurants.

Facilities and Services

Details on the facilities on each ship can be found in the individual river cruise ship pages.

Hairdressing services

• Most ships, with the exception of the MS Douro Elegance and MS Douro Splendour, offer a hairdressing service.

Medical services

• There are no on-board medical personnel, although specific crew members will have basic first aid training. However, the ship can stop at any time to transfer any passenger requiring emergency medical attention to local medical facilities.
• If you have any concerns about your health whilst on tour, please see your Cruise Director or Concierge. They will be able to advise you about chemists and availability of doctors, etc.
• In an emergency you could always phone our emergency number as issued on your itinerary.

Laundry service

• A limited laundry service is available on board, except on the day of disembarkation.
• A dry cleaning service is not available.

Library

• There is a small library on board with a selection of books, games and puzzles.

Gift shop

• There is a gift shop on board.

Lifts

• There is a lift between all three internal decks but not the sun deck on most ships.