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Experience the Elegance and Romance of European River Cruises

River CruiseRiver Cruise
Tulips Cruise
Springtime Tulips and Keukenhof Gardens
8 days £1,999 pp
  • Enjoy 7 nights cruising the enchanting Rhine river aboard our luxurious ship
  • Walk among the breathtaking tulip displays at vibrant Keukenhof Gardens
  • Explore the quaint streets of picturesque Amsterdam, Bruges, and Ghent
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Switzerland
8 days £2,249 pp
  • Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Rhine from the North Sea to the Swiss Alps
  • Discover the Moselle Valley, the Rhine Gorge and enchanting cities
  • Spend 8 days cruising with 5-star luxury service throughout
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Schonbrunn Palace Gardens, Vienna
The Classic Blue Danube
8 days £1,999 pp
  • Fly to Munich and join our luxurious Classic Blue Danube river cruise
  • Enjoy a 7 night cruise sailing through the natural beauty of Central Europe
  • Explore enchanting cities from Bratislava to Vienna, flying home from Budapest
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European River Cruises with the experts

When you book a river cruise with Great Rail Journeys you can depend on award-winning travel expertise, excellent customer service and a great overall experience, on a tour which takes in the highlights of each European river.

Travel in comfort, enjoying exceptional dining, elegant cabins and world-class hospitality. When you sail with us, your river cruise includes all meals, excursions, and a free drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise. Plus, our complimentary luggage service makes the journey stress-free.

A UK Tour Manager escorts you to and from the ship, while an onboard Cruise Manager is available 24/7 taking care of everything and assisting you with anything you may need. Browse our prestigious collection and discover your perfect Europe river cruise. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

 

 

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Popular River Cruises

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Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
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The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Switzerland
4.4 stars(71 reviews)
2025MayJunJul
2026MayJunJul
8 days from
£2,249 pp
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Rhine Valley in Flames
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The Rhine Valley in Flames & Moselle
2025Sep
8 days from
£2,399 pp
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Regensburg
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A Tale of Three Rivers: Danube to the Rhine
4.0 stars(24 reviews)
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Rhine Gorge
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Jungfrau Express & Treasures of the Rhine
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Rhine Gorge
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The Majestic Rhine: Switzerland to Amsterdam
4.5 stars(208 reviews)
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2026MayJunJul
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Rhine Gorge
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Treasures of the Rhine
4.8 stars(16 reviews)
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Rudesheim
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Glacier Express & The Majestic Rhine
3.9 stars(78 reviews)
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Cologne Christmas Markets
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Christmas Markets of the Rhine
4.5 stars(86 reviews)
2025NovDec
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Download our River Cruise brochure and sail Europe's rivers with the experts

Our exclusive 2025 cruises reveal the very best of beautiful Europe, from drifting through the sensational Rhine Gorge to visiting the baroque Melk Abbey and exploring the UNESCO World Heritage city of Trier. To experience the delights of the Rhine, Danube, Rhone and Seine, download our new brochure now!

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Rhine Gorge

Types of River Cruise

However you want to explore Europe, we offer a range of options which give you flexibility over your holiday. Choose between travelling to our exclusive cruise ships by rail or air, or extend your trip by experiencing iconic rail journeys on an escorted tour.

Rail & Cruise
Tour & Cruise
Fly & Cruise

Explore Europe's Rivers

Join us on an expert cruise along one of Europe's magnificent rivers.

The RhineThe DanubeThe MoselleThe SeineThe RhoneThe DouroThe Garonne
The Rhine
The Rhine

Encounter the beauty and diversity of the Rhine in four countries. From the Swiss Alps to German castles, French vineyards to vibrant Dutch bulbfields - travel through fairytale scenery in the exquisite, UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge.

The Danube
The Danube

Each bend of the Danube reveals new surprises, from charming villages to the grand historic cities of Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava. Nature enthusiasts will marvel at the scenic wonders while culture lovers will delight in its diversity.

The Moselle
The Moselle

This pretty tributary of the Rhine meanders through France, Luxembourg and Germany. Soak up local viticulture, admire small but majestic Luxembourg, and delight in the enchanting villages and natural beauty of the Moselle's riverbanks.

The Seine
The Seine

With iconic bridges and scenic banks, the romantic Seine is the epitome of cultural allure. Explore the world of the Impressionists, and the towns which inspired this artistic movement, from Giverny to the glorious galleries of Paris and Rouen.

The Rhone
The Rhone

Flowing through ancient picturesque landscapes, the Rhone gracefully connects nature with heritage. Starting in the Swiss Alps, it journeys south through cultural cities like Lyon and Avignon, finally embracing the Mediterranean Sea.

The Douro
The Douro

A captivating river that flows through the heartlands of Portugal. Drifting through golden valleys alongside enchanting towns and past regal wine estates, this serene river reveals a timeless beauty and historic ports.

The Garonne
The Garonne

Adorning the banks of the Garonne are charming towns and lush vineyards. Drifting through its rustic landscapes, we savour the flavours and culture of wonderful places along the way - like Bordeaux, Cadillac, and Médoc.

Our River Cruise Ships

Our exclusively chartered ships offer the ultimate river cruising experience for fewer than 200 passengers. Enjoy spacious and elegant facilities, and some of the largest cabins sailing Europe's rivers.

Our ships are hand-picked for their contemporary style and laid-back luxury, with an attentive crew at hand, always ready to help. Your holiday is fully-escorted and with complimentary luggage transfers you can also travel lightly. What's more, you can expect an excellent standard of cuisine from our onboard chefs, who prepare locally-inspired food from fresh ingredients, from dawn to dusk.

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Indulge with Our Inclusive Drinks Package

Our inclusive drinks package is designed to let you focus on enjoying yourself. On all our River cruises, you can help yourself to complimentary coffee and tea onboard at any time, and each evening, dinner is served with a selection of complimentary drinks. This includes branded soft drinks and a house draft beer. What really sets our drinks package apart is the regional and local wines from the renowned wineries nestled in the different wine-producing areas of Europe that we visit. Explore the diverse world of European wines and enjoy varieties that perfectly enhance the flavours of each region's cuisine. After a day of river adventure, savour the enchanting scenery and raise a glass with like-minded travellers and new friends.

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Award-winning rail journeys and luxury cruise experiences

Telegraph Travel Awards

Telegraph Travel Awards

British Travel Awards

British Travel Awards

Times Travel Awards

Times Travel Awards

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a dress code?

We want our guests to feel comfortable, which is why there is no binding dress code onboard. We recommend elegant clothing for dinner and for special occasions.

What currency is accepted on the ship?

Any consumption onboard during your cruise (except for the services included in your cruise price) will be recorded in your onboard account. You can pay the total amount at the end of the trip. This applies to excursion bookings, drinks at the bar, and expenses in the restaurant or the onboard shop.

The currency onboard is the EURO; however, the following currencies are accepted to settle your onboard account: Swiss franc (CHF), British pound (GBP), US dollar (USD), and Norwegian krone (NOK).

How does tipping work?

Our crew is dedicated to making your cruise an unforgettable experience. If you are satisfied with the service, our staff will be pleased to receive a tip in recognition of their efforts. You will receive further information onboard regarding tipping guidelines

Is Wi-Fi available onboard?

Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi is available onboard. Stay connected with your loved ones and share your amazing cruise experiences with ease.

Are there vegetarian/vegan meal options available?

Yes, we offer a variety of dietary options including vegetarian and vegan meals. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or preferences when booking your cruise, and our team will ensure your dining experience meets your needs.

What language is spoken onboard?

The primary language spoken onboard is English. Our onboard cruise management regularly provides you with important information about the day's program, excursions and stages during your trip. Announcements are usually made in English via a loudspeaker system on the sun deck, in the cabins and all public areas.

What type of plugs are available in the cabin?

Type C. The voltage onboard the majority of our ships is 230V, European standard.

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Prefer to browse our brochures

Take your time flicking through our amazing range of destinations, order one of our free holiday brochures. 

Our customers latest reviews
Excellent
4.5 stars
Based on 13,579 reviews