When it comes to travelling through the heart of Europe the stress free way, then you definitely need to think about a river cruise.
The European rivers and canals are the old trading routes and pass right through the centres of Europe’s best cities. Seamlessly cross borders without having to wait in large traffic jams as you relax in your floating hotel. Plus no wasted time looking for elusive car parks as your river cruise moors up right in the city centre.
How to find the Best River Cruise Deals?
Plan ahead: River cruise reservations often open up to two years in advance. Booking a river cruise early can often lead to significant savings. River Cruise lines frequently offer new season pre release deals & early bird discounts, which can be a great way to save money. Emerald Cruises have a superb collection of 7 night itineraries that work well together to create back to back cruises on different rivers
At the other end of the timeline, Look for last-minute deals: If you're flexible and able to travel on short notice, you may be able to find fantastic last-minute deals on river cruises with unsold or cancelled cabins. Beware though as Last Minute airfares to get you there from NZ can be super pricey right now
Consider shoulder seasons: The peak season for river cruises is usually during the spring and early summer months. Consider traveling during the shoulder & low season, to save money. You may also find fewer crowds in the early & late season. Viking River Cruises offer one of the largest collection of Europoean Rivers
Compare prices & Inclusions. Use our River Cruise Deal finder to compare prices from different river cruise lines. Not all River cruise lines offer the same inclusions so be careful when comparing costs & ensure you compare inclusions as well. Luxury River Cruise line Uniworld offer some of the most inclusive Boutique Luxury River cruise deals and Scenic or APT are super popular with Kiwis and Aussies
Take advantage of shortlife promotions: Many river cruise lines offer promotions that include free airfares, or air credits such as the pre-release for 2024 River Cruises from Travelmarvel. There are often discounts for singles or other perks. Check our website or talk to our Cruise Deals team to see what promotions are currently available.
Rivers with more competition are usually much better value. The most popular itinerary for Kiwis is Amsterdam to Budapest which is offered by all the major river cruise lines and includes the Rhine, Maine & Danube Rivers. On a per day basis this is usually the best value River Cruise and offers a comprehensive trip for first time river cruisers. There are even mini breaks on the Rivers of Europe with the likes of Avalon Waterways & French line Croisi which are perfect to squeeze in to a longer holiday
Remember that the best River cruise deals will depend on a variety of factors, including the time of year, the destination, and the specific cruise line or ship. Be sure to do your research and compare prices and inclusions to find the best river cruise deal to suit your travel style and budget
