river cruises

experiences

Trafalgar guests smiling on a ship in the Balkans

Your River Cruise Experiences

Included and Optional Experiences

Every experience is carefully chosen to bring you closer to the places you visit. With a range of Included and Optional Experiences, you have the freedom to tailor your day​, explore independently or stay onboard to unwind. One moment you’re gliding past storybook castles with a drink in hand, the next you could be stepping into a European town with a Local Specialist by your side.

Behind it all is our dedicated team, both on board and on land. From the crew who take care of every detail to the Experience Director and Experience Manager who bring each day to life, they’re here to make your journey feel seamless from start to finish. All you need to do is settle in and enjoy.

Read the full itineraries for Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam and Best of the Danube

Trafalgar guests on ship alongside Director

Your team

With one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios on Europe’s rivers, usually one crew member for every three guests, there is always someone nearby to help, answer a question or simply make you feel at home.

From the moment you arrive, your Trafalgar team is there to keep everything running smoothly. You’ll be welcomed on board by your Captain, Hotel Manager, Experience Director and Experience Manager. These are the familiar faces you’ll see throughout your journey.

Your luggage is taken from your transfer straight to your room, and again when it’s time to leave. Your room is refreshed each day, your towels are ready on the sun deck, and each evening your bed is turned down with care. Behind the scenes, the team is coordinating every detail of the daily program, dining and logistics so you can simply enjoy your time.

Plus, your Experience Director and Experience Manager are with you both on and off the ship, helping you connect with each destination along the way. Whether it’s leading a walking tour through a historic town, joining a wine tasting at a family-run vineyard, attending a musical performance on board, or simply pointing you to the best coffee in town, they help make each experience feel personal and fun.

Must-sees to local secrets

You’ll enjoy the icons and hidden gems with a Local Specialist by your side.

Be My Guest experiences

Meet your local hosts on your exclusive Be My Guest experiences.

Close-up of a variety of organic vegetables

Meet the Bohrer family at Bohrerhof, Germany

Meet the Bohrer family at Bohrerhof where you’ll enjoy lunch on their family farm in Germany’s Rhine plain, and see where they grow seasonal produce using traditional methods.

Be My Guest experience at a winery in Austria

Meet Mrs Saahs at Weingut Nikolaihof, Austria

Meet your hosts, the Saahs family at Weingut Nikolaihof, Austria’s oldest Winery. Enjoy a homemade lunch featuring fresh organic produce.

Your River Cruise itineraries

Bringing Europe’s iconic rivers to life with Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam, and Best of the Danube.

hero-image.jpg
day-4-optional-day-trip-mont-saint-michel.jpg
day-7-optional-parisian-dinner-cabaret-show.jpg
day-7-optional-montmartre-night-dinner.jpg

New trip

Best of the Seine with Paris & Normandy

8 Days

2 Countries

6 Locations

Seine River Cruise Through Normandy

River Cruise

From

$3,989

Standard Price

$5,699

hero-danube-christmas-markets-dsseldorf-basel.jpg
day-2-optional-experience-christmas-magic-lakeside-lucerne.jpg
day-3-optional-experience-alsatian-wine-route-and-obernai-christmas-markets.jpg
day-4-optional-experience-christmas-in-heidelberg.jpg

New trip

Rhine Christmas Markets

8 Days

3 Countries

7 Locations

Rhine Christmas Market Cruise from Basel to Düsseldorf

River Cruise

From

$4,719

Standard Price

$5,899

hero-danube-christmas-markets-budapest-passau.jpg
day-2-highlight-jewish-district.jpg
day-4-optional-experience-stroll-around-schnbrunn-palace-christmas-markets.jpg
day-4-optional-experience-experience-music-strauss-mozart.jpg

New trip

Danube Christmas Markets

8 Days

5 Countries

7 Locations

Danube Christmas Market Cruise from Budapest to Passau

River Cruise

From

$3,999

Standard Price

$4,999

hero-image.jpg
day-4-optional-day-trip-mont-saint-michel.jpg
day-7-optional-parisian-dinner-cabaret-show.jpg
day-7-optional-montmartre-night-dinner.jpg

New trip

Best of the Seine with Paris & Normandy

8 Days

2 Countries

6 Locations

Seine River Cruise Through Normandy

River Cruise

From

$3,989

Standard Price

$5,699

hero-danube-christmas-markets-dsseldorf-basel.jpg
day-2-optional-experience-christmas-magic-lakeside-lucerne.jpg
day-3-optional-experience-alsatian-wine-route-and-obernai-christmas-markets.jpg
day-4-optional-experience-christmas-in-heidelberg.jpg

New trip

Rhine Christmas Markets

8 Days

3 Countries

7 Locations

Rhine Christmas Market Cruise from Basel to Düsseldorf

River Cruise

From

$4,719

Standard Price

$5,899

hero-danube-christmas-markets-budapest-passau.jpg
day-2-highlight-jewish-district.jpg
day-4-optional-experience-stroll-around-schnbrunn-palace-christmas-markets.jpg
day-4-optional-experience-experience-music-strauss-mozart.jpg

New trip

Danube Christmas Markets

8 Days

5 Countries

7 Locations

Danube Christmas Market Cruise from Budapest to Passau

River Cruise

From

$3,999

Standard Price

$4,999

trafalgar_river_cruise_cover_tile-resize-1.png

Explore the River Cruise brochure

Learn more about the River Cruise experience with Trafalgar and discover your Europe itineraries.

View Brochure Online >

Download Brochure >

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

On every River Cruise you’ll experience at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with Vinegar in Germany

Traditional vinegar estate visit and tasting

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Weinessiggut Doktorenhof, a private vinegar estate in the Palatinate wine region in Germany, where you’ll enjoy a tasting and learn all about its sustainable production. Your visit directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by promoting eco-friendly farming and artisanal craftsmanship. 

Experience on: Best of the Rhine and AmsterdamRhine Christmas Markets

Bridge crossing the River Danube in Slovakia

Life beyond the Iron Curtain

Discover Bratislava’s Cold War history. Explore key Communist-era sites with a Local Specialist, hear stories of life under Soviet rule and meet a Post Bellum representative. Your visit directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Experience on: Best of the DanubeDanube Christmas Markets

Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, reflected in a beautiful orange-hued river

Reserve your space today

Whether you're ready to book or have questions, call us or use the chat button to speak to a travel expert.

Take a closer look

Explore what you’ll enjoy on board and on land, and how you can add extra days to make even more memories.

River Cruise Ship Docked Rudesheim 4

Your ships

Introducing Trafalgar Verity on the Rhine and Trafalgar Reverie on the Danube.

Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, reflected in a beautiful orange-hued river

Where you'll go

Unlock Europe’s rivers with Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam, and Best of the Danube.

Aerial view of a Margaret Bridge as it crosses the River Danube in Budapest

Extend your trip

Choose to spend two nights in Lucerne to complement your Rhine journey or extend your Danube trip with two nights in Budapest, Prague, or both.

What's included on your River Cruise

Set sail on a journey where every detail is taken care of, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable trip. Here’s a quick look at the onboard and on-land essentials and experiences you’ll enjoy:

Got questions?

See the Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to the questions that get asked most.

Trafalgar Tours Limited is a proud member of The Travel Corporation family of companies.
#SimplyTrafalgar
Travel House, Rue du Manoir St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JH

Copyright 2026 Trafalgar. All rights reserved.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is a trademark of The TreadRight Foundation, registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions, and is being used under license

Logo Treadright Blackttc-logo-tour-brand.svgIATA Logo blacklogo_cato_white_export_01-1.svglogo_atia_white_export_01-1.svg