Picture yourself drifting along one of Europe’s great rivers – the gentle motion, the ever-changing scenery, the centuries of stories around every bend. Well, that dream can become a reality with Trafalgar’s new River Cruises.
This year we’re launching two brand-new, boutique River Cruises that take everything you love about guided travel and bring it to the water. You can expect Trafalgar’s signature storytelling, handpicked experiences, and insider access – just with a new mode of travel, aboard our two new ships: Trafalgar Reverie and Trafalgar Verity. We’re calling them our Sails with Stories.
Our two River Cruises will drift along the Danube and Rhine rivers, going beyond just sightseeing to connect you with the heart of Europe and its people. Every moment of our Sails with Stories is designed to feel like part of a tale you’ll never forget.
Here are nine reasons why you’ll fall in love with this new way to see the world with Trafalgar.
1. River cruising, reinvented – Trafalgar style
Trafalgar is setting sail – and doing it in our signature style. River Cruises isn’t just a river cruise, it’s a new way to experience Europe, designed by the same travel experts who’ve been guiding our classic tours with heart, insight, and local connection for decades.
Every detail of these new cruises has been handcrafted by Trafalgar’s seasoned operations experts, with our highly-regarded Experience Directors set to bring each destination to life. Past guests know Trafalgar tours go deeper, not just ticking off bucket lists. We dive into the stories behind iconic landmarks and meet the people who call these destinations home.
It’s everything you love about guided touring – just now floating through the heart of Europe!
2. Two new beautiful boutique ships, brimming with personality
Welcome to the first Trafalgar Sails with Stories – aboard the Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie, two beautiful new ships that look nothing like river vessels you’ve seen before. Each of our ships has its own distinct personality, inspired by the places we go and people we meet, and sleep a maximum of 128 guests.
Trafalgar Verity channels classic elegance with Delft pottery, original artwork by Picasso and Chagall, and even a real working fireplace. While Trafalgar Reverie is bold and modern, full of vibrant colors, playful patterns, and clever use of mirrors and light.
Both feature marble-finished bathrooms, thoughtful details, and spaces that feel made for people – not just Instagram. This is boutique cruising, Trafalgar style.
3. Choose from two great river routes
The Best of the Rhine & Amsterdam is a river journey through storybook Europe. Think gothic cathedrals, vineyard-covered hills, and castles perched above the water. You’ll glide through four countries on the route from Amsterdam to Basel, including the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Highlights include the majestic Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg Castle, and Strasbourg’s half-timbered charm. It’s perfect for lovers of history, wine, and lush river landscapes.
Then the Best of the Danube travels a captivating route across Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. From Budapest’s dramatic skyline to Vienna’s imperial grandeur, this river cruise blends old-world elegance with countryside scenery. You’ll explore Bratislava’s cobbled streets, soak in the atmosphere of Europe’s musical and cultural heartland, and see plenty of baroque beauty.
4. Unpack once, then just relax
Travel is an amazing gift, but packing and unpacking a suitcase every few days isn’t very fun. That’s why one a river cruise is amazing: you unpack once, settle in, and your luxurious floating hotel moves with you. No constant packing and repacking. No early-morning coach transfers. No sweaters or sunglasses left behind. Just you, your comfy cabin, and new scenes of Europe unfolding outside your panoramic window.
On Trafalgar’s Sails with Stories you’ll glide past Rhine castles, or dock near Danube villages while never having to repack your bag. Ideal!
5. Connect with people and places
With Sails with Stories, you’ll step into real homes, sit at family tables, and hear personal stories that bring each destination to life. As with any Trafalgar tour, this isn’t just surface-level sightseeing. Our exclusive Be My Guest experiences let you dine with locals and learn their traditions firsthand. And MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® activities connect you to projects that preserve culture, protect nature, or support communities.
On our Best of the Danube River Cruise you’ll learn about life under Communism with stories of escapes, Soviet rule and the Velvet Revolution. Plus join the Saahs family for a Be My Guest experience at Weingut Nikolaihof, Austria’s oldest winery. On the Best of the Rhine & Amsterdam River Cruise, lucky guests sit down to a homegrown meal at Bohrerhof, a family-run farm in the Rhine plain. Then visit a private vinegar estate near Speyer, where you’ll enjoy a tasting and learn all about its sustainable production.
Sails with Stories is travel that feels good – and does good.
6. Easy, worry-free travel
On a Sails with Stories river cruise, everything’s taken care of – so you can just relax. As with every Trafalgar tour, we want our guests to feel like everything is taken care of from the moment they arrive.
Your dedicated Experience Director, Experience Manager and an on-call crew make sure every journey goes seamlessly, getting you from A to B while having a great time. You can simply kick back, relax, get to know your fellow cruisers and let your stress melt away. Your only job onboard is to soak up the scenery, culture, and stories.
READ NEXT: What makes a Trafalgar tour so special? It starts with these 6 core values.
7. It’s about the journey as much as the destination
Getting there is more than half the magic on a Trafalgar Sails with Stories river cruise. The Danube and Rhine carve a winding path past some of Europe’s most incredible landscapes, historic cities, and charming villages. Peer out the panoramic windows from your room or the sun deck to take in a slow, scenic unfolding of Europe’s most breathtaking landscapes.
You’re not just moving between places – you’re totally immersed in them.
8. Stay on the ship all day, if you like
Whether you’re an early riser or someone who prefers a leisurely morning with coffee and a view, Trafalgar’s Sails with Stories gives you the freedom to shape each day.
Our two river cruises offer a mix of Included and Optional Experiences, so you can dive deeper into the destinations that excite you – or skip the touring one day and instead enjoy an onboard spa treatment, read on the sun deck, or soak up the scenery. There’s no rigid schedule – you can set your rhythm with more flexibility.
Best of all, our ships drop you in the heart of each destination, making it easy to explore (or pop back for an afternoon nap or to grab an extra layer!).
9. Socialise, dine and unwind – your way
Whether you’re sharing stories with new friends or savoring a quiet meal for two, life onboard Trafalgar’s new river cruises are rich with possibility. You can take time out to recharge, or choose to socialise with other guests. Each day your Experience Director will host a sunrise or sunset event, and the occasional cultural talk in the lounge. Most meals are included, with less strict timings – so you can enjoy your buffet-breakfast or à la carte dinner.
Questions about our Sails with Stories? Leave us a comment or reach out to us…