We’ve traveled by coach, train, plane, and down slightly less beaten paths via rickshaw, horse and cart, and even dog sled – now we’re making a splash with River Cruises. It’s the same Trafalgar you know and love, now on water.
Our river cruise itineraries will take you down the River Rhine and the River Danube, ticking off cultural hotspots and local discoveries along the way. Come and meet our beautiful ships, discover the action-packed itineraries, and understand why this is going to become your new favorite way to travel with us. Ready to River Cruise differently?
What it means to River Cruise
Think of everything you know and love from Trafalgar – we’re talking all the key sights ticked off, passionate Experience Directors and Experience Managers, and authentic Be My Guest experiences, to name a few – and now imagine them on the water. That’s what it means to River Cruise with us.
Local insight and real connection: With a Be My Guest and a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on every sail, you’ll meet locals and contribute to sustainability. Plus, your Experience Director and Experience Manager will be there to share stories, support, and fun.
Discovery meets comfort: From scenic sailing to biking along the riverbanks or relaxing during a massage with your onboard massage therapist, our itineraries let you explore Europe at your own pace — both onboard and ashore.
Value that feels right: Our thoughtfully priced trips offer genuine value with meaningful connections, iconic sights and hidden gems, delivering seamless journeys and lasting memories.
And there’s more – all your onboard meals are included where you’ll enjoy fresh, local food with wine, beer and soft drinks included with dinner. Need to wind down? We have an onboard wellness coach leading morning yoga sessions, plus bicycles you can use to explore on land when you’re just raring to see more. While you’re journeying down the water, relax in the game room with movies and board games will keep you busy while the world floats by.
Introducing Our Ships
Meet the two newest members of the Trafalgar family: Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie, inspired by the places they’ve traveled and guests who have journeyed with Trafalgar.
The ships won’t just become your floating hotel, but your home for your sail – on a journey where you’ll visit multiple countries, you only unpack once and come back to the comfort of your room after each busy day out.
You’ll want to explore every corner of our wonderful ships, each one with its own unique story. You’ll still get to experience the magic of our Stays with Stories, offering memorable once-in-a-lifetime stays in incredible hotels, castles and chateaus, though Sails with Stories – our way of connecting guests to the heart of a destination through unforgettable journeys.
Our guests have always been at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’ve chosen Trafalgar guests as the godmothers of our ships, a true celebration of the real people who have shaped the Trafalgar story.
Ship Interiors
At Trafalgar, we’ve never been one to follow the herd – and our River Cruise ships are no different. On rivers where so many ships look and feel the same, Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie stand apart, each one with a personality of its own. We’ve done things differently with thoughtful design choices, from real marble bathrooms on both ships to the only open firepit of any river ship in Europe.
Trafalgar Verity features Dutch blue-and-white porcelain vases, wall hangings and Delft pottery, a quiet nod to the artistry found along the Rhine, where the ship first sailed. The fireplace onboard isn’t just for show – it’s a real, working one. You feel it’s been made for people, not just for pictures.
Trafalgar Reverie is bold and bright. Some rooms are green or yellow, while others are done in black and white with striking patterns. Mirrors are used cleverly, not just to make spaces feel bigger, but to bring in more light and reflect what’s already there.
All the bathrooms are finished in real marble. Not faux marble, not a printed pattern. Just actual stone. It’s the same with the artwork. Trafalgar Verity displays original pieces by artists like Picasso, Miró, Chagall and Matisse.
River Cruise itineraries
You’ve met our ships and discovered what you can get stuck into onboard – now it’s time to find out what you’ll be getting up to each day.
Best of the Danube
8 days, 4 countries and 6 cities
Visit Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, uncovering a mix of heritage, culture and local traditions.
If you love exploring cities full of history, music and excellent food, then Best of the Danube is a great choice, stopping off at Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Linz and Passau.
Start your journey in Budapest aboard Trafalgar Reverie, where you’ll tick off must-see sights like Budapest’s Heroes’ Square and thermal baths, and get to know the city through a foodie tour or with a Local Specialist.
Wake up in Bratislava and get your steps in, as you stroll through its medieval Old Town and hike up to Bratislava Castle. Here you’ll join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience for a peek behind the Iron Curtain as you discover Bratislava’s Cold War history at key Communist-era sites with a Local Specialist, hearing stories of life under Soviet rule. You’ll meet a representative of Post Bellum, a non-profit preserving first-hand accounts of life under totalitarian regimes, ensuring these stories continue to inspire conversations about democracy and freedom today.
Your next stop is Vienna, where you’ll try the famous Sachertorte and Viennese coffee, and step into the world Mozart during an immersive musical experience. The culinary delights continue as you enter the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO-listed gem known for its vineyards and medieval castles. Here, your Be My Guest experience will see you invited into the Saahs family winery at Weingut Nikolaihof, Austria’s oldest winery. Enjoy a homemade lunch featuring fresh organic produce from their gardens, while soaking up the warm hospitality and history of this family-run estate.
Your last couple of days see you explore Linz with your Local Specialist, with the chance to join an optional tour to Salzburg to see Mozart’s birthplace and the setting for The Sound of Music. You finish your River Cruise in Passau, Bavaria, the ‘City of Three Rivers’ where the Inn, Danube and Ilz meet. Here, get a taste for local Bavarian beer, freshly baked pretzels and traditional folk music, or lace up your hiking boots to explore the scenic banks of the Ilz River with a Local Specialist.
Each day, lively evenings on board Trafalgar Reverie are waiting for when you return, sharing stories over regional wines as the ever-changing scenery floats by.
Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam
10 days, 4 countries and 8 cities
Visit the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, cruising past fairytale castles and more vineyards than you can count.
Arrive in Amsterdam where you can spend the day as you please, with the option to get to know the foodie Jordaan district or visit Volendam’s iconic windmills. The next day will uncover the story of Operation Market Garden, the largest airborne operation of WWII, before you cruise along to Cologne on Trafalgar Verity. Discover its historic streets with a Local Specialist, or take a street art tour to see a different side to the city.
Make sure your camera is handy because the next day you’re cruising the Middle Rhine, a region straight out of a fairy tale, famous for its hillside vineyards and storybook castles. Explore the romantic Rheinstein Castle, perched 90 metres above the Rhine on a rocky outcrop for a glimpse into Germany’s castle heritage and medieval past.
Your Rhine River cruise continues as you cruise through the Middle Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before arriving in Rüdesheim, a wine-making town known for its half-timbered houses. Get your bearings with a mini train ride through the town, with the option to take a refreshing walk through the vineyards of Rüdesheim with a Local Specialist.
Learn about vinegar production on your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Weinessiggut Doktorenhof in Germany. Using premium wines and traditional methods, the Wiedemann family crafts artisanal vinegars with herbs and fruits, all produced sustainably with natural materials – after your tasting, you’ll leave with a newfound appreciation.
Discover a mix of French and German influences in Alsace, exploring Strasbourg’s old town or heading into the Black Forest for scenic landscapes, fairytale villages and traditional crafts. Your final full day in Breisach brings your Be My Guest experience. Tuck into a homegrown meal of fresh, seasonal ingredients at Bohrerhof, a farm run by the Bohrer family in the Rhine plain. For generations the family has carefully cultivated their produce, staying true to their farming traditions. You’ll get a true taste of their farm and the heritage behind it.
Discover Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam
Want more time in your destination?
Extend your trip with our Optional Extensions. Whether you’re cruising the Rhine or the Danube, you can add extra nights in remarkable cities before or after your trip. It’s your chance to see even more and make every moment count.
Each itinerary is packed with everything Trafalgar is known and loved for – that’s destination icons to local secrets, and all the memorable, authentic moments in between. Ready to make a splash? Discover River Cruises now.