What Life Is Really Like on a River Cruise

Europe is the heartland of river cruising, with legendary waterways like:

• The Danube: From Germany through Austria and Hungary, this river is dotted with imperial cities, vineyards, and medieval towns.
• The Rhine: Cruise past castles, Gothic cathedrals, and romantic scenery between Switzerland and the Netherlands.
• The Seine: See the beauty of northern France, from Paris to Normandy.
• The Douro: Explore Portugal’s wine country, with dramatic valleys and charming river towns.

Flight Centre offers a variety of river cruise packages through esteemed lines like Avalon Waterways and Uniworld River Cruises. For instance, Uniworld provides all-inclusive luxury cruises along the Rhine and Danube, with carefully curated itineraries that immerse you in the local culture and history. Avalon Waterways offers panoramic suite ships on the Seine, allowing you to enjoy the French countryside from the comfort of your bed.​

Other popular itineraries include the Rhône in France, the Elbe through Germany and the Czech Republic, and the Po in Italy.

For South African travellers looking to go further afield, some river cruises also operate in Southeast Asia, Egypt, and even the USA. Even so, Europe remains the top choice as you can see so many different places in just one cruise. 

Most river cruises are all-inclusive or nearly so. Here’s what’s typically covered:

• Accommodation in a well-equipped stateroom
• All meals onboard, often with wine, beer, or soft drinks included
• Daily shore excursions with local guides
• Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment
• Airport transfers and gratuities (with some lines)

Top-tier cruise lines like Avalon Waterways and Uniworld River Cruises offer beautifully designed ships, curated excursions, and elevated service with excellent crew-to-guest ratios. Expect extras like local performers coming onboard, small-group excursions, and chef-led culinary experiences.

Trafalgar, renowned worldwide for its expertly guided land tours and decades of creating meaningful travel experiences, has also just announced its expansion into river cruising. Launching in Spring 2026, Trafalgar will debut in Europe with two river cruise journeys along the Rhine and Danube, offering guests the exceptional care, ease of traveling and deep cultural immersion they have come to expect from Trafalgar.

If you like the idea of unpacking once, eating well, sleeping soundly, and waking up somewhere beautiful each day, then yes. River cruises are a perfect fit for relaxed, curious travellers who enjoy a bit of luxury and a lot of discovery.

You won’t find roller coasters or casinos here. But river cruises more than make up for it with beautiful views, local culture, and excellent service. Ready to start planning your river cruise adventure? Chat with a Flight Centre expert to compare the best cruise packages, flights, and holiday options available now.