European river cruises may be among the best ways to discover Europe for a traveler who does not have months to do a walking tour through the continent.
However, it can get a little confusing to choose from the various cruise options you have because everything sounds so amazing.
One good way to select a cruise would be to understand the different types of European river cruise experiences.
You will explore Europe on barge cruises or river ships, both of which ply down Europe's well-connected inland waterways.
These European river cruise vessels are almost as good as any other luxury hotel with all kinds of entertainment stacked up for their passengers.
They often provide exotic dining experiences, fitness and sight-seeing experiences and often employ local guides to take you through the cities that you halt at.
River Ships are the first type of cruise vessel.
They travel down popular rivers and canals, exploring Europe and sometimes, even Russia.
If you are interested in exploring vast chunks of Europe over the course of one trip, this is a good option.
The next European river cruise vessel is the Barge Cruise and is normally used to travel areas that are not commonly travelled.
So if you are planning to visit Holland, Belgium, British Isles or even France, you should be on a barge cruise.
Then come the River Boats that carry about 150-200 people and were traditionally used as the usual way of travelling around Europe via waterways.
The European river cruises that use the river boats are economical and a good option for people who do not like being on very populated cruises and want to explore the continent at leisure.
The best thing about travelling on a European cruise is that you can explore Europe in an unhurried manner, get off at various locations and go sight-seeing without bothering about your luggage, hotel check-ins and other problems that are part of the package when you plan a regular holiday.
A European river cruise also helps you best explore Europe because most of Europe's biggest and most important cities and cultures flourished on the banks of rivers.
Being on a cruise gives you access to this real Europe, beyond the routine you see otherwise.
There are an increasing number of tour operators that are now coming up with different cruise ideas, even themed-cruises.
Once you know your river cruise type, you will be able to plan your cruise better and in ways that best suit your comfort.
However, it can get a little confusing to choose from the various cruise options you have because everything sounds so amazing.
One good way to select a cruise would be to understand the different types of European river cruise experiences.
You will explore Europe on barge cruises or river ships, both of which ply down Europe's well-connected inland waterways.
These European river cruise vessels are almost as good as any other luxury hotel with all kinds of entertainment stacked up for their passengers.
They often provide exotic dining experiences, fitness and sight-seeing experiences and often employ local guides to take you through the cities that you halt at.
River Ships are the first type of cruise vessel.
They travel down popular rivers and canals, exploring Europe and sometimes, even Russia.
If you are interested in exploring vast chunks of Europe over the course of one trip, this is a good option.
The next European river cruise vessel is the Barge Cruise and is normally used to travel areas that are not commonly travelled.
So if you are planning to visit Holland, Belgium, British Isles or even France, you should be on a barge cruise.
Then come the River Boats that carry about 150-200 people and were traditionally used as the usual way of travelling around Europe via waterways.
The European river cruises that use the river boats are economical and a good option for people who do not like being on very populated cruises and want to explore the continent at leisure.
The best thing about travelling on a European cruise is that you can explore Europe in an unhurried manner, get off at various locations and go sight-seeing without bothering about your luggage, hotel check-ins and other problems that are part of the package when you plan a regular holiday.
A European river cruise also helps you best explore Europe because most of Europe's biggest and most important cities and cultures flourished on the banks of rivers.
Being on a cruise gives you access to this real Europe, beyond the routine you see otherwise.
There are an increasing number of tour operators that are now coming up with different cruise ideas, even themed-cruises.
Once you know your river cruise type, you will be able to plan your cruise better and in ways that best suit your comfort.