Wine, antiques, crafts and more – indulge your passions on a cruise

By Lesley Bellew

A river cruise is the perfect opportunity to learn more about a subject that interests you, from experts happy to share their knowledge

River cruises are a journey of discovery through the heart of vibrant cities and charming villages – but they can also spark a new hobby or revive an old pastime. Whether you love to dabble in watercolours or learn a new craft, practise photography or dive into the world of antiques, on selected cruises Saga has experts on board to inform and entertain. Garden lovers can pick up hints and tips from horticulturalists and those who enjoy their wine can learn about the vineyards in the region they are sailing through.

The experts give two talks on each voyage, and they are always on hand to chat and answer questions, while craft leaders host at least three workshops. This relaxed way of learning is even more fun when sailing with like-minded companions who may be enjoying music by local performers coming on board or displays of folklore and culture. That’s all on top of wonderful shore excursions and time to savour river views from the Sun Deck – think loungers and waiter-served drinks.

You will return home refreshed and ready to put your new-found skills into practice. Just check the itinerary before booking to find out which river cruise offers a specialist focus on your chosen subject.

Explore the world of antiques

Antiques tell so many stories and are a fascinating way to connect with the past. Expert Wayne Colquhoun from Antiques Roadshow will be sharing his 30 years’ experience in the antiques trade during two Spirit of the Danube sailings.

Wayne’s earliest find, at the age of six, was a large, Wedgwood, black basalt vase he found in rubble while playing with friends in bombed-out houses after the war in his hometown of Liverpool. He took the vase home, displayed it on the windowsill and this fabulous find fuelled his lifetime passion for art and antiques.

Wayne now specialises in Art Deco, Art Nouveau and the Applied Arts. He has been a BBC Antiques Roadshow presenter for more than a decade and will surprise and delight Saga guests with his stories about his life in antiques, as well as sharing some unusual finds and discoveries during his career.

Why not bring along photographs of your treasures so that Wayne can help you identify their age and history?

Wayne will be sailing on the ‘Vienna and the Cities of the Danube’ cruise on July 31 and October 23, 2025 departures.

Become a wine buff

Whether you are already knowledgeable or simply enjoy a glass or two over dinner, here's your chance to share your enthusiasm with one of the world’s leading wine experts, Oz Clarke. Oz has been tasting wines and winning wine-tasting competitions since his days at Oxford University.

He frequently appears on BBC TV and radio shows, and has won major wine writing awards in the UK and the USA. He is known for his accessible, witty and no-nonsense approach.

Oz always has a story to tell and his talks on the Spirit of the Moselle, where guests explore the Rhine and Main rivers, will focus on wines of the region. While passing ancient vineyards why not ask Oz about famous vintages and the elegance of Old World wines? Before wine became his career, he was an actor and singer, appearing in West End shows and touring with the Royal Shakespeare Company, so we know he will wax lyrical.

Oz will be sailing on the ‘Cologne and the Scenic Rhine Gorge’ cruise on October 9, 2025.

Focus on photography

We can all take good pictures with today's smartphones, but if you want to improve your technique, you can learn from photographers Martin Baynes and Karen Massey, who will be on board Spirit of the Rhine and Spirit of the Danube this summer and autumn.

From majestic castles and mighty fortresses to vineyards and wildlife, there's no shortage of scenes to shoot. Our experts will explain how to train your eye and think about light, perspective and focus. You can then improve your shots as they demonstrate the easy-to-use filters and cropping tools on your phone.

Martin is former CEO of the British Institute of Professional Photography and has spent his career capturing remarkable images and mentoring other photographers, while Karen, an award-winning photographer with 20 years of experience, specialises in corporate, commercial, portrait and brand photography.

Picture-postcard views from your ship will inspire you at every at every turn of the river and you will take home photographs that capture your holiday memories.

Martin and Karen will be on Spirit of the Danube’s ‘Wachau Valley to Vienna’ cruise on August 7, 2025 and Spirit of the Rhine’s ‘Sights and Scenery of the Rhine’ sailing on October 11, 2025.

Discover your inner artist

European rivers have inspired artists for centuries and art lovers can join Linda Hollingshead for relaxing workshops on Spirit of the Danube and Spirit of the Rhine to paint while sailing along the majestic Danube.

Water features predominantly in Linda’s art – rivers, oceans and lakes – so she will share her excitement for being on the water during classes to help beginners and intermediates while also mentoring more experienced guests.

Further to the workshops, why not take an art notepad to sketch the landscape while you're on the Sun Deck and take it ashore to capture memories of places you visit? Then back on board you can share your experiences with Linda who will help you with ideas for a new painting.

Of course, there is plenty of inspiration on shore for art lovers, with world-class art galleries such as Vienna's Art History Museum and the Belvedere Museum, home to the largest collection of work by Gustav Klimt.

Linda will be aboard Spirit of the Danube’s ‘Wachau Valley to Vienna’ cruise on August 21, 2025 and Spirit of the Rhine’s ‘Sights and Scenery of the Rhine’ sailing on August 31, 2025.

Improve your gardening expertise

Fans of BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time will be familiar with horticulturalist Anne Swithinbank's practical advice. Saga guests can ask Anne their own questions about garden challenges during two sailings this summer.

So whether you want to talk about rewilding, house plants, perennials, soil conditions or growing veg, Anne will be there to advise.

Anne is also a freelance writer and author with a vast horticultural knowledge since training at Kew Gardens and becoming glasshouse supervisor at RHS Wisley. She began to collect succulents and other windowsill plants at an early age and is a patron of the British Cactus & Succulent Society.

There will also be plenty of opportunities to admire amazing parks and gardens when you go ashore and if you can’t identify a plant, take a snap and it’s likely Anne will have the answer.

Anne will be sailing on Spirit of the Danube’s ‘Wachau Valley to Vienna’ cruise on June 30, 2025 and Spirit of the Moselle’s ‘Cologne and the Scenic Rhine Gorge’ on September 16, 2025.

Be a Supercrafter

Talented Supercrafters will be hosting workshops throughout summer 2025, helping guests make keepsakes and reminders of a memorable cruise.

Creative friends Katie Bergin and Rachel Bath will be sharing their love of needle-felting. "Needle crafting is the art of turning wool fibres into 3D shapes using a specialist needle. It’s ever so easy to master,” says Katie.

Katie and Rachel sail on Spirit of the Rhine’s ‘Sights and Scenery of the Rhine’ departure on June 23, 2025.

Mixed media crafters Janie Burnett-Bleach and husband Martin Bleach will host projects to make practical fabric-covered notebooks, decorated wooden trinket boxes and leather card wallets.

Janie and Martin sail on Spirit of the Rhine’s ‘Towns and Cities of the Main’ departure on September 25, 2025.

Silversmith Mark Vardy and his assistant Richard Bridge will teach you how to create braided bracelets, necklaces and tote bags.

Mark and Richard sail on Spirit of the Rhine’s ‘Cologne and the Scenic Rhine Gorge’ departure on August 1, 2025.

Find our more about rivers cruises with Saga.