19 things that will surprise you on a river cruise

By Lesley Bellew

A river cruise reveals a new delight around every bend, with even more to enjoy and do than you might imagine. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect...

The joy of European rivers is that there’s a surprise around every bend. From the moment you set sail you can see life in the slow lane, from vines clinging to hillsides to castles atop cliffs and pretty villages to UNESCO-listed monuments and architecture.

You’ll wake up almost every morning with a new view as your ship gently glides along the river through towns and cities. You can wave to joggers on towpaths and anglers on the riverbank while admiring ducks and swans in the water.

Our boutique river ships have huge sundecks, with plenty of seating and parasols, so you can drink a local speciality as the river shows one delight after the next, or you can relax in your ship’s comfortable lounge with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows to soak up the scenery.

Saga has three new river ships, Spirit of the Rhine, Spirit of the Danube and Spirit of the Moselle. Hotel Operations Director Horst Pint says: 'We have used our experience with our ocean ships to enhance our boutique river cruises, so that the ship, the menus, the crew and overall experience is at the high standard our guests expect.'

River cruises are also all-inclusive so there’s nothing more to pay for speciality dining, drinks, tips or wifi.

Here’s what you can do when you go:

1. Take a short stroll into the heart of Europe’s greatest cities

The Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest

River ships often moor in the centre of towns and cities so once the gangway is down you have the freedom to explore. In Budapest, simply walk from the ship to the Grand Market Hall, brimming with exotic food, or in Cologne, from the Spirit of Moselle, wander or join a coach from your mooring to visit the mighty Dom Cathedral and if you are feeling fit you can climb the 533 steps to the Gothic twin towers.

2. Visit so many countries in one holiday

Bratislava, Slovakia

It’s extraordinary to think you can visit up to five countries during one river cruise. Two-week sailings featuring the Lower Danube sail through Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary or on a week’s cruise on the Upper Danube you can explore Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.

3. Witness great feats of engineering

The Carrapatelo lock on the Douro River

Sailing along European rivers often involves navigating varying water levels so entering locks becomes a new pastime. It’s fascinating to watch as your ship squeezes through. On the Douro there are five locks to pass including the Carrapatelo with a 35-metre rise and fall.

Witness the captain’s skilful manoeuvring through these great feats of engineering from the sundeck, if the captain advises that it’s safe, or through the panoramic windows of the ship. Please note: on the Carrapatelo lock guests are asked to stay off the sundeck as the top of the lock is very close to the ship.

4. Be confident about your green credentials

Spirit of the Danube sailing past Dürnstein in Austria

Sail in the knowledge that Saga’s three boutique river ships are some of the most eco-friendly vessels on European rivers, using new technology with smaller engines and a cleaner exhaust filtration system that reduces emissions by 80%.

5. Experience boutique comfort

A Deluxe Cabin on Spirit of the Moselle

Saga’s three purpose-built ships are all beautifully appointed with bespoke décor echoing themes of the river they sail on. For example, Spirit of the Danube features Art Nouveau styling in pink and green hues with a Danube Delta wildlife theme, a river mosaic in the lobby and in the corridors hand-cut paper artworks adorn the wall. In the cabins, the carpets are woven with silhouettes of birds in flight and headboard panels emblazoned with elegant dancing cranes. The brand new ship Spirit of the Moselle has interiors and colour schemes inspired by the artist J M W Turner’s work featuring the Moselle.

6. Enjoy plenty of creature comforts

Just because boutique river ships are smaller than ocean vessels that doesn’t mean you miss out on creature comforts – your cabins are equipped with an easy-to-use shower, a Bluetooth speaker with USB for charging mobile phones, tea and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen television, a small fridge, hairdryer, telephone, safe and slippers.

7. Relax among familiar faces

The capacity of Saga’s boutique vessels is 172 guests, making for a relaxed and friendly vibe.

8. Try culinary delights

Enjoy delicious cuisine served in the restaurants on board

Each of the new Saga river ships has two dining venues; the Panorama Main Restaurant opens for breakfast, lunch and five-course dinners and you’ll be delighted by menus featuring favourites such as rack of lamb, lemon sole and beef tenderloin, followed by sweet treats such as flourless chocolate fondant and limoncello crème brûlée. The second restaurant serves light lunches in the day and is a speciality dining venue in the evening.

9. Marvel at Europe’s earliest human history

Inside Lepenski Vir

Some of Europe’s earliest human life is recorded along the rivers you can cruise on. For instance, cruising the Danube, guests get the opportunity visit Lepenski Vir, an important archaeological site of the Mesolithic Lepenski Vir culture which is estimated to have spanned between 9500 and 5500 BC.

10. Watch for wildlife

A male Western European wagtail

On the Douro, black kites soar over the tapestry of vine-clad hills while wagtails skim the water for insects, and when your river ship is moored, look down to see fish in almost touching distance from your cabin windows.

11. Listen to the sounds of the river

The sun rising over the Moselle River

Get up early to go up on the sundeck to watch the sun rise – it’s the most magical experience as the morning mist lifts to the sound of cockerels crowing along the riverbank. At night, if you are lucky, you may even hear a nightingale singing.

12. Experience unforgettable classical music

Experience classical compositions

Selected cruises offer an opportunity to see an André Rieu concert in Maastricht. In Vienna, on the Danube, some itineraries offer an optional after-dinner concert in the City of Music where the air is filled with the music of the Strauss family.

13. Try the local entertainment – on board

There’s always plenty of entertainment on river ships to connect you to the region, from musicians to folklore shows. Lectures, food and wine-tasting sessions and classes from waltzing to arts and crafts bring more surprises to your cruise.

14. Get a nose for wine

Enjoy a glass of wine

Saga’s river ships wind through river valleys in Europe’s greatest wine regions. Some itineraries visit the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley, one of Austria’s most beautiful stretches of scenery, where you’ll find the pretty town of Dürnstein, which has been a centre of vine growing since the Middle Ages and today the surrounding region produces some of Austria's finest wines. A chilled glass of Riesling is a perfect way to celebrate your visit.

15. Visit world-class art galleries

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Many of artist J M W Turner’s landscape paintings were inspired by sailing through the steep valleys of the Middle Rhine and the Rhine Gorge. In fact, his 19th-century impressions of Ehrenbreitstein Castle and Lorelei Rock sparked a tourism trail that continues today. Meanwhile many of the world’s most important art galleries are within easy reach of Europe’s rivers: in Vienna, head to Belvedere Palace; in Amsterdam you will find the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum; while Budapest is home to the Hungarian National Gallery in Buda Castle and the Museum of Fine Arts.

16. See amazing architecture

Rheinstein Castle, Germany

Expect to see some of Europe’s most stunning architecture from the river. On the Danube, when sailing through Budapest in the evening, see the UNESCO-listed Hungarian Parliament building bathed in a golden light. On the Rhine, between Koblenz and Rüdesheim, watch for the fairytale castles including the Schlösser of Marksburg, Rheinstein and Stolzenfels.

17. Take a trip to world-famous gardens

The Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands

It’s not always easy to get tickets to Keukenhof, near Amsterdam, for the spectacular show of spring bulbs but on Saga river cruises entry is guaranteed. On the Danube, in Mirabell Park, Salzburg (where Julie Andrews and the Von Trapp children skipped around singing Do Re Me) the garden retains a 17th century geometrical design and a rose garden that’s a blaze of dark red blooms. In Vienna, the Volksgarten rose garden fills the air with perfume.

18. Become part of coffee culture

Experience the coffee culture

Viennese coffee house culture is a cherished tradition recognised by UNESCO as part of its 'Intangible Cultural Heritage'. During your free time join the locals who sit and talk or read the papers. Café Hawelka, in Dorotheergasse and Demel Café, in Kohlmarkt are great for atmosphere and apple strudel.

19. Be chauffeured to the airport

Getting to your UK departure point is easy and hassle-free

It’s not just ocean cruise guests who get a chauffeur to and from home. A nationwide shared service to the airport is also included for river cruise guests.

Find out more about a river cruise with Saga, and see what surprises you.