Independent advice and firsthand reviews from Ralph Grizzle and Britton Frost, based on decades of cruising Europe’s rivers.
River cruising began as a shared adventure between father and daughter. Together, travel writer Ralph Grizzle and Britton Frost have explored Europe’s iconic waterways, gathering firsthand insights to help you find the river cruise that’s right for you.
Just wanted to say thank you. We just came back from our first river cruise, the Danube on Viking. It was a great experience. It would not have been possible without following your advice. - Bobby & Carla Borges, Florida
Thanks to this wonderfully informative site I went from zero knowledge of river cruising, to comparing six cruise companies using your criteria to really suss out all the costs — and found out just why people rave about river cruising. Patricia, Montreal
Just got back home after a Riverside Luxury Cruise. We took your advice and signed up for a short trip to see how we would like it. As it turns out, we loved it and wish we had signed up for a longer cruise! No worries — we're already planning our next vacation. You've made river cruisers out of us. John & Natalie Wyche, Aurora, Colorado
Every traveler is different – and every river cruise company is too. That’s why we’ve created a site filled with tools to help you learn what distinguishes each company and plan with confidence. Here’s how we can help:
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Low or high river levels can impact your trip. We provide tools to assess current conditions.
We understand how daunting it can be to book your first river cruise. Help is here.
Stay updated with the latest tips, reviews and cruise insights from our travels. Discover new destinations, expert advice and stories to inspire your next river cruise adventure.
We spend a lot of time talking about Europe here at River Cruise Advisor, but my first river cruise was actually on the Mekong with AmaWaterways. I was a teenager traveling with my dad, and back then, my travel wish list leaned more toward Prague and Paris than Phnom Penh
With protests making headlines in France and low water disrupting European river cruises, how do we know when it’s time to change our travel plans? River cruising is generally a safe way to explore Europe, but even the best-planned vacations can be affected by circumstances beyond our control. This autumn,
Our four-night Riverside Ravel review: suites, dining, a pool, excursions and personable service on the Rhône—and why a short luxury river cruise may leave you wanting more.
Disclosure: Our reviews draw on sailings we have taken, many as guests of the cruise lines. We may earn a commission when you book a cruise through us. See our affiliate relationships.
Planning a River Cruise in Europe?
See real pricing, itineraries and company comparisons for every major river — Rhine, Danube, Douro, Rhône, Seine and more — in one place.
Read the Europe River Cruise Guide →Weekly insights, honest reviews, and practical planning tips from decades on Europe’s rivers. Written for travelers who want to get it right.
In addition to writing about river cruises, we also host them. Each year, we invite a small group of like-minded travelers to join us on curated journeys through Europe’s most beautiful rivers and canals.
These aren’t your average cruises — they’re relaxed, immersive and with great food, conversation and memorable moments.
We’d love to cruise with you.
