uniworld european river cruise

Save up to 50% on Europe River Cruises!

Uniworld offers a wide variety of upscale sailings on Europe's famed waterways, such as the Rhine, Danube and other rivers.

These vacations also offer terrific value. On most Europe sailings, Uniworld’s all-inclusive rate covers your accommodations, all meals and unlimited beverages on board (including wine, beer and spirits), shore excursions, gratuities aboard and ashore, airport transfers and more.

• Limited-Time Sale! Save 50% on select sailings. Prices shown reflect discount. Expires June 14. Click here .
• Save 10% off 2025 river cruises. Prices shown reflect discount. Expires June 30. Click here .
• Save up to $6,000 per couple on a wide selection of 2024 sailings. Prices shown reflect discount. Expires June 30. Click here .

Search Travel Market Report

• Packaged Travel
• Hotels & Resorts
• Destinations
• Retail Strategies
• Niche & Luxury
• Training & Resources
• Brian Israel
• Briana Bonfiglio
• Dan McCarthy
• Dori Saltzman
• Jennifer Arango
• Kelly Fontenelle
• Keri-Anne Slevin
• Louis Intreglia
• Sarah Milner
• Tom McCarthy

• River Cruise Ship Evacuated, Danube Shut Down Amid Historic Flooding

Parts of the Danube River are already flooding, or expected to flood soon. Photo: Daniel Zsingor / Shutterstock.com 

Updated June 7: Updated to identify the ship that was evacuated as the Tui Isla, a Tui River Cruises vessel. 

Around 140 passenger were evacuated from the Tui Isla on the Danube River in Southern Germany early this week. Simultaneously, Austria has shut the river down to all traffic. This amidst historic flooding that led Germany to declare a state of emergency on Monday. 

According to reports passengers from the United States, the U.K., and Australia were removed from the ship, which had been stuck in place since Sunday.

Rain has been heavy for several days in southern Germany, with some regions – particularly Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg – experiencing heavy flooding. Several people have died, including a firefighter involved in rescuing a family, MSN reported .

According to DPA International , Austria shut down the entire 350 kilometer course of the Danube within its borders between the border cities of Passau in Germany and Bratislava in Slovakia. The closure, the report stated, forced "some cruise ships" to dock in Linz. The Danube burst the banks in Linz on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the state waterway company, Via Donau , said "Safety cannot be guaranteed above a certain water level."

Hungary is also expecting trouble, with the mayor of Budapest issuing a flood alert (first-degree, lowest level) on Tuesday. The lower embankment of the river in Budapest is expected to close to traffic from 8 p.m. on Thursday. 

TMR reached out to river cruise lines to find out how their sailings have been impacted. At least one -- Avalon Waterways -- has already made the decision to cancel two sailings. 

"The Danube is experiencing higher-than-average water levels, due to an unprecedented amount of rain in the last month. This week, we made the decision to cancel two cruises on the lower Danube, due to ship access and availability," Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways, told TMR. 

The canceled sailings are the June 7 Balkan Discovery sailing and the June 13 Active & Discovery on the Lower Danube departure. 

"For both, we provided cruisers – and their travel advisors – options, recognizing the inconvenience" Hoffee said. "Other cruises departing this week on the upper Danube are experiencing itinerary deviations. Our operations team is constantly monitoring the situation and making any necessary updates to accommodate the conditions while ensuring the best possible experience for our guests."

Viking directed TMR to its website and the following statement: "Currently, sections of the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers are experiencing high water levels. To varying degrees, these conditions may affect select itineraries. Our Switzerland-based nautical team is continually monitoring the situation and will make any necessary adjustments to accommodate the conditions. Guests and their Travel Advisors will continue to be notified directly if we think that their itinerary might be impacted."

MOST VIEWED

• High Waters Force Danube River Cancellations, Ship Swaps
• Virgin Voyages Cracks Down on Predatory Travel Advisor Behavior
• U.S. State Department Issues ‘Worldwide Caution’ Travel Warning
• Travel Industry Acronyms Advisors Need to Know
• American Queen Moved to Recycling Facility
• 9 Instagram Accounts for Travel Advisors to Follow
• 9 Apps or Tools that Can Help Travel Advisors Work Better and Faster
• How One Advisor Uses Automated Systems to Grow Her Business (and Sleep at Night)
• Cruise Line Rebating Policies: A User's Guide and Chart
• American Airlines Pulls Back on AAdvantage Move
• American Cruise Lines Chooses To Scrap Former AQV Vessels

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

HX, formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions, has appointed Gebhard Rainer as its new CEO, effective July 15. 

Royal Caribbean Group has sold two Galapagos ships to Lindblad Expeditions. 

Windstar Cruises will return to Alaska and Japan in 2026, when its next new ship, Star Seeker, joins the fleet.

The Disney team on the vision for the private port and how advisors should approach selling this never-before-seen destination.

A roundup of the rebating and advertising policies for each CLIA-member cruise line. 

At least two sailings on the Danube River have been canceled due to unusually high waters.

• Vacation Rentals
• Restaurants
• Things to do
• Things to Do
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Find the best cruise for you

Featured cruise deals, cruising guide, why take a cruise vacation.

If you have a place on your bucket list, chances are, a cruise will get you there – provided the destination is along a coastline or inland waterway. Cruises cover the world, taking millions of passengers each year to regions such as the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Europe, the Mediterranean and even Antarctica. Cruising offers a tremendous value, with trips that include your lodging, meals and entertainment – all rolled into one. Some luxury cruise lines even offer fully inclusive vacations, which cover drinks and tours ashore. And best of all, cruising means seeing the world conveniently after unpacking only once.

Cruises also provide a wonderful option for families, with many ships offering things like waterslides, mini-golf courses and fun clubs for kids, tweens and teens. While most are free, nursery programs can cost extra. Planning is easy: Pick your destination and the right ship (and line) for your travel style. The cruise line makes it simple, offering packages to help you save on extras like alcohol, shore tours or even airfare.

Travelers say they choose to cruise because cruising often costs less per night when compared with land vacations at a hotel, where they'll have to book -- and pay for -- every extra.

What are Tips for Finding Cheap Cruises?

If you're a flexible traveler, you'll have a better chance of finding cheap cruises. Take a cruise that doesn't sail over the summer or holidays, when prices are highest. Book an inside cabin, or take your chances with a "guarantee cabin," ideal for passengers who aren't picky about their stateroom location but really want the lowest price available. Book cabins on lower decks, which often come with lower prices than those rooms on higher floors – that is staterooms over suites.

Cruise brands such as Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International offer rates that might drop as low as $75 per person per night -- and sometimes even lower.

If you want a real bargain, consider a transatlantic or repositioning cruise. These cruises are one-way or open-jaw trips, that start in one port and finish at another. You can score a deal sailing from Florida to Europe, for example, or even from New York to Florida. Just be aware, you'll probably have to pay a bit more for airfare to return.

What are Tips to Finding Last-Minute Cruise Deals?

While being flexible date wise will always get you the best last-minute cruise deals, it's particularly helpful if you live near a cruise port and can quickly drive there. That way you'll probably be able to jump on those deals that might pop up just a week or two before the ship is scheduled to sail.

Or if you don't have flexibility with either departure dates or embarkation locations, be willing to compromise on exact destinations. This will allow you to find a wider range of last-minute deals traveling to locations in their off-season or so-called shoulder season.

Do plenty of research and know what your ideal cruise is and costs on average, so both are already on your radar. When you see it drop, pounce! (Many cruise lines update pricing several times per day, so preparation is crucial.)

Best cruises in 2024

There's truly a cruise style and ship for everyone, and that has never been more the case than in 2024, as vessels continue to come in an array of sizes – from riverboats and expedition vessels to the largest-ever mega ships. And it's not an exaggeration to say some are loaded with so many activities that you couldn't possibly enjoy them all in a single sailing.

Families will find plenty of options and activities onboard big ships, which have transformed cruising, making the vessels as exciting as the destinations themselves. The Caribbean is always a great option for families, offering lots of sunshine, great beaches and culture. Alaska, famous for its incredible vistas and abundant wildlife, is also a solid family cruise option. Consider cruise brands such as Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and even Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line for a great multi-generational voyage.

Or on the smaller side, by comparison, river cruising remains a hot ticket item this year, with exciting routes that send eager guests down the Danube or Rhine rivers in Europe or to lesser-frequented locations, like the Mekong River in Cambodia or Vietnam, or soon the Magdalena River in Colombia. Popular river cruises embark in timeless cities like Amsterdam, Budapest and Lisbon. River cruise lines to consider encompass Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises, Tauck, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Riverside Luxury Cruises, as well as American Cruise Lines for a domestic alternative.

If you're an adventurer at heart, an expedition cruise might be best for you. These voyages, often onboard small ships (only a few hundred passengers tops), offer an intimate experience that brings passengers right up next to glaciers, whales, penguins and iguanas. Ships visit tiny spots all over the world – from pole to pole – including the Arctic, Alaska, Australia, Greenland, the Galapagos and, of course, Antarctica. Passengers will spend their time zodiacing, kayaking, hiking, biking and exploring with expert guides and knowledgeable naturalists. Expedition travelers love cruise lines such as Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, UnCruise Adventures, Silversea, HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), Ponant and Quark Expeditions, as well as an ever-expanding list that now even extends to Seabourn and Viking.

But for the most decadent form of travel, luxury cruises offer all-inclusive experiences onboard small to median-sized ships (usually under a thousand passengers) with perks like butlers, high-end amenities and personalized, intuitive service, not to mention the finest dining at sea. Ships often feature luxury touches like marble and crystal decor, intimate spaces and beautiful spas. Because luxury ships tend to be on the smaller size, they can often reach off-the-beaten-path destinations bigger ships simply cannot access -- ports like St. Tropez or Guadeloupe. If you're looking for a luxury cruise, consider Crystal, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Explora Journeys, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and upcoming Four Seasons Yachts.

Cruises by style

• Luxury Cruises
• Cruise Deals
• Family Cruises
• Last Minute Cruises
• River Cruises

Find other cruise vacations in popular destinations

• Cozumel Cruises
• Seattle Cruises
• San Francisco Cruises
• Los Angeles Cruises
• Fort Lauderdale Cruises
• Baltimore Cruises
• Boston Cruises
• Aruba Cruises
• New Orleans Cruises
• New York City Cruises
• Galveston Cruises
• Ensenada Cruises
• Miami Cruises
• Cruises from Florida
• Cruises from Seattle
• Cruises from San Francisco
• Cruises from Los Angeles
• Cruises from Fort Lauderdale
• Cruises from Tampa
• Cruises from Baltimore
• Cruises from Boston
• Cruises from New Orleans
• Cruises from New York City
• Cruises from San Diego
• Cruises from Galveston
• Cruises from Miami
• Princess Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Disney Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Royal Caribbean International
• MSC Cruises
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Oceania Cruises

Find cruise vacation on popular cruise ships View all

• Adventure of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Vista
• Regal Princess
• Royal Princess
• Ruby Princess
• Celebrity Equinox
• Disney Dream
• MSC Seaside
• Norwegian Bliss
• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian Escape
• Norwegian Getaway