Ideas for a river cruise in Europe in Sept

The Douro cruise on Viking is magnificent. The added pre and post trips are great as well.

Am now getting excited for our Cruise on the Douro at the end of June, and yes you can eat very healthily on these cruises. Its very much about the quality and not the quantity and because you know there will be another lovely meal to tempt you in a few hours, you do not over eat. I find I just sample things and the vast array of beautifully prepared fruit and vegetables (so time consuming at home) keeps me very healthy.

Viking is fantastic - we have done St Petersburg to Moscow and another one on the Rhine with them. I agree with all that has been said about Viking by others on here. Six course dinners beautifully presented and satisfying but non-fattening - I lost 2lbs - what more could you want! They get you up early and so usually beat the crowds.

We are currently on a Douro river cruise and it has been fabulous, just a week and with Saga as they were the best insurers for my husbands medical issues. Just a week and only just over 100 people on the boat, all inclusive too, can't rate it highly enough

Thank you so much everyone - I shall definitely be following up the leads and also checking out the Jane McDonald documentary.

Try www.arosa.de/en. A-Rosa Cruises. Danube, Seine, Rhine etc. Excellent.

There was a documentary on recently with Jane MacDonald she tried all different types of cruises out, there were a few in and around Europe. Some were very small and private some were relaxed and casual where you didn't need to dress for dinner, it was very interesting and you got all the info on the companies that run them. Maybe you could find it in catch up tv.Its called " Crusing with Jane McDonald" channel 5 it was on in March.

We went on a Viking river cruise on the Rhine, which was lovely, especially because I have family all over Germany and the trip brought back great memories. Informal dress but very friendly and great service. (This year we're back on the ocean and going to look at the Norwegian fjords....can't wait!)

My first river cruise was with Avalon on Rhine Danube, fantastic experience amazing crew, so we'll looked after, mainly American , Canadian, and Australian, passengers, no dress code, some smart casual for dinner, others not, nice to sit wherever for each meal, and mix with different people , and lastly, the most amazing views and visits every day x

We are doing a Riviera cruise on the Rhine, which includes travel to mainland by Eurostar.

I would highly recommend Jules Verne Douro River cruise - Admittedly it was a few years ago that I did this, but it was excellent, a VERY small boat, relaxed atmosphere, very interesting trips...dress up or down as you wish.

I went on a Viking cruise on the Rhine in April 3 years ago, which was very good in itself, but a word of warning ...bear in mind that there are 5 or 6 other cruise boats all docking at the same time for the same trips to the same interesting places...THINK CROWDS! Even early in the season I found it very oppressive, for me it would have been unbearable in the high season.

I have travelled with JVT, the Nile, Turkey, Portugal, IMO they have the very best guides, I much prefer the small boats.

www.leboat.com/vacations/destinations/france
Some of these look good - wouldn't mind going myself.

I second Tallulah2.... I went on a Viking tour/cruise to China last year; enjoyed the relaxed but caring environment so much I am looking forward to their Danube cruise in December.

Can highly recommend Viking - I did their Danube cruise last year. Great tours every day. Not cheap but so well looked after from start to finish. Smart casual was the dress code for evenings, but some people stayed in their shorts and trainers!. Passenger mix was mainly American and Canadian. It was my first experience of cruising and I loved it.

It all helps a great deal - thank you everyone!

River cruises have a major advantage over high sea cruising no days at sea, you're in a different place each day, I'm off in 2 weeks for a 7 night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel. Dress can be smartly casual? I've booked with Emerald mainly for a late booking their prices were reduced and lots of extras included. The best cruise ships I've found in the past are the Amadeus ones, used by Saga, but operated by the mega efficient Luffner cruises. There arent many opportunities for between meal snack other than a cake at afternoon tea time, but if you want a Mid morning snack take a couple of pastries from the extensive breakfast buffet. Hope this helps.

Get on the internet and order as many brochures you fancy advertised for river cruises.To me these beat sea cruises as unlike a huge liner on an ocean where you can be stuck at sea for days there is something to see!! day or night on a river cruise.They will cater for special diets which you should make known when you book
Smart casual was fine for me at dinner
Although can be a bit expensive I recommend a suite with a balcony.

The only problem I personally have with river cruises, is that they are too small for me. I like to be annonymous when on holiday, so I tend to stick to Cruising on the "high seas". There are so many beautiful places to visit however on a river cruise in Europe.
Have met many nice people from all parts of the world on my "high seas" cruises and recently had a great time on a Norwegian Cruise Line with Canadians and Americans. I'm not helping am I!

I did a lovely river cruise with emerald waterways. We did change for dinner but not too dressy. It was a lovely experience.

Even though I'm not impartial, because I live on the Rhine, I still would say it's the most iconic of rivers. You will see the beautiful chocolate box towns of Bacharach, Bingen, etc., (perfect for visitors from the Americas) Cologne, which is unforgettable, Düsseldorf, and then to jolly Holland. The Dutch are such fun.

My sister-in-law has just come back from such a tour, which included excursions to Antwerp, Rotterdam and other brilliant places. She was lucky enough to get an upgrade to a cabin 2 classes better for no extra charge: Deck level with a balcony, instead of well below decks!

Thank you both for your very useful feedback. I'll also check out an earlier post on the same subject (saw it just after posting here!). My sister and I have lots of research to do on companies/cruises that fit the time period. I never thought I'd like a cruise but I'm really looking forward to a river cruise.

We river cruise on Viking, Uniworld, Avalon. Atmosphere is very casual, no need to dress up.

The guests seem to be mostly British, American, and Canadian. The food is nice and available for lengthy meals and snacks. There are plenty of lounge areas with wine and beer.

Someone asked on another post about tipping. We have no problem with the tip scheme.

P.S. because its a favourite with Americans....the atmosphere is a lovely mixture of impeccable service yet delightful informality too......and no I'm not on commission!

If you really want to spoil yourself - can recommend Uniworld. Bookable via the UK firm Titian who will provide a door to door pick up service. Uniworld is a US based company and their boats a delightful and we meet U.S. Canadian and Australian travellers on their cruises which makes for a lively mix. We have done a Rhine cruise and an Italian one with them that took us all around Venice.