The short answer: a river cruise is a small ship of around 150 guests that moors in the middle of towns, sails on calm water and stops almost every day. In September 2026 inCruises announced river cruises with AmaWaterways and Emerald Cruises on four continents. Check the current offer in the club's search — the products are new and the selection is growing.
River or sea: two different holidays
These are two different kinds of cruise, and each has its own strengths. Many travellers enjoy both.
| River cruise | Ocean cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Ship | About 150 guests, quiet and intimate | A floating resort: pools, shows, many restaurants, kids' clubs |
| Where you go | Inland, usually mooring right in the town centre | Coasts and islands, fjords, the Caribbean, even Antarctica — places you can only reach by sea |
| Days on board | A new town almost every day, often with walking tours | Port days plus relaxing sea days with spa, pools and entertainment |
| Families | Mostly adult travellers, little for children | Plenty for families and children, often several languages on board |
| Choice | A few dozen ships, mainly in Europe | Hundreds of ships and routes worldwide, from short getaways to long voyages |
Not either-or: a sea cruise in summer and a river cruise to the Christmas markets fit well in the same year.
The Rhine: a river cruise from home
For anyone living in the Netherlands or Belgium, the Rhine is the easiest river cruise of all. Both lines sail between Amsterdam and Basel in Switzerland, usually 7 nights, through Germany and France: Cologne, the castles of the Middle Rhine, Rüdesheim, Heidelberg, Strasbourg. Amsterdam is a train ride away; from Basel there are direct trains back to the Netherlands.
- Spring: tulips. AmaWaterways sails "Tulip Time" round trips from Amsterdam through Dutch and Belgian waterways in April, with the Keukenhof flower gardens.
- Summer and autumn: vineyards, castles and long evenings on deck.
- December: Christmas markets. Rhine cruises call at Cologne, Strasbourg and other towns with famous Christmas markets.
Rivers on four continents
| River | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Rhine | Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland | Amsterdam – Basel; castles, vineyards, Christmas markets |
| Danube | Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary | Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest — the classic river cruise |
| Seine and Rhône | France | Paris and Normandy; Provence and Burgundy |
| Douro | Portugal | Porto and the terraced port-wine valley |
| Mekong | Vietnam and Cambodia | Temples, floating markets, village life |
| Nile and Chobe | Egypt; Botswana and Namibia | Ancient Egypt; safari from the water |
| Magdalena | Colombia | Colonial towns and the Colombian hinterland |
Rivers as announced by inCruises in September 2026. Which sailings are bookable in the club, and when, is shown in the club's search.
Practical tips
- Season. In Europe river cruises run roughly from March to December; in high summer, low or high water can occasionally change a route.
- Small ships fill up. With around 75 cabins per ship, popular dates such as tulip season and the Christmas markets go quickly.
- Pack light. Cabins are smaller than on ocean ships, and the dress code is relaxed.
- Walking. Many excursions are town walks on cobblestones: bring comfortable shoes.
Common questions
Can I book a river cruise through the club?
In September 2026 inCruises announced river cruises with AmaWaterways and Emerald Cruises. The products are new: check which sailings are available in the club's search.
Can I start a river cruise in Amsterdam?
Yes. Rhine cruises sail between Amsterdam and Basel, and in spring there are tulip cruises round trip from Amsterdam.
Do people get seasick on a river cruise?
Hardly ever. Rivers are calm, and the ship is never far from the bank.
Is a river cruise suitable for children?
Less than an ocean cruise. River ships are small and quiet, with few facilities for children. Some lines offer special family sailings.
How the club fits in
For the new products the club's familiar ways of paying apply: the member price (INsider Pricing), about 17% below the retail price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the price of qualifying bookings. They do not add up in one booking. The exact conditions for each product are shown in the club's member area.
More new in the club: inTrips — ready-made trips, starting with Dubai →
Partners, rivers and conditions are based on the inCruises announcement of 21 September 2026 and the cruise lines' published itineraries; availability and details may change. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.