It’s crazy that I’ve already lived in Amsterdam for a month. What’s even crazier than that though is the fact that it took me almost my entire first month to get out on the water here. Our hour long journey out on the waves was part of an Amsterdam food tour we took last weekend and we were lucky to spend an hour cruising the enchanting canals of Amsterdam and even out into the IJ, which connects to the open sea. Needless to say, we had a great time, and it got me thinking about how fun it would be to see more of Europe from the water.
In fact, considering Amsterdam is the starting point of many European river cruises itineraries, I have a feeling it won’t be long until we are spending time planning river cruising holidays. Until the time we set off though, I will just have to settle for writing posts about river cruises in Europe (sad face).
Here are a few tips I have gathered for soon-to-be cruisers that I hope to put to use very soon.
1) Research Your Route
In my preliminary internet searches for European river cruises, I have seen a multitude of different itineraries available and read some reports of cruisers who returned from a cruise with varied reviews on certain ports of call. So, since you will get plenty of time to explore the shore during your cruise stops, make sure you pick a cruise that stops at places you want to see. For me, to see Budapest from the water at night has always been a dream of mine, so you know the Danube river is one I am looking at cruising down first. If you are a lover of German white wines and fancy having a glass with a view of a castle, then a Rhine river cruise is without a doubt the one for you.
2) Pack Light and Tight
Regardless of route, all river cruises in Europe weave through a diverse mix of countries and climates on their voyage. The main takeaway from this fact is that the weather can change at any time. For my North American readers, remember that most of Europe is at the same latitude as Canada, so even in summer, the evenings can be chilly. Pack many layers of light, tight-fitting clothing for heavy layering when it’s cool and for quick removal when being active out on an excursion or when the mercury rises on the deck of the ship.
3) Spend A Few Nights Away
While it is true that the line you are cruising with will most likely have meals and entertainment available onboard, you shouldn’t completely rely on this every evening of your cruise. The excitement of going out and discovering a hidden little restaurant is the highlight of many cruisers’ trips and it makes staying in and relaxing on the boat the next night feel even more rewarding.
4) Floating Photos
Let’s face it, the pictures you take on your cruise are going to be your lifelong memories of the cruise you took. So you are going to want to take the best ones that you possibly can. Practice taking photos at home while slowly walking as this will be the same pace that the boat is going down the Danube or Rhine. Also, remember that the hour before sunset and after sunrise have the clearest, cleanest light and result in the highest quality photos.
Photo credit: cruising
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