Themed River Cruises

Below are some of the themed river cruises that we offer at RiverCruise.com. Click any link to view limited-time offers and search for available trips.

Food and drink cruises explore a region's culinary traditions, and passengers are invited to participate in tastings, food pairings and cooking demonstrations. Wine cruises in Europe focus on the vineyards along the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine, Saone and Rhone rivers and in the Bordeaux region. Avalon Waterways also has beer-tasting cruises. In the U.S., travelers may learn about bourbon-making in Kentucky, sample Southern barbecue or sip wines of the Pacific Northwest.

Christmas markets cruises take in the famous outdoor holiday bazaars of Europe. You can stroll among decorated stalls that sell handcrafted ornaments, toys and woodcarvings and enjoy treats such as gingerbread, grilled sausages and mulled wine. You also can ring in the New Year on select sailings.

Tulip-time cruises are offered from March to early May, when the flower fields of the Netherlands peak in color. A highlight of these itineraries on Dutch and Belgian waterways is a visit to Keukenhof Gardens, an 80-acre park planted with more than 7 million bulbs.

Music cruises celebrate a variety of genres. In Europe, look into the lives of composers like Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss and the Old World cities that inspired them. Some Mississippi River cruises are centered on the regional roots of jazz, blues and country music.

Family-friendly cruises are geared toward those who'd like to travel with their children or grandchildren. These departures feature onboard amenities and shore excursions specifically tailored to young guests.

European history cruises primarily visit World War II battlefields and landmarks.

Avalon's Active & Discovery cruises in Europe provide enriching and immersive shore outings. These can include energetic activities, like biking or kayaking, as well as interactive discoveries such as composing your own waltz, participating in a cocktail workshop or meeting an apple farmer and exploring the family's orchards.

Also from Avalon, the Storyteller Series is a collection of cruises featuring guest speakers such as Diana Gabaldon, author of the popular Outlander series and Graham McTavish, Scottish actor and author known for his on-screen roles in hits like The Hobbit and The Witcher.