Allow a CruiseInsider expert the chance to provide ideas and inspiration after a quick conversation about your preferences, but a good choice for first-time river cruisers is a Danube River cruise, which offers an enjoyable “tasting menu” of many top cultural sites. A Rhine River cruise, with stunning scenery and dozens of castles, is another great option.

Second- or third-timers may enjoy visiting Eastern Europe via a cruise along the Lower Danube. More experienced travelers seeking something new might consider the Douro River in Portugal or the Volga River in Russia.

It’s best to pack for a range of weather conditions, depending on the season and regions visited. Wearing layers will allow you to easily adjust to temperature changes. Limiting your wardrobe to a simple mix-and-match color scheme will keep your bags to a minimum.

We recommend wearing comfortable, smart-casual clothing both onshore and onboard. We also suggest sturdy walking shoes, as you will do a significant amount of walking on shore excursions, often over cobblestones or uneven terrain. A sun hat, rain gear, and a coat or wrap for chilly evenings are useful items to have. For dining ashore, concerts, special events onboard, etc., men may want to bring a sports jacket and women a cocktail dress or pantsuit. Neckties are optional. Please note that shorts are not allowed at dinner aboard the ship.

Uniworld elevates all-inclusive river cruising in Europe to an entirely new level, delivering the absolute best of everything. The difference is truly in the details. Some of the unique touches you’ll enjoy onboard these beautiful ships as part of the cruise fare include:

• Impeccable service and one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios of any cruise line
• All gratuities onboard and onshore
• All-scheduledairport transfers
• In-suite butler service
• Elegant riverview staterooms and suites with the finest linens, towels and Savoir® beds for an incredible night's sleep
  • Delcious, locally sourced onboard dining
  • Unlimited beverages (including many premium spirits and wines)
  • A variety of personalized excursions led by English-speaking local experts
  • A number of enhanced excursions curated exclusively for Uniworld guests
  • Well-equipped onboard fitness center
  • Onboard exercise and wellness classes (with certified onboard wellness instructors in Europe)
  • Complimentary bicycles and Nordic walking sticks for onshore use
  • Shipwide internet and Wi-Fi access
  • Onboard entertainment and signature lectures

Kindly inform your CruiseInsider advisor well in advance if you have specific dietary requests (e.g., low-fat, low-calorie, gluten-free, sugar-free, kosher, vegetarian, etc.) so we can communicate this to Uniworld and ensure your needs are met. We will work with the cruise line and do our very best to accommodate your needs given the resources available to us.

Uniworld does have a “Traveling Lite” menu for guests seeking more health-conscious options, as well as light lunches, vegetarian options, and generous buffets that offer something for everyone.

In many ports, your river ship is small enough to dock within easy walking distance of the historic city center. Elsewhere, the ship may need to dock farther away and a motorcoach transfer will be provided.

There may be times when your ship moors next to another ship or between ships, especially in busy ports. Docking locations are determined by the local harbor authorities, not Uniworld or the ship’s captain.

Though rare, if a site is closed, Uniworld typically arranges a city tour in these situations, or allows extra free time to explore the city’s top sites on your own.

Yes, each tour group has its own English-speaking guide. Uniworld's local experts are considered the best in the industry, and the complimentary QuietVox audio headsets make it easy to hear every word of their insightful commentary.

Depending on the itinerary and region visited, talented local performers—typically musicians, dancers, ensembles, etc.—may come onboard from time to time to provide after-dinner entertainment.

When dining onboard, you’ll be treated to world-class cuisine made from fresh ingredients, locally sourced from the destinations you visit. Farm-to-table isn’t just a trendy culinary buzzword on Uniworld ships, it’s a governing philosophy and commitment to serving you the very best local dishes created by our master chefs.

When in Italy, dinner may consist of Prosciutto di Parma pizza and Osso Buco Milanese, prepared to your liking, with meats and vegetables sourced from just miles away. After a day immersed in Indian culture, your taste buds may do some immersing of their own with Gajar Shorba and Tandoori Chicken Tikka for lunch. Live brilliantly. Dine locally. That’s Uniworld's food philosophy.