When is the BEST time to river cruise Europe?

[Twice_a_year]

Never enjoyed river cruising. It appears to have many benefits. But, when is the BEST time to do the rivers in Europe?

 

Some of you more seasoned travelers should be able to add to this this question.

[rogerdawhip]

I have been on 7 European river cruises. I have traveled in April, June, July, August, September and November. We have had good weather on each trip but I enjoyed the June trip the best. It was GCT Great Rivers of Europe (from Vienna to Ansterdam). I like warmer weaterh on these trips becuase watching the passing scenery from the sun deck is not to be missed.

roger

[realent]

Any other opinions on this?

[Coral]

Where in Europe are you looking at?

[realent]

Where in Europe are you looking at?

 

We are thinking Budapest or Vienna towards Amsterdam. Definitely Germany....

[WonderMan3]

The other important thing to watch out for when river cruising is water levels.

 

In March you can sometimes encounter ice on the rivers. I have seen situations where locks have become clogged with ice and prevented ships from moving through.

 

Late March and into April is when there tend to be high water situations due to the spring thaw bringing melted ice into the rivers.

 

July and August are when you can experience the hottest weather and that's also the time when low water situations can often occur.

 

So personally I would travel May-June, or September-mid-October.

 

Of course there are also abnormal situations with floods that can happen at anytime, but the above comments are based on what I have seen happen year-after-year.

[realent]

Thank you very much...That helps. We were thinking late Sept, early Oct. Our 25th anniversary is Sept. We do like it warm but I think that would be a nice time....

[Ine]

But if you like to see the tulips and other flowers bloom in The Netherlands, be there end of April/beginning of May.

[ChefPeg]

Oh dear!!:eek: We booked the lower Danube for August, perhaps I should rethink the date.