10 Best Barge Cruises for 2023-2024

The Enchanting Rhine - From Zurich to Amsterdam

After spending two nights in both Zurich and Lucerne, Switzerland, board the MS Amaprima on an exclusive 7-day Rhine River cruise through the historic old towns and big cities of Germany, the historic borderlands of Strasbourg, France, and finally to Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Take a tour to see the beautiful fields of tulips

Grand Tulip Cruise of Holland & Belgium

Amsterdam to Amsterdam
15 Days from $6,998

Board Avalon Imagery II for a 15-day Rhine River cruise of the beautiful blooming fields in Belgium and the Netherlands. Along the way you'll see historical architecture, try local favorite dishes like Limburg pie & Dutch chocolate, and enjoy some exciting tours, including visits to medieval Namur, Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, and Middelburg.

Wild Scotland

Edinburgh - Aberdeen
12 Days from $10,095

From Edinburgh to Aberdeen, partake in this 12-day expedition cruise aboard the Greg Mortimer exploring the wild islands of Scotland. Visit picturesque villages and castles that once were a stronghold of the Scottish clans. Birders will delight in Europe’s largest seabird colonies and the Orkney Islands.

Ring of Brodgar is a unique stone circle in Scotland.

Scotland's Highlands and Islands

8 Days from $10,290

From Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, explore the historic sites of Scotland on this week-long cruise on the Lord of the Glens. Lochs, castles, villages, pubs, and ancient ruins highlight this tour, which features inland visits like Loch Ness and Duart Castle as well as some time on the quaint & remote Scottish Isles of Eigg or Rum, and Skye.

Magna on the Danube - Budapest to Vilshofen

Budapest to Vilshofen
8 Days from $2,499

Embark on an 8-day river cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen aboard MS AmaMagna. Enjoy captivating architecture, music, and culinary experiences. Explore Vienna's Baroque gems, savor epicurean delights, and discover vibrant cultures in Budapest and Bratislava.

British Isles: Legendary History & Wild Nature

Portsmouth to Leith
13 Days from $5,995

Embark on the Sea Spirit for this 13-day cruise from Portsmouth to Leith exploring wildlife, beautiful beaches, and magnificent ruins as you cruise around England and Northern Ireland to Scotland. Visit Rathlin Island where tens of thousands of nesting seabirds live.

Adventures in Europe. Scottish marine band

European Classic Cruise - Scotland

7 Days from $5,250

Discover the beauty of Scotland on a 7-day getaway cruise aboard the cozy barge hotel Scottish Highlander. Explore the mystical waterways of Scotland and be amazed at its geographical beauty. See the beautiful stone castles of Scotland that the country is famous for.

Tulips & Windmills

Amsterdam-Antwerp
10 Days from $4,399

Enjoy a relaxing 10-day river cruise from Amsterdam to Antwerp aboard the River Duchess. Step back in time to visit historic villages and medieval city centers both in the Netherlands and Belgium, plus the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk and the stunning rainbow of tulips at the Keukenhof Gardens.

European Classic Cruise - Ireland

7 Days from $4,850

Discover the scenery and historic structures throughout Ireland on this 7-day cruise aboard Shannon Princess. Take a relaxing cruise along the beautiful waterways of the region to experience an excursion to Portumna and Galway, explore haunted Leap Castle, tour Birr Castle’s Gardens, and visit the oldest whiskey distillery plus so much more!

Colorful sunset over the Scottish Highlands

Ancient Isles: England, Ireland, and Scotland

Windsor to Edinburgh
12 Days from $11,887

Embark on a 12-day cruise from Portsmouth to Edinburgh aboard the National Geographic Explorer. Explore Britain's, Ireland's, and Scotland's lesser-known wonders. Discover ancient megaliths, mysterious sea caves, historic dockyards, and lush botanical gardens.

Best Barge Cruising Deals for 2023-2024

Trip Name	Save	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
The Romantic Danube	Savings	$4139	11	Sep 28, 2023	Spend three nights in Prague and enjoy a fascinating cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest with stops in the charming cities of Passau, Austria, Vienna, … 0
Idyllic Rhône	Savings	$11590	8	Apr 28, 2024	From Lyon to Avignon, cruise along the Rhône and Sâone rivers aboard the luxurious Scenic Sapphire and enjoy an exclusive Scenic culinaire … 0
The Loire Valley, a Royal Legacy	Savings	$2081	5	Mar 31, 2024	On this 5-day cruise roundtrip Nantes aboard MS Loire Princesse, set sail on a Royal Loire River cruise renowned for its breathtaking beauty. Explore … 0
Gems of the Danube	Savings	$9090	8	Oct 18, 2023	Enjoy an 8-day luxury cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest aboard the 5-star luxury Scenic Opal. Visit some of the most beautiful cities of central … 0
Corsican Cruise	Savings	$4434	8	Sep 29, 2023	This eight-day Corsican voyage aboard the MV La Belle des Océans reveals Corsica's hidden riches, a real paradise on earth that appears to have … 0
British Isles: Legendary History & Wild Nature	Savings	$5995	13	May 8, 2024	Embark on the Sea Spirit for this 13-day cruise from Portsmouth to Leith exploring wildlife, beautiful beaches, and magnificent ruins as you cruise … 0
Jewels of the Rhine	Savings	$8290	8	Sep 25, 2023	Aboard Emerald Luna for an exciting 8-day voyage to discover the Jewels of Rhine. Sail from Zurich to Amsterdam and experience the past by visiting … 0
The Romantic Danube - Cruise Only	Savings	$3199	8	Sep 30, 2023	Cruise eastern Europe on this 8-day itinerary along the romantic Danube from Vilshofen to Budapest aboard the MS Amasonata, stopping in cities like … 0
Danube Delights	Savings	$7090	8	Apr 21, 2024	Take an 8-day cruise with Emerald Star the captivating Danube River. Prepare yourself for a walking tour, sightseeing and meeting the locals in … 0
Danube Explorer & Highlights of Budapest	Savings	$8490	10	Apr 1, 2024	Join this 10-day Danube Explorer & Budapest Highlights Cruise on Emerald Luna. Discover five countries and UNESCO sites, experiencing central … 0

The World's Top 9 Barge Cruising Destinations for 2023-2024

Stop in Avignon on your cruise of the Rhône river.

French Barge Cruises

Canal du Midi

Golden hour in Venice's famed Piazza San Marco

Italian Barge Cruises

Holland Barge Cruises

Scotland Barge Cruises

Moselle River Barge Cruises

The Palais des Papes dominates the Avignon skyline

Rhone River Barge Cruises

Explore Paris, the legendary city of light

Seine River Barge Cruises

Peaceful canal running through a European town

All European Barge Cruises

Top 10 Barge Charters for 2023-2024

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Svalbard Encounter Expedition Micro Cruise	$10475	7	May 18, 2024	Join the 7-day summer cruise through Svalbard aboard the MV Vikingfjord and discover the breathtaking wilderness, glaciers, and natural beauty of … 0
Classic Antarctica Air Cruise	$13995	8	Dec 1, 2023	Embark on this 8-day Antarctic cruise on the Magellan Explorer. Fly over the Drake Passage round-trip from Punta Arenas to King George Island where … 0
Italy, Montenegro & Croatia	$3130	12	Aug 31, 2024	Discover the stunning Adriatic landscapes of Croatia, Montenegro, and Italy on this fabulous 12-day Mediterranean sailing adventure aboard the Royal … 0
Classic Egypt Tour	$1738	8	Sep 30, 2023	This extaordinary tour of Egypt visit some of the world's most legendary archaeological sites like the Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara, the Valley of the … 0
Tanzania Trails	$2875	7	Oct 14, 2023	Spend 7 days exploring the best of Tanzania, covering the main highlights of Tanzania's Northern Circuit and encompassing some of East Africa's best … 0
Short Inca Trail Hike To Machu Picchu	$2091	7	Sep 25, 2023	This 7-day trip culminates in a one day hike on the Inca Trail arriving to Machu Picchu with a full day and a half to explore the ruins. Explore the … 0
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard	$23300	16	May 2, 2024	Cruise across Norway's fjords and Arctic Svalbard on a 16-day expedition aboard the National Geographic Resolution, and explore the wilderness, … 0
Spitsbergen Photography: Domain of the Polar Bear	$12295	14	May 10, 2024	This two-week Arctic cruise aboard the brand new expedition vessel Ultramarine, equipped with 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, luxurious onboard amenities … 0
Machu Picchu by Train	$1502	7	Sep 25, 2023	On this 7-day excursion through the Sacred Valley starting in Lima, you'll visit impressive Inca ruins such as Sacsayhuamán near Cusco, then Pisac, … 0
Patagonia Wildlife Safari	$1742	5	Sep 25, 2023	On this tour of Chile's Southern Patagonia region experience penguins, guanacos, Darwin's Rheas, Andean foxes, and more as you hike or even bike … 0

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Barge Cruising Travel Guide

All you need to know about Barge Cruising

Barge cruises are one of the most unique ways to explore France, Central Europe, and the United Kingdom. Intimate accommodations, great food, and focused experiences are part of the excitement of a barge cruise.

Best Destinations for European Barge Cruises

Barge cruising in Europe is nothing new, but it is certainly a trending option for avid travelers hoping to experience something different. The top destinations for barge cruising are France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

Top Barge Cruising Destinations in Europe

Cruising the canals of Europe is a relaxing way to enjoy the company of friends and family. Here are some of the hot spots:

France is considered the crème de la crème of barge cruising with the best-established barging culture where you can explore the canals and waterways of: Canal du Midi in the South of France, the Alsace-Lorraine region sailing the Marne-Rhine Canal to Strasbourg, and the famous wine regions of Burgundy and Champagne. Some barge cruises even arrive to Paris.

Scotland & Ireland - Sail the length of Loch Ness on the lookout for Nessy or cruise Ireland's Shannon River in a barge.

Germany - where you can explore the picturesque Moselle River on a barge.

Netherlands and Belgium whose canals make excellent barge cruising territory.

Italy's Po River features barge cruises beginning in Venice.