3 Mistakes to Avoid

When Booking Your First River Cruise

If you're thinking about taking your very first river cruise — first of all, congratulations! That’s such an exciting step, and I’m thrilled for you. A river cruise is one of the most immersive and relaxing ways to explore Europe, especially if you love history, culture, food, and beautiful scenery.

But before you start choosing your ship or mapping out excursions, let’s make sure you don’t fall into some of the common traps I see first-time cruisers run into.

I recently recorded a video that walks you through the Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Your First River Cruise, along with a bonus tip.

🎬 Watch the video below:

Mistake #1: Not Knowing What’s Included

Not all river cruise lines include the same things in their fares. Some offer a lot of extras — like airport transfers, unlimited excursions, open bar, gratuities, or even butler service. Others are more à la carte.

It’s easy to get caught comparing prices without realizing what you’re actually getting. That “cheaper” cruise might end up costing you more once you add in all the things that weren’t included. On the flip side, you might be paying for bells and whistles you don’t really want or need.

That’s why I always help my clients understand what each cruise line offers so they’re comparing apples to apples — not apples to oranges.

Mistake #2: Booking the Right Cruise at the Wrong Time

You’ve chosen a fantastic itinerary… but have you considered what it’s like at the time of year you want to go?

For example:

• Spring can mean beautiful tulips in the Netherlands, but also cool, rainy weather.

• Summer is lively and sunny — but often crowded and more expensive.

• Fall offers amazing foliage and fewer crowds, but it can be stormy!

Each season offers a different experience, and it’s so important to choose a time that matches your travel style, energy level, and even packing preferences.

Mistake #3: Choosing the Wrong River for Your Interests

One of the best things about European river cruising is that each river offers something unique. But that also means not every river is a perfect fit for every traveller.

• The Danube is full of grand cities, castles, and culture, but sometimes has water level issues.

• The Seine is amazing for art and history lovers, especially around Paris and Normandy, but has limited time spent actually cruising.

• The Douro in Portugal is known for its stunning scenery and wine country, but many of the small towns are far from where you dock.

When you work with someone who knows the ins and outs of each river (👋 that's me!), you can choose the itinerary that matches you — not just what looks good on paper.

Bonus Mistake: Trying to Do It All Yourself

River cruising may seem simple, but there are so many decisions to make — cruise line, itinerary, inclusions, season, cabin type, transfers, travel insurance, pre- or post-cruise stays… it adds up fast.

And unfortunately, it’s way too easy to make a small choice that turns into a big disappointment.

Working with a river cruise expert (like me!) means you don’t have to guess or spend hours Googling. I’ll help you match your dream trip with the right cruise — and take care of the details so you can simply enjoy the journey.

Ready to Plan Your First River Cruise?

I specialize in luxury river cruises and European adventures, and I’d love to help you take this exciting first step. Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or you're ready to book, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

📩 Reach out to me by email to start planning

📘 Or download my free guide: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your First River Cruise

Let’s make your first river cruise a smooth sail from start to finish.

To book your next dream vacation - when the time is right to travel - reach out to me through email at Alicia@EveningStarTravel.ca, or by calling 587 772 2525. I am located in Sherwood Park, Alberta (a suburb of Edmonton), and am a Travel Advisor specializing in River Cruising, Beach Escapes, and Custom Vacations. I am the owner/operator of Evening Star Travel, and I book travel for clients all across Canada and the USA.