5 Reasons to River Cruise Through Europe in Summer

When summer arrives, blue skies and warm sunshine naturally lift our spirits. It’s no surprise because summer is one of the most beloved seasons for a vacation.

If a summer vacation getaway is on your mind, here are

5 Reasons to River Cruise Through Europe in Summer!

1. Small Towns

   
   

Sailing Europe’s rivers means exploring small, charming towns and villages that big ocean cruise ships simply can’t reach—so you’ll enjoy peaceful days touring on your own or with a group. In Spitz on the Danube River, only one ship is allowed to dock in the quaint Austrian village known for its wine. The AmaMagna, proudly owned by AmaWaterways, boasts this special treat!  

Along the Moselle River, you’ll visit intimate storybook towns in Germany like Bernkastel, Trier, and Cochem. Don’t miss Rüdesheim on the Rhine, where narrow cobblestone streets wind past fairytale homes adorned with colorful flower boxes—and every August, the town comes alive for its lively wine festival.

Best Summer Small Town Stops Include:   

• Germany: Rüdesheim, Bernkastel, Cochem, & Vilshofen

• Austria: Spitz, Weissenkirchen, & Dürnstein

• France: Riquewihr, Seurre, & Viviers

2. The Sun Deck

When river cruising, it’s no secret that AmaWaterways is a fan favorite – and they are my favorite too!  Every AmaWaterways river cruise ship offers a spacious Sun Deck featuring plenty of seating, fresh air, and panoramic views. To make the sun deck even more appealing, the wait staff frequently stop by to serve refreshing drinks as you relax and watch the scenery pass by. Many Ama ships include heated swimming pools on the sun deck—perfect for cooling off after a morning hike or bike ride.

AmaWaterways Ships with Sun-Deck Pools:

AmaBella, AmaCerto, AmaDouro, AmaKristina, AmaLea, AmaLucia, AmaMagna, AmaMora, AmaPrima, AmaReina, AmaSerena, AmaSiena, AmaSonata, AmaStella, AmaVenita, AmaVerde, AmaVida, AmaViola

Ships with Sun-Deck Whirlpools:

AmaCello, AmaDante, AmaDolce, AmaLyra, AmaMagna

3. Extended Daylight Hours for Touring

With the sun shining well into the evening hours, one will enjoy lovely temperatures for nighttime strolls! Summer sailings allow more time onshore to explore. Perhaps you prefer to sit out on your balcony and watch the world go by – or choose one of the AmaWaterways itineraries that offers more than one overnight in port enabling you to explore the nightlife in a must-visit destination such as Vienna, Bratislava or Lyon.

Best AmaWaterways Itineraries for Overnights: 

Legendary Danube, Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps, Flavors of Burgundy, Essence of Burgundy & Provence

4. Refreshing Amenities

As the summer temperatures climb, the dedicated crew aboard AmaWaterways’ fully air-conditioned ships are always on hand to keep you hydrated and refreshed. Before you set off on your excursions, you’ll receive a recyclable Tetra-Pak water container to take along with you.

Upon your return to the ship, enjoy cold water, iced tea, or lemonade along with a chilled towel to cool you down. Don’t miss the daily complimentary Sip & Sail cocktail hour, where yummy cocktails, mocktails, and sodas await. And for a perfect ending, savor creamy ice cream—maybe even while relaxing on the Sun Deck when the weather’s just right.

5. Easy Packing for Your River Cruise Vacation

With fairly predictable warm weather throughout most European destinations, packing is very easy ~ Think sundresses, shorts, and short-sleeved shirts. You will not need to pack as much bulky clothing and this makes for lighter bags. Plus, with AmaWaterways’ convenient, attractively priced laundry service, you can likely get away with just carry-on luggage to avoid any potential hassle at summer’s busiest international airports. Zip through customs, unpack once on board and let the vacation begin right away as you visit multiple destinations during one spectacular vacation of seven nights or more.

Ready to experience Europe in the best light this summer? From charming small towns to relaxing sun decks, plenty of amenities you'll love, and extended daylight for exploring, AmaWaterways river cruises offers the perfect way to enjoy a summer season vacation.

Perhaps you have questions about sailing on AmaWaterways? Or maybe you would like to check out some of the great river cruise itineraries? I've got you covered!

When river cruising, the summer season is certainly the prime time to sail! And AmaWaterways is the perfect cruise line to host your journey.