Big changes are coming to Europe river cruises

New river cruise lines are set to launch game-changing journeys, appealing to new demographics.

European river cruising is about to undergo a major transformation, with the news that expedition cruising pioneer National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is joining the market from April 2026. And it promises to be a game-changer by appealing to a new demographic.

The brand will launch two new eight-day itineraries sailing along the Rhine, from Amsterdam to Brussels and Cologne to Basel. Lindblad Expeditions’ CEO Natalya Leahy says these river voyages are being created with the same depth, care, and expertise that defines their expeditions.

“With National Geographic naturalists and historians, and exclusive events woven into each journey, our guests will explore Europe’s storied rivers in truly meaningful ways,” Leahy says.

Each voyage will be staffed by one of the brand’s veteran expedition leaders, several knowledgeable field staff and at least one National Geographic expert.

The eight-day Rhine River: Castles, Culture and Culinary Delights includes a variety of private wine tastings, from sampling riesling served by the nuns at St Hildegard Abbey to sipping varieties at the historic Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg. There’s also a private tour of the home of famed German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in Frankfurt and the opportunity to dine with university students in Heidelberg. The eight-day Holland and Belgium: Medieval History and Scenic Waterways sailing offers exclusive after-hours tours at the Kröller-Müller and Mauritshuis museums and a progressive food tour of Belgian delicacies in Antwerp.

Lindblad will operate these river cruises aboard the newly built, 120-guest Connect in partnership with charter specialist Transcend Cruises. Picture: Supplied.

Lindblad will operate these river cruises aboard the newly built, 120-guest Connect in partnership with charter specialist Transcend Cruises. The vessel will have wraparound picture windows and a dedicated three-level wellbeing area.

Another new offering is from Trafalgar, a name familiar to holidaying Aussies. From April 2026, the trusted guided land tour company will debut with two river cruise journeys along the Rhine and Danube. Maria Parisi from Trafalgar says the decision was based on guest feedback.

“Our research told us that 30 per cent of guests expressed interest in river cruising and that jumped to 43 per cent when they were asked if they’d be more interested if the river cruise was offered by Trafalgar,” Parisi says.

From April 2026, Trafalgar will debut with two river cruise journeys along the Rhine and Danube. Picture: Supplied.

Trafalgar has a full ship charter for Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie (both 128-passenger vessels), owned by sister-brand Uniworld.

The eight-day cruise along the Danube on Trafalgar Reverie offers an exclusive Be My Guest experience dining at Austria’s oldest winery, Weingut Nikolaihof, hosted by owners the Saahs family. The 10-day cruise along the Rhine on Trafalgar Verity will be a chance to learn about artisanal vinegar production at Weinessiggut Doktorenhof. Both cruises also feature wellness options including yoga.

This news comes hot on the heels of Celebrity Cruises announcing earlier this year that it will launch river cruising in Europe in 2027.

Originally published as Big changes are coming to Europe river cruises