European River Cruise Tips: 16 Surprising Truths First-Time Cruisers Need to Know (Viking, AmaWaterways, Uniworld)

 

🚢 What to Expect on Rhine & Danube River Cruises

Thinking about booking a European river cruise with Viking, AmaWaterways, or Uniworld? Whether you're sailing the Rhine, Danube, Seine, or Moselle, there are insider truths that most first-time cruisers don’t discover until they’re onboard. This guide reveals 16 essential river cruise tips—so you can plan smarter, pack better, and cruise with confidence.

Tweet

Cruise Packing Must-Have: Why Laundry Detergent Sheets Are a Game-Changer for Travelers

Why Laundry Detergent Sheets Are a Cruise Packing Essential

Packing smart for a cruise means finding products that are lightweight, compact, and TSA-friendly. One travel essential that has transformed the way we keep clothes fresh on the go is laundry detergent sheets. Unlike bulky detergent bottles or single-use packets, detergent sheets are mess-free, travel-friendly, and eco-conscious, making them perfect for any traveler—especially on cruise ships where laundry facilities may be limited or costly.

If you're looking for an easy way to refresh your clothes in the sink while cruising, these laundry detergent sheets are a must-pack item. We personally love this brand, Earth Breeze, as it offers all the benefits without the hassle of liquid spills or TSA restrictions. Let’s dive into why detergent sheets belong in your travel bag and how they can make your cruise experience even smoother.

From Amazon

Tweet

Why Kitsch Shampoo & Conditioner Bars Are the Perfect Cruise Travel Essential

Packing for a cruise comes with its own set of challenges—especially when it comes to toiletries. Between TSA liquid restrictions on flights and limited bathroom storage in cruise cabins, finding the right hair care can be tricky. That’s where the Kitsch Rice Water Shampoo & Conditioner Bars shine. These eco-friendly, TSA-safe bars nourish your hair with rice water and protein while eliminating bulky plastic bottles. Whether you’re heading on a European river cruise, an expedition voyage, or a Caribbean getaway, these compact bars keep your hair healthy and your packing light.

Tweet

Celebrity River Cruises 2027: Priority Booking Opens September 3 for Danube & Rhine Sailings

 

Luxury cruise lovers, take note—Celebrity Cruises is officially entering the river cruise market, and early access opens soon. Starting September 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM EDT, guests can place a fully refundable $500 deposit to unlock priority booking for Celebrity’s inaugural European river cruise collection, launching in 2027. You can find a link to our river cruise packing list at the end of this post! 

Tweet

Top 10 Viking River Cruise Booking Mistakes (Most River Cruisers Make These!)

Planning a Viking River Cruise? Use this guide to avoid the most common Viking River Cruise booking mistakes so you can book smarter and sail smoother—whether you’re on the Danube, Rhine, Seine, or Grand European Tour.

Tweet

AirFly Pro: The Best Bluetooth Transmitter for River Cruises, Ocean Cruises, and Flights

If you’ve ever tried using your wireless headphones on a plane, a river cruise, or even during a guided excursion, you know how frustrating those outdated headphone jacks can be. That’s where the AirFly Pro comes in—our go-to Bluetooth adapter for travel that we’ve personally used on long-haul flights, in cruise ship cabins, at the gym, and even on European river cruises with QuietVox audio systems.

Whether you're sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises, Uniworld, or AmaWaterways, many ships and tour excursions still rely on wired audio connections. The AirFly Pro solves that by letting you pair your Bluetooth headphones or hearing aids with these systems, wire-free. It's truly the best Bluetooth solution for QuietVox tour systems, in-cabin entertainment, and group tours where you want to stay immersed—together.

Tweet

What to Wear on a Viking River Cruise: Packing Tips and List for the Grand European Tour

Planning what to wear on a Viking River Cruise? Whether you're sailing the Danube, Rhine, or Main aboard a Viking Longship, packing smart is essential for comfort, style, and cultural respect. In this complete guide, we share firsthand tips from our 15-day Grand European Tour—from layering strategies and modesty essentials to anti-theft gear and footwear that works on cobblestones. If you're headed to Budapest, Amsterdam, or anywhere in between, this post will help you pack with confidence and cruise like a pro.  Scroll to the bottom to find our printable packing list. 

And we’ve created a handy Viking River Cruise Packing List with direct links to everything we used and wore! 🧳

Tweet

Viking & AmaWaterways: Extra Costs You Need to Know Before Your River Cruise in 2025

 

Planning a European river cruise soon? Whether you're eyeing the Rhine, Danube, or another iconic waterway, it’s essential to understand the extra costs on river cruises—even with “all-inclusive” lines like Viking and AmaWaterways. We sailed both just weeks apart in 2025, so our observations are current and from direct experience. While some of these expenses may apply to other European river cruise companies too, we’re focusing on what we encountered ourselves. There are always exceptions, so please weigh these as guidelines, not hard rules. Have your own “hidden fee” story from a cruise? Drop it in the comments—we want this to help everyone budget better before boarding.

P.S. A reminder that all proceeds from our YouTube channel and social media are donated to charity. If this post helps you, please give us a thumbs-up or subscribe. Your support makes a difference!

Tweet

Norwegian Escape Haven Aft-Facing Penthouse Suite Review: Huge Balcony, Full Tour & Caribbean Cruise Tips

Thinking about booking a Haven suite on the Norwegian Escape? In this post, we're diving deep into a full review of the Norwegian Escape Haven Aft-Facing Penthouse Suite 12306—complete with video tour, pricing comparison, tips for travelers with medical needs, and our favorite cruise essentials to bring aboard.

Tweet

The Best Travel Umbrella for Cruises and Beyond: Lightweight, Compact & Reliable

When it comes to cruise and travel gear, few things are more underrated than a good umbrella. Sure, many cruise lines provide them—but they’re usually bulky, hard to carry, and require a full hand to hold. Plus, once wet, they’re tough to stash without soaking everything in your bag.

That’s why I always pack my favorite: the Knirps Ultra Light Slim Manual Open Rain Umbrella. It’s hands down the best travel umbrella I’ve found, especially for cruisers, city walkers, and day-trippers who need protection without added bulk.

Cologne, Germany

Tweet