From the fantastic range of remarkable rivers to the wide selection of sailings per season, choosing when to book your river cruise can be difficult. Add in cruise line promotions, summer sales and last-minute bargains and it can be hard to see just when to book to ensure you get the best deal with great savings.
So, whether you are planning months ahead or looking for a last-minute river cruise, here are our tips for booking your holiday at the best time for you.
Booking as soon as you decide on your river cruise package has its advantages. You can reserve your perfect room with a luxurious balcony window and plan some of your favourite excursions, leaving no stone unturned and ensuring the very best choices for your river cruise.
Booking early also offers benefits of its own, sometimes including exclusive room upgrades for early-bookers, single traveller discounts for those looking for a solo river cruise, and even discounts for young family members – meaning you will have more to spend on excursions and experiences during your much-awaited river cruise.
Many cruise lines announce their itineraries 12 to 18 months in advance, usually at their lowest pricing tier, meaning you can get a great deal with luxurious amenities, accommodations and first pick of the exciting excursions offered on board.
For those who are a little more flexible as to when and where they travel, you can grab a good deal by hanging on and waiting for special savings and promotions released throughout the year. Typically, cruise lines may reduce prices or offer additional savings to fill unsold cabins, particularly within 60–90 days of departure.
Though this can save you money in the long run, river cruises typically sell out earlier than ocean cruises, so waiting for a last-minute sailing does risk you losing out on certain luxuries like specific accommodation types, excursion availability and even the length of your river cruise.
However, if you are feeling a little adventurous, last-minute bookings are fantastic. We recommend staying on the lookout for a last-minute river cruise deal around 6-8 weeks before departure, particularly during the shoulder seasons such as late March or November. With less time to wait until you set sail, last-minute bookings are an exciting option.
If you find yourself daydreaming about drifting along the Danube or meandering on the Moselle, your best bet is to cruise at the time of year that is best for that specific river.
The Danube is most popular between April and October, followed by the exciting festive season in late November and December. The summer months are hot and crowded as school holidays, warmer weather and longer days draw in the tourists, with this turning to a manageable chill in the later months, perfect for seasonal shoppers and lovers of Christmas markets. See signature wooden stalls laden with cinnamon-scented mulled wine and twinkling lights pop-up along the riverbanks.
Late spring and early autumn are peak seasons for a Moselle river cruise, in time for the bloom and harvest of the vineyards. In the winter months, enjoy an enchanting journey through the Christmas markets, with shorter days but plenty of festive magic.
For those looking to book a river cruise for a certain time of year, seasonal sailings offer some of the most unexpected destinations for you to discover. For a winter sun river cruise escape, a cruise along the Nile is perfect from October to April, as the temperatures are a little cooler and far more pleasant when exploring the sights.
Summertime can be a busy season for river cruising, with many people opting to travel the between these months. If you are willing to travel that little bit further, however, explore more under-the-radar river cruise destinations like Southeast Asia along the Mekong.
As multi-generational cruising continues to be a growing trend for river cruises, you could even take the family away during the school holidays and explore Europe with your loved ones. There is an abundance of choice across the region, from immersive itineraries along the Rhine to enriching experiences along Portugal’s ‘River of Gold’, the Douro. Many cities and towns throughout Europe are family-friendly and offer plenty of sight-seeing opportunities that teach of the cultures and history of each port you dock in.
Whether it is a last-minute getaway or a long-awaited holiday of luxury and indulgence, booking a river cruise is thrilling and exciting. Plan your river cruise along some of the world’s most immersive waterways and prepare to fall in love with each destination, regardless of when you travel.
Browse our latest sailings, whether you’re looking to sail away sooner or later! For any further information or assistance relating to your river cruise, call our Cruise Concierge team on 0808 258 1427 for award-winning advice and customer service to guide your booking..
