With the devaluing New Zealand dollar, how do you navigate to find the best value European river cruising?

By Robyn Galloway

Now the early bird season for multiple cruise companies is here, it can be a bit confusing with the various offers out there, as to which company actually offers the best deal for you. A number of companies offer fly free or have airfare subsidies, however you really do need to investigate the bottom line cruise price, to see what the final offer really does include and actual cost per day.

CroisiEurope is a French family owned company, with over 40 years' experience on rivers, with competent crews. With over 200,000 passengers per year departing on over 50 ships, there is still a wonderful relaxed on board European atmosphere. When you drill down and see the actual CroisiEurope inclusions, it is pretty amazing! The one up price from NZ 265 per day/per person share twin, on a 19 day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest actually includes an open bar, all sightseeing and incredible gourmet meals with full table service. Some other companies offer just wine and beer with meals.  

Aboard CroisiEurope there is no need to purchase additional alcohol packages as the "open bar" includes a wonderful selection of wine including: red, rose and white wines, local beers, spirits (yes even the gin and tonics are included!), cocktails and aperitifs.

There are two styles of ships, the standard 3.5 star ships which are very comfortable and refurbished. Or there are now a number of Premium ships, which are more of a 4.5 star standard, with top deck full windows in the french balcony window style (able to be fully opened). This Premium ships start from $375 pp/per day for an 8 day Douro Cruise ex Porto.

If you are a frequent, more independent traveller who has never considered a river cruise, maybe consider CroisiEurope, who have a true European atmosphere on board, and berth centrally in old cities and towns along the many rivers of Europe. Your hotel moves, you don't have to keep packing and unpacking, making it a relaxed holiday.

Try out a 7 or 8 day cruise for starters maybe in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany or Belgium, along with many other rivers, and make it part of your holiday mix. If you would like to know more visit, our CroisiEurope page.