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The Seine river with Alexandre III bridge and Eiffel Tower in the background

River Cruises for First Timers

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New to river cruising and not sure it's for you? (We won't hold it against you!) These short cruises are the perfect length for testing the waters...

If you're considering dipping your toe into river cruising, then our short 3-4 night cruises are perfect for you. Expect total relaxation on board our luxurious ships, expect to loosen your belt with our delicious fine dining, and expect to be amazed learning about little-known wonders with insightful local guides… in short, expect to have a fabulous break. 

And, of course, you'll enjoy unbeatable value on these river cruises, which includes luxury accommodation, full-board fine dining, a free Superior drinks package, flights from your local airport at no extra cost (or Eurostar on our Seine cruise), transfers, the services of a wonderful Riviera Cruise Director looking after you throughout and all excursions with local guides.  

Trust us, you’re going to love it. 

Enjoy a free drinks package on all our European river cruises

Enjoy drinks on us on your next river cruise. Savour the views along the riverbank and toast your holiday with like-minded explorers after another fascinating adventure ashore.

Find your perfect cruise

An image of two ships crossing the Seine River, during the day

River Cruise

Paris & Seine Discovery River Cruise

New

  • France
  • 5* ship
  • Flights included
  • Rail included
  • Full board, plus Chef’s Dinner
  • 2 included experiences
  • Return Eurostar, TGV & transfers
4 days from
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Unbeatable value, which always includes

  • Flights with no regional supplements & transfers
  • Five-star ships with impeccable on-board service
  • Spacious cabins with windows
  • Insightful excursions & visits with local guides
  • Expert Riviera Cruise Director looking after you throughout
  • Evening entertainment from quizzes to impressive performers
  • Full board dining
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • 20kg+ luggage allowance
  • 24/7 support from our UK-based team

Useful information for first time river cruises

Why River Cruise

To us, every river cruise is a chance to share our favourite places with our favourite people - and we've gotten pretty good at planning the perfect trip.

Discover what to expect on a river cruise

Meet Our River Cruise Team

Your Riviera Travel experience starts from the moment you speak to our friendly reservations team.

Meet our river cruise team
Aerial of Budapest city with view of the the Danube river in Hungary

River Cruise Onshore Experiences

We plan our itineraries to ensure we're catering to those interests that make a culture unique. Perfecting every excursion to ensure you get the most out of your onshore adventures.

Read more about river cruise onshore experiences

From the blog

My First Time on a River Cruise

First-hand account from a Riviera staff member on their first river cruise. From life onboard to onshore adventures, it was a voyage of surprises and delights.

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Myth-busting River Cruising: 13 Common Misconceptions

We’re busting some of the most prevalent myths surrounding river cruises from and breaking down your preconceptions.

Read more
Mature couples looking around old town Italy as evening draws in. Little lights can be seen outside of the buildings.

What to Wear on a River Cruise

Banish the ballgown and tuxedos – enjoy a more informal holiday with our helpful guide to what to wear on a river cruise in Europe.

Read more
An image of two ships crossing the Seine River, during the day

Request a Riviera Brochure

With a wide range of holidays to choose from, it might be hard to pick just one. Start planning your next holiday with our latest brochures. Simply click the brochure you'd like to receive and fill in your details. You'll receive your selection in 3-5 working days, free of charge.

View our brochures