River Cruises for over 50s and 60s

River Cruise Holidays

TRIED. TRAVELLED. TRUSTED.

A river cruise is an ideal holiday for the over 50s and 60s. Meander along the scenic waterways of Europe, Africa and Asia. Exploring is made easy as river cruise ships can dock directly in the ports they visit, from larger capital cities to smaller remote villages. A river cruise offers a more personal experience, with smaller ships accommodating fewer guests than ocean liners.

At Silver Travel Advisor, we are here to make cruise holidays easy and show the over 50s and 60s why river cruises are a fantastic holiday choice.
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2024-2025 River Cruise Holidays

Below is one of our favourite river cruise holidays. But there are hundreds to choose from.

For more options, search for your perfect river cruise holiday using our cruise finder or call our advisors on 0800 412 5678.

24-01 offers Riviera 1

Amsterdam, Kinderdijk and the Dutch Bulbfields River Cruise

4 nights full board cruise onboard MS Emily Bronte

Cruise itinerary: Amsterdam, Netherlands | Enkhuizen, Netherlands | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Kinderdijk, Netherlands | Keukenhof, Netherlands | Amsterdam, Netherlands

Standard Suite from £1,049pp

Includes:

  • Return economy flights and transfers
  • Five included visits and tours
  • FREE superior drinks package

Valid for departures 02 April 2025

Alternative dates available

Regional departures available

To book or for more information,
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all Silver Travel Advisor on 0800 412 5678.

What our silver travellers say about river cruises

“We’d already enjoyed cruises on the Nile, Rhine and Danube when my husband was more active and the Douro has been on my wish list for several years. Relatively unknown to many, the Douro was wild and unnavigable in places until relatively recently and was only tamed by the construction of dams and locks between 1965 and 1985. I was looking forward to an exciting combination of adventures off the beaten track, visits to vibrant cities and great food and drink.”

Carole Tidball sails the Douro with Emerald Cruises. Read the full article here.

River cruise destinations

Danube River Cruises

Discover a total of ten countries and four European capital cities along the Danube, including Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade.

Douro River Cruises

The spectacular Douro River flows from central Spain into the Portuguese countryside to its mouth in Porto, the second largest city of Portugal.

Dutch & Belgium River Cruises

River cruising Holland and Belgium’s waterways usually begins in Amsterdam and meanders through historic cities and picturesque towns and villages.

Main River Cruises

The main serves as the longest of the Rhine’s tributaries, flowing west from Bavaria through 500km of central Germany’s picture-postcard landscapes.

Moselle River Cruises

Winding along a beautifully scenic valley, the Moselle is also perfectly placed within one of Germany’s most world-renowned wine regions.

Rhine River Cruises

From its source in the Swiss Alps, the Rhine takes you through the heart of Europe, crossing Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Mekong River Cruises

Explore Cambodia and Vietnam along the Mekong River in Asia, passing bustling cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and iconic monuments such as Angkor Wat.

Nile River Cruises

One of the world’s most famous rivers, The Nile, takes guests through the heart of Egypt to discover ancient architecture and cultures.

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Rhone River Cruises

Breathtaking views greet guests along the Rhone as it winds from the Alps, through Lake Geneva and onto south-east France to the Mediterranean.

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North America River & Lake Cruises

North America has a wealth of waterways to explore, from the mighty Mississippi to the great lakes of Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario.

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River Cruise FAQs

River cruise lines don’t claim to compete with ocean cruises, so the two can’t be compared. Yes, river vessels are relatively small but still pack a punch. From sun decks, heated swimming pools, spas, boutiques, putting greens, and some carrying cycles onboard, there’s plenty to keep you entertained between ports. Similarly, cabins are well equipped with excellent facilities and feel like a high-end hotel.

Read Switching to river cruising – a first-time river cruiser’s view – Silver Travel Advisor for an honest appraisal of river cruising by an experienced ocean cruiser.

River cruises include almost everything during your holiday, so they may appear costly compared to a hotel holiday. Most are all-inclusive, meaning that all food, drinks and excursions are included in the fare. Guests feel pampered as the staff-to-guest ratio is high, the ships dock centrally, and most river cruises have items such as WiFi and additional entertainment, which is often an added extra on ocean cruises. The river cruise market is competitive, with good deals to be had. We like to think of river cruising as good value for the price.
Yes! River cruising is great for solo travellers as it is amicable and welcoming. Fewer passengers are onboard than on ocean cruise lines, making mixing and mingling easy. With something new to explore every day and a feeling of ‘we’re in it together, you’ll also find some cruise lines have voyages dedicated to solo passengers. Additionally, you’ll find lines such as Riviera Travel offering a range of voyages with no or reduced supplements.
Traditionally appealing to those over 50s and 60s, some river cruise lines such as A-ROSA have made a conscious effort to attract families by introducing facilities including a Kids Club. They also offer free child places, and A-ROSA ships have family rooms and adjoining rooms specifically targeted to the family market. Every day offers something new, and proximity to cities and attractions means no lengthy journeys for easily bored teens. Cruise lines and ships vary; our team can discuss family-friendly options to help make the right choice.

The beauty of a river cruise is that whilst sailing is at a leisurely pace, the size of the ship and guest numbers complement the feeling of relaxation. The ability to immerse yourself into the destination and culture is unrivalled. There’s an obvious appeal to the major European rivers, the Danube, Rhine, Duoro and Seine, which are close to the UK and packed with stunning scenery and cities. Christmas Markets cruises are notoriously popular.

However, some of our favourite voyages are the iconic Nile, mighty Mekong and the Amazon; they define the spirit of adventure and travel from a bygone era. These destinations lend themselves to cruise and stay holidays making the most of the river and the wider continent.

Food plays a significant role in river cruising onboard and ashore. Cruise lines such as CroisiEurope serve high-end French food and are one of several river cruise companies offering food and drink- themed voyages. Typically breakfast and lunch are buffet style, with server service at dinner. Most river cruise lines are all-inclusive, including beer and wines.

Read more here: Culinary traditions and fine cruising on European rivers with Scenic – Silver Travel Advisor.

Bad weather can affect any type of holiday; it’s true that high or low waters, wind and fog may impact a river cruise holiday. However, the vast majority of river cruises sail successfully. Due to the nature of river cruise itineraries, it is usually much easier to transport guests to planned ports or cities. The cruise lines often have a plan B ready for the initiative in bad weather.

If you’re considering a European river cruise, it’s impossible to predict water levels. However, the early and late seasons will see cooler temperatures with less traffic on the river and fewer tourists in the cities than in the summer months. These months are also likely to be when you find special offers.

Each season will bring something different; European river Christmas cruises are spectacular and popular, so early booking is recommended. Further afield, if you’re looking for a luxurious river cruise on the longest river in the world – the Nile – then we’d recommend travelling between October and April when the weather is not too hot. For the Mekong you should cruise during the dry season from November to April, with the optimum months from December to February.

Weather is just one element when deciding what river cruise is right for you; for more information, read How to Choose Your Perfect River Cruise – Silver Travel Advisor.

River Cruise Articles

Featured articles For more ideas, inspiration and advice on river cruising, you might also like to take a look at articles from our travel writers on their adventures:
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