In last week’s blog post we looked at the best wine-related river cruises available at the moment, but this is not the only theme behind many of the trips we have to offer. In the last few years, there has been a rise in river cruise operators providing themed journeys for their passengers to enjoy in order to spark an interest with a certain type of passenger.

These cruises which focus on a specific subject have become quite popular to the point that more and more are being added every year and a more varied choice of themes is being implemented. So now that you are aware of some of the best wine river cruises we have, what other topics have also got river trips dedicated to them?

Music River Cruises –

Music is a big influence on many people’s lives and we all have our own tastes, but when you meet someone who enjoys the same style there is an instant connection. Whether you find delight in the soft and genial melodies of classical music or you prefer the heavy riffs and piercing guitar solos of rock, music has been dividing and connecting us for thousands of years.

Anyone who is a fan of the aforementioned classical symphonies may be drawn to a ‘Melodies of the Danube’ cruise offered by AmaWaterways. This includes a visit to the cultural playground of Vienna; birthplace of Mozart, Johan Strauss and Schubert and a home to Beethoven, to name but a few famous composers with a Viennese link. However, those more at ease listening to the dulcet tones of the King himself are sure to enjoy a Lower Mississippi Cruise, offered by the American Queen Steamboat Company and taking you right through Elvis country from Memphis to New Orleans.

Beer River Cruises –

Beer themed river cruises can offer a more refined alternative to the traditional booze up in (insert an Eastern European city here) whilst still providing plenty of opportunities to sample more than a few local brews.

During the ‘Tulips and Beer’ river cruise offered onboard AmaLyra, passengers will get the chance to explore five different breweries, enjoy a delicious dinner where each course is paired with a different beer, and take part in a tasting session hosted by professional beer writer, drinker and speaker - Don Russell. You will be taken on a round trip of the Dutch and Belgian waterways from Amsterdam and will also include a detailed look at the classic, windmill-laden landscapes you pass through.

Art River Cruises –

For those potential travellers who are looking for something that that is really culturally immersive, perhaps an intriguing art themed cruise from AmaWaterways is the perfect choice.

The trip includes a visit to Monet’s home and gardens in Givenchy (pictured left), a look around the Musee d'Orsay in Paris and will pass through the quiet French town of Auvers-Sur-Oise where many 19th century artists, including Van Gogh, lived and worked for a period of time. You will sail on a roundtrip from Paris, travelling on the Seine through Normandy and revelling in all sorts of artistic delights along the way.

Jewish Heritage River Cruises –

Jewish Heritage tours are the perfect example of how much these themed sailings have been diversified in recent years and will provide a very insightful look into Jewish history regardless of your religious beliefs.

Avalon offers a cruise of this kind which takes guests on a cultural journey along the Danube, focussing on a variety of different museums, monuments and traditions that harbour Jewish importance. For example, you will be able to look around Europe’s largest synagogue in Budapest, walk the streets of Prague’s Jewish quarter and even have the chance to meet a Holocaust survivor in Salzburg.

For those who prefer Rhine river cruises to those on the Danube, AmaWaterways offer their own trips dedicated to this theme including the ‘The Enchanting Rhine’ itinerary.

Christmas River Cruises –

Christmas may be more of a season than a theme but it is a great time of year to experience a specific kind of river cruise. With so much happening in Europe during this period, there is a wealth of different itineraries available that all aim to bring about some festive cheer inside everyone who steps aboard.

Now is the perfect time to book a Christmas river cruise, allowing you to plan your trip before the most popular choices are fully booked and leaving you with plenty of time to save up some spending money. Options include the ‘Christmas Markets’ tour from Luftner cruises and the ‘Christmas Time Cruise’ offering from AmaWaterways.

The former sails on the Rhine from Cologne to Basel and will give passengers the chance to experience a variety of different festive markets and grab some last minute presents. Conversely, the later takes in the sights of the delightful Danube from Nuremberg to Budapest and allows guests to try traditional festive treats in a range of European cities during a time when they are beautifully decorated for the season. In addition to this, there is also the chance to experience an ‘illuminations cruise’ along Budapest’s quaintly-lit river front.

If any of these exciting theme cruises catches your eye then you can contact a member of our team on the number at the top of the page to book or request further information. And as this type of river cruise continues to grow in popularity, there are sure to be more and more topical tours added in the future by the top cruise operators.