Themed river cruises focus on a particular hobby or interest to offer an itinerary aimed at bringing like-minded people together. You can pretty much guarantee that everyone on the river cruise is going to be passionate about whatever the theme is and so you immediately have a basis for striking up a conversation and starting new friendships.

As for the themes, there is everything from Christmas market cruises to cruises that visit places associated with Jewish history and heritage. Here are a few great examples of themed river cruises sailing in 2017.

Music

This particular music themed river cruise travels from Basel to Amsterdam and includes classical performances both on and off the ship. Travelling on the most luxurious ship in the Amadeus fleet, you will visit a variety of ports along the Rhine whilst visiting interesting ports such as Strasbourg, Cologne and Rüdesheim. Highlights in port will include an organ recital at the famous St. Thomas Church in Strasbourg and a look around Beethoven’s childhood home in Bonn. On board, there will be a musical tea party to enjoy and an exclusive performance from the Stuttgarter symphonic music ensemble. The specific music themed cruise itinerary departs on the 24th of October 2017.

Food

France possibly has one of the most renowned cuisines in the world and this gourmet river cruise will give you the chance to taste some of its delights. Whilst you will be cruising along the Rhone River, it also includes a pre-cruise stay in Paris where you will attend a patisserie and pastry masterclass. After transferring to Lyon via high-speed train, you will continue your culinary crusade with a spectacular dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant before moving on to Viviers for wine tasting and Valence for cheese tasting. Other foodie activities will present themselves throughout your trip, including the opportunity to sample a banquet of Provençal specialities in La Camargue.

Royalty

If you are looking for a royal river cruise that can offer experiences fit for a king or queen, this is the trip for you. Select departures (June 7th, 21st; July 19th; August 2nd, 16th) of this European Jewels itinerary are subtitled ‘The Monarch Collection’ and feature a range of Uniworld’s exclusive activities that showcase royalty in a variety of different countries. As you sail between Budapest and Amsterdam, you will experience a behind the scenes tour of Vienna Riding School – which breeds horses for Austrian royalty – and meet a modern day princess who will welcome you into her castle.

Wine and Port

Most Douro river cruises will give you the chance to taste the world famous port made in this part of the world, but this wine themed river cruise will allow you to sample some of the other wine produced here too. You will start and finish in Porto, exploring the charming towns and villages that line the banks of this increasingly popular waterway. Quintas (wine estates) in Régua and Pinhão will open their doors to you for tasting sessions and meals featuring traditional Portuguese delights, and there will be plenty more wine flowing on board your ship. Wine themed sailings of this itinerary take place on 8th July; 5th, 12th August; 4th November.

Hiking

Many river cruise lines are adding more and more active excursions to their itineraries, but if you really love hiking then this is the cruise for you. This walking river cruise with CroisiEurope allows you to trek throughout the Gironde region and Dordogne River in France. Two to three-hour walks will be planned every day, so you can head off to explore the area and enjoy some leisurely exercise in the process. If, however you need a day off, there is also a non-hiking programme which involves different activities. Those who do choose to set off on foot will be rewarded and refuelled with wine tastings and the chance to sample some delicious delicacies from the Bordeaux region. The one departure for this cruise in 2017 takes place on the 3rd of July – call us for more details.

If you would like more information on any of these themed river cruises, and many more that we can offer, call our friendly team today. There are so many passions that can be indulged as part of an exciting European river cruise.