Small-Group European River Cruises & Croatia Small-Ship Cruises

For over 17 years, Steve and Linda of The Traveling Professor have helped travelers experience Europe in a more personal, comfortable, and welcoming way. Our European river cruises and small-ship cruises are designed especially for adults 50+, solo travelers, couples, and friends who appreciate excellent accommodations, thoughtfully planned itineraries, and the pleasure of traveling with a friendly group of like-minded people.

Whether you are traveling on your own or with a companion, you will enjoy the reassurance of Traveling Professor personal service before and during your journey, along with the comfort and quality of carefully selected cruise experiences.

With us, it’s not just about the places you go. It’s about the people you meet along the way.

“I never expected to come home with so many new travel friends.”
— Susan H, 

2027 Cruise Dates & Departures

Tulip Time River Cruise – Amsterdam, Belgium, and the Netherlands
April 2027

Tulip Time River Cruise – Amsterdam, Belgium, and the Netherlands

Prague to Budapest River Cruise with No Single Supplement
October/November 2027

Prague to Budapest River Cruise with No Single Supplement

Switzerland and Rhine Castles Christmas Markets River Cruise
December 2027

Switzerland and Rhine Castles Christmas Markets River Cruise

Explore Our 2027 European River Cruises

Tulip Time River Cruise – Amsterdam, Belgium, and the Netherlands April 2027

Experience spring in Europe on this 8-day Amsterdam round-trip river cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium. Sail aboard elegant AmaSiena and visit Keukenhof Gardens, Kinderdijk, Bruges, Ghent, and Delft. With blooming tulips, canals, windmills, and enriching excursions, this cruise blends luxury, culture, and the comfort of a well-planned small-group experience.

Prague to Budapest River Cruise with No Single Supplement

Begin with a memorable stay in Prague, the “Golden City of a Hundred Spires,” then sail the legendary Danube through the heart of Europe from Germany to Hungary aboard a luxury AmaWaterways river cruise. Enjoy included excursions in remarkable destinations such as Regensburg, Salzburg, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest, along with cultural experiences like a Czech beer tasting and pretzel bakery workshop. With elegant onboard comfort, scenic river views, expert planning, and Traveling Professor personal service, this Prague to Budapest river cruise is an easy and enriching way to experience Central Europe.

Switzerland and Rhine Castles Christmas Markets River Cruise December 2027

Celebrate the holiday season on this enchanting Switzerland and Rhine Castles Christmas Markets River Cruise. Explore beloved Christmas markets in cities such as Cologne, Strasbourg, and Rüdesheim, where festive lights, decorated old towns, seasonal treats, and warm mugs of glühwein create a magical atmosphere. With AmaWaterways luxury, guided excursions, and beautiful winter scenery along the Rhine, this cruise offers a festive European holiday experience.

Explore Our 2028 European River Cruises

Blue Danube Discovery River Cruise – Budapest to Germany
May 2028

Blue Danube Discovery River Cruise – Budapest to Germany

Paris to Normandy on the Seine River
September 2028

Paris to Normandy on the Seine River

Enticing Douro River Cruise Through Portugal
September/October 2028

Enticing Douro River Cruise Through Portugal

Iconic Christmas Markets River Cruise
November/December 2028

Iconic Christmas Markets River Cruise

Croatia Small Ship Cruise
Coming in 2028

Croatia Small Ship Cruise

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2027 and 2028

Get Our 26-Page Color Travel Brochure

2028 AmaWaterways River Cruises

Blue Danube Discovery River Cruise – Budapest to Germany May 2028

Sail the legendary Danube on this 7-night AmaWaterways cruise through some of Central Europe’s most beautiful and historic destinations. Explore cities and riverside towns in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany while enjoying included excursions, scenic river views, regional cuisine, and the relaxed comfort that makes luxury river cruising such a rewarding way to travel.

Paris and Normandy River Cruise on the Seine September 2028

Discover the beauty, history, and culture of northern France on this memorable AmaWaterways Seine River cruise. From Paris to Normandy, enjoy charming towns, historic landmarks, Monet’s gardens, regional cuisine, and meaningful excursions, including the famous D-Day beaches. It is a wonderful blend of French scenery, cultural richness, and unforgettable historical significance.

Enticing Douro River Cruise Through Portugal September/October 2028

Experience the beauty of Portugal on this unforgettable AmaWaterways cruise through the Douro Valley. Sail past terraced vineyards and hillside villages, explore Porto, enjoy wine tastings at local quintas, and discover the rich culture and cuisine of the region. This journey offers a relaxed and scenic way to experience one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers.

Iconic Christmas Markets River Cruise on the Danube November/December 2028

Celebrate the season on this festive 7-night AmaWaterways Danube cruise between Budapest and Nuremberg. Visit some of Europe’s most beloved Christmas markets, where twinkling lights, handcrafted gifts, seasonal treats, and old-world traditions fill historic squares in grand capitals and charming towns. It is a delightful way to experience Europe during the holiday season.

Croatia Small Ship Cruise 2028

Sail the sparkling Adriatic from Split to Dubrovnik on this 8-day Croatia small ship cruise. Visit Hvar, Korčula, Mljet, and Pučišća while enjoying guided touring, swimming stops, wine and olive oil tastings, local cuisine, and time in beautiful coastal villages. Boutique comfort, ensuite cabins, and personalized service make this a memorable journey. 

AmaWaterways River Cruise FAQs

AmaWaterways European river cruises include your stateroom, daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine at breakfast, and a daily cocktail hour. Guests also enjoy a variety of included shore excursions in port, such as guided walking tours, bike rides, and other sightseeing experiences, along with many onboard amenities like Wi-Fi, fitness facilities, entertainment, and complimentary use of bicycles on many ships. In short, AmaWaterways offers a highly inclusive river cruise experience with very few extra onboard costs.

Each cruise web page has a link which makes booking easy and quick.  Our booking system lets you see what payments have been made, when future payments are due, and allows you to add extras like travel insurance.  

We have a generous refund policy detailed on our General Guidelines and Conditions for Traveling Professor AmaWaterways Cruises page. 

Airfare is not included. However, we are happy to advise you on selecting the best air itinerary for your trip. While airfare can be booked through AmaWaterways, we generally recommend purchasing directly with the airline for greater flexibility and control over your reservation.

An AmaWaterways pre-cruise tour typically includes accommodations in carefully selected 4- or 5-star hotels that are centrally located, allowing you to comfortably explore the destination with easy access to major sights, restaurants, and local attractions. Daily breakfast is included, along with guided sightseeing led by professional local guides to help you make the most of your time before the cruise begins. All transportation is arranged for you, including a seamless transfer from your hotel directly to the ship on embarkation day, so there is no need to manage logistics on your own. These packages are designed to provide a smooth, comfortable start to your journey while offering a deeper and more relaxed introduction to your destination.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended.  A travel insurance policy is needed for health and/or accident expenses.  Emergency evacuation can cover expenses to return home for health care.  We strongly recommend trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your financial investment.

Traveling Professor guests receive the same full AmaWaterways cruise experience as every other passenger. The staterooms are the same, the dining is the same, the included excursions are the same, and the high level of professional service provided by AmaWaterways is the same.

The difference is that our travelers also enjoy the personal service, responsive support, advantageous pricing, and camaraderie that come with traveling as part of The Traveling Professor group.

Just as importantly, you are never required to stay with the group. You may choose any included excursion you wish, whether or not other Traveling Professor guests select the same one. You may dine with members of our group or enjoy a meal on your own. You may participate in group activities whenever you like, or spend your time completely independently.

In other words, you have the best of both worlds: the freedom to enjoy your AmaWaterways cruise exactly the way you want, plus the option of traveling with a friendly, like-minded group whenever you choose.

The Traveling Professor goes above and beyond to help travelers feel welcome, informed, comfortable, and fully prepared before departure. We assist with important details such as selecting the most suitable stateroom, offering guidance on air travel planning, explaining what to expect during both the pre-cruise tour and the cruise itself, and providing practical advice on packing and trip preparation. When appropriate, we may also help introduce travelers before the trip so the experience feels more familiar and enjoyable from the very beginning. Our goal is to make the entire process smoother, easier, and more personal for every traveler. It is this added layer of personal attention, on top of the excellent professional service provided by AmaWaterways, that makes a Traveling Professor cruise especially distinctive.

AmaWaterways excursions are designed to be highly inclusive. In most cases, the guided tours offered in each port are included in the cruise fare, along with professional local guides, entrance fees to featured attractions, and transportation when needed. Guests may often choose from different excursion options based on activity level and interest, and bicycles are also included for guided rides or independent use on many sailings. This gives travelers the flexibility to enjoy sightseeing, cultural experiences, and active touring without paying extra for each excursion.

Airfare, travel insurance, gratuities (unless specified), personal expenses are not included.

Absolutely not. You are free to choose the excursions and activities that interest you and enjoy them with our group or on your own. The same flexibility applies to meals—you are always welcome to dine with our friendly group, but you are never required to do so. It is your vacation, and you can enjoy it your way.

Croatia Small Ship Cruise FAQs

This is a genuine small-group experience with approximately 20–34 travelers onboard, creating a comfortable, relaxed, and naturally social atmosphere.

The group typically includes a mix of couples, solo travelers, and friends, creating a welcoming environment where it’s easy to connect with like-minded travelers. We are also happy to share, upon request, an overview of how many solo and accompanied travelers are expected on this cruise.

Unlike large ocean cruise ships, our small ship stays close to shore, island-hopping through the Adriatic to beautiful places such as Korčula, Hvar, Bol, and Vis, while also including time in vibrant Dubrovnik. The experience is far more relaxed, with daytime cruising only, frequent stops at crystal-clear coves for swimming, and evenings spent docked in port rather than sailing overnight.  It's a totally relaxed and comfortable experience.

Airfare is not included.  However, we can advise you on an air itinerary. 

Travel insurance is absolutely necessary.  A travel insurance policy is needed for health and/or accident expenses.  Emergency evacuation can cover expenses to return home for health care.  We strongly recommend trip cancellation/interruption insurance to protect your financial investment. 

Yes. All listed tours, excursions, and cultural experiences are included. Depending on the itinerary, this may include guided walking tours, wine and olive oil tastings, a traditional Croatian konoba dinner in the countryside, visits to national parks, guided sightseeing, onboard entertainment, and opportunities for activities such as kayaking and swimming.

We cruise only a few hours at a time during the day and remain close to shore, with the Croatian islands helping to buffer winds and rougher water. This is not an open-sea cruise, so the likelihood of seasickness is very low. In fact, after more than 15 Croatia cruises, we have not had a single traveler report seasickness.

Beyond the ancient cities of Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia is a country of more than 1,200 islands, some remote and peaceful, others lively and well populated. Along the way, our itinerary may include the old-world charm of Korčula, the energy of Hvar, the quiet beauty of Trstenik, the stone-masonry heritage of Pučišća, and the natural splendor of Mljet. Because the captain has flexibility, the route may also be adjusted when appropriate to take advantage of weather conditions and help avoid crowds.

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