If you’ve ever joined or heard about a Trafalgar guided tour, you’ll know that the brand is synonymous with seamless itineraries, genuine cultural experiences, and the travel moments that linger long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase. Now, Trafalgar is setting its sights on a new frontier—river cruising.
Launching in Spring 2026, the brand will introduce two thoughtfully curated journeys along the Danube and Rhine rivers, marking its first foray into the world of cruising. But this isn’t just another river cruise line entering the scene. It’s Trafalgar reimagining river travel the same way it reshaped guided land tours: by putting culture, connection, and comfort at the heart of the journey.
READ: Beyond the tourist path: The difference of Trafalgar’s guided tours
A natural evolution for the experience-led traveller
While the shift to river cruising may seem like a pivot, it’s actually a natural extension of Trafalgar’s long-standing mission: to make travel more immersive and meaningful. The company has earned its reputation by inviting guests beyond the usual tourist spots and into local homes, historic estates, and authentic cultural experiences.
And now, instead of boarding a coach, guests will step onto the Trafalgar Reverie and Trafalgar Verity—two sleek, 128-passenger ships designed for intimate and enriching exploration. With everything from onboard yoga to chef-led baking demos, these cruises blend slow travel with Trafalgar’s signature storytelling flair.
READ: Slow travel: A ‘less is more’ approach to exploring
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Two rivers, countless stories
For history lovers and culture seekers, the 8-day Best of the Danube cruise is a symphony of old-world wonders and warm hospitality, tracing a path from Budapest to Passau aboard the Trafalgar Reverie.
The river cruise begins in Budapest, where guests visit storied landmarks to set the tone for an immersive voyage. In Bratislava, guests are transported back in time through its cobbled streets and medieval spires but the highlight here is personal and poignant: the ‘Life Beyond the Iron Curtain, a Make Travel Matter®’ experience that shares the lived stories of those who navigated the city’s Cold War history.
Vienna offers a more indulgent cultural immersion—from the echo of Mozart in opulent concert halls to its famous café culture. But it’s the exclusive Be My Guest experience that truly defines this leg of the journey, dining at Austria’s oldest winery, Weingut Nikolaihof. Hosted by the Saahs family, whose winemaking tradition spans centuries, guests enjoy a meal paired with exceptional wines and stories passed down through generations.
Those drawn to the Old World charm and elegance may prefer the 10-day Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam, a voyage that marries storied landscapes with intimate cultural encounters. Aboard the Trafalgar Verity, guests will step into a setting that evokes the refined spirit of the 1930s, with rich blue and white fabrics, marble-accented bathrooms, and the kind of boutique hotel elegance that makes coming back on board as delightful as every stop ashore.
Sailing from Basel to Amsterdam, this itinerary offers a curated blend of history, romance, and regional flavor. Highlights include the awe-inspiring Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that towers over the skyline with its Gothic grandeur; the Middle Rhine Gorge, where hilltop castles and vineyard-studded slopes line the riverbanks; and Strasbourg’s picturesque old town, where timber-framed houses and flower-filled canals feel lifted from a fairy tale.
Trafalgar’s signature Be My Guest experience includes a hearty farm-to-table lunch with the Bohrer family at their generations-old farm, offering a taste of regional hospitality and fresh, homegrown produce. The journey also features a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Weinessiggut Doktorenhof, where travelers explore the centuries-old craft of artisanal vinegar-making in the heart of the Palatinate.
Whether you’re a seasoned Trafalgar traveler or simply seeking a richer, slower way to experience Europe, these river cruises offer a new perspective on the continent’s timeless charms designed to connect you to people, places, and traditions that linger long after the journey ends.
Bookings for the 2026 sailings are now open. Space is limited so secure your cabin today at www.trafalgar.com and be among the first to experience Europe’s rivers, the Trafalgar way.
