Could there be anything more romantic than a holiday aboard a luxury river cruise ship in France – the country so often referred to as the pays de l’amour? Its glorious scenery, delightful waterways, charming towns and villages, and delicious food and wine all conspire to make France one of the world’s most sensuous destinations for couples. So, if you’re looking for the best romantic and honeymoon river cruises, France is your obvious first choice.
Once you’ve settled on France, it’s time to choose the river cruise itself. Not just any old cruise, but one that will mark your love and seal your relationship, whether you are newlyweds or celebrating an anniversary. To help you choose that perfect river cruise, read on for our top tips on what to consider when choosing your boat and your French river destination.
>>> Check out our selection of river cruises
Romantic river cruise considerations
Since this river cruise is not your average holiday but a unique occasion instead, it pays to spend time thinking about the following:
When to take a romantic river cruise
You’ll want as much time to yourselves as possible, so avoid the busy summer season (July and August) and any school holiday dates. Instead, go for the spring or early autumn, when the temperatures are balmy, destinations less crowded and cruise prices are lower.
How to choose a honeymoon river cruise ship
River cruise ships typically take between 70 and 200 people, making them considerably less crowded than an ocean liner. That said, you may want to go for a smaller ship to keep that feeling of intimacy – easier if there are just 68 other passengers rather than 198.
>>> Find out (much) more about river cruises in France
What’s included in a river cruise activity schedule
If you’re looking for some downtime – perhaps after some hectic wedding preparations – choose a cruise ship with large decks with loungers and a spa. You then have plenty of opportunities to relax while enjoying onshore activities such as sightseeing or a vineyard visit at the same time.
If your romantic or honeymoon river cruise is all about the activities, then go for an itinerary with a full range of things to do and see, both onboard and ashore.
Find the best river cruise suite
When it comes to choosing your suite, think as big as you can afford and book the best suite accordingly. While all suites on river cruises are lovely, nothing beats staying in premium accommodation with Jacuzzi bath, bags of room and wide French balcony. For example, the Grand Suite on the SS Joie de Vivre spreads out to a full 38 square metres.
To get the best deal, book well in advance or take advantage of special offers – sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know about those on French river cruises. And when you book, do mention that it’s your honeymoon/ special anniversary – cruise companies usually include some little extras.
>>> Check out the latest special offers for river cruises
Romantic river cruise dining
You’ll probably be looking for a romantic tête-à-tête for your evening meal, so make sure you book your table beforehand. Ask for a dining room floor plan and request your table – possibly a quiet corner by the window or in a more secluded spot away from other diners.
Inspirational romantic and honeymoon river cruises
Now you know what to look for in the ship, it’s time to choose your itinerary. The French waterways undoubtedly offer plenty of scope for a romantic river cruise along any of them. But to help you pick yours, we’ve summed up the main features of each and highlighted the extra love factor.
Did you know? We’ve partnered with river cruise experts who will be more than happy to create the most romantic river cruise for just you two.
A Seine river cruise
Make your way slowly down or upriver and discover the delights of Paris and Normandy on the way. Highlights include France’s capital, Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny and the seaside resort of Honfleur.
Extra romantic features: Paris floodlit at night with the Eiffel Tower twinkling on the horizon, plus all those uber-intimate nooks and crannies in the City of Love.
>>> Find out more about a romantic cruise on the Seine
A Rhine river cruise
One of the longer European cruise holiday options, a Rhine river cruise, takes you in and out of four countries on its way from Basel in Switzerland to Amsterdam. Highlights include the Black Forest, the city of Strasbourg and Cologne.
Extra romantic features: myriad medieval towns, just made for exploring à deux, delicious Alsace wine and the Rhine Gorge, flanked by fairytale castles.
>>> Find out more about a romantic cruise on the Rhine
A Saone and Rhone river cruise
Take some of Europe’s best wines, add some of its most beautiful scenery and you have this river cruise. Its ports of call take in Beaujolais, Burgundy and Provence with a host of other delights en route.
Extra romantic features: fairytale châteaux, dreamy vineyards around Beaune, the Gorges de l’Ardèches, and a stop at Avignon, perfect for a selfie sur le pont.
>>> Find out more about a romantic cruise on the Saone and Rhone
A Bordeaux river cruise
Bordeaux is, of course, all about the food and wine and makes the perfect choice for a culinary treat. Your itinerary centres around the lovely city of Bordeaux itself before heading down the Garonne Estuary to discover an utterly delicious gourmet world.
Extra romantic features: some of the finest wining and dining in Europe and the chance to taste local aphrodisiacs such as oysters and truffles.
>>> Find out more about a romantic cruise in Bordeaux
A Loire river cruise
Fairytale castles come into their own on this cruise, where you’ll have over 1,000 châteaux within reach. But the longest river in France also takes you to several fine wine areas and plenty of history in Angers and Nantes.
Extra romantic features: the opportunity to toast your significant other with a glass of sparkling Samur and visits to the fabled châteaux (many of which ooze stories of liaisons) and their stunning gardens.
>>> Find out more about a romantic cruise on the Loire
Book your romantic river cruise
If you’re still not sure which boat and waterway will make the perfect romantic and honeymoon cruise for you, get in touch with our expert team.
