Most European river cruises travel through towns or countryside renowned for good food and fine wines.

Small wonder the ships of the major lines have had to ensure they are serving the best in their restaurants. There is a lot of competition in food cruises.

Today, when gourmet food tours are such a hot item, river cruise lines have started offering special food itineraries that highlight diverse and unique gastronomies. 

For gourmands, aspiring chefs, and foodies who are planning to take a river cruise next year, here’s a list of food-themed cruises that you may want to consider. 

1. Wines of the Moselle (Emerald Cruises) 

Scheduled for August 2022, Emerald Cruises offers this journey from Mainz to Bernkastel that will take you to the Moselle Valley – a region popular for its wine-making history. 

Included in this wine-themed itinerary are tours of notable wine estates, perfectly paired with exclusive tasting sessions, along with guided excursions of towns. 

Emerald Cruises perfectly describes this cruise for wine aficionados: 

“Visit the Schloss Vollrads wine estate and taste its outstanding Riesling whilst learning of their 800 years of knowledge and tradition. You’ll also discover Eberbach Abbey’s 900 years of viniculture, enjoy a hike through the vineyards of a family-owned wine estate in Koblenz, and attend an insightful on board presentation, all while admiring the passing views of the picturesque, sun-drenched terraced hillsides which make the Moselle so charming.”

Rates start at AU$4480 per person.

More details here

2. Flavours of Bordeaux and Scenic Culinaire (Scenic) 

Scenic offers this 11-day gastronomic cruise that highlights the elegant cuisine of Bordeaux. 

Guests can explore the vineyards of Sauternes and taste the Franc Cru Classe wines of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, then head on to Lillet – the classic aperitif and delight in a truffle dinner. 

Food photographers are in for a treat as the cruise visits the Saint-Émilion wine region and learn the art of culinary photography. 

As a bonus, all guests have exclusive after-hours access to Les Bassins de Lumières art installation. 

Scenic recently introduced Scenic Culinaire, where guests of Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Diamond can participate in cooking experience onboard. 

This highlight is available for Bordeaux and Rhône cruises, where onboard chefs allow guests to participate in cooking classes featuring the finest local ingredients. 

All Scenic Culinaire cruises include a live camera and screen so guests can better enjoy the experience. 

And, of course, guests can participate in the tastings and samplings after every class. 

Rates start at AU$8275.

More details here

3. German Grandeur for Beer Enthusiasts (Avalon Waterways) 

For beer lovers, this special interest cruise from Avalon Waterways will immerse you to an authentic German and French river experience highlighted with beer tasting, pairings and lectures from beverage experts onboard. 

Set to sail next year on Avalon Suite Ship®, the cruise will take guests to Bamber for a guided walking tour of the historic home to imperial dynasties and a hop garden tour while tasting a local beer. 

Rates start at AU$4997.

More details here  

4. Savouring France: Paris, Lyon & Provence (Tauck) 

Tauck offers this 10-day river cruise that highlights the delicate flavours of France as part of its food-themed cruises. 

Scheduled from April to October 2022, guests are in for a parade of the food-themed itinerary:

  • a pastry class at Le Cordon Bleu Paris
  • a Parisian food walking tour where you can visit a pastry shop, creperie, and a wine or champagne bar
  • provençal  lunch at a private ranch in La Camargue
  • reception and dinner at Fouquet’s on the Champs-Elysées in Paris
  • a walking tour of historic Vieux Lyon, and private wine tastings in Beaujolais and Châteaneuf-du-Pape

This food cruise culminates in a cooking demonstration and a wine and cheese tasting at an award-winning cooking school in Valence. 

The cruise covers six French cities – Paris, Arles, Lyon, Roussillon, Viviers and Avignon. 

Rates start at AU$6700 per person.

More details here

5. Magna on the Danube (AmaWaterways) 

Food and wine writer Hana-Lee S. cited AmaWaterways’ Danube Cruise as a “must for discerning palates”. 

Aboard the AmaMagna, the foodie had the chance to enjoy unique flavours in four countries – Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. 

In an article published in Connections, Hana-Lee shares her top recommendations: 

Vilshofen, Germany: The Oktoberfest celebration was a fun way to kick things off and get to know people on the ship. You can’t go wrong with beer and pretzels!

Dürnstein, Austria: We did AmaWaterways’ “Apricots and Sweets Tasting” Special Interest Tour. Dürnstein was so charming. The apricots were incredible, and the jams and liqueur they made had the most delicious and flavorful apricot taste.

The food writer also relished cuisines in Vienna where they went to the famous Hotel Sacher for Sacher-Torta and tea, and then in Budapest where she tried a flatbread called langos with meat and cheese “piled a mile high”. 

The seven-day cruise sails from Budapest to Vilshofen and now accepts early bookings for 2022 and 2023 voyages. 

6. Tastes of Southern France (Scenic) 

Southern France is famous for its beautiful countryside, amazing architecture and delicious cuisine. 

This eleven-day Scenic cruise focuses on the best culinary highlights this region has to offer, from the finest wines of Beaujolais to the gastronomic capital of Lyon.

One of the highlights is a visit to the restaurant of the acclaimed chef, Georges Blanc for a cooking demonstration. 

Alternatively, guests can shop with a chef on a guided visit to a local food market, before visiting Scenic Culinaire.

Rates start at AU$8325 per person.

More details here

7. A Portrait of Majestic France (Uniworld) 

Uniworld offers this quintessential food-themed cruise perfect for gourmets, oenophiles and lover of all things French.

The 15-day cruise will take you to the beautiful Bordeaux to admire the picturesque countryside of southwest France and immerse through a land of noble wines, tasting the flavours of the region as you go. 

Private excursions are available, which includes a private wine tasting of famous famous Médoc and Sauternes wines as you cruise four rivers. 

Ratest start at AU$8916.

More details here