Much of river cruising’s appeal is the ability to dock right in the heart of your destination, giving you even more time to explore. River cruise ships will either dock directly into their own berth, in the case of Viking River Cruises for example, or will berth alongside other river cruise ships and simply walk through them to go ashore, something that takes just a few minutes.

Once ashore, guests will have the option of exploring independently or joining one of the day’s guided tour excursions. An excellent crew-to-guest ratio means that you will always receive an attentive service from your guide, with passengers divided into smaller groups to ensure that you can make the most of your time ashore.

All river cruise lines recommended by Bolsover Cruise Club offer tours led by fluent English speaking guides, all of whom hold in-depth experience of local life and culture. From seeing the tourist hotspots to suggesting lesser-known treasures, your guide will go out of their way to ensure you see everything your destination has to offer. Headsets are made available to members of the group, leaving you free to follow the tour without having to stay too close to the guide. Cruise lines including AmaWaterways also offer complimentary bicycles, giving guests another way to explore their destination.

In addition to a variety of cultural sightseeing excursions, river cruise lines also offer the opportunity to experience local life in more specific ways, such as through local wines or cuisine. Market visits with the ship’s executive chef are incredibly popular, whilst wine lovers can enjoy visits to the finest vineyards in Bordeaux or along the Douro. Luxury excursions also offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences to guests looking for something extra special, such as private tours of historic places such as Prague’s Lobkowicz Palace.