Unpack Once
One cabin, several countries — no daily packing, no station transfers, no hotel changes.
EffortlessUnpack once and wake in a new town each morning — the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine and Rhône thread through the heart of Europe, all-inclusive and gloriously unhurried.
Unpack once and wake in a new town each morning — river cruising is one of the most relaxed ways to see several European countries in a single, seamless trip.
Europe's great rivers — the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine and Rhône — thread through the heart of the continent, delivering you to the centre of one historic town after another. The ships are small, the pace is gentle, and almost everything is included: meals, regional wine, daily excursions and the scenery sliding past your window. For travellers who want depth without daily packing, it's hard to beat.
Family-run since 1974, Cooee matches the right river, ship and season to how you like to travel — and pairs cruises with independent city days when you want to linger.
Five rivers, five very different journeys through the heart of the continent.
Passau · Vienna · Budapest
Three imperial capitals, the Wachau Valley's vineyards and the finest Christmas-market cruising in Europe.
Amsterdam · the Rhine Gorge · Basel
Porto & the terraced valley
Paris & Normandy
Lyon · Avignon · Arles
Danube & Rhine · Nov–Dec
The reasons Australians return to Europe's rivers again and again.
One cabin, several countries — no daily packing, no station transfers, no hotel changes.
EffortlessGlide between the Danube and Rhine's festive squares, mulled wine in hand, from late November.
Nov – DecShips dock in the heart of town — step off into Vienna, Budapest or Cologne on foot.
Every dayTerraced vineyards, port-wine quintas and Porto's riverfront — Europe's most scenic cruise.
Apr – OctThe Danube (Passau–Vienna–Budapest) is the classic first cruise — three great capitals, gentle pacing and superb Christmas-market sailings in December. The Rhine (Amsterdam–Basel) is a close second for castles and vineyards. See our itineraries guide.
April to October is the main season — spring blossom and autumn vineyards are especially lovely. Late November to December brings the magical Christmas-market cruises on the Danube and Rhine. Summer is warmest but busiest. See our best time to visit guide.
Most European river cruises are largely all-inclusive: cabin, all meals, wine with lunch and dinner, daily guided excursions and onboard entertainment. You unpack once and wake in a new town each morning — ideal for seeing several countries without the logistics. See our Europe tours.
A river cruise suits travellers who want an unhurried, all-inclusive trip through several countries without moving hotels; rail suits those who want to linger longer in each city and set their own pace. Many Australians combine both — a cruise plus a few independent city days. See our Eurail & train guide.