What Activities Are Available on Board CroisiEurope?
A question that reveals a fundamental difference between river and ocean cruising: on an ocean ship, on-board activities are the primary entertainment. On a river cruise, the river and the ports are the primary entertainment. That said, CroisiEurope ships offer a full range of on-board activities and amenities. Here is the complete guide.
The Difference: Activities on a River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise
An ocean cruise ship of 3,000+ passengers has rock-climbing walls, Broadway shows, casino floors, waterslides, specialty restaurants, and multiple entertainment venues because it spends days at sea with no alternative stimulation. A river cruise ship is rarely at sea: it is almost always moving through extraordinary scenery or docked at a significant city or town. The 'activity' is the river, the view, the port, the excursion, and the dinner table conversation.
Australian passengers who have sailed ocean ships sometimes arrive on river cruises expecting the same activity density and initially feel the difference. By day two, they consistently report that the river itself is more than sufficient and that the slower, more contemplative pace is precisely what makes river cruising distinctive.
Daily On-Board Activities on CroisiEurope
Scenic Viewing from the Sun Deck
The top deck of every CroisiEurope ship is open to passengers throughout the cruise. The captain makes PA announcements when approaching particularly significant scenery the Rhine Gorge, the Wachau Valley, the Douro terraces and passengers gather on deck. This is genuinely the most popular 'activity' on any river cruise.
Morning Stretching / Wellness
Many CroisiEurope ships offer early-morning stretching or light yoga sessions on the sun deck (weather permitting) typically 30 minutes before breakfast.
Shore Excursions
The primary structured activity of each port day. Shore excursions are available for booking and depart in the morning, returning in time for lunch or afternoon departure. See the separate shore excursions FAQ for full details.
Evening Entertainment
Each evening after dinner, CroisiEurope provides entertainment in the ship's lounge typically a local musician, a regional folk performance, a pianist, or a themed cultural presentation. Entertainment is in French with English explanation. Most programmes run 45 60 minutes.
Guest Lectures
On longer itineraries, onboard historians or regional experts may give illustrated lectures on the destinations ahead particularly on Nile and Mekong itineraries, where the cultural complexity benefits from advance context.
Cooking and Craft Demonstrations
Some CroisiEurope itineraries include demonstrations wine tasting sessions, local cuisine demonstrations, regional craft displays as part of the cultural programme.
The Lounge Bar
The lounge bar is the social hub of the ship. Open from mid-morning through to midnight, with drinks included throughout the day. The bar is where the ship's community forms casual conversations that become table friendships that sometimes become lifelong connections.
Canal Barge: Cycling the Towpaths
On CroisiEurope's canal barges, bicycles are provided on board and can be used to cycle the towpath while the barge locks through ahead. This is one of the most distinctive and enjoyable activities in river cruising particularly on the Burgundy Canal and the Marne-Rhine Canal.
What Is Not Available (Unlike Ocean Ships)
• Casino or gambling
• Swimming pool (river ships are too narrow)
• Gym or fitness centre (some larger ships have a small fitness area ask when booking)
• Spa or beauty salon (some larger ships have basic massage services)
• Multiple restaurants or specialty dining venues
• Children's clubs or activities
Enquire with CroisiEurope Australia
For bookings, brochures, or any questions about CroisiEurope itineraries, contact our dedicated Australian team.
Phone: 1300 739 652 | Email: contact@croisicruises.com
Website: www.croisieuroperivercruises.com.au | Tweet World Travel, 544 Magill Road, Magill SA 5072
2027 departures are open for booking now.
