These ships are often specially designed for the rivers they travel. In Europe, the ships are closer in shape to large luxury hotel boats than sea going liners. In other areas traditional ship designs including paddle steamers are offered. River cruise ships have all facilities including bar, restaurant, lounges, and on some ships a swimming pool and sauna.
Full catering is provided, often to a very high standard.
Cabins are fully serviced and usually offer all private facilities. Cities and towns along the rivers offer a variety of scenic, cultural, and historic attractions, with optional or included shore excursions. A major attraction of most river cruises is that the ship is moored overnight, allowing time to explore onshore at leisure. River Danube to Vienna and Budapest. River Elbe to Prague.