Rosie Dietrich

AmaWaterways, Scenic, Avalon, Uniworld. The differences between river cruise lines rarely show up in the brochure, but they're the reason some clients come home thrilled and others come home wishing they'd booked something else.

Both river cruises and curated land tours can deliver an extraordinary European experience. Here’s how to decide which one is right for you — and for this particular trip.

The best cabins, the best departure dates, and the best prices on European river cruises go to people who book early. Here’s the timeline that gets you what you actually want.