Is a Europe River Cruise with Little Kids a Good Idea? We’ve Done Two with A-ROSA—Here’s What to Know

We’ve taken not one, but two A-ROSA river cruises in Europe with our kids—first on the SENA (A-ROSA’s most family-friendly ship) and more recently on the DONNA. And honestly? It’s been one of the easiest, most enjoyable ways we’ve traveled through Europe as a family.

If you’re wondering whether you can—or should—bring a baby or toddler on a river cruise, here are the answers to all the most common questions we get.

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1. Is a river cruise even possible with little kids?

Yes! River cruises are actually great for families with little ones. The ships are smaller and calmer than ocean cruises, and you dock right in the heart of European towns. You can easily pop into a village for a short walk, a playground stop, or just a snack break.

2. Which A-ROSA ship is best for families?

The A-ROSA SENA, hands down. It’s their newest ship and was designed with families in mind:

• A supervised kids’ club (it’s huge!)
• A heated pool on the top of the ship
• Spacious family cabins (fit up to four inside with bunk beds!)
• A separate kids’ buffet with picky-eater-approved meals

We sailed the Rhine on the SENA, and it made cruising with little kids actually feel relaxing.

3. What about other ships, like the A-ROSA DONNA?

The DONNA, which sails the Danube, is not specifically designed for families, but we still had a great experience. There’s no dedicated kids’ area, but:

• The crew was incredibly kind to our kids
• The itinerary had lots of walkable, stroller-friendly ports
• All the staff spoke English so we were never confused

Just be sure to bring your own travel toys. I’ve got lots of ideas for you here!

4. Do you get to leave the boat often?

Absolutely. River cruises stop almost every day, and often right in the middle of a town or city. You can walk off the ship with your stroller and start exploring immediately. You’re never “at sea” for full days like ocean cruises—every stop feels like a mini European day trip.

5. What’s the demographic onboard—will it be weird to bring kids?

Most passengers are adults (often older couples), but we never felt out of place. On the SENA, there were multiple families and lots of other kids. On the DONNA, we were one of the only families onboard, but the older guests were incredibly welcoming. Our kids were doted on and spoiled with attention.

6. How long do A-ROSA cruises last, and when’s the best time to go?

Most itineraries are 5–7 nights, with longer options available. We recommend spring or early summer for mild weather and fewer crowds. July and August are great if you want more families onboard, while shoulder seasons are calmer (but can be chilly). I think September and October would be great months, too!

7. Pros and cons of river cruising with kids

Pros:

• No packing/unpacking between destinations
• Short walking distances at each port
• Calm, quiet ship atmosphere
• You get to see many cities/countries without having to deal with the logistics of it all

Cons:

• Cabins can only fit three people on Deck 1 (unless you’re on the SENA)
• Limited onboard entertainment compared to ocean cruises
• Not every ship has a dedicated kids’ area (the SENA is the only one that currently has a kids club)

8. Do you get motion sick on river cruises?

We didn’t at all—and I’ve got my son and husband, who is prone to motion sickness. The river is so calm, you barely notice the ship is moving. Plus, it usually cruises at night while you’re sleeping. We did take Dramamine the first night, though just in case, but didn’t need it the rest of the trip.

9. Can babies and toddlers in swim diapers use the pool?

Yes! On the SENA, there’s a shallow splash pool that toddlers in swim diapers are allowed to use. On the other ships, there are also heated pools on the top deck, and we were also able to use those as well. Just keep in mind they don’t have a shallow splash pool like the Sena does.

10. Can you see both shores the entire time?

Yes, and it’s beautiful. Unlike ocean cruises, the river is narrow enough that you always have a view of both sides—castles, vineyards, villages, and all. Perfect for pointing things out to curious little travelers. Also great for passengers that are scared of open water.

11. Is English spoken onboard?

Yes! While A-ROSA is a German-based company, they cater to international guests. All announcements, menus, and staff interactions are available in English after they make the same announcements in German. We had zero communication issues.

12. Do you have to lug around a car seat in each port?

It depends. If we were going to be using Ubers, then we would take them with us. If we were just going to walk or take public transportation, then we would leave them in the cabin. I’ve got tons of car seat resources that can help here.

Final Thoughts

River cruising with little kids isn’t just doable—it can actually be one of the most relaxing and enriching ways to explore Europe as a family. A-ROSA takes care of the logistics, the views are nonstop, and the pace is perfect for young travelers. We’ll definitely be cruising again.