Peak-season European river cruises mostly sold out

River cruising’s increasing popularity may mean anyone still hoping to ply Europe’s waterways this summer will have to wait.

According to a recent survey of 1,358 Travel Leaders Group agents, European river cruises were the third most booked cruise itineraries for 2014, besting Mediterranean cruises, and trailing only Caribbean and Alaska cruises.

The result is that many of the most coveted itineraries are no longer available.

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Shari Marsh, owner of Cruise Holidays and Land Vacations in Raleigh, N.C., said that 2014 peak season river cruises are “booked pretty solid.”

“There is very, very little inventory available,” she said. “Thus many are already looking at 2015.”

Michelle Weller, vice president of sales and customer support for Travel Leaders in Houston, agreed.

“European River cruises are by far the most popular (cruises),” she said. “Most are sold out for 2014, but there are a few good itineraries left. If a river cruise is something [travelers] are interested in, they should book now.”

Marsh recommends that anyone determined to cruise Europe’s rivers this year should look at either the lowest cabin categories, or off-season theme cruises.

“River cruise lines do offer wine cruises or theme cruises during the shoulder seasons to entice passengers to look past the weather issues,” she said. “And more and more of my guests enjoy the extra value they receive in joining in the activities offered on theme cruises.”

Weller noted that for any remaining cabins, there might even be bargains, such as Viking River Cruises’ March 14 sailing on the very popular Grand European 15-day cruise which has only its Explorer suite available, but going for $12,762, down from $25,299.

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“Really a deal at that price and because it’s the last cabin,” she explained. “The rest of March shows sold out except for a few cabins below deck.”

She added that June and July Viking sailings have more availability because most people don’t like to go to Europe when it’s very hot, but that in September, only the Explorer suite and below deck are available again.

“If it’s anything like last year, people will be begging us in March and April for river cruises and no cabins will be available,” she said.

This item was written by Johanna Jainchill, who covers the travel industry for Travel Weekly. Jainchill is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.