• Planning a Cruise on A-ROSA Cruises

Planning a Cruise on A-ROSA Cruises

Luiz Alberto H.

Created: Nov 15, 2024

Last Updated: Jul 30, 2025

Planning a Cruise on A-ROSA Cruises

A-ROSA is great for:

  • Travelers trying a river cruise for the first time
  • Those interested in unique destinations
  • If you want to bring your kid to a river cruise adventure

A-ROSA might not be great for:

  • Those seeking a wide variety of entertainment options
  • Those looking for an All-Inclusive river cruise line

We’ve covered major cruise lines here on Famvia, from Virgin Voyages and Royal Caribbean to Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, and dozens of other companies. This time, we're introducing a name that might be less familiar: A-ROSA, a German cruise line specializing in river cruises. A-ROSA offers journeys to unique destinations along some of the world’s most famous rivers, such as the Danube and the Seine.

Remember, you can always click the Request a Quote button to ask us a question or book your next cruise. Contacting us is completely free, and best of all, you won’t pay a dime more when you book through us. We can help you choose the perfect itinerary, explain the differences between the basic and premium all-inclusive fares, and much more.

A-ROSA Cruises river cruise.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

River cruises may not be very common, but they are becoming increasingly popular, especially in Europe. They mostly attract an older audience, but newer river cruise ships have started introducing kids' clubs and entertainment options for the whole family. While a river cruise ship can’t match the size or amenities of an ocean-going vessel for obvious reasons, A-ROSA is placing more and more focus on children and families with the launch of their latest ship, the A-ROSA Sena.

Keep in mind that A-ROSA operates exclusively in Europe, focusing on five main destinations: the Rhine, Main & Moselle; the Danube; the Rhône & Saône; the Seine; and the Douro. So, the next time you're in France or Portugal, consider hopping on an A-ROSA cruise to experience beautiful cities up close in a whole new way.

Prices for these cruises vary widely, and they can be just as expensive as a large traditional cruise, given their niche nature. It’s not uncommon to see a basic "5-Night Rhine City Experience" cost €800 per person. Some cruises also offer a "Premium All-Inclusive" option, which includes free drinks, all meals at every restaurant, complimentary Wi-Fi, and free access to the spa.

A-ROSA cruises are a great option for both a romantic cruise across Europe and for bringing your little ones on a cruise adventure. A-ROSA is one of the few river cruise lines in Europe that offers special “Family Cruises” that include activities designed for children ages 4 to 15. Don’t expect a huge kids' club during this special occasion with hundreds of activities like on Disney Cruise Line, but it’s certainly good news given that most river cruise lines don’t even have a kids' club. Do you know what’s also great? Kids aged 15 and under sail for free when accompanied by at least one adult.

A-Rosa Cruises Donna.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

A-ROSA focuses on exploring rivers and making multiple stops in charming villages and cities, rather than providing extensive onboard entertainment. And that’s perfectly fine - if you’re trying a river cruise, the main objective is likely to explore as many cities and destinations as possible, which larger cruise ships simply can’t access.

Restaurant options tend to be limited, considering the physical space. A lot of older A-ROSA ships mostly have one buffet restaurant for every guest, although newer ships also have a la carte option, which is included in the “Premium All-Inclusive” fare.

Do I recommend A-ROSA Cruises? Yep! If you're in Europe and want to try something new, you can’t go wrong with it. You can even bring your kids, as A-ROSA is one of the most family-friendly river cruise companies, and children under 15 sail for free when accompanied by an adult. Don’t expect a blockbuster trip filled with entertainment options like those on Royal Caribbean. Instead, sit back, relax, grab your sunscreen, and enjoy the journey.

Reviews of A-Rosa Cruises

A-Rosa family cabin big.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

The Good Stuff

Unique: I don’t even need to tell you about this one, right? Traveling with A-ROSA Cruises is truly unique. It lets you explore brand new destinations like the Seine and the Douro, and visit small villages that huge cruise ships simply can’t reach. I bet most of your friends have never been on a river cruise, so this might be your chance to try one and capture amazing pictures from a whole new perspective.

Romantic & Quiet: A ship like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas can carry almost 8,000 passengers, while A-ROSA ships carry up to 300. I’m not a math expert, but even I can see that’s a huge difference. This also means that river cruises are more intimate and quiet, making them a romantic way to spend your vacation as you enjoy beautiful vistas surrounding you.

Great for families: Most river cruise lines focus on couples or solo travelers, but that’s not the case with A-ROSA. This is actually one of the few river cruise lines with a dedicated Kids Club on select itineraries and family staterooms on some ships that can accommodate up to five guests. If you’ve ever wanted to shake things up a bit and bring your kids on a river cruise, A-ROSA is an excellent choice.

A-ROSA Sena: Launched in 2022, this ship was designed with families in mind. It features two pools (including a small kids’ pool), a kids’ club that operates year-round, and spacious family rooms that can accommodate up to five guests. The A-ROSA Sena is the largest river cruise ship on the Rhine and places a strong emphasis on family entertainment, ensuring your little ones have a great time onboard. If you're looking to travel with kids on a modern river cruise, consider booking your next vacation on this marvel.

The Bad Stuff

Language: As we mentioned earlier, A-ROSA is a German cruise line, meaning most announcements are made in German, with some also in English. Recently, however, many guests have expressed disappointment online, noting that a lot of announcements and documents are only available in German. Come on, A-ROSA, let’s use more English across all your ships for your international passengers!

Limited Entertainment Options: Most river cruise ships don’t offer many onboard activities, and A-ROSA cruises are no exception. This is simply the nature of river ships. They are small and compact, so don’t expect Broadway shows or a wide range of exciting activities on the top deck. Some ships do feature a mini-golf course and swimming pools, but not all of them.

What is included in my A-ROSA Cruise fare?

A-ROSA Cruises usually offers two different cruise fares for you to choose from: a Basic fare and a Premium All-Inclusive fare.
The Basic fare gives you access to the restaurants and entertainment, but you’ll need to pay extra for any drinks that aren’t water, coffee and tea. You’ll also have to pay for Wi-Fi, which is included in the Premium All-Inclusive fare.

This table breaks down the key differences between the two:

A-ROSA Cruises Cruise Fare.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

 

A-ROSA Cruises Fleet and Destinations

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A-ROSA Cruises©

A-Rosa isn’t a small cruise company, as they have 15 ships under their belt. They focus only on European river cruises, traveling across some of the most classic rivers in the world, including the Danube and the Seine. These are small ships that accommodate from 100 all the way to 300 passengers, creating an intimate and cozy atmosphere for your next vacation.

Let’s take a look at the main destinations for A-ROSA cruises, along with the names of the ships in their fleet. We’ll also include starting prices per person for a standard cruise in March 2025, with the Premium All-Inclusive package included. As you can see, prices don’t vary much between the different ships, but a newer ship like the A-ROSA Sena is indeed more expensive.

Rhine, Main & Moselle

Main Destinations: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Frankfurt, Ultrecht, Trier and Cologne.

Main Departure Ports: Cologne, Frankfurt.

  • A-ROSA ALEA (5-Nights for €800)
  • A-ROSA AQUA (5-Nights for €800)
  • A-ROSA BRAVA (5-Nights for €800)
  • A-ROSA CLEA (5-Nights for €800)
  • A-ROSA SILVA (5-Nights for €800)
  • A-ROSA SENA (5-Nights for €950)

Danube

Main Destinations: Passau, Wachau, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade.

Main Departure Ports: Passau, Vienna.

  • A-ROSA BELLA (5-Nights for €800)
  • A-ROSA DONNA (4-Nights for €500)
  • A-ROSA FLORA (5-Nights for €800)
  • A-ROSA MIA (5-Nights for €800)
  • A-ROSA RIVA (5-Nights for €800)

Rhône & Saône

Main Destinations: Lyon, Mâcon, Avignon, Arles.

Main Departure Port: Lyon.

  • A-ROSA LUNA (5-Nights for €800)
  • A-ROSA STELLA (5-Nights for €800)

Seine

Main Destinations: Paris, Rouen, Le Havre.

Main Departure Port: Paris.

  • A-ROSA VIVA (5-Nights for €900)

Douro

Main Destinations: Porto, Pinhão, Régua.

Main Departure Port: Porto.

  • A-ROSA ALVA (7-Nights for €1300)

Room Options onboard A-ROSA Cruises

A-Rosa Cruises family cabin.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

A-ROSA doesn’t offer a ton of room categories, considering that this is a river cruise line that needs to take physical space into consideration. Typically, you’ll find options for a standard cabin, a standard cabin with a balcony, and a suite. Newer ships, like the A-ROSA Sena, feature family cabins that accommodate up to five guests, though most cabins on traditional A-ROSA ships are designed for two guests.

Suites are a little bigger than standard rooms and can also give you some perks if you book the “Premium All-Inclusive” fare. These perks include:

  • Check-in and personal welcome from as early as 12 noon
  • Welcome glass of champagne
  • Suite cocktail with the ship’s management
  • Room service between 7:00am and 10:00pm.
  • Complimentary minibar
  • Selection of magazines
  • Fresh fruit every day
  • Extra cabin items and high-quality toiletries by top brands
  • Laundry and ironing service

Why Book A-ROSA Cruises with us?

A-ROSA Cruises Danube river.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

At Famvia, we’re true experts when it comes to river cruising. Our team has crafted detailed guides and reviews covering a wide range of cruise lines, from A-ROSA Cruises to American Cruise Lines, AmaWaterways, Viking Cruises and more. We're also one of the few sources with an early guide ready for Celebrity River Cruises, set to debut in 2026.

Our expertise extends well beyond river cruising. We’ve worked closely for years with some of the world’s most prestigious luxury cruise lines, including Silversea, Seabourn, Explora Journeys, and others. This deep knowledge of luxury travel makes us especially well-equipped to help you plan the perfect A-ROSA experience.

Ready to get started? Just click the Request a Quote button and send us a message. It’s completely free to reach out, and booking through us doesn’t cost a thing. In fact, you may even unlock exclusive deals available only through our travel advisors. Let us help you choose the right itinerary, ship, and sailing so you can enjoy the river cruise of a lifetime with A-ROSA.

Activities onboard A-ROSA Cruises

A-Rosa cruises mini golf.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

As mentioned earlier, river cruises aren’t about ice skating in the middle of the ship, go-kart racing, or climbing a rock wall. These are smaller vessels, typically carrying up to 300 passengers, with limited space for onboard activities. Some of the older A-ROSA ships don’t even have a swimming pool. However, you can still find things to do onboard, like playing a quick round of mini-golf, enjoying the whirlpool and... uhh... that's about it.

Newer vessels, such as the A-ROSA Sena, offer more options for guests to enjoy. The Sena, for example, features two swimming pools, a kids' club, a spa, and a specialty restaurant onboard. While you won’t find musicals or elaborate shows on these ships due to space limitations, the newer ships are definitely investing in more ways to keep passengers entertained during their cruise.

A-ROSA is also more focused on the destinations than on offering hundreds of activities on the top deck. For example, A-ROSA offers what they call “city cruises.” One such option is the 5-Night Rhine City Experience, which takes you to cities like Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Cologne in just five nights. That’s a lot of exciting cities to explore in a short amount of time.

Dining options onboard A-Rosa Cruises

A-Rosa Cruises food restaurants.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

Well, we are talking about small vessels that need to save on space - this is what allows them to navigate the tight confines of rivers around the world, after all. So, it’s not a huge surprise that most A-ROSA cruises offer only two restaurants. There is almost always one buffet-style restaurant, which is free for everyone, and then a specialty restaurant that requires an extra charge unless you’ve opted for the All-Inclusive package.

The type of specialty restaurant varies by ship. For example, on the A-ROSA Sena, you’ll find a specialty steak and seafood restaurant.

The limited number of restaurants makes sense, especially since you'll be visiting a new city almost every day. One of the highlights of these cruises is going out, exploring new places, and experiencing the local cuisine firsthand. I wouldn’t say that having a top-quality restaurant onboard is a top priority for river cruises.

Oh, please contact the head chef at the start of your cruise if you have any dietary restrictions. While the A-ROSA buffets offer a daily selection of vegetarian dishes, vegan options can also be prepared upon request.

A-ROSA Cruises Info List

A-Rosa Cruises city landscape.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

Dress Code

The dress code aboard A-ROSA Cruises is mostly Cruise Casual. However, they do ask that you dress a bit more formally when dining in the restaurant at night. This is similar to the dress code on some well-known cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean.

Here’s what A-ROSA has to say about their dress code: “Feel free to dress as you like, comfortably and casually, on board and during shore excursions. Please remember to wear warmer clothing on deck in the evening. Firm shoes are recommended for excursions on land. Smart-casual clothing is recommended when visiting the restaurant on board. We request, however, that you do not wear swimwear or sportswear, shorts, slippers, nor go barefoot, in the restaurants and bars. We recommend that men wear long trousers in the restaurant in the evening”.

Can I bring my own drinks onboard A-ROSA Cruises?

Yes, you can bring your own drinks, but there is a service fee of €20.00. However, you can only consume your own drinks inside your cabin, not in public areas. Bringing food onboard A-ROSA Cruises is not allowed.

Tipping

It is recommended to tip crewmembers between €5 and €10 per day, per guest. You can do this either with cash or by transferring the amount directly from your account.

Payment Options

Remember that A-ROSA Cruises is a German company operating in Europe. The currency on board is the euro. Money cannot be changed on board.

During your cruise, you can use your onboard credit card, which also serves as your cabin key card.

Embarkation and Disembarkation onboard A-ROSA Cruises

A-Rosa Cruises Douro.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

Phew, it’s nice to discuss embarkation and disembarkation with a company that caters to just 300 passengers. Access to the ship and check-in start at 3:00 pm, but if you're staying in a suite, you can check in at 12:00 pm.

Check-out on disembarkation day is by 9:00 am at the latest.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is included in the "Premium All-Inclusive" package but costs extra if you opt for a basic fare. Prices vary per ship. Keep in mind that the connection can be spotty on A-ROSA cruises, and many guests complain about instability. Streaming devices are also not supported, so you won't be able to watch your favorite HBO series while onboard.

Laundry

Don't stress about packing too much - there's laundry service available onboard. Charges will be added to your onboard account, but suite guests can enjoy this service free of charge.

Swimming Pools

A-Rosa Cruises whirlpool.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

Heated swimming pools are available on:

  • A-ROSA ALVA
  • BELLA
  • DONNA
  • FLORA
  • LUNA
  • MIA
  • RIVA
  • SILVA
  • STELLA

Heated swimming pools and a heated whirlpool are available on:

  • A-ROSA SENA (and and additional shallow water pool for children)
  • AQUA
  • BRAVA
  • VIVA

Whirlpool only is available on:

  • A-ROSA ALEA
  • CLEA

Book your dream vacation with A-ROSA Cruises!

A-Rosa Cruises Seine cruise.webp
A-ROSA Cruises©

Now that you know all about A-ROSA, it’s time to pack your bags, head to Europe, and explore beautiful destinations across Portugal, France, and Austria.

Feel free to reach out anytime for the best deals, more details on room options, activities, or anything else you need. A-ROSA is known for its classy, elegant atmosphere, and we like to think we’re the same here at Famvia. Truly, a match made in heaven.

 

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