My Experience Sharing a Cabin with My 6-Year-Old Granddaughter on a European River Cruise

As a parent, my goal has always been to nurture happy and curious children. As a grandparent, I wish the same for my grandchildren. This summer, I decided to broaden my six-year-old granddaughter Millie’s horizons with a European river cruise along the enchanting Rhine River, offered by Adventures by Disney. My daughter and son-in-law, both in their 40s, joined us for the adventure.

During our seven-night journey from Basel to Amsterdam, we explored four countries—Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands—creating lasting memories and igniting our imaginations along the way.

While Adventures by Disney river cruises don’t feature Disney characters or themed attractions like those found on Disney Cruise Line ships, a fondness for Disney enhances the experience. Our Rhine cruise included various Disney nods, such as movie soundtracks playing on board, and fellow guests excitedly collected daily Disney trading pins—including ones featuring characters like Snow White and Rapunzel—and participated in Disney trivia games in the lounge.

What stood out to me about the Disney experience was the reassurance that our trip would be both meticulously organized and exceptionally family-friendly. Upon boarding the 156-passenger AmaLucia, which Disney chartered from the upscale river cruise line AmaWaterways, Millie was thrilled to spot Captain Minnie in stuffed form at the reception desk. She was equally excited to find a few girls her age among the 13 younger children, 17 teens, and many adults on board, with the kids flocking to the ship's outdoor pool as their favorite hangout.

Our cruise was guided by five skilled Disney Adventure Guides who were adept at storytelling—three from Europe and two from the USA—all of whom had prior experience at Disney parks. To keep the kids engaged, they often referred to concepts like “pixie dust” and a “fairy godmother.”

As we admired real castles along the Rhine (not the fairy-tale kind), we were encouraged to craft our own family story during the cruise. When asked how our tale might start, Millie enthusiastically proclaimed, “Once upon a time, of course,” drawing laughter from those around us.

With our guides cheering us on in creating lasting memories, the friendly crew of the AmaLucia, typically accustomed to adult guests, warmly embraced the presence of children. One waiter showcased his talent for making paper hats in the dining area, while the ship’s hotel manager, a grandfather himself, kept a jar of pink marshmallows available for guests to enjoy.

Millie was my roommate on board, while her parents occupied a stateroom just across the hall. Our accommodations included twin beds and AmaWaterways' signature twin balconies—one step-out balcony with chairs and another French balcony.

Sharing a room with a six-year-old calls for a good sense of humor and some quick thinking. One morning, Millie woke me up at 6:30 a.m., flinging open the curtains and exclaiming, “Look at the sunrise! I love watching sunrises.” On another occasion, when she claimed she couldn’t sleep because she was hungry, I had an orange to peel but no dish, so she enjoyed the slices straight from my wine glass.

The AmaLucia made small modifications for Disney, including a kids’ menu with burgers and pasta. However, Millie preferred the ever-available grilled salmon from the adult menu, which offered international dishes. Each evening, there were complimentary mocktails alongside cocktails in the lounge, and I showed Millie how to clink glasses.

Our journey involved navigating through a dozen locks, where the ship entered a massive chamber resembling an oversized bathtub. As the water level dropped, the ship was lowered to the next section of the river, allowing us to continue our voyage. The first lock we encountered was during the day (most were at night). Little did I know, Millie had found her way to the bridge with her new friends, watching alongside the friendly captain. It was heartening to see my granddaughter settling in so well on the ship.

Throughout our trip, we enjoyed a remarkable array of excursions included in the cruise package. I allowed my daughter, Erin, and her husband, Spencer, to select our activities beforehand. They also scheduled some personal time for themselves while I happily took care of Millie.

At each port, passengers chose their own adventures based on personal interests, with the option to explore independently if they preferred not to join the guided tours. Beyond leading the tours, the Adventure Guides provided valuable tips on how to maximize our free time at each stop, including recommendations for local snacks that both kids and adults might enjoy (with some adult beverages as well).

Our selected adventures ranged from thrilling rides at Europa-Park, a massive amusement park reminiscent of Disney, to appreciating Van Gogh masterpieces and historic windmills in Amsterdam. However, our most exhilarating experience, aside from the roller coasters, was canoeing through the picturesque setting of Strasbourg, France, navigating past charming half-timbered 17th-century houses and even entering a lock to be lowered down.

The guides ensured we were aware of every Disney-related reference along our journey, including how the astronomical clock at Strasbourg Cathedral is rumored to have inspired Walt Disney in the creation of the beloved “It’s a Small World” attraction.

Millie struggled with the more in-depth historical narrative provided by a local guide at Heidelberg Castle, a Renaissance gem in Mannheim, Germany. After mistakenly answering a question, she became upset and cried. However, an Adventure Guide intervened, giving her a tour sign to hold, which helped her embrace her newfound role as the leader of our group.

While in Cologne, Millie took on the responsibility of overseeing Captain Minnie, a duty assigned to a different family each day, which involved sharing her findings with everyone on the ship that evening. A proud grandmother moment occurred when she informed fellow passengers that while she wasn't particularly excited about the Gothic Cologne Cathedral, she adored the Lindt Chocolate Museum—especially the free samples! She humorously noted that her dad missed out on the chocolate experience as he was off on a pub tour.

In the charming medieval old town of Rüdesheim, Germany, we visited Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum, which was filled with fascinating antique music machines. A particular tiny music box featuring a moving bird might have even inspired Walt Disney's animatronic creations. Afterward, we utilized our gondola tickets to enjoy breathtaking views of the river and hillside vineyards. While Millie and I held hands on the way back to the ship, her parents indulged in a wine tasting. I also reached for my daughter Erin’s hand, reminiscing about her childhood. We were all pleasantly surprised by how harmoniously we got along during the trip.

Millie beamed with pride as she showcased a silky, lime-green two-piece outfit—a sleeveless top and skirt—purchased from a designer shop in Strasbourg. An adult aboard remarked that she looked just like Tinker Bell. All three generations had a fantastic time dancing to Taylor Swift at a lively evening dance party. Millie’s parents appreciated that on certain nights, the Junior Adventurers had their own dinner and activities, including movie screenings, allowing the adults some time for romantic strolls or dining at the ship’s complimentary Chef’s Table, which featured a set-menu multicourse culinary experience that might not captivate kids.

Sailing through the breathtaking Rhine Gorge—a 40-mile UNESCO World Heritage site adorned with 30 historic castles—might be reason enough to choose this itinerary. However, as we drifted past these ancient fortresses, keeping Millie engaged was a challenge, even with our fairy tale references. She perked up much more when I took her for afternoon tea in the ship’s observation lounge.

Captivated by my granddaughter, I chose to forgo some adult activities like the ship’s small massage room and gym. These were minor sacrifices. With a focus on providing special attention to young travelers, Adventures by Disney is the ideal choice for crafting unforgettable family memories.

Booking Information: Adventures by Disney’s Rhine river cruises begin at $5,799 per person.