Italy River Cruises
Sail from Venice into the lagoon and up the Po through the Veneto and Emilia-Romagna — a boutique, food-and-art river cruise in the heart of northern Italy.
Italy’s river cruising is a beautiful niche. Small ships and barges sail Venice, the Venetian lagoon and the Po River across the Veneto and Emilia-Romagna — pairing the canals of Venice with Chioggia’s fishing harbor, the Renaissance towns of Ferrara and Padua, and day trips to Verona, Bologna and Ravenna’s mosaics. Because the fleet is small and seasonal, these sailings sell out early. We help you choose the right ship, cabin and season, and get you the best cruise price free from a true cruise specialist.
Why cruise the Italy?
Venice & the lagoon
Begin or end in Venice, cruising the lagoon to Murano, Burano and the fishing town of Chioggia.
The Po & the Veneto
Renaissance Ferrara and Padua, plus excursions to Verona, Bologna and Ravenna’s Byzantine mosaics.
Food & wine country
Emilia-Romagna is Italy’s pantry — Parmesan, prosciutto, balsamic and Prosecco all feature ashore.
Boutique & barges
Intimate ships and luxury barges mean small groups and a slow, immersive pace.
A boutique Italian river journey
Italy river cruises are typically a week round-trip from Venice, combining the lagoon with the Po delta and the Veneto. Because water levels on the Po can vary, itineraries mix cruising with coach excursions to the great art cities.
The fleet is small — Uniworld’s S.S. La Venezia, CroisiEurope’s Michelangelo and a handful of luxury barges — so early booking is essential. We’ll match the ship and dates to you.
Most sailings begin or end in Venice, and the city deserves an extra night — see hotels in Venice on RoomsCheap.com.
Italy river cruising in pictures
Ready to plan your Italy river cruise?
Tell us your dates and preferred ship, and we’ll get you the best cruise price free from true Italy river cruise specialists, with no obligation.
Get your best Italy cruise price freeFrequently Asked Questions
Where do Italy river cruises go?
They sail Venice, the Venetian lagoon and the Po River through the Veneto and Emilia-Romagna, with excursions to Verona, Bologna, Ferrara, Padua and Ravenna.
When is the best time?
April–June and September–October offer the best weather and fewer crowds in Venice. The season is short and ships are few, so book early.
What size are the ships?
Small — boutique river ships of around 100–130 guests, plus intimate luxury barges carrying just a handful of passengers.
Which lines cruise Italy?
Uniworld (S.S. La Venezia) and CroisiEurope (Michelangelo) run the main ships, alongside luxury barge operators such as European Waterways.
How do I get a quote?
Request your best cruise price free from a true cruise specialist, with no obligation, and compare ships, cabins and dates — and book early, as space is limited.
