Why book with Firebird
Your trip built around your preferences from day one
Same person from first call to your final day
Deep expertise across every river and destination
Cabin, excursions, and transfers — all confirmed before you board
Our repeat guest rate — more telling than any review
Round-the-clock assistance wherever your journey takes you
Choose your river.
More tours are coming soon
The ship
MS CruceNova
Built for the rivers of Europe. Rebuilt for 2025. A vessel that doesn't ask you to choose between comfort and discovery.
Deck plan
No staterooms · Open deck, Canopy Bar & Wheelhouse
On board
Staterooms
Your home moves with you.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open to let in fresh river air and the view beyond. A double bed with premium linens. Available on Decks 2 and 3.
- French balcony — fully opening glass doors
- Double bed configuration
- Shower · air conditioning · in-room safe
- Satellite TV · hairdryer · telephone
- Decks 2 & 3 · exterior-facing
Traveller Stories
From the people who've been.
No worries and no cares during two weeks in Italy and on the cruise ship. We keep talking about the breathtaking sights, great food and wonderful people. Thank you so much for all your hard work!
One of the most amazing trips we have ever taken. The cruise through the fjords was spectacular. The towns were beautiful. Norway is a beautiful country.
The tour guides were excellent. Firebird gave us a complimentary river cruise, which was much appreciated. It was a treat not to have to plan anything other than where we wanted to eat dinner!
Common Questions
Before you ask.
What's actually included in the price? +
All meals on board — breakfast, lunch, and a four-course dinner with regional wines each evening. Guided shore excursions at every port of call, transfers between hotel and ship, and all port taxes and fees. Wi-Fi, sauna and fitness room access, and non-alcoholic beverages during meals are also included. Personal purchases, optional upgrades, and alcoholic drinks outside mealtimes are the main extras.
Is a river cruise right for me? +
If you want to move through a region without unpacking more than once, a river cruise suits you well. The pace is slow enough to feel each place — ships dock in town centres, not distant ports — and itineraries are structured enough that nothing needs planning on your part. Couples, groups of friends, and solo travellers all find their rhythm quickly. The main trade-off is that the ship and schedule are shared, so the experience is sociable by nature.
How is this different from an ocean cruise? +
Scale, chiefly. River ships carry 100–200 guests rather than thousands — no crowd management, no waiting, and a noticeably quieter atmosphere. You dock right in the heart of town, steps from the old city or waterfront, usually within walking distance of the main sights. The sailing itself is gentle: rivers don't pitch or roll, and the landscape is close enough to watch from the deck rail as you pass through it.
When is the best time of year to sail? +
April through October covers the main season in Europe. Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) tend to offer the most comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds at port. Summer months are the most popular and book earliest. Christmas market sailings on the Rhine and Danube run November into December — a different atmosphere entirely, with fewer guests, festive stops, and a slower pace that suits the season.