Drifting Along the Rivers: An Empath’s European Cruise

Some journeys are measured in miles…

Others in the whispers of your own soul.

For 16 days, we followed the Danube and Rhine Rivers from Budapest to Amsterdam, aboard a Viking River Cruise. Beautiful towns, breathtaking views, and a boat full of people—180 in total.

But for an empath like me, this wasn’t just a vacation. It was a test of energy, patience, and the ability to reclaim my spirit amidst constant social currents.

I love being social, but I need alone time to recharge. Small groups or solo time are essential for my energy. Sixteen days on a cruise like this? It took me a long time afterward to re-group my spirit and find my juju again.

Of course, I wanted to experience everything we’d paid for—but I can say for certain: never again for 16 days straight.

The Positives

• Fun tours in every city.

• Delicious food on the boat.

• Leave your stuff in one place while traveling.

• Peaceful and magnificent river views.

• Incredible service, organized and professional.

• Met many interesting people.

• Saw beautiful towns and architecture.

• Learned a lot about the history of Hungary, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands.

The Challenges

• Socializing: Most meals were on the boat. The smallest lunch/dinner table sat six people. Tours often had 15–20 people. Sixteen days of constant social interaction was overwhelming—not just for me, but even my husband, who is more social than I am. We missed private time together.

  
  

• Rigid schedules: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were served at set times. Tours ran on strict schedules—often only an hour in each town. We prefer planning our own days and exploring at our own pace. We’d also rather eat in the towns we visited, instead of mostly on the boat.

Tips for Empaths on a River Cruise

• I do recommend a river cruise, but limit it to a maximum of 7 days. Sixteen is just too long for sensitive souls.

• Arriving a few days early and staying a few days after the cruise is a great idea.

• If possible, request an upper deck room with a balcony. The views are better, and it’s lovely to have private space outside. There are also beautiful indoor and outdoor lounges, but I valued having a quiet balcony to recharge.

  
  

My character Larleen is an empath, would she go on a European River Cruise?

Fade out… not an ending, but the first ripple of countless adventures yet to come.

Be your inner movie star.

xo, Kathleen Naomi