River cruising is more active than people assume. Unlike big ocean ships, where activities are often sedentary, river itineraries tend to involve walking. Most ports include guided tours through town centers, castle grounds and historic districts. It’s common to end a day surprised at how many steps you’ve logged.

If staying active matters to you, you’ll find options beyond standard sightseeing walks. Most ships have small fitness rooms that are perfectly useful for a quick workout, along with a sun deck walking track for laps during scenic cruising. Guests usually walk rather than jog out of consideration for staterooms below.

Some river cruises offer wellness classes and activities, or healthy meal options. Once rare or reserved for special theme cruises only, these wellness initiatives are becoming more common on mainstream river cruises. Especially with companies like AmaWaterways, Avalon and Emerald who have onboard fitness instructors to lead exercise classes and accompany active excursions, though they all call them something different. You might participate in a yoga class up on deck, or do a morning stretch class in the Lounge before indulging in a health-conscious breakfast.

Onboard Bicycles are also gaining in popularity, with many river cruise ships offering up small fleets for guests to use either independently or as part of a guided cycling tour. We’ve participated in both, and find this more of transportation to be immensely rewarding, particularly in small towns along the countryside, where bike paths can make it easy to cycle from one town to the next, thereby allowing you to see more of the European countryside than you might otherwise be able to.

Guided hikes are now offered by most of the mainstream river cruise lines, at varying activity levels. Some of these are moderate strolls involving a decent distance and pace, while others – like the hike up to the castle ruins in Durnstein, Austria – are more strenuous, and meant for those with a good degree of physical fitness.

Folks who want to take it easy aren’t left out, either. Most river cruise lines always offer a gentle walkers group that moves at a more relaxed pace when compared with the traditional walking tour. These usually have to be signed up for on-board, so it never hurts to inquire with your Cruise Director once you’ve embarked.

And although you’re not going to be doing laps or the backstroke in them anytime soon, some river cruise ships offer modestly-sized swimming pools that are perfect for a quick dip to cool off, or a little time spent treading water.

If being active is part of how you like to travel, some cruise lines make it easier than others. AmaWaterways, Avalon and Emerald stand out for consistently offering guided hikes, bike tours and wellness activities on regular sailings – not just special itineraries. These active excursions are typically included in the fare, which isn’t always the case across the industry. Scenic and Riviera provide complimentary bikes and occasional hikes as well, though availability varies by route.

So go ahead and have that piece of sachertorte in Vienna; there are plenty of great ways to burn it off.