What is the Best River Cruise Line

Alex Worlow
Oct 18, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Apr 17

Embarking on a European river cruise is a fantastic way to explore the continent’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultures.

Budapest Hungary parliament building on Danube river — Budapest Parliament

Whether you’re looking for a premium experience or a luxurious escape, there’s a river cruise to fit you.

To help you navigate through the choices, here’s a guide to help you choose the perfect European river cruise.

Amadeus River Cruises

Overview: Amadeus River Cruises offers a blend of traditional elegance and modern comfort.

This cruise line is family-owned and known for their warm hospitality and attention to detail.

Amadeus is unique in offering guests the excursions options, especially if you want to explore a city on your own.

Destinations: Popular routes include the Rhine, Danube, and Main rivers.

Highlights:

Spacious cabins with panoramic windows.
Gourmet dining with regional specialties.
Onboard entertainment.
Excursions are purchased in bundles with options for no added activities or partial included activities to full sailing excursions.

Ideal For: The traveler seeking a classic European river cruise experience with the flexibility on activity level and costs.

Viking River Cruises

Overview: The most well-known river cruise company in the U.S. is Viking River Cruises.

Viking River Cruises is renowned for its high-quality service and extensive itineraries.

Their ships are designed to provide a comfortable and enriching experience.

Viking River Cruises are adult only experiences for travelers 18 years old and up.

Destinations: Extensive routes on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, and more.

Highlights:

Elegant staterooms with river views.
Enriching onboard lectures and 1 shore excursion at each port.
Regional dining experiences.

Ideal For: Travelers looking for a well-rounded cruise with many sailings during all times of the year.

AmaWaterways

Overview: One cruise line known for its luxurious ships and exceptional service is AmaWaterways.

They offer a variety of themed cruises, including wine and wellness cruises.

They offer many stateroom options including most with twin balconies.

Don't miss the Chef's Kitchen which must be scheduled but is included in your fare.

Destinations: Cruises on the Rhine, Danube, Rhône, and more.

Highlights:

Spacious staterooms with twin balconies.
Award-winning dining and wine pairings.
Active excursions, including biking and hiking.

Ideal For: The mature, active traveler who is seeking a premium, personalized experience.

Avalon Waterways

Overview: Avalon Waterways provides a unique cruising experience with their innovative Panorama Suites and customizable excursions.

Their award-winning suites place beds looking out toward the river and provide floor to ceiling open-air balconies.

Avalon prides itself in giving guests sweeping views from anywhere onboard.

Destinations: Popular routes include the Rhine, Danube, and Rhône rivers.

Highlights:

Open-air balconies in every suite.
A variety of regional dining menus.
Multiple port activity options that can include classic, adventure and discovery excursions.

Ideal For: Couples and solo travelers looking for flexibility and comfort.

Tauck River Cruises

Overview: Tauck River Cruises is known for luxury by providing guests an all-inclusive, high-end experiences.

They offer exclusive access to cultural sites and excellent personalized service.

Tauck River Cruises anticipates each guest's needs with their attentive service.

Destinations: Cruises on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, and more.

Highlights:

All-inclusive pricing with gratuities and excursions.
Exclusive cultural experiences and private tours.
Spacious suites and attentive service.

Ideal For: Discerning travelers who appreciate exclusivity and comprehensive service.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Overview: Uniworld is synonymous with luxury, offering opulent ships and exceptional service.

The cruise line stands out with its boutique-style ships.

Each ship is uniquely designed with lavish decor to reflect the region it visits, offering gourmet dining and enriching excursions.

Destinations: Cruises on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, and more.

Highlights:

Lavishly decorated ships with unique themes corresponding to the region.
All-inclusive pricing with gourmet dining and premium drinks.
Personalized excursions and high staff-to-guest ratio.

Ideal For: Luxury travelers who value attention to detail and personalized service.

Uniworld river cruise ship lounge — Riverside River Cruises

Riverside River Cruises

Overview: Riverside River Cruises provides a luxurious and intimate cruising experience.

Their ships offer personalized service with butler service, elegant accommodations, and gourmet dining.

The focus is on creating a serene and exclusive atmosphere for their guests.

Destinations: Cruises on the Rhine, Danube, and other major European rivers.

Highlights:

Personalized service for guests with included butler service.
All-inclusive pricing with gourmet dining and premium drinks.
Serene atmosphere for their guests.

Ideal For: Travelers looking for a serene, exclusive, and personalized river cruise experience.

view of the river from balcony of river cruise stateroom

Tips for Choosing the Right Cruise

Determine Your Budget: Knowing your budget will help narrow down your options.
Consider the Itinerary: Think about which rivers and destinations you want to explore.
Check Inclusions: Look at what’s included in the price—meals, excursions, drinks, etc.
Work with a Travel Advisor: Lean on the research and experiences of an expert to get a sense of what to expect.
Book Early: Popular cruises can sell out quickly, so it’s wise to book in advance.