An Expert Take On How To Choose A Europe River Cruise

How To Choose A Europe River Cruise

By Sue Bryant

Medieval castles on the Rhine or Baroque palaces on the Danube? Rainbow-colored Dutch bulb fields or snowy Christmas markets? When it comes to European river cruising, one thing’s for sure: there’s an almost overwhelming choice.

I’ve sailed all of Europe’s major rivers and several minor ones and there’s so much to love. Personal highlights include a private view of Klimt’s The Kiss in Vienna, a Sauternes-paired lunch in a chateau near Bordeaux, and white-water kayaking on France’s Ardèche river. Don’t for one minute think that river cruising is formulaic, or passive!

The toughest part is finding the right river, cruise line, and ship for you, whether you’re interested in gazing at art, tasting wine, or cycling along the riverbank, or all three.

Here’s what you need to know to choose the perfect European river vacation.

Cruise Expert Sue Bryant tells us How To Choose A Europe River Cruise — Cruise Expert Sue Bryant tells us how to choose a Europe river Cruise. * Photo: Sue Bryant

There Are Similarities…

All European riverboats are largely the same shape

Europe’s rivers and canals are controlled by dozens of locks and spanned by multiple bridges so ships must be built to a specification that will allow them through the locks and under the bridges.The exceptions are AmaWaterways’ wide, twin-hulled AmaMagna and Riverside Luxury Cruises’ Mozart, which can only sail a shorter stretch of the Danube, where there are no locks.

The wide AmaMagna — The 72-foot wide AmaMagna. * Photo: Gene Sloan

TIP: If you’re making the transition from ocean to river and are unsure whether you’ll enjoy a much smaller ship, either of these is a great way to give it a try, as they both have multiple restaurants, a spa, and pool.

A lot is included

Beyond full board, which is standard, many river lines include wine and beer with meals, as well as wifi and gratuities. Most include at least one shore excursion per port. For ultra-inclusive, try Scenic, APT, Tauck, or Uniworld, on which bar drinks and a choice of excursions are part of the fare.

Itineraries are similar

There are only so many ports along Europe’s rivers and cruise lines focus on the bucket-list destinations. For example, any Danube cruise would include Vienna, while pretty well any Rhine cruise would take you through the craggy, twisting Rhine Gorge. The differences are in how these itineraries and associated excursions are executed, and what the ships are like onboard.

Rhine River Family Cruises — It's a castle fest on the middle Rhine. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

… And Differences

There’s a surprising range of prices

You’re paying for the surroundings, the service, the choice of restaurants, and a choice of excursions on the ultra-luxury lines. Others deliver an excellent product but include less; just one excursion, for example, and drinks with meals only.

TIP: Figure out what’s important to you. If you don’t want to pay for an ultra-inclusive line, look at your priorities. With Viking, for example, there’s an included tour in most ports but they also offer for-fee excursions you can pick and choose, too. Travelmarvel and Emerald are both great premium products but bar drinks are extra, so if you’re not a big drinker, you won’t be funding someone else’s booze habit.

How Much Do Europe River Cruises Cost?

Fares for Europe river cruises vary quite a bit, depending on season, cabin category and how inclusive a particular line’s pricing is. For a typical weeklong Rhine or Danube River cruise, per double occupancy, expect to generally pay $4,000 to 7,000 USD per person.

The most affordable entry-level river cruise can be found for around $2,000 per person for a week, but if you book a suite on one of the more luxurious lines, you could be looking at up to $10,000 per person double occupancy.

Remember, these river cruise fare estimates don’t include flights and any pre-and post-cruise stays in Europe.

Cultural/Passenger variations

Some lines attract a mainly North American market, including AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Tauck. A-ROSA is generally aimed at German cruisers, while Scenic, Emerald, APT, and Travelmarvel are all Australian-owned and will carry a lot of Aussies. Saga, Riviera, and TUI, on the other hand, sell mainly in the UK.

Imaginative interiors for some

You’ll be surprised at what can fit inside a long, thin metal box. Some Emerald and Uniworld ships, for example, have a gorgeous aft pool which by night converts to a movie theater (Emerald) or a cocktail lounge (Uniworld). In fact, Uniworld especially is known for its opulently themed ships, taking inspiration from styles including baroque, art deco, and early 20th-century Venice in lavish fabrics, textures, Murano glass chandeliers, and carefully curated art.

The new Riviera Radiance feels like a boutique hotel with a light-filled, split-level lounge as well as three restaurants. AmaWaterways’ ships have an ingenious layout that allows several of the cabins to have two balconies.

The 2025-built 178-pax Riviera Radiance is from one of the top 19 Europe River cruise lines — The 2025-built 178-pax Riviera Radiance. * Photo: Riviera Cruises

Line By Line

Amadeus River Cruises

Austrian-owned Amadeus operates a fleet of 14 contemporary, beautifully designed ships and has a more laid-back, “European” feel than the more regimented lines. You’ll get shore excursion credit (around €200 per person, or $230 USD, which should cover a few) rather than a fixed program of tours, and while local wines are paired with meals, bar drinks cost extra.

AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways has a fleet of 24 riverboats in Europe, with ambitious expansion plans. The company’s following is mainly North American, with everything from excursions to drinks with meals and a daily “sip and sail” happy hour. I love the twin balcony staterooms, which come with a step-out veranda and a French balcony. And the Chef’s Table, an alternative restaurant with an open kitchen and exceptional tasting menu.

VIDEO: Below, a peek at AmaWaterway's balcony set-up, here the outside verandah aboard AmaStella.

APT

Australian-owned APT is all-inclusive and attracts mainly Antipodean guests, with a smattering of Brits and North Americans. Its bold, futuristic European ships, APT Solara and Ostara are by Australian design team Hecker Guthrie and are packed with features, not least six places to dine, including a BBQ on the sun deck. Check out the Conversation Pit, a circular, al fresco space of squashy chairs that’s perfect for sundowners.

The Daystar Deck aboard Solara — The cool Daystar Deck aboard Solara. * Photo: APT

A-ROSA

German line A-ROSA operates a fleet of 15 bright, jolly ships (you can’t miss them as each one sports a pair of scarlet lips on the prow), eight of which are designated “international.” The remainder are for German speakers. What’s unusual about this affordable line is that it’s super family-friendly; the hybrid-powered A-ROSA Sena has a kids’ club and a kids’ pool, for example. But don’t expect ultra-luxury.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon operates 11 ships on Europe’s rivers, sailing all the major waterways. Expect soothing, modern interiors and a relaxed, mainly informal vibe. There’s an emphasis on health and fitness, with a fleet of bikes on every ship and daily stretch and yoga classes, not to mention classy plant-based dishes designed by Austria’s celebrated chefs, the Wrenkh brothers. Pick an Active & Discovery itinerary for excursions including hiking, cycling, and kayaking.

Celebrity River Cruises

All eyes are on Celebrity River Cruises, launching with two ships in 2027 and a further three in 2028. The line will bring popular design features from its contemporary ocean-going ships to its new European river fleet: an aft deck infinity pool, Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites (yes, please!), and a river-going version of the Martini Bar. The goal, the company says, is to be operating 20 riverboats by 2031.

New River Cruise Ships for 2026 & 2027 include Celebrity — Among Celebrity River Cruises' vessel innovations is an aft infinity pool. * Rendering: Celebrity River Cruises

CroisiEurope

French-owned CroisiEurope has an eclectic fleet comprising everything from paddlewheelers on the shallow Loire and Elbe to six intimate hotel barges that are an excellent and affordable way to explore the quieter waterways of France and Belgium. I love the wide range of itineraries; I’ve sailed Spain’s beautiful Guadalquivir and Guadiana rivers with this quirky line, the Venice lagoon, and most recently, the Vltava, deep into Bohemia.

Emerald Waterways

Part of the Scenic group, Emerald’s 10 stylishly designed ships have a real boutique hotel feel. The aft pool is fantastic; the roof retracts to create an al fresco space and, in the evenings, the area becomes a movie theater. Itineraries cater for fitness fans with EmeraldActive excursions including hiking, kayaking, and cycling as well as more conventional tours.

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Riverside acquired the river fleet of Crystal when the latter went into liquidation in 2022 and now operates three of them (the other two are leased to Uniworld) on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Rhône, and Saône. The ships are as beautiful as riverboats come, filled with light, with spacious cabins and butler service. Riverside is a great option for a short cruise; there are dozens of permutations of itinerary, as well as creative excursions such as truffle hunting in the Ardèche or a private reception at Vienna’s Belvedere Palace. The pricing is confusing, though with options ranging from full board to all-inclusive, to all-inclusive- plus-excursions.

indoor pool area on aft Riverside Deck — The indoor pool area on Ravel's aft Riverside Deck has cushioned loungers and a skylight. * Photo: Peter Knego

Riviera Travel

British line Riviera is making a push for the US market and has some sleek new, Swiss-built ships, which are considerably glossier than the company’s older vessels. Expect a less structured experience; for Brits, Europe is an easy journey and there’s less pressure to fill every moment. The line is also impressively solo-friendly; from 2027, one ship (the George Eliot, not one of the new ones) will be dedicated entirely to sole-occupancy cabins.

Saga

British-owned Saga Cruises, which caters to over-50s and has a fiercely loyal following, has four contemporary river ships, with the new Spirit of the Lorelei launching in 2027, taking the total to five. Everything is included on these cruises from drinks to excursions, gratuities, and for British passengers, a chauffeur-driven car to the airport.

Scenic

Australian-owned Scenic has 12 of what it calls “Space Ships” on Europe’s rivers with some nifty features, not least a salt therapy lounge for easing tired muscles after a day of touring. What’s impressive is the choice of included excursions, usually three or four per port, as well as an immersive Scenic Enrich experience on every cruise, for example, a private classical concert in the UNESCO-listed Liebfrauenkirche in the Roman founded city of Trier.

Tauck

Tauck operates 12 very upscale ships on Europe’s rivers, chartered from Swiss shipbuilder Scylla. Tauck is one of the premier river cruise lines so expect small group tours, bigger cabins, lower capacity of ships, included gratuities, and interestingly, three or four Tauck Directors (as opposed to just one ship manager) to ensure a seamless experience. Tours are imaginative, from dinners in castles to a classical recital in Vienna’s gorgeous Palais Pallavicini.

Trafalgar

Tour operator Trafalgar, a sister company to Uniworld, launched on the Rhine and Danube in 2026 with two ships, Reverie and Verity. The eagle-eyed will spot that both are former Uniworld ships, River Princess and River Queen respectively, so come with Uniworld’s trademark opulent decor. These are older vessels, though (the 128-passenger Verity was built in 1999) so have fewer French balcony cabins than newer rivals, and a slightly dated look. Cruises include drinks with meals and some excursions, with some imaginative optional offerings like lunch at a winery in Austria’s Wachau Valley or a foodie tour of Budapest.

Travelmarvel

The four-star brand of Aussie-owned APT, Travelmarvel sails the Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhône, and Douro on a fleet of six ships, four of its own, one, the MS Estrela, shared with APT and on the Rhône, the Van Gogh, chartered from CroisiEurope. This line is a great choice if you’re happy with fewer inclusions; some tours cost extra, while you’ll pay for drinks outside mealtimes.

TUI River Cruises

Adults-only TUI River Cruises, aimed at the British market, operates four ships in Europe, all slightly different; the TUI Aria, for example, has a snazzy indoor pool with a retractable roof, while TUI Luzia, the line’s first new-build, coming to the Douro in 2027, has a BBQ restaurant on the top deck. TUI offers competitively priced cruises with flights and transfers included for UK passengers, and drinks with meals. You’ll pay extra for excursions, though.

The interior of TUI Aria, the line is one of Europe's top — The interior of TUI Aria. * Photo: TUI

Uniworld

Uniworld puts extraordinary attention to detail into its fleet of 11, soon to be 14 ultra-luxe European ships, all sumptuous fabrics, glittering chandeliers, and gilded mirrors. Everything from an open bar to a choice of shore excursions is included on cruises along the Rhine, Danube, French waterways, the Douro, and the Venetian lagoon, while there’s a vast array of add-ons, bolting places as diverse as Switzerland, Spain, and Scotland onto a river cruise. “Generations” cruises, for families, are fantastic, with kid-friendly excursions and experiences on board.

Viking

Adults-only Viking is by far the biggest European river cruise line, with more than 80 ships, most of them “Longships” carrying 190, as well as its own fleet of branded coaches. Accommodation on board is prioritized over extras; there’s no gym or spa, for example, no pool, and no bicycles. What you do get is a seamless, mainly inclusive experience (bar drinks are extra) with comprehensive pre- and post-cruise add-ons and an included excursion in every port, plus a wide choice of tours at a supplementary price.

Viva Cruises

A relative newcomer, Viva Cruises is the house brand of Scylla, which builds and supplies ships to various other lines. Viva’s voyages, on the Rhine, Danube, Rhône, and Seine, attract a multinational crowd, younger than on most other lines. The majority of passengers are German-speaking, but announcements are made in English and German and there are dedicated tours and briefings for English-speakers. What’s different here is very few excursions are included (*note: excursions are included for the American market, but not for the UK and European markets); you pick and choose what you want. Some are a lot of fun — a tour of Montmartre in a vintage Citroen 2CV, for example. A new sub-brand, Viva Boutique, elevates the experience with cruises on the Seine on Viva Beyond, a refurbished ship previously used by Tauck, and from 2027, the Venice Lagoon on Viva Unique.

German, Dutch & Belgian Waterways cruise review abour the Viva Enjoy, here the Riverside Restaurant — The Riverside Restaurant can be accessed from the forward end of the Panorama Salon and the Reception area aft. * Photo: Peter Knego

European River Cruise Line Buckets

To help you wade through the choices, I’ve grouped the main Europe river cruise lines into a handful of broad categories.

International Mix

If you like a multicultural cruise, pick a line that appeals to all nationalities. CroisiEurope mixes it up, French passengers are the biggest cohort. You’ll hear a mix of languages on Viva Cruises, too, while Amadeus attracts an international crowd.

Mostly British

TUI and Saga Cruises carry predominantly British customers. Riviera Travel’s ships have a British vibe but can be booked in the US; go for the newest ships, Radiance, Reflection, Rose, and Resplendence.

Mostly North American

If you prefer to sail in the company of fellow North Americans, lines including Uniworld, AmaWaterways, Tauck, and Avalon might suit you. Viking carries a lot of North Americans, too, but also has an enthusiastic British following. (And if river cruising in the USA, American Cruise Lines attracts mostly all Americans.)

Uniworld's São Gabriel on the Douro River. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Mostly Australian

Aussies are big river cruisers and are served by four lines in Europe: upscale Scenic, with its four-star sister Emerald, and just as luxurious APT, which has Travelmarvel as its slightly less expensive sibling.

All-Inclusive

The most inclusive lines give you a choice of excursions, open bar, specialty dining, gratuities, and wifi. Try Uniworld, Tauck, Scenic, and APT for the most inclusions and if you’re less concerned about free-flowing booze but want everything else covered, AmaWaterways, Avalon, and Viking.

Most Expensive

Upscale lines Uniworld, Tauck, Riverside, and AmaWaterways offer a more refined experience when it comes to food, service, and accommodation, as do Scenic and APT.

More Affordable

If you’re looking for an entry-level European river cruise, try CroisiEurope, Riviera Travel or Viva. TUI River Cruises also has some great pricing for the British market, while German A-ROSA is an affordable option for families. Viva Cruises has some competitive pricing on extremely sleek ships (though, note, for UK and Europe passengers, excursions cost extra; they're included for Americans).

Small Ship Cruise Line Review: CroisiEurope — A standard cabin aboard Cyrano de Bergerac. * Photo: CroisiEurope

Sportiest River Cruise Lines

AmaWaterways has a wellness host on each ship — the plus-size AmaMagna even has a pickleball court. AmaWaterways has a tie-up with specialist cycling operator Backroads, too, which offers long, challenging rides every day. Avalon’s Active & Discovery cruises are great for fitness, too, with hiking, kayaking, and cycling tours. Celebrity River Cruises is yet to launch, but its ocean passengers tend to be active mid-lifers so the river product is likely to reflect this.

How To Choose A Europe River Cruise includes considering if being active, like cycling, is important to you — Many river cruise ships in Europe carry along bicycles to use in port; there are also guided cycle tours offered in some ports. * Photo: Sue Bryant

Seasonal Variations

Some itineraries are strictly seasonal. Come in April for the Netherlands’ dazzling tulip fields and Keukenhof Gardens, offered by AmaWaterways, Avalon, and Viking, among others.

Or be enchanted by the magic of Europe’s pretty Christmas markets (it would take a hard-hearted person not to be) with Uniworld, Riviera Travel, and Trafalgar.

Otherwise, you'll find most river cruises in Europe offered between March and December; with many lines keeping a handful of their Europe river boats on the water year-round.

Best For Families

Uniworld’s Generations cruises are fantastic, with family-friendly excursions including a Van Gogh painting class on the Rhône and a scavenger hunt in Passau. Likewise, Tauck’s Bridges cruises, which have activities including a family-friendly tour of the Louvre and a cycling excursion around Versailles to visit Marie Antoinette’s farm. A multi-gen vacation on one of CroisiEurope’s slow-paced barge cruises can be a great option, too; they’re super-casual and have some good deals for families.

Family time on the River Empress — Family time in the elegant lounge of Uniworld's River Empress before dinner. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Adults-Only Lines

Most river cruises by nature only attract adults, but if you really feel strongly about avoiding other peoples’ kids, Saga Cruises is strictly over-50s and Viking and TUI are for over-18s only.

Best Itineraries For First Timers

First-time river cruisers inevitably pick the Rhine or the Danube, both of which are satisfyingly packed with big hitters. On the Danube, you have Vienna and Budapest and from the port of Linz, dreamy Salzburg for your Mozart/Von Trapp fix, or a day trip to fairy-tale Cesky Krumlov in Czechia. Rhine cruises generally visit Cologne, the scenic Rhine Gorge, lined with castles and vineyards, and glorious Strasbourg.

TIP: For your first European river cruise, pick a line that will hold your hand all the way, like Viking, AmaWaterways, Tauck, or Trafalgar

Best Itineraries For Wine Lovers

Cruises from Bordeaux are a given, as you’ll sail through the heartland of one of the world’s most famous wine regions. Vineyards cover the hillsides in every direction on the Rhine and Moselle, with multiple opportunities for cellar visits in pretty Rüdesheim and Cochem. And don’t overlook the Douro; even if you’re not wild about port wine, there’s plenty more to taste and the scenery, immaculate vineyards curving around the contours of the hills, is gorgeous.

Biking River Cruise with Backroads and Amawaterways aboard the AmaDolce — The 144-pax AmaDolce docked along in mineral-rich waters of France's Bordeaux region. * Photo: John Roberts

Best Itineraries For Scenic Sailing

I’d argue that long, dreamy days on the river are one of the best aspects of European river cruising. If you’re also here to mix the scenery with city stays, look at itineraries with daytime sailing; Avalon’s Bordeaux cruises, for example, or Viking’s long cruises on the lower Danube, east from Budapest. Ships can’t sail at night on the Douro, so any cruise will include lounging on deck time.

Douro River cruise review, Geo on Deck — Geo on deck of the Sao Gabriel in Porto. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Some Caveats To Europe River Cruising

There may not always be a view

Europe’s rivers are busy — there’s even debate about whether full capacity has been reached — and in popular ports, you’ll often find that you’re moored two, or even three ships deep. This can be frustrating as the view from your cabin may be completely obscured. But who docks where is down to the port authorities, not so much the cruise lines, so you can’t really plan for this eventuality. There’s just no guarantee that you won’t have another ship next to you

Water levels Can be unreliable

Increasingly, low water or high water on Europe’s rivers is an issue. Too low and riverboats could run aground; too high and they can’t fit under the bridges. If you’re unlucky enough to experience either, cruise lines have contingencies in place. You’ll still see the sights, but you’ll spend time on a coach, rather than sailing. Worst case, cruise lines will whisk you over the trouble spot by moving you and your belongings to an identical ship further along the river. It’s in situations like this where Viking is at an advantage, as it has such a big fleet.

My Top 3 European River Cruises

The Vltava with CroisiEurope, simply because it was so different; there’s a real sense of remoteness deep in the forested Czech countryside, combined with some great tours; bonkers Konopiste Castle, home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, was an eye-opener.

Here's my review of this cruise for the London-based The Times newspaper.

How To Choose A Europe River Cruise — The Charles bridge in Prague. * Photo: Sue Bryant

The Seine on Uniworld’s Joie de Vivre, brilliant as you get several days docked in the heart of Paris before venturing out into the bucolic Normandy countryside, land of creamy camembert cheese and potent cider.

Salon Toulouse on the S.S. Joie de Vivre. * Photo: Uniworld

The Douro on Avalon Alegria; I loved the healthy food on board and the vineyard hikes — and a day in honey-hued Salamanca across the border in Spain is always a treat on a Douro cruise.

Have a look at my review for The Times to read more.

Hope You Enjoyed My “How To Choose A Europe River Cruise” Tips

Overall, my best advice is: Research the right style of cruise line for your tastes. Think about what you want included, from bar drinks to unlimited excursions. Consider dates; if you're in Europe for the culture rather than sunbathing, a very early or late season cruise could be the answer, at a better price. Plan what you might do independently, for example, a particular gallery or museum, and book it in advance. It's hard to go wrong with a river cruise if you're looking for gorgeous scenery, captivating cities, and quaint riverside towns, but in this era of spectacular growth in the industry, there really is far more choice than you might have imagined.