Europe’s rivers, the Rhine, Danube, Rhône, Seine and Douro, are the heartland of river cruising, and there are more lines to choose from than ever. They range from all-inclusive luxury to great-value French and German operators, and from UK-inclusive packages with regional flights to American-style premium brands.
Here are twelve of the best, grouped by style.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Luxury and all-inclusive
- Premium
- UK-inclusive packages
- Great value
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uniworld Boutique River Cruises | River cruises | 13 Super Ships in the fleet | Design-led luxury | All drinks, Daily excursions, Airport transfers |
| Scenic | River and ocean | 17+ Space-Ships | All-inclusive luxury | All meals, All drinks, all day, Daily excursions |
| Riverside Luxury Cruises | River cruises | 5 Refurbished six-star ships | Small-ship luxury | All-suite, butler-tended, All meals + all drinks anytime, Daily excursions |
| Tauck | River cruises | 11 River ships | Touring-style cruises | All gratuities, All meals, All excursions |
| Viking | River and ocean | 15 Ocean ships | Culture-focused couples | Wi-Fi, Excursion in every port, Beer & wine at lunch and dinner |
| AmaWaterways | River cruises | 27 River ships | Active travellers | All meals, Wine, beer and soft drinks, Daily shore excursions |
| Avalon Waterways | River cruises | 15 Suite Ships | Views from your bed | All meals, Drinks with meals, Daily excursions |
| Emerald Cruises | River and ocean | 10+ River Star Ships | Premium for less | All meals + drinks at lunch and dinner, Daily shore excursions, Bicycles and Nordic walking poles |
| Riviera Travel | River cruises | 18+ River ships | Easy UK packages | Flights from regional UK airports, All transfers, All meals + wine/beer with lunch and dinner |
| TUI River Cruises | River cruises | 3 River ships | Modern ships from UK airports | Flights from regional UK airports, All transfers, All meals + drinks at lunch and dinner |
| CroisiEurope | River cruises | 50+ River ships | Widest choice of rivers | All meals + drinks with meals, Open-bar in lounge before/after dinner, Daily excursions |
| A-Rosa | River cruises | 13 River ships | Families on the river | All meals, Drinks with meals, Indoor pool and spa |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Luxury and all-inclusive
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
- River cruises
- 13 Super Ships in the fleet
- 110-160 Guests per ship — boutique scale
Boutique “Super Ships” of 110 to 160 guests with statement design, and drinks, daily excursions, gratuities, Wi-Fi and airport transfers included.
Best for: Design-led luxury
Scenic
- River and ocean
- 17+ Space-Ships
- 169 Max guests / Space-Ship
Space-Ships with Sun Lounge cabins, butler service and genuinely all-in fares covering all drinks, excursions, gratuities and transfers.
Best for: All-inclusive luxury
Riverside Luxury Cruises
- River cruises
- 5 Refurbished six-star ships
- 106 Max guests / ship
The former Crystal River fleet, refurbished as six-star ships of around 106 guests, all-suite and butler-tended, with all drinks and excursions included.
Best for: Small-ship luxury
Tauck
- River cruises
- 11 River ships
- 130 Max guests / ship
A family-run company with 100 years in touring: small groups, inclusive fares covering gratuities, excursions and transfers, and exclusive after-hours access at major sites.
Best for: Touring-style cruises
Premium
Viking
- River and ocean
- 15 Ocean ships
More than 80 adults-only river ships, with an excursion in every port, Wi-Fi and beer and wine with meals included.
Best for: Culture-focused couples
AmaWaterways
- River cruises
- 27 River ships
- 196 Max guests / ship
A family-owned line with twin balconies in most cabins and an included excursion programme running from gentle walks to biking and hiking.
Best for: Active travellers
Avalon Waterways
- River cruises
- 15 Suite Ships
- 166 Max guests / Suite Ship
Pioneers of the Panorama Suite, with beds facing a wall-to-wall open-air balcony, plus Active and Discovery excursions.
Best for: Views from your bed
Emerald Cruises
- River and ocean
- 10+ River Star Ships
- 180 Max guests / Star Ship
The Scenic Group’s value-tier sister, with Star-Ship river vessels, drinks with lunch and dinner, daily excursions and an indoor pool with a retractable roof.
Best for: Premium for less
UK-inclusive packages
Riviera Travel
- River cruises
- 18+ River ships
- 169 Max guests / ship
The UK’s largest river cruise operator, family-run since 1984, with flights from regional UK airports, transfers, drinks with meals, excursions and gratuities included.
Best for: Easy UK packages
TUI River Cruises
- River cruises
- 3 River ships
- 156 Max guests / ship
Three modern ships on the Rhine, Danube and Moselle with flights from regional UK airports, meals and drinks at lunch and dinner and Wi-Fi.
Best for: Modern ships from UK airports
Great value
CroisiEurope
- River cruises
- 50+ River ships
- 200 Max guests / ship
Europe’s largest river fleet, more than 50 ships on 13 river systems, with meals, drinks with meals, an open bar around dinner and daily excursions.
Best for: Widest choice of rivers
A-Rosa
- River cruises
- 13 River ships
- 186 Max guests / ship
Contemporary German river ships with a relaxed atmosphere, strong family departures, an indoor pool and spa, and bicycles.
Best for: Families on the river
Which river?
Rhine: castles, vineyards and the Lorelei, from Amsterdam to Basel. Danube: Vienna, Budapest and the Wachau Valley. Rhône and Saône: Provence and Burgundy. Seine: Paris to Normandy. Douro: Portugal’s port-wine valley, one of the most scenic of all. Christmas-market cruises on the Rhine and Danube are hugely popular in December.
How we chose these cruise lines
We compared the European river lines we sell by style, inclusions and value. We sell more than 60 cruise lines, from big family ships to tiny expedition vessels, so these recommendations are based on what each line actually offers: ship size, what’s included in the fare, who it suits and who it doesn’t. Fares, inclusions and ships change, so always check the details for your sailing, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best river cruise line in Europe?
For luxury, Uniworld or Scenic; for an all-round adults-only cruise, Viking; for a package from regional UK airports, Riviera Travel.
Which river cruises include flights from the UK?
Riviera Travel and TUI River Cruises include flights from regional UK airports.
What is the best river for a first river cruise?
The Rhine or the Danube, with lots of famous cities and easy itineraries.
Are drinks included on river cruises?
Often with meals; Uniworld, Scenic and Riverside include drinks all day.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
