The 4 Best Luxury River Cruises

Table Of Content

• CroisiEurope Cruises
• AmaWaterways
• Best cruise line for LGBTQ+ travelers
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Both itineraries have been modified and feature destinations the whole family can enjoy. While the Jewels of the Rhine explores the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate.

CroisiEurope Cruises

The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. These excursions are all included in the price of the cruise and are considered part of the river experience, although they aren't included for the sole domestic option on our list, the American Queen Steamboat Company. Like most cruises, the food served is reflective of your destination's local cuisine and there is also a light menu and options for vegetarians, vegans, and kids.

AmaWaterways

Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay a supplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. Some sailings have Loft Suites, which are two stories with floor-to-ceiling windows and have two full bathrooms, a dining area, a lounge with a Queen sofa-bed, a balcony, and an upstairs bedroom. I've always been a fan of traditional cruise line journeys, but a river cruise is much more intimate and in many cases, luxurious. These sleek ships generally host less than 200 passengers and go where giant cruise liners cannot, such as the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Mekong, Mississippi, and Nile Rivers. If exploring the central U.S. — Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri — without driving is appealing, consider the 15-night Grand Ohio River Cruise offered by American Cruise Lines.

Best cruise line for LGBTQ+ travelers

Some might argue that, with less than 200 passengers onboard, free wine at meals and included shore excursions, all river cruises are luxurious, compared to their mainstream ocean counterparts. Amawaterways is now accepting reservations for its highly anticipated cruises on Colombia's Magdalena River departing from both Cartagena and Barranquilla in 2024. Both seven-day itineraries explore Colombia's rich musical and cultural history, along with a chance to experience the country's natural wonders and local cuisine. Amawaterways is the first major river cruise line to highlight Colombia’s beauty with these types of voyages.

Best River Cruise Itineraries to Book in 2023 and 2024

These cruises offer 25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). While many cruise lines have a strict dining schedule, these ships offer several different onboard restaurants. The Panorama Dining Room serves daily four-course à la carte dinners along with complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks, or guests can choose the more casual Panorama Bistro or Sky Grill. Though many European countries have been off-limits for travelers, memories of recent trips to one of the world's iconic river cruising destinations helped inform voters' choices this year. Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. The iconic river ships of No. 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers giving the stalwart high marks, moving it up three places.

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Douro River Cruise Tips.

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While Viking has also launched an award-winning ocean cruise line, the company built its reputation in river cruising. These all-inclusive cruises feature outside staterooms, Wi-Fi, wine and beer with meals, shore excursions in every port, and cultural enrichment programs. Along with visits to bustling cities like Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City, Aqua Expeditions' Mekong River cruises also visits serene ports in the countryside. Imagine kayaking to floating villages, watching silk weavers at work, and biking to village markets.

After arriving in Lyon, passengers will stay in Paris for an exclusive guided tour showcasing jazz, food, and wine, all while shining a light on Black heritage. Emerald is opening up two of its Europe river itineraries to younger guests, with kid-friendly menus and exciting onboard activities such as video games, movies, and tournaments. Children must be 10 years old or older to take part in Emerald’s kid-friendly voyages.

Best European River Cruise for Onboard Facilities: AmaWaterways AmaMagna

Viking River Cruises provides an 8-day “Romantic Danube” itinerary, ideal for those new to river cruising. The itinerary, which sails round-trip from Porto, includes visits to the Old Town of Porto, the Quinta da Pacheca winery, and the historical city of Salamanca in Spain, complete with a traditional flamenco show. The cruise takes place on the Scenic Diamond, a luxury vessel accommodating 167 passengers, ensuring an intimate and high-quality experience​​. This cruise is a dream for wine enthusiasts, offering a seven-day journey through the renowned Bordeaux region of France. Take a look at the luxury river cruise landscape -- and find the line that's right for you.

Guests can expect a high level of service, with an equal number of crew members and passengers. Activities include kayaking, fishing, and guided nature tours, and the cruise is ideal for combining with a visit to Machu Picchu. The cruise is perfect for those seeking to explore the lush landscapes and rich wine regions of the Iberian Peninsula, offering a blend of cultural experiences and scenic beauty​​. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy.

A guided tour takes guests through Autostadt Wolfsburg, a park dedicated to the history of the automobile. In Hamburg, there's a city tour and harbor cruise before the cruise continues to the Baltic resort, Laboe, and ends in Kiel. The eight-day "Saar and Moselle Fairytales" cruise boards in Cologne and cruises down the Rhine to the Moselle and its tributary, the Saar River.

Specially designed itineraries and Adventure Guides create experiences for parents, children, and teens, from active excursions to unique onboard activities. Adults-only dinners and wine tasting experiences along with teen programming, Disney movie nights, karaoke, trivia nights, and Junior Adventurer dinners provide entertainment for guests of all ages. Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms.

“The rooms were a bit dated but I do know that they are going to be refurbished,” said one reader, who traveled aboard the River Empress. Riviera Travel isn't the most widely known cruise provider, but those looking to cruise the Rhine River solo are in luck. On every Riviera sailing a number of double cabins on the lower deck are set aside for single travelers with no single supplement (which is generally charged by cruise lines if you're traveling alone). Additionally, Riviera offers a number of solo-traveler-only itineraries on the Rhine where there is no single supplement on any cabin, including suites. New itineraries for 2024 include an extended 10-night Cologne, the Rhine Gorge & Medieval Germany River Cruise from Cologne to Nuremberg.

For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. AmaWaterways' active excursions take in some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery—enticing passengers on hilly bike rides and waterside hikes. This ship truly embodies the decadence of Renaissance Venice, with a playful interior featuring hand-painted Venetian masks and flamboyant custom-made fabrics by Venice-design house Fortuny. Passengers can dine on fresh wood-fired pizza at Cielo's and sip Bellinis at Hari's Bar, all while taking in views of Venice's sparkling lagoon.

For those looking for a longer experience, Uniworld cleverly combines a Po cruise with luxury rail journeys to places like Istanbul, Switzerland and beyond. The French city of Strasbourg, with its famous Gothic cathedral and robust Alsatian culinary scene, is often a favorite stop on Rhine itineraries, with other highlights including Heidelberg, Germany, and its imposing castle. Lines like AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways excel in combining comfort with adventure, while American Queen Voyages, Tauck, and Emerald Cruises offer distinct flavors of regional exploration, luxury, and modern amenities. Check out top places to visit in the United States; check out the list of things to do in Madison, things to do in Lead and things to do in White Plains for a fun time. River cruising has been exploding in popularity in recent years, and it's easy to see why. You check in, unpack your bag, and let your floating hotel take you on a journey of discovery down some of the world's great waterways, with experiential guided excursions along the way.

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Table Of Content

• Best European River Cruise For Families: A-Rosa, A-Rosa Sena
• Best Value European River Cruise: Emerald Cruises, Emerald Luna
• Best River Cruise Itineraries to Book in 2023 and 2024
• Night Christmastime On The Danube With 2 Nights In Pragu...Details
• Nicko Cruises
• The Best Rhine River Cruise for Every Traveler

A naturalist, historian and geologist will be on hand to guide you on excursions by foot, kayak, Zodiac and jet boat. Next, during a call at Kingston/Hyde Park, you can tour the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, home to the 32nd U.S. president's library and museum. You can also head to the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, featuring an American Beaux-Arts mansion completed in 1899. The United States Military Academy at West Point, founded in 1802, is also on the itinerary, as is Sleepy Hollow. The Sleepy Hollow legend comes to life during a tour of the local cemetery where author Washington Irving is buried. Back in the Big Apple on day seven, you'll have time to explore before saying farewell to your ship.

Best European River Cruise For Families: A-Rosa, A-Rosa Sena

You'll explore the Pacific Northwest from Portland, Oregon, to Clarkstown, Washington (or vice versa). From Memphis blues and Elvis Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes" to Kentucky bluegrass and New Orleans jazz, American Cruise Lines' eight-night Music Cities Cruise sails you through a chronology of the U.S. music scene. You'll traverse three rivers (the Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland) en route from Memphis to Nashville, or vice versa. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. The value-packed experience is geared toward adults and is consistently high quality.

Best Value European River Cruise: Emerald Cruises, Emerald Luna

There is also destination-themed entertainment; for example, while sailing through Austria a musician is likely to play musical pieces from "The Sound of Music." Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. At the top end are large well-appointed suites with two full-sized rooms and great views, measuring about 445 square feet. It was a fascinating trip down the Danube River in Europe with Disney Cruises, focused on Christmas markets. From Darrow, Louisiana, you'll stroll beneath canopies of towering live oak trees to visit historic mansions or glide through the bayou.

Best River Cruise Itineraries to Book in 2023 and 2024

Just make sure to check this cruise packing list so you bring all the right things with you. For added assurance, you might want to take these unexpected essentials with you as well. On the Belmond Napoleon, guests cruise the River Saône past châteaux, rural river towns, and expansive vineyards. Stops at Montmerle, Mâcon, and Tournus offer opportunities for wine tasting and exploring a Benedictine abbey. There's a walking tour of Chalon-Sur-Sâone and time to browse through St. Jean de Losne. The eight-day "Traveling on the Elbe and Havel" cruise covers Germany's north on rivers and canals aboard the Frederick Chopin.

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This coastal city at the mouth of the Columbia River is known for its Victorian homes, wineries, brew pubs, and Lewis and Clark heritage. Next, from Kalama, Washington, you can join an excursion to visit the remnants of the area around Mount St. Helens, which suffered a devastating eruption in 1980. There's eagle spotting in Red Wing and agricultural innovation in Quad Cities, Iowa. You'll enjoy Mark Twain lore in Hannibal, Missouri, and architectural landmarks, such as the soaring Gateway Arch, in St. Louis.

Living up to its name, the Miami-based Celebrity Cruises partners with well-known names in the arts and entertainment industry. It's newest ship, Celebrity Beyond, has Gwyneth Paltrow as its "wellbeing advisor" and a restaurant created by Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud, according to its website. To qualify for this category, at least 62% of a cruise line's online traveler reviews must be made by couples. Viking dominates this category due to its "adult-focused environment and luxurious and romantic amenities, such as fireplaces in each ship's common area and private verandas in every stateroom," according to a U.S.

On one-week cruises, you'll follow the river 130 miles past green hillside vineyards in the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO-recognized destination, before turning around at the Spanish border. The river cruises typically include a visit to the university town of Salamanca in northern Spain. Viticulture is very much the lesson en route, as you learn about port production on the "River of Gold." The cruise line provides bicycles for guests to explore city centers and offers a range of onshore and onboard entertainment.

Viking

During a year and a half of living in Alaska, Sherry has cruised and spent time at every port in the Last Frontier except for Nome. She’s become an avid transatlantic cruiser since 2005, as that is the only way for her to get to Europe without flying. Sherry hopes to inspire and encourage her readers to travel slow and travel solo, experience new cuisines and cultures. Abercrombie & Kent's canal and river cruising itineraries are almost totally all-inclusive, with things like gratuities, alcohol, and shore excursions coming at no extra cost. The company specializes in luxury European cruises and barging with small groups of no more than 24 guests and resident tour directors on board the chartered vessels.

The cruise line is celebrated for its friendly, knowledgeable staff, and tasty food, contributing to its positive reputation among travelers. The cruise line sails along popular rivers such as the Danube, Rhone, Seine, Nile, and the Mekong. It attracts English-speaking cruisers typically in their 50s and 60s, with children ages 8 and older welcome on board. The cruise line’s modern amenities and diverse itineraries make it a popular choice among a variety of age groups. Travelers often praise AmaWaterways for exceeding expectations, especially noting its family-friendliness and active excursion options.

The past year put the entire travel industry through the wringer, perhaps no segment more so than cruising. AmaWaterways ups its dedication to active cruisers with a bevy of wellness spaces as well, including massage rooms, a fitness center, open-air spin classes on the sun deck and a pool. However, despite being twice as wide as most river ships in Europe, there are only about 30% more travelers onboard (just shy of 200 passengers). Viking includes one excursion in each port with your fare, and offers a wider variety of river cruises in Europe than others.

Options include a bus tour, canal tour, pedal boats, or private auto tour, each at an additional cost. Most luxury cruise lines allow kids, though they often don't cater to them the way the larger lines do. The Rhine River can be a food-and-wine paradise and AmaWaterways is the best choice if you're a foodie or oenophile. All of AmaWaterways' European ships are members of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, a prestigious international gastronomic society. The line's intimate Chef's Table restaurant -- where all guests get to dine free once during their cruise -- also ups the gourmet credentials.

Having spent over 180 days at sea on more than 30 cruises with various cruise brands, they have learned a thing or two about planning and executing the perfect cruise vacation. The couple was voted as one of Porthole Cruise's Top 10 Cruise Influencers and is featured in the new book Cruising Interrupted. You can find them on the web and social media sharing detailed cruise ship reviews, port guides, packing tips and planning tips to help travelers "sea the world, one port at a time." Amadeus River Cruises takes passengers on river journeys in Europe aboard a relatively young fleet.

A river cruise is an all-inclusive journey where you unpack once but visit many destinations. They are smaller than traditional cruise ships and boast more tailored offerings, such as carefully curated cuisine that is reflective of the areas being visited. On all these journeys — from the Ganges to the Rhône — dining is a big part of the adventure. The Adventures by Disney river cruises are designed for families, and their itineraries, both onboard and onshore, have something for every age group. Kids love the Junior Adventurer dinners or Disney movie nights, and there is also a Just Teens program with dinners and separate tour groups at various destinations. Tauck prides itself on offering off-the-beaten-track experiences in each destination, including multigenerational family tours that are curated to include itineraries for both kids and adults.

However, there are also other lesser-known cruise lines to choose from that are contenders for the best river cruise line in Europe, depending on your travel style. To help you out, we've taken a look at 10 lines, from the familiar to the lesser-known, so you can decide the best river cruise line in Europe for you. For foodies, foie gras, fresh oysters, regional cheeses and other local delicacies appear on menus. Bikes are available to borrow, and the ships have gyms and spas, and, on some ships, lavish indoor pools. Family departures add active excursions, arts and crafts, and visits to amusement parks.