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River cruise operators are highly competitive, and they generally offer very similar excursions and onboard amenities. Even the ships are comparable in layout and features, albeit with different decor styles.
Still, every line has its strengths, and the wide variety of destinations and itineraries means there are plenty of river cruise choices for every type of traveler, whether you’re an adventure lover, a history nerd or a food and wine aficionado.
Best for first-timers
If you’re taking your first river cruise, Viking is a good place to start because it’s one of the largest and most experienced river cruise operators.
Since its founding in 1997, Viking has focused on classic itineraries to must-see destinations and sites, like the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, Hungary; Cologne’s famed cathedral in Germany; the tulip fields in Belgium and the Netherlands; and the antiquities in Egypt. And because Viking has 88 river ships sailing the world (and more in the pipeline), it’s easy to find an itinerary to match your interests.
Best for active travelers
In recent years, river lines have been working hard to shed their image as a vacation option for older, retired travelers. For example, AmaWaterways introduced bicycle tours and fitness classes on board nearly 10 years ago, and many other lines followed suit as part of that effort.
But Avalon Waterways has really set itself apart with its “Active & Discovery” itineraries in Europe that guarantee three types of excursions every day: Classic, Active and Discovery. Classic is a coach or walking tour of the key attractions of the day. Active options include hiking, biking and even kayaking and canoeing. Discovery excursions can be anything from local cooking and painting classes to early morning walks for breakfast at a local cafe.
Best for travelers looking for a deep dive
Expedition cruise operator National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions promises a new level of immersion in European history when it begins sailing the Rhine River for the first time in 2026.
Lindblad’s ocean voyages focus more on wildlife and active exploration via hiking, kayaking and Zodiac boat rides, but its European river cruises will emphasize the region’s rich history, culture and cuisine.
For example, you can sip Champagne with the lord of Rheinstein Castle in the Rhine Gorge, learn about Frankfurt’s deep-rooted Jewish history during a private in-home visit or see the works of masters like Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer during private after-hours tours at the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands.
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Each voyage’s staff includes an expedition leader, a historian, a cultural expert, a certified photography instructor and a National Geographic destination expert. Like an expedition cruise, the sailings will feature onboard lectures and excursions.
Best for adventure seekers
If you agree with the “seen one church, seen them all” sentiment, a cruise along the Amazon River may be your best choice. These river cruises are really more like floating safaris, so who better to sail with than one of the world’s original safari operators (and a leader in luxury and adventure travel), Abercrombie & Kent?
Abercrombie & Kent launched its first South American river boat voyage, Pure Amazon, in 2025. The 12-cabin vessel is pure luxury on the inside: fine dining, spacious cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows, sitting areas, desks, coffee machines and minibars. And like a safari, each day includes two or three outings led by expert local guides. Adventures include hiking through the jungle and fishing for piranha. You can even ply the Peruvian Amazon’s dark water on Zodiac rides in search of pink dolphins and the region’s many birds and other wildlife.
Best for solo travelers
River cruises are great for solo travelers because their intimate size and nature are perfect for making new friends. Still, like much of the group travel industry, rates are based on double occupancy, so the upcharge for solo travelers can be steep.
Most lines now offer a few lower cabins on every itinerary that solo travelers can book without paying the dreaded single supplement. And European operator Riviera River Cruises has entire sailings dedicated to solo travelers without the upcharge, making them ideal for both singles and friends who simply want their own space.
Best for families
River cruising has never been particularly family-friendly. Because the ships and their cabins are small, there is no space for dedicated kids areas. Additionally, the excursions are very adult-focused.
But that is changing as new companies launch river cruises. For instance, tour operator Trafalgar will begin sailing two ships in Europe in 2026, and it’s promising a multigenerational focus with activities for all ages. Likewise, Celebrity Cruises is planning to build 10 river ships, two of which will begin sailing in 2027. Although details on activities aboard Celebrity are still somewhat sparse, the company says children over 4 are welcome and that its ocean ships are children- and family-friendly.
Most other lines do allow children, but save for a few special family-focused sailings, few offer activities specifically for kids. Adventures by Disney, for example, has long partnered with AmaWaterways to offer family-oriented river sailings on its ships. These ships have a few connecting cabins, as well as cabins with space for chairs that convert to single beds.
Other family-friendly river cruise lines include Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, which also offers select family sailings throughout the year, and CroisiEurope, which has connecting cabins and offers multigenerational sailings in the summer with special excursions for kids.
Best for luxury travelers
Most river cruise lines catering to North Americans fit squarely in the luxury camp. Where they vary is in their style. For traditional luxury, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has long been the leader thanks to its impeccable service, locally sourced food and wine, British-trained butlers and opulent decor unique to each ship and the region it sails.
In France, sail the Seine River aboard the S.S. Joie de Vivre, which Uniworld decorated with handcrafted furniture, fine antiques, original artwork and accents inspired by 20th-century Parisian design. Uniworld is also the only luxury line sailing Italy’s Venetian lagoon with the S.S. La Venezia, where you’ll find Fortuny fabrics and Murano glass on board.
For more casual luxury, AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways excel with top-notch service, amenities and food, minus some of the more formal decor and more traditional luxury perks.
Best for history lovers
European river cruises offer many historical excursions by virtue of their location. But for those who want to dig into ancient history, nothing beats a journey down Egypt’s Nile River. Most of the major operators — including Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Uniworld and Tauck — sail this storied river.
Itineraries are similar, sailing to the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple and other famed landmarks; the excursions are led by onboard Egyptologists. Sailings range from four to seven nights and include precruise and postcruise tours to see the pyramids and museums in Cairo.
While most Nile river cruise vessels have around 40 cabins, there are smaller, more exclusive options. One example is Abercrombie & Kent’s six-cabin Zein Nile Chateau, a favorite for private charters by celebrities like Samuel L. Jackson, Brad Pitt, Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie.
Best for foodies and oenophiles
All the luxury river lines are known for outstanding regional and international cuisine, as well as wine selections across their itineraries, especially in France.
But one of the newest players, Riverside Luxury Cruises, strives to build its reputation as best in class for fine dining, particularly when it comes to special tasting menus. The special private dining experiences offered aren’t cheap (expect upcharges of $320 per person), but they are billed as Michelin-quality.
They live up to their promise with menus including roasted yellow capsicum with fresh anchovy and tender pink spring veal. And the wines alone justify the cost. During a recent sailing, we sampled exceptional wine selections from France, Germany, Switzerland and Hungary, including Donatsch Completer Malanserrebe, a white wine from the rare and ancient grapes native to Switzerland’s Graubunden region.
