The ultimate guide to river cruises: Best itineraries, lines, planning tips and more

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For many Americans, river cruising has become almost synonymous with pictures and videos of long, narrow ships gliding leisurely past European castles and iconic landmarks such as the neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament Building that towers over the Danube.

While that is certainly a very accurate and enticing depiction, it’s just one. Over the years, river cruising has become — and is becoming — so much more.

From America’s Mississippi to Egypt’s storied Nile, the Mekong and Ganges in Asia, the Amazon and Magdalena rivers in South America and even safari cruises in Africa, there are sailings to satisfy just about every type of traveler.

And as more companies tap into the soaring demand for these small-ship adventures, there are more ships, more destinations and more activities than ever to choose from.

What is a river cruise like?

RV Mekong Pandaw River Expeditions — SIMON TOFFANELLO/PANDAW

A river cruise, in my opinion, is an example of slow travel at its finest. While the ships sail to multiple destinations over the course of what is generally one to two weeks, the pace is leisurely and the distance covered might actually be quite minimal. One can often drive (or even bike) between destinations in the same or less amount of time, but then you would miss the beautiful views of life along the river, as well as the opportunity to dock on the waterfront in the heart of town.

On most cruises, at least one daily excursion is included. But there are also plenty of opportunities to explore on your own, whether just by walking off the ships, grabbing one of the bikes that have become standard amenities on European ships or using local transportation.

I liken river cruising to a hybrid of sorts of guided group travel, minus the bus rides, because you can maximize the included sightseeing and excursions, or you can simply use the ship as a floating hotel to get off at each stop and wander the cities and quaint villages on your own.

How is a river cruise different from an ocean cruise?

Typically carrying between 100 to just under 200 passengers, river cruises are much more intimate. Not to mention, the focus is more on the destination than the ship. While that means fewer onboard amenities than ocean vessels, upscale and luxury river ships generally have lots of open public spaces — indoors and out — for lounging and socializing, as well as (very) small spa and fitness areas.

There are no casinos or Broadway-style shows. The evening entertainment is generally a piano player or DJ in the lounge, with occasional local talent brought on board, either for a night of dancing to cover songs or for performances of songs or dances traditional to the destination.

While there is generally just one main restaurant on river ships, the upscale and luxury river lines that cater to North Americans pride themselves on their variety of regional, farm-to-table food and wines that are offered daily in addition to menu staples like salmon, steak and burgers. The luxury lines also have smaller rooms at the back of the ship or adjacent to the main dining room that can be used for private parties or special pairing menus. Most also offer casual breakfast, lunch and snacks in the lounge when the main restaurant is closed.

When the weather is nice, the best part of the river ship is the sundeck, where there are generally ample lounge chairs, couches and tables from which to relax and enjoy the views. Some have pools or hot tubs, as well as outdoor bars. One of the largest European river ships, AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna, even has a full-size pickleball court. And most ships have small spa treatment rooms and fitness centers.

What are the cabins like?

Bedroom in an Veranda Suite onboard the Viking Longship Hlin with the town of Lorch am Rhein in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley in Germany out the window. M. WOLLSDORF/VIKING

As with any cruise, the cabins can be quite small (think: less than 200 square feet). But as with most ships, there are larger cabins and suites on the top two decks with balconies or floor-to-ceiling windows and small cabins, ideal for solo travelers, on the bottom deck that have just a window above water level. Despite their size, the cabins are outfitted with all the amenities and comfortable bedding you would expect in an upscale or luxury hotel.

Aren’t river cruises really more for older, retired people?

While the biggest operator, Viking, has stayed committed to its 55-plus demographic, many other upscale and luxury lines catering to international travelers have evolved in recent years to offer more options for travelers of all ages and travel styles. In addition to traditional excursions to must-see landmarks, many now offer more active options, including daily yoga and fitness classes, hiking, biking, kayaking, local cooking classes and even pub crawls. Some lines, including Avalon Waterways and Emerald Cruises, also have dedicated sailings along popular routes that guarantee active excursion options every day in addition to the traditional tours of historic landmarks.

What companies operate river cruises?

There are literally hundreds of boats sailing the world’s rivers, most in Europe. Many, however, cater to a more local demographic and travelers who speak languages other than English. But there are about two dozen companies that offer upscale and luxury cruises for North American, Australian and British travelers. They include:

Abercrombie & Kent River Cruises
Amadeus River Cruises
AmaWaterways
American Cruise Lines
Aqua Expeditions
A-Rosa Cruises
Avalon Waterways
Century Cruises
CroisiEurope
Delphin Amazon Cruises
Emerald Cruises
Jungle Experiences
Pandaw River Cruises
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Riviera River Cruises
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Tauck River Cruising
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Victoria Cruises
Viking
Viva Cruises
Zambezi Queen

Where can you sail on a river cruise?

Europe

The most popular routes sail the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers, with stops in must-see destinations like Amsterdam, Vienna and Budapest, Hungary, as well as quaint villages in between. Some also are increasingly branching out onto the less-traveled Moselle, as well as south on the Danube from Budapest through Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.

In France, you can sail round-trip from Paris on the Seine, with stops that include visits to Normandy. Or, explore the Rhone Valley and smaller rivers in France’s Bordeaux and Burgundy wine regions.

Another favorite is the Douro in Portugal, which is widely regarded as one of the most scenic and unspoiled rivers in Europe, as it offers endless views of vineyard-lined, terraced hillsides, quaint villages and wine estates, plus the occasional pousada or campground.

Egypt

A Viking ship sailing on the Nile. VIKING

Channel your inner Cleopatra with a leisurely cruise to the ancient tombs, temples and other scenic landmarks along Egypt’s storied Nile. Most of the major European river cruise operators sail here, albeit on smaller ships that generally carry between 50 and 100 passengers. The itineraries generally include four to seven days of sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with ground tours before or after the sailings in Cairo to see the pyramids and visit the city’s museums.

South America

The newest destination for river cruising is South America. AmaWaterways launched its first ship on Colombia’s Magdalena River this year and plans to have a second vessel sailing later this year. It’s one of the first new rivers to open to passenger cruises in decades, with sailings to and from Cartagena through the heart of Colombia. The ships are smaller than AmaWaterways’ European ships, carrying just 60 passengers. And CroisiEurope just announced that it will be sailing small eco-tourism-focused itineraries on the Amazon from Manaus in Brazil beginning in 2027. Currently, most river cruises sail the Peruvian Amazon from Iquitos.

US

Explore America from two of its great inland waterways: the Mississippi and the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. American Cruise Lines has a dozen ships plying the domestic waters, including four paddlewheelers, and Viking has one of the world’s largest river ships sailing the Mississippi, with a capacity for almost 400 passengers. Mississippi itineraries include cruises through America’s heartland on the upper Mississippi or visiting music hot spots like Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans. In the Pacific Northwest, follow the footsteps of Lewis and Clark.

Asia

Most of the major river cruise operators now offer sailings on the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. As in Egypt, the ships are smaller than their European vessels, but you get the same service levels and amenities you would expect from the companies, including daily excursions. Uniworld and Antara River Cruises are among the companies that sail the Ganges in India with ships that offer guests the same comforts that they would expect on a European river vessel. But you can also find local operators and some small ships operated by luxury hotel companies sailing Indian rivers. Several Chinese companies offer cruises on the Yangtze River, though marketing to Americans has largely evaporated since the coronavirus pandemic.

Southern Africa

A river cruise safari? Yes, there is such a thing. Viking and AmaWaterways are among those that offer river cruises on the Chobe River in Botswana, where you can watch elephants, hippos and other wildlife from a different perspective. These cruises are generally just four days and are combined with rail journeys or land packages in South Africa. For a longer sailing experience in Africa, CroisiEurope has 13-day sailings on the Zambezi River through South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Bottom line

River cruises are very different from ocean cruising. But like other small ships and yachts, they offer a luxurious and intimate alternative to traditional guided tours for exploring both popular and lesser-traveled corners of the world.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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