Rhone River Cruise Prices is part of a continuing series of comparison charts and articles featuring European River Cruises offered by world class river cruise lines. Our goal is to provide a True Per Diem for each cruise, or the daily cost breakdown of the trip once all extra fees are added to the cruise fare.
Comparison charts serve as a guide and attempt to answer the most frequently asked questions from our readers:
Most of the cruises on the Rhone operate between Lyon, France and Arles or Avignon. Some river cruises embark or disembark in Port Saint Louis, on the Mediterranean Sea. Others begin or stop in Tarascon, between Avignon and Arles.
Rhone river cruises travel through the historic and romantic wine region with guided shore excursions to Roman Ruins, castles, and cathedrals. The itineraries include opportunities to enjoy local cuisine, wines and cheeses. If you need to convince your spouse to cruise this region of France, see the movie “At Eternity’s Gate” about Vincent van Gogh, who lived in Arles for 14 months. In addition, you can read Ralph Grizzle’s article on River Cruise Advisor, In Search Of Van Gogh: Ashore In Arles
Visiting Arles, France, while cruising the Rhône and Saône rivers in southern France. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle
Here are a few things that we enjoy about Rhone river cruises.
A Rhone river cruise serves up the very best of France, mixing heritage and history with the country’s ever-present charm and beauty. Check out our videos Riverside Chat Episode 2: Rhone River Cruises | Video: A Cruise On France’s Rhone River With AmaWaterways
Most of the cruise lines offer an included shore excursion each day. Some cruise lines offer differing levels of activity or an extra excursion for an extra fee. One example, Emerald waterways offers three levels of excursions:
The prices in the chart are based on double occupancy. The upgrade costs for a cabin with a balcony or french balcony are per person. The value of the incentive is broken down per day, per person. True per diem will include the savings of incentives/discounts offered at the time of research as well as the imputed value of items that are not included.
Prices and details reflect information available at the time of research. Cruise lines offer varying incentives with differing time limits or deadlines, and it is best to check with a travel agent or the cruise company’s website. The incentives that are included in the charts were current at the time they were compiled and may no longer apply or there may be a new special offer.
| AmaWaterways | Avalon | CroisiEurope | Emerald | Riviera | Tauck | Uniworld | Viking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ship | AmaKristina | Avalon Poetry II | MS Camargue | Emerald Liberte | MS Lord Byron | MS Emerald | SS Catherine | Buri |
| Rate | $4,599 | $4,299 | $2,743 | $9,190 | $3,099 | $7,290 | $4,799 | $3,499 |
| Sailing Date | June 5, 2025 | June 3, 2025 | June 12, 2025 | June 7, 2025 | June 9, 2025 | June 27, 2025 | June 8, 2025 | June 8, 2025 |
| Nights | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| Itinerary | Colors Of Provence | Burgundy & Provence | Lyon To The Tip of Provence | Sensations Of Lyon & Provence | Burgundy, The River Rhône & Provence | Savoring France | Burgundy & Provence | Lyon & Provence |
| Embark/disembark | Arles – Lyon | Chalon-Sur-Saône – Arles | Lyon-Martigues | Lyon-Marseille | Avignon-Lyon | Paris-Lyon | Arles-Lyon | Avignon-Lyon |
| Cabin Category | Category E | Category D,E | Category C | Stateroom E | Lower Deck | Category 1 | Classic | Standard F |
| Square Footage | 160 | 172 | 150 | 170 | 161 | 150 | 162 | 150 |
| Room With A View? | Window | Window | Window | Window | Window | Window | Window | Window |
| Per diem | $657 | $614 | $457 | $1,313 | $443 | $810 | $686 | $500 |
| Port Charges | $33 | $30 | Included | Included | Included | Included | $33 | Included |
| Gratuities (on ship) | $18 | $18 | $18 | Included | $18 | Included | Included | $18 |
| Gratuities (on shore) | $2.50 | $2.50 | $2.50 | Included | $2.50 | Included | Included | $2.50 |
| Beverages | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Current Incentive | N/A | $750 | N/A | $5,595 | N/A | N/A | $480 | $200 |
| Value of Incentive | N/A | $107 | N/A | $799 | N/A | N/A | $69 | $29 |
| True Per Diem | $711 | $558 | $478 | $514 | $463 | $810 | $650 | $492 |
| Per Diem/Square Foot | $4.44 | $3.24 | $3.18 | $3.02 | $2.88 | $5.40 | $4.01 | $3.28 |
| Balcony Upgrade | $999 | $1,449 | $370 | $1,600 | $950 | $400 | $1,300 | $1,800 |
| Balcony Per Diem | $853 | $765 | $539 | $742 | $599 | $854 | $836 | $749 |
| updated 3/20/2024 |
| AmaWaterways | Avalon | CroisiEurope | Emerald | Riviera | Tauck | Uniworld | Viking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ship | AmaKristina | Avalon Poetry II | MS Van Gogh | Emerald Liberte | MS Lord Byron | MS Emerald | SS Catherine | Delling |
| Rate | $4,399 | $4,199 | $3,093 | $8,590 | $2,349 | $7,290 | $3,399 | $3,599 |
| Sailing Date | October 16, 2025 | October 7, 2025 | October 10, 2025 | October 11, 2025 | October 17, 2025 | October 18, 2025 | October 19, 2025 | October 8, 2025 |
| Nights | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| Itinerary | Essence of Burgundy & Provence | Burgundy & Provence | Lyon To The Tip of Provence | Sensations Of Lyon & Provence | Burgundy, The River Rhône & Provence | Savoring France | Burgundy & Provence | Lyon & Provence |
| Embark/disembark | Arles – Lyon | Chalon-Sur-Saône – Arles | Lyon-Martigues | Lyon-Marseille | Avignon-Lyon | Paris-Lyon | Arles-Lyon | Avignon-Lyon |
| Cabin Category | Category E | Category D,E | Main Deck | Stateroom E | Lower Deck | Category 1 | Classic | Standard F |
| Square Footage | 160 | 172 | 183 | 170 | 161 | 150 | 162 | 150 |
| Room With A View? | Window | Window | Window | Window | Window | Window | Window | Window |
| Per diem | $628 | $600 | $516 | $1,227 | $336 | $810 | $486 | $514 |
| Port Charges | $33 | $30 | Included | Included | Included | Included | $33 | Included |
| Gratuities (on ship) | $18 | $18 | $18 | Included | $18 | Included | Included | $18 |
| Gratuities (on shore) | $2.50 | $2.50 | $2.50 | Included | $2.50 | Included | Included | $2.50 |
| Beverages | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Current Incentive | $750 | $1,250 | N/A | $5,295 | N/A | N/A | $480 | $300 |
| Value of Incentive | $107 | $179 | N/A | $756 | N/A | N/A | $69 | $43 |
| True Per Diem | $575 | $472 | $536 | $471 | $356 | $810 | $450 | $492 |
| Per Diem/Square Foot | $3.59 | $2.74 | $2.93 | $2.77 | $2.21 | $5.40 | $2.78 | $3.28 |
| Balcony Upgrade | $999 | $1,499 | $508 | $1,600 | $950 | SOLD OUT | $1,300 | $2,200 |
| Balcony Per Diem | $718 | $686 | $621 | $699 | $492 | SOLD OUT | $636 | $806 |
| updated 3/20/2024 |
Bon Voyage!
Also see …
As travels to Egypt are on the rise, leading river cruise line AmaWaterways unveiled a new optional land package in Alexandria, Egypt, designed to complement
AmaWaterways Concierge Golf Program is headed to a new destination: France. Starting in 2026, golf enthusiasts can enjoy a unique blend of championship-level play and luxury river cruising along the Seine aboard AmaDante, as part of the Impressions of the Seine & Paris itinerary.
I’m giving carry-on travel a shot for a month in Europe—two barge trips, a river cruise, walking, cycling, and dressing decently for dinner. With help from our readers and the River Cruise Advisor Crew Facebook group, I’ve packed what I hope is just enough clothing and a laundry kit that should work on the barges. Here’s what’s in it—what did I miss?
Like European hotel stays, flights abroad and just about everything else in travel, river cruises are getting more expensive. To get an idea of how
Do the current flight delays at U.S. airports cause you concern about missing your river cruise? We always advise spending at least one night (two or three are better) before your embarkation in the city where your river cruise departs. At the moment, we would be inclined to avoid Newark, but things could resolve there quickly.
Summer in Europe often gets dismissed as too hectic – but that impression comes from the crowded coastlines, not the tranquil riverways that wind through
