Choosing a river cruise can be a source of consternation, confusion and frustration. In Europe alone there are more than two dozen navigable rivers and canals. Add the confluence of companies offering seemingly similar experiences and you might just end up feeling as though you’re going upriver without a paddle, so to speak.
That’s where we come in. We are here to help you navigate the ever-changing currents that define river cruising today. Drawing from years of experience and nearly 100 river cruises, we’ve created a step-by-step approach to help you find the perfect cruise that matches your travel style and interests. Let’s dive in.
Six Steps To Success
1. Why River Cruise?
So why should you consider taking a river cruise? For many travelers, the slow chug along the river is just the right pace for getting the lay of the land. River cruising offers an intimate, immersive way to explore Europe’s heart. Sitting on the top deck of a ship under brilliant blue skies, gaze on fabled landscapes dotted with castles, villages and vineyards. Just one flight of stairs down you have all the amenities of a modern hotel—restaurants, bars, lounges, fitness facilities, spas, Internet access and comfortable staterooms.
2. What Do You Want to Cruise On?
From sleek longships to cozy barges, the type of vessel matters. Some cruises prioritize spacious staterooms and fine dining, while others focus on adventurous excursions. Understanding your preferences is key to picking the right fit.
This post breaks down the differences between various river-going vessels.
3. Where Do You Want to Cruise?
Is Italy’s Po River on your list? Then you’re in luck. There are only a few river cruise companies that do the Po, CroisiEurope and Uniworld among them. Want to cruise the Rhine or Danube? That’s where things become complex. Nearly every major river cruise company has ships operating on those rivers. So let’s make this simple.
Cruise The Danube
The Danube is my number one choice for people new to river cruising. Why? The Danube features a list of marquee cities – Nuremberg, Passau, Linz, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava (as well as Bucharest and Belgrade on some itineraries) and it offers something for everyone.
What I’ve found that most people appreciate most about the Danube:
- Scenic beauty as you cruise through gorgeous landscapes and past fairy-tale villages
- Visits to iconic cities such as those mentioned
- Excursions to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Cesky Krumlov
- Evening concerts and waltzes (both on the ships and during evening visits to Viennese palaces)
- Opportunities to bicycle, particularly on the gorgeous stretch between Melk and Durnstein through the Wachau Valley
Cruise The Rhine
After the Danube, the Rhine is Europe’s next most-popular river cruise destination. Most departures sail between Amsterdam and Basel.
What I’ve found that most people appreciate about the Rhine:
- Castles. You’ll see lots of them along the Rhine river, especially between Rudesheim and Koblenz, Germany.
- Culture. With cities like Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Cologne, Amsterdam and more, you’ll get a good dollop of city life and culture on your Rhine River cruises.
- Bicycling. In many places along the Rhine river, there are good bicycling paths and dedicated bike roads.
- Beer and wine. Have a Cologne Kolsch before or after checking out the impressive Cologne Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), or stroll the “world’s merriest street,” known as the Drosselgasse, to find a Weingarten in Rudesheim, Germany.
Cruise The Rhône/Saône Rivers
Rhône River cruises typically are between Lyon and Avignon or Arles in France. Many packages also include the Saône River, which joins the Rhône in Lyon.
Here’s a few things that people enjoy about Rhone river cruises.
- Provencal and Bourgogne Beauty. Rhône River cruises typically sail between Lyon and Avignon or Arles, taking in the gorgeous landscapes of Burgundy and Provence.
- Pont du Gard. The iconic bridge crossing the Gardon River is one of the best-preserved legacies of ancient Roman architecture in France.
- Bicycling. I’ve enjoyed cycling along the Rhône and Saône rivers though the wine-producing region of Beaujolais and across from the city of Avignon.
- Arles. Perhaps best-known for its incredible Roman monuments and the fact that the impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh lived here from 1888 to 1889.
- Wonderful Wines. Rhône River cruises typically visit the wine-producing regions of Beaujolais and Chateauneuf du Pape.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Pope’s Palace in Avignon and Pont du Gard.
Cruise The Seine
On a Seine River cruise, you most always begin and end your trip in Paris, where ships dock within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower. Cruises are usually roundtrip to Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux or Honfleur.
What we love about the Seine:
- Paris at its Heart. Most Seine River cruises begin and end in Paris, offering unparalleled access to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre.
- Normandy’s History. Many cruises include excursions to Normandy’s D-Day beaches, giving travelers a chance to explore one of the most significant sites of World War II.
- Art and Inspiration. Stops in towns like Giverny let visitors experience the gardens that inspired Monet’s famous paintings.
- Charming Villages.Picturesque towns like Rouen and Honfleur are steeped in history, offering cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and a storybook atmosphere.
- UNESCO Highlights.The Seine Valley features several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic center of Rouen and the Palace of Versailles (accessible via excursions).
Cruise Bordeaux
Once overlooked by river cruise companies, the wine-producing region of Bordeaux, attracts river cruisers who are wine aficionados as well as history lovers, thanks to the region’s intoxicating mix of culinary delights and old-world charm.
The vast majority of river cruises through this region will operate roundtrip from the city of Bordeaux, and most (but not all) are a week in duration. If you’re looking for longer voyages, you have the option to purchase pre-and-post land excursions to Paris or the Loire Valley. A handful of river cruise lines combine multiple river cruises together on back-to-back itineraries that are connected either by direct TGV high-speed train or by overland motorcoach travel.
Cruise The Douro
Douro River cruises are from Porto, Portugal to Vega de Terron, Spain. Most trips are roundtrip from Porto.
What many people appreciate about Douro River cruises:
- The Douro River Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s not only gorgeous but also culturally significant.
- Friendly people. The Portuguese are among Europe’s friendliest people.
- Port wine and paella. You get a mix of Portugal and Spain on Douro River Cruises. That means good Port wines from Portugal and paella from Spain, along with Flamenco dancers and Portuguese pingo (like espresso).
Cruise The Elbe & Loire
Both of these rivers are exceptionally shallow, and the only company that does them well is CroisiEurope. It does so by operating two paddlewheelers, one on each river, that can navigate the shallow rivers. On the Elbe, CroisiEurope’s paddlewheeler can cruise right into the center of Prague from Berlin. On the Loire, CroisiEurope’s cruises are roundtrip from Nantes, a lovely city that merits a day or two pre/post. CroisiEurope’s Elbe program has been successful that the company is building a second paddlewheeler to cruise between Berlin and Prague.
Cruise Sweden? Spain?
Yes, you can cruise across Sweden on the Gota Canal. We’ve done it, and it was wonderful. You can also river cruise in Spain and enjoy canal cruises in the United Kingdom, but we’ll stay focused mostly on Europe’s major river cruise destinations like the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, and Seine, where most travelers begin their journeys.
4. When Do You Want To Go?
When do you want to cruise? Do you want to see tulips in bloom? Christmas Markets? Grape harvest? Fall foliage? Avoid the crowds? Avoid the heat?
The summer months are decidedly high season in Europe and along with the bright and sunny days you’ll find longer lines and crowded attractions. Yes, the shoulder months during the “off-season”—October, November, December, and mid-to-late March—are cooler, and yes, you’ll probably need an umbrella, but I find Europe in the fall and spring to be a wonderful, relaxing place. If you are heading to Europe in the spring, late March-early-April is a wonderful time to tiptoe through the tulips in Holland.
The months of September and October can still be plenty warm in Europe, the fall foliage is stunning, and there’s a lot of festivity in the air: farmer’s markets and wine festivals crop up in September and October. (There are also several wine-themed cruises in November, when vintners are unwinding from a busy harvest and ready to kick back enjoy the fruits of their labor with you.) After that much of Europe switch into festive Holiday mode as the Christmas Markets get set up across much of France, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, and other countries.
When the conversation about the best time to take a river cruise arises, it typically has nothing to do with how many layers of outerwear you need to don or throngs of crowds you need to contend with; everyone always wants to know about water levels. That said, Mother Nature is unpredictable and if you wait to have clear signs that water levels won’t fluctuate, there likely won’t be any staterooms available. You’ll miss the figurative, and literal, boat.
5. What’s Your Budget?
River cruises range from ultra-luxury options to more budget-friendly choices. Whether you’re looking for all-inclusive amenities or exceptional value, knowing your budget helps narrow down the options.
Sky’s The Limit
If your budget exceeds $600 per day, consider Scenic, Tauck, or Uniworld—ultra-luxury river cruise lines offering all-inclusive experiences, including prepaid gratuities. With personal butlers, gourmet dining, and exclusive excursions, these cruises take luxury to the next level. Picture private castle dinners (Tauck), tailor-made tours (Scenic), or ships designed as floating works of art (Uniworld). With spacious suites, top-tier amenities and world-class service, these companies provide a seamless and indulgent way to explore Europe’s rivers.
Down To Earth
If you would like to stay under $600 a day, AmaWaterways, Avalon, and Emerald deserve a look. While these lines might not be as inclusive as the luxury options, they still offer exceptional experiences and high guest satisfaction. AmaWaterways and Avalon include a complimentary Happy Hour before dinner each night, making it easier to keep your bar tab under control, while Emerald simplifies budgeting by including gratuities in its cruise fare. All three lines feature a variety of included shore excursions in every port, as well as onboard activity hosts (though each company calls them something different) who lead fitness classes, onboard activities and join active excursions.
Give Me Value
If you’re looking for a quality experience at under $500 a day, CroisiEurope, Viking, Riviera, and occasionally Emerald are excellent contenders. Family-owned CroisiEurope, with over 40 years in the business, is known for its international mix of passengers and unique itineraries, sailing on rivers like the Loire and Elbe that few others explore. Viking, one of the most recognizable names in river cruising, offers a consistently polished experience with modern longships and a focus on cultural enrichment through one included shore excursion each day. Riviera, meanwhile, is a favorite for value-conscious travelers, offering stylish ships, attentive service, and competitive pricing without sacrificing quality.
5. How Many Are Cruising With You?
If the answer is no one, then you have to deal with the dreaded single supplement. That means if you’re a solo traveler, you could end up paying the same price as two people in a cabin. Some ships have staterooms just for singles. Other cruise companies have specials where they reduce or waive single supplements.
See The Best Cruise Lines For Solo Travelers
On the flip side, if you are bringing a group, well, lucky you.
Traveling as part of a group can unlock some fantastic perks, including the possibility of earning a free stateroom. Many river cruise companies offer group booking incentives, where if you reserve a certain number of cabins—often around 8 to 10—one stateroom is complimentary or heavily discounted. This can be a great way to celebrate a milestone event, travel with extended family, or organize a special-interest trip while saving money in the process. Be sure to check the policies of your chosen cruise line to see how their group discounts work.
6. Which Cruise Company?
Once you’ve chosen your river and decided on your budget, you’ve likely narrowed your choices to just a few. But if not, below is a chart of what each company includes.
Attributes Of The Top River Cruise Companies
Please note that the table can be scrolled horizontally so that you may view all data on mobile devices or small screens.
AmaWaterways Avalon CroisiEurope Emerald Riverside Riviera Scenic Tauck Uniworld Viking
Excursions Included? 
Beer/Wine Lunch & Dinner? **
Onboard Bicycles
Fitness Center
Exterior Balconies/Veranda
Two Room Suites ******
Own & Operate **
Room Service ** **
Mini Bar **** **
Dining Venues 3** 2** 1 3 5 2 6 2 ** 2
Personal Butler
Port Charges Included
Airport Transfers ** ** **
Prepaid Gratuities **
Gratuities Included **
Laundry Included ** ** **
Who Can Help You Book Your Cruise?
Hopefully, these steps will help you come closer to finding the perfect destination on a ship that suits your style. And once you are on your way, keep your fingers crossed for plenty of (but not too much) water beneath the bow and the airlines playing their part in getting you and your luggage to your cruises on time (hint: when you can, arrive a day early for that very reason).
By garnering just a few details, notably where and when you want to cruise, the size of your budget and what you’re looking for in a river cruise, we can help match you to a ship and itinerary.
Happy sailing!
