River Cruises
Relaxing and rewarding, river cruises are a holiday experience you won’t want to miss. Partnering with leading cruise lines including TUI River Cruises, Scenic River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Celebrity River Cruises, Uniworld River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Emerald River Cruises, Travelmarvel, and APT Luxury River, we offer itineraries along the Danube, Rhine, Douro, and beyond—promising rich cultural experiences and authentic local cuisines at every stop.
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River Cruise ships
Embarking on a river cruise is always an exciting experience, and you’ll find a fantastic range of options to choose from when it comes to the river cruise ships sailing along the world’s most interesting waterways. Whether you’re looking forward to a Danube river cruise, an adventure along the Mekong, a Rhine river cruise, or any other option, you’ll find a selection of comfortable, well-equipped river cruise ships to choose from.
TUI Skyla
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TUI Maya
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TUI Isla
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S.S Sphinx
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MS Riviera Rose
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Scenic Amber
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MS Emily Brontë
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MS Riviera Radiance
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TUI Aria
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TUI Luzia
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MS Jane Austen
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Celebrity Compass
See cruisesRiver Cruise lines
There’s an incredible selection of cruise lines to choose from when it comes to booking your upcoming river cruise. While some will offer bespoke shore experiences others won’t, and the onboard amenities will differ slightly from cruise line to cruise line, you can rest assured knowing that an exceptional adventure awaits – no matter who you choose to river cruise with!
Frequently Asked Questions
What evening entertainment is there on a river cruise?
Evening entertainment is low-key. Expect a pianist in the lounge, local performers coming on board for an hour, and talks about the next port.
How do the main river cruise lines compare?
AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways suit active travellers, with bikes and walking or cycling excursions. Uniworld and Scenic are at the luxury end, with refined décor and more included in the fare. Riviera Travel and TUI River Cruises offer good value. Ask your cruise expert to match a line to your style.
Why are river cruises more expensive than ocean cruises?
River ships carry far fewer guests, so costs are shared between fewer people. Fares often include more, such as tours, wine and beer with meals, and Wi-Fi. They also dock in city centres. So the price can look higher, but a lot is already covered.
What happens if river water levels are too high or too low?
If water is too high, ships may not fit under bridges. If it is too low, they may not clear shallow stretches, such as parts of the Rhine. Cruise lines may then swap you to a sister ship further along the river, or use coaches for part of the trip. Itineraries can change, so allow for flexibility.
Which months have the most reliable river levels?
Spring and autumn are usually the most reliable. Late summer carries a higher risk of low water, and early spring can bring high water from snowmelt. Christmas market sailings in late autumn are popular.
How flexible are meals on a river cruise?
Dining is open seating but follows a set schedule, with breakfast, lunch and one dinner sitting. Round-the-clock room service and buffets are rare. Chefs often feature regional dishes and cater for dietary needs. Tell the ship in advance.
Do river ships have gyms, spas or pools?
Facilities are small. Most ships have a little gym, a massage room and a walking track on the sun deck. Some newer ships have a small pool. Large sports areas and full spas are not available.
Which European river cruises are best for first-timers?
The Rhine and the Danube are the classic first routes. The Rhine passes fairy-tale castles and steep vineyards. The Danube links grand cities such as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest.
Are river cruises good for solo travellers?
Yes. The small ship size makes it easy to meet people at open-seating meals. Many lines reduce or waive single supplements on selected departures.
What are river cruises outside Europe like?
Cruises on the Mekong, Nile or Amazon focus on culture, history and local life. They often include hotel stays in cities such as Siem Reap or Cairo. Vessels are smaller and often designed to reflect local style.
There’s a lot of interesting things to uncover about river cruising, and a lot of incredible destinations waiting to discover; although, if you have some burning questions about this unique holiday experience, here are a few of the most common frequently asked questions answered – because, it’s useful to know what river cruising is all about ahead of booking your next adventure!
What rivers can I cruise on?
Typically, the rivers featured on river cruise itineraries include:
- Danube
- Rhine
- Douro
- Seine
- Mekong
- Moselle
- Dutch Waterways
- Main
- Dordogne
- Rhône
- Saône
- French Waterways
- Po
- Venetian Lagoon
- Chobe
- Ganges
You’ll also find smaller rivers, offshoots of the major waterways mentioned above, included on river cruise itineraries; and, on some occasions, you may come across a river cruise sailing along the Nile, Mississippi, the Yangtze, and more - although, these aren’t as common.
What is the best time to go on a river cruise?
River cruising is at its most popular during the summer months, when you can make the most of the gorgeous weather. You’ll find many cruise lines offering themed itineraries during these months, such as wine-tasting cruises along the Rhine and Douro rivers. Winter, though, has its own highlights, with Christmas market river cruises often popular.
What is the average cost of a river cruise?
This is something that often changes and is entirely dependent on a number of important factors – such as, the river cruise line you choose to sail with, the length of your chosen itinerary, any additional costs and extras you choose to pay for, and where in the world you’re river cruising through. It’s, therefore, hard to give a definitive answer to questions on the average cost of a river cruise.
You can find out more about river cruising on a budget here, though, if you’re concerned about cost.
Is a balcony worth it on a river cruise?
Absolutely! There’s nothing quite like sitting and admiring the stunning riverside scenery while sailing along some of the world’s most interesting waterways. And, you’ll find several cruise lines offer river cruise itineraries aboard river cruise ships where the majority of staterooms come with a standard balcony or French balcony. So, if you’re looking for a balcony on your river cruise, you’ll have a great chance of booking a stateroom with one – provided you don’t leave it until the last minute!
What age group is river cruises for?
While river cruises are primarily enjoyed by people in their 50s and 60s, these experiences are for everyone to enjoy and you’ll find a lot of fun to be had on a river cruise – whatever age you are! And, although children are often allowed onboard, they’re not aimed at children and you’re unlikely to find any child-focused or family-friendly amenities onboard. So, perhaps consider the other family cruises available instead.
Can you wear jeans on a river cruise?
Yes, you can! Jeans are perfectly acceptable as part of the relaxed dress code aboard a river cruise; however, you may want to double-check the evening dress code aboard your river cruise ship, as they might be less acceptable where a more smart-casual dress code is observed. So, if you want to wear a nice pair of jeans, go for it! Just consider bringing a pair or two of smarter trousers too – just in case.
If you’re a seasoned ocean cruiser, but you want to know more about river cruising, you can find out more about the two compared right here: River vs Ocean Cruising
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