My advice to first time river cruisers is to start by choosing a cruise line which suits your needs and your budget. You can then take your pick of the routes available from options such as the Danube, the Seine or the Rhine.
You'll find that European river cruises are particularly popular with the over-50s market, although some attract younger couples. You won't find very many families on river cruises as the ships are relatively small so don't have space for the kids' clubs and family-friendly entertainment which you get on large ocean liners.
We've picked out 5 of the best river cruise lines by looking at awards and reviews, as well as prices and the destinations on offer. For a rough price comparison we looked for a cruise of about a week on the Danube in summer for two people.
You'll find that European river cruises are particularly popular with the over-50s market, although some attract younger couples. You won't find very many families on river cruises as the ships are relatively small so don't have space for the kids' clubs and family-friendly entertainment which you get on large ocean liners.
We've picked out 5 of the best river cruise lines by looking at awards and reviews, as well as prices and the destinations on offer. For a rough price comparison we looked for a cruise of about a week on the Danube in summer for two people.
1. Uniworld (luxury, middle-aged couples)
If you can afford it, I’d start your river cruise search with Uniworld, or ‘Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’ to give them their proper title. Awards get thrown at them like confetti and customers reviews are very strong too.
As you are probably aware, river cruise ships are generally much smaller than ocean cruise liners with a smaller number of passengers and simpler facilities. Typically, Uniworld river cruises have about 130 guests onboard so you’ll get plenty of attention from staff.
There are exercise classes onboard and bikes which you can borrow once you get to shore, but don’t expect the big range of facilities that you get on large ocean liners.
Dining onboard is posh and all food and drinks are included in the price, including fine wines.
Reviews and awards:
Destinations: European river cruises with Uniworld travel along the Rhine, Danube and The Seine covering countries including Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Austria.
Typical price: £7500 for an 8 day cruise on the Danube for two people in July 2018, including flights from London. Outside cabin.
As you are probably aware, river cruise ships are generally much smaller than ocean cruise liners with a smaller number of passengers and simpler facilities. Typically, Uniworld river cruises have about 130 guests onboard so you’ll get plenty of attention from staff.
There are exercise classes onboard and bikes which you can borrow once you get to shore, but don’t expect the big range of facilities that you get on large ocean liners.
Dining onboard is posh and all food and drinks are included in the price, including fine wines.
Reviews and awards:
- Average customer reviews of 4.5/5 (4.5/5 on CruiseCritic, 4.2/5 on Cruiseline.com)
- Best River Cruise Line at Wave Awards 2017
- Best River Cruise Company at Globe Travel Awards 2018
- Best River Cruise Line at Telegraph Travel Awards 2017
- Best River Cruise Line at Cruise Critic Awards 2017 (Editor’s Pick)
- 2nd Best Luxury River Cruise Line at Cruise International Awards 2017
Destinations: European river cruises with Uniworld travel along the Rhine, Danube and The Seine covering countries including Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Austria.
Typical price: £7500 for an 8 day cruise on the Danube for two people in July 2018, including flights from London. Outside cabin.
2. Riviera Travel (mid-priced, 50+ mostly)
Riviera Travel is a popular mid-priced option for river cruising in Europe, with solid reviews and several award nominations.
Evening dining is formal and classy with four course dinners with dishes to match the location. There are also afternoon teas as well as breakfast and lunch buffets. Basically, you’ll never be a long way from a meal.
Facilities on board are simple compared to ocean cruise liners, but better than many river cruise lines. Some ships have a small ‘splash pool’, hairdressers, giant chess, shop and fitness equipment.
Reviews and awards:
Destinations: European river cruises include Danube, Rhone, Rhine and Seine visit cities including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. Riviera also do world river cruises on the Ganges and Mekong.
Typical price: £3750 for an 8 day cruise along Danube for two people in August 2018, including flights from London. Cabin has an outside view (i.e. it has a window)
Evening dining is formal and classy with four course dinners with dishes to match the location. There are also afternoon teas as well as breakfast and lunch buffets. Basically, you’ll never be a long way from a meal.
Facilities on board are simple compared to ocean cruise liners, but better than many river cruise lines. Some ships have a small ‘splash pool’, hairdressers, giant chess, shop and fitness equipment.
Reviews and awards:
- Average customer reviews of 4/5 on CruiseCritic – some reviews I’ve found say that the excursion group sizes are too large but most are positive
- 2nd Best River Cruise Line at Cruise International Awards 2017
- 2nd Passenger Favourite River Cruise Line at Wave Awards 2017
- 2nd best River Cruise Line at British Travel Awards 2017
Destinations: European river cruises include Danube, Rhone, Rhine and Seine visit cities including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. Riviera also do world river cruises on the Ganges and Mekong.
Typical price: £3750 for an 8 day cruise along Danube for two people in August 2018, including flights from London. Cabin has an outside view (i.e. it has a window)
3. Saga River Cruises - budget to mid-priced, 50+
Saga River Cruises is a bit different to some because it uses ships from other river cruise lines rather than its own fleet. We’ve included them because they’ve picked up a couple of awards and have gained a good reputation for value for money through their ocean cruises.
As you are probably aware, Saga is for 50+.
Reviews and awards:
Destinations: European options include Danube, Douro, waterways in Netherlands, Germany, France and Italy. More adventurous travellers can cruise the Nile.
Typical price: £2400 for an 8 night cruise for two people along the Danube in July 2018, including Salzburg and Vienna. Includes flights from London and a cabin with a window.
As you are probably aware, Saga is for 50+.
Reviews and awards:
- Not many reviews of their river cruises alone, but Saga cruises overall scores 4/5 (4/5 on CruiseCritic, 6/6 on IGLU from a small number of reviews)
- 2nd Passenger Favourite River Cruise Line at Wave Awards 2017
- 3rd best River Cruise Line at British Travel Awards 2017
Destinations: European options include Danube, Douro, waterways in Netherlands, Germany, France and Italy. More adventurous travellers can cruise the Nile.
Typical price: £2400 for an 8 night cruise for two people along the Danube in July 2018, including Salzburg and Vienna. Includes flights from London and a cabin with a window.
4. Ama Waterways - luxury, mostly 50+
AmaWaterways is a strong competitor for Uniworld in the luxury river cruise market. They sell themselves as being inclusive, with excursions and all food and drink part of the price you pay upfront. The company limits itself to 164 guests onboard, with a ratio of 1 member of staff for every 3 guests.
Their river cruise ships got rave reviews from cruise experts Berlitz and they were also the highest rated cruiseline by Cruiseline.com when I checked (including all the ocean cruise companies too).
You can go for formal dining all day long, or you can just choose a buffet for breakfast and then stick with the formal option for dinner. Some ships have small pools on deck and offer entertainment in the form of local music. They also offer 'wellness cruises', 'wine cruises' and 'golf cruises', which involves travelling between different golf courses.
Awards and reviews:
Destinations: Large choice across Europe including Danube, Rhine and Douro. They also have river cruises in Asia and Africa.
Typical price: £4600 for a 7 night cruise for two people on the Danube in July 2018.
Their river cruise ships got rave reviews from cruise experts Berlitz and they were also the highest rated cruiseline by Cruiseline.com when I checked (including all the ocean cruise companies too).
You can go for formal dining all day long, or you can just choose a buffet for breakfast and then stick with the formal option for dinner. Some ships have small pools on deck and offer entertainment in the form of local music. They also offer 'wellness cruises', 'wine cruises' and 'golf cruises', which involves travelling between different golf courses.
Awards and reviews:
- Oustanding customers reviews of about 4.5/5 (4.5/5 on CruiseCritic, 4.7/5 on Cruiseline.com)
- Best Dining at Cruise Critic awards editors pic
- Best River Cruise Ship in Europe according to Berlitz (AmaPrima)
Destinations: Large choice across Europe including Danube, Rhine and Douro. They also have river cruises in Asia and Africa.
Typical price: £4600 for a 7 night cruise for two people on the Danube in July 2018.
5. Viking River Cruises - mid to luxury priced, 50+ mostly
Viking River Cruises is probably the best-known of all the river cruise lines. They have river cruises all over the world, including a good choice in Europe onboard their 'longships' which get positive reviews.
The posher suites have lovely verandas with panoramic views whilst all cabins have at least got a window. The general style onboard is described as 'Scandinavian'. Dining is formal in the evenings and less so during the day, whilst excursions are mostly included.
Onboard, there's a 'Culture Curriculum' which involves talks on local history and art, as well as local wine tasting and food. They also offer musicians playing regional music (classical rather than heavy metal).
Reviews and awards
Typical price: £5200 for an 8 night cruise for two people along the Danube in August 2018 (Budapest to Nuremberg) in a riverview stateroom (i.e. a room with a window).
The posher suites have lovely verandas with panoramic views whilst all cabins have at least got a window. The general style onboard is described as 'Scandinavian'. Dining is formal in the evenings and less so during the day, whilst excursions are mostly included.
Onboard, there's a 'Culture Curriculum' which involves talks on local history and art, as well as local wine tasting and food. They also offer musicians playing regional music (classical rather than heavy metal).
Reviews and awards
- Average customer reviews of 4 to 4.5/5 (4.5/5 on CruiseCritic, 3.9 on Cruiseline.com)
- Best River Cruise Line at Cruise International Awards 2017
- Passenger Favourite River Cruise Line at Wave Awards 2017
- Best River Cruise Line at British Travel Awards 2017
- Customer favourite river cruise company at Globe Travel Awards 2018
Typical price: £5200 for an 8 night cruise for two people along the Danube in August 2018 (Budapest to Nuremberg) in a riverview stateroom (i.e. a room with a window).
The Best Cruises Guide Dont-Blame-Us-Disclaimer: facilities, onboard activities and prices were correct when we checked, but things change all the time so please check details direct with cruise lines. Bear in mind that some cruise lines are more 'inclusive' than others, so will add extra charges later. We just looked for the basic price, which usually includes food but doesn't include alcoholic drinks or excursions (although there are exceptions).
