Cruise Lines
Compare River Cruise Lines
Explore the styles, onboard experiences, destinations, and inclusions that set today’s leading river cruise lines apart. River Cruise Guides helps you compare options with clarity so you can choose the experience that fits how you want to travel.
Overview
Find the Right Fit
River cruise travelers can choose from a range of lines, from premium European specialists to U.S. river operators and luxury brands with global reach. This overview focuses on major cruise lines that actively sail rivers, including AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, Viking, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld, Scenic, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Tauck, and CroisiEurope.
For each line, you will find a brief introduction to the brand, the style of its fleet, and the rivers it sails so you can start comparing which experience best fits your travel goals. SeaDream Yacht Club and Seabourn are not included here because they are not river cruise lines.
Comparison
Major River Cruise Lines
These major river cruise lines offer different strengths in style, ship design, destination coverage, and onboard experience. Use this section as a starter guide when narrowing your options.
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is known for a polished premium experience that blends destination immersion, strong dining, and a lively onboard atmosphere. Its fleet includes modern river ships with multiple dining venues, wellness features, and staterooms designed to maximize views. The line sails major European rivers such as the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Saône, and Douro, along with select itineraries on the Mekong, Nile, Magdalena, and Chobe River safari combinations.
Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises offers a contemporary premium river cruise experience with a strong focus on value, stylish design, and relaxed onboard comfort. Its fleet of Emerald Star-Ships features modern décor, airy public spaces, and amenities such as indoor pools that convert to evening cinema spaces on select vessels. The line sails many of Europe’s best-known waterways, including the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Douro, Rhône, Saône, and Seine, giving travelers access to both classic capitals and smaller riverside towns.
American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines focuses on domestic cruising with an emphasis on U.S. history, regional culture, and easy travel logistics. Its fleet includes riverboats and small ships, with newer vessels offering spacious lounges, broad views, and a comfortable contemporary feel. The line sails the Mississippi River system as well as the Columbia and Snake rivers, and it also operates on other U.S. inland and coastal waterways depending on itinerary.
Viking
Viking is one of the best-known names in river cruising and appeals to travelers who want a clean Scandinavian-inspired style and a strong destination focus. Its large fleet of Longships and other purpose-built vessels offers a consistent onboard experience with understated design and comfortable public spaces. Viking sails the Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Elbe, and other European waterways, as well as the Nile, Mekong, and Mississippi.
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways is popular for contemporary ships and panoramic suites that open the room toward the view. Its fleet is designed around spacious accommodations, flexible touring choices, and a relaxed premium atmosphere. Avalon sails many of Europe’s most popular rivers, including the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Saône, and Douro, and also offers itineraries on the Mekong, Ganges, Nile, and the Amazon through select programs.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Uniworld stands out for an all-inclusive luxury approach and highly decorative ships with a boutique hotel feel. Its fleet features individually styled vessels, rich interiors, and a strong emphasis on service, dining, and included experiences. Uniworld sails the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Po, and other European rivers, with additional programs on the Nile, Mekong, Ganges, and Peruvian Amazon.
Scenic Luxury Cruises
Scenic positions itself at the luxury end of the market with a highly inclusive experience and sleek contemporary ships. Its fleet includes spacious suites, butler service, and upscale dining, with ship design that feels modern and refined. Scenic sails the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Douro, and other key European rivers, and it also offers select Southeast Asia river itineraries on the Mekong.
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Riverside Luxury Cruises is a newer luxury brand built around spacious suites, elevated dining, and a more intimate upscale atmosphere. Its fleet is small and focused, featuring elegantly refurbished ships that emphasize comfort and personalized service. Riverside sails leading European waterways including the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Rhône, and Douro.
Tauck River Cruises
Tauck brings its guided travel background into river cruising with a strong focus on service, enrichment, and well-managed land and cruise experiences. Its fleet is intentionally limited and built for a more spacious feel with fewer guests on board. Tauck sails the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Douro, and other European rivers, along with select Nile itineraries.
CroisiEurope
CroisiEurope is a long-established European operator known for broad itinerary variety and strong regional coverage. Its fleet ranges from classic European river ships to smaller vessels designed for more specialized routes. The line sails the Rhine, Danube, Main, Moselle, Seine, Loire, Rhône, Saône, Gironde, Garonne, Dordogne, Douro, Elbe, Po, and other European rivers, with additional sailings in Africa and Asia on select programs.
River Regions
Where These Lines Sail
Most major river cruise lines concentrate on Europe, but several also sail in Asia, Egypt, South America, and the United States.
Europe
The Rhine, Danube, Seine, Douro, and Rhône remain the most requested river cruise regions, with broad choices in style, price point, and included touring.
Asia
Mekong, Ganges, and other Asian river itineraries appeal to travelers seeking deeper cultural immersion, smaller-ship exploration, and memorable land-and-river combinations.
United States
Domestic river cruises on the Mississippi and other U.S. waterways offer convenient travel, regional history, and a distinctly American cruising experience.