Top 10 European River Cruise Lines: 2024 Edition
With so many options to choose from, selecting the "right" or "best" option for your European river cruise can be quite daunting. To make matters worse, the answer for one person is not necessarily the same for another.
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Keep in mind that each cruise line listed below can provide an outstanding cruise experience, with only the slightest nuances separating them.
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If you haven't already done so, take our one-of-a-kind river cruise quiz to see which cruise line you get matched to - and then see where that cruise line ranks below.
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So, without further ado, here's how rivercruisecomparison.com ranks the top 10 European river cruise lines:
10
Emerald Cruises
A solid entry, especially for those looking for a more affordable river cruise option. Emerald has itineraries on the more popular rivers in Europe. Their ships are modern and stylish, offering spacious cabins.
09
Scenic River Cruises
An all-inclusive entry that falls on the luxury end of river cruising. Scenic has itineraries on the more popular rivers in Europe. Their ships (called Space-Ships) provide spacious and elegantly appointed suites.
08
Riverside Luxury Cruises
The newest kid on the block (Riverside took over ships that were previously operated by Crystal), Riverside competes on the luxury end of river cruising. With only three ships, their itineraries are the most limited of those on this list. Their ships offer an opulent, refined elegance that most of the other lines cannot compete with. A few hiccups as they get their bearings, but we expect Riverside to move up the list as time goes by.
07
Riviera River Cruises
Another great entry for those looking for a more affordable river cruise option. Riviera’s itineraries are a little more robust than Emerald, Scenic, and Riverside, covering most rivers in Europe. Their ships are modern, with an emphasis on comfort and style.
06
Viking River Cruises
The most well-known cruise line on the list, Viking provides a solid river cruise experience. They have the most ships, and sail almost all the rivers in Europe, so you should have more than enough itinerary options. All of their ships are designed with the same layout and Scandinavian minimalist décor.
05
Avalon Waterways
Avalon is an excellent middle of the road option – not luxury, not basic. They have a robust list of itineraries, sailing most of the rivers in Europe. Over the last year or two we have noticed Avalon tweaking their product to more favorably compete with the luxury lines, but at a lower price point. Their ships are modern, with a contemporary style.
04
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Uniworld is an all-inclusive line that falls on the luxury end of river cruising. They sail all but the Elbe, so you should have no problem finding an itinerary of interest. Their ships are opulent and elegant - with luxurious colors, custom fabrics, and museum-worthy original pieces of art across each of their ships.
03
Tauck River Cruises
Tauck provides an upscale, all-inclusive river cruise experience. They are known for their high-quality of service and attention to detail. Tauck sails most of the European rivers, and operate ships styled with a mix of modern and classic finishes.
02
AmaWaterways
The last entry that competes on the luxury end of river cruising, AmaWaterways is tops in this category due to their exceptional service and dining. They sail on most European rivers, and operate the second highest number of ships, so you will have plenty of itineraries to choose from (including many that are wine-focused). Their ships are designed for comfort, with a luxurious and refined European elegance.
01
Amadeus River Cruises
Amadeus comes out on top because they offer a sailing experience very similar to AmaWaterways, but at a lower price point. They sail most rivers in Europe (the Douro being the main exception), offering a wide range of itineraries to select from. Their ships are elegantly designed, with a luxurious yet comfortable feel.
