Best River Cruise Companies in Europe
Same rivers, very different trips. Here is who is who.
Get Free River Cruise QuotesThe best river cruise companies in Europe share the same rivers and often the same quays, but they offer quite different trips. Here is a factual outline of each, so you can see which ones belong on your shortlist.
The Companies, in Brief
| Company | Style in a sentence | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Viking | The largest river fleet, with consistent, Scandinavian-designed Longships. | One included tour in each port; adults only (18+). |
| AmaWaterways | Premium line known for food, wine and choice of touring. | Twin balconies on many ships; bikes aboard; gentle-walker to active tours. |
| Avalon Waterways | Premium, with cabins designed around the view. | Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall opening windows on its Suite Ships. |
| Uniworld | Boutique luxury with individually decorated ships. | All-inclusive, including drinks and gratuities. |
| Scenic | All-inclusive luxury with butler service. | Gratuities, drinks and many excursions included. |
| Emerald Cruises | Contemporary ships with a relaxed atmosphere. | Star-Ships with a heated pool that turns into a cinema. |
| Tauck | Escorted, small-group touring company. | Tauck directors on board; gratuities included. |
| Riviera | British company now selling to North Americans too. | A value-minded alternative on the main rivers. |
| CroisiEurope | French, family-run, with a large European fleet. | Strong in France, including smaller rivers and canals. |
| Celebrity River Cruises | New for 2027 on the Danube and Rhine. | A big ocean brand moving onto the rivers; details still emerging. |
Facts above are from each line’s own materials as of 2026; inclusions change, so confirm them on the fare you book.
Matching a Company to a Traveler
First European river cruise
A large, consistent line makes the experience predictable; see Mister River Cruise for first-timer advice.
Everything paid up front
An all-inclusive line such as Uniworld or Scenic removes the bar bill and tipping from the equation.
Active travelers
Lines with graded touring and bikes aboard, such as AmaWaterways.
Escorted touring
Tauck, whose directors handle the logistics ashore.
Europe River Cruise Company Questions
Which river cruise companies sail the most in Europe?
Viking runs the largest river fleet, and AmaWaterways, Avalon, Uniworld, Scenic, Emerald, Tauck, Riviera and CroisiEurope all sail the main European rivers. Celebrity Cruises has announced its first European river cruises for 2027.
Which companies are all-inclusive?
Uniworld and Scenic are the best-known all-inclusive river lines, covering drinks and gratuities as well as excursions. Tauck includes gratuities and touring. Other lines include wine and beer with meals but charge for some extras; check each fare.
Which are best for families?
Lines that run dedicated family departures — AmaWaterways with Adventures by Disney, for example — are the strongest choice. Viking does not accept guests under 18.
Questions to Ask Any European River Company
- Which of your ships sails my river in my month, and when was it built or refurbished?
- Exactly which drinks, gratuities and transfers are in my fare?
- How many excursion choices are there in each port, and are any extra?
- Where does the ship moor in Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam or Paris?
- Are sailings marketed mainly to English-speaking guests?
Our sister site River Cruise Lines has a page for each line if you want more depth before you ask.
Shortlist European River Companies
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