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Scenic River Cruises vs Viking River Cruises
Compare the travel styles, pricing, destinations and popularity of Scenic River Cruises and Viking River Cruises.The Low Down
Scenic's 5 star luxury river cruises are well known and popular in Australia. Scenic were the first river cruise line to introduce balconies on their Scenic Space-Ships, which many clients love, but this does come at a cost to interior cabin space. Like many of the other luxury river cruise operators, look out for their great Fly Free offers, and Earlybird Savings. Every itinerary is all inclusive, with Freechoice activities that allow you to choose what you want to do in each port. Scenic also offer a range of luxury additions (like your own butler) depending on the cabin type selected. 
Cruising down the rivers of Europe you are sure to pass a Viking Longship on your travels. Viking boasts the most extensive fleet of river cruises vessels in Europe, and while their core market is the US, there are many clients from Australia that choose to cruise with them each year. In 2017 Viking launched their range of mid-sized ocean cruises - with just 930 guests this gives their ships greater maneuverability, allowing them to dock where the mega-liners cannot. Stats
No. of Trips
252
No. of Departures
1,266
Avg. Trip Length
17 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$561
Fleet Size
14 Ships
Known For
Luxury Cruising
Ship Styles
River Cruises
No. of Trips
74
No. of Departures
7,430
Avg. Trip Length
11 Days
Avg. Price Per Day
$399
Fleet Size
94 Ships
Known For
Scandinavian Design
Ship Styles
River Cruises
In Their Own Words We asked the travel companies themselves why you should travel with them
With Scenic, it’s more than a 5-star river cruise...it’s a seamless journey from start to finish that places you, our guest, at the heart of everything we do. It’s taking you to extraordinary regions and immersing you in meaningful and enriching experiences. It’s exquisite cuisine, indulgent wellness, and a world-class team who will anticipate your every need. You'll find the difference is in the details with Scenic: the innovative ship design, expertly trained crew, immersive journey, and an unrivalled focus on health and safety protocols.
A Viking river cruise is the discerning traveller’s dream. Whether you choose to visit Egypt, Asia, Europe or the Mississippi, our itineraries are designed to immerse you in the history and culture of each destination. With us, you could be exploring a local food market with our head chef one day and experiencing an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a world-famous museum the next.
Our state-of-the-art ships take you right into the heart of each destination, and you won’t find any kids or ‘nickel and diming’ on board. In fact, our fares include everything you need - from meals, beverages and Wi-Fi to a culturally enriching shore excursion at every port of call. This unique combination of features has become affectionately known as ‘the Viking difference’.
Viking has 70 award-winning river ships sailing all over the world, and we can’t wait to welcome you on board to discover the Viking difference for yourself.
Recent Reviews
4.6
Exceptional Danube Tour Germany to Hungary 0
Danube Christmas Markets with Nuremberg
Maree, SA, Australia, Dec 2025
Our booking with Hannah at Global Journeys was seamless. There isn't a single thing I would've changed on our Danube Cruise with Scenic Waterways. We felt spoilt from the first day until the last. Just the right amount of free time and the tours were very good. We cruised in December & it was Christmas Market magic.
We loved everything about this wonderful cruise on the Douro River in Portugal with Scenic. The ship was beautiful, the staff were all so happy and couldn't do enough for us and the food was amazing. I loved that with Scenic, everything was included and that we didn't have to pay for anything else once on the ship. It was so nice to be away from read more large cities, visiting the little villages and towns along the river. Thank you once again Tracey, for your help in organising our lovely holiday. As usual, you were a great help and was always so prompt at returning my calls or answering my emails.
Munich to Budapest in late summer 4
Gems of the Danube
David and Christine, VIC, Australia, Sep 2025
We joined the Scenic Amber cruise in Munich and travelled to Budapest in August 2025. The cruise was fully booked, but it never seemed crowded. The majority of the passengers were Americans, plus Brits, Canadians , Aussies and Kiwis. All the crew spoke excellent English and all the business was in English. Everything really is included in the ticket read more price, except the laundry ( which struck me as a bit expensive) and the massages. Good quality booze is included, and the bartender has a great repertoire of cocktails, but nobody over indulges. Where you can be over indulgent is in the meals. Three three course gourmet meals every day! Lots of tasty treats that you don’t get at home, and steaks are always an option.
There is a choice of excursions every day, all very smoothly organised, folklore shows in the evening from the districts we happen to be in. Plus there are plenty of lazy options such as sitting in the top deck chatting and soaking in the pool, playing cards with new friends in the front cabin, and having those massages. The cabin itself is quite compact, the shower especially so, but we didn’t spend much time in there. My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed our week sightseeing, over eating, and making new friends.
There is a choice of excursions every day, all very smoothly organised, folklore shows in the evening from the districts we happen to be in. Plus there are plenty of lazy options such as sitting in the top deck chatting and soaking in the pool, playing cards with new friends in the front cabin, and having those massages. The cabin itself is quite compact, the shower especially so, but we didn’t spend much time in there. My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed our week sightseeing, over eating, and making new friends.
This cruise, the crew and all the organisation far exceeded our expectations. We were in luck and the river behaved and no transfer between ships were necessary. All off boat trips were amazing, the crew can't do enough to help you, even organising "slow walking tours" when they realised there were a few people struggling with the normal options. read more So much fun was had, new friends made and history visited. Food was amazing, and we honestly felt like we were filling in time before eating again! If you are even just thinking about it DO IT, Dad and I had a ball !!
We are quite seasoned travelers, but this is our first European river cruise and it was magnificent. It was added on to our trip to Ireland, Scotland/UK. Scenic delivered a first class experience. There was lots of on-shore tours and on board activities that you could choose to participate in - or not, and I loved that we were seeing various countries read more without having to pack and unpack.
The Global Journeys client support was great, the Scenic cruise and service exceeded our expectations and we made some new friends along the way. Think we may be hooked as we have been home just over a week and planning our next river cruise with Global Journeys assistance already!
The Global Journeys client support was great, the Scenic cruise and service exceeded our expectations and we made some new friends along the way. Think we may be hooked as we have been home just over a week and planning our next river cruise with Global Journeys assistance already!
Scenic South of France river cruise 3
Spectacular South of France
Bill and Yvonne, NSW, Australia, May 2025
We were very impressed with Scenic & would definitely travel with them again. All staff were excellent, professional as well as fun. The cabin was well designed with ample storage space. The meals were first class. It was fabulous to have great “freedom of choice” options & we really enjoyed the ones we chose. Entertainment was mostly good, bearing read more in mind we all have different tastes. Excellent coordination of disembarkation.
4.6
We saw a lot of Christmas markets on the cruise and they were a highlight when not crowded, which they mostly were unfortunately. If we were the only ship at the port then it wouldn't be so bad but often there were upwards of a dozen ships concurrently, making the Christmas markets quite a slog to get through.
The ship itself was good but facilities read more and entertainment were limited (no pool or gym and entertainment was mostly a pianist and on the last night a local easy listening band) and the rooms are smaller than on larger ships. The ship staff were all very good so kudos to Viking for having excellent crew. The food was mostly great also but meal times are less flexible than on larger ocean cruises so you have to eat at the times they dictate (mainly 7pm and later which did not really suit the mostly older passengers); if you wanted food at any other time it was only pastry items like muffins and cookies (but hot drinks from a machine were available 24/7). The ports were mostly right by the main part of town which was very handy, and with the exception of Dordrecht every port stop had a Christmas market (or three) so that was great. Overall it was a good trip but we wouldn't do another river cruise.
The ship itself was good but facilities read more and entertainment were limited (no pool or gym and entertainment was mostly a pianist and on the last night a local easy listening band) and the rooms are smaller than on larger ships. The ship staff were all very good so kudos to Viking for having excellent crew. The food was mostly great also but meal times are less flexible than on larger ocean cruises so you have to eat at the times they dictate (mainly 7pm and later which did not really suit the mostly older passengers); if you wanted food at any other time it was only pastry items like muffins and cookies (but hot drinks from a machine were available 24/7). The ports were mostly right by the main part of town which was very handy, and with the exception of Dordrecht every port stop had a Christmas market (or three) so that was great. Overall it was a good trip but we wouldn't do another river cruise.
Unforgettable positive experience 0
Capitals of Eastern Europe
Joe and Susan, NSW, Australia, Sep 2025
We have had the most wonderful and worry free experience due to booking with Global Journeys and enjoying the Capitals of Eastern Europe Viking river cruise, plus pre and post cruise extensions. Georgie at Global Journeys, assisted us in every possible way to ensure we were organised, informed, provided with options for extensions and transfers. Her read more advice and organisation made for a seamless cruise experience, giving us the confidence to travel knowing we were very well looked after.
We also felt very comfortable at all times with the care and assistance that Viking offers. Our stateroom on Viking Rinda and the always remarkably outstanding service from the Viking staff made our 21 days on tbe Danube, and in Prague and Transylvania absolutely fantastic. We would thoroughly recommend this cruise itinerary to all who have already explored Western Europe and are ready to see fresh gems of interest. We particularly loved Transylvania and Bucharest in Romania.
We also felt very comfortable at all times with the care and assistance that Viking offers. Our stateroom on Viking Rinda and the always remarkably outstanding service from the Viking staff made our 21 days on tbe Danube, and in Prague and Transylvania absolutely fantastic. We would thoroughly recommend this cruise itinerary to all who have already explored Western Europe and are ready to see fresh gems of interest. We particularly loved Transylvania and Bucharest in Romania.
The Ship (Egdir) is a wonderful newish river cruise ship with great staterooms and ammenities. This was our first river cruise and most likely we won’t do another. The entire atmosphere of this particular river cruise was very laid back and may attract whose who are comfortable eating their dinner and going to bed around 8-8:30pm. There is a small piano read more up in the lounge where sitting down and have drinks while listening to the pianist. All drinks need to be paid for as the drink package of very ordinary local beer, wine and soft drinks are only available during lunch and dinner. Even if you wanted to have a soft drink outside of these hours you had to pay.
If you missed breakfast or lunch there’s absolutely nothing to eat and there’s no room service. Absolutely no entertainment at night. The first few locks was the entertainment while on the ship. Then after a few more locks that also became boring. We arrived back on the ship at 1:30pm after an included walking tour and the dining room was closed and nothing to eat on board until 7pm. That’s not a holiday or glamorous as seen on Getaway or other similar advertisements on TV. We filled the river cruise review while I board and gave our suggestions in how to improve the entire concept of river cruising. Let’s see if any notice of our suggestions actually become implemented.
If you missed breakfast or lunch there’s absolutely nothing to eat and there’s no room service. Absolutely no entertainment at night. The first few locks was the entertainment while on the ship. Then after a few more locks that also became boring. We arrived back on the ship at 1:30pm after an included walking tour and the dining room was closed and nothing to eat on board until 7pm. That’s not a holiday or glamorous as seen on Getaway or other similar advertisements on TV. We filled the river cruise review while I board and gave our suggestions in how to improve the entire concept of river cruising. Let’s see if any notice of our suggestions actually become implemented.
From our initial booking with Viking Cruises through Global Journeys this holiday was a breeze. Nothing to worry about with any organisation done for us. The Mekong River and Delta are incredible, so wide, carrying so much water traffic and life on board the Viking Saigon was luxurious. Food, accommodation and care were exceptional. Apart from the read more climate which was so different to anything we had experienced before this holiday was A1.
We loved every minute of this cruise. We have now completed five cruises with Viking with more to come. This was the first with our long time school friends who were also impressed with the Rhine cruise. Georgie from Global Journeys has been fantastic help for many years. We can’t thank her enough and can throughly recommend the Rhine cruise.
Our trip was better than we could have hoped. Viking lived up to its expected reputation with food, drinks, service and entertainment. What was unexpected was the special dining experience off the boat at a chateau, which was delightful. The itinerary looked repetitious on paper, but also worked wonderfully. I would recommend this trip highly.
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