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Europe's Best Luxury River Cruise Companies

How do you choose between Europe's luxury river cruise companies? Most sail the same rivers and visit similar ports, but it's your experience onboard and onshore that defines them. Global Journeys brings the world's most inclusive luxury European river cruise lines into one place for you to compare.

The 4 most luxurious European river cruise companies

There's all-inclusive and then there's all-inclusive+.
APT River Cruises
APT River Cruises
APT's all-inclusive river cruises include accommodation, all onboard dining, a wide range of beverages, sightseeing and excursions, Signature Experiences, Freedom of Choice activities, WiFi, airport transfers, port charges and gratuities.
Scenic River Cruises
Scenic River Cruises
All-inclusive fares include accommodation, all onboard meals, premium beverages throughout the day, butler service, WiFi, Scenic Enrich experiences, Scenic Freechoice excursions, gratuities and airport transfers on arrival and departure days.
Tauck River Cruises
Tauck River Cruises
Highly inclusive fares cover accommodation, all onboard meals and snacks, unlimited beverages including premium spirits, all shore excursions, exclusive experiences, WiFi, transfers, port charges, taxes and all customary gratuities.
Uniworld River Cruises
Uniworld River Cruises
Highly inclusive, Uniworld's fares include luxury accommodation, all onboard meals, unlimited premium wines, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages, scheduled shore excursions, WiFi, onboard gratuities, fitness classes and the use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks. Inclusions can vary in Egypt, India, Southeast Asia and Peru.

How do they compare?

Live European river cruise pricing and availability based on currently listed itineraries and departures.
APT River Cruises
APT River Cruises
Total No. CruisesTotal No. River Cruises
29
DeparturesDepartures
401
Average cruise lengthAvg. cruise length
15 days
Average price per dayAvg. price per day
River View
$811
Balcony
$1,023
Suite
$1,223
No. of ShipsNo. of Ships
19
ReviewsReviews (490)
4.6/5
Scenic River Cruises
Scenic River Cruises
Total No. CruisesTotal No. River Cruises
227
DeparturesDepartures
1,601
Average cruise lengthAvg. cruise length
15 days
Average price per dayAvg. price per day
River View
$727
Balcony
$998
Suite
$1,257
No. of ShipsNo. of Ships
17
ReviewsReviews (111)
4.6/5
Tauck River Cruises
Tauck River Cruises
Total No. CruisesTotal No. River Cruises
45
DeparturesDepartures
217
Average cruise lengthAvg. cruise length
11 days
Average price per dayAvg. price per day
River View
$2,266
Balcony
$2,450
Suite
$2,621
No. of ShipsNo. of Ships
31
ReviewsReviews (14)
4.6/5
Uniworld River Cruises
Uniworld River Cruises
Total No. CruisesTotal No. River Cruises
70
DeparturesDepartures
867
Average cruise lengthAvg. cruise length
11 days
Average price per dayAvg. price per day
River View
$737
Balcony
$1,036
Suite
$1,831
No. of ShipsNo. of Ships
20
ReviewsReviews (95)
4.7/5

Shore excursions

Included shore excusions by Europe's all-inclusive luxury river cruise companies.
Shore excursions
APT River Cruises
APT's included shore excursions
Freedom of Choice excursions allow you to select from cultural, culinary, historical and active experiences in many destinations, alongside APT's exclusive Signature Experiences.
Scenic River Cruises
Scenic's included shore excursions
Scenic Freechoice offers multiple excursions in many ports, often categorised as Active, Moderate or Relaxed, so guests can select options that suit their interests and mobility.
Tauck River Cruises
Tauck's included shore excursions
Tauck provides a choice of privately guided small-group excursions, exclusive cultural experiences and destination sightseeing, with an average of around 15 guests per local guide ashore.
Uniworld River Cruises
Uniworld's included shore excursions
Depending on the itinerary, guests can choose from traditional sightseeing, active 'Let's Go' excursions, locally immersive 'Do as the Locals Do' experiences and 'Village Day' programs. Bicycles and Nordic walking sticks are also available on selected ships.

What's life like onboard?

Included onboard experiences by Europe's most luxurious river cruise companies.
What's life like on onboard?
APT River Cruises
APT River Cruises
Depending on the ship, guests can enjoy lounges and bars, live entertainment, enrichment, fitness facilities, pools or wellness areas and social activities between excursions.
Scenic River Cruises
Scenic River Cruises
Activities can include live music, game nights, lectures, cultural entertainment, stretching classes, wellness activities, gym use, e-bikes in Europe and relaxation in ship-specific facilities such as Vitality Pools and Salt Therapy Lounges.
Tauck River Cruises
Tauck River Cruises
The onboard programme is relatively relaxed and destination-focused, with local musicians, singers and dancers, lectures, social activities and fitness facilities. The main emphasis remains on the destinations and extensive included sightseeing ashore.
Uniworld River Cruises
Uniworld River Cruises
Included activities can include live local entertainment, cultural enrichment, signature lectures, daily fitness and wellness classes, yoga and TRX training. Ships also feature lounges, fitness centres, spas and pools on selected ships.

What do APT, Scenic, Tauck and Uniworld say that sets their river cruises apart?

APT River Cruises

APT offers a highly inclusive luxury river cruise experience with meals, beverages, gratuities and extensive sightseeing taken care of. Our Signature Experiences provide exclusive access, while our Freedom of Choice excursions give you more flexibility in how you explore each destination. — APT River Cruises

Scenic River Cruises

Scenic offer an all-inclusive luxury river cruise experience with premium drinks throughout the day, all dining, butler service, gratuities, WiFi and a wide choice of Scenic Freechoice excursions included, plus our spacious rivers ships carry only around 160 guests. — Scenic River Cruises

Tauck River Cruises

Tauck are a particularly inclusive river cruise with all shore excursions, premium drinks throughout the day, all gratuities, WiFi and exclusive Tauck experiences included, combined with ships averaging only around 110 guests and small excursion groups averaging about 15 guests per local guide. — Tauck River Cruises

Uniworld River Cruises

Uniworld offers one of river cruising's most inclusive luxury experiences, combining individually designed boutique ships, fine dining, unlimited premium beverages, included gratuities and a broad choice of shore excursions. Its high staff-to-guest ratio, locally focused experiences, wellness program and distinctive onboard design create a more personalised alternative to larger or more standardised river cruise lines. — Uniworld River Cruises

Compare Europe's luxury river cruise-lines

APT River Cruises
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Scenic River Cruises
APT River Cruises
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Tauck River Cruises
APT River Cruises
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Uniworld River Cruises River Cruises
Scenic River Cruises
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Tauck River Cruises
Scenic River Cruises
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Uniworld River Cruises River Cruises
Tauck River Cruises
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Uniworld River Cruises River Cruises

Europe River Cruises

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River Cruise Guides

What is the best river to cruise in Europe? Europe's Best Luxury River Cruise Companies
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