Europe's Best Premium River Cruise Companies

At Avalon, we continue to redefine river cruising by choosing a more thoughtful path than the big ships - no crowded tourist ports or hurried timetables, just meaningful journeys that keep you in the centre of every destination. Our contemporary Suite Ships cruise the world’s iconic rivers and waterways, bringing you moments from lively cities, storybook villages, and unforgettable scenery.

Wake to Vienna outside your door, see Budapest glow at night, or enjoy 360-degree views of the Rhine Gorge read more and Wachau Valley from the Sky Deck. Cycle through Cologne or Paris, taste regional cuisine in Lyon, or discover treats in Linz, then return to your generous suite without missing one moment.

Travelmarvel offers premium river cruising with an emphasis on value, with most major costs covered before departure. Included sightseeing, Insider Experiences, meals, drinks with lunch and dinner, gratuities and transfers are combined with modern ships and the freedom to purchase additional experiences only when desired.

Viking focuses on destination-led river cruising for adults, with no children, formal nights or art auctions. One excursion in every port, onboard gratuities, WiFi, meals and drinks with lunch and dinner are included, while its purpose-built river ships, cultural enrichment and extensive optional excursion program emphasise exploring each destination in depth.

Emerald Cruises combines contemporary river ships, extensive included sightseeing and strong value, with meals, drinks at lunch and dinner, WiFi, transfers and gratuities included. EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE provide cultural and active ways to explore, while optional DiscoverMORE excursions allow travellers to add further experiences.

AmaWaterways offers a personal way to explore the world’s rivers. With ships averaging around 150 guests, there’s room to relax and a crew that gets to know you. Guests can choose from a range of included shore excursions, including options for more active travellers, then return to regionally inspired dining, wines and onboard wellness activities.

Many ships also feature AmaWaterways’ signature twin-balcony staterooms, giving you two ways to enjoy the passing scenery, with a step out balcony read more or a French balcony.

AmaWaterways has been sailing for over 24 years and is highly respected, being a company that only sails on the rivers, ensures it has the knowledge and expertise to ensure all guests have a fantastic time. AmaWaterways, also does not cancel due to high or low water levels - they amend, but do not cancel. With a large fleet of ships, and an operations office in Basel, they are able to be nimble with alternatives for guests.

AMADEUS combines a family-owned Austrian approach to hospitality with more than four decades of European river-cruising experience, one of the youngest and most modern fleets on Europe's rivers, spacious contemporary accommodation, gourmet dining and flexible excursion choices.

Celebrity River Cruises brings Celebrity's premium ocean-cruise style to European river cruising, with modern balcony-focused accommodation, six dining options, included drinks, WiFi and daily shore excursions. Its ships are designed around more choice onboard and immersive local experiences on the Rhine and Danube.

Combines Trafalgar's local touring style with intimate 128-guest river ships, all onboard meals, drinks with lunch and dinner, included daily sightseeing, Be My Guest and MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, WiFi and shipboard crew gratuities.