Top River Cruise Lines: An Unforgettable Experience

Rivers are all the rage. Travelers are increasingly interested in seeing the world on cruises through smaller waterways. A significant selling point is how river cruises allow guests to experience destinations in a deeper way. For instance, sailing Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River lets you explore a destination at a significant turning point in its history, while itineraries on the Rhine River showcase the charming villages and towns that line the waterway. In addition, these trips are heavy on cultural offerings and insider access, with excursions to museums, villages, wineries, and restaurants. The ships—intimate and often luxurious—are also appealing. While you might not encounter jaw-dropping waterslides on most lines, many river ships offer cabins with balconies, premium dining experiences, and spas. For example, Viking Cruises features an innovative Explorer Suite, complete with a wraparound terrace and heated bathroom floors. Every year, for the iBestTravel survey, readers weigh in on travel experiences around the globe to share their opinions on hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, and more. Readers rate individual cruise ships on their cabins/facilities, food, service, itineraries/destinations, excursions/activities, and value. These assessments generate results for the cruise lines in various categories, including river cruising. This year, top honors went to Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection—a line recognized for its style and elegance. Staterooms are plush and border on opulent. Even its new ships, such as the Maria Theresa, launched last year, take design cues from the past. Uniworld isn’t the only cruise company expanding its fleet; at least 11 new river ships debuted in recent years. Lines like Tauck, Viking Cruises, and AmaWaterways have all recently added new ships while expanding their itineraries. For instance, AmaWaterways has introduced wine-themed cruises—led by experts—along popular rivers like the Douro, Danube, Rhine, and Rhone, allowing guests to indulge in tastings with someone else at the helm.

No. 5: AmaWaterways

Score: 89.42

No. 4: Grand Circle Cruise Line

Score: 91.62

No. 3: Viking Cruises

Score: 93.83

No. 2: Tauck

Score: 94.42

No. 1: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Score: 94.46

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection—which boasts 19 sailing vessels in its fleet—is celebrated for having some of the most stylish ships at sea. “The cabins are like little jewel boxes,” one respondent commented about the River Baroness. The new Maria Theresa, which operates on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, offers luxurious interiors inspired by the Hapsburg Empire. However, it’s more than just aesthetics that entice travelers to river cruising. “Uniworld’s onshore excursions are unique, varied, and well-chosen, with a distinct focus on history and art.”