Top 10 European River Cruise Lines: 2025 Edition
Amadeus comes out on top because they offer a 5-star sailing experience at a lower price point. They sail most rivers in Europe (the Douro being the main exception), offering a wide range of itineraries to select from. Their ships are elegantly designed, with a luxurious yet comfortable feel.
Amadeus
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AmaWaterways is known for exceptional service and dining. They sail on most European rivers, and operate the second highest number of ships, so you will have plenty of itineraries to choose from (including many that are wine-focused). Their ships are designed for comfort, with a luxurious and refined European elegance.
AmaWaterways
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The most well-known cruise line on the list, Viking provides a solid river cruise experience. They have the most ships, and sail almost all the rivers in Europe, so you should have more than enough itinerary options. All of their ships are designed with the same layout and Scandinavian minimalist décor.
Viking
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Uniworld is an all-inclusive line that falls on the luxury end of river cruising. They sail all but the Elbe, so you should have no problem finding an itinerary of interest. Their ships are opulent and elegant - with luxurious colors, custom fabrics, and museum-worthy original pieces of art across each of their ships.
Uniworld
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Avalon is an excellent option for new or experienced river cruisers. They have a robust list of itineraries, sailing most of the rivers in Europe. Over the past few years we have noticed Avalon tweaking their product to more favorably compete with the luxury lines, but at a lower price point. Their ships are modern, with a contemporary style.
Avalon
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