Best river cruise lines for 2026–2027: six lines ranked

How we picked

We ranked the lines on what decides a river cruise, using the criteria in how we rate cruises. For river cruises we weight four things most: how many rivers and dates the line offers, what the fare includes, the cabin, and how much of the trip is arranged for you. River ships on the same river are similar in size and stop at the same towns, so the ship itself counts for less than on an ocean cruise.

These are editorial picks with a reason for each place, not scores. We only ranked lines whose fares and fleets we could check on their own sites. Uniworld, Scenic, Emerald and Riviera Travel also sail the rivers of Europe; we haven’t ranked them yet.

The best river cruise lines, ranked

1. 1

   Best river cruise line overall

   Viking, Viking Longships in Europe (up to 190 guests)

   Why: The most routes: every main river in Europe, from the Rhine and Danube to the Douro and the Elbe, plus the Mekong, the Nile and the Mississippi. An excursion in each port, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and Wi-Fi are in the fare. The 8-day Rhine Getaway was listed from $2,399 per person for 2027 (checked October 2026).

   Watch out: Drinks outside lunch and dinner cost extra, and with so many near-identical ships there is little to set one sailing apart.

   Fares change daily; check current prices
2. 2

   Most included in the fare

   AmaWaterways, Any Ama ship in Europe (fewer than 200 guests)

   Why: Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, guided excursions in each port and Wi-Fi are included, and the line runs dedicated wine cruises. It also sails the Nile, the Mekong, the Chobe in Africa and Colombia's Magdalena.

   Watch out: Not an open bar. Premium drinks outside the included times cost extra.

   Fares change daily; check current prices
3. 3

   Best cabins

   Avalon Waterways, Avalon Suite Ships (about 150 guests)

   Why: Most rooms are Panorama Suites of about 200 square feet with a wall of windows that opens. Included excursions come in Classic, Active and Discovery styles, so you pick the pace each day.

   Watch out: The line's own president says it isn't all-inclusive. Premium spirits and drinks outside meals and happy hour are extra.

   Fares change daily; check current prices
4. 4

   Best all-inclusive river cruise

   Tauck, Tauck's own riverboats in Europe

   Why: One upfront price covers all gratuities, drinks all day including house wine, beer and premium spirits, every shore excursion, arrival and departure transfers, and Tauck Directors who run the trip. Tauck says no optional extras are sold.

   Watch out: You pay for a fully hosted tour up front, so compare its fare with another line's fare plus tips, drinks and extra excursions, not with the headline price alone.

   Fares change daily; check current prices
5. 5

   Best for US river cruises

   American Cruise Lines, American Melody, American Serenade or American Symphony (180 guests)

   Why: The largest river cruise line in the United States, with the most Mississippi routes plus a paddlewheeler, American Heritage, of 150 guests. No passport and no long-haul flight, and beer, wine and cocktails are included on board.

   Watch out: It sails only in the US. For Europe, look at the lines above.

   Fares change daily; check current prices
6. 6

   New for 2027

   Celebrity Cruises, Celebrity Compass or Celebrity Seeker (new in 2027)

   Why: Celebrity River Cruises starts with two new ships and 33 seven-night Rhine and Danube cruises in 2027. Celebrity has said fares will include drinks, Wi-Fi and an excursion in each port.

   Watch out: A brand-new product with no track record on the rivers yet, and only two routes.

   Fares change daily; check current prices

Why Viking leads

Viking isn’t the most inclusive or the most luxurious river line. It ranks first because it has the most choice. Its Longships sail every main river in Europe, and outside Europe it sails the Mekong, the Nile and the Mississippi. More routes and more ships mean more departure dates, which matters most when you are fitting a trip around fixed holidays. Its fares include an excursion in every port, so the price you see is close to what you pay. Our European river cruises guide compares the rivers Viking and the others sail.

Pick AmaWaterways over Viking if you want more in the fare and a wine-themed trip, and Avalon Waterways if the cabin matters most.

What the fare includes, line by line

The biggest real difference between river lines is what you still pay for on board.

• Tauck: almost everything. All gratuities, drinks all day including spirits, every excursion and transfers.
• American Cruise Lines: beer, wine and cocktails on board.
• AmaWaterways: wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, excursions and Wi-Fi.
• Viking: an excursion in each port, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and Wi-Fi.
• Avalon: wine and beer with lunch and dinner and a choice of excursions; premium drinks and drinks outside meals are extra.
• Celebrity River Cruises: due to include drinks, Wi-Fi and an excursion in each port from 2027.

Tips are the line to check most carefully. Some fares include them and some add them on board, and the rule can differ for US and UK bookings on the same line.

Category winners

• Best for a first river cruise: Viking, for the widest choice of rivers and dates.
• Best all-inclusive river cruise: Tauck.
• Best cabin: Avalon’s Panorama Suites.
• Best for wine lovers: AmaWaterways, with dedicated wine cruises.
• Best river cruise in the United States: American Cruise Lines; see our Mississippi river cruise guide.
• Best outside Europe: Viking or AmaWaterways on the Nile and the Mekong; see our Nile cruise guide and Mekong river cruise guide.
• Best for Christmas markets: any of the big three on the Rhine or the Danube in late November and December; our Christmas and New Year cruise guide compares the dates.

Sample river cruises

• Viking Rhine Getaway: 8 days, Basel to Amsterdam, from $2,399 per person for 2027 (checked October 2026).
• Viking Danube Waltz: 8 days, Budapest to Passau, from $2,399 for 2027 (checked October 2026).
• Avalon Mekong Discovery: 8 days in Vietnam and Cambodia, from $3,419 for 2027 (checked October 2026).
• Viking Magnificent Mekong: 15 days, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, from $6,799 cruise-only for 2027 (checked October 2026).

For an expedition-style river trip, our Amazon river cruise guide covers the small riverboats in Peru. If you’d rather compare ocean lines, see our best cruise lines ranking and our luxury and small-ship cruise guide.

Best river cruise lines FAQ