The River Cruise Directory
Every major river cruise line, the rivers it sails and the traveler it suits — in one plain, alphabetical reference.
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River Cruise Directory is a plain reference: who sails which river, what each line is like, and who it suits. Look a line up by name in the A–Z listing, or start from the water — pick a region below and see every major line that sails there.
There are no rankings here and no star ratings. A line that is perfect for a retired couple who want every drink included can be the wrong choice for a family with teenagers or for an active traveler who wants a bike off the gangway every morning. A directory’s job is to put the facts in one place so you can see the fit for yourself.
Lines A–Z
Fifteen river cruise lines in alphabetical order: style, ships, main rivers and who each one suits.
Browse the A–Z →
Lines by Style
The same lines grouped another way: all-inclusive luxury, premium, value, expedition, barges, family and solo.
Group by style →
Europe’s Rivers
Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Elbe, Garonne and the canals — and who sails each.
Europe by river →
America’s Rivers
Mississippi, Columbia & Snake, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and the Hudson: the lines and the routes.
America by river →
Asia, Africa & Beyond
Nile, Mekong, Ganges, Yangtze, Amazon, Chobe and the Magdalena: smaller fleets and more specialist lines.
The wider world →
Using the Directory
How lines are chosen, what the style labels mean, and how to turn a shortlist into real quotes.
How it works →The Directory at a Glance
Every line in the directory, its style in a few words and the rivers it is best known for. Click a name for the full entry.
| Line | Style | Main rivers |
|---|---|---|
| AmaWaterways | Upscale, family-owned, wellness-minded | Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Dutch & Belgian waterways; Mekong; Nile; Chobe (with land safari); Magdalena in Colombia |
| American Cruise Lines | All-American, small-ship, relaxed | Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland; Columbia & Snake; plus East Coast waterways such as the Hudson |
| Aqua Expeditions | Luxury expedition | Peruvian Amazon; Mekong |
| Avalon Waterways | Premium, relaxed, choice-driven | Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône & Saône, Dutch & Belgian waterways; Mekong |
| CroisiEurope | French, family-run, good value | Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Loire, Garonne & Dordogne, Douro, Elbe, plus French canals |
| Emerald Cruises | Contemporary, younger feel, inclusive | Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Rhône, Douro and more; Mekong |
| European Waterways | Luxury hotel barges | French canals and rivers (Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, the Canal du Midi), plus barging elsewhere in Europe and the British Isles |
| Grand Circle Cruise Line | Value-focused, learning-centered small groups | Major European rivers; the Nile |
| Oberoi Nile Cruises | Ultra-luxury, Egypt only | Nile, between Luxor and Aswan |
| Riverside Luxury Cruises | Luxury, suite-focused | Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Rhône & Saône |
| Riviera River Cruises | British-run, traditional, value | Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Elbe, Douro and Dutch waterways |
| Scenic | Luxury, truly all-inclusive | Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Garonne & Dordogne, Douro; Mekong; Nile |
| Tauck | Escorted, premium, all-inclusive | Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Douro and more; dedicated family departures under Tauck Bridges |
| Uniworld Boutique River Cruises | Boutique luxury, all-inclusive | Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Italian waterways; Nile; Mekong; Ganges; and a multi-river “Rivers of the World” voyage |
| Viking | Mainstream premium, adults only | Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, Elbe, Douro, Dutch & Belgian waterways; Nile; Mekong; Mississippi |
Missing a line you have heard of? Some brands sell mainly in the UK, Germany or Australia, and some operate only a single ship. Our cruise advisors can still check them for you — mention the name when you ask for a quote.
River First, or Line First?
Most people come to a river cruise one of two ways. Some have a river in mind — the Danube for Vienna and Budapest, the Douro for port wine, the Mississippi because they never want to see an airport again. Others already trust a line, often after an ocean cruise or a friend’s recommendation, and want to know where it goes.
The directory works both ways. The region pages list every line on each river, so a river-first traveler can shortlist two or three. The A–Z gives each line’s rivers, so a line-first traveler can see the whole map. Either way, the shortlist is what you bring to a quote request.
One thing worth knowing early: on Europe’s busiest rivers nearly every line sails the same classic routes, so the choice of line matters more than the choice of route. On the Mekong, Nile, Amazon or Chobe the reverse is true — only a handful of ships sail at all, and the river narrows your choice of line for you.
How to Read a Directory Entry
Style
A short label for the atmosphere and price tier: luxury, premium, value, expedition, escorted. It is a description, not a score.
Ships
What is distinctive about the fleet — cabin design, size, onboard features — rather than a list of every vessel name, which changes as ships are renamed and added.
Main rivers
Where the line sails regularly. Lines add and drop rivers over time, so treat this as the core program, not a complete list.
Who it suits
The kind of traveler who tends to be happiest with the line. Plenty of people outside that description love it too.
About accuracy: River cruise programs change every year as lines launch ships and adjust routes. The directory is reviewed regularly, but always confirm the current itinerary before you book — our cruise advisors do that as part of every quote.
Who Keeps This Directory
River Cruise Directory is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote from any line in this directory, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every river cruise line in the world listed here?
No. River Cruise Directory lists the lines that travelers in the United States can readily book and that our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise work with, plus a few specialists. Local day-boat operators and lines that sell only in other languages are left out.
Why isn’t American Queen Voyages listed?
American Queen Voyages stopped operating in 2024, so it no longer belongs in a directory of lines you can book. For paddlewheel-style and modern riverboats on American rivers, see the America page.
Do lines pay to be listed or ranked?
No line pays for a listing, and this directory does not rank lines. Entries are in alphabetical order. If you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise may earn a commission from whichever line you book.
How do I compare prices between lines?
Fares change daily and depend on what is included, so we don’t publish them. Request a free quote with two or three lines in mind and our cruise advisors will price them side by side for the same dates.
Shortlisted a Line? Get It Priced Free
Name one line or several, plus the river and month. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare current offers and send free quotes.
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