The Best River Cruises in the World

 

If seeing the world on the water sounds good to you, there’s no better way to do it than by river cruise. Unlike major cruise ships that sail on the ocean, river cruises are usually smaller and geared to a more personal, destination-focused experience. There are river cruises all over the world, from the Seine to the Nile! Here are a few of our favorites.

Ancient Egyptians believed the Nile River to be a gift from the gods. Today, travelers from all over flock to visit incredible sights and cities along the longest river in the world. There are a few Nile River cruises on the market, but we suggest the Oberoi Zahra or AmaDahlia. On board the Oberoi Zahra, you’ll have a classic, high-end sail along the Nile. There’s a 24-hour cigar lounge, multilingual Egyptologists onboard, and a fine dining menu that changes daily. Voted Africa’s Best River Cruise in 2021, the Oberoi Zahra takes you to temples and gardens from Aswan to Luxor.

The AmaDahlia, from AmaWaterways, features fresh, fun interior, marble bathrooms, and a pool on the topmost sundeck. With a hair and nail salon on board and just 16 suites, this ship puts your satisfaction at the center. Spend three days in Cairo before heading out on the river to enjoy exclusive excursions like a visit to the tomb of Queen Nefertari.

AmaWaterways also offers a selection of luxury European river cruises. At the top of our must-sail list is the Taste of Bordeaux tour which takes you on a tour of the wine capital of France. Cruise along Bordeaux visiting legendary chateaus and vineyards and enjoying fine French food and wine. We also love the Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps tour which sails along the Rhine River to visit France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Or, if Southeastern Europe calls, take the Gems of Southeast Europe AmaWaterways sail to Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia and Romania. 

If you want to take a river cruise over the holidays, we recommend Uniworld River Cruises. Spend eight days cruising from Nuremberg to Vienna to visit Europe’s best holiday markets, or simply enjoy the magic of eastern Europe in the wintertime. Of course, Uniworld sails year-round, too, across Italy, Amsterdam and beyond. No matter when or where you sail, you’re guaranteed to have a top-notch experience on this floating boutique hotel. 

Sail from New Delhi to Kolkata on a luxurious Uniworld river boat. Uniworld is consistently named among the most elite river cruise lines in the world for their attention to detail from the decor in your room to your adventure itinerary. Exploring India’s Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur and Agra) with Uniworld takes you down the sacred Ganges River. You’ll see the Taj Mahal, Jaipur’s Pink City, and the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, just to name a few highlights.

Uniworld’s India cruise puts a special emphasis on health and wellness. The ship even has a resident yogi to lead yoga classes for all levels, plus group lectures and private meetings for guests to deepen their appreciation for the ancient tradition of yoga. Also included in the complimentary Wellness Program is a special menu of organic food curated for your peak nutrition. All of this paired with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a hand-painted mural in every suite are sure to leave you feeling relaxed on the river.

The Aria Amazon is a unique river cruiser designed to leave minimal environmental impact on the river and surrounding jungle it explores. With 16 suites and a bright, sunny interior, there’s no better way to appreciate one of the most beautiful river landscapes in the world. Leaving from northern Peru and sailing throughout the country, the Aria takes guests on group excursions to help experience the magic of the Amazon.

Traveling on a Delfin Amazon river cruise is more than just a trip down the river, it’s a luxury wellness experience. Delfin offers three different boutique vessels that each feature premium suites, incredible dining options, a bar and lounge, exercise space, and a library just to name a few. The largest vessel carries just 43 passengers, so your Amazon experience will be expertly tailored to you. Get ready to bird watch, look for pink dolphins, and watch the jungle go by in style.

Explore Vietnam and Cambodia on the Magnificent Mekong Viking River Cruise. On this trip, you’ll enjoy ancient temples, diverse floating markets, charming small towns and big modern cities. Choose to begin your trip early in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, or extend your trip in Bangkok. Either way, Viking River Cruises is your gateway to the beauty of Asia as you sail within the sleek and chic Viking Saigon.

Japanese tea rooms, pandas in bamboo forests, and the Taj Mahal await on your Tauck river cruise. This line has options that take you through Japan, or China, or from Singapore to Bali, or through India, or…you get the picture. Tauck leaves no stone unturned as you explore Asia on what’s been named one of Travel & Leisure’s “World’s Best” river cruises for 24 consecutive years.