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The ocean isn’t the only way to experience a cruise holiday. Many guests opt for river sailing as a more relaxed way to visit new destinations in one trip.
From travelling deep into the Amazon rainforest to exploring some of Europe’s finest cities, the river cruise experience is one that allows tourists to get to grips with the history, culture and tradition of a destination in a slow, immersive fashion.
Unlike an ocean cruise, you can often find yourself docked in the centre of a city or by a vineyard, meaning you can step right off into a destination with no tenders or long coach rides.
You won’t find waterslides or rock climbing walls on board, but cruise ships will be kitted out with welcoming bars, lounges, whirlpools and sun decks.
Extras such as excursions, wifi and tips may even be included.
The choice of river cruise ships is growing.
Data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) suggests the market has grown by 10 to 15 per cent annually over the past decade with new vessels and new brands entering the market such as Celebrity Cruises and Trafalgar.
It is proving a popular form of travel for couples and also solo travellers who benefit from combining guided excursions with the flexibility to explore independently.
Read on for a selection of the best cruises, from the Mississippi to the Mekong.
Best river cruises
1. The Danube
Arguably Europe’s most famous river, a sailing on the Danube can include historic capital cities and a host of charming towns, as well as plenty of scenic countryside in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. Cruises can vary from a handful of days to almost three weeks, giving you time to explore the elegance of cities like Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava or Belgrade.
Emerald Cruises lets passengers see the best of the Danube with the addition of a hefty dose of traditional German culture in Munich. Leaving the Bavarian capital on a seven-night “Danube Delights” sailing, excursions include a walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting and a Vienna art tour.
The cruise finishes in Budapest, the Hungarian capital that is blessed with picturesque buildings, relaxed thermal baths and a buzzing nightlife scene.
From £1,795pp. Flights and transfers included. Departing regularly between 1 April and 1 November 2026.
Read more: The best cruises to tick off your travel bucket list
2. The Amazon
This famous river runs for more than 4,000 miles throughout South America and is a major part of the eponymous rainforest, one of the most biodiverse and important natural habitats on the planet. A river cruise can be the best way to reach deeper into the jungle, with many cruises beginning in the northern Brazilian city of Manaus or in the Peruvian city of Lima.
Start in Peru’s enchanting capital with the “Peruvian Rivers and Rainforest Discovery”11-day cruise from Uniworld. You’ll fly to Iquitos, the largest city in the Amazon, before delving into some of the most remote areas in the world as you take to the waters. From here, nature takes centre stage, with a variety of experiences – including jungle walks and kayaking on a lake – added to the enjoyment of natural features such as giant lilies, towering barrigona trees and around 10 per cent of the world’s known animal species.
From £13,049pp. Flights and transfers included. Departing regularly from 9 September 2026 until 2 December 2026.
3. The Nile
For a relaxing way to take in riverside scenery and some of Egypt’s most important historical sites, a river cruise is the ideal choice.
Start in Cairo and make your way down to Aswan over a few days (though many shorter routes operate between Aswan and Luxor only).
Viking’s 12-day “Pharaohs and Pyramids” sailing starts in Cairo, where you can visit sites such as the Pyramids of Giza. You then fly to the temples of Luxor where the river cruise will take you for an overnight stay in Aswan to explore the historic Abu Simbel, before sailing back to the Egyptian capital. En route, you will stop in ancient sites such as Kom Ombo and Edfu. The scenery along the route is exceptional, too, with palm trees, green spaces and mini oases dotted in between the yellow-hued rock.
From £6,595pp, flights and transfers included. Departing regularly from May to December 2026.
Read more: Why now is the time to take a cruise on the Nile
4. The Rhine
The Rhine offers access to bustling capitals such as Amsterdam as well as time weaving across the German and Austrian countryside.
Sailing aboard the new Travelmarvel Rigel, guests can visit the canals of Amsterdam, take a culinary tour of Miltenberg in Germany, visit the Unesco-listed Augustus Palace in Brühl and finish with a guided tour of the Hungarian State Opera House.
From £2,995pp, flights and excursions included. Departures between June and December 2026.
5. The Douro
The views around the Douro Valley are some of the best in Portugal, whether you’re sitting by the banks in Porto or admiring the verdant hills and vineyards around Pinhao. This region, well-known for its port production, has cruises lasting roughly one week that usually begin and end in Porto – where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean – with a brief crossing over into Spain and Salamanca.
The Riviera Travel package offers an affordable eight-day Douro option starting and ending in Porto, with two nights to explore Portugal’s magnificent second city (and to go on a guided tour of a well-known port producer). Days three and four take you to sleepy Castelo de Rodrigo and the historic Spanish city of Salamanca (with guided tours and time to explore at your leisure) before traversing the cascading vineyards of the valley on your way back to Porto via the beautiful Peso de Regua.
From £1,999pp, flights and transfers included. Departing regularly between April and November 2026.
6. The Mississippi
Discovering the Deep South is often done by car, but with new routes recently from Viking Cruises, exploring Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota and Tennessee has never been more idyllic. The famed cities of New Orleans and Memphis can bookend your tour, with lesser-known locations such as Baton Rouge, Natchez and Darrow making up the other stops.
Opt for American Cruise Lines’ seven-night “Historic Mississippi River Cruise” if you really want to immerse yourself in the region. The round trip begins in New Orleans, where you can experience the city’s French influences and Creole cuisine before embarking on the legendary waterway towards Baton Rouge – a haven of Creole and Cajun culture – and then onto Natchez, the oldest city on the river. You’ll travel through other towns on the Mississippi and some sailings are even on its American Heritage paddlewheeler, giving you a more historical experience on the water.
From £2.445pp, flights not included. Departs regularly from March to December 2026.
Read more: Best southern states of America to visit
7. The Mekong
The Mekong flows through a host of Asia’s most fascinating countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, China and Cambodia. Most cruises take in parts of Vietnam and Cambodia, visiting the mix of floating fishing villages, traditional markets and the two capitals of Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh.
Windstar’s newest luxury ship, Star Seeker, has a 16-night “Cambodia, Vietnam & the Heart of Hanoi” cruise which includes overnight stops in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi/Halong Bay.
The trip includes a tai chi lesson, a morning street food tour and tickets to a traditional puppet show.
Prices starting from £4,638pp, with departures in November and December 2026.
8. The Magdalena River
Covering almost a quarter of Colombia, the Magdalena river runs from the Andes Mountains and empties into the Caribbean.
Guests can float by and visit colonial towns and colourful markets, take part in local carnivals and spot wildlife living along the jungle-lined shores.
AmaWaterways launched sailings on the unique river last year and is currently the only international cruise line offering voyages on it aboard the 60-guest capacity AmaMelodia.
A seven-night fly cruise aboard the costs from £4,411pp, flights and transfers included. Regular year-round departures
Read more: Reaching Ciudad Perdida, Colombia’s lost city older than Machu Picchu