USA TODAY 10Best
10 best river cruise lines for 2023
Best River Cruise Line (2023)
River cruising has been exploding in popularity in recent years, and it's easy to see why. You check in, unpack your bag and let your floating hotel take you on a journey of discovery down some of the world's great waterways, with experiential guided excursions along the way. Here are the 10 best river cruise lines in the world for 2023.
- American Queen Voyages
- Pandaw Cruises
- Scenic
- Emerald Cruises
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
- Riviera River Cruises
- American Cruise Lines
- AmaWaterways
- Viking River Cruises
- Avalon Waterways
Photo courtesy of American Queen Steamboat Company
No. 10:
American Queen Voyages specializes in river cruising across the United States. These all-inclusive itineraries include pre-cruise hotel stays, open bars, regional cuisine and shore excursions in each port of call. Cruisers can ply the waterways of the Mississippi, Ohio, Illinois, Cumberland, Tennessee, Columbia or Snake rivers.
Photo courtesy of BraunS // Getty Images
No. 9:
Adventurous travelers hop aboard any of Pandaw’s fleet of riverboats to cruise the waterways of Myanmar, India, Borneo, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, as well as the Amazon River. Pandaw’s 17 boats, hand-crafted in brass and teak, offer spacious promenade and observation decks for outdoor viewing, as well as spacious staterooms where every window can be opened. Local cuisine is prepared from locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
Photo courtesy of Scenic Cruises
No. 8:
Australian-based tour company Scenic began offering all-inclusive European and Asian river cruises aboard its fleet of Space-ships in 2008. Each vessel has two decks of private balcony cabins – and at the touch of a button, the balconies close up for all-weather use. All passengers enjoy butler service, and guests choose from a range of sightseeing experiences and excursions instead of being tied down to a single group tour.
Photo courtesy of joyt // Getty Images
No. 7:
Emerald Cruises is a leading small ship cruise line that offers innovative choices, such as EmeraldPLUS excursions that afford a more authentic experience of local culture. The EmeraldACTIVE program adds onshore guided hikes, bike rides and canoeing in European villages. Guests note the friendly, casual vibe on these ships and the value of many inclusions from daily excursions and tips to free drinks at lunch and dinner and unlimited Wi-Fi.
Photo courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
No. 6:
Luxurious river ships with an average capacity of 130 guests and one of the best staff-to-guest ratios in the industry ply the waters of Europe and Asia under the Uniworld name. Passengers on Uniworld vessels enjoy gourmet cuisine, immersive shore excursions and many all-inclusive benefits. The ships themselves are each unique, complete with sumptuous staterooms and original art commissioned exclusively for Uniworld.
Photo courtesy of Riviera River Cruises
No. 5:
U.K.-based Riviera River Cruises offers more than 20 itineraries throughout Europe that appeal to value-conscious travelers. The fleet of 11 young ships feature extras like tea and coffee-making facilities in all cabins, free Wi-Fi and hair salon, as well as fares inclusive of meals, excursions and entertainment.
Photo courtesy of American Cruise Lines
No. 4:
Guests plying America’s waterways with American Cruise Lines enjoy some of the most environmentally-friendly small ships and riverboats on the continent. Professional chefs cook up delectable meals from locally sourced ingredients, while musicians, naturalists and historians come aboard to enhance the cruising experience. Spacious staterooms feature private balconies for stellar views no matter the itinerary — there are more than 50 of them throughout the United States.
Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways
No. 3:
Many of the staterooms in AmaWaterways’ fleet of river ships feature a French balcony and a full outdoor balcony, providing guests stellar views of the passing scenery. Joined by no more than 163 fellow passengers, guests find plenty of room on board to spread out and relax. Shore excursions are included in the fare, and in many ports of call, guests can choose from several options. A fleet of complimentary bicycles on board allows guests to explore destinations in a leisurely way.
Photo courtesy of Viking River Cruises
No. 2:
Founded in 1997, Viking River Cruises plies the waterways of Europe, Asia, the U.S. and Egypt with its fleet of more than 60 vessels. While Viking has also launched an award-winning ocean cruise line, the company built its reputation in river cruising. These all-inclusive cruises feature outside staterooms, Wi-Fi, wine and beer with meals, shore excursions in every port and cultural enrichment programs.
Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways
No. 1:
River cruisers in Europe will find the largest standard staterooms and suites aboard Avalon’s fleet of luxurious ships. Onboard amenities include a fitness center, a Sky Deck with a whirlpool and shade system, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and a self-serve beverage station. The Avalon Choice program allows cruisers to customize the details of their experience, ensuring each vacation is a perfect fit.
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The Experts
Danielle Fear
Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized... Read More
Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized and trusted cruise bloggers and is better known to her audience as CruiseMiss. As well as maintaining an award-winning cruise blog, she also works as a freelance writer, content manager and social media professional covering all aspects of sea travel. Having embarked on more than 75 sailings, including 2 world cruises, it’s fair to say that Danielle knows a thing or two about cruising.
Danielle Fear
Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized and trusted cruise bloggers and is better known to her audience as CruiseMiss. As well as maintaining an award-winning cruise blog, she also works as a freelance writer, content manager and social media professional covering all aspects of sea travel. Having embarked on more than 75 sailings, including 2 world cruises, it’s fair to say that Danielle knows a thing or two about cruising.
Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert... Read More
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 140 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents' shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. Now, he regularly sails and writes "he said, she said" cruise columns with his wife Heidi. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West.
Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 140 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents' shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. Now, he regularly sails and writes "he said, she said" cruise columns with his wife Heidi. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West.
Ming Tappin
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been... Read More
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been in the cruise industry since 1994. Ming spent over 20 years in the retail travel sector, working with travel agencies in marketing initiatives, cruise training, and promoting cruise vacations to their clients. In 2015, Ming created Your Cruise Coach and transitioned into travel writing, preaching the merits of cruising via her partnerships with Canadian and American travel trade publications as well as consumer media outlets. An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on over 70 cruises and has experienced over 25 ocean, river, and expedition cruise lines combined.
Ming Tappin
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been in the cruise industry since 1994. Ming spent over 20 years in the retail travel sector, working with travel agencies in marketing initiatives, cruise training, and promoting cruise vacations to their clients. In 2015, Ming created Your Cruise Coach and transitioned into travel writing, preaching the merits of cruising via her partnerships with Canadian and American travel trade publications as well as consumer media outlets. An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on over 70 cruises and has experienced over 25 ocean, river, and expedition cruise lines combined.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility... Read More
Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility Coordinator for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, has a special interest in health and wellness, family travel, women's solo travel and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility Coordinator for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, has a special interest in health and wellness, family travel, women's solo travel and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
