Cruising down a river gets you to those harder-to-reach gems: inland cities, beautiful palaces, and remote villages where local life plays out. A riverboat’s small size makes for a more personalised experience, too. Here are a few of our favourites.
RIVIERA
Drift along the Danube on this luxury river cruise
Riviera Travel is passionate about exploring Europe. This is one of the best river cruise lines to take you to the heart of the continent, via its ancient waterways. Board the new Riviera Radiance, replete with French balconies, grand suites, and a spa, to see the finest cities along the Danube. As well as time spent on board, you can learn from insightful local guides during expert-curated itineraries.
AMAWATERWAYS
Glide along iconic waterways on an immersive river cruise
The first thing you’ll notice when you step aboard one of AmaWaterways’ 31 custom-designed ships is the warm welcome. Family-owned and operated for 22 years, they’re known for their exceptionally inviting crew. You can quickly settle in and enjoy immersive cultural experiences, award-winning regional food, and fine wine as you sail the iconic waterways of Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa or – new for 2025 – Colombia.
UNIWORLD
Explore Venice’s waterways in a floating boutique hotel
Uniworld is unique in the cruising world. It’s a sister company to Red Carnation Hotels, whose 17 properties are all intimate, elegant, and slickly run. This explains the high standards and stunning looks of Uniworld’s 17 river cruise vessels. That fleet includes the 126-person SS La Venezia, which will spend next summer in the Venice Lagoon, visiting those beautiful main canals that bigger ships cannot access.
"I have used my Travel Counsellor to organise multiple river and ocean cruises . They listen to what we like and always deliver. Everything was perfectly organised, including car hire, hotels, and cruises. I particularly like the app which contains all the documentation and flight updates and is very easy to navigate."
ANGELA
TRAVEL COUNSELLORS CUSTOMER
Sail Away
CRUISE HOLIDAYS 25/26
FRED. HOLIDAYS
Meander Southeast Asia’s mighty Mekong River
Pandaw’s luxury small ships are built specifically for the winding waterways of Southeast Asia. Traditionally designed, they will take you into a world of lush rice paddies, towering limestone cliffs, and distant villages off the usual tourist trail. Take in the views while you write your travel journal on deck or hop onto dry land to experience the amazing sights of Luang Prabang, old Saigon, or Angkor Wat.
AVALON
These suites have river cruising’s only open-air balconies
Relaxed luxury is a hallmark of a river cruise with Avalon Waterways; experts in special interest and active cruises on Europe’s waterways, as well as the Nile and the Mekong rivers. Be wowed by their Suite Ships, which house the exclusive Panorama Suites. Thirty per cent larger than the industry standard, their open-air balconies have wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows so you can wake up to magnificent views each morning.
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