If you like traveling by water, then read on, fellow traveler! On a luxury river cruise, you not only travel from destination to destination via sea vessel, but you enjoy delicious food, visit new and different places, and even learn a little about others for one price. Whether we’re going solo or traveling with friends or family, don’t we all appreciate experiencing new people and places, and unique cultures? Yes, some river cruises can be a bit costly so it’s smart to do your homework and try to get the most for your money. Thus, we consulted our staff and online sources to come up with the 10 best luxury river cruise lines on the planet.

The 10 Best Luxury River Cruise Lines on Earth

1. U by Uniworld

This is Uniworld’s relatively new river cruise brand focusing on 25 to 45-year-olds. They’re trying to change the old river cruise paradigm by making some visible changes including painting two of their 120-passenger boats black and renaming them after letters in the alphabet. The interiors focus on more black, with white and red accents.

Some travel writers refer to this as “river cruising for millennials.” The company claims they excel when it comes to hospitality. Their staff makes an effort to fulfill every customer request.  

The all-inclusive cruises include regionally inspired cuisine three times a day, beer, wi-fi, and entertainment. The eight-day European river cruises are $2,799.00 per person. One of their more popular cruises is “Rolling on the Rhine” which travels on the river Rhine from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Frankfurt, Germany. 

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Crystal Cruises

When it comes to river cruises, Crystal Cruises has reportedly made a name for itself in a relatively short period of operations. The company opened its doors to travel lovers in 1988. Since then, Crystal Cruises has won awards for the attention and unparalleled services they provide cruise passengers. The business is also praised for the exceptional experiences they offer guests and for the destinations to which they set sail.  

Cruise passengers are offered their choice of coffees, wines, and champagne as well. One of their more popular packages as this goes to press includes is known as the Crystal Ravel. On this trip, passengers are taken from Vilshofen, Germany to Budapest, Hungary. A six to seven-night river cruise like this will cost you between $5,299.00 to $5,899.00 per person.

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Viking River Cruises

Viking is often favored for its destination-inspired dining and excellent customer service. Additionally, Viking offers guests the opportunity to sample the daily life of the locals everywhere they travel. It offers travelers a number of different offshore experiences, exposing them to various monuments and other cultural treasures.

Highlights of the cruises include “destination performances”, local lectures, podcasts, regional concerts, and other assorted entertainment options too. A sample of their popular packages includes the Grand European Tour which travels from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Budapest, Hungary for $3,899,00 per person, the Romantic Danube, running from Budapest to Regensburg, Germany for $2,199.00 each, and the Passage to Eastern Europe package which cruises from Bucharest, Romania to Budapest for $3,199.00 per passenger. There’s even a cruise called the Magnificent Mekong sailing from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam for $4,999.00 each.

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Vantage Deluxe World Travel River Cruises

Some travel writers note that Vantage is one of the best luxury river cruise lines because it provides a noteworthy environment for single travelers. Some report that they have capable concierge services because they can fulfill a traveler’s last-minute requests. They have also garnered a number of awards.  

Both the company’s group of adventure leaders and cruise directors are said to be amicable. They strive to make passengers comfortable. Highlighted cruises include the Egypt-based Ancient Wonders: Egypt & Nile River Cruise, and Luxury on the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Wonders. Their European cruises include the popular Russian History Cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg and the Grand European River Cruise. Tickets range from $300.00 to $400.00 per day, and the trips range in length from 10 days to one month.

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Belmond River Cruises

Past passengers praise Belmond River Cruises first and foremost for the cruise’s memorable meals. More specifically, Belmond meals are presented in an artistic fashion and are surprisingly not without flavor. In addition, passengers are offered the opportunity for picnics and the food is prepared in a style inspired by the cruise destination.

Belmond also scores points for the variety of destination choices and the tours they offer as well. Belmond offers cruises to such travel destinations as Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America too. You can sign up for a tour of Brazil that runs for five nights. Need more options? Take the week-long tour of South America. See Scotland by both land and sea for 13 nights or spend 22 days on a river cruise through the dark continent of Africa.

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Tauck River Cruises

Tauck charts for its European river cruises which those in the know call “unforgettable.” This company offers several different packages for river cruises. Indeed, their diverse offerings are one of the reasons they made the list of the best luxury river cruise lines.  

Travelers can choose from cruises on the Danube, the Douro, the Maas, the Moselle, the Rhone, the Rhine, or the Seine. History buffs should appreciate the Danube cruise where they can learn more about Europe’s dramatic, rich history. Highlights include magnificent monasteries, lush vineyards, and shining cultural capital cities. Experience Enchanting Passau, picturesque Danube Bend, and more. Some popular packages are Heart of the Danube: Budapest to Bavaria, and Berlin & Kraków. Package prices range from between $3,990.00 to $6,990.00 for trips that run as long as 12 days.

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The Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

The Uniworld company encores with its unique and specialized Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. It is well-known as an official WBA Hall of Fame honoree due in part to the amenities offered on these river cruises and the overall hospitality exhibited by the staff. The vessels take on no more than 120 passengers per cruise in order to create a more “centric atmosphere.”

Additionally, they focus on cities close to the river which is more convenient in terms of planning the cruises but also keeps them more focused. There are more than 60 staterooms available. The company provides passengers with such services as “farm-to-table” dining, “free-flowing” beer, wine, and spirits, and onboard entertainment. Favored packages include Classic Germany & Amsterdam, and Highlights of Eastern Europe. The price per person for these eight-to-12-day trips ranges from $1,999.00 to $3,999.00.

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Aqua Expeditions

Aqua Expeditions is getting a reputation for offering personalized service and a reported “1:1 guest-to-guide ratio.” They offer tailor-made excursions and their vessels include both spacious private quarters and public areas. The company claims that each member of the crew always knows every passenger by his or her name. The company provides premium hospitality and amenities. Noteworthy amenities include onboard stress-reducing massages and whale shark sightings.  

You can even reserve a “private cinema room” for a family movie night on the cruises. A couple of their popular packages include the Aqua Nera Amazon Discovery Cruise, and the Aqua Mekong Discovery Cruise. Per person, prices run from $2,310.00 to $11,600.00 for three to twelve days on the river.

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Delfin Amazon Cruises

Travel writers report that Delfin Amazon Cruises is considered to be an industry leader in offering travelers upscale river cruises. It was also the first company to be named “an inclusive Relais & Châteaux member.” (The association is reported to have strict standards that all the businesses belonging to it must follow).

The Delfin Amazon crew focuses on the well-being of their guests and works to provide impeccable onboard service. The company is praised for its meals too. They purchase locally-sourced fresh food and hire chefs who choose the right recipes too.  

They claim to include something from the Amazon rainforest in every dish served. Every room is luxurious and provides scenic views. Potential passengers may purchase packages that range from $3,000.00 to $4,450.00 per person.

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AmaWaterways

Family-owned and operated AmaWaterways has roughly two decades of experience as a river cruise line. The company works to provide travelers with unforgettable experiences focusing on both passenger satisfaction and safety. The concierge services conveniently assist customers in reserving related flights via exclusive private transfers between the airport and the ship.  

All you need to do is board and unpack one time as you journey between the villages without having to deal with booking multiple hotels and methods of transport. Each ship carries roughly 156 passengers. Highlights here include exceptional staterooms, suites, and even twin balconies. One of their most popular packages is called Colors of Provence which features visits to Spain and France on the river Rhone. Another favorite is the Enchanting Rhine package which travels through Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, and France via the Rhine.

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