River cruising offers a unique way to explore the world’s most fascinating destinations. Unlike ocean cruises, river ships navigate inland waterways, bringing you directly to the heart of historic cities, charming villages, and breathtaking landscapes.
Europe
Rhine River
The romantic Rhine flows through Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Famous for its castle-topped hills, vineyard-covered slopes, and medieval towns, the Rhine offers some of Europe’s most picturesque cruising.
Highlights:
- The UNESCO-protected Rhine Gorge with over 40 castles
- Strasbourg’s timber-framed buildings and Gothic cathedral
- Amsterdam’s historic canals and museums
- Basel’s charming Old Town and world-class art scene
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Crystal River Cruises, Scenic, Emerald Waterways, CroisiEurope, Riviera River Cruises
Danube River
Europe’s second-longest river flows through ten countries, from Germany’s Black Forest to the Black Sea. The Danube offers incredible diversity, from grand capitals to quaint villages.
Highlights:
- Vienna’s imperial palaces and musical heritage
- Budapest’s dramatic skyline and thermal baths
- The Wachau Valley’s vineyards and apricot orchards
- Belgrade’s fortress and vibrant café culture
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Crystal River Cruises, Scenic, Emerald Waterways, CroisiEurope, Riviera River Cruises, Amadeus River Cruises
Seine River
Flowing through the heart of Paris, the Seine offers a perfect blend of city attractions and rural French countryside.
Highlights:
- Paris landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame
- Claude Monet’s gardens at Giverny
- D-Day beaches of Normandy
- Rouen’s medieval architecture and connection to Joan of Arc
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Scenic, CroisiEurope, Riviera River Cruises
Douro River
Portugal’s “River of Gold” winds through dramatic landscapes and terraced vineyards in one of Europe’s oldest wine regions.
Highlights:
- Porto’s historic center and port wine cellars
- Salamanca’s golden-hued architecture (Spain)
- Scenic Douro Valley vineyards
- Traditional Portuguese quintas (wine estates)
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Scenic, Emerald Waterways, CroisiEurope, Riviera River Cruises, Tauck
Rhône/Saône Rivers
These connected French waterways flow through Provence and Burgundy, showcasing France’s culinary and wine heritage.
Highlights:
- Lyon’s gastronomic scene and Renaissance architecture
- Avignon’s Papal Palace and famous bridge
- Arles’ Roman ruins and Van Gogh connections
- Beaune’s historic Hospices and wine cellars
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Scenic, Emerald Waterways, CroisiEurope, Riviera River Cruises
Moselle River
A tributary of the Rhine, the Moselle meanders through France, Luxembourg, and Germany with some of Europe’s steepest vineyards.
Highlights:
- Trier’s Roman ruins (Germany’s oldest city)
- Bernkastel’s medieval market square
- Cochem’s fairy-tale castle
- Steep vineyard slopes producing world-class Riesling
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Scenic, CroisiEurope
Main River
Connecting the Rhine and Danube, this German waterway passes through Bavaria’s historic towns and scenic countryside.
Highlights:
- Würzburg’s Baroque Residenz palace
- Bamberg’s perfectly preserved medieval old town
- Nuremberg’s World War II historical sites
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s intact medieval walls
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Scenic, Emerald Waterways, Crystal River Cruises
Elbe River
Flowing through the Czech Republic and Germany, the Elbe offers a journey through centuries of Central European history.
Highlights:
- Prague’s architectural splendor
- Dresden’s rebuilt historic center
- Meissen’s porcelain tradition
- Wittenberg’s Martin Luther sites
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, CroisiEurope, Nicko Cruises
Po River
Italy’s longest river offers a unique way to experience Northern Italy’s cultural treasures.
Highlights:
- Venice’s canals and piazzas
- Bologna’s food scene
- Verona’s Roman arena and Romeo and Juliet sites
- Ferrara’s Renaissance streets
Cruise Lines: Uniworld, CroisiEurope
Loire River
France’s longest river offers cruising through the “Garden of France” with its famous châteaux.
Highlights:
- Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau
- Saumur’s medieval fortress
- Angers’ tapestries
- Nantes’ historical center
Cruise Lines: CroisiEurope
Dordogne & Garonne Rivers
These southwestern French rivers form the Gironde Estuary and offer access to Bordeaux’s renowned wine regions.
Highlights:
- Bordeaux’s 18th-century architecture
- Saint-Émilion’s underground monuments
- Médoc and Sauternes wine regions
- Arcachon Bay’s oyster farms
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Scenic, Crystal River Cruises, CroisiEurope
Asia
Mekong River
Journey through Vietnam and Cambodia on this fascinating waterway that showcases Southeast Asia’s rich cultures and complex history.
Highlights:
- Floating markets and rural villages
- Angkor Wat temple complex
- Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh
- Traditional craft workshops and Buddhist temples
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld, Scenic, Emerald Waterways, Pandaw River Cruises, Heritage Line, Aqua Expeditions
Yangtze River
China’s longest river features dramatic gorges, ancient cultural sites, and a blend of traditional and modern China.
Highlights:
- Three Gorges and Three Gorges Dam
- Lesser Three Gorges tributary cruise
- Shibaozhai Pagoda
- Ghost City of Fengdu
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, Century Cruises, Victoria Cruises, Sanctuary Retreats
Irrawaddy River
Myanmar’s lifeline offers a glimpse into a country only recently opened to tourism, with thousands of temples and traditional ways of life.
Highlights:
- Bagan’s temple plains
- Mandalay’s royal heritage
- Yangon’s colonial architecture and Shwedagon Pagoda
- Rural village life and monasteries
Cruise Lines: Avalon Waterways, Belmond, Pandaw River Cruises, Sanctuary Retreats, Heritage Line
Ganges River
India’s sacred river allows travelers to experience the spiritual and cultural heart of this fascinating country.
Highlights:
- Kolkata’s colonial architecture
- Varanasi’s spiritual ghats
- Rural Bengali villages
- Mughal-era monuments
Cruise Lines: Uniworld, Pandaw River Cruises, Avalon Waterways
Chobe River
Flowing along the border of Namibia and Botswana, this African river offers incredible wildlife viewing opportunities.
Highlights:
- Extraordinary concentrations of elephants
- Hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species
- Traditional fishing villages
- Victoria Falls (nearby)
Cruise Lines: AmaWaterways, CroisiEurope, Zambezi Queen Collection
Africa
Nile River
The world’s longest river flows through 11 countries but is most famously cruised in Egypt, offering access to some of the world’s most impressive ancient monuments.
Highlights:
- Luxor’s Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple
- The temples of Abu Simbel
- Cairo’s pyramids and Egyptian Museum
- Traditional Nubian villages
Cruise Lines: Viking River Cruises, Uniworld, Sanctuary Retreats, Sonesta Nile Cruises, Movenpick Cruises
South America
Amazon River
The world’s largest river by volume offers unparalleled opportunities to explore pristine rainforest and encounter exotic wildlife.
Highlights:
- Pink river dolphins and diverse birdlife
- Meeting indigenous communities
- Exploring tributary streams by small boat
- Nighttime jungle excursions
Cruise Lines: Avalon Waterways, Aqua Expeditions, Delfin Amazon Cruises
North America
Mississippi River
America’s most iconic river offers a journey through the heartland, showcasing Southern culture, music, and cuisine.
Highlights:
- New Orleans’ French Quarter and jazz scene
- Antebellum plantations and historic homes
- Memphis blues and barbecue
- Mark Twain’s boyhood home in Hannibal
Cruise Lines: American Queen Voyages, American Cruise Lines, Viking River Cruises
Columbia & Snake Rivers
These Pacific Northwest waterways offer dramatic landscapes, Lewis and Clark history, and excellent wine regions.
Highlights:
- Columbia River Gorge scenery
- Mount St. Helens
- Multnomah Falls
- Washington and Oregon wine countries
Cruise Lines: American Queen Voyages, American Cruise Lines, Lindblad Expeditions, UnCruise Adventures
St. Lawrence River
This major North American waterway connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, offering cruises through Canadian and U.S. territories.
Highlights:
- Thousand Islands region
- Montreal and Quebec City
- Saguenay Fjord
- Wildlife including beluga whales
Cruise Lines: American Queen Voyages, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
Hudson River
New York’s historic waterway offers scenic cruising through the Hudson Valley with its historic estates and beautiful landscapes.
Highlights:
- New York City skyline
- Historic West Point
- FDR’s Hyde Park estate
- Sleepy Hollow
- Catskill Mountains
Cruise Lines: American Cruise Lines, USA River Cruises
Ohio River
This major tributary of the Mississippi offers journeys through America’s heartland and historic river towns.
Highlights:
- Louisville’s bourbon heritage
- Cincinnati’s German heritage
- Historic river towns
- Civil War sites
Cruise Lines: American Queen Voyages, American Cruise Lines
Choosing Your River Cruise Destination
When selecting your perfect river cruise, consider these factors:
- Your interests (history, wine, nature, etc.)
- The time of year you plan to travel
- The pace and style of cruising you prefer
- Whether you’d like a familiar culture or something more exotic
Each river offers a unique experience, and many travelers find themselves returning to explore new waterways after their first river cruise adventure.