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The Best River Cruises Around the World for 2026
Take a tour of the world's most famous waterways, including the Danube and the Nile, on your next holiday. Ocean cruises are not the only option; a river cruise offers a more relaxed and intimate way to visit well-known or new destinations in a single trip.
Winding your way inland might sound similar to being at sea, but you will have a vastly different experience on a river cruise ship. From crossing deep into the untouched areas of the Amazon rainforest to exploring some of Europe's finest cities, the river cruise experience allows tourists to immerse themselves in the history, culture, and traditions of a destination at a slow, leisurely pace.
This could involve sampling Creole cuisine along the Mississippi or discovering historic sites in Vietnam. Whatever your preference, there is plenty of choice across Europe, Asia, South America, and North America. Unlike an ocean cruise, you can often find yourself docked in the centre of a city or by a vineyard, meaning no tenders or long coach rides are necessary.
You will not find waterslides or rock climbing walls onboard, but cruise ships are typically kitted out with welcoming bars, lounges, and sun decks. Extras such as excursions, wifi, and tips may even be included in your package. Read on for a selection of the best cruises, from the Mississippi to the Mekong.
Best River Cruises
1. The Danube
Europe's second longest river, and arguably its most famous, takes you through amazing capital cities and a host of charming towns, as well as plenty of scenic countryside in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania. Cruises along the Danube 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, which is launching a new luxury river cruise ship later this year, lets you 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. Prices start from £2,395 per person, with flights and transfers included. Departures are scheduled regularly between 1 April and 1 November 2026.
2. The Amazon
This famous river runs for over 4,000 miles throughout South America and is a major part of the eponymous rainforest, one of the most biodiverse and important natural areas on the planet. A river cruise remains 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 will fly to Iquitos, the largest city in the Amazon as your next stop, 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. Prices start from £13,049 per person, with flights and transfers included. Departures are scheduled 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 landmark 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. Prices start from £6,596 per person, with flights and transfers included. Departures are scheduled regularly from May to December 2026.
4. The Rhine
Exploring this land of castles and fairytales is a worthwhile European trip, with tours often starting in the pretty Dutch capital of Amsterdam and weaving across the German and French countryside, with the route broken up by cities such as Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Strasbourg. Many of the towns located on the banks of the Rhine, such as Koblenz, are incredibly picturesque, with a range of medieval castles and natural sites like the Black Forest also featuring.
Avalon Waterways has regular routes on the Rhine that include visits to vineyards and castles, as well as local wine pairings at lunch and dinner. It also offers a choice of active and discovery excursions ranging from hikes to e-bike tours. The brand was previously rated the best cruise line on the river in a Which? report. Prices start from £1,700 per person, with flights not included. Regular departures are scheduled from March to November 2026.
5. The Douro
The views around the Douro Valley are some of the best in Portugal, whether you are 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, including 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, which includes a local wine tasting. Prices start from £2,099 per person, with flights and transfers included. Departures are scheduled 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 Deep South. The roundtrip 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 will travel through other towns on the Mississippi, and some sailings are even on its American Heritage paddlewheeler, giving you a more genuine experience on the water. Prices start from £3,421 per person, with flights not included. Departures are scheduled regularly from March to December 2026.
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 Tour 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 start from £6,900 per person, 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 ship costs from £3,879 per person, with flights and transfers included. Regular year-round departures are available.
