Photo courtesy of stockphoto52 // Getty Images
From the Seine to the Danube, the Mekong to the Chobe, the world’s great rivers have become a hot spot for cruising over the last decade. Riverboats serve as floating hotels, allowing passengers to unpack once and explore an entire region, making them a popular choice for vacations. To find the best river cruise ship, 10Best invited a panel of experts to help choose the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Photo courtesy of Zyabich // Getty Images
No. 10: Viking Hlin – Viking River Cruises
The Viking Hlin out of Amsterdam cruises the Rhine in style. Built in 2014 with accommodations for 190 passengers, the ship features an open-air cafe on the bow, as well as a top deck that runs the ship’s entire length with plenty of lounging options and the chef’s herb garden. The dining room boasts floor-to-ceiling windows to soak up the views during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Besides plenty of excursions, you’ll enjoy lectures by professors at European universities and hands-on cooking and craft demonstrations.
Photo courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
No. 9: S.S. Joie de Vivre – Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Sailing the rivers of France, the S.S. Joie de Vivre is adorned with original artwork, antiques and handcrafted furnishings. Cuisine is where the ship truly shines, with an onboard sommelier and Parisian-style sidewalk cafe.
Photo courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
No. 8: S.S. Maria Theresa – Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
S.S. Maria Theresa, an ultra-luxe Uniworld Super Ship, sails along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. With only 150 passengers, the small vessel boasts big ship amenities, including a fitness center, enclosed heated swimming pool, spa, salon and a cinema for onboard movie screenings. All-inclusive fares cover meals, beverages and Wi-Fi.
Photo courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
No. 7: S.S. Beatrice – Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
The S.S. Beatrice combines Old World elegance with modern amenities. The vessel is adorned with yacht-style light wood, marble and parquet floors, a grand nickel-and-black-iron staircase and pieces of art from Picasso, Signoretto and Calder. Guests enjoy four dining options, solar shades and plentiful USB ports to keep devices charged and ready to go ashore.
Photo courtesy of American Cruise Lines
No. 6: American Heritage – American Cruise Lines
Harking back to the Mississippi River’s legendary paddle steamer, American Heritage is a five-deck vessel designed to accommodate 150 passengers. American Heritage makes seven-night excursions between New Orleans and Memphis, 10-night excursions between New Orleans and St. Louis, or 10-night excursions between St. Louis and Pittsburgh. Most cabins have balconies with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, but the best seats are on the Sky Lounge on the top deck, where you can just sit and watch the river flow.
Photo courtesy of Tauck
No. 5: ms Joy – Tauck
The 130-passenger ms Joy cruises the Danube River with the best space-to-guest ratio in Europe. Launched in 2016, the ship features spacious cabins with French balconies, a glass-and-marble reception area and a top deck outfitted with a whirlpool and small putting green. Everything is included, including Wi-Fi, shore excursions and excellent cuisine.
Photo courtesy of Viking River Cruises
No. 4: Viking Einar – Viking River Cruises
This river ship gets its name from the Norse Earl of Orkney and sails on the Rhine and through Dutch Low Countries. Guests stay in one of 95 staterooms; suites offer two full-size rooms with both a veranda and a balcony.
Photo courtesy of American Cruise Lines
No. 3: American Song – American Cruise Lines
One of America’s first modern riverboats, American Song carries 184 guests. Amenities include a four-story glass-enclosed atrium, lounges 40 feet above the water, spacious suites and more windows than just about any other riverboat, so stellar views are all but guaranteed.
Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways
No. 2: AmaMagna – AmaWaterways
The pet project of AmaWaterways’ co-founder, co-owner and President Rudi Schreiner, AmaMagna ranks among the biggest river ships – twice as wide as its competitors. Guests enjoy suites with balconies, and the choice of four onboard restaurants, all included. The Zen Wellness Studio features a spacious fitness center with daily wellness programming.
Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways
No. 1: Avalon Envision – Avalon Waterways
The newest addition to the Avalon Waterways fleet debuted in 2019. Two decks of Panorama Suites offer wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows and window-facing “Beds with a View.” Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi access, a fitness center and adventure center for bikes and other gear, multiple dining venues and an observation lounge.
The Experts
Don and Heidi Bucolo
Don and Heidi Bucolo are the husband and wife team… Read More
Don and Heidi Bucolo are the husband and wife team behind EatSleepCruise.com. Their love for cruising began after taking their first cruise together back in 2007. Having spent over 180 days at sea on more than 30 cruises with various cruise brands, they have learned a thing or two about planning and executing the perfect cruise vacation. The couple was voted as one of Porthole Cruise’s Top 10 Cruise Influencers and is featured in the new book Cruising Interrupted. You can find them on the web and social media sharing detailed cruise ship reviews, port guides, packing tips and planning tips to help travelers “sea the world, one port at a time.”
Don and Heidi Bucolo
Don and Heidi Bucolo are the husband and wife team behind EatSleepCruise.com. Their love for cruising began after taking their first cruise together back in 2007. Having spent over 180 days at sea on more than 30 cruises with various cruise brands, they have learned a thing or two about planning and executing the perfect cruise vacation. The couple was voted as one of Porthole Cruise’s Top 10 Cruise Influencers and is featured in the new book Cruising Interrupted. You can find them on the web and social media sharing detailed cruise ship reviews, port guides, packing tips and planning tips to help travelers “sea the world, one port at a time.”
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 for 27 years. 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 travel trade publications as well as consumer media outlets. An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on nearly 60 cruises and has experienced over 20 ocean and river cruise lines.
Ming Tappin
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been in the cruise industry for 27 years. 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 travel trade publications as well as consumer media outlets. An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on nearly 60 cruises and has experienced over 20 ocean and river cruise lines.
Sherry Laskin
Sherry hasn’t set foot on an airplane in more than… Read More
Sherry hasn’t set foot on an airplane in more than 25 years. Instead, she relies on cruise ships, river ships, trains and road trips to travel the world. In that time, she’s been on more cruises than she can count and includes her solo cruise and travel adventures on her website, CruiseMaven.com. Her articles have been published in major newspapers and magazines – in print and online. During a year and a half of living in Alaska, Sherry has cruised and spent time at every port in the Last Frontier except for Nome. She’s become an avid transatlantic cruiser since 2005, as that is the only way for her to get to Europe without flying. Sherry hopes to inspire and encourage her readers to travel slow and travel solo, experience new cuisines and cultures.
Sherry Laskin
Sherry hasn’t set foot on an airplane in more than 25 years. Instead, she relies on cruise ships, river ships, trains and road trips to travel the world. In that time, she’s been on more cruises than she can count and includes her solo cruise and travel adventures on her website, CruiseMaven.com. Her articles have been published in major newspapers and magazines – in print and online. During a year and a half of living in Alaska, Sherry has cruised and spent time at every port in the Last Frontier except for Nome. She’s become an avid transatlantic cruiser since 2005, as that is the only way for her to get to Europe without flying. Sherry hopes to inspire and encourage her readers to travel slow and travel solo, experience new cuisines and cultures.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers’ Choice Awards Production… Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers’ Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences 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, Readers’ Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences 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.
