As good as the ocean: the top 10 river cruise companies in America that will give you a great vacation

The best river cruises combine exquisite living on board with exciting itineraries on the world's most memorable waterways. Travel Leisure.

Photo: Shutterstock

After the challenges of the pandemic early last year, riverboats are back to doing what they do best: exploring inland waterways in Europe, the US and a few other destinations around the world.

Each year, as part of the World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers for their opinions on travel around the world - their opinions on the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines and more. Readers have rated individual cruise ships for their cabins and amenities, food, service, itineraries and directions, excursions and activities, and cost. These ratings were combined to produce results for cruise lines in six categories, including river cruises.

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The top three river cruises were very close in terms of their scores. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots to the top position. Tauck, a renowned tour operator and riverboat operator, retained second place. “The itinerary was thoughtful and instructive,” wrote one reader who traveled on the Joy. In 3rd place is Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, whose praise included rave reviews from one traveler on the Maria Theresa: “This was an exceptional cruise. The staff were excellent. I can't express my satisfaction in words."

Aqua Expeditions, which travels the Peruvian Amazon, finished in 4th place, thanks in part to the gourmet food on board. “Her cuisine is rich in local products and developed by one of Peru’s most famous chefs,” one reader noted. No. 5 American Queen Voyages (formerly the American Queen Steamboat Company) has earned praise - especially from seniors - for its leisurely cruises of Columbia, Mississippi, Ohio and other US waterways.

The top-ranked Viking sails all of Europe's major river routes, with ships also on the Nile and Mekong, and in 2022 on the Mississippi. Readers praised the line's value proposition and the off-the-beaten-path shore experience. "A thinking man's vacation," as one reader put it, sailing on a Viking ship on the Rhine River.

1 Viking

With a fleet of over 50 modern longships on rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Seine, as well as additional ships in Europe, Egypt and Vietnam, this river cruise line is often praised for its stability. “After traveling on seven Viking ships that are virtually indistinguishable from one another, I believe it is their stability that makes them one of our favorite ways to travel,” said one reader. Their ships are light-filled floating boutique hotels with a Scandinavian design aesthetic, indoor and outdoor restaurants and herb gardens above. The carefully crafted routes and "good price" of the Viking were also praised by readers. “Met some great new friends. Absolutely outstanding service and amazing food,” said one fan.

WBA Hall of Fame winner.

Evaluation: 96,77

Additional Information: www.viking.com

2. Tauck

Tauck is a super premium river cruise line offering small, secluded cruises across Europe's waterways. Cruising. The cruise line, launched in 1992, offers all-inclusive luxury river cruises on rivers such as the Danube, Rhine and Rhone, but also away from tourist ports and off the beaten path. With many awards under their belt, the cruise line is at the forefront when it comes to European river cruises, offering regular cruises on the Rhine, Danube and Seine, as well as lesser-known waterways such as the Meuse, as well as offering exciting themed cruises - wine cruises along the Rhone Valley and the route from Budapest to Frankfurt.

Tauck is best suited to intrepid explorers. Due to the high price, most travelers are elderly or retired, couples and small groups of friends often meet on board. The cruise line often offers family itineraries, inviting families with children and multi-generational groups to enjoy a river cruise. Enthusiasts will also love this cruise line thanks to its themed cruises, and it's also great for passengers who want an all-inclusive experience - with food, drinks, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, tips, and use of bikes to ride ashore.

WBA Hall of Fame winner.

Evaluation: 96,60

Additional Information: tauck.com

3 Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Located in Los Angeles, California. The company operates a fleet of 21 river cruise liners plying the rivers of Europe, Russia, Egypt, South America and China. Uniworld also has operating offices located in the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and China. The company is part of The Travel Corporation group, which also includes businesses such as Trafalgar Tours and Contiki Tours.

WBA Hall of Fame winner.

Evaluation: 96,31

Additional Information: uniworld.com

4 Aqua Expeditions

Aqua Expeditions has become the recognized leader in luxury small boats cruising the world's greatest rivers. In 2007, founder Francesco Galli Zugaro fulfilled his dream of launching the first luxury cruise line on the Amazon River in Peru with the launch of the 2008-suite Aqua Amazon in 12.

The architecturally designed, custom built vessel offers travelers the comfort and sophistication of 5-star service, boutique hotel accommodation, gourmet cuisine and privately guided shore excursions. Building on the success of Aqua Amazon, Aqua Expeditions launched Aria Amazon in 2011 with 16 numbers. Departing from Iquitos, Peru, Aqua Amazon and Aria Amazon take guests to the Amazon rainforest and the enchanting wildlife of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve with exotic bird species and adorable pink dolphins.

Evaluation: 93,27

Additional Information: www.aquaexpeditions.com

5. American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines)

Founded 10 years ago, by 2023 the company will have eight vessels.

“The entire continent is now open to deeper discoveries. From America's mighty rivers to the Great Lakes and ocean, and expedition trips through the wilds of Alaska. Places where traditions come to life and discoveries run deep,” the cruise line says about its work.

Evaluation: 92,82

Additional Information: www.aqvoyages.com

6 Grand Circle Cruise Line

Grand Circle Cruise Line is a division of Grand Circle Travel, founded in 1958 as a tour operator for seniors. Additionally, another subsidiary, Overseas Adventure Travel, overlaps with the cruise line for adventure cruise programs.

The firm concentrates on European river cruises with its fleet of small boats as well as both owned and chartered vessels plying Northern and Southern (Mediterranean) Europe as well as Egypt, Panama and Antarctica.

Their specialization is not only cruises for the elderly, but also for solo travelers. They offer solo travelers single occupancy for little or no extra charge.

Evaluation: 90,12

Additional Information: amawaterways.com

7. Ama Waterways

This is a river cruise company based in Calabasas, California that offers cruises in Europe, South Africa, Southeast Asia, South America and Egypt. Its price range is considered "mid-range" among river cruises.

As of 2022, she had a fleet of 26 ships.

AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudy Schreiner, Jimmy Murphy and Christine Karst. Schreiner was one of the pioneers of the river cruise industry after the opening of the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal in 1992. Schreiner was still the president and co-owner of the company as of 2018.

To appeal to families with young children, AmaWaterways has partnered with Adventures by Disney to create Disney-themed cruises that include, among others, Christmas markets in towns along the Danube and Rhine rivers.

The company also offers promotions for individual travelers. On four ships (AmaDolce, AmaLyra, AmaCello and AmaDante) single cabins are available at no extra cost

Evaluation: 90,12

Additional Information: amawaterways.com

8 Avalon Waterways

It is a river cruise company owned by the Globus family of brands and offers cruises in Europe, China, Southeast Asia, South America, India and the Galapagos Islands. In August 2009, the company became a member of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Avalon Waterways started operations in 2004 with just one vessel called the Avalon Artistry. The following year, the company added Avalon Poetry to its fleet.

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The company operates ships on the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhone, Seine and Saone in Europe; on the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, as well as on the Yangtze River (in China), the Ganges (in India) and the Amazon River (in Peru).

Avalon Waterways has been honored with river cruise operator awards, including "Best European River Line" in 2019.

Avalon offers a range of special interest cruises, including food, beer and Christmas themed itineraries.

Evaluation: 89,88

Additional Information: avalonwaterways.com

9Vantage Deluxe World Travel

Vantage Deluxe World Travel offers European river cruises and adventures in over 80 countries on all seven continents. The company offers individual and group trips to various destinations around the world. She also handles catering, itineraries, and booking flights and hotels.

Evaluation: 84,71

Additional Information: vantagetravel.com

10 American Cruise Lines

It is a small craft cruise line headquartered in Guildford, Connecticut, USA. The line operates thirteen small U.S.-flagged cruise ships along the east and west coasts (including Alaska) and the Mississippi-Ohio and Columbia-Snake river systems in the United States.

Evaluation: 81,17

Additional Information: www.americancruiselines.com

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