A friend recently asked me what the “best” river cruise would be for him to book—which is a pretty big question!

There is a bewildering number of cruise lines, ships and itineraries out there, and while there are only so many rivers in the world, more routes are opening up as the demand to sail in ‘new’ places keeps growing, and ships evolve to suit different river conditions.

River cruise destinations

So, the first thing we looked at was where to go. You can take river cruises in Europe, France, Portugal, Italy, China, Southeast Asia, and Africa. And yes, we know France, Portugal, and Italy are in Europe, but most cruise lines differentiate between itineraries in these three countries and itineraries that run on the Rhine and Danube and sail through as many as six different countries. It’s already getting complicated.

Comparing river cruise line operators

Once you’ve pinpointed the region you’d most like to explore on a river cruise, you can start checking out the cruise lines operating where you’re travelling. Although the ships are basically the same size—in Europe, anyway, where they all need to fit through locks and under bridges—each company offers a different style of cruising.

Balancing the holiday budget

Budget is a significant decider; you can pay upfront for a luxury cruise covering everything from butler service to drinks 24/7, or dial it down a few notches and still enjoy plentiful meals onboard and shore excursions included in the fare.

Shore excursions and activities

Then, you must consider what sort of experience you’re seeking. Most river cruise excursions focus on cultural and historical attractions simply because of the regions you’re cruising in; however, more active tours, such as cycling, hiking, and, in a few cases, kayaking, are increasingly popular.

Remember that river cruises tend to attract an older demographic, although Uniworld and Tauck operate specific family-friendly itineraries at certain times of the year. And some lines, notably Riviera Travel, are more generous about waiving the single supplement than others.

Go book your river cruise; you know you want to

Ready to set sail on a river cruise? Cruise Passenger empowers you to choose your adventure with confidence. Whether you’re seeking cultural immersion, breathtaking scenery, or luxurious amenities, we provide expert guidance to help you select the perfect river cruise for your next holiday.