The best river cruises around the world for 2026

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The ocean isn’t the one option to expertise a cruise vacation; a river cruise might provide a extra relaxed option to go to well-known or new locations in a single journey.

Winding your manner inland may sound just like being on the ocean however you’ll have a vastly completely different expertise on a river cruise ship.

From crossing deep into the untouched areas of the Amazon rainforest to exploring a few of Europe’s best cities, the river cruise expertise is one that permits vacationers to familiarize yourself with the historical past, tradition and custom of a vacation spot in a gradual, immersive trend.

This may very well be within the type of sampling Creole delicacies in Mississippi or discovering historic websites in Vietnam, however no matter it’s, there’s loads of selection throughout Europe, Asia, South America and North America.

In contrast to an ocean cruise, you’ll be able to usually end up docked within the centre of a metropolis or by a winery, which means no tenders or lengthy coach rides.

You gained’t discover waterslides or mountaineering partitions onboard, however cruise ships might be kitted out with welcoming bars, lounges and solar decks.

Extras corresponding to excursions, wifi and suggestions could even be included.

Learn on for a choice of the perfect cruises, from the Mississippi to the Mekong.

Greatest river cruises

1. The Danube

The Danube rises in the mountains of Germany’s Black Forest — The Danube rises within the mountains of Germany’s Black Forest (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)

Europe’s second longest river – and arguably its most well-known – river takes you thru superb capital cities and a number of charming cities, in addition to loads of scenic countryside in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. Cruises alongside the Danube can range from a handful of days to nearly three weeks, supplying you with time to discover the magnificence of cities like Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava or Belgrade.

Emerald Cruises, which is launching a brand new luxurious river cruise ship later this 12 months, enables you to see the perfect of the Danube with the addition of a healthy dose of conventional German tradition in Munich. Leaving the Bavarian capital on a seven-night Danube Delights crusing, excursions embody a strolling tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting and a Vienna artwork tour.

The cruise finishes in Budapest, the Hungarian capital that’s blessed with picturesque buildings, relaxed thermal baths and a buzzing nightlife scene.

From £2,395pp. Flights and transfers included. Departing usually between 1 April and 1 November 2026.

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Learn extra: One of the best cruises to tick off your journey bucket listing

2. The Amazon

The Amazon basin has an area of around 2.7 million square miles — The Amazon basin has an space of round 2.7 million sq. miles (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)

This well-known river runs for over 4,000 miles all through South America and is a serious a part of the eponymous rainforest, some of the biodiverse and vital pure areas on the planet. A river cruise stays the easiest way to achieve deeper into the jungle, with many cruises starting within the northern Brazilian metropolis of Manaus or within the Peruvian metropolis of Lima.

Begin in Peru’s enchanting capital with the Peruvian Rivers and Rainforest Discovery 11-day cruise from Uniworld. You’ll fly to Iquitos, the most important metropolis within the Amazon as your subsequent cease, earlier than delving into among the most distant areas on the earth as you’re taking to the waters. From right here, nature takes centre stage, with quite a lot of experiences – together with jungle walks and kayaking on a lake – added to the enjoyment of pure options corresponding to big lilies, towering barrigona bushes and round 10 per cent of the world’s recognized animal species.

From £13,049pp. Flights and transfers included Departing usually from 9 September 2026 till 2 December 2026.

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3. The Nile

Enjoy a relaxing river cruise along the landmarks of the Nile — Take pleasure in a calming river cruise alongside the landmarks of the Nile (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)

For a calming manner to soak up riverside surroundings and a few of Egypt’s most vital historic websites, a river cruise is the best selection.

Begin in Cairo and make your manner all the way down to Aswan over a couple of days (although many shorter routes function between Aswan and Luxor solely).

Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids crusing begins in Cairo, the place you’ll be able to go to websites such because the landmark Pyramids of Giza. You then fly to the temples of Luxor the place the river cruise will take you for an in a single day keep in Aswan to discover the historic Abu Simbel earlier than crusing again to the Egyptian capital. En route, you’ll cease in historic websites corresponding to Kom Ombo and Edfu. The surroundings alongside the route is distinctive, too, with palm bushes, inexperienced areas and mini oases dotted in between the yellow-hued rock.

From £6,596pp, flights and transfers included. Departing usually from Might to December 2026.

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Learn extra: Why now could be the time to take a cruise on the Nile

4. The Rhine

The Rhine is the busiest waterway in Europe (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)

Exploring this land of castles and fairytales is a worthwhile European journey, with excursions usually beginning within the fairly Dutch capital of Amsterdam and weaving throughout the German and French countryside, with the route damaged up by cities corresponding to Cologne, Dusseldorf and Strasbourg. Most of the cities positioned on the banks of the Rhine, corresponding to Koblenz, are extremely picturesque, with a variety of medieval castles and pure websites just like the Black Forest additionally that includes.

Avalon Waterways has common routes on the Rhine that embody visits to vineyards and castles, in addition to native wine pairings at lunch and dinner. It additionally affords a selection of energetic and discovery excursions starting from hikes to e-bike excursions.

The model was beforehand rated the perfect cruise line on the river in a Which? report.

From £1,70066pp. Flights not included. Common departures from March to November 2026

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5. The Douro

The Douro Valley is supposedly the oldest demarcated wine-growing region in the world — The Douro Valley is supposedly the oldest demarcated wine-growing area on the earth (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)

The views across the Douro Valley are among the greatest in Portugal, whether or not you’re sitting by the banks in Porto or admiring the verdant hills and vineyards round Pinhao. This area, well-known for its port manufacturing, has cruises lasting roughly one week that normally start and finish in Porto – the place the river meets the Atlantic Ocean – with a quick crossing over into Spain and Salamanca.

The Riviera Journey bundle affords an inexpensive eight-day Douro choice beginning and ending in Porto, with two nights to discover Portugal’s magnificent second metropolis (and to go on a guided tour of a widely known port producer). Days three and 4 take you to sleepy Castelo de Rodrigo and the historic Spanish metropolis of Salamanca (with guided excursions and time to discover at your leisure) earlier than traversing the cascading vineyards of the valley in your manner again to Porto by way of the attractive Peso de Regua (with an area wine tasting).

From £2,099pp, flights and transfers included. Departing usually between April and November 2026.

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6. The Mississippi

At least 260 species of fish – 25 per cent of all fish species in North America – live in the Mississippi River — At the least 260 species of fish – 25 per cent of all fish species in North America – stay within the Mississippi River (Getty Photos)

Discovering the Deep South is commonly performed by automotive, however with new routes lately from Viking Cruises, exploring Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota and Tennessee has by no means been extra idyllic. The famed cities of New Orleans and Memphis can bookend your tour, with lesser-known areas corresponding to Baton Rouge, Natchez and Darrow making up the opposite stops.

Go for American Cruise Traces’ seven-night Historic Mississippi River Cruise in the event you actually wish to immerse your self within the Deep South. The roundtrip begins in New Orleans, the place you’ll be able to expertise the town’s French influences and Creole delicacies earlier than embarking on the legendary waterway in the direction of Baton Rouge – a haven of Creole and Cajun tradition – after which onto Natchez, the oldest metropolis on the river. You’ll journey via different cities on the Mississippi and a few sailings are even on its American Heritage paddlewheeler, supplying you with a extra real expertise on the water.

From £3,421pp, flights not included. Departs usually from March to December 2026.

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Learn extra: Greatest southern states of America to go to

7. The Mekong

The Mekong River is also known as the “Mother of Water” — The Mekong River is also referred to as the “Mom of Water” (Getty Photos/iStockphoto)

The Mekong flows via a number of Asia’s most fascinating nations, together with Vietnam, Thailand, China and Cambodia. Most cruises soak up components of Vietnam and Cambodia, visiting the combo of floating fishing villages, conventional markets and the 2 capitals of Ho Chi Minh Metropolis and Phnom Penh.

Windstar’s latest luxurious ship, Star Seeker, has a 16-night Cambodia, Vietnam & the Coronary heart of Hanoi Cruise Tour which incorporates in a single day stops in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis and Hanoi/Halong Bay.

The journey features a tai chi lesson, a morning avenue meals tour and tickets to a conventional puppet present.

Costs ranging from £6,900pp, with departures in November and December 2026.

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8. The Magdalena River

Masking nearly 1 / 4 of Colombia, the Magdalena river runs from the Andes Mountains and empties into the Caribbean.

Company can float by and go to colonial cities and vibrant markets, participate in native carnivals and spot wildlife residing alongside the jungle-lined shores.

AmaWaterways launched sailings on the distinctive river final 12 months and is presently the one worldwide cruise line providing voyages on it aboard the 60-guest capability AmaMelodia.

A seven-night fly cruise aboard the prices from £3,879pp. Flights and transfers included. Common year-round departures

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Learn extra: Reaching Ciudad Perdida, Colombia’s misplaced metropolis older than Machu Picchu

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