Best Europe River Cruises? 4 Fab Ones!

It’s enchanting to float along a lovely European waterway on a luxurious river cruise. As the vessel rounds each bend of the river, guests will gaze at eco-beauty, quaint villages, vineyards and both rural life and city sights. So, check out these four of the “Best European River Cruises” from Tauck, Viking, AmaWaterways and Uniworld!

(Tauck offers a wide range of river cruises on European rivers. Photo by Tauck.)

1. Best European River Cruises: Tauck 

Celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2025, Tauck offers river cruises, small oceangoing ship options, and escorted tours. What’s special? Only about one-half of 1 percent (0.5 percent) of all companies in the U.S. make it to 100 years. So, that’s a pretty astounding accomplishment.

Sailing European rivers since 1992, Tauck has a fabulous 15-day “Rhine and Moselle” river journey. It’s beyond the norm in terms of scope. So, travelers can take a “deeper dive” into culture, heritage, cuisine, wine and other special interests along two of Europe’s favorite rivers.

Operated by the 130-passenger Grace, this journey begins in Basel, Switzerland, and also visits Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Heidelberg and Baden-Baden, Germany; Luxembourg; and Strasbourg, France, to name just a few of the destinations.

Special Inclusions

Special inclusions that Tauck’s river cruisers will love? One is an insider tour of the Gothic-Renaissance Heidelberg Castle and lunch at a popular local restaurant.

Another is a choice of bicycle excursions in Boppard, Germany, and Arnhem’s De Hoge Veluwe National Park in the Netherlands.

Guests, if they so choose, can enjoy complimentary wine tasting at a family-owned winery in Cochem, Germany. And they can check out the architecture of Amsterdam’s historic buildings during an included scenic cruise along the city’s canals. 

In fact, Tauck’s private shore excursions and other inclusions in the guest’s fare are valued at $3,462. Another perk is that all gratuities to the ship’s crew, drivers, local guides, Tauck directors and the Tauck cruise director are also included within the guest’s cruise fare.

At press time, this journey for 2025 started at $9,490 per person, double occupancy. Again, you can find itinerary details about this river journey here. So, check out exactly what’s planned and included.

But then contact your personal travel planner who can ensure that you get any promotions or special deals and inclusions. They’ll also make the reservation for you — without any service fee. It’s the best way to get all that you deserve!

2. Best European River Cruises: AmaWaterways

If you’re regretfully telling yourself, “I should have planned a river cruise vacation in 2025,” the good news is that there’s still time to book.

We particularly like AmaWaterways’ new Celebration of Wellness River Cruises. They’ll debut on two European rivers this summer. 

Focused on physical health and mental well-being, these specially crafted itineraries will showcase Europe’s iconic destinations through a wellness lens.

The first Celebration of Wellness River Cruises will set sail this year on these two itineraries and departure dates: “Melodies of the Danube“ (August 2-9, 2025) and “Paris & Normandy“ (August 9-16, 2025).

AmaWaterways says that travelers are increasingly seeking vacation experiences that promote health and wellness. So, these two departures align with that lifestyle.

A Comprehensive Wellness Offering

Guests booking the Celebration of Wellness River Cruises will receive a comprehensive wellness experience. Plus, a variety of activities are designed for active travelers.

• Guests will enjoy enhanced tours, including extended hikes and bike tours, and guided runs.
• They’ll discover at least six daily host-led wellness classes such as Champagne Yoga, core strengthening, circuit training, dance and resistance band stretching.
• A specially curated healthy menu will be available throughout the journey, complemented by a morning juice bar.
• Onboard wellness talks will provide further insights into maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
• Two dedicated wellness hosts will sail with guests and offer personalized support.

Again, you’ll find the wellness river cruise programming information here. At press time, full-fare pricing for the seven-night “Paris & Normandy” sailing on the 140-passenger AmaDante, departing August 9, 2025, started at $4,839 (including port charges).

The seven-night “Melodies of the Danube” sailing by the 156-passenger AmaLea on August 2, 2025, started at $4,239 (including port charges).

But for both sailings (for a limited time), AmaWaterways is offering a promotion of up to $1,500 per stateroom cruise savings or a complimentary land program.

To learn more about any requirements and/or booking deadlines, contact a professional travel advisor.

3. Best European River Cruises: Viking

If you’ve “been there, done that” on the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Seine, Rhone/Saone and Douro, we have one river experience that you likely haven’t done — sailing the Elbe River.

Traveling on Viking‘s 10-day “Elegant Elbe” river cruise itinerary, you’ll explore some lesser-visited areas of Germany and the Czech Republic. Plus, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the bustling, iconic cities of Berlin (with an overnight stay) and Prague (with a double overnight stay).

Travelers also might learn more about Wittenberg’s religious history, admire delicate Meissen porcelain, and enjoy scenic sailing along Saxon Switzerland.   

Sailing the Elbe with Viking

Priced from $3,299 per person, double occupancy, this “Elegant Elbe River” tinerary offers exploration of two countries. Seven guided tours are included in the cruise fare.

It’s offered by Viking on multiple river vessels. Plus, you’ll have a wide selection of departure dates from May through November.

Desire to work with a skilled personal travel planner to craft your experience. You’ll find easy-to-use contact details for one of Viking’s top sellers at the end of this story.

4. Best European River Cruises: Uniworld

For golf enthusiasts who love to tee off in France, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will introduce a new, all-inclusive “Premium Golf Package” as an add-on to its “Brilliant Bordeaux” itinerary.

Available across six summer sailings in 2025, the package includes 18-hole rounds at Cabot Bordeaux and St. Emilion. On two separate occasions during your cruise, Uniworld will escort you and your fellow golfers to those top-rated regional courses for an 18-hole round.

Guests are encouraged to bring along their own clubs, but Uniworld will happily facilitate club rentals if that is your preference.

At the end of your game, you can unwind with a savory meal at the clubhouse. Plus, the package includes a shared caddy service. Beverages, surprise gifts and more are also on tap.

Living the High Life with Uniworld

When you aren’t golfing, you’ll be living the high life aboard one of Uniworld’s floating boutique hotels or heading ashore for memorable excursions with local guides.

So, here’s the scoop on pricing. The golf package starts at $1,199 per person. As for the “Brilliant Bordeaux” itinerary itself, fares begin at $2,499 per person, double occupancy.

Make life simple! Turn to a skilled personal travel planner to put it all together for you! They’ll secure the best price, and you won’t pay any service fee. So, soon you can begin teeing off during a fabulous 2025 river cruise vacation.

These are four of the best European river cruises. But they’re just some of the fabulous options out there. Scenic, Avalon Waterways, Riviera Travel, Emerald River Cruises, Riverside Luxury Cruises and others also have fabulous European river cruises that may suit your personal interests.

Check out this recent blog about other river cruise options. And tap into the helpful agency contact information below to learn about other appealing river voyages. 

Here’s to a rewarding vacation experience as you sail a storied European river this year or beyond!

Important Information from Pavlus Travel