The Best Luxury River Cruises: Uniworld vs AmaWaterways vs Viking, River by River

Uniworld has been on the rivers since 1976, and its own copy says it does not believe in filling the rivers with identical ships. The fleet bears that out: Klimt gold on the Danube's S.S. Emilie, Fortuny fabric and Murano glass on S.S. La Venezia in the Venice Lagoon, azulejos tilework on the Douro's S.S. São Gabriel. Two Uniworld cruises can feel like two different companies, which is why I ask for the ship before the dates.

The fare is the argument. Dining, unlimited fine wines and premium spirits, excursions, 24-hour room service, Wi-Fi, gratuities for the onboard staff, bicycles and fitness classes are all included. Book a Suite and a dedicated butler comes with it, along with a stocked mini-bar and unlimited laundry; Uniworld says its butlers do not double up in other jobs.

Two things to know. The entry Classic rooms have windows at the water line, by Uniworld's own description. And in Egypt, India, Southeast Asia and Peru the inclusions differ, with no butler at all in Peru.

AmaWaterways had 31 ships in operation in April 2026. Most of the European fleet takes 150 to 162 guests; AmaMagna is a double-width ship for 196, and her sister AmaRudi joins the Danube on 11 April 2027.

What sets the line apart is the room. Most European staterooms have twin balconies: a French balcony, floor-to-ceiling doors that open in the room, and a full outside balcony beside it. On AmaMagna the six Grand Suites reach 474 sq ft and the Owner's Suite 710 sq ft.

The fare covers every meal with wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, a cocktail hour before dinner in Europe, excursions with local guides, Wi-Fi, bicycles on most European ships and The Chef's Table, a tasting-menu restaurant, on every ship except those in Portugal. Gratuities, premium drinks, laundry and air are extra. There is no medical staff on board.

Viking runs more river ships than any other line we book: 69 Longships of 190 guests in Europe, all to one design, plus ships built for the Seine (168 guests), the Douro (106), the Nile (82 on the newer ships), the Mekong (80) and Viking Mississippi (386).

The fare covers an excursion in every port, all meals, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi and port taxes. Gratuities and the Silver Spirits package, USD 27 per guest per day for drinks beyond mealtimes, are extra. There are no butlers, no casinos and no children under 18.

It is the most predictable of the three, and that is its strength. A Veranda Suite on the Danube is the same room as a Veranda Suite on the Rhine, so the choice comes down to the river and the date. For Paris and Normandy, Viking's Seine ship runs a roundtrip from Paris, and on the Mississippi it is the only one of the three that sails.

Scenic's river ships are not on our site, so I cannot quote them here. On its own pages Scenic describes Space-Ships of up to 163 guests in Europe and Scenic Spirit, for 68, on the Mekong; butler service for all suites; and drinks included except a very small number of fine and vintage wines, champagnes and spirits. Excursions run through its Scenic Freechoice programme, and Balcony, Junior and Royal Suites have a Scenic Sun Lounge, a window that slides down to open the room to the river.

On paper, that puts Scenic closer to Uniworld than to the other two. I would still choose Uniworld for a reader who cares about interiors, because each of its ships is styled on its own. If Scenic is the line you have set your heart on, tell us and we will compare the sailing for you. Riverside, with the former Crystal river ships, and Tauck also sell luxury river weeks; neither is compared here.

If you searched for a Belmond river cruise, these are the boats you will find: seven hotel barges working the rivers and canals of France through Burgundy, Provence, Champagne and the Bordeaux vineyards. They are a different idea from a river ship. Six are chartered whole by one party of four to twelve, so the boat, the crew and the week are yours.

Napoléon is the exception and the largest: twelve guests in six cabins on the Rhône between Avignon and La Voulte-sur-Rhône, the only Belmond barge you can also book by the cabin, and the only one with an outdoor jacuzzi. Coquelicot is the Champagne boat, six guests in three cabins, launched in 2023 in partnership with Maison Ruinart.

For two people who want a river without a hundred other guests, Napoléon by the cabin is the answer. For a family or three couples, charter one of the six. Our guide to Europe's hotel barges compares them boat by boat.