A river cruise gives you the opportunity to explore various regions around the world in a more intimate way than ocean cruises. Whether you venture down the Danube, which flows through Germany, Austria and Hungary, experience the famed wine and scenery along the Rhine or sail the Mississippi to experience New Orleans' food scene, there's a river cruise for everyone.
River cruise ships are smaller than ocean ships and typically carry no more than 200 passengers, making for more personalized voyages. Some of the most popular river cruise lines in the world include Viking, AmaWaterways, Scenic, Tauck and Uniworld.
The best time to take a river cruise depends on the destination you're sailing and your excursion preferences. Europe's river cruise season begins in early spring and lasts through fall, though Viking offers year-round itineraries and Christmas market cruises are incredibly popular. U.S. river cruises typically sail from March to December, with great leaf peeping in the fall months.
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Popular Destinations for River Cruises
European Rivers
Check out European river cruise itineraries from the Rhine to the Danube get your fill of iconic cities and landmarks.
See cruisesEgyptian Rivers
Seeing Ancient Egypt's grand pyramids is a dream on a Nile River cruise.
Mississippi River
Experiencing the culture and history of famous U.S. cities like New Orleans, St. Louis and Memphis is only a Mississippi River cruise away.