My Favorite Features on 8 Europe Cruise Lines
Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist
With the overwhelming amount of videos and opinions about Europe River Cruising, I thought I should take a step back and let you know what we consider the most desirable features of the 8 river cruise companies we follow.
As always, I will organize our thoughts alphabetically, which has no meaning than just a method of organization.
I guess you should also know we have sailed on 4 of the 8 lines and toured and eaten one or more meals on the remaining 4. After sailing on 28 river cruises and helping hundreds of folks take a river cruise vacations during every season of the year, I think we are uniquely qualified to let you know about what we found special about each line.
All pictures in this blog were taken by us and as usual, Anne took the majority of the pictures displayed here. We decided to use only 3 pictures per river cruise lines but on our website (www.dreamdestinations.com/europe-river-cruise) there are 162 day-by-day route guides as well as, detailed ship tours of the lines featured here.
AmaWaterways
With 20 ships operating in Europe, AmaWaterways is the second largest line that markets to the US. We rate them very highly and many of our clients have enjoyed sailing with AmaWaterways.
The best features of AmaWaterways are:
Locally sourced food & fine regional wines that change daily—added free cocktail hour—included Chef’s Table—best in the industry in our opinion
Best Active line—added wellness instructor with a master’s degree in physical education
Good tours—usually 3 groups & at least 2 options—sometimes more with options for different ability levels
Crew becomes your friends—service is excellent & consistently high standards
Slow, steady growth—new ships have high staff standards that remain constantly consistent
Excellent staterooms with many that feature the twin balconies (French and outside) and also feature state-of-the-art fan coil air conditioning units with ensure fresh and clean air at all times. They are well appointed and stylish without overkill.
Great Cruise Managers go the extra mile for your trip
Great Partners with Smithsonian Journeys, Backroads (bike touring) & Disney
Their wine-themed cruises are the best in the industry—there are over 80 a year
The AmaMagna is a double wide ship that features luxurious balcony suites, four included restaurants, an expansive wellness studio, a cinema, and a pickleball court. A second double wide ship, the AmaRudi is scheduled to begin sailing in 2027.
The 20 Europe based AmaWaterways ships are green certified for industry-leading safety, quality and environmental performance
Ama’s ships were purposefully built with a low draft which allows them to sail in low water conditions when competitor lines are unable to sail safely.
The AmaMagna in port at Budapest
Wellness host and our clients Jane and Len ready for a bike excursion
Apple Strudel dessert—one of my favorites
Avalon
Owned by the Travel Corporation, Avalon has a strong presence in European River cruising with 17 ships sailing in Europe.
The best features on Avalon are:
They deliver a good product at a fair price.
Since they are owned by Globus Corporation (tour company), they have good tours.
Cabin bed faces window in their Panorama Suites—has larger windows & French balconies compared to others that open to create patio stateroom, has a pillow menu and you can order complimentary breakfast in your room
Added more active options during shore visits called Active Discovery which are a unique blend of active excursions and cultural immersion
They have added good specialty cruises called Storyteller that feature authors or movie stars
They have added a free cocktail hour before the evening meal
Have great vegetarian option call “Avalon Fresh” but we think the overall food is average based on 2 lunch meals
Avalon Impression docked in Vienna
Avalon stateroom with bed facing the panoramic window
The carving station at a lunch meal is very good but we found the other meals just average
Emerald Waterways
Branded as a premier river cruise line, this Australian river cruise offers good value in the Europe River cruise market. It currently has 8 ships sailing in Europe.
The best features on Emerald are:
Very good quality cruise at a good price.
Gratuities included.
2 upper decks on most ships have ½ window balcony that opens with touch of a button.
Pool has retractable roof & converts into evening cinema—it is awesome!
Even though not all excursions are included, most are. The EmeraldPLUS, and EmeraldACTIVE experiences are all complimentary, while DiscoverMORE tours have an extra cost.
Has a good EmeraldACTIVE program that included hiking and biking
Even with higher guest capacity (182), it has bikes, spa & fitness area—Viking (190) does not—it does not feel crowded on their ships.
The Emerald Sun
The pool that converts to a movie theater at night!
Emerald Stateroom
Riverside Luxury River Cruises
With only 3 ships, this line offers some of the best cruise experiences in Europe. They currently operate two 135 m longships and the Double-wide Mozart on the Danube. Future plans include adding 2 more 135 m ships which are currently leased to Uniworld.
The best features of Riverside are:
·4 choices of the level of service desired. They are: Full Board, Premium All-Inclusive, Full Board including Excursions, Premium All-Inclusive including Excursions
An unusual mix or shorter to longer cruises lengths
All ships are suites with butler service and king size beds and digital “do not disturb” signs
Exceptional dining—the food is amazing, made a l minute and there is a fresh made pasta option available each night
A chance to experience the Vintage room with a 7-course meal paired with exceptional wines (extra charge of 295 Euros per person) served in a private room with white glove service (very pricy but an unique experience we tried and liked)
There is usually a cookout on the top deck that is one of the best cookout meals we have ever eaten
Awesome bar staff that are true mixologists
Has a pop-up bar on top deck that can be lower to go under low bridges during cruising.
It has a guest laundry on each ship
There is a relaxed and comfortable vibe during your cruise with thoughtful service that is unpretentious and not flashy, so it is very genuine.
The Riverside Ravel
The kingsize beds in our suite on the Riverside Ravel
My plate from the outdoor BBQ—a prawn, steak with holandaise sauce, chicken, pork, a grilled potatoe and mac-n-cheese. Best outdoor meal on a river cruise ship!
Scenic
The luxury line is one of the two lines offered from the Australian company and is their luxury brand. They currently have 11 ships sailing in Europe.
The best features on Scenic are:
All inclusive—most guests will not pay anything more unless they get a massage or use the hairdresser.
Onshore tours are good, and they include Scenic Enrich (exclusive experiences) --we had one in Vienna with a classical music concert that was excellent
Offers 6 red & 6 white wines at dinner for free.
Suites have butler service, which varies by stateroom category
Suites have a Scenic Sun Lounge balcony that converts into an open-air balcony with a touch of a button—great feature!
There are usually 4 dining experiences on each ship. The main Crystal Dining restaurant, Portobellos (an Italian restaurant that is my personal favorite) the River Café (lite fare with sandwiches and desserts), and the exclusive Table a la Rive (for select guests on the diamond deck and on sailings over 10 days).
They can be pricey but 2-1 deal with full payment due 10 months or more before sailing date can be a good value
Scenic Sun Lounge
Great farewell meal—the tenderloin was excellent!
Portobello’s Italian Restaurant Specialty Dinner Venue, with the crew explaining the meal. It was excellent!
Tauck
Small by mighty, Tauck offers a wonderful river cruise experience. They are expanding their fleet by adding 2 ships in 2026, which will now give them 11 ships sailing in Europe.
The best features on Tauck are:
All-inclusive
Generally fewest passengers on Tauck ships as compared to other river cruise companies with a max of 130 on 135 m ships—only Riverside has less at 110.
Many feel they offer the best tours & on-shore experiences—in large part due to 4 onboard staff members, with 3 who lead some tours or accompany local guides
There is a signature off ship meal at a special location—we have experienced 2 and they were excellent, especially the meal in Vienna
Generally, has more large sized staterooms than others but only French Balconies. Has best window first deck staterooms in the industry
Has a good family program called Tauck Bridges
A Tauck Stateroom
Chefs preparing dessert during on of our meals 2024
Tauck Signiture Dinner in Vienna 2025 in a former palace. It was quite a treat and a very memorable experience!
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
To say Uniworld takes a different approach in ship interiors is an understatement. they currently have 12 ships sailing in Europe.
The best features on Uniworld are:
All-inclusive except for some excursions and enhanced wine package
Each ship has completely different interior—big emphasis on boutique aspect for the client (not our particular taste but some really like this)
Only cruise line of the 8 we follow who sail in Italy (Venice lagoon cruise).
Rate very high on most comparison lists—a lot to like about their product & service.
Excellent Butler Service but only for 8 suite stateroom guests but some feel it is stuffy
They are known for the Tiny Little Touches (TNTs) which are small gestures and personalized touches that elevate the overall experience.
Excellent Jewish Heritage cruises
Butlers on the Maria Theresa
Uniworld Maria Therea unique decor in one of the staterooms
The Sommelier with the 2 nights wines in 2025. We were surprised to learn that to enjoy other wines than the 2 included daily, guests have to buy a wine package—other all inclusive river cruise offer far more choices included in the price!
Viking
The big boys in the river cruise market, Viking put river cruising on the map. During the 2025 river cruise expo we attended, the founder Tor Hagen, told the audience that Viking had spent over 2.5 billion on advertising its product over the years! One source I read said Viking has 80 river cruise ships worldwide and 64 are in Europe.
The best features on Viking are:
Sometimes best pricing but often requires full payment at booking while other river cruise companies allow deposit at 120 to 90 days prior to departure for final payment.
Many like the ship’s decor reflecting the Scandinavian design aesthetic
Only company that cruises Elbe (special shallow water design with a paddlewheel)
Herb garden; solar panels (very green ships)
Since long ships are identical; in low water situations, Viking has been able to switch ships to avoid extended bus tours—generally successful but does not always work
Has best port docking locations in Europe
A Viking Longship in Port in Cologne
A balcony stateroom on a Viking Ship
The Dining Room on a typical Viking Longship
Our Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed this report. Perhaps it will help you match a line to your travel style and not worry about which line is best. As you can see, all have features that make them unique. We can help sort all this out when you are ready to try this great vacation travel method or to help you go again if you have been lucky enough to sail on a river cruise previously.
We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.
When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision-making process. We think we have all these qualities.
Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@visitdd.com . We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!
ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 54 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Brit Agent
