River Cruise Comparison Chart
The major river cruise lines side by side — facts from their own material, no verdicts.
Compare Quotes From Several LinesA river cruise comparison chart is the fastest way to see how the lines really differ. River ships in Europe are built to nearly the same size, so the differences that matter are on paper: what the fare includes, how touring works, what the cabins are like and who you will sail with. River Cruise Compare sets those facts side by side, line by line, without verdicts.
Everything below comes from the lines’ own published material. Where a line includes something only on some rivers, we say so. When you have narrowed the field, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can quote the same dates on two or three lines so the comparison ends with real numbers.
Inclusions Comparison Chart
| Line | Drinks | Excursions | Gratuities | Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viking | Beer, wine, soft drinks with lunch & dinner | One included tour in every port | Extra | Included |
| AmaWaterways | Wine, beer, soft drinks at lunch & dinner; cocktail hour | Several guided choices, gentle to active; bikes | Extra in Europe; included on Mekong, Nile, Africa | Included |
| Avalon Waterways | Wine, beer, soft drinks at lunch & dinner | Avalon Choice: Classic, Discovery, Active | Check by market and itinerary | Included |
| Scenic | Beverages all day, incl. premium | Freechoice and Enrich experiences | Included | Included |
| Uniworld | Unlimited, incl. fine wines and premium spirits | Included excursions | Included (onboard staff) | Included |
| Emerald Cruises | Depends on fare and promotion | Included tours plus EmeraldACTIVE | Check fare | Included |
| Tauck | Unlimited, 24/7 | Small-group excursions | Included, incl. Tauck Directors and guides | Included |
| Riviera River Cruises | Drinks package on most sailings | Daily guided excursions | Check fare | Included |
| CroisiEurope | Included on main-season cruises (premium brands extra) | Excursion packages vary | Check fare | Varies |
Facts from each line’s own published material, checked October 2026. Inclusions can differ by river, region and fare type; our advisors confirm them for your sailing.
More Charts on This Site
Compare river cruise lines worldwide
Ship sizes, signature ships and the rivers each line sails beyond Europe.
Compare river cruise lines in Europe
How the lines differ on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhône and Douro.
Compare river cruise companies
Who owns each line, its home market, age policy and style of touring.
Compare river cruise cabins
Balcony types and cabin sizes, line by line.
Compare river cruise prices
A worksheet for comparing quotes like for like.
How to Read a Comparison Chart
Start with the column that matters most to you. If you dislike signing for drinks, look at the drinks column first; if you want to choose your own pace ashore, look at excursions. Cross off lines that fail on your top priority, then compare the rest on the next one. Two or three lines usually remain — and those are the ones to get quotes from.
Opinions are useful too, but keep them separate. Our sister site River Cruise Critic gives honest verdicts, River Cruise Lines profiles each company, and Best River Cruising offers a ten-point scorecard. For river versus ocean, see Cruising by River. To find our other river sites by topic, use the Official River Cruise Directory.
Who Is Behind This Site
River Cruise Compare is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise book all the lines in these charts and will quote two or three side by side for your dates. Meet Mister Cruise →
River Cruise Comparison Chart: FAQ
Where do the facts in your river cruise comparison chart come from?
From each line’s own website and published material, cross-checked with trade press. We do not use reviews for facts, and we update the chart when lines change their inclusions.
Which line wins the comparison?
None, on this site. A chart shows differences; only your priorities can turn them into a winner. If you want opinions, our sister site River Cruise Critic gives them.
Why are prices not in the chart?
River cruise prices change with every promotion and departure. A chart with prices would be wrong within days. Ask for quotes from several lines on the same dates instead — that is a fair comparison.
Do inclusions differ outside Europe?
Often. Several lines include gratuities or more drinks on Asian, Egyptian or African sailings than in Europe. Always compare the specific sailing.
Compare Real Quotes Side by Side
Tell us your river, dates and the lines you are weighing. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will send free quotes from each, laid out the same way.
Get Side-by-Side QuotesMore From Our Cruise Network
When lines change what they include, the Mister Cruise special-offers newsletter is where we mention it. Comparing suppliers is a core skill for travel advisors — Be a Travel Agent explains how to become one. For ocean lines, see the Official Cruise Directory; for all travel, the Official Travel Directory; and for America’s best, Best of the USA.