Compare River Cruise Lines Worldwide
Where each line sails, and how big its ships are.
Compare Quotes From Several LinesTo compare river cruise lines properly, look beyond Europe. Several lines sail rivers on three or four continents, and where a line operates tells you a lot about its style.
Where Each Line Sails
| Line | Europe | Beyond Europe (selected) |
|---|---|---|
| Viking | Yes — the largest European river fleet | Nile (Viking Osiris, Viking Aton); Mississippi (Viking Mississippi) |
| AmaWaterways | Yes | Mekong; Chobe in Africa; Colombia’s Magdalena (AmaMagdalena) |
| Avalon Waterways | Yes | Mekong; Amazon and Galápagos programs |
| Scenic | Yes | Mekong (Scenic Spirit) |
| Uniworld | Yes | Egypt, India, Mekong |
| Emerald Cruises | Yes | Mekong |
| Tauck | Yes | Primarily Europe on rivers; land journeys worldwide |
| Riviera River Cruises | Yes | Nile programs |
| CroisiEurope | Yes — including smaller French rivers and canals | Lake Kariba and the Zambezi; Brazilian Amazon from 2027 |
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.
Ship Size Compared
| Ship or class | Guests |
|---|---|
| Viking Longships (Europe) | Up to 190 |
| Scenic Space-Ships (Europe) | Up to 163 |
| Tauck ms Inspire (Europe) | 130 |
| Viking Mississippi (USA) | Up to 386 |
| Viking Osiris (Nile) | 82 |
| Scenic Spirit (Mekong) | Up to 68 |
| AmaMagdalena (Colombia) | 60 |
Guest count shapes everything from the dining room to the size of tour groups. On the far rivers, the smaller ships can reach landings that larger ones cannot. For accessibility needs on different ships, see Accessible River Cruises.
What the Map Tells You About a Line
A line that sails only in Europe pours all of its attention into a handful of rivers, so its ships, guides and shore programs on the Rhine and Danube tend to be finely tuned. A line with ships on the Nile, the Mekong and in Africa often charters local vessels or partners with local operators, and its inclusions may change from one continent to the next. Neither is better; they are different businesses.
Use the table above in two ways. If you already know your river, it shows which lines to ask about. If you have traveled with a line before and liked it, it shows where else that line can take you — a common way repeat guests choose their next trip, and one that may bring past-guest benefits.
Questions to Ask Before You Compare
- Does the line operate its own ship on this river, or charter one?
- Are the inclusions on this river the same as in Europe?
- How many departures a season, and in which months?
- Is the itinerary sold as a cruise only, or as a cruisetour with hotels and flights?
Compare Lines for Your River
Tell us the river and the lines you are considering. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare them on your dates and send free quotes.
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