where can I book European river cruises online?

Booking a European river cruise online can be done directly through individual cruise line websites (the most popular approach for managing reservations, promotions, and loyalty perks) or through dedicated cruise aggregators.

1. Book Directly with Top River Cruise Lines

Most major European river cruise operators feature robust booking engines on their official websites where you can filter by river (Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro, etc.), ship, and dates:

• AmaWaterways: Known for luxury ships, active excursions, and fine dining. You can explore itineraries and reserve directly on AmaWaterways.
• Viking River Cruises: The largest and most well-known name in European river cruising (famous for their Rhine and Danube itineraries). Bookings are available directly at Viking.
• Avalon Waterways: Renowned for their "Panorama Suites" with open-air balconies. You can browse and book on Avalon Waterways.
• CroisiEurope: A major European line offering extensive, competitively priced itineraries across France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Check options on CroisiEurope River Cruises.
• Emerald Cruises & Scenic: Offers contemporary luxury ships and custom Star-Ships. You can book via Emerald Cruises or Scenic Luxury Cruises.
• Tauck & Uniworld: Premium/ultra-luxury lines offering heavily inclusive experiences. Check availability on Tauck or Uniworld.

2. Book via Online Cruise Aggregators

If you want to compare prices, perks (like onboard credit or free airfare promos), and multiple cruise lines side-by-side in one place:

• CruiseDirect: Offers a large selection of major river and ocean cruise lines with online booking support. Check current availability via CruiseDirect.

If you tell me your preferred European river (e.g., Rhine, Danube, Seine) or your ideal travel month/year , I can help recommend the best cruise line for your style.

Yes. You have two good approaches: book directly with a river-cruise line or compare multiple lines through a travel/cruise marketplace.

Best places to book online

• vikingrivercruises.com — One of the biggest names in European river cruising, with extensive Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhône and Douro itineraries.
• amawaterways.com — Strong choice for Europe, particularly if you want a more intimate ship and a broad selection of itineraries.
• avalonwaterways.com — Offers European cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône, Saône, Moselle and other rivers.
• uniworld.com — A more upscale/luxury-oriented option, with itineraries throughout Central Europe, France and beyond.
• tauck.com — Premium, highly inclusive trips on the Rhine, Danube, Douro, Rhône, Seine and other European rivers.
• expediacruises.com — Useful if you'd rather compare different cruise lines and look for deals in one place. Expedia currently lists European river sailings from lines such as Viking.
• cruisecritic.com — Particularly useful for comparing itineraries, prices and reviews before booking. It lists lines including Viking, Uniworld, AmaWaterways, Avalon and Scenic.

My quick recommendation

If this is your first European river cruise, I'd compare Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon first. If you're looking for luxury, add Uniworld, Tauck and Scenic.

The biggest decision is actually the river:

• Danube → Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg/Bratislava; great first cruise
• Rhine → Amsterdam, Cologne, Rhine Gorge, Basel
• Seine → Paris, Normandy, Rouen
• Douro → Portugal, Porto and wine country
• Rhône/Saône → Lyon, Provence and southern France

If you tell me your approximate budget, number of days, preferred month, and whether you want luxury or value, I can narrow it down to the best 5–10 cruises to book online and compare prices.

You can book European river cruises online through either the cruise lines directly or through cruise comparison/booking sites. Here are some good places to start:

Direct with major river cruise lines

• vikingrivercruises.com — One of the largest European river cruise operators, with popular Rhine, Danube, Rhône, Seine, and Douro itineraries.
• avalonwaterways.com — Known for European river cruises with large panoramic windows and routes across France, Germany, Portugal, and Central Europe.
• amawaterways.com — Offers European cruises on rivers including the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Seine, and Douro.
• uniworld.com — Luxury-focused river cruises with European itineraries.
• tauck.com — Premium guided river journeys with included excursions and experiences.
• croisieuroperivercruises.com — A European river cruise specialist with routes including the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Loire, Rhône, and Douro.

Cruise comparison and booking sites

• europeanrivercruises.com — Lets you compare many river cruise companies, destinations, and deals.
• cruisecritic.com — Useful for comparing lines, reading reviews, and researching ships before booking.
• expedia.com — A general cruise marketplace that may include river cruise options.

Popular European river routes to search

• Danube — Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Salzburg-area excursions
• Rhine — Amsterdam, Cologne, castles, vineyards, Switzerland
• Douro — Portugal wine country (Porto and the Douro Valley)
• Seine — Paris and Normandy
• Rhône/Saône — Provence, Burgundy, French food and wine regions

Tips before booking

• Compare the same itinerary across multiple sites; prices can vary because of promotions or included extras.
• Check what is included: excursions, drinks, gratuities, airport transfers, and flights vary by company.
• Book early for spring tulip cruises and Christmas market cruises, which often sell out.
• Consider whether you prefer: - Luxury: Uniworld, Scenic, Tauck
• Good value: Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways
• More European/local feel: CroisiEurope

If you tell me your departure month, budget, trip length, and whether you prefer luxury vs. value, I can narrow it down to the best cruises to look at.

You can book European river cruises online through two main approaches: booking directly with the individual cruise lines that operate the ships, or using major online cruise-booking aggregators that let you compare multiple lines in one place.

1. Book Directly with Cruise Lines

Booking directly on a line's official site is usually the best way to secure line-specific promotions, loyalty perks, and complete customer service.

• • AmaWaterways : Known for high-end cuisine, wellness activities, and expansive fleet options across the Danube, Rhine, Douro, and more.
• • Emerald Cruises : Offers modern "Star-Ships" with contemporary amenities (like pools) and great value on iconic European waterways.
• • CroisiEurope : A massive European-based line known for offering some of the most budget-friendly and extensive itineraries across France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
• • Tauck : An upscale, premium operator specializing in heavily inclusive, expert-guided luxury river journeys.
• • A-ROSA : A popular German line offering flexible fare structures (including all-inclusive options) and family-friendly policies.

2. Use Online Cruise Aggregators & Agencies

If you want to compare prices, dates, and different cruise lines side-by-side:

• • CruiseDirect : A major online travel agency where you can search, filter, and securely book river cruise inventory across major lines like AmaWaterways and Emerald with added deals or credits.
• Costco Travel: If you are a Costco member, booking select river cruise lines through their portal often yields substantial digital Costco Shop Cards as a rebate.

To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:

• Which rivers or countries you want to visit (e.g., Rhine, Danube, Douro)
• Your preferred budget range or style (luxury vs. budget-friendly)
• When you are planning to travel

I can give you a more tailored recommendation!

You have several good options for booking European river cruises online. I’d start with directly with the cruise line, then compare prices/itineraries on a cruise marketplace.

Best places to book

• Viking River Cruises — One of the best-known choices, particularly for the Rhine, Danube, Rhône, Seine and Douro. Good if you want a polished, upscale experience.
• AmaWaterways — Excellent range of European itineraries and especially worth checking for food/wine-focused trips and active excursions. Its site currently has European sailings for 2026–2028.
• Avalon Waterways — A strong option if you like larger cabins and lots of itinerary choices. It covers the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle and other European rivers.
• Uniworld — More boutique/luxury-oriented, with highly designed ships and upscale experiences. It currently has 2026, 2027 and 2028 European departures available to explore.
• Tauck — Particularly good for an all-inclusive, highly guided trip with included experiences. Its European portfolio includes the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Seine and Douro.
• Cruise Critic — Useful for comparing multiple cruise lines, prices, reviews and itineraries before booking.
• Expedia Cruises — Another convenient place to compare and book cruises online.

My quick recommendation

If you're new to river cruising, I'd compare Viking + AmaWaterways + Avalon first. If you're looking for luxury, add Uniworld and Tauck.

And the river matters a lot:

• 🇩🇪🇳🇱 Rhine — castles, Germany, Amsterdam, wine
• 🇦🇹🇭🇺 Danube — Vienna, Budapest, Salzburg-area excursions
• 🇫🇷 Seine/Rhône — Paris, Normandy, Provence
• 🇵🇹 Douro — Portugal, vineyards and smaller towns

If you tell me your approximate budget, month/year, number of travelers, and whether you prefer luxury or value, I can narrow this down to the best 5–10 European river cruises to consider.

Here are top web results for exploring this topic:

Viking River Cruises·https://www.vikingrivercruises.com**European Cruises** – Explore Europe in Comfort | Viking®Discover Europe's iconic cities, historic castles and cathedrals, diverse cuisines and stunning scenery. Book your European cruise with Viking today. AmaWaterways·https://www.amawaterways.com**River Cruises** | AmaWaterways River Cruise Line Discover luxury river cruises with AmaWaterways. Celebrity Cruises·https://www.celebritycruises.com**European River Cruises** Explore Celebrity's European river cruises. Sail the Danube and Rhine and experience world-class big and small destinations in a whole new way. CruiseDirect.com·https://www.cruisedirect.com**Book European Cruises Online** at the Best Prices, Guaranteed Whether you want to experience interior Europe on a river cruise offered by one of the best European cruise lines or see magnificent ocean ports, when you book with CruiseDirect, you'll always get a g CroisiEurope River Cruises·https://www.croisieuroperivercruises.com CroisiEurope Cruises: CroisiEurope River Cruises | Nr 1 River ...Travel in Europe with the best river cruise line in Europe. Book your cruise on the official website and discover the beauty of France, Italy, Spain on a small ship cruise. Tauck·https://www.tauck.com**European River Cruises** : All Inclusive 2026/2027 | Tauck Our award-winning European River Cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Rhône & Seine offer access to exclusive cultural experiences you can't get on your own. ... Discover The World. Call us, or call y Avalon Waterways River Cruises·https://www.avalonwaterways.com Avalon Waterways River Cruises - Europe River Cruises Avalon's river cruises feature Suite Ships® with spacious Panorama Suites & wall-to-wall windows for spectacular views. Explore river cruises to Europe, Asia & more. Travel + Leisure·https://www.travelandleisure.com 15 of the Best River Cruises in Europe - Travel + Leisure A pioneer of European river cruising, Tauck is a family-owned travel firm offering tours and cruises to destinations worldwide. Its award-winning European river cruises are praised for personalized se Grand Circle Cruise Line·https://www.gct.com Grand Circle Cruise Line: River Cruises , Small Ship Cruises, & Land ...Discover Top River Cruises and Land Tours. River Cruises Land Tours. River Cruise · The Great Rivers of Europe. 16 Days. River Cruise · Romance of the Rhine & Mosel. 16 Days. River Cruise · The Seine: Gate 1 Travel·https://www.gate1travel.com**Europe River Cruise** | Danube River | Rhine River - Gate 1 Travel River Cruises. River Cruises. Watch Our Seine River Cruise Video! Reviews Watch Our Seine River Cruise Video! River Cruise Photo Gallery. Photo Gallery ; 16 Day Classic European River Cruise Book By A

You can book European river cruises online through the cruise lines directly or through cruise comparison/travel booking sites. Here are some good places to start:

Book directly with major European river cruise lines

• Viking River Cruises — One of the most recognized European river cruise operators, with many Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Seine, and Douro itineraries.
• AmaWaterways — Popular for Europe river cruises, including Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône, and Dutch & Belgian waterways.
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises — A luxury-focused river cruise line with European itineraries and highly inclusive packages.
• Avalon Waterways — Known for large panoramic windows and a broad selection of European river routes.
• Tauck River Cruises — Luxury river cruises combined with guided land experiences.

Compare multiple cruise lines in one place

• Cruise Critic — Reviews, comparisons, and cruise planning resources.
• CruiseDirect — Online cruise marketplace with many river cruise listings.
• Vacations To Go — Often useful for comparing fares and promotions.
• Expedia Cruises — Cruise booking through a large travel network.
• Travel + Leisure River Cruises — Useful for curated luxury travel ideas.

Popular European river routes to search

• Danube: Budapest → Vienna → Salzburg/Bratislava → Germany
• Rhine: Amsterdam → Cologne → Strasbourg → Basel
• Seine: Paris and Normandy
• Rhône/Saône: Burgundy and Provence
• Douro: Portugal wine country
• Moselle: Germany and Luxembourg

Tips before booking

• Compare what is included: excursions, drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, airfare, and hotel nights.
• Book early for Christmas market cruises and peak spring/summer sailings; popular departures can fill well in advance.
• If you are unsure which line fits, a travel advisor can sometimes get the same fares plus added perks, but booking direct is often simplest for comparing official offers.

If you tell me your budget, month of travel, number of travelers, and whether you prefer luxury vs. value, I can narrow down the best river cruise options.

You can book European river cruises directly through major cruise line websites or via specialized cruise booking platforms that let you compare multiple lines, itineraries, and deals in one place.

Specialized Cruise Booking Platforms

• Cruise Critic : Excellent for researching, reading real traveler reviews, and comparing various European river cruise operators before booking.
• CruiseCompete : Allows you to submit your desired European river cruise itinerary and receive competitive, custom price quotes from multiple travel agents.
• Vacations To Go : A major online discount cruise broker featuring a dedicated river cruise section with clearance rates and last-minute deals on European sailings.

Major River Cruise Lines

• Viking Cruises : The largest and most prominent river cruise line in Europe, offering extensive itineraries along the Rhine, Danube, Main, and Seine rivers.
• AmaWaterways : Known for luxury ships, active excursions, fine dining, and diverse routes spanning multiple major European waterways.
• Tauck River Cruising : Offers high-end, all-inclusive European river cruises that heavily emphasize immersive shore excursions and premium onboard experiences.

If you'd like, let me know:

• Which European rivers or destinations you want to visit (e.g., Danube, Rhine, France, or Portugal)
• Your preferred travel month or year
• What kind of vibe or budget you are looking for

I can help you narrow down the best cruise line and specific itinerary for your trip.

Booking a European river cruise online depends on whether you want to book directly with a specific cruise line or compare multiple operators through a cruise aggregator site.

Direct Cruise Line Websites

If you already know which cruise line fits your style and budget, you can research and book directly on their official platforms:

• AmaWaterways — Great for active excursions, wine-themed sailings, and luxury amenities.
• Viking River Cruises — The most well-known line for classic, cultural European itineraries.
• Avalon Waterways — Known for their signature Panorama Suites with beds facing the windows and flexible excursion styles.
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises — High-end, boutique luxury with distinct, stylized ship decor.
• Emerald Cruises — Modern ships featuring contemporary design and pool/infinity areas.
• CroisiEurope — A massive European operator offering extensive itineraries on French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese waterways.

Online Travel Agencies & Aggregators

If you want to compare prices, look for discounts, and review multiple cruise lines side-by-side:

• CruiseDirect — Offers robust online search tools with price guarantees and zero booking fees on major lines.
• Vacations To Go — A large cruise agency specializing in discounting river cruise lines and providing direct specialist support.
• TourRadar — Good for browsing packaged river cruise tours alongside other multi-day land excursions.

If you tell me your preferred destination river (like the Rhine, Danube, or Seine) and your budget or style (all-inclusive luxury vs. standard), I can help you narrow down the best line and itinerary.

You can book European river cruises directly online through cruise lines, cruise marketplaces, or travel agencies. The best option depends on whether you want to compare many lines or book directly with one operator.

Book directly with major river cruise companies

These are good if you already know the style of cruise you want:

• Viking River Cruises — One of the largest European river cruise operators, with many Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhône, and Douro itineraries.
• AmaWaterways — Known for European river itineraries, food-focused experiences, and active excursions.
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises — A luxury-focused option with European itineraries including the Rhine and Danube.
• Avalon Waterways — Popular for panoramic river-view cabins and European routes.
• Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours — Higher-end, often all-inclusive river cruises.
• Tauck River Cruises — Premium escorted river journeys.

Compare multiple cruise lines in one place

Useful if you are still deciding on route, dates, or budget:

• Cruise Critic River Cruises — Reviews, comparisons, and cruise information.
• Cruise.com — Search and compare many cruise operators.
• Vacations To Go River Cruises — Often useful for finding discounts and last-minute availability.

Travel agencies that specialize in cruises

A cruise-focused travel advisor can sometimes add perks (onboard credit, transfers, hotel nights) and help compare similar itineraries. Examples include:

• AAA Travel (if you are an AAA member)

Popular European river routes to search

• Danube: Budapest–Vienna–Bratislava–Germany (history, castles, Central Europe)
• Rhine: Amsterdam–Basel (castles, vineyards, Germany/France)
• Seine: Paris–Normandy (France, museums, D-Day sites)
• Douro: Portugal wine country
• Rhône/Saône: Southern France, Provence, food and wine

A good starting strategy is to compare the same itinerary (for example, “7-night Rhine cruise” or “8-night Danube cruise”) across Viking, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Avalon, and Scenic—prices can vary substantially even for similar routes.

If you tell me your departure month, budget per person, trip length, and whether you prefer luxury vs. value, I can narrow down the best booking sites and cruise lines.