Cruise Line Comparison
AmaWaterways vs Viking vs Tauck vs Scenic vs Riverside
By Melissa Yetter, CLIA Certified Cruise Counselor | Cruisin Couple Travel Agency
Five of the finest river cruise lines in Europe, compared side by side on price, inclusions, cabin types, and itineraries. Pricing shown is a typical per-person range for a 7-night sailing in a standard category and varies by season, ship, and promotion — a specialist can often secure better-than-published rates and exclusive amenities.
| Line | Price Range | Inclusions | Cabin Types | Signature Itineraries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmaWaterwaysFoodies and active travelers who want luxury with energy. | $$$$ — roughly $4,500–$8,000 per person for a 7-night sailing | All meals including The Chef's Table specialty restaurant, wine/beer/soft drinks with lunch and dinner, daily excursions with active hiking and cycling options, Wi-Fi, and a wellness program. | Known for twin-balcony staterooms (French balcony plus full step-out balcony). Suites up to 710 sq ft on AmaMagna. | Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhone, Seine, Douro, plus Christmas markets, wine-themed and golf-themed departures. |
| VikingFirst-time river cruisers who value consistency and cultural depth. | $$$ — roughly $3,500–$6,000 per person for a 7-night sailing | One shore excursion in every port, Wi-Fi, wine/beer/soft drinks with meals, port charges, and cultural enrichment programming. Airfare packages frequently bundled. | Scandinavian design; veranda staterooms and French balconies. Explorer Suites at the stern are among the largest on the rivers. | The broadest schedule in river cruising — Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhone, Douro, Elbe, plus extensive Christmas market departures. |
| TauckDiscerning couples who want everything handled and exclusive access. | $$$$$ — roughly $6,000–$10,000+ per person for a 7-night sailing | The most fully inclusive model: virtually all shore excursions (many exclusive or after-hours), all gratuities, most beverages including premium spirits, and airport transfers. | Innovative loft-design staterooms on lower decks; 300 sq ft suites on upper decks. Fewer, larger cabins per ship than most lines. | Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Seine, Douro — with signature exclusive-access experiences ashore that other lines cannot match. |
| ScenicTravelers who want genuine all-inclusive luxury with butler service. | $$$$–$$$$$ — roughly $5,000–$9,000 per person for a 7-night sailing | Truly all-inclusive: butler service in every suite, all beverages including top-shelf spirits, all gratuities, Scenic Freechoice excursions, and e-bikes. | All-balcony suites with Scenic Sun Lounge systems that convert the balcony into an enclosed glass lounge at the touch of a button. | Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhone, Seine, Douro, plus Bordeaux sailings and Christmas markets. |
| Riverside Luxury CruisesTravelers who prioritize space, quiet, and highly personalized service. | $$$$$ — roughly $6,000–$11,000 per person for a 7-night sailing | Gourmet dining across multiple venues, premium beverages, excursions, gratuities, and butler service. Fewer guests per ship than nearly any competitor. | Among the most spacious on the rivers — all-suite ships with oversized staterooms and a notably high crew-to-guest ratio. | Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Seine, and Moselle, with a focus on classic routes done at an unhurried, boutique pace. |
AmaWaterways
Foodies and active travelers who want luxury with energy.
- Price range
- $$$$ — roughly $4,500–$8,000 per person for a 7-night sailing
- Inclusions
- All meals including The Chef's Table specialty restaurant, wine/beer/soft drinks with lunch and dinner, daily excursions with active hiking and cycling options, Wi-Fi, and a wellness program.
- Cabin types
- Known for twin-balcony staterooms (French balcony plus full step-out balcony). Suites up to 710 sq ft on AmaMagna.
- Itineraries
- Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhone, Seine, Douro, plus Christmas markets, wine-themed and golf-themed departures.
Viking
First-time river cruisers who value consistency and cultural depth.
- Price range
- $$$ — roughly $3,500–$6,000 per person for a 7-night sailing
- Inclusions
- One shore excursion in every port, Wi-Fi, wine/beer/soft drinks with meals, port charges, and cultural enrichment programming. Airfare packages frequently bundled.
- Cabin types
- Scandinavian design; veranda staterooms and French balconies. Explorer Suites at the stern are among the largest on the rivers.
- Itineraries
- The broadest schedule in river cruising — Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhone, Douro, Elbe, plus extensive Christmas market departures.
Tauck
Discerning couples who want everything handled and exclusive access.
- Price range
- $$$$$ — roughly $6,000–$10,000+ per person for a 7-night sailing
- Inclusions
- The most fully inclusive model: virtually all shore excursions (many exclusive or after-hours), all gratuities, most beverages including premium spirits, and airport transfers.
- Cabin types
- Innovative loft-design staterooms on lower decks; 300 sq ft suites on upper decks. Fewer, larger cabins per ship than most lines.
- Itineraries
- Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Seine, Douro — with signature exclusive-access experiences ashore that other lines cannot match.
Scenic
Travelers who want genuine all-inclusive luxury with butler service.
- Price range
- $$$$–$$$$$ — roughly $5,000–$9,000 per person for a 7-night sailing
- Inclusions
- Truly all-inclusive: butler service in every suite, all beverages including top-shelf spirits, all gratuities, Scenic Freechoice excursions, and e-bikes.
- Cabin types
- All-balcony suites with Scenic Sun Lounge systems that convert the balcony into an enclosed glass lounge at the touch of a button.
- Itineraries
- Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhone, Seine, Douro, plus Bordeaux sailings and Christmas markets.
Riverside Luxury Cruises
Travelers who prioritize space, quiet, and highly personalized service.
- Price range
- $$$$$ — roughly $6,000–$11,000 per person for a 7-night sailing
- Inclusions
- Gourmet dining across multiple venues, premium beverages, excursions, gratuities, and butler service. Fewer guests per ship than nearly any competitor.
- Cabin types
- Among the most spacious on the rivers — all-suite ships with oversized staterooms and a notably high crew-to-guest ratio.
- Itineraries
- Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Seine, and Moselle, with a focus on classic routes done at an unhurried, boutique pace.
Still deciding? That is exactly what a specialist is for.
Melissa has personally inspected ships across these fleets and can match you to the right line, ship, and cabin — often with pricing and amenities you will not find online.