The World's Best River Cruises 2025

Forbes

4 days ago

The World's Best River Cruises 2025 getty
G liding across the world's most scenic waterways, from emerald valleys of the Douro to floating markets of the Mekong, is an undeniable poetic journey where fairytale castles meet vine-draped cliffs, saffron-robed monks drift through incense-scented temples, and howler monkeys roar from the lush, steamy canopy of the Amazon . But with so many options, where to start? To help narrow your search, we spoke to the experts at rivercruising.co.uk to pin down the world's best river cruises for 2025—spanning the storybook rivers of Europe , the spiritual arteries of Asia , and the soulful currents of the Mississippi .
The Nile getty
Flowing over 4,100 miles from the heart of East Africa, the Nile marries ancient temples with sweeping desert sands, as Egyptian feluccas glide past palm-fringed villages and moonlit minarets. Typically cruising between Luxor and Aswan , you'll sail past the colossal columns of Karnak, the sphinx-lined avenue of Luxor Temple, and the haunting tombs of the Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun and Ramses II lie in eternal slumber. At Kom Ombo, a rare dual temple honors both Sobek (the crocodile god) and Horus (the falcon-headed deity), while Edfu's Temple stuns with its towering pylons and mythic carvings. South in Aswan, you'll see Nubian villages, slender papyrus boats bobbing in the shallows, and the Temple of Philae, devoted to Isis, rising from the water like a mirage. Pre and post-extensions also offer the opportunity for bucket-list ticking from the iconic Pyramids of Giza to the Valley of the Kings.
Join Viking 's 11-night Pharaohs and Pyramids round-trip from Cairo, from $6,499 per person, including a pre-stay in Cairo, Luxor flights, all meals, wine, beer, and soft drinks (with lunch and dinner), and 11 guided tours led by a dedicated Egyptologist. To book, head to viking.com . For UK enquiries and fares, please call 0800 319 66 60. Forbes The World's Best River Cruise Lines, According To Globe Travel Awards By Lewis Nunn
The Moselle getty
Winding through Germany, France, and Luxembourg—the Moselle meanders past vine-laced hills and fairytale villages—each bend revealing half-timbered houses, sun-dappled vineyards, and medieval market squares. River cruises start in Koblenz before winding past picturesque towns like Cochem, watched over by the turreted Reichsburg Castle—and Bernkastell-Kues, a wine-lover's haven, home to the iconic Spitzhäuschen. In Trier, Germany's oldest city, Roman ruins, such as the Porta Nigra and imperial baths, blend seamlessly with baroque palaces and centuries-old scholarly libraries. While the Moselle Valley is also one of Europe's most celebrated Riesling regions—with steep slate-covered vineyards where you can sip crisp, golden-hued Riesling in candlelit cellars.
Join Riverside Luxury Cruises' 13-day Moselle Mosaic with Middle & Upper Rhine , from $9,600 per person onboard Riverside Debussy in a Symphony Suite—including all meals and soft drinks. Alcoholic drinks packages, excursions, and transfers are not included. To book, visit riverside-cruises.com. 3. The Mekong
The Mekong getty
Winding nearly 3,000 miles from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea, the mighty Mekong is Southeast Asia's lifeblood—a wild, ancient waterway that pulses through six countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. A river cruise along its lush lower reaches, between Vietnam and Cambodia, unlocks a realm of floating villages, blessings from saffron-robed monks, and rice paddies that shimmer like mirrors. You'll glide past stilted bamboo homes, water buffaloes wallowing on muddy banks, and children waving from dugout canoes. In Phnom Penh, Cambodia's energetic capital, golden spires of the Royal Palace gleam above the river, while visits to the Killing Fields reveal the city's somber history. In Vietnam, the pace shifts—hop aboard a colorful xe-loi (trishaw), explore bustling silk-weaving workshops, and watch skilled locals craft rattan mats by hand. How To Do It
Join Aqua Expedition's 4-night Aqua Mekong Explorer Cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, from $6,200 per person, including all meals, selected premium wines and beer, and twice-daily excursions with local guides. To book, visit aquaexpeditions.com. 4. The Douro
The Douro getty
Snaking 620 miles from Porto to the Spanish town of Duruelo de la Sierra—the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley offers graceful gliding through Portugal's most poetic landscapes of the 'River of Gold'—where terraced vineyards tumble down emerald hillsides and rabelo boats drift past sleepy villages wrapped in morning mist. Passing through five dramatic locks, you'll embark on a mighty Portuguese odyssey ticking off sights from the glorious Mateus Palace to the hilltop Castelo Rodrigo, slipping under the soaring iron arches of the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, and sampling some of Portugal's finest Port wines in their birthplace, at storied vineyards—or 'quintas'—like Sandeman-owned Quinta do Seixo . How To Do It
Join Scenic 's eight-day Delightful Douro sailing from $4,495 per person, including airport transfers, Freechoice and Enrich excursions, butler service, WiFi, gratuities, all meals, and premium beverages. To book, visit scenicusa.com. Read More: Forbes Why A Douro River Cruise Is The Best Way To See Portugal By Lewis Nunn 5. The Mississippi
French Quarter, New Orleans getty
Flowing over 2,300 miles from the forested lakes of Minnesota to the jazz-fuelled streets of New Orleans, the Mississippi is America's greatest storyteller—cutting through ten states from Minnesota to Louisiana . It's a rich tapestry of Southern charm, where paddlewheelers glide past Civil War battlefields, antebellum mansions, and blues-soaked river towns. In the Upper Mississippi , expect eagle sightings and stops in cities like Hannibal—Mark Twain's boyhood home. Further south, however, the Lower Mississippi reveals the grandeur of Natchez with its columned mansions and the vibrant rhythms of Memphis, birthplace of rock 'n' roll and home of Graceland . River cruises typically begin or end in New Orleans—pulsing with live jazz spilling out from French Quarter balconies—meanwhile, along the way, you'll sip sweet tea beneath magnolia trees, watch the mist rise over the bayou at dawn, and visit solemn plantation estates for deep reflection. How To Do It
Join American Cruise Lines ' 9-day Lower Mississippi River cruise between Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana, from $4,295 per person, including a pre-stay, all meals, all alcoholic drinks (including premium wines and beer), daily shore excursions, WiFi, and more. To book, visit americancruiselines.com. 6. The Rhône
The Rhône getty
Carving a path through some of France's most evocative landscapes—the Rhône is where lavender becomes a brushstroke across undulating fields, vineyards cling to limestone hills, and Roman ruins rise from charming riverside towns. It's a journey through Provence's soul, sailing between Lyon and Avignon, as you pass medieval villages, Gothic cathedrals, and world-renowned wine regions like Châteauneuf-du-Pape . In Lyon, France's gastronomic capital, stroll down cobbled lanes to find bouchons serving rich coq au vin and creamy quenelles. Further south, Arles dazzles with its Roman amphitheatre—the same city where Van Gogh produced some of his most famous works, including Starry Night Over the Rhône and The Bedroom in Arles . Wildlife lovers? The Rhône spills into the wild Camargue delta, where white horses gallop through salt marshes, flamingos strike poses in pink lagoons, and black bulls roam freely beneath the vast Provençal sky. How To Do It
Join CroisiEurope's 6-night Lyon to the Tip of Provence cruise, from $1,749 per person, including all meals, drinks, and excursions. To book, visit croisieuroperivercruises.com. Read More: Forbes Is This The World's Most Expensive Cruise? By Lewis Nunn 7. The Ganges
The Ganges getty
From the icy reaches of the Himalayas to the palm-fringed shores of the Bay of Bengal, the Ganges puts you at the beating heart of India's spiritual soul. Revered as Ganga Mata (Mother Ganges), floating along this sacred river—particularly its Lower reaches near Kolkata—offers a rare window into India's layered past. You'll glide past faded colonial-era towns, crumbling terracotta temples, and pilgrim-packed ghats, where saffron-robed monks chant and families gather to cremate loved ones in hopes of moksha (spiritual liberation). In Kalna, rickshaw rides weave through narrow lanes to its famed 108 Shiva temples, while in Mayapur, the global headquarters of ISKCON (Hare Krishna) hums with chanting devotees and towering temple domes. Further upstream, in Murshidabad , you'll uncover the regal Hazarduari Palace and the historic Katra Mosque—or just sit back on deck and gaze at river dolphins, softshell turtles, and gharial crocodiles gliding silently along this uber-spiritual river. How To Do It
Join Uniworld's 12-night India's Golden Triangle & The Sacred Ganges voyage from New Delhi to Kolkata, from $5,879 per person including all meals, unlimited beverages (including fine wines & spirits), daily excursions, airport transfers, and WiFi. To book, visit uniworld.com. 8. The Seine
The Seine in Paris getty
Winding through the romantic heart of northern France, the Seine— from its crystalline source in Burgundy to its mouth at the English Channel —glides past sun-dappled apple orchards, dramatic chalk cliffs, and storybook half-timbered villages. Most Seine cruises begin in Paris, offering front-row access to world-famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral . Meanwhile, downstream, you'll meander through Normandy's rolling countryside with stops at Monet's dreamy gardens in Giverny, the cobbled medieval streets of Rouen, and the haunting D-Day beaches near C aen. You'll also pass Château Gaillard —Richard the Lionheart's craggy hilltop fortress and arrive in Honfleur, a harbor town known for its slate-roofed houses and café-lined quays— beloved by Impressionist painters like Boudin and Monet . How To Do It
Join Viking's 7-night Paris & the Heart of Normandy voyage, from $2,799 per person, including all meals, WiFi, wine, beer, and soft drinks (with lunch and dinner) and six guided tours. To book, visit viking.com . For UK enquiries and fares, please call 0800 319 66 60. Read More: Forbes The World's Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According To Globe Travel Awards By Lewis Nunn 9. The Amazon
The Amazon getty
Stretching over 4,000 miles from the majestic Peruvian Andes to the Atlantic Ocean, the Amazon is a snaking lifeline through the world's largest rainforest—a labyrinth of gnarled vines, glittering oxbow lakes, and mirror-like lagoons. Here, pink river dolphins leap through blackwater tributaries, howler monkeys roar from the canopy, and giant water lilies unfurl like floating dinner plates beneath the jungle's cathedral-like trees. River cruises typically launch from Peru or Brazil, where sleek, low-slung river ships glide past floating villages, stilted huts, and wildlife-rich lagoons. Excursions? Think misty skiff rides at dawn, torchlit caiman spotting beneath star-strewn skies, jungle hikes led by indigenous guides, and adrenaline-tinged piranha fishing in secluded, root-wrapped creeks. Or, you might even encounter ribereños —the river's native communities—who share ancient medicinal plant wisdom passed down through generations. How To Do It
Join G Adventures' 9-day Amazon Riverboat in Depth round-trip from Lima, from $3,799 per person, including daily excursions, internal flights, and most meals. International flights, drinks, and gratuities are not included. To book, visit gadventures.com 10. The Rhine
The Rhine getty
Flowing from the glacial peaks of the Swiss Alps to the windswept coastlines of the North Sea, the Rhine threads its way through storied medieval fortresses, vineyard-cloaked slopes, and majestic cathedral cities—carving six countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Between Strasbourg and Koblenz, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers one of Europe's most cinematic stretches—where gothic castles perch above vine-streaked cliffs like stone crowns and the river curls beneath the fabled Lorelei Rock , home to age-old legends of treacherous sirens and shipwrecks. Opt for a river cruise here and you'll drift past Bacharach's turreted skyline, Rüdesheim's cobbled alleyways, and sweeping vineyards that birth Germany's most elegant Rieslings. How To Do It
APT 8-day highlights of the Rhine and Main voyages start from $2,542—including all meals, an unlimited selection of cocktails, premium spirits, champagne, wine, beer, and soft drinks; experiences, transfers, and gratuities. For more information, visit aptouring.com. Read More: Forbes The Ultimate Guide To South Africa Cruises By Lewis Nunn 11. The Chobe
Chobe National Park in Botswana getty
Along the remote border of Botswana and Namibia, the Chobe is one of Africa's most thrilling waterways—with a front-row seat to nature's grandest spectacles: think elephants bathing at sunset, hippos yawning in the shallows, and sleek crocodiles basking on golden sandbanks. Cruises typically begin near Kasane, gateway to Chobe National Park—home to one of the largest elephant populations on Earth—while on the river, you'll drift past floodplains teeming with buffalo, leaping antelope, and a kaleidoscope of over 450 bird species, from majestic African fish eagles to the mysterious Pel's fishing owl. Excursions? Think game drives, sunset cruises, and visits to gems like Impalila Island —where tribal traditions offer a glimpse into local life. Whether you're sipping a sundowner as elephants gracefully cross the river or spotting rare birds from a skiff at dawn, the Chobe is—simply put—a wildlife safari by water. How To Do It
Join AmaWaterways' 9-night Discover Africa voyage, from $12,045 per person, with 3 nights in Cape Town, a 4-night Chobe River wildlife cruise, and 2 nights at Victoria Falls (including luxury lodges, game drives, and river safaris). This fare includes all meals, guided excursions, and internal flights. To book, visit amawaterways.com. 12. The Elbe
The Elbe getty
Stretching nearly 700 miles from the Czech Republic's mist-shrouded Krkonoše Mountains to the North Sea, the Elbe is less trafficked than its European siblings—offering a quieter journey through baroque cities, vineyard-cloaked hills, and fairytale fortresses. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve , it is home to white-tailed eagles, beavers, and migrating cranes, with floodplain meadows and wetlands in abundance. Cruising between Prague and Hamburg, you'll pass through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains—known as Saxon Switzerland —where jagged rock spires rise above pine forests and misty gorges. While stops include Dresden , once dubbed the 'Florence of the Elbe', with its rococo palaces and ornate domes, and Wittenberg , where you'll walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther. How To Do It
Join VIVA Cruises' 7-night Adventcruise from Berlin to Prague, from $2,145 per person, including all meals, a selection of premium wines and beer, and one 'high tea' experience per trip. To book, head to viva-cruises.com. 13. The Magdalena
Magdalena getty
Spilling northward for almost 950 miles from the misty Andean highlands to the sun-kissed shores of the Caribbean, the Magdalena is Colombia's ancient artery of trade. Departing from Cartagena or bustling Barranquilla, you'll glide past tangled mangrove forests and banana plantations, pausing in storied towns like Palenque , a UNESCO-recognized 'free town' founded by escaped slaves, and Mompox —where masterful filigree artisans craft intricate gold jewelry by hand. In El Banco, birthplace of jubilant cumbia music, you'll be serenaded by local performers in embroidered costumes, while in Nueva Venecia , you'll drift through a floating village where homes, schools, and churches rise on stilts above the water. The Magdalena is also a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike—so keep watch for scarlet ibises, river dolphins, and the elusive blue-billed curassow amid its thriving wetlands. How To Do It
Join AmaWaterways' 7-night Wonders of Colombia River voyage along the Magdalena River, from $3,089 per person, including all meals, wine and beer (with lunch and dinner), a daily cocktail hour, and small-group excursions. To book, visit amawaterways.com. Read More: Forbes Meet The President Of AmaWaterways By Lewis Nunn 14. The Garonne and Dordogne
Dordogne Valley getty
In the heart of southwestern France, the Garonne and Dordogne form the majestic Gironde Estuary—dotted with fairytale châteaux aplenty, where UNESCO-listed towns unfold in slow, elegant succession. River cruises typically begin in Bordeaux , a city of neoclassical grandeur, with café-lined boulevards, leafy promenades, and 347 protected buildings, where the opulent Place de la Bourse shimmers and the Cité du Vin offers a deep dive into wine heritage. On the way, you'll glide past Cadillac's medieval streets, Blaye's formidable Vauban citadel, and the vineyard-laced slopes of Pauillac, home to legendary wine estates like Château Lafite Rothschild . Highlights? Think Sauternes for golden dessert wines, Arcachon Bay for oysters, and Saint-Émilion 's limestone catacombs. How To Do It
Join Avalon Waterways' 8-day Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux Wineries and Charming Villages voyage, from $4209 per person, including all meals, regional wines and beers (at meal times—plus a daily 'happy hour'), and excursions. To book, visit avalonwaterways.com. 15. The Danube
The Danube getty
Flowing 1,770 miles from Germany's Black Forest to the Black Sea, the Danube is Central Europe's cultural spine—threading through ten countries and four historic capitals—Vienna ( Austria ), Bratislava ( Slovakia ), Budapest ( Hungary ), and Belgrade ( Serbia ). River cruises often start in Budapest, where the river splits the city in two— Buda and Pest —offering postcard-perfect views of the iconic Hungarian Parliament , Chain Bridge , and turreted Buda Castle . In Austria, however, the river glides through the Wachau Valley —a utopia of terraced vineyards, romantic hilltop castles, and blooming apricot orchards, where you can sip crisp Grüner Veltliner in candlelit cellars. In Germany, medieval towns like Regensburg and Passau brim with Gothic spires, storybook townhouses, and charming cobbled squares, while the grand Melk Abbey dazzles with its golden frescoes. Further east, you'll cut through the mighty Iron Gates Gorge , where towering limestone cliffs rise above swirling sapphire waters—one of the great wonders of the world. How To Do It
Join Amadeus River Cruises' 7-night Classical Danube Cruise from Budapest to Passau, from $2,454 per person, including all meals, wine and beer (with lunch and dinner). To book, visit amadeus-rivercruises.com. Read More: Forbes The Best Danube River Cruises For 2025, According To Experts By Lewis Nunn Forbes The World's Best River Cruise Lines, According To Globe Travel Awards By Lewis Nunn Forbes Why A Douro River Cruise Is The Best Way To See Portugal By Lewis Nunn Forbes Is This The World's Most Expensive Cruise? By Lewis Nunn Forbes The World's Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According To Globe Travel Awards By Lewis Nunn Forbes The Ultimate Guide To South Africa Cruises By Lewis Nunn Forbes Meet The President Of AmaWaterways By Lewis Nunn