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Find the Right River Cruise:

River Cruise Comparisons

by Murray Lundberg

Updated December 12, 2010

    Welcome to the world of river cruising. While ocean cruises lines can fairly easily be categorized by level (Luxury, Premium, Contemporary/Standard) and each line works to develop a distinct personality, those distinctions are not as clear with river cruise companies.

    The comparison that follows takes into account the full range of factors that influence passenger satisfaction, and also comments made by past passengers on online forums such as CruiseCritic and others. Comments about river cruise comparisons are always welcome on The Cruise Explorer blog.

    Prices quoted are per person, per day (pp/pd) with the variations dependent on specific itinerary, which may or may not be an indication of the length of the cruise (a short cruise may not be higher pp/pd than a long cruise with the same company). Note that some prices are in Euros - € 100 is equal to about $130 US. When comparing cruises, understanding what is included in the price is a major consideration in making accurate comparsions.

    In a continuation of this article, I'll try to make the comparison easier by comparing apples with apples as much as that's possible. The river cruises that I'm using are 13-15 day cruises that feature the Danube River, with French-balcony cabins where possible. Click here to see that article.

Luxury - Tauck World Discovery; Premicon Queen, Scenic Tours; Abercrombie & Kent

• Tauck World Discovery
  - Europe
  - 3 boats in Europe: 11-24 days ($322-449 pp/pd) plus 8-day Christmas sailings
  • ms Swiss Jewel - launched in 2009; 361 feet long, 118 passengers, 29 mostly European crew
  • ms Swiss Sapphire - launched in 2008; 361 feet long, 118 passengers, 29 mostly European crew
  • ms Swiss Emerald - launched in 2006; 361 feet long, 118 passengers, 29 mostly European crew
  - "luxury riverboats exclusively designed for American travelers"
  
  
• Premicon Queen
  - Europe
  - 1 boat in Europe: 4-9 days (€ 287-335 pp/pd) plus 5-7 day winter sailings
  • Premicon Queen - launched in 2010, 442.9 feet long, 37.4 feet wide, 102 passengers, 58 crew
    - 3 cabin categories: Junior Suite (194 sqft); Deluxe Suite (237 sq ft); Queen Suite (323 sq ft)
  
  
• Scenic Tours
  - Europe
  - 5 boats in Europe: 8-30 days ($308-408 pp/pd)
  • Scenic Pearl - launches in 2011; 443 feet long, 169 passengers, 48 crew
  • Scenic Diamond - launched in 2009; 443 feet long, 169 passengers, 48 crew
  • Scenic Ruby - launched in 2009; 443 feet long, 169 passengers, 48 crew
  • Scenic Emerald - launched in 2008; 443 feet long, 169 passengers, 48 crew
  • Scenic Sapphire - launched in 2008; 443 feet long, 169 passengers, 48 crew
  
  
• Abercrombie & Kent
  - Europe
  - 1 boat in Europe: 8 days ($296-422 pp/pd)
  • MV River Cloud II - launched in 2001, 338 feet long, 32 feet wide, 88 passengers, 35 crew
  - 28 luxury river barges in Europe, for 4-22 passengers

Premium - Uniworld, AMA Waterways

• Uniworld
  - Europe, Russia, Egypt, China
  - 11 boats in Europe: 8-31 days ($247-387 pp/pd) plus 8-13 day winter sailings
  • SS Antoinette - launches in 2011, 443 feet long x 37.5 feet wide, 164 passengers
  • Douro Spirit - launches in 2011, 245 feet long x 37 feet wide, 128 passengers
  • River Beatrice - launched in 2009, 410 feet long x 37.5 feet wide, 160 passengers
  • River Duchess - launched in 2003 (refurbished in 2009), 360 feet long x 55 feet wide, 134 passengers
  • River Countess - launched in 2003 (refurbished in 2007), 360 feet long x 37.5 feet wide, 134 passengers
  • River Royale - launched in 2006, 361 feet long x 37.5 feet wide, 132 passengers
  • River Empress - launched in 2001, 360 feet long x 37.5 feet wide, 134 passengers
  • River Princess - launched in 2001, 360 feet long x 37.5 feet wide, 132 passengers
  • River Queen - launched in 1999, 361 feet long x 37.5 feet wide, 132 passengers
  • River Baroness - launched in 1994, 361 feet long x 37.5 feet wide, 128 passengers
  • River Ambassador - launched in 1993, 361 feet long x 37.5 feet wide, 128 passengers
  - 1 boat in Russia: 13 days ($254-285 pp/pd)
  • River Victoria - launched in 2011, 423 feet long x 55 feet wide, 206 passengers
  - 2 boats in Egypt: 8-12 days ($262-400 pp/pd)
  • River Tosca - launched in 2009, 236 feet long, 82 passengers
  • Prince Abbas - launched in 1998, 280 feet long, 140 passengers
  - 3 boats in China: 8-18 days ($197-318 pp/pd)
  • Victoria Jenna - launched in 2009, 348 feet long, 378 passengers
  • Victoria Anna - launched in 2006, 348 feet long, 308 passengers
  • Victoria Prince - launched in 2004, 294 feet long, 206 passengers
  
  
• AMA Waterways
  - Europe, Russia, Southeast Asia
  - 10 boats in Europe: 8-18 days ($222-350 pp/pd)
  • ms AmaVerde - launches in 2011, 443 feet long, 38 feet wide, 162 passengers, 49 European crew
  • ms AmaBella - launched in 2010, 443 feet long, 38 feet wide, 162 passengers, 49 European crew
  • ms AmaDolce - launched in 2009, 360 feet long, 38 feet wide, 140 passengers, 41 European crew
  • ms AmaLyra - launched in 2009, 360 feet long, 38 feet wide, 140 passengers, 41 European crew
  • ms AmaDante - launched in 2008, 360 feet long, 38 feet wide, 140 passengers, 41 European crew
  • ms AmaCello - launched in 2008, 360 feet long, 38 feet wide, 140 passengers, 41 European crew
  • ms AmaLegro - launched in 2007, 360 feet long, 38 feet wide, 140 passengers, 41 European crew
  • ms AmaDagio - launched in 2006, 360 feet long, 38 feet wide, 140 passengers, 41 European crew
  • ms Amadouro - launched in 2005, 255 feet long, 36 feet wide, 130 passengers, 30 crew
  • ms Swiss Pearl - launched in 1993 (renovated in 2006), 122 passengers
  - 2 boats in Russia: 12 days ($275-283 pp/pd)
  • ms AmaKatarina - reconstructed in 2010, 212 passengers
  • ms Tolstoy - renovated in 2006, 353 feet long, 160 passengers
  - 2 boats in Southeast Asia: 8 days ($200-312 pp/pd)
  • ms La Marguerite - launched in 2009, 235 feet long x 41 feet wide, 92 passengers
  • ms AmaLotus - launches in 2011, 302 feet long, 124 passengers

Contemporary - Viking, Vantage, Avalon, GCT (Grand Circle)

• Viking River Cruises
  - Europe, Russia & the Ukraine, Egypt, China, Southeast Asia
  - 14 boats in Europe: 8-23 days ($144-435 pp/pd)
  • Viking Prestige - launches in 2011, 443 feet long, 188 passengers, 58 international crew
  • Viking Legend - launched in 2009, 443 feet long, 189 passengers, 50 international crew
  • Viking Danube - 360 feet long, 150 passengers, 35 international crew
  • Viking Fontane - launched in 1991 (refurbished in 2010), 311 feet long, 110 passengers, 35 international crew
  • Viking Helvetia - refurbished in 2006, 433 feet long, 198 passengers, 44 international crew
  • Viking Sun - refurbished in 2006, 433 feet long, 198 passengers, 44 international crew
  • Viking Schumann - launched 1991 (refurbished 2001), 311 feet long, 124 passengers, 28 international crew
  • Viking Sky - launched 1999, 360 feet long, 150 passengers, 35 international crew
  • Viking Neptune - launched in 2001, 375 feet long, 150 passengers, 40 international crew
  • Viking Pride - launched in 2001, 375 feet long, 150 passengers, 40 international crew
  • Viking Spirit - launched in 2001, 375 feet long, 150 passengers, 40 international crew
  • Viking Europe - launched in 2001, 375 feet long, 150 passengers, 40 international crew
  • Viking Primadonna - launched in 1998, 372 feet long, 148 passengers, 42 international crew
  • ms Symphony - 146 passengers
  - 6 boats in Russia & the Ukraine: 12-13 days ($200-384 pp/pd)
  • Viking Pakhomov - launches in 2011, 433 feet long, 212 passengers, 114 internationa crew
  • Viking Kirov - launched in 1987 (refurbished in 2009), 423 feet long, 210 passengers, 114 internationa crew
  • Viking Surkov - launched in 1984 (refurbished in 2008), 423 feet long, 210 passengers, 114 internationa crew
  • Viking Peterhof - renovated in 2007
  • Viking Pakhomov - launched in 1990 (renovated in 2010-11), 423 feet long, 210 passengers, 114 internationa crew
  • Viking Lomonosov - (refurbished in 2003 and refitted in 2010-11), 423 feet long, 202 passengers, 110 internationa crew
  - 3 boats in Egypt: 9-12 days ($291-375 pp/pd)
  • Prince Abbas - launched in 1998 (renovated in 2007)
  • Royal Lily - launched in 2007, 120 passengers
  • Royal Lotus - launched in 2005, 244 feet long, 120 passengers, 70 international crew
  - 1 boat in China: 12-17 days ($225-283 pp/pd)
  • Viking Emerald - launches in 2011, 264 passengers
  - 1 boat in Southeast Asia: 15 days ($246-313 pp/pd)
  • rv Tonle - launched in 2002, 66 passengers
  
  
• Vantage Deluxe World Travel
  - Europe
  - 3 owned boats ($ pp/pd):
  • ms River Explorer - launched in 2001 (refurbished in 2008), 360 feet long, 140 passengers, 36 crew
  • ms River Odyssey - launched in 2002 (refurbished in 2007), 410 feet long, 170 passengers, 40 crew
  • ms River Navigator - launched in 2000 (refurbished in 2006), 410 feet long, 170 passengers, 40 crew
  - 4 charter vessels:
  • ms Douro Cruiser - launched in 2008, 254 feet long x 37 feet wide, 130 passengers
  • ms Douro Prince - launched in 2002, 187 feet long x 30 feet wide, 48 passengers, 16 crew
  • ms Rembrandt - launched in 2003, 270 feet long x 31 feet wide, 72 passengers
  • ms Tolstoy - renovated in 2006, 353 feet long x 50 feet wide, 160 passengers
  
  
• Avalon Waterways
  - Europe, Egypt, China, Galapagos
  - 9 boats in Europe ($224-356 pp/pd)
  • Avalon Panorama - launches in 2011, 443 feet long, 166 passengers, 47 crew
  • Avalon Felicity - launched in 2010, 361 feet long, 138 passengers, 39 crew
  • Avalon Luminary - launched in 2010, 361 feet long, 138 passengers, 39 crew
  • Avalon Affinity - launched in 2009, 361 feet long, 138 passengers, 39 crew
  • Avalon Creativity - launched in 2009, 361 feet long, 140 passengers, 39 crew
  • Avalon Scenery - launched in 2008, 361 feet long, 138 passengers, 39 crew
  • Avalon Tranquility - launched in 2007, 443 feet long, 170 passengers, 43 crew
  • Avalon Imagery - launched in 2007, 443 feet long, 170 passengers, 43 crew
  • Avalon Tapestry - launched in 2006, 443 feet long, 160 passengers, 43 crew
  - 1 boat in Egypt: 9-11 days ($255-337 pp/pd)
  • Royal Lotus - launched in 2005, 244 feet long, 120 passengers, 70 international crew
  - 2 boats in China: 11-23 days ($257-286 pp/pd)
  • Victoria Anna - launched in 2006, 348 feet long, 308 passengers
  • Victoria Jenna - launched in 2009, 348 feet long, 378 passengers
  - 1 boat in the Galapagos: 9-17 days ($372-392 pp/pd)
  • Santa Cruz - launched in 1998, 237 feet long, 88 passengers, 52 crew
  
  
• Grand Circle Travel
  - Europe, Russia, China
  - 10 boats in Europe: 12-28 days ($137-284 pp/pd) plus 9-12 day winter sailings
  • River Allegro - launched in 1991 (renovated in 2010-11), 320 feet long x 36 feet wide, 90 passengers, 29 international crew
  • River Adagio - launched in 2003, 418 feet long x 38 feet wide, 164 passengers, 38 international crew
  • Bizet - launched in 2002, 366 feet long x 38 feet wide, 120 passengers, 33 international crew
  • River Aria - launched in 2001, 418 feet long x 38 feet wide, 164 passengers, 38 international crew
  • River Concerto - launched in 2000, 366 feet long x 38 feet wide, 140 passengers, 34 international crew
  • Provence - launched in 2000, 292 feet long x 31 feet wide, 46 passengers, 14 international crew
  • River Harmony - launched in 1999, 366 feet long x 38 feet wide, 140 passengers, 34 international crew
  • River Melody - launched in 1999, 366 feet long x 38 feet wide, 140 passengers, 34 international crew
  • River Rhapsody - launched in 1999, 366 feet long x 38 feet wide, 140 passengers, 34 international crew
  • Chardonnay - launched in 1999, 260 feet long x 28 feet wide, 46 passengers, 14 international crew
  - 2 boats in Russia: 16 days ($181-190 pp/pd)
  • ms Rossia - refurbished in 2005, 425 feet long x 54 feet wide, 216 passengers, 104 Russian crew
  • ms Tikhi Don - refurbished in 2005, 425 feet long x 54 feet wide, 216 passengers, 104 Russian crew
  - 1 boat in Egypt: 15 days ($140-186 pp/pd)
  • ms River Anuket - launched in 2001, 237 feet long x 47 feet wide, 138 passengers, 82 Egyptian crew
  - "...exclusively serves American travelers."