River Cruises

A river cruise gives you the opportunity to explore various regions around the world in a more intimate way than ocean cruises. Whether you venture down the Danube, which flows through Germany, Austria and Hungary, experience the famed wine and scenery along the Rhine or sail the Mississippi to experience New Orleans' food scene, there's a river cruise for everyone.

River cruises are smaller than ocean cruises and and typically carry no more than 200 passengers, making for more personalized voyages. Plus, most lines offer free tours when in port. River cruise ships are smaller than ocean ships and typically carry no more than 200 passengers, making for more personalized voyages. Some of the most popular river cruise lines in the world include Viking, AmaWaterways, Scenic, Tauck and Uniworld.

The best time to take a river cruise depends on the destination you're sailing and your excursion preferences. Europe's river cruise season begins in early spring and lasts through fall, though Viking offers year-round itineraries and Christmas market cruises are incredibly popular. U.S. river cruises typically sail from March to December, with great leaf peeping in the fall months.