1. Ship Size:

Most river cruise ships are the same size. They have to be, to fit through the locks on individual rivers. The Danube has locks that can fit 2 boats in side by side, hence why AMA Waterways have built a double width river ship – AMA Magna for the Danube. With ships being the same size, one of the main points of difference between river cruise lines is what they put inside their ships – is it more cabins, bigger cabins or additional public spaces?

Avalon river cruise ships are all built to the same design.

Amadeus are one of the few cruise lines offering interconnecting cabins.

2. Nationality

The country of origin of the river cruise line dictates the passenger mix on board to a large extent:

Arosa is a German company

Amadeus is Austrian

Croisi Europe is French

Tui, Saga and Riviera Travel are British

APT and Travelmarvel are Australian

AMA, Uniworld, Tauck and Avalon are mainly American.

It can also affect the cruise experience in terms of types of food and excursions offered.

3. Cruise Line ‘Families’:

APT is a 5* cruise line, whereas sister company Travelmarvel offers 4* cruising.

Similarly with Scenic (5*) and Emerald (4*).

AMA Waterways share ships with partner company APT, often but not always, exclusive to each company over a season.

Ships chartered by Riviera Travel and Tauck are both built in the same style by Scylla.

4. River Cruising with Children:

Croisi Europe, Arosa, Tauck and Uniworld are among the handful of river cruise lines that open up their cruises to children under 16 years of age. Itineraries are often restricted to school holidays and children usually travel free.

Although river cruise cabins are not typically built for more than two occupants, it is possible to add an additional bed or provide adjacent or interconnecting cabins for family use.

Arosa Sena - due to be launched in spring 2022, has been specially built for the family market and will have cabins for five people as well as dedicated family and Kids Club areas.

Family cruising includes adapted menus for children, as well as child-friendly activities on board and shore excursions.

5. Included in the Price:

As for ocean cruising, the headline price for a river cruise does not tell the whole story.

Some include drinks with lunch and dinner: AMA, Avalon, Amadeus, Travelmarvel for example.

Some include all drinks: Croisi Europe, Uniworld, APT, Scenic, Tauck.

A drinks package or ‘pay as you go’ is available with Riviera Travel.

Most include shore excursions, except Croisi Europe and Amadeus.

Other cruise lines will offer optional additional (paid for) extras.

The more you pay for a cruise, generally the more extensive and exclusive are the shore excursions on offer.