A river cruise provides a relaxed way to tour different destinations (Marc Shoffman)
From mooring up alongside historic landmarks in the centre of a city to exploring vineyards, there are plenty of benefits to a river cruise.
Guests are spoiled for choice with routes on iconic rivers such as the Danube, the Seine and the Nile offered by luxury and more budget-friendly cruise lines.
Most river cruise lines provide onboard talks and include food, excursions and often tips in their prices.
There are around 27 river cruise lines, according to industry data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and river cruise options will grow from next year when Celebrity Cruises enters the market.
With so much choice of cruise line and waterways, it can be hard to choose the best river cruise for your budget and interests.
Consumer watchdog Which? has released its latest cruise passenger survey, helping passengers find the best line for their budget.
In October and November 2025, a panel of more than 1,400 cruise passengers and the general public were asked about their experiences of cruise holidays in the past two years.
Cruise lines were scored on factors such as customer service, passenger-to-space ratio, food, cabin quality, the itinerary and value for money. An overall customer score was given based on satisfaction and their likelihood to recommend the brand.
Here are the best river cruise lines, according to passengers.
The top rated river cruise line
Cruise editor Marc Shoffman sailed with Avalon Waterways in Bordeaux in March 2025 (Marc Shoffman)
Passengers rated Avalon Waterways as the best river cruise line, with a score of 86 per cent.
It is one of the more expensive options with an indicative price of £651 per person per night.
The Swiss brand, which sails on rivers in regions such as Bordeaux, Provence and the Peruvian River, got top scores for its customer service, cabin quality, cleanliness and food and drink.
The report praised the cruise line’s “high-end cabins and super attentive service”, highlighting its Egyptian cotton sheets, marble bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that open into balconies.
The cheapest river cruise line
CroisiEurope is one of the cheapest ways to do a river cruise but still scores highly among passengers (Marc Shoffman)
CroisiEurope was found to be the cheapest river cruise line, with an indicative price of £531 per person per night.
It still ranks well though, with a customer score of 77 per cent.
The family-owned independent brand mainly sails on the continent’s major rivers – including the Rhine, Seine and Danube – but it has recently extended to more exotic destinations such as the Ganges and the Mekong.
The report highlights decent French food, free cocktails and a family feel onboard.
It said: “You won’t feel like you’ve scrimped with this budget-friendly river cruise – particularly when it comes to a tipple.”
The best river cruise lines, according to Which? readers (Which?)
Which? Recommended Providers
The consumer watchdog also has its own Which? Recommend Provider (WRP) rating for the cream of the crop.
It is given to cruise lines with the highest scores and most transparent information on extras such as gratuities, excursions and drinks at the booking stage.
Two cruise lines gained this accolade: Uniworld and Scenic.
Uniworld, which scored 84 per cent, was praised for the “boutique hotel concept” on the water.
The report said: “The result is Baroque-style staterooms dripping with Murano glass and gilded splendour. ‘Farm to ship’ food, sourced from the surrounding countryside, is equally well presented.
“There’s a butler service for each suite, and you won’t have to put your hand in your pocket the whole trip – not even to tip staff.”
The river cruise line was described as “an excellent all-inclusive choice for your next river cruise if luxury and style are important to you”.
Scenic was also given a WRP rating. The luxury river cruise line was found to be the most expensive at £710 per person per night and scored 82 per cent, with high scores for customer service and cleanliness.
Which? suggested luxury touches such as sun terraces and Dyson hairdryers, as well as exclusive excursions to cultural sites, make Scenic “worth the splurge” for a special occasion holiday with all the trimmings.
Read more: The best river cruises around the world
