River Cruises in Europe

UW SS Catherine River Cruises in Europe

All-Inclusive, Luxury River Cruises

Uniworld, the world’s best and most awarded luxury river cruise line, cruises spectacular rivers throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Asia, and Peru. Every Uniworld cruise is meticulously crafted to be an experience you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, the included and optional excursions completely immerse you in the authentic culture, sights, and cuisine of the amazing places you’ll visit.

Uniworld Cruises by River

Danube River Cruises

Explore Austria, Germany, Hungary

Rhine River Cruises

Visit France, Germany, Switzerland

All River Cruises

Sail in Europe, Egypt, Asia, or Peru

Why You Should Take a European River Cruise

Sailing by river means enjoying all the conveniences of a traditional cruise, plus the benefits of traveling inland. You’ll visit bustling cities and hidden gem villages, stopping in multiple destinations on every trip, and only unpack once! Even on board, you’ll be absorbed in the sights, with ever-changing views outside your window. 

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A Room With a View

Forget about indoor cabins. When river cruising, every room has a view. Relax and enjoy the ever-changing scenery as you sail to your next destination.

Truly Immersive

Never restricted to coastal towns and ocean-liner ports, river cruise ships can take you to the heart of your destinations and dock in the center of town, so you can step right off the ship and start exploring.

Europe is Built on Rivers

There is absolutely no better way to immerse yourself in Europe than from the banks of one of her many distinctive rivers. In the Old World, commerce and life were centered on Europe’s great rivers. They were the arteries of the entire country, and, as a result, many of the quaint, memorable European villages you’re likely daydreaming about right now were built on the shores of these same rivers.

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Carefully Crafted Excursions

Every Uniworld cruise is meticulously crafted to be an experience you won’t find anywhere else, filled with moments that are each more breathtaking than the last. We’ve gone the extra mile to ensure our included and optional excursions immerse you in the authentic culture, sights, and cuisine of the places you’ll visit.

Smaller Ships, Fewer Guests

While ocean liners are made to be massive, think 5,000+ guests on a 14-story vessel, river cruises are simply not capable of that scale. They must be able to fit beneath bridges that may be incredibly old and close to the water. As a result, river cruise ships are much smaller and carry far fewer passengers. Uniworld ships have an average capacity of just 120 passengers, which means you get to enjoy an intimate onboard atmosphere and unmatched service with a crew-to-passenger ratio of 1 to 2.3.

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Staterooms

Uniworld’s staterooms are unlike anything you’ve experienced cruising. Whichever stateroom category you choose, you’ll enjoy large windows above water, as well as balconies in many rooms. Your room includes luxury amenities and plenty of space to unpack all your things and store your suitcase out of sight.

You’ll always feel like you’re in a boutique hotel, not a massive vessel—and a small ship takes you that much closer to everything! Each Uniworld ship is inspired by the very rivers upon which they cruise. With distinctive themes, color palettes, custom-made fabrics, personally selected original artwork, sumptuous furnishings, and antiques, each element, down to the smallest detail, has been thoughtfully considered and flawlessly rendered.

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Crew-to-Passenger Ratio of 1 to 2.3

With Uniworld, you’ll enjoy state-of-the-art ships carrying a smaller number of passengers per journey. Uniworld ships have an average capacity of just 120 passengers, which means you enjoy an intimate onboard atmosphere and unmatched service.

The Safest Way to Cruise in Europe

By nature, sailing on the rivers means constant proximity to land and shoreside resources—and, by extension, the ability to stop the ship and disembark at any time, if necessary.

Your Well-Being and Peace of Mind Are Priority

We are committed to giving you an unparalleled travel experience, both onboard and onshore—one that is not only luxurious and memorable but also protects your health and safety while you are in our trusted hands.

We Follow the Experts

As members of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), we have been actively involved in helping to define global protocols and are kept up to date with all government advisories and travel alerts daily. Our protocols will be adapted and adjusted promptly as needed as local governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) define and implement what is required in each country.

Why A River Cruise Safe Travels+Boarding

Onboard Protocols

We've added new measures to elevate our hygiene standards for every facet of the onboard experience—from the introduction of innovative, non-toxic cleaning solutions to hand sanitizer stations throughout the ship.

No Lines or Crowds

Unlike on an ocean cruise, you won’t have to deal with wait times for embarking or disembarking. And on tours, our guides can bring you right past the long tourist lines at popular museums and attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions About European River Cruises

The Danube is undeniably Europe's most popular cruising river. It flows throughout Austria, Germany, Hungary, and many more, and we have vacations that include can’t-miss cities such as Budapest, Munich, Prague, and Vienna. Uniworld Castles Along the Rhine river cruise tops the list for five-star guest reviews.

The late spring or early fall is the best time for a European river cruise. The cruising season lasts from March through December, but you’ll want to plan for either April-May or September-October if you're looking for fairer weather. If you want to see the Christmas markets of Europe, a river cruise is a wonderful choice. You can even celebrate the holidays on a Christmas and New Year's cruise. 

The answer: No. U.S. citizens traveling to and planning a European river cruise do not need to worry about obtaining visas.

Uniworld River Cruises start at around $1,999 for an 8-day cruise. It’s budget-friendly, considering the cruises are all-inclusive, with five-star cuisine, premium wines and spirits, and incredibly VIP excursions. We think river cruises are one of the best ways to travel, even on a budget. The European fleet features luxurious ships with an average capacity of 120 guests, the highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, impeccable hospitality, and numerous other all-inclusive benefits.

Experience the Uniworld Difference

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Visit Our Worldwide Uniworld Cruise Destinations

The Neterlands EXPLORE Kinderdijk Windmill and tulip fields, Netherlands
France EXPLORE Alexander Bridge over Seine River, Paris, France
Germany EXPLORE Castle and bridge over the Neckar River in Heidelberg, Germany
Austria EXPLORE Salzburg overlooking Danube River, Austria
Italy EXPLORE River cruise ship in Venice, Italy
Asia EXPLORE Boat on Yangtze River, China
Eastern Europe EXPLORE Cesky Krumlov with river and sky, Czech Republic