The top 6 rivers to cruise around the world

See it all from the water in style.

Often known as the main artery of a destination, rivers are rich with everyday life, culture and history – with diverse scenery along the way.

1. The Rhine and Danube, Europe

Cruise past crumbling castles on the Danube with Avalon Waterways.

Describing Europe’s landscapes as something from a fairytale might be clichéd, but when it comes to the scenes along the Rhine and Danube rivers, there’s no better comparison. Framed by vineyards, rolling hillsides dotted with crumbling castles and villages heaving with half-timbered houses, these mighty waterways are steeped in folklore and rich in cultural diversity.

Choose the 1200-kilometre Rhine, which cuts through Austria, France, Germany and The Netherlands, or the 2800-kilometre Danube, which winds through 10 countries from Germany’s Black Forest to the Black Sea. Or explore both with cruise lines such as Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways and Viking, which offer in-depth itineraries combining the Rhine and the Danube – which are connected by the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is also bolstering its Danube offering with a new ship, SS Emilie.

2. The Rhône, Europe

The Rhône peacefully winds for 814 kilometres through Europe.

For 814 kilometres, the Rhône winds from the Swiss Alps through south-eastern France, a landscape of lavender fields, undulating vineyards and medieval hilltop villages. The Rhône is famed for its food and wine but is also steeped in history. It’s home to France’s culinary capital, Lyon; the UNESCO-listed Papal Palace in Avignon; and was van Gogh’s muse for his famous Starry Night painting, completed in Arles.

Tauck will launch a brand-new vessel on the Rhône for 2026: MS Lumiere, an exclusive river ship with just 22 spacious suites and a sundeck with pool. Join legendary actor and author Graham McTavish of Outlander fame in June 2026 for a special Rogue on the Rhône departure with Avalon Waterways, through the heart of Provence and Burgundy.

3. The Mekong, Southeast Asia

The best way to experience the Mekong is with AmaWaterways. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

Known as the ‘Lifeblood of Southeast Asia’, the Mekong River is second only to the Amazon in terms of biodiversity. Stretching 4900 kilometres from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea, the most navigable part is between Cambodia and Vietnam. A plethora of cruise lines – such as Aqua Expeditions, Australian Pacific Touring (APT) and Scenic – offer cruise journeys with an intoxicating mix of culture and history, from the Temples of Angkor in Siem Reap to Vietnam’s historic Cu Chi Tunnels, with floating markets, rural hamlets and artisan communities along the way.

AmaWaterways will launch a new ship, AmaKaia, on the Mekong in August 2026, as well as a new 17-day Cambodia and Vietnam tour and cruise in collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys, accompanied by historians, scientists and anthropologists.

4. The Douro, Europe

Float through the picturesque Duoro Valley.

Snaking from Spain to Portugal, the Douro River cuts through the Douro Valley, one of the world’s oldest wine countries and the birthplace of port, the UNESCO-listed city of Salamanca, and Porto, the historic City of Bridges. AmaWaterways offers two seven-night itineraries on this culturally rich river; a round-trip from Porto and another that takes in Spain.

5. The Bordeaux, France

You’ll have access to Bordeaux’s best vineyards with Uniworld. (Image: Shutterstock/Laraslk)

From châteaux to cellars with storybook scenery in between, France’s Bordeaux region is a destination rising in popularity. Cruise along the Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde rivers with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises or Avalon Waterways, both offering week-long itineraries with multiple wine tastings, cycling through vineyards, cooking classes and more.

6. The Amazon, Peru

Soak up the riverside life from Pure Amazon’s rear sun deck.

Journey into one of the planet’s last remaining wildernesses with Abercrombie & Kent onboard its luxe riverboat Pure Amazon. In the Peruvian Amazon, you’ll take jungle walks, visit remote communities and paddle along in skiffs, keeping an eye out for pink dolphins, capybaras, hummingbirds and more. The 13-day round-trip journey from Lima also includes an excursion to Machu Picchu.