Which river cruise lines carry the fewest passengers per ship?

By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026

These 22 river cruise lines give the number of guests a ship they sail carries on their own websites, read 10 November 2026. Each card gives what the line says about it, with the ship, sailing, length, price or number where it names one, then why to choose it, what to ask for and the limits it publishes.

Which river cruise lines carry the fewest passengers per ship?

22 river cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they give the number of guests a ship they sail carries; DouroAzul, VIVA Cruises and Thurgau Travel have the most Google reviews under the line's own name.

Who is on this page and why. The Uncompromised Travel river cruise lines table holds 48 companies: the river cruise lines ChatGPT names most often when asked about river cruises, plus river lines added by hand from the trade, each kept only if its own website sells river voyages under its own name. Their own websites were read on 10 November 2026, with their Google and Trustpilot listings matched by name. This page carries every line in the table that, on its own website, gives the number of guests a ship it sails carries: 22 lines. Cards are in alphabetical order. Each line on a card gives what the company's own website says, with a link to the page it came from; a second reader checked 288 of the table's rows against the pages. No company paid to be on this page.

Amadeus River Cruises

Best for: European river cruises with wine at dinner
Ship: AMADEUS Provence carries 140 guests; AMADEUS Douro, due in 2028, is designed for 107.
Why choose them: Suites on its ships measure 26.4 m2 (284 sq ft) with a walk-out balcony.
Ask for: Ask for excursion Package C, which includes every excursion on the cruise at a reduced price when booked in advance.
Not the fit if: you use a wheelchair or scooter: neither is permitted on board and guests must manage the gangway, stairs and ramps without one.
Money protection: Listed in the Austrian carrier directory under number 2004/0052, with customer money insured under the Austrian travel agency insurance ordinance (RSV).
Enquiry: lueftner-cruises.com/en/company/imprint.html

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: en/our-amadeus-fleet/detail/amadeus-douro.html, en/why-amadeus/suites-staterooms.html, en/company/terms-conditions/terms-conditions.htm.

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American Cruise Lines

Best for: All-inclusive US river cruises with excursions
Ship: Its ships carry 90 to 180 guests; Independence Class ships carry 90 and the paddlewheeler American Splendor 180.
Why choose them: Founded in 1972 by shipbuilder Charles A. Robertson with his wife Carol.
Ask for: Ask for the hotel night and transfer to the ship included on new bookings, plus the Featured shore excursion included in each port.
Not the fit if: you need a lift on every ship, as American Independence, American Star and American Spirit have limited lift access.
Enquiry: americancruiselines.com/contact-us

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: general-information/faqs, why-american/about-us.

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Antara Cruises

Best for: Ganges and Brahmaputra cruises in India
Ship: Sails MV Nauka Vilas with 1 suite for 2 guests and 2-suite catamarans in Bhitarkanika National Park; Ganges Voyager carries 56 guests.
Why choose them: Sails four cruise ships, four catamarans and one private houseboat, sailing in India since 2009. Google: 4.5 out of 5 from 19 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Ganga Vilas sailing from Kolkata to Varanasi, 19 nights, or a private charter on MV Nauka Vilas.
Not the fit if: you need a fixed route: routing depends on water levels and the Master's decisions and itineraries can change without notice.
Website: antaracruises.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: home page, about-us, terms-and-conditions.

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APT

Best for: Fully inclusive Rhine, Danube and Mekong cruises
Ship: Mekong Serenity is designed for no more than 88 guests in 44 suites.
Why choose them: Launched two new river ships, APT Solara and APT Ostara, in 2025.
Ask for: Ask for a Luxury River Cruise from the UK, which includes return flights and home-to-airport transfers by private car.
Not the fit if: you may need to change plans late: the one free amendment applies only when you are more than 100 days from departure.
Money protection: ABTA member; air-inclusive packages bonded under the CAA's ATOL scheme; Client Fund Protection in a separate bank account (UK bookings).
Website: aptouring.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: en-gb/articles/asia/onboard-the-mekong-serenity, en-us/why-choose-apt/about-apt, en-gb/why-choose-apt/book-with-confidence.

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Aqua Expeditions

Best for: Small-ship Mekong and Amazon expeditions
Ship: Aria Amazon carries 32 guests in 16 suites; Aqua Mekong and Aqua Nera carry 40 each.
Why choose them: Founded in 2007 by Francesco Galli Zugaro, it runs excursions in groups of no more than 12. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 11 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a high-water departure, mid-August to November, when Aqua Mekong sails between Ho Chi Minh and Siem Reap.
Not the fit if: you want to sail to Siem Reap from December to mid-August: low water keeps the ship between Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh, with a complimentary flight to Siem Reap instead.
Website: aquaexpeditions.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: home page, aqua-experience/our-story, destinations/mekong-river-cruise.

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Avalon Waterways

Best for: Suite Ships with open-air balconies
Ship: The Avalon Saigon on the Mekong carries 36 guests in 18 Panorama Suites; the Avalon Alegria on the Douro carries 102 passengers.
Why choose them: Its Panorama Suites in Europe measure 200 square feet, which it says is an average of 30% larger than others. Google: 4.2 out of 5 from 22 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.4 out of 5 from 1,905 reviews, newest 25 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Avalon Choice Excursions on your sailing, in Classic, Discovery or Active style.
Not the fit if: you use a wheelchair or walker: outside the United States you must be able to walk up and down steps and ramps without one; many of its small ships have no lift.
Enquiry: avalonwaterways.com/contact

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: why-avalon/explore-our-suite-ships, why-avalon/suite-ships, terms.

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Century Cruises

Best for: Yangtze, Danube and Rhine cruise tours
Ship: Century Star on the Danube and Century Diamond on the Rhine will each host 174 guests.
Why choose them: Century Star will host 174 guests in 87 cabins on the Danube.
Ask for: Ask which cabin categories on its European tours come with complimentary international flights.
Not the fit if: your plans may change: the $500 per person deposit is non-refundable and cancelling within 30 days of departure costs 100% of the full fare.
Website: centurycruises.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: ships/century-star, terms.

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Delfin Amazon Cruises

Best for: Small-ship Amazon cruises in Peru's Pacaya Samiria
Ship: Delfin II carries 28 guests in 14 suites; Delfin III carries up to 44 guests in 22 suites.
Why choose them: Delfin III, its largest vessel, carries up to 44 guests in 22 suites.
Ask for: Ask for a Delfin II Suite or a Delfin III Suite or Upper Suite on a departure where the single supplement is waived.
Not the fit if: you might cancel late: from 150 days before departure the deposit is not refunded; it grants no other refund or reschedule, even in case of force majeure.
Website: delfinamazoncruises.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: home page, terms-and-conditions.

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DouroAzul

Best for: Douro cruises from Porto to Barca D'Alva
Ship: Its own Spirit of Chartwell carries 30 passengers in 15 cabins; its other hotel ships carry 100 to 130.
Why choose them: Says the World Cruise Awards recognised it again in 2026, after wins in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 335 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the 30-passenger Spirit of Chartwell, which it operates itself.
Not the fit if: you may need medical care on board: its ships have no medical staff or clinical facilities.
Website: douroazul.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: hotel-ship/?lang=en, douroazul-world-cruise-awards-2026, terms-and-conditions/?lang=en.

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Excellence River Cruises

Best for: German-language river voyages from Switzerland
Ship: The Excellence Rhône carries 140 guests.
Why choose them: Says its fleet holds the Green Award and the Fair Cruise Award and has twice won the Myclimate Award.
Ask for: Ask for a sailing with a double cabin on the main deck for one person without supplement.
Not the fit if: you do not speak German: German is the language on board, including daily programmes and menus.
Published price: From CHF 2'495 per person, main deck cabin, 9 days Basel to Amsterdam and back on the Excellence Crown, departing 1 June 2027, coach travel from Switzerland included. Read 10 November 2026.
Money protection: Stiftung Gesetzlicher Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Garantiefonds).
Website: excellence.ch

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: schiffe/rhone, vorteile/faq, flusskreuzfahrten/der-rhein-fine-dining-mit-hugo.

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French Country Waterways

Best for: Six-night hotel barge cruises in France
Ship: Horizon II and Princess carry eight guests each; Adrienne and Nenuphar carry twelve.
Why choose them: Each barge is accompanied by an air-conditioned motorcoach for daily sightseeing and carries her own bicycles. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the barge and region that suit you: Burgundy on Adrienne, or Central Burgundy (April to June) or the Upper Loire (July to October) on Nenuphar.
Not the fit if: you want the Upper Loire outside July to October: Nenuphar sails it only in those months.
Website: fcwl.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: our-fleet/horizon-ii, our-fleet, our-fleet/nenuphar.

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Grand Circle Cruise Line

Best for: Small-group Danube and Seine cruises with airfare
Ship: Its privately owned M/S Bizet carries 120 passengers on the Seine; M/S River Harmony carries 140 and M/S River Aria 162.
Why choose them: Founded in 1958 by Ethel Andrus to serve Americans over 50. Trustpilot (whole company): 4.0 out of 5 from 20 reviews, newest 7 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a departure with a free or low-cost Single Supplement, or for roommate matching, which carries no single supplement even without a match.
Not the fit if: you use a wheelchair or motorised scooter: most trips are not accessible and guests needing help must travel with an able companion.
Enquiry: gct.com/about-us/contact-us

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: trips/river-cruises/europe/the-seine-paris-to-no, about-us/people-and-culture, terms-and-conditions.

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Mekong Eyes

Best for: Small-boat Mekong Delta cruises from Saigon
Ship: Mekong Eyes Classic carries up to 28 passengers in 14 cabins; Dragon Eyes has 2 cabins and Gecko Eyes 1.
Why choose them: Mekong Eyes Classic is a wooden cruiser with 14 cabins, converted from a rice barge. Google: 4.2 out of 5 from 61 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a private cruise on Gecko Eyes (1 cabin) or Dragon Eyes (2 cabins).
Not the fit if: you want Dragon Eyes to yourself but book only one cabin: the other cabin may be booked by someone else.
Enquiry: mekongeyes.com/contact

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: boats/the-mekong-eyes-river-cruiser, home page, tours/private-tours.

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Mekong Kingdoms

Best for: Small-boat Mekong voyages in Laos
Ship: Gypsy carries only four passengers in two cabins; Bohème carries 26.
Why choose them: Its 50-metre boat Bohème has 13 cabins.
Ask for: Ask for The Bohème Journey, a 7-day cruise package with a stay at Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane or Avani+ Luang Prabang.
Not the fit if: you may need to cancel, as overnight cruises carry a 50% non-refundable deposit and cancelling less than 31 days before departure costs 100%.
Published price: from USD 3,750 per person, twin cabin, Bohème Vientiane to Luang Prabang upstream, 5 nights, 3 January 2027 sailing. Read 10 November 2026.
Enquiry: mekongkingdoms.com/contact-us

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: our-boats/gypsy, our-boats/boheme, offers/vientiane-luang-prabang.

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nicko cruises

Best for: River cruises for German-speaking travellers worldwide
Ship: Sails the small river boat LIBERTY with 38 guests; KATHARINA VON BORA carries 80 and MEKONG NAVIGATOR 68.
Why choose them: Sails a fleet of 22 ships and says it has been market leader for river cruises in Germany since 2007. Trustpilot (whole company): 3.2 out of 5 from 387 reviews, newest 5 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Single-Spezial departure, where the single supplement is cut by 50%.
Not the fit if: you want an English-only ship: most river ships run in German and English; CYRANO DE BERGERAC runs in French and German.
Published price: from €5,199 per person including flight, MEKONG NAVIGATOR, 13 days, departing 3 April 2027. Read 10 November 2026.
Money protection: Insurance certificate naming the insurer, required before any payment under its package travel terms.
Website: nicko-cruises.de

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: en/fleet/river-fleet, en/fleet/flussschiffe/cyrano-de-bergerac, falstaff-dream-cruises.

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Plantours Kreuzfahrten

Best for: German-language river cruises with themed events
Ship: MS Sans Souci carries at most 81 guests; MS Lady Cristina carries 144 and MS Lady Diletta 173.
Why choose them: Its flagship MS Lady Diletta carries 173 passengers and has 11 single cabins.
Ask for: Ask for the Single Special on selected Christmas voyages, which opens more single cabins for booking.
Not the fit if: you want to book shore excursions by phone, as they are booked only online through the customer portal.
Money protection: Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH, with a Sicherungsschein issued with the booking confirmation.
Enquiry: plantours-kreuzfahrten.de/infos-service/das-sind-wir/unser-t

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: infos-service/drucksachen/neu-routenvorschau-ms-, infos-service/drucksachen/landausflugsprogramme-, impressum.

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Riviera Travel

Best for: All-inclusive European river cruises with excursions included
Ship: Sails yachts of 30 to 40 guests, the smallest being MS Mendula with 30; its Douro river ships MS Douro Elegance and MS Douro Splendour carry 124 guests each.
Why choose them: Says it has welcomed more than 1.75 million guests worldwide and launched its river cruises in 2009.
Ask for: Ask for a solo departure with the single supplement waived, or a Cruise & Stay with three nights in a 4-star hotel.
Not the fit if: you use a wheelchair: there are no wheelchair accessible cabins on any of its ships.
Money protection: Says it is fully bonded with the CAA and ABTA, which are UK bodies, so your money is safe in any eventuality; its US booking conditions carry Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST40993.
Enquiry: rivieratravel.com/contact

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: ships/ms-mendula, about-us, company-policies/booking-conditions.

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Scenic

Best for: All-inclusive Europe and Mekong river cruises
Ship: Carries 68 guests on Scenic Spirit on the Mekong and up to 163 on its Scenic Space-Ships in Europe.
Why choose them: Its river fleet is growing from 13 to 16 ships, with new additions planned for 2027 and 2028.
Ask for: Ask for a Solo Program Preferred Fare, which gives 50% single supplement savings, with a free single supplement on select dates.
Not the fit if: you live outside the United States: these fares and offers apply to legal residents of the United States.
Published price: from US$4,528 per person, double occupancy, Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle, 8 days, 2027 season. Read 10 November 2026.
Enquiry: scenic.cruises/US/en-US/contact-us

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: US/en-US/river/river-experience, US/en-US/about-us, US/en-US/terms-conditions.

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Thurgau Travel

Best for: Swiss river voyages on its own ships
Ship: MS Swiss Pearl carries 133 guests; MS Thurgau Gold carries up to 180.
Why choose them: Founded in December 2001, it sails 19 ships on over 50 waterways in more than 25 countries. Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 181 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 4.6 out of 5 from 1,004 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the excursion package with audio guide when you book, as most excursions are sold that way.
Not the fit if: you cannot leave the ship on your own in an evacuation, as guests must be able to do so and must tell Thurgau Travel before booking if not.
Published price: from CHF 1'390 per person, Rheinzauber Holland on MS Thurgau Gold, 9 days, departing 17 February 2027. Read 10 November 2026.
Money protection: Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Swiss travel industry guarantee fund).
Website: thurgautravel.ch

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: seine, pressebereich/thrugau-travel-schuetzt-seine-gaes, vertrags-und-reisebedingungen.

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Victoria Cruises

Best for: Yangtze cruises through the Three Gorges
Ship: Its Yangtze ships carry 264 to 572 guests.
Why choose them: Established in New York City in 1993, it celebrated the 25th anniversary of its inaugural sailing in 2019.
Ask for: Ask for a cabin in the Luxury Amenities Program, which adds complimentary Wi-Fi, house wine and beer at dinner and a la carte dining.
Not the fit if: you travel alone: the single supplement adds 75% of the fare in a superior cabin and 100% in a suite.
Enquiry: victoriacruiselines.com/Contact.html

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: Index.html, Story.html, Cruise1.html.

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Viking

Best for: Europe, Nile and Mekong river voyages
Ship: Sails 80-guest ships on the Mekong and Brahmaputra, among them Viking Saigon and Viking Tonle; its Viking Longships carry 80 to 200 passengers.
Why choose them: Says it was voted #1 for Rivers in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, the sixth consecutive year. Trustpilot (whole company): 1.7 out of 5 from 384 reviews, newest 10 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for the Viking Inclusive Value fare, with one shore excursion in every port, or the current Special Solo Traveler Fares.
Not the fit if: you are travelling with children: Viking says its river ships have no children on board.
Website: vikingrivercruises.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: ships/index.html, why-viking/awards/index.html, why-viking/new-to-river-cruising/about-river-cru.

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VIVA Cruises

Best for: All-inclusive river cruises with tips included
Ship: Sails VIVA RUBY with a maximum of 80 guests, the smallest of its ships.
Why choose them: Says the Swiss shipping company Scylla AG, which owns a fleet of 40 ships, stands behind the brand. Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 289 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.9 out of 5 from 178 reviews, newest 6 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Culinary Cruise with Falstaff, where all shore excursions are included in the price.
Not the fit if: you want a doctor on board: there is none, though first aid can be given on all ships.
Money protection: Guarantee certificate handed over before the 20% down payment is due.
Website: viva-cruises.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: en-us/ships/viva-ruby, en-us/about-us, en-us/faq/on-board.

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How many guests does each line's smallest ship carry?

22 of the 22 lines give the number of guests one of their ships carries; the list runs from the fewest. Each figure is the one the line itself gives.

Antara Cruises: 2 guests
Mekong Kingdoms: 4 guests
French Country Waterways: 8 guests
Delfin Amazon Cruises: 28 guests
Mekong Eyes: 28 guests
DouroAzul: 30 guests
Riviera Travel: 30 guests
Aqua Expeditions: 32 guests
Avalon Waterways: 36 guests
nicko cruises: 38 guests
Scenic: 68 guests
Viking: 80 guests
VIVA Cruises: 80 guests
Plantours Kreuzfahrten: 81 guests
APT: 88 guests
American Cruise Lines: 90 guests
Grand Circle Cruise Line: 120 guests
Thurgau Travel: 133 guests
Amadeus River Cruises: 140 guests
Excellence River Cruises: 140 guests
Century Cruises: 174 guests
Victoria Cruises: 264 guests

Which of these show a dated price on this page?

5 of the 22 cards show a price for a sailing, with its currency and a date or season. American Cruise Lines, Delfin Amazon Cruises, Mekong Eyes, Plantours Kreuzfahrten, Riviera Travel, Victoria Cruises and Viking publish fares on their own websites without a sailing date, a per-person basis or a currency on the pages read, so no figure is shown for them. Ask every line for a written quote with the departure date and what it includes.

Excellence River Cruises
Mekong Kingdoms
nicko cruises
Scenic
Thurgau Travel

Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?

8 of the 22 lines name a scheme, bond, licence or account that protects payments for some or all bookings; check the number with the scheme before you pay.

Amadeus River Cruises: Listed in the Austrian carrier directory under number 2004/0052, with customer money insured under the Austrian travel agency insurance ordinance (RSV)
APT: ABTA member; air-inclusive packages bonded under the CAA's ATOL scheme; Client Fund Protection in a separate bank account (UK bookings)
Excellence River Cruises: Stiftung Gesetzlicher Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Garantiefonds)
nicko cruises: Insurance certificate naming the insurer, required before any payment under its package travel terms
Plantours Kreuzfahrten: Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH, with a Sicherungsschein issued with the booking confirmation
Riviera Travel: Says it is fully bonded with the CAA and ABTA, which are UK bodies, so your money is safe in any eventuality; its US booking conditions carry Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST40993
Thurgau Travel: Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Swiss travel industry guarantee fund)
VIVA Cruises: Guarantee certificate handed over before the 20% down payment is due

Who to contact first

Start with the 4 lines on this page that publish both a sailing price and their cancellation terms on their own websites, then add any other card that fits your dates and the sailing you want.

Excellence River Cruises
Mekong Kingdoms
nicko cruises
Scenic

What to ask each one to set out in writing:

What the fare includes, line by line: excursions, drinks, gratuities, wifi, flights, transfers and hotel nights before and after.
The ship: how many guests it carries, the cabin size and whether it has a French balcony, a full balcony or a window.
The deposit, when the balance is due, what you lose if you cancel and what the line does if low or high water changes the route.
Which scheme or licence protects your money and what you need to walk on the excursions if mobility matters to you.

Smallest river cruise ships: the questions people ask

What should I ask a river cruise line before booking?

What the fare includes, line by line; how many guests the ship carries and the size of the cabin; the deposit and what you lose if you cancel; what happens if low or high water changes the route; and which scheme protects your money.

Can I book with these lines directly?

Yes. Each card links the line's own website or enquiry page; ask for a written quote that lists what the fare includes and the cancellation scale.

Do these lines all sell the same kind of river cruise?

No. Each card names the sailing, ship or offer the line's own website gives; ship sizes, lengths, rivers and prices differ, so compare the cards before you ask for quotes.

What happens if the river is too low or too high to sail?

11 of the 22 lines set out on their own websites what they do when water levels change a sailing, such as a ship swap, a coach transfer or a refund. Ask each line in writing before you book.

Which of these have the most Google reviews?

DouroAzul, VIVA Cruises and Thurgau Travel, in that order. A count says how many people reviewed a line, not whether it fits your sailing; each card gives the rating and count, read 10 November 2026.

Which of these have Trustpilot profiles?

6 of the 22: Avalon Waterways, Grand Circle Cruise Line, nicko cruises, Thurgau Travel, Viking and VIVA Cruises. Each card gives the TrustScore, the review count and the newest review date, read 10 November 2026.

Which of these publish their cancellation terms?

16 of the 22 publish a cancellation scale on their own websites. Ask each for the full scale in writing before you pay a deposit.

Where can I check these facts myself?

Each card links the pages of the line's own website its lines were read from, with the date they were read.

How were these lines chosen?

Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel river cruise lines table, built from the river cruise lines ChatGPT names most often. On its own website it gives the number of guests a ship it sails carries. A line is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.

Is any company on this page paying to be here?

No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.