Which river cruise lines have the lowest published fares?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026
These 10 river cruise lines publish a sailing price per person with its length in nights or days and its departure date or season 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 have the lowest published fares?
10 river cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they publish a fare per person with its length in nights or days and its departure date or season; Phoenix Reisen, Thurgau Travel and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises have the most Google reviews under the line's own name.
Fares are for different years (Uniworld: a March 2028 departure; Scenic: the 2027 season), lengths and cabin types; compare like with like.
A-ROSA
- Best for
- Drinks-inclusive sailings on Rhine, Danube and Douro
- Lowest fare found
- Sells the Seine Experience Normandy 2027, 7 nights from Le Pecq / Paris on A-ROSA VIVA, from €998 per person; on the 1 to 8 April 2027 departure a Deck 1 Cabin A 2-bed outside cabin is from €1,261 per person, Premium All-Inclusive.
- Why choose them
- Began sailing the Danube in 2002 with A-ROSA BELLA and A-ROSA DONNA and now lists 15 river ships. Trustpilot: 2.9 out of 5 from 342 reviews, newest 6 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Premium All-Inclusive fare, which includes one free change of travel date up to 30 days before departure.
- Not the fit if
- you use a wheelchair: there are no wheelchair-accessible cabins and no passenger lifts except on A-ROSA ALVA, SENA, ALEA and CLEA.
- Money protection
- Risk coverage certificate (Sicherungsschein) under Section 651r BGB, issued before the 25% down payment is due.
American Cruise Lines
- Best for
- All-inclusive US river cruises with excursions
- Lowest fare found
- Sails American Song from Portland to Clarkston, 9 days and 8 nights from $6,790 per person in US dollars (discounted from $7,390), departing 30 March 2027.
- 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.
Century Cruises
- Best for
- Yangtze, Danube and Rhine cruise tours
- Lowest fare found
- Sells The Christmas Cruise Budapest to Passau on Century Star, 7 nights, Standard cabin $2,999 per person (US dollars, double occupancy), departing 7 December 2027, 21 November 2028 or 5 December 2028.
- 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
Excellence River Cruises
- Best for
- German-language river voyages from Switzerland
- Lowest fare found
- Sails Wine & Dine auf dem Rhein on the Excellence Crown, 3 days from Basel to Strasbourg and back, departing 21 May 2027, from CHF 975 per person, with coach travel from Switzerland included.
- 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.
- Money protection
- Stiftung Gesetzlicher Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Garantiefonds).
- Website
- excellence.ch
Mekong Kingdoms
- Best for
- Small-boat Mekong voyages in Laos
- Lowest fare found
- Sails Bohème upstream from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, 5 nights from USD 3,750 per person in a twin cabin, departing 3 January 2027.
- 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%.
nicko cruises
- Best for
- River cruises for German-speaking travellers worldwide
- Lowest fare found
- Lists Advent on the Danube on CELINA, 6 days, 26.11.2027 to 01.12.2027, from €599 per person.
- 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.
- Money protection
- Insurance certificate naming the insurer, required before any payment under its package travel terms.
- Website
- nicko-cruises.de
Phoenix Reisen
- Best for
- German-speaking river voyages at published euro fares
- Lowest fare found
- Sails Donaugenuss on the Antonia, 5 days from Passau to Vienna, Esztergom, Budapest, Bratislava and Dürnstein, 14 to 19 November 2026, from 399 € per person in a 3-bed outside cabin on the Neptun deck; it sells to German-speaking travellers.
- Why choose them
- Says it has nearly 40 river ships in its fleet. Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 1,259 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a voyage marked Singles sparen, with heavily reduced single cabins.
- Not the fit if
- you do not speak German: there is only one language on board, German.
- Website
- phoenixreisen.com
Scenic
- Best for
- All-inclusive Europe and Mekong river cruises
- Lowest fare found
- Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle, 8 days, from USD $4,528 per person based on double occupancy, 2027 season (US site).
- 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.
Thurgau Travel
- Best for
- Swiss river voyages on its own ships
- Lowest fare found
- Sails Rheinzauber Holland on MS Thurgau Gold, Basel to Amsterdam and Mainz and back to Basel, 9 days from CHF 1'390 per person, departing 17 February 2027.
- 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.
- Money protection
- Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Swiss travel industry guarantee fund).
- Website
- thurgautravel.ch
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
- Best for
- River cruises with drinks and gratuities included
- Lowest fare found
- Sails Delightful Danube, 8 days from Budapest to Regensburg, departing 19 March 2028, from $2,969 per person, double occupancy, on its US early booking offer (regular $3,299).
- Why choose them
- Its cruises of 7 nights or more include onboard meals, premium beverages, onboard gratuities and scheduled excursions. Google: 3.6 out of 5 from 33 reviews; Trustpilot: 2.6 out of 5 from 34 reviews, newest 13 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Generations programme departure if you are travelling with children.
- Not the fit if
- you need mobility devices or personal care on board: it provides neither and cannot guarantee full accessibility in all locations.
- Money protection
- Travel Industry Compensation Fund, TICO registration number 50018458 (Ontario); California Seller of Travel CST #2075415-20.
- Website
- uniworld.com
What is each line's lowest published fare?
10 of the 10 lines publish a fare per person with its length in nights or days and its departure date or season; names are in alphabetical order. Fares are for different years, lengths and cabin types; they are never converted between currencies, so compare like with like.
- A-ROSA: from €1,261 per person (Cabin A), 7 nights, departing 1 to 8 April 2027
- American Cruise Lines: from $6,790 per person, 8 nights, departing 30 March 2027
- Century Cruises: Standard $2,999 per person, 7 nights, departing 7 December 2027
- Excellence River Cruises: from CHF 975 per person, 3 days, departing 21 May 2027
- Mekong Kingdoms: from USD 3,750 per person, 5 nights, departing 3 January 2027
- nicko cruises: from €599 per person, 6 days, departing 26.11.2027
- Phoenix Reisen: from 399 € per person, 5 days, departing 14 to 19 November 2026
- Scenic: From USD $4,528 per person, 8 days, 2027 season
- Thurgau Travel: from CHF 1'390 per person, 9 days, departing 17 February 2027
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: from $2,969 per person, 8 days, departing 19 March 2028
Which of these show a dated price on this page?
10 of the 10 cards show a price for a sailing of this kind, with its currency and a date or season. Ask every line for a written quote with the departure date and what it includes.
- A-ROSA
- American Cruise Lines
- Century Cruises
- Excellence River Cruises
- Mekong Kingdoms
- nicko cruises
- Phoenix Reisen
- Scenic
- Thurgau Travel
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?
5 of the 10 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.
- A-ROSA: Risk coverage certificate (Sicherungsschein) under Section 651r BGB, issued before the 25% down payment is due
- 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
- Thurgau Travel: Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Swiss travel industry guarantee fund)
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: Travel Industry Compensation Fund, TICO registration number 50018458 (Ontario); California Seller of Travel CST #2075415-20
Who to contact first
Start with the 7 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.
- A-ROSA
- Century Cruises
- Excellence River Cruises
- Mekong Kingdoms
- nicko cruises
- Scenic
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
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.
Lowest river cruise fares: 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?
3 of the 10 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?
Phoenix Reisen, Thurgau Travel and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, 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?
4 of the 10: A-ROSA, nicko cruises, Thurgau Travel and Uniworld Boutique River 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?
7 of the 10: A-ROSA, Century Cruises, Excellence River Cruises, Mekong Kingdoms, nicko cruises, Scenic and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. 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 publishes a sailing price per person with its length in nights or days and its departure date or season. 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.
Read next
Companies are added at each update. Want to be the company this page features?
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each line published on its own website, read on 10 November 2026, with links to the pages read, with its Google and Trustpilot figures where the listing carries the line's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel river cruise lines table. Cards are in alphabetical order. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.