Which river cruise lines have the newest ships?

By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026

These 17 river cruise lines give the year a ship they sail was built, delivered or launched 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 newest ships?

17 river cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they give the year a ship they sail was built, delivered or launched; VIVA Cruises, Thurgau Travel and CroisiEurope 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 year a ship it sails was built, delivered or launched: 17 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.

A-ROSA

Best for: Drinks-inclusive sailings on Rhine, Danube and Douro
Built: A-ROSA ALEA and A-ROSA CLEA have sailed the Rhine since April 2024.
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.
Published price: from €1,561 per person, Premium All-Inclusive, cabin B with balcony, Rhine & Scheldt Metropolises Experience, 27 March to 3 April 2027. Read 10 November 2026.
Money protection: Risk coverage certificate (Sicherungsschein) under Section 651r BGB, issued before the 25% down payment is due.
Enquiry: arosa-cruises.com/company/contact.html

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: company/history.html, my-a-rosa/faq.html, river-cruises/rhine/cruise/rhine-scheldt-metropo.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

Abercrombie & Kent

Best for: Guided river journeys and canal barge cruises
Built: Says Nile Seray is the newest addition to its fleet, launching in 2026.
Why choose them: Founded by Geoffrey Kent, it has sold travel since 1962. Trustpilot (whole company): 4.4 out of 5 from 795 reviews, newest 3 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a Canal Barge Cruise, which includes all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on board and transfers to and from the vessel.
Not the fit if: you travel with children under 12: journeys including a European River Cruise have a minimum age of 12.
Money protection: ATOL number 2881, issued by the CAA, for flight-inclusive packages (UK bookings).
Website: abercrombiekent.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: home page, booking-terms-and-conditions-for-journeys, terms-&-conditions-tailor-made-holidays-uk.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

Amadeus River Cruises

Best for: European river cruises with wine at dinner
Built: AMADEUS Mira, for 156 guests, is due in 2027 and AMADEUS Douro, for 107 guests, is due to debut on the Douro in 2028.
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.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

American Cruise Lines

Best for: All-inclusive US river cruises with excursions
Built: American Maverick, American Ranger and American Encore were built in 2026; American Anthem, American Navigator and American Mariner are due in 2027 and American Rhapsody is due in 2029.
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: ships, why-american/about-us, general-information/faqs.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

Antara Cruises

Best for: Ganges and Brahmaputra cruises in India
Built: Launched Ganga Vilas, an 18-suite ship built in India, in 2022.
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: mv-ganga-vilas, about-us, terms-and-conditions.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

APT

Best for: Fully inclusive Rhine, Danube and Mekong cruises
Built: Launched APT Solara and APT Ostara in 2025 and announced a new ship build in Portugal in 2026.
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-us/why-choose-apt/about-apt, en-gb/why-choose-apt/book-with-confidence, en-gb/why-choose-apt/traveller-protection-uk.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

Aqua Expeditions

Best for: Small-ship Mekong and Amazon expeditions
Built: Aqua Nera joined the Peruvian Amazon fleet in 2021.
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: aqua-experience/our-story, destinations/mekong-river-cruise.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

CroisiEurope

Best for: French family line on European rivers
Built: Its RV Indochine II on the Mekong was built in 2017.
Why choose them: Runs a fleet of 50 ships and barges. Google: 3.6 out of 5 from 134 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.8 out of 5 from 448 reviews, newest 9 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
Ask for: Ask for a CroisiFamille river cruise, where up to 2 children up to 16 sail free in a paying cabin.
Not the fit if: you may cancel late: from 90 days before a river cruise you lose 20% of the price, rising to 100% from 8 days.
Website: croisieurope.com

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: home page, information/conditions-generales-ventes-2026.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

Delfin Amazon Cruises

Best for: Small-ship Amazon cruises in Peru's Pacaya Samiria
Built: Delfin III joined the fleet in 2016; Delfin II was purpose-built in 2009.
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: the-delfin-difference-our-story, home page, terms-and-conditions.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

nicko cruises

Best for: River cruises for German-speaking travellers worldwide
Built: Put the new-build river ship nickoSPIRIT into service in 2021, christened in Düsseldorf.
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: magazin/wissenswertes-nicko-cruises/meilensteine, en/fleet/river-fleet, en/fleet/flussschiffe/cyrano-de-bergerac.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

Pandaw

Best for: Small-ship Mekong and India river expeditions
Built: RV Kochi Pandaw launched in November 2025; the ten-cabin RV Kerala Pandaw is due to launch in December 2026 for the Kerala backwaters.
Why choose them: Founded in 1995 by Scottish historian Paul Strachan, it sails ships with fewer than 30 cabins each.
Ask for: Ask for a departure with no single supplement, which it offers on a wide selection of expeditions and dates.
Not the fit if: you use a wheelchair: wheelchairs are not allowed and some river stations have steep and sometimes slippery banks.
Enquiry: pandaw.com/contact-us

Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: india-river-cruises, about, passenger-information/booking-conditions.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

Riviera Travel

Best for: All-inclusive European river cruises with excursions included
Built: Says the five-star Riviera Reflection, sister ship of Riviera Radiance and Riviera Resplendence, is due to launch in 2027.
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/river-cruise-ships, about-us, company-policies/booking-conditions.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

Scenic

Best for: All-inclusive Europe and Mekong river cruises
Built: Launched Scenic Spirit on the Mekong in 2016 and plans new river ships for 2027 and 2028 in Europe, the Mekong and India.
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/about-us/our-story, US/en-US/about-us, US/en-US/terms-conditions.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

Thurgau Travel

Best for: Swiss river voyages on its own ships
Built: MS Thurgau Avanti is due to start its maiden voyage on 19 May 2027; MS Thurgau Gold was built in 2023.
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: schiffe, pressebereich/thrugau-travel-schuetzt-seine-gaes, vertrags-und-reisebedingungen.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

Victoria Cruises

Best for: Yangtze cruises through the Three Gorges
Built: Victoria Sabrina was inaugurated in 2020 and is called by the company the largest river cruise ship in the world.
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: CruiseFleet.html, Story.html, Cruise1.html.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

Viking

Best for: Europe, Nile and Mekong river voyages
Built: Lists Viking Amun as built in 2025, with Viking Anubis and Viking Geb due with a year built of 2027.
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/egypt/viking-anubis.html, why-viking/awards/index.html, why-viking/new-to-river-cruising/about-river-cru.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

VIVA Cruises

Best for: All-inclusive river cruises with tips included
Built: Says VIVA UNIQUE (104 guests) is due to sail the Po in Italy from May 2027.
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-unique, en-us/about-us, en-us/faq/on-board.

Is this your company? See how a listing works

When was each line's newest ship built?

16 of the 17 lines give a year a ship they sail was built, delivered or launched, or is due; the list runs from the most recent year.

American Cruise Lines: 2029 (due)
Amadeus River Cruises: 2028 (due)
Riviera Travel: 2027 (due)
Thurgau Travel: 2027 (due)
Viking: 2027 (due)
VIVA Cruises: 2027 (due)
APT: 2025
Pandaw: 2025
A-ROSA: 2024
Antara Cruises: 2022
Aqua Expeditions: 2021
nicko cruises: 2021
Victoria Cruises: 2020
CroisiEurope: 2017
Delfin Amazon Cruises: 2016
Scenic: 2016

Which of these show a dated price on this page?

4 of the 17 cards show a price for a sailing, with its currency and a date or season. American Cruise Lines, CroisiEurope, Delfin Amazon Cruises, Pandaw, 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.

A-ROSA
nicko cruises
Scenic
Thurgau Travel

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

8 of the 17 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
Abercrombie & Kent: ATOL number 2881, issued by the CAA, for flight-inclusive packages (UK bookings)
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)
nicko cruises: Insurance certificate naming the insurer, required before any payment under its package travel terms
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 3 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
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.

Newest 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 17 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?

VIVA Cruises, Thurgau Travel and CroisiEurope, 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?

7 of the 17: A-ROSA, Abercrombie & Kent, CroisiEurope, 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?

14 of the 17 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 year a ship it sails was built, delivered or launched. 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.