Which river cruise lines are best for solo travellers?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026
These 15 river cruise lines offer solo cabins, solo fares or solo departures 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 are best for solo travellers?
15 river cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they offer solo cabins, solo fares or solo departures; Phoenix Reisen, CroisiEurope and Tauck have the most Google reviews under the line's own name.
Amadeus River Cruises
- Best for
- European river cruises with wine at dinner
- Solo travellers
- Has two single cabins of 10 m2 each on AMADEUS Brilliant and AMADEUS Diamond, bookable without a single cabin supplement.
- 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).
American Cruise Lines
- Best for
- All-inclusive US river cruises with excursions
- Solo travellers
- Has single staterooms on its ships, each with a private balcony or picture window.
- 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.
CroisiEurope
- Best for
- French family line on European rivers
- Solo travellers
- Sells single-occupancy cabins on its river and sea cruises, up to 10% of the cabins and no more than 12 per ship.
- 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
Emerald Cruises
- Best for
- Star-Ship river cruises in Europe and Asia
- Solo travellers
- Runs solo offers on river ships and yachts, with Solo Program Select Fares saving 75% of the single supplement and Preferred Fares 50%.
- Why choose them
- Founded in 2013, it now sails eight Star-Ships in Europe and one on the Mekong. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 37 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Solo Program Preferred Fare, which gives 50% single supplement savings.
- Not the fit if
- you need time after booking: the deposit on river cruises is due within 48 hours.
Excellence River Cruises
- Best for
- German-language river voyages from Switzerland
- Solo travellers
- Has single cabins of 10 m² on the Excellence Coral and offers a double cabin on the main deck for one person without supplement on selected river voyages.
- 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
Grand Circle Cruise Line
- Best for
- Small-group Danube and Seine cruises with airfare
- Solo travellers
- Says more than 4,000 solo travellers will take its river cruises in 2027 and has opened more single cabins for 2027 across all its river cruise itineraries.
- 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
Heritage Line
- Best for
- Small-ship Mekong and Vietnam bay cruises
- Solo travellers
- Runs a Solo Traveller offer with no single supplement on selected cruises in Southeast Asia.
- Why choose them
- The Jahan cruises the lower Mekong with 26 staterooms and suites, all with large balconies.
- Ask for
- Ask for a selected cruise with no single supplement for solo travellers.
- Not the fit if
- your children are under 5: they are not allowed on board unless Heritage Line grants special permission.
- Enquiry
- heritage-line.com/contact
Phoenix Reisen
- Best for
- German-speaking river voyages at published euro fares
- Solo travellers
- Offers heavily reduced single cabins on certain voyages; on the Douro, double cabins are offered for single use at short notice with a 50% surcharge.
- 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.
- Published price
- From 1,099 € per person, 2-bed cabin (stern) main deck, Faszination Douro, 7 days on the Douro Cruiser, 07.04.-14.04.2027. Read 10 November 2026.
- Website
- phoenixreisen.com
Plantours Kreuzfahrten
- Best for
- German-language river cruises with themed events
- Solo travellers
- Has 11 single cabins on MS Lady Diletta and a Single Special that opens more single cabins on selected Christmas voyages.
- 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.
Riverside Luxury Cruises
- Best for
- All-suite European river cruises with butlers
- Solo travellers
- Charges solo travellers no suite surcharge in the Harmony Suite on Riverside Mozart and the Melody Suite on Debussy, Ravel and Mahler, subject to availability.
- Why choose them
- Its suites range from 20 to 82 m² with a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:4.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Harmony Suite on Riverside Mozart or the Melody Suite on Debussy, Ravel or Mahler, where solo travellers pay no suite surcharge, subject to availability.
- Not the fit if
- you use a motorised scooter or need full wheelchair access: scooters are not allowed and wheelchair accessibility is limited.
- Website
- riverside-cruises.com
Riviera Travel
- Best for
- All-inclusive European river cruises with excursions included
- Solo travellers
- Runs a range of solo-only departures and says MS George Eliot will sail solo-only from 2027, with every guest in their own cabin and no single supplements.
- 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
Scenic
- Best for
- All-inclusive Europe and Mekong river cruises
- Solo travellers
- Sells solo fares on double cabins: its Solo Program gives single supplement savings of 75% on Select Fares and 50% on Preferred Fares.
- 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.
Tauck
- Best for
- Fully guided European river cruises, excursions included
- Solo travellers
- Offers solo cabins of 150 to 180 sq ft and no single supplement in Category 1 on all European river cruises, plus Solo Savings of $1,000 per cabin on select sailings.
- Why choose them
- Founded in 1925, it now offers nearly 200 itineraries across land tours and river and small ship cruises. Google: 3.4 out of 5 from 41 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 2.7 out of 5 from 93 reviews, newest 13 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Category 1 cabin on a European river cruise, which carries no single supplement.
- Not the fit if
- you need help walking or use a motorised scooter: Tauck cannot provide individual assistance and cannot take scooters on any trip.
- Enquiry
- tauck.com/contact-us
Viking
- Best for
- Europe, Nile and Mekong river voyages
- Solo travellers
- Offers Special Solo Traveler Fares, with single supplement savings off applicable rates.
- 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
Which of these show a dated price on this page?
3 of the 15 cards show a price for a sailing, with its currency and a date or season. American Cruise Lines, Assam Bengal Navigation, CroisiEurope, Emerald Cruises, Heritage Line, Plantours Kreuzfahrten, Riviera Travel, Tauck 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.
Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?
4 of the 15 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)
- Excellence River Cruises: Stiftung Gesetzlicher Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Garantiefonds)
- 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
Who to contact first
Start with the 2 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.
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.
River cruises for solo travellers: 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?
9 of the 15 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, CroisiEurope and Tauck, 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 15: CroisiEurope, Grand Circle Cruise Line, Tauck and Viking. Each card gives the TrustScore, the review count and the newest review date, read 10 November 2026.
Which of these publish their cancellation terms?
11 of the 15: Amadeus River Cruises, Assam Bengal Navigation, CroisiEurope, Emerald Cruises, Excellence River Cruises, Grand Circle Cruise Line, Heritage Line, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Riviera Travel, Scenic and Tauck. 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 offers solo cabins, solo fares or solo departures. 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
- Which river cruise lines have no single supplement?
- Which river cruise lines have the most spacious cabins?
- Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travellers in 2026: 22 Lines Scored on Single Supplements and Solo Cabins, Plus the Best Expedition, Luxury Ocean and River Lines for One
- Which river cruise lines have the best reviews?
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.