Which river cruise lines protect your money?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026
These 13 river cruise lines name a scheme, bond, insurer or licence that protects payments for their own bookings 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 protect your money?
13 river cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that a named scheme, bond, insurer or licence protects payments for their own bookings; Travelmarvel, VIVA Cruises and Thurgau Travel have the most Google reviews under the line's own name.
Not counted: lines that give only a seller-of-travel registration (Avalon Waterways, Century Cruises, Tauck) or a trade membership (Gate 1 Travel names USTOA membership and an optional Arch Insurance plan), because none says what the registration or membership holds.
A-ROSA
- Best for
- Drinks-inclusive sailings on Rhine, Danube and Douro
- Your money
- Issues a risk coverage certificate (Sicherungsschein) under Section 651r BGB in conjunction with Article 252 EGBGB before the 25% down payment is due.
- 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.
Abercrombie & Kent
- Best for
- Guided river journeys and canal barge cruises
- Your money
- For UK bookings, provides financial security for flight-inclusive packages and ATOL-protected flights under its Air Travel Organiser's Licence number 2881, issued by the CAA.
- 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.
- Website
- abercrombiekent.com
Amadeus River Cruises
- Best for
- European river cruises with wine at dinner
- Your money
- Is listed, as Lüftner Cruises GmbH, in the carrier directory of the Austrian Ministry for Economics, Family and Youth under number 2004/0052 and insures customer money under the Austrian travel agency insurance ordinance (RSV).
- 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.
AmaWaterways
- Best for
- Europe, Nile and Mekong river cruises
- Your money
- For UK bookings holds ATOL number 11232 for flight-inclusive packages and an ABTA bond, membership no. Y6393, for packages without flights.
- Why choose them
- Offers over 100 river cruises across 35 countries on 12 rivers. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 67 reviews; Trustpilot: 1.7 out of 5 from 109 reviews, newest 24 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Not the fit if
- you need a doctor on board, as medical doctors are not available on any vessel.
- Website
- amawaterways.com
APT
- Best for
- Fully inclusive Rhine, Danube and Mekong cruises
- Your money
- For UK bookings, is a member of ABTA, its air-inclusive packages are bonded under the Civil Aviation Authority's ATOL scheme and its Client Fund Protection keeps funds paid to it in a separate bank account.
- 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.
- Website
- aptouring.com
Excellence River Cruises
- Best for
- German-language river voyages from Switzerland
- Your money
- Is a member of the Stiftung Gesetzlicher Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Garantiefonds), which covers customer money paid for its river cruise arrangements.
- 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.
- Website
- excellence.ch
nicko cruises
- Best for
- River cruises for German-speaking travellers worldwide
- Your money
- Its package travel terms say it and travel agents may take payment before the end of the trip only if a valid insurance contract exists and the traveller has been given the insurance certificate with the name and contact details of the insurer.
- 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.
- Website
- nicko-cruises.de
Plantours Kreuzfahrten
- Best for
- German-language river cruises with themed events
- Your money
- Insures customer payments with Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH and issues the Sicherungsschein with the booking confirmation (German package travel law, § 651t BGB).
- 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.
Riviera Travel
- Best for
- All-inclusive European river cruises with excursions included
- Your money
- Says it is fully bonded with the CAA and ABTA so your money is safe in any eventuality; its US booking conditions carry Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST40993.
- 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.
- Enquiry
- rivieratravel.com/contact
Thurgau Travel
- Best for
- Swiss river voyages on its own ships
- Your money
- Takes part in the Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Swiss travel industry guarantee fund), which secures the amounts you pay in connection with your booking.
- 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.
- Website
- thurgautravel.ch
Travelmarvel
- Best for
- Rhine, Danube and Douro cruises plus Asia
- Your money
- For UK bookings, says that as ABTA and ATOL members all its packages are fully protected.
- Why choose them
- It added the Contemporary River Ships Polaris, Capella and Vega to its European fleet in 2022. Google: 4.5 out of 5 from 926 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the 2027 Book Early Package on Europe river cruises and the deposit it holds the booking with.
- Not the fit if
- you may need to change plans late: its one free amendment applies only when you are more than 100 days from departure.
- Website
- travelmarvel.com
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
- Best for
- River cruises with drinks and gratuities included
- Your money
- Is a registered seller of travel in Ontario and a participant in the Travel Industry Compensation Fund, TICO registration number 50018458, for Canadian bookings; its Asia-Pacific terms give California Seller of Travel CST #2075415-20.
- 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.
- Published price
- From $2,969 per person, double occupancy, Delightful Danube, 8 days Budapest to Regensburg, 19 March 2028 (early booking offer; regular $3,299). Read 10 November 2026.
- Website
- uniworld.com
VIVA Cruises
- Best for
- All-inclusive river cruises with tips included
- Your money
- Its terms say the 20% down payment falls due only after the contract is concluded and the guarantee certificate has been handed over.
- 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.
- Website
- viva-cruises.com
Which scheme protects each line's bookings?
13 of the 13 lines name the scheme, bond, insurer or licence that protects payments for their own bookings; names are in alphabetical order. A scheme covers the bookings and the market it names, not every booking everywhere.
- A-ROSA: Sicherungsschein
- Abercrombie & Kent: ATOL 2881 (UK bookings)
- Amadeus River Cruises: Austrian RSV
- AmaWaterways: ATOL 11232 and ABTA (UK bookings)
- APT: ABTA and ATOL (UK)
- Excellence River Cruises: Garantiefonds
- nicko cruises: Insurance certificate
- Plantours Kreuzfahrten: DRSF
- Riviera Travel: CAA and ABTA bond (UK bookings)
- Thurgau Travel: Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche
- Travelmarvel: ABTA and ATOL (UK bookings)
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: TICO Travel Industry Compensation Fund (Canadian bookings)
- VIVA Cruises: Guarantee certificate
Which of these show a dated price on this page?
5 of the 13 cards show a price for a sailing, with its currency and a date or season. AmaWaterways, Plantours Kreuzfahrten and Riviera Travel 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.
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.
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 cruise payment protection: 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?
8 of the 13 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?
Travelmarvel, 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?
7 of the 13: A-ROSA, Abercrombie & Kent, AmaWaterways, nicko cruises, Thurgau Travel, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises 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?
11 of the 13: A-ROSA, Abercrombie & Kent, Amadeus River Cruises, AmaWaterways, APT, Excellence River Cruises, nicko cruises, Riviera Travel, Travelmarvel, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and VIVA 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 names a scheme, bond, insurer or licence that protects payments for its own bookings. 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
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.