Which river cruise ships have a pool?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026
These 14 river cruise lines name a ship with a pool, plunge pool or whirlpool on board 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 ships have a pool?
14 river cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that a ship they sail has a pool, plunge pool or whirlpool on board; Travelmarvel, DouroAzul and Thurgau Travel have the most Google reviews under the line's own name.
Where a card names no ship, the line did not name one.
A-ROSA
- Best for
- Drinks-inclusive sailings on Rhine, Danube and Douro
- Pool
- A-ROSA SENA has a whirlpool in the SPA-ROSA and a swimming pool with its own kids' pool on the sun deck; A-ROSA ALEA and A-ROSA CLEA have a fitness room and a whirlpool.
- 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.
Amadeus River Cruises
- Best for
- European river cruises with wine at dinner
- Pool
- AMADEUS Amara has a heated indoor pool; AMADEUS Douro, which debuts in 2028, has a sun deck with a pool.
- 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).
Aqua Expeditions
- Best for
- Small-ship Mekong and Amazon expeditions
- Pool
- Aqua Mekong has a plunge pool, a movie room, a gym and a spa; Aqua Nera, sailing the Amazon, has a gym, a plunge pool, a movie room, a spa and a games room.
- 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
Avalon Waterways
- Best for
- Suite Ships with open-air balconies
- Pool
- Has open decks with a whirlpool, a grill and deck games.
- 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
Century Cruises
- Best for
- Yangtze, Danube and Rhine cruise tours
- Pool
- M/S Semiramis II has a 60 m² pool surrounded by sun loungers and chairs.
- 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
Delfin Amazon Cruises
- Best for
- Small-ship Amazon cruises in Peru's Pacaya Samiria
- Pool
- Delfin III has a sundeck with a plunge pool; on Delfin I, two of its four suites have a private plunge pool.
- 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
DouroAzul
- Best for
- Douro cruises from Porto to Barca D'Alva
- Pool
- Douro Spirit has a pool, spa and gym on board, along with a lift and wifi in all cabins and on deck.
- 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
Excellence River Cruises
- Best for
- German-language river voyages from Switzerland
- Pool
- Sells a Danube summer sailing, 5 to 13 August 2027, on a ship with a sun deck with a pool, loungers, seating groups and shade sails.
- 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
Mazaj Dahabiyas
- Best for
- Small dahabiya sailings on the Nile
- Pool
- Says its Nile cruise ship TULIP offers a rooftop pool, onboard spa and evening entertainment.
- Why choose them
- Mazaj SIA has nine cabins: one Junior Suite, two Royal Suites and six staterooms.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Solar Eclipse Journey departing 2 August 2027, with check-in in Luxor on 1 August 2027.
- Not the fit if
- you want a published fare, as prices are on request.
- Enquiry
- mazajcruises.com/contact
nicko cruises
- Best for
- River cruises for German-speaking travellers worldwide
- Pool
- Its river ship BELLEJOUR has a wellness area with sauna and whirlpool.
- 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
Riverside Luxury Cruises
- Best for
- All-suite European river cruises with butlers
- Pool
- Says its Fitness Center is equipped with Technogym equipment and a counter-current pool for lap swimming; it does not say which of its ships has it.
- 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
Thurgau Travel
- Best for
- Swiss river voyages on its own ships
- Pool
- Its new MS Thurgau Avanti, due to start its maiden voyage on 19 May 2027, has a sun deck with a whirlpool and barbecue, plus a wellness area with sauna and fitness room.
- 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
Travelmarvel
- Best for
- Rhine, Danube and Douro cruises plus Asia
- Pool
- Its European river ships have an onboard gym, whirlpool, putting green and walking track.
- 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.
- Money protection
- ABTA and ATOL (UK packages).
- Website
- travelmarvel.com
Viking
- Best for
- Europe, Nile and Mekong river voyages
- Pool
- Viking Amun has a Pool & Sun Deck with 360-degree views and Viking Mississippi has a Sun Terrace with Infinity Plunge Pool.
- 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?
4 of the 14 cards show a price for a sailing, with its currency and a date or season. Delfin Amazon 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.
Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?
6 of the 14 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
- 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)
- 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)
- Travelmarvel: ABTA and ATOL (UK packages)
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.
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 ships with a pool: 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?
7 of the 14 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, DouroAzul 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?
5 of the 14: A-ROSA, Avalon Waterways, nicko cruises, Thurgau Travel 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 14: A-ROSA, Amadeus River Cruises, Aqua Expeditions, Avalon Waterways, Century Cruises, Delfin Amazon Cruises, DouroAzul, Excellence River Cruises, nicko cruises, Riverside Luxury Cruises and Travelmarvel. 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 ship with a pool, plunge pool or whirlpool on board. 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.