What are the best alternatives to Riviera Travel river cruises?

By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026

An alternative here is a line that sells voyages to the same places: at least 3 of the regions Riviera Travel sails, from each line's own website, read 10 November 2026. Each card names the places it shares with Riviera Travel, then what it sells, why to choose it and the limits it publishes.

Where does Riviera Travel sail?

Riviera Travel sells voyages to the Danube, the Rhine, the Douro, the Rhône and Saône, the Seine and the Moselle, by its own website; the alternatives below sell voyages to at least 3 of the same places.

The rivers counted are the ones Riviera Travel's own pages name; it may sail more.

  • The Danube: Sails The Blue Danube River Cruise (8 days; Austria, Hungary and Slovakia) and Budapest to the Black Sea (15 days), on ships including MS Geoffrey Chaucer and MS Emily Brontë. Source
  • The Rhine: Sails the Rhine Cruise to Switzerland (8 days), Rhine, Strasbourg and Heidelberg (8 days) and the Rhine Gorge & Cologne Discovery (4 days), on ships including MS Emily Brontë and MS Oscar Wilde. Source
  • The Douro: Sails the Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise (8 days; Portugal and Spain) on MS Douro Elegance and MS Douro Splendour, which carry 124 guests each. Source
  • The Rhône and Saône: Sails Burgundy, the River Rhône and Provence (8 days, 11 included experiences) and Lyon, Provençal Rhône & the Camargue (11 days) on MS Lord Byron. Source
  • The Seine: Sails The Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise (8 days, 10 included experiences) and Paris, Normandy & Historic Treasures of the Seine (11 days) on MS Jane Austen. Source
  • The Moselle: Sails the Rhine and Moselle River Cruise (8 days in Germany) and the Grand Cruise of the Moselle, Rhine, Luxembourg and Switzerland (18 days). Source

What are the best alternatives to Riviera Travel river cruises?

17 river cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table sell voyages to at least 3 of the places Riviera Travel sails, by their own websites; Phoenix Reisen, Travelmarvel and Thurgau Travel 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, sells sailings on at least three of the rivers Riviera Travel sails: 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
What it sells
Runs river cruises on 15 ships of its own on the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Rhône, Seine and Douro, sold on a Premium All-Inclusive fare.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine, the Douro, the Rhône and Saône, the Seine and the Moselle
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.
Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: company/contact.html, company/history.html, my-a-rosa/faq.html.
Is this your company? See how a listing works

Amadeus River Cruises

Best for
European river cruises with wine at dinner
What it sells
Runs European river cruises on its own AMADEUS fleet, adding a new ship each year, with English spoken on board.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine and the Seine
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).
Is this your company? See how a listing works

AmaWaterways

Best for
Europe, Nile and Mekong river cruises
What it sells
Sells river cruises on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Douro, Nile and Mekong, on ships including AmaRudi, AmaPrima and AmaMagna.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine and the Douro
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.
Money protection
ATOL 11232 for flight-inclusive UK packages; ABTA bond, membership no. Y6393.
Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: home page, terms-conditions/booking-sales, uk/terms-conditions/booking-sales.
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CroisiEurope

Best for
French family line on European rivers
What it sells
Sells river and sea cruises on its own fleet of 50 ships and barges, on the Rhine, Danube, Rhône, Saône, Elbe, Po, Dordogne and Garonne, plus Mekong programmes. It is an independent French family company working since 1976.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine and the Rhône and Saône
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.
Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: home page, information/conditions-generales-ventes-2026.
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Emerald Cruises

Best for
Star-Ship river cruises in Europe and Asia
What it sells
Runs river cruises on its own Star-Ships, eight in Europe on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Rhône, Saône and Douro and one, Emerald Harmony, on the Mekong, plus luxury yachts.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine, the Douro, the Rhône and Saône and the Moselle
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.
Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: US/en-US/about-us, US/en-US/offers/europe-river-cruises.
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Excellence River Cruises

Best for
German-language river voyages from Switzerland
What it sells
Sells river voyages on ten river ships under the Excellence Cruises flag in Europe, on the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Rhône, Saône, Seine, Elbe and Havel, with coach travel from Switzerland included.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine, the Rhône and Saône, the Seine and the Moselle
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).
Is this your company? See how a listing works

Grand Circle Cruise Line

Best for
Small-group Danube and Seine cruises with airfare
What it sells
Runs small-group river cruises on its own privately owned ships, among them the 162-passenger M/S River Aria and River Adagio, the 140-passenger River Harmony and the 120-passenger M/S Bizet, in Europe.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Moselle
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.
Is this your company? See how a listing works

nicko cruises

Best for
River cruises for German-speaking travellers worldwide
What it sells
Runs river cruises on a fleet of 22 ships on the Danube, Rhône, Saône, Seine, Douro, Nile, Mekong and Mississippi, plus the ocean ship VASCO DA GAMA.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Douro, the Rhône and Saône and the Seine
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.
Is this your company? See how a listing works

Phoenix Reisen

Best for
German-speaking river voyages at published euro fares
What it sells
Sells German-language river voyages on nearly 40 river ships, on the Danube, Douro, Rhine, Moselle, Rhône, Saône and Mekong, alongside its ocean ships.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Douro and the Rhône and Saône
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.
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Plantours Kreuzfahrten

Best for
German-language river cruises with themed events
What it sells
Sells river cruises on MS Lady Diletta, Lady Cristina, Sans Souci, Elegant Lady, Rousse Prestige and La Marguerite on the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Elbe, Oder, Dutch and Belgian waterways and the Mekong, plus Nile sailings on MS Monte Carlo.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine and the Moselle
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.
Is this your company? See how a listing works

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Best for
All-suite European river cruises with butlers
What it sells
Sells luxury river cruises in Europe on four all-suite ships, Mozart, Ravel, Debussy and Mahler, on the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Rhône and Saône.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine and the Rhône and Saône
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.
Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: en/about-riverside, en/faq.
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Scenic

Best for
All-inclusive Europe and Mekong river cruises
What it sells
Sails 13 river ships: Scenic Space-Ships of up to 163 guests in Europe and the 68-guest Scenic Spirit on the Mekong.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine, the Douro, the Rhône and Saône, the Seine and the Moselle
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.
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Tauck

Best for
Fully guided European river cruises, excursions included
What it sells
Runs fully guided river cruises in Europe on riverboats that average 110 guests (none above 130), on the Rhine, Moselle, Danube, Rhône, Saône, Seine, Douro and the waterways of Belgium and the Netherlands.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine, the Douro, the Rhône and Saône, the Seine and the Moselle
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.
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Thurgau Travel

Best for
Swiss river voyages on its own ships
What it sells
Sells river voyages on 19 ships across more than 25 countries, on rivers including the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Rhône, Saône, Seine, Douro, Elbe, Mekong and Ganges.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine, the Douro, the Rhône and Saône, the Seine and the Moselle
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).
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Travelmarvel

Best for
Rhine, Danube and Douro cruises plus Asia
What it sells
Sells river cruises; its fleet list names the Polaris, Capella, Vega and Rigel in Europe, the MS Estrela on the Douro, the Travelmarvel RV Lotus in Asia and the Travelmarvel Sirius on the Nile.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine, the Douro and the Moselle
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).
Is this your company? See how a listing works

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Best for
River cruises with drinks and gratuities included
What it sells
Sells river cruises, plus Cruise & Land, Cruise & Tour and Cruise & Rail programmes, on the Danube, Rhine and Moselle in Europe and in Egypt, Peru, India and Vietnam. It says it is the world's most renowned river cruise line.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Danube, the Rhine and the Moselle
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.
Money protection
Travel Industry Compensation Fund, TICO registration number 50018458 (Ontario); California Seller of Travel CST #2075415-20.
Read on its own website, 10 November 2026: ap/terms-and-conditions/2028, home page, ca/terms-and-conditions/2028.
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Viking

Best for
Europe, Nile and Mekong river voyages
What it sells
Operates river voyages under its own name: Viking Longships of 80 to 200 passengers in Europe, 82-guest ships on the Nile, Viking Mississippi and 80-guest ships on the Mekong and Brahmaputra.
Also sails, like Riviera Travel
the Douro, the Rhône and Saône and the Seine
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.
Is this your company? See how a listing works

Which of these show a dated price on this page?

7 of the 17 cards show a price for a sailing, with its currency and a date or season. AmaWaterways, CroisiEurope, Emerald Cruises, Plantours Kreuzfahrten, 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?

9 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
  • 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)
  • AmaWaterways: ATOL 11232 for flight-inclusive UK packages; ABTA bond, membership no. Y6393
  • 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
  • Plantours Kreuzfahrten: Deutscher Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH, with a Sicherungsschein issued with the booking confirmation
  • Thurgau Travel: Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (Swiss travel industry guarantee fund)
  • Travelmarvel: ABTA and ATOL (UK packages)
  • 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 5 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.

Riviera Travel alternatives: 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 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?

Phoenix Reisen, Travelmarvel 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?

9 of the 17: A-ROSA, AmaWaterways, CroisiEurope, Grand Circle Cruise Line, nicko cruises, Tauck, Thurgau Travel, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises 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?

13 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 sells sailings on at least three of the rivers Riviera Travel sails. 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.

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.