Thurgau Travel vs A-ROSA: which river cruise is better?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026
No score and no verdict of ours: what Thurgau Travel and A-ROSA each publish on their own websites, read 10 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.
Thurgau Travel vs A-ROSA: which river cruise is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Thurgau Travel, a Swiss family-run company, includes full board and luggage service and asks a 20% deposit; A-ROSA's Premium All-Inclusive fare includes meals and premium drinks during bar opening hours, with a 25% part payment. Their fares are set out below in Swiss francs and euros, never converted.
What is each line?
Thurgau Travel is a Swiss river cruise operator founded in December 2001, family-run since its founding and owned by the Kaufmann family; it sells river cruises in Europe, Asia and the Amazon. Source
A-ROSA is A-ROSA Flussschiff GmbH of Rostock, Germany, whose first cruises sailed the Danube in 2002 on A-ROSA BELLA and A-ROSA DONNA; it sells European river cruises and names the British investment manager Fidera as its new majority shareholder. Source
Which ships does each line sail?
Thurgau Travel says it has 19 ships on over 50 waterways in more than 25 countries; it calls MS Thurgau Gold its flagship, its newest ship MS Thurgau Avanti starts its maiden voyage on 19 May 2027; it also sails MS Swiss Pearl (built 2013) and MS Voyage (built 2004), sells Douro cruises on MS Douro Spirit and MS Douro Queen and calls RV Mekong Discovery its exclusive ship on the Mekong. Source
A-ROSA sails A-ROSA ships, among them A-ROSA BELLA and A-ROSA DONNA (its first, on the Danube in 2002), A-ROSA SENA on the northern Rhine since June 2022, A-ROSA ALEA and A-ROSA CLEA on the Rhine since April 2024 and A-ROSA ALVA. Source
How many guests are on board?
Thurgau Travel carries a maximum of 180 guests in 82 cabins, 4 junior suites and 4 suites on its 135 metre new build MS Thurgau Avanti and 133 guests on MS Swiss Pearl. Source
A-ROSA does not publish this on the pages read.
Which rivers does each line sail?
Thurgau Travel sells river cruises on the Rhine (Rheinzauber Holland), the Danube, the Rhône and Saône, the Seine, the Douro, the Moselle (on MS Thurgau Avanti from 2027), the Oder, Weser, Ems and Oder-Havel canal in Germany, the Mekong and in the Amazon area from September to February or March. Source
A-ROSA sells sailings on the Danube (Passau to Wachau, Wien, Esztergom, Budapest, Bratislava, Krems and Melk), the Rhine (Frankfurt to Speyer, Straßburg, Basel, Breisach and Mainz), the Moselle (Köln to Treis-Karden, Bernkastel-Kues, Trier-Mehring, Traben Trarbach and Cochem), the Rhône (Lyon to Viviers, Avignon, Arles and Tournon-sur-Rhône), the Seine (Le Pecq / Paris to Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux and Vernon) and the Douro (Porto to Régua, Pinhão and Barca d'Alva). Source
How large are the cabins?
Thurgau Travel says its suites and cabins on the middle and upper deck have a French balcony (a floor-to-ceiling panoramic window that opens) or an Infinity balcony with a lowering panoramic window; MS Thurgau Avanti has 82 cabins, 4 junior suites and 4 suites. Source
A-ROSA sells 2-bed outside cabins with balcony (Deck 2, Cabin B) or with Juliette balcony (Deck 2, Cabin C) on its Rhine sailings and 2-bed outside cabins on Deck 1; it gives no cabin sizes. Source
What does the fare include?
Thurgau Travel's fares include full board with a welcome cocktail, a one-off high tea, a light lunch buffet and a gala dinner, vegetarian menus (vegan on request) and luggage service at embarkation and disembarkation; a coach transfer (MS Edelweiss), a drinks package and an excursion package with audio guide can be added. Source
A-ROSA's Premium All-Inclusive fare includes breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, embarkation refreshment, daily coffee time and premium drinks during bar opening hours; for €24.50 per night and person it adds tea, coffee and coffee specialities, cocktails, long drinks and spirits. Excursions are booked and paid on board. Source
Are shore excursions included?
Thurgau Travel: Often sells its excursions as an excursion package bookable with the cruise; on Rheinzauber Holland some excursions are in the package and bookable in advance, some are optional and bookable only on board and some are alternatives bookable on board. Source
A-ROSA sells excursions as optional extras: English excursions can be pre-booked online without obligation, with binding booking and payment on board; excursions are subject to a minimum number of participants. Source
What does a sailing cost?
Thurgau Travel sells Rheinzauber Holland, departing 17 February 2027 and returning 25 February 2027, from CHF 1’390 per person; the cabin is not stated. Source
A-ROSA sells Rhine & Scheldt Metropolises Experience 2027, 7 nights, 2-bed outside cabin with balcony, Deck 2 Cabin B, from €1,561 pp (per person). Source
What do solo travellers pay?
A-ROSA charges a single cabin supplement as per the catalogue, with no figure given; its Singles' Day offer gives solo travellers a reduced single-occupancy surcharge of just 20% on select 4-night cruises. Source
Thurgau Travel does not publish this on the pages read.
How much is the deposit?
Thurgau Travel asks a deposit of 20% of the package price within 14 days of the written booking confirmation; the balance is due at the latest 30 days before departure. Source
A-ROSA asks a part payment of 25% of the travel price once the contract is concluded and the risk coverage certificate issued; the final payment is due 30 days before departure. Source
What happens if you cancel?
A-ROSA lists a first cancellation charge of 40% for 'up to 31 days before departure' in its general terms, with higher charges at later steps that the pages read do not set out in a quotable sentence; on the Premium all inclusive fare the travel date may be changed once free of charge up to 30 days before departure; substituting a passenger costs €50 per person. Source
Thurgau Travel does not publish this on the pages read.
Is your money protected?
Thurgau Travel takes part in the Garantiefonds der Schweizer Reisebranche (the Swiss travel industry guarantee fund), which it says secures the amounts you pay in connection with your booking. Source
A-ROSA: Issues a risk coverage certificate under Section 651r BGB in conjunction with Article 252 EGBGB before the 25% down payment is due; the insurer behind it is not named. Source
What happens if the water is too high or too low?
Thurgau Travel says that if water levels affect a booked river cruise it tells guests early and personally about any changes. Source
A-ROSA does not publish this on the pages read.
What if your mobility is limited?
Thurgau Travel has two specially equipped cabins and lift access between the middle and upper deck on MS Thurgau Avanti, which it says make the ship comfortable for guests with limited mobility; its terms say you must be able to leave the ship on your own in an evacuation. Source
A-ROSA carries mobility aids only after prior notification and confirmation by the A-ROSA Service Centre; wheelchairs cannot be hired on board. Source
Can children come?
Thurgau Travel sells a family sailing on the Rhône, Familienzeit auf der Rhône. Source
A-ROSA runs a Kids Club for children between the ages of 4 and 11; children aged 12 to 15 inclusive, when accompanied by an adult, pay a fixed child fare on Deck 1. Source
When is each not the fit?
The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.
- Thurgau Travel: not the fit if you cannot leave a ship unaided: its terms say that in an evacuation you must be able to leave the ship on your own. Source
- A-ROSA: not the fit if you want excursions in the fare: excursions are booked and paid on board and are subject to a minimum number of participants. Source
How do their reviews compare?
Their figures per platform, read 10 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.
- Thurgau Travel: 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.
- A-ROSA: Trustpilot: 2.9 out of 5 from 342 reviews, newest 6 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
The lines at a glance
One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel river cruise page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.
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.
- 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
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.
- 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.
Which other lines sail the same rivers?
The lines that sell sailings on the same rivers are compared on What are the best alternatives to A-ROSA?
Thurgau Travel vs A-ROSA: the questions people ask
How many guests are on board with Thurgau Travel and A-ROSA?
Thurgau Travel carries a maximum of 180 guests in 82 cabins, 4 junior suites and 4 suites on its 135 metre new build MS Thurgau Avanti and 133 guests on MS Swiss Pearl. A-ROSA does not publish this on the pages read.
How much does a sailing cost with Thurgau Travel and A-ROSA?
Thurgau Travel sells Rheinzauber Holland, departing 17 February 2027 and returning 25 February 2027, from CHF 1’390 per person; the cabin is not stated. A-ROSA sells Rhine & Scheldt Metropolises Experience 2027, 7 nights, 2-bed outside cabin with balcony, Deck 2 Cabin B, from €1,561 pp (per person).
What does the fare include with Thurgau Travel and A-ROSA?
Thurgau Travel's fares include full board with a welcome cocktail, a one-off high tea, a light lunch buffet and a gala dinner, vegetarian menus (vegan on request) and luggage service at embarkation and disembarkation; a coach transfer (MS Edelweiss), a drinks package and an excursion package with audio guide can be added. A-ROSA's Premium All-Inclusive fare includes breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, embarkation refreshment, daily coffee time and premium drinks during bar opening hours; for €24.50 per night and person it adds tea, coffee and coffee specialities, cocktails, long drinks and spirits. Excursions are booked and paid on board.
Are excursions included with Thurgau Travel and A-ROSA?
Thurgau Travel: Often sells its excursions as an excursion package bookable with the cruise; on Rheinzauber Holland some excursions are in the package and bookable in advance, some are optional and bookable only on board and some are alternatives bookable on board. A-ROSA sells excursions as optional extras: English excursions can be pre-booked online without obligation, with binding booking and payment on board; excursions are subject to a minimum number of participants.
What is the cancellation policy with Thurgau Travel and A-ROSA?
A-ROSA lists a first cancellation charge of 40% for 'up to 31 days before departure' in its general terms, with higher charges at later steps that the pages read do not set out in a quotable sentence; on the Premium all inclusive fare the travel date may be changed once free of charge up to 30 days before departure; substituting a passenger costs €50 per person. Thurgau Travel does not publish this on the pages read.
How much is the deposit with Thurgau Travel and A-ROSA?
Thurgau Travel asks a deposit of 20% of the package price within 14 days of the written booking confirmation; the balance is due at the latest 30 days before departure. A-ROSA asks a part payment of 25% of the travel price once the contract is concluded and the risk coverage certificate issued; the final payment is due 30 days before departure.
Is there a single supplement with Thurgau Travel and A-ROSA?
A-ROSA charges a single cabin supplement as per the catalogue, with no figure given; its Singles' Day offer gives solo travellers a reduced single-occupancy surcharge of just 20% on select 4-night cruises. Thurgau Travel does not publish this on the pages read.
What happens if the water is too low with Thurgau Travel and A-ROSA?
Thurgau Travel says that if water levels affect a booked river cruise it tells guests early and personally about any changes. A-ROSA does not publish this on the pages read.
How do I compare prices like for like?
Ask for a written quote for the same dates, the same river and the same cabin type, with every inclusion listed: excursions, drinks, gratuities, wifi, flights, transfers and hotel nights. The price lines above give what each line publishes and on what basis.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Each card links the line's own website; ask for a written quote that lists what the fare includes.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Every line on this page links the page of the line's own website it was read from, read 10 November 2026.
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. Google and Trustpilot figures are shown where the listing carries the line's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel river cruise lines table. Lines are set out in the order the question names them. No score and no verdict. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.