Uniworld vs Viking: which river cruise is better?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Viking each publish on their own websites, read 10 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

Uniworld vs Viking: which river cruise is better?

Neither is better for everyone. Uniworld includes premium beverages, onboard gratuities and scheduled excursions on cruises of 7 nights or more on its Asia and US terms; Viking includes one shore excursion in every port with beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. Viking operates Viking Longships of 80 to 200 passengers in Europe.

What is each line?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises sells river cruises plus Cruise & Land, Cruise & Tour and Cruise & Rail programmes; its Asia and US bookings are made with The Travel Corporation (2011) Pte Limited. Source

Viking runs river voyages on ships it operates under its own name, with Viking Longships in Europe and ships on the Nile, the Mississippi, the Mekong and the Brahmaputra. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

Viking sails Viking Longships in Europe, six Douro ships (Viking Gyda, Helgrim, Hemming, Osfrid, Sol and Torgil), Viking Astrild and Beyla on the Elbe, six Seine ships, the Nile ships Viking Amun, Aton and Hathor (with Anubis and Geb due 2027), Viking Mississippi, plus Viking Saigon and Viking Tonle on the Mekong. Source

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.

How many guests are on board?

Viking's Viking Longships carry 80 to 200 passengers; its Nile ships host 82 guests each, its Asia ships 80 guests and Viking Mississippi 386 guests in 193 staterooms. Source

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.

Which rivers does each line sail?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises sells named sailings on the Danube (Delightful Danube, Danube Grandeur, Danube Holiday Markets) and the Rhine and Moselle (Rhine, Moselle & Belgium Grand Discovery, Moselle Holiday Markets). Source

Viking sails named itineraries on the Seine (Paris & the Heart of Normandy, Christmastime in Paris & Normandy), the Rhône (Lyon & Provence) and the Nile (Pharaohs & Pyramids, Grand Nile Journey I and II); it also sails purpose-built ships on the Douro, the Elbe, the Mississippi, the Mekong and the Brahmaputra. The pages read name no Danube or Rhine itinerary. Source

How large are the cabins?

Viking's cabin sizes are given for its Nile ships (a Standard Stateroom of 232 sq ft with a half-height picture window to an Explorer Suite of 677 sq ft including a 195 sq ft veranda) and for Viking Mississippi (336 sq ft Penthouse Veranda to Explorer Suites of 657 to 1,024 sq ft, all with a private veranda); no Longship cabin size is given. Source

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.

What does the fare include?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' cruises of 7 nights or more include accommodation, onboard meals, premium beverages, onboard gratuities and scheduled excursions, with Wi-Fi on most vessels; airfare, visas, optional excursions, laundry and travel protection cost extra. Source

Viking's Viking Inclusive Value fare includes one shore excursion in every port and beer, wine and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner; pre-paid charges, optional facilities and personal charges are not in the fare. Source

Are shore excursions included?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises includes scheduled excursions on cruises of 7 nights or more; optional or additional excursions cost extra. Source

Viking includes one guided shore excursion in every port, led by an English-speaking guide; optional excursions such as Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access cost extra, with every excursion rated easy, moderate or demanding. Source

What does a sailing cost?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises sails Delightful Danube, 8 days from Budapest to Regensburg, from $2,969 per person, double occupancy, departing 19 March 2028 (early booking offer; regular $3,299). Source

Viking does not publish a dated price on the pages read.

What do solo travellers pay?

Viking advertises Special Solo Traveler Fares and says single supplement savings are off applicable rates. Source

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises does not publish this on the pages read.

How much is the deposit?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises asks a deposit of at least 10% of the fare, less discounts, within 48 hours of booking, with final payment 120 days before the start date; flights booked with it add a non-refundable air deposit of US$450 per person (Asia and US terms), A$1,500 (Australia) or C$600 (Canada). Source

Viking offers a $25 deposit as a current offer (US dollars, US residents) on itineraries of 35 days or less departing April 2027 onward, or June 2027 onward for itineraries over 35 days, World Cruise excluded; it states no standard deposit. 2027 departures pay in full by 17 December 2026 or 120 days before departure, whichever comes first. Source

What happens if you cancel?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' Asia and US scale (2028 terms) per person: $250 at 120 days or more before departure, 25% of the fare at 119 to 90 days, 50% at 89 to 60 days, 75% at 59 to 30 days and 100% under 30 days; Egypt, Peru, India, Vietnam and Bali charge $500, then 50% from 119 days and 100% from 89 days. Source

Viking publishes no cancellation charge scale in the pages read; its optional Travel Protection Plan includes a Cancel for Any Reason waiver, under which the nonrefundable part of the trip cost comes back in Viking travel vouchers, claimed within 30 days of cancellation and redeemed within 12 months. Source

Is your money protected?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' Canadian bookings are covered by the Travel Industry Compensation Fund, as an Ontario-registered seller of travel (TICO registration number 50018458); it is also a California seller of travel (CST #2075415-20). Source

Viking does not publish this on the pages read.

What happens if the water is too high or too low?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises says itineraries may be altered because of water levels, with substitute itineraries, hotels or vessels kept as similar as it can; changes bring no refund and guests who cancel because of one pay the standard charges. Source

Viking does not publish this on the pages read.

What if your mobility is limited?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises says it makes reasonable efforts for disclosed mobility needs but cannot guarantee full accessibility; it provides no wheelchairs, scooters or personal care, so such guests must travel with a capable companion. Source

Viking has lifts throughout Viking Mississippi and a wheelchair-accessible Explorer Suite (#300); on its Nile ships the lift runs from Main Deck to Pool Deck only, with none to the Sun Deck; excursions are rated easy, moderate or demanding. Source

Can children come?

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises sets a minimum age of 5 (7 in Peru), with under-18s booked in a cabin with someone aged 21 or older; its Generations programme departures are designed for families travelling with children. Source

Viking says there are no children on board its river ships. Source

When is each not the fit?

The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.

• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: not the fit if you need medical staff on board: it says it does not employ medical personnel. Source
• Viking: not the fit if you live outside the US and want its published fares: it says all prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. 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.

• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: 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.
• Viking: Trustpilot (whole company): 1.7 out of 5 from 384 reviews, newest 10 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.

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 Viking River Cruises?

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 10 November 2026 · updated 10 November 2026