Viking vs AmaWaterways vs Uniworld: which river cruise line is better?

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

Viking vs AmaWaterways vs Uniworld: which river cruise line is better?

None of the three is better for everyone. Viking includes one shore excursion in every port and operates Viking Longships in Europe; AmaWaterways includes a choice of daily onshore experiences and, on its US booking terms, says it owns no ship and acts as sales agent for the carriers that run its ships; Uniworld includes premium beverages, onboard gratuities and scheduled excursions on cruises of 7 nights or more on its Asia and US terms.

What is each line?

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

AmaWaterways sells river cruises; its US booking terms say AmaWaterways, LLC acts solely as sales and marketing agent for separate carriers, among them AmaWaterways GmbH for Swiss-flag ships, DouroAzul in Portugal and a partnership with Wings Tours & Nile Cruises in Egypt; the same terms say it does not own or operate any ship. Source

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

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

AmaWaterways sells sailings on ships including AmaRudi, which it calls the newest ship to join its fleet, AmaPrima and AmaMagna, plus AmaNubia arriving on the Nile in November 2026. 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

AmaWaterways and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises do not publish this on the pages read.

Which rivers does each line sail?

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

AmaWaterways sells named sailings on the Rhine and the Dutch & Belgian Waterways (City Escapes: Grand Rhine & Dutch Canals), the Danube (Celebration of Music), the Main (Europe's Rivers & Castles), the Douro (Flavors of Portugal & Spain), the Nile (Secrets of Egypt & the Nile) and the Mekong (Riches of the Mekong, Charms of the Mekong). Source

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

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

AmaWaterways and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises do not publish this on the pages read.

What does the fare include?

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

AmaWaterways' fares include daily onshore experiences, regional cuisine and personalised service; its US terms say airfare, fuel surcharges, visas, travel protection, laundry, additional food and drinks, optional excursions and gratuities cost extra. Source

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

Are shore excursions included?

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

AmaWaterways includes daily onshore experiences, with a choice each day from guided walking tours, culinary tastings, bike rides and vineyard hikes; optional excursions cost extra. Source

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

AmaWaterways charges a single supplement when a stateroom's occupancy is reduced. Source

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

How much is the deposit?

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

AmaWaterways asks US bookings for a deposit of $400 per person for Europe, Colombia and Asia, $1,200 for Egypt or $2,400 for Africa, with final payment no later than 90 days before travel; Canadian bookings pay $500, $1,500 or $3,000 per person in CAD and UK bookings from £270 to £570. Source

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

What happens if you cancel?

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

AmaWaterways' US scale per person for Europe, Colombia and Asia: $200 at 121 days or more before departure, $400 at 120 to 90 days, 35% of the cruise and land price at 89 to 60 days, 50% at 59 to 31 days and 100% from 30 days; Egypt and Africa start at $600 and $1,200, while date or name changes count as cancellations. Source

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

Is your money protected?

AmaWaterways' UK flight-inclusive packages are protected under ATOL number 11232 and UK packages without flights by an ABTA bond (membership no. Y6393); in the US it is a California seller of travel (CST 2065452-20) with the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund where applicable. Source

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?

AmaWaterways says the carrier may alter itineraries for high or low water, keeping guests on the docked ship, substituting ground arrangements or moving them by coach or another vessel; such changes bring no credit or refund except as the Passenger Ticket Contract provides. Source

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?

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

AmaWaterways says accessible facilities may not be available on board or in many places visited; guests with mobility needs should tell it in writing at booking. Source

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

Can children come?

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

AmaWaterways sets a minimum age of 4 (children under 5 not recommended) or 12 on Africa (including Egypt) and Southeast Asia programmes; it provides no child-specific programmes or child-minding. Source

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

When is each not the fit?

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

• 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
• AmaWaterways: not the fit if you need a doctor on board: it says medical doctors are not available on any vessel. Source
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: not the fit if you need medical staff on board: it says it does not employ medical personnel. 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.

• Viking: Trustpilot (whole company): 1.7 out of 5 from 384 reviews, newest 10 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
• AmaWaterways: 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.
• 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.

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