The 10 best river cruises to book now

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

River cruises offer a different perspective to explore a new, or even a favourite, destination

As the setting sun tinges the passing vineyards in a golden hue, I’m on deck with a Blue Danube, a fittingly azure-coloured cocktail mixed with gin, elderflower liqueur and curacao. Later that night, the ship’s pianist plays the famous namesake waltz by Johann Strauss.

This serene cruise through the waterways of Germany, Austria and Hungary delivered an ever-changing window on beautiful scenery, grand cities and charming wine-growing villages. Each day, we stopped to explore somewhere new.

River cruises offer a different perspective on rivers such as the Rhine, Douro, Mekong and Mississippi, plus, you only unpack once. And with hotel and restaurant costs rising, river holidays offer excellent value for money, because all meals – and often drinks – are included. 

Find out how to plan your perfect getaway on one of the world’s wonderful waterways.

Quick find by cruise type

  • Best for adults only
  • Best for families
  • Best for solo travellers

Best for nature and wildlife

Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta

Amadeus River Cruises

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

This itinerary from Amadeus navigates through capital cities, as well as the Danube Delta and the dramatic Iron Gate gorge - Volker Vornehm

Key stops: Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Ruse, Giurgiu, Novi Sad

Departure port: Passau

Duration: 15 nights

Ship: Amadeus Nova

With picture postcard scenery and elegant cities, the Danube is a must for first-time river cruisers. Flowing from Germany’s Black Forest all the way to the Black Sea, Europe’s second longest river meanders through 10 countries and four capitals – Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Belgrade – and the Unesco-listed Wachau Valley, arguably the prettiest stretch.

However, it’s a river of two halves. While most lines focus on the upper reaches and big-hitting first cities, Amadeus River Cruises spearheaded sailings to the wild expanses of the Danube Delta. An exciting excursion takes passengers through deep reed beds into the protected wetlands to see Europe’s largest population of white pelicans.

On this itinerary, guests can experience the best of both worlds, taking in the highlights before navigating the dramatic Iron Gate gorge. It was an extraordinary feeling to reach “zero kilometres”, where this great river meets the Black Sea. As Amadeus Cara momentarily bobbed in the sea, waiters served celebratory sparkling wine.

Insider tip

The ship’s Café Vienna is a nod to the line’s Austrian heritage and a nice spot for a pick-me-up coffee and cake.

How to do it

A 15-night Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta cruise costs from £4,126pp departing July 27, 2026. Includes drinks with meals, sailing round-trip from Passau (amadeus-rivercruises.co.uk).

Best for adult-only cruising

Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs

TUI River Cruises

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

TUI Bahareya is TUI River Cruises’ second Nile ship

Key stops: Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu

Departure port: Luxor

Duration: Seven nights

Ship: TUI Bahareya

The UK’s largest travel company first dipped its toe into the world of river cruising in 2021. TUI River Cruises is launching its second Nile ship, TUI Bahareya – which means “belongs to the river” in Arabic – in November 2025, bringing its fleet in Europe and Egypt to six.

Unlike its family-friendly beach getaways, TUI River Cruises are strictly adult-only. However, like its land-based holidays, the river cruises are geared to British travellers with flights from Gatwick and Manchester included in the fare.

The newly refurbished 146-guest TUI Bahareya offers a comfortable base for exploring the wonders of ancient Egypt. The cruise features two included excursions to the towering temples of Horus and Kom Ombo, with the chance to book others, including a dawn hot-air balloon ride over Luxor.

A TUI Egyptologist escorts every excursion, and after a day’s sightseeing, you can cool off in the top deck swimming pool or soothe weary limbs in the massage tent.

Insider tip

Don’t miss the unusual temple of Kom Ombo, which is part Egyptian and part Roman, dedicated to not one, but two gods – the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris.

How to do it

A seven-night Ancient Gods and famous Pharaohs itinerary costs from £1,399pp departing January 20, 2026. Includes flights, selected drinks, two excursions and tips, sailing round-trip from Luxor. (tui.co.uk).

Best for getting off the beaten track

Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River

CroisiEurope

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

CroisiEurope offers journeys to Africa’s “Four Corners”, where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet - Kevin Hogan

Key stops: Chobe National Park, Impalili Island, Matusadona National Park

Departure port: Botswana

Duration: Eight nights

Ship: Zimbabwean Dream

French line CroisiEurope pushes boundaries as the only river sailing on the Loire, Spain’s Guadalquivir, the Czech Republic’s Vltava and, most notably, a water safari in southern Africa.

Touching Africa’s “Four Corners”, where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet, it starts with a three-night stay in a remote Namibian lodge and takes in waterborne safaris on the Chobe and Zambezi rivers and a game drive in Chobe National Park.

A propeller plane transports guests to wildlife-rich Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made lake, to join one of CroisiEurope’s two 16-passengers boats.

I’ll never forget the sight of a solitary bull elephant eating grass on the fertile bank a stone’s throw from Zimbabwean Dream’s mooring spot, or navigating the ethereal sunken petrified forest. A legacy of the time, the area was flooded following the construction of the Kariba Dam between 1958 and 1963, and the trees’ sun-bleached branches stretch skywards from the lake’s glassy surface.

Insider tip

It’s well worth paying for the optional excursion to take a breathtaking helicopter ride over Victoria Falls, the world’s largest waterfall.

How to do it

A nine-day Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River costs from £5,700pp departing January 12, 2026. Includes international and internal flights, cruise safari excursions and drinks (croisieurope.co.uk).

Best for solo travellers

Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise

Riviera Travel

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

Riviera Travel’s itinerary follows the Seine from Paris to Normandy and back

Key stops: Les Andelys, Rouen, Honfleur, Giverny, Vernon

Departure port: Paris

Duration: Eight nights

Ship: MS Jane Austen

River cruising is always a great choice for single travellers as ships are small, making it easy to meet and socialise with fellow passengers. Riviera Travel takes things a step further by having solo cabins on every sailing, and dedicated solo cruises. 

Cruise the Seine from Paris to Normandy and back and follow in the footsteps of Claude Monet, Eugene Boudin and JMW Turner, while sampling delicious regional cuisine, such as chicken cooked with brandy and cream, followed by rich and sticky tarte tatin.

I’m always captivated by the pretty harbour town of Honfleurs, where the Seine meets the Channel, and it’s easy to see how the jumble of 16th-century pastel-coloured buildings inspired generations of painters.

There’s the option to return to MS Jane Austen for lunch, but I preferred to linger in one of the cafés surrounding the quayside with a plate of garlicky mussels and a local apple juice.

Insider tip

For wonderful views over the river, book dinner – at no extra charge – at the small Lido Restaurant located on the top deck at the back of Jane Austen.

How to do it

An eight-day Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise for solo travellers costs from £2,699pp departing March 25, 2026. Includes flights or train travel, drinks and excursions (rivieratravel.co.uk).

Best for adventurers

Magic of Colombia

AmaWaterways

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

Interiors on board AmaMagdalena showcase works by local craftspeople - Tony Brown Photography

Key stops: Magangue, Mompox, Santa Barbara de Pinto, Palenque

Departure port: Barranquilla

Duration: Seven nights

Ship: AmaMagdalena

Just when you think there are no more rivers to explore, AmaWaterways finds one. And what a river. In 2025, it became the first to offer cruises on Colombia’s Magdalena River, the so-called River of a Thousand Rhythms.

Working with local craftspeople, AmaWaterways built a pair of 60-passenger ships, AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia, to navigate sections of the country’s longest river. Interiors showcase handcrafted woodwork and vibrant artisan art.

Sailing on two week-long itineraries between Barranquilla and Cartagena, these exciting itineraries will visit the floating village of Nueva Venecia, which can only be navigated by boat, and the Spanish colonial town of Mompox. With more bird species than America and Canada combined, guests can take excursions to spot species such as the endangered sapphire-bellied hummingbird.

An exclusive performance in Barranquilla that offers a taste of Colombia’s dazzling carnival season is a weekly highlight.

Insider tip

As you’re travelling so far, enhance your holiday with AmaWaterway’s pre- and post-cruise extensions offering three nights in each of Medellin and Panama City.

How to do it

A seven-night Magic of Colombia cruise from £4,509pp departing April 15, 2026. Includes flights, transfers, drinks with meals and excursions. Offer valid until the end of September 2025 (amawaterways.co.uk).

Best for families

Highlights of the Rhine

A-Rosa River Cruises

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

A-Rosa Sena is the line’s first dedicated family river vessel

Key stops: Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Nijmegan, Düsseldorf

Departure port: Cologne

Duration: Seven nights

Cruise line: A-Rosa Sena

Until around a decade ago, you’d never hear the words river cruise and families in the same sentence. A-Rosa River Cruises changed that by offering cruises on which children travel free, and then put the cherry on the multi-generational cake with its first dedicated family river vessel, A-Rosa Sena.

The 280-passenger ship has cabins sleeping up to five, including bunk beds with their own portholes, and the Treasure Island kids’ club. There are separate pools for adults and children and swimming lessons are offered. Meanwhile, parents can take time out in the large spa. Extended mealtimes make for hassle-free dining and a children’s buffet should please the pickiest eaters.

This half-term sailing on A-Rosa Sena drops in at Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Düsseldorf, where there are plenty of family attractions. Kids will love Rotterdam’s Splashtours, a tour by road and river in a novel amphibious bus, Amsterdam’s interactive NEMO Science Museum and the landmark Rhine Tower viewing platform in Düsseldorf.

Insider tip

Book a spa treatment. While the massage rooms on most river ships are in a converted cabin, the impressive SPA‑ROSA has treatment rooms and a sauna, whirlpool and relaxation area.

How to do it

A seven-night Highlights of the Rhine cruise costs from £1,855pp (children travel free), departing May 23, 2026. Includes drinks and sailing round-trip from Cologne (arosa-cruises.com).

Best for wine lovers

Douro Discovery

Travelmarvel

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

MS Estrela stops for tastings of port or wine varieties along Portugal’s Douro - Tony Brown Photography

Key stops: Régua, Lamego, Pinhão, Vega de Terrón, Entre-os-Rios

Departure port: Porto

Duration: Seven nights

Ship: MS Estrela

Named the River of Gold by the Romans, Portugal’s Douro is flanked by steep green hillsides lined with vines. At one time, the country’s famous fortified wine was carried along the river to Porto warehouses in traditional wooden rabelo boats. It was a dangerous journey along a turbulent waterway that was only tamed by dams in the 1960s, leading to today’s tranquil sailings from Porto to the Spanish border and back.

The Douro is different from other European rivers as ships only sail in daytime, so you’ll never miss any of the passing scenery. The sun deck, with its pool and bar, is the perfect place to relax on Travelmarvel’s MS Estrela.

There are visits to port houses for tastings, and I felt a sense of déjà vu visiting the 18th-century Mateus Palace, which is featured on the labels of Mateus Rosé wine. The wine, in its distinctive curvy bottle, isn’t produced here but it was fun to try it – probably for the first time since my college days – in the neighbouring café.

Insider tip

Don’t be deterred from going on a tasting because you don’t like port. There are light white and rosé varieties that taste completely different and are used in refreshing cocktails.

How to do it

Best for history and culture

New Orleans and Southern Charms

Viking

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

Viking Mississippi is the line’s first and only ship on the ‘Ol Man River

Key stops: Darrow, St. Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge

Departure port: New Orleans

Duration: Seven nights

Ship: Viking Mississippi

Think of a cruise on the Mississippi and you’ll likely conjure images of stately paddle-wheelers. While there are several replica vessels designed to evoke the nostalgic look of steamships, Viking bucked the trend when it launched Viking Mississippi, its first and only ship on the ‘Ol Man River.

The contemporary 386-guest vessel replicates its smaller European Longships with sophisticated and understated Scand-cool design and amenities such as a vast library.

Viking is also known for immersive and thoughtfully curated excursions and there’s an included tour in every port, plus the chance to sign up for additional trips. These come to the fore with insightful visits to Civil War battlefields, antebellum mansions and the jazz-filled streets of New Orleans; without ignoring the darker side of history and the slave trade.

Back on board, there are top-notch lectures every evening. I enjoyed attending these while sipping a Sazerac, a southern favourite made with rye whiskey, absinthe and bitters.

Insider tip

Savour the best of the south on the optional Soul Food and Music excursion, where you’ll tuck into classic regional dishes, including fried chicken, and listen to uplifting gospel music.

How to do it

A seven-night New Orleans and Southern Charms cruise costs from £3,695pp departing January 3, 2026. Includes flights, drinks with meals, daily excursions and tips, sailing round-trip New Orleans (vikingrivercruises.co.uk).

Best for all-inclusive

Treasures of the Mekong

Scenic

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

Scenic Spirit travels along the Mekong from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City

Key stops: Kampong Cham, Angkor Ban, Phnom Penh, Tan Chau, Sa Dec

Departure port: Siem Reap

Duration:12 nights

Ship: Scenic Spirit

River cruises generally include far more in the fare than ocean cruises, including, on most lines, excursions and drinks with lunch and dinner. Some offer even more. Scenic, which describes itself as a “truly all-inclusive” line, also offers butler service.

Scenic has an expansive range of excursions to appeal to different tastes and fitness levels. On Mekong sailings, passengers can settle into VIP seats at Phare, the high-energy Cambodian Circus, for close-up views of the acrobats, admire the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex from a tethered balloon, or ride pillion on a scooter for a street food tour in Vietnam’s former capital, Ho Chi Minh City.

On the Mekong, Scenic’s Scenic Spirit carries just 68 passengers and guests only need to factor in money spent ashore.

Insider tip

For an afternoon tea with a difference, join the trip to the restaurant Le Longanier to enjoy tea, coffee, local fruit and snacks while being entertained by a live band.

How to do it

A 13-day Treasures of the Mekong itinerary from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City cruise costs from £4,950pp for a deluxe suite, departing May 3, 2026. Includes flights, all drinks, excursions, butler service and tips (scenic.co.uk).

Best for staying active

Active and Discovery on the Rhône

Avalon Waterways

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

Avalon Poetry II sails down the Rhône and through Lyon, France’s culinary capital

Key stops: Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon

Departure port: Arles

Duration: Seven nights

Ship: Avalon Poetry II

Avalon Waterways was one of the first river lines to focus on wellness on board. Active and Discovery cruises started on the Danube and have been rolled out to other rivers, including the Rhône.

Cycle through the wilds of the Camargue National Park while keeping an eye out for semi-wild horses, Camargue black bulls and pink flamingos. Kayak through the breathtaking landscapes of the Ardèche Gorge and pedal a five-seater “rail-bike” along a disused train track. Less arduous tours are available, too.

As a vegetarian, I enjoy the imaginative Avalon Fresh menu created in partnership with Viennese culinary brothers Karl and Leo Wrenkh, whose food is mainly plant-based. That said, when you’re sailing through Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, it’s hard to resist other temptations ashore and on board, including afternoon tea. Still, you can always sign up for a bike ride the next day.

Insider tip

The excursion to Valrhona’s Cité du Chocolat, an immersive chocolate experience, is a great place to pick up gifts to bring home – as long as you can resist eating them.

How to do it

An eight-day Active and Discovery on the Rhône (northbound) sailing from Arles to Lyon costs from £3,342pp departing September 15, 2026. Includes flights, drinks with meals and daily excursions (avalonwaterways.co.uk).

About our expert

Jeannine Williamson

Jeannine has clocked up thousands of nautical miles on the A to Z of worldwide rivers, from the Amazon to the Zambezi. When not afloat, she can be found beside the water, at home on England’s south coast.

Quick find by cruise type, Best for nature and wildlife, Beautiful Blue Danube and Danube Delta, Amadeus River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adult-only cruising, Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs, TUI River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for getting off the beaten track, Safari Cruise along the Zambezi River, CroisiEurope, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for solo travellers, Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise, Riviera Travel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for adventurers, Magic of Colombia, AmaWaterways, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for families, Highlights of the Rhine, A-Rosa River Cruises, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for wine lovers, Douro Discovery, Travelmarvel, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for history and culture, New Orleans and Southern Charms, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for all-inclusive, Treasures of the Mekong, Insider tip, How to do it, Best for staying active, Active and Discovery on the Rhône, Avalon Waterways, Insider tip, How to do it, About our expert, Jeannine Williamson

Telegraph Travel cruise expert Jeannine Williamson

Play The Telegraph’s brilliant range of Puzzles - and feel brighter every day. Train your brain and boost your mood with PlusWord, the Mini Crossword, the fearsome Killer Sudoku and even the classic Cryptic Crossword.

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