For most travelers, the word cruise brings to mind a huge ocean-bound luxurious ship that travels from one country to another. But besides these gigantic cruise ships, there is another type popular with tourists worldwide – the river cruise. These are ships that are smaller than cruise ships but bigger than boats and are designed to travel along rivers.
Let us have a look at a few of the interesting river cruises around the world.
The best way to explore Egypt and get to know its culture and civilization is to take a River Nile Cruise. A cruise ride travels along the length of the country and lets you visit a few of the ancient sites like the Valley of Kings and Karnak temple in Luxor and Philae temple, and Nubian village in Aswan. Around 400 cruise ships travel along the Nile River, most of them carrying passengers from Luxor to Aswan. These Nile Cruise ships vary in size and amenities, with some of them even offering a pool, spa, and sundeck for tourists to relax. Most of the cruises will have meals and excursions included in the price. A typical cruise ride lasts from three to seven days and covers places of interest in Luxor and Aswan. There are also ships ferrying tourists between Aswan and Abu Simbel, but they are less popular.
This is one of the most popular river cruises in Europe. The Rhine River cruise travels along with the popular travel destinations in Europe, including France, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The part between Koblenz and Bingen in Germany is considered the most beautiful area along the Rhine. Travelers get a first-hand experience of the European culture and get to see the beautiful sites and landscapes of the region, including beautiful vineyards, medieval castles, and picturesque towns that look straight out of a fairy tale. A Rhine river cruise can range from half a day and go up to 11 days, covering multiple countries.
The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe and covers nine countries, including Croatia, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Serbia, and Romania. A cruise along the mighty Danube can last from one day to about two weeks. The trip provides a glimpse of some of the beautiful places of Europe, including majestic castles, stunning fortresses, and beautiful cities. The most popular destination along the Danube is the one covering the three European capitals, Vienna in Austria, Budapest in Hungary, and Bratislava in Slovakia.
The untamed and wild Amazon River, with the dense jungle on its banks, has always captured adventure geeks’ attention. It is now much easier for normal travelers to get to know the secrets of the mighty Amazon, thanks to the various river cruises. The cruises range from modest to luxurious, each providing a unique experience to tourists. Some cruise even has large picture windows through which travelers get a view of the surroundings from their rooms’ comfort. The Amazon River covers eight South American countries, but most of the larger vessels travel between Manaus and Belem’s Brazilian ports. Small cruises can travel to Iquitos in Peru with stops in the undeveloped regions of the Amazon in Peru.
The longest river in Europe, the Volga River, has quite a lot to offer to tourists. Believed to be Russia’s national river, the Volga flows through central Russia, Southern Russia, and eventually into the Caspian Sea. A Volga River cruise will take you to St Petersburg, Moscow, or the Golden Ring cities, depending on the cruise type. You will get to enjoy ballet, the famous Russian circus, or the magnificent palaces of the country. Cruising on the Volga is the best way to experience both the modern and old Russian world.
The longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, the Yangtze River cruise provides a glimpse of the Chinese culture and tradition. The cruise covers a few interesting places in China, including the Three Gorges – Qutang, Wu, and Xiling Gorges. Tourists also get to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the country and visit interesting places like the old ghost towns and ancient temples. If you are lucky, you can even come across some of the country’s endangered species like dolphins and Chinese alligators. The cruise tour ranges from four to thirteen days, depending on the number of places covered.
The fourth-longest river in the world, the Mississippi, runs through the central part of the USA. The cruise along the Mississippi provides a glimpse of the scenic beauty of the region. A unique feature of the Mississippi cruise is that most of the ships are designed in an old-fashioned style, which lets tourists feel that they are traveling back in time. Depending on the cruise itinerary, tourists get to visit quaint towns and large cities like Louisville and St Louis, plantation homes, and the battle site of the Battle of New Orleans. Tourists get to cruise around for as little as a few hours or up to three weeks.
The Mekong River runs across six countries – Burma, Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Tourists get to experience the modern cities and the old floating villages of this region. Depending on the itinerary, you can see the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, the colorful markets, and the beautiful Vinh Trang Pagoda in Vietnam. You get to watch the Khmer Apsara dance performance up close and savor the delectable cuisine of this region. The Mekong River Cruise lets you experience the culture, tradition, and hospitality of real Asia.
This article was updated and re-written in part by Hesham El Gammal; on April 9th, 2025 + fact-checked.
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