World's Best Top 10 River Cruise Lines in 2019 By Hannah Walhout Hannah Walhout Instagram Twitter Website Hannah Walhout is a senior editor at Travel + Leisure, where she edits the Discoveries section of the print magazine and develops longer stories focusing on food, wine, and spirits. She has previously worked at Food & Wine and in the writing program at NYU Abu Dhabi. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on July 10, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Courtesy of Uniworld River Cruises There are several reasons why the world’s great civilizations have sprung up along rivers — they give life, connect people, and, of course, they’re pretty dang beautiful. It’s small wonder that rivers seem to be the destination du jour for many cruisers. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated individual cruise ships on their cabins/facilities, food, service, itineraries/destinations, excursions/activities, and value. Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines in five categories, including river cruising. Related: The World's Best Awards 2019 Europe continues to be the main event for river cruise lines; this is where the industry really took off, and its popularity endures. Three of the top 10 river cruise lines on the list — Crystal, Tauck, and U River Cruises — focus all of their efforts on the rivers there. New markets are emerging across the continent. Next year, Tauck (our readers’ No. 2 river cruise line this year) launches its first river itineraries in Portugal, with a ship designed specifically for the Douro. U River Cruises is expanding on the Danube as travelers become more curious about Balkan countries like Serbia. Still, more classic itineraries also remain a draw. Wrote one respondent of a Christmas market cruise with Crystal (No. 3), “It’s a great way to see non-coastal cities. The Rhine and Danube are quite grand, and there is much history to be indulged in. New Year's Eve in Vienna was spectacular.” But the river cruise sector is getting bigger. Half of these lines have offerings in Egypt — where tourism is bouncing back in a big way, and not just on the Nile — with one, Vantage Deluxe World Travel, debuting a new specialized ship in 2020. One respondent enthused about Grand Circle Cruises Line (No. 6): “It was my fourth trip to Egypt, and a river cruise is the best way I have ever found to explore the Nile.” Many companies on the list also operate on major rivers in South Asia and Southeast Asia, and a few are also expanding into China with new ships. “If you want to see China, the Viking cruise is the way to go — great value, service, food, everything,” wrote one respondent, of this year’s fourth place cruise line. The No. 1 River Cruise Line of 2019 has a presence in all of these regions and has topped this category before — including just last year. Read on for the full list. 10. Avalon Waterways Courtesy of Avalon Waterways Score: 89.53 More information: avalonwaterways.com 9. U River Cruises Courtesy of U River Cruises Score: 91.94 More information: ubyuniworld.com 8. Vantage Deluxe World Travel Courtesy of Vantage Deluxe World Travel Score: 91.98 More information: vantagetravel.com 7. Emerald Waterways Courtesy of Emerald Waterways Score: 92.28 More information: emeraldwaterways.com 6. Grand Circle Cruise Line Courtesy of Grand Circle Cruise Line Score: 93.22 More information: gct.com 5. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours Courtesy of Scenic Cruises Score: 93.29 More information: scenicusa.com 4. Viking River Cruises Courtesy of Viking Cruises Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 94.18 More information: vikingrivercruises.com 3. Crystal River Cruises Courtesy of Crystal Cruises Score: 95.39 More information: crystalcruises.com 2. Tauck River Cruising Courtesy of Tauck Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 95.42 More information: tauck.com 1. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Courtesy of Uniworld River Cruises Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 95.54 More information: uniworld.com This 43-year-old company offers cruises on the Danube, Ganges, Mekong, Nile, Po, Rhone, Volga, Yangtze, and more — and it’s only growing its footprint. Following the launch of two new France-based ships (Joie de Vivre, in 2017, and the Bon Voyage this spring), Uniworld will add new ships next year in Egypt, Italy, Portugal, and Vietnam. Respondents noted Uniworld’s “beautiful, one of a kind ships,” “excellent food,” and “impeccable service” (it claims the highest staff-to-guest ratio in its class). One reader simply commented, “Uniworld sets the standard.” See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2019. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit