Sail to Scenic River Cruises

Discover Uniworld River Cruises

Many travellers harbour certain ideas about what it means to embark on a cruise vacation, imagining extravagant ships gliding through immense bodies of water. But there is an alternative! Uniworld invites all maritime-minded wanderers to explore smaller waterways across Europe, South America, and beyond. Here’s why you should book river cruises with Uniworld!

A boutique experience at sea

While ocean cruising is designed for a larger scale and a more significant amount of people, river cruises promise a more intimate setting. Smaller ships only allow for about 150 to 200 people on-board, creating a more personalized and exclusive experience. On these unique and luxurious ships, the focus isn’t on big entertainment, like the water slides found on ocean cruise liners, but on the finer details. Expect water-side lessons on the history, culture, food and art of the destinations included in your itinerary.

Smaller ships also mean greater access to a wider range of ports and more exciting, off-the-beaten-path destinations that aren’t accessible to bigger cruise ships!

Cruise & Rail Itineraries

Combining the wonders of a cruise journey to the slow pleasures of a train trip, Uniworld’s Cruise & Rail itineraries let you admire European marvels from every angle.

Pick between a 12-day journey from Zurich to Venice (Cruise & Rail: Venice & the Swiss Alps) or a 14-day trip from Milan to Zurich (Cruise & Rail: Milan, Venice & the Swiss Alps) to cross off Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein and Slovenia from your bucket list! The first includes an impossibly scenic train ride from Zurich, along shimmering Swiss lakes, to alpine ski towns and Italian medieval cities, before arriving in romantic Venice for a cruise around the Venetian Lagoon and to dreamy Italian coastal destinations. The second itinerary is quite similar, but your journey begins in magnificent Milan, with a few days extra to explore the fashion capital of the world!

Famous Central European rivers

Central Europe’s most enchanting rivers? The Rhine, the Main, the Danube… are all included in some of Uniworld’s best river cruise itineraries.

For Rhine river cruises, an all-new 8-day voyage from Amsterdam to Nuremberg (Classic Germany & Amsterdam) starts in the capital of the Netherlands and takes you through the Dutch countryside to Germany’s most charming towns, including Cologne, Bamberg, Würzburg and more. You could also opt for a 15-day jaunt from Amsterdam to Vienna (Rhine, Main & Danube Discovery) to take in the best of these three important European rivers. On the agenda: UNESCO World Heritage sites, a fairy tale-like Bavarian forest, and idyllic, historic villages!

An 8-day Danube river cruise (Enchanting Danube) could bring you to one of Europe’s most underrated cities: Budapest, with fascinating stops in Vienna, Bratislava and the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg.

River romance in France

From sublime scenes around the Seine River to world-famous gastronomy awaiting off the banks of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, France river cruises reveal the country’s rich heritage.

If you fancy sampling some of the country’s best food and wine, hop aboard an 8-day river cruise (Brilliant Bordeaux) starting from and ending in Bordeaux, a world wine capital. Set sail along three stunning French rivers, admiring an inspiring landscape of vineyards, historical landmarks, wine châteaux, and picturesque towns.

Foodies and art lovers can also revel in the scenery that inspired legends like Van Gogh, Cézanne and Gauguin. Cruise the Rhône and Saône rivers on an 8-day trip (Burgundy & Provence) starting in Avignon and ending in Lyon, stopping in the most fascinating towns and enchanting villages of southern France and the Provençal region.

Of course, we couldn’t recommend river cruises in France without mentioning the City of Lights and the iconic Seine River. Uniworld’s 8-day river cruise (Paris & Normandy), starting from and ending in Paris, promises an unforgettable experience for history buffs. Its itinerary includes stops at several D-Day sites, châteaux and the medieval city of Rouen, while giving you plenty of time to explore the French capital.

Off-the-beaten-path adventures

Looking for something a little different? Pencil in an escape across Eastern Europe’s most thrilling countries with a 10-day river cruise (Highlights of Eastern Europe) on the Danube that starts in the Hungarian capital of Budapest and ends in the Romanian capital of Bucharest. Fascinating countries like Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria reveal their secrets scattered amid gorgeous hill towns, Roman ruins and thriving cultural or culinary traditions. Perfect for the curious traveller!

The ultimate river cruise adventure takes place in an entirely different continent, bringing you to one of the world’s most spectacular sites. Lasting 15 days and starting from Lima (Peruvian Amazon & Machu Picchu Exploration), an epic river cruise and tour takes you to Peru’s most unbelievable cities and scenery, from the tangled jungles of the Peruvian Amazon to incredible Machu Picchu, the famous heartland of the Inca Empire. Look out for amazing wildlife along the way, like the country’s famous pink dolphins!

What's next

Get your boat shoes ready! To help you plan your next cruise vacation, check our current cruise deals or go straight to booking a river cruise with Uniworld. On top of the river cruise itineraries mentioned in this travel guide, the cruise line also offers maritime adventures in Vietnam, Egypt, and more!