Viking River Cruises Cruises

Viking is the biggest name in European river cruising, and its Longships are the template most travelers picture: long, low ships carrying around 190 guests, docking close to town centers on the Rhine, Danube and other rivers. Because the ships are so similar across the fleet, the choice comes down to the river and the dates rather than the vessel.

Fares cover all meals - buffet-and-menu breakfast and lunch, a served dinner - with wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, specialty coffee and tea all day, Wi-Fi, and a guided excursion in nearly every port. Drinks outside meals and optional tours are extra. Like Viking's ocean ships, the river fleet is adults-only: since August 2018 every guest must be 18 or older, and there are no children's facilities.

Compared with AmaWaterways, the biggest difference is how the included touring works: Ama offers each port's tour at several activity levels and lends bicycles, while Viking's single included excursion keeps things simpler. Travelers who want a consistent product and a quiet, adults-only ship tend to stay with Viking; those who want more active options look at Ama.

Sources: mundycruising.co.uk, travelpulse.com, luxurytraveladvisor.com, cruisemapper.com