The most popular river cruise ships

Choosing the right ship can make all the difference to your river cruise experience. Based on our customers’ favourite vessels, we’ve rounded up five of the most popular river cruise ships, giving you a taste of what makes each one so special. 

MS Caledonian Sky was built in 1991 by Nuovi Cantieri Apuania in Italy (originally named Renaissance VI) and has changed hands a few times before being acquired by APT Cruising. She underwent a significant refurbishment in 2018, which refreshed many public spaces and cabins. The ship carries 114 passengers and has a crew of around 70-75. 

Life on board MS Caledonian Sky strikes a balance between relaxed elegance and adventure. Public spaces include the Panoarama Deck lounge and bar, which offers sweeping ocean views and a cosy atmosphere for evening drinks; the Promenade Deck, where you’ll find gym facilities and open-air seating; and a lounge library offering reading materials and quiet spaces to unwind. There’s also a sun deck, which is perfect for spotting sea life or simply enjoying the views. 

Dining aboard includes a main restaurant serving gourmet meals cooked using local ingredients, with breakfast often buffet-style and dinner more formal. On days when the weather allows, meals can be enjoyed al fresco. Complimentary beverages, including regional wine, beer and soft drinks, are typically included with lunch and dinner. 

All cabins on MS Caledonian Sky are ocean-view and come with en suite facilities. There are several categories ranging from Standard Suites with twin portholes to Superior Suites, Premium Suites, and deluxe options like Balcony Suites and the large Owner’s Corner Balcony Suites forward on the Promenade Deck. Cabins include features such as a mini-fridge, individually controlled air conditioning, flat-screen TV, safe, wardrobe, and often seating areas. 

MS Caledonian Sky sails to a variety of destinations, often focusing on boutique, culturally rich itineraries. Recent and upcoming itineraries include cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean/Aegean, the Adriatic Sea, Canary Islands, Madeira and the broader Mediterranean. She is well-suited to ports that larger ships cannot easily access, giving guests more immersive stops. 

Emerald Star is one of Emerald Cruises’ Star-Ships, launched in 2014. She was designed specifically for European river cruising and holds up to 180 passengers, served by a crew of about 47. 

Emerald Star has four decks: Riviera Deck, Vista Deck, Horizon Deck and Sun Deck. On the Horizon Deck, you’ll find the Horizon Bar & Lounge, a stylish social hub with plush seating and floor-to-ceiling windows. Dining is centred in the Reflections Restaurant, where breakfasts, lunches and dinners are served, often with local flair to match the regions you’re sailing through. There’s also The Terrace for lighter snacks or alfresco meals, plus the Sky Barbecue on the Sun Deck when weather permits. One of the standout features is the heated pool with a retractable roof that can double as an evening cinema on the Sun Deck. Additional amenities include a fitness centre, massage/beauty salon and wellness area - all laid out to take full advantage of the views and natural light. 

Emerald Star has a varied selection of cabin types to suit different styles of travellers. On the Riviera Deck, there are standard Emerald Staterooms (with fixed large picture windows) and some single staterooms for solo travellers. Above, on the Vista Deck and Horizon Deck, you’ll find several types of Balcony Suites (including Panorama Balcony Suites), Grand Balcony Suites and Owner’s One-Bedroom Suites. Standard features across all cabins include en suite bathrooms, queen or twin beds, ESPA toiletries, a flat-screen TV and Wi-Fi. Higher suite categories offer extras like a private balcony (or the indoor-outdoor “open air” balcony system in Balcony Suite grades), mini-bar restocked daily, room service for certain meals or snacks, and sometimes extra touches like bathrobes/slippers.

Emerald Star cruises Europe’s classic waterways. Typical itineraries include the Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers, with stops in Central and Eastern Europe - Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, etc. The ship is well suited to varied itineraries that mix cultural cities, rural scenery, riverside towns and historic landmarks. Because of her size, she can access ports that larger ships can’t, enabling more immersive local experiences. Excursions are usually included, with options from gentle walking to more active exploration. 

Scenic Diamond first set sail in 2008 as one of Scenic River Cruises’ elegant “Space-Ships,” designed for Europe’s rivers. She was refurbished in 2017, during which time two new Royal Owner’s Suites were added and guest capacity was slightly reduced to give more space and comfort. She carries about 149 passengers with approximately 53 crew onboard. 

The ship has four decks: Jewel Deck, Sapphire Deck, Diamond Deck and a top Sun Deck. On the Sun Deck, guests can relax around the vitality pool or enjoy views along the walking track. Down on the Diamond Deck, you’ll find the Panorama Lounge & Bar, L’Amour restaurant (particularly lovely for its views and regional specialities) and quieter lounge spaces for reading or sipping a drink. Meanwhile, the Sapphire and Jewel Decks mix accommodation with the River Café for lighter, casual dining and the Crystal Dining main restaurant for all-day meals. There are spa and wellness facilities, a gym, and even a salt therapy room for those who want to unwind fully.

Cabins on Scenic Diamond range from Standard Suites on the Jewel Deck with large picture windows, to Balcony Suites and Junior Balcony Suites, to the top-tier Royal Owner’s Suites located on the Diamond Deck. These higher-grade suites include outdoor balconies (or the innovative Scenic Sun Lounge system, which converts depending on weather), larger bathrooms, upgraded amenities, butler service, and extras like early tea/coffee in suite, nightly turndown service, and elevated dining priority. All rooms have en suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, mini-bars, wardrobe space, and complimentary Wi-Fi. 

Scenic Diamond sails through some of Europe’s most picturesque river regions. Her regular voyages include routes along the Rhône, Saône, Dordogne and Garonne rivers in France, with departures often from Bordeaux or Paris. Expect charming stops in regional towns, vineyards, rural countryside, and historic sites - perfect for those who love scenery, culture and a relaxed pace. Excursions are offered daily and tend to focus on local heritage, food and wine, and scenic walks. 

Travelmarvel Capella was launched in 2021 as one of Travelmarvel’s new contemporary river ships. Purpose-built for European waterways, she was designed with a modern, relaxed feel that blends comfort with value. Travelmarvel Capella accommodates up to 182 guests across the passenger decks, looked after by a crew of around 44, giving a friendly, personal atmosphere on board. 

Travelmarvel Capella has four decks: the Lower Deck, Main Deck, Upper Deck, and a spacious Sun Deck. At the heart of the ship is the True North Lounge on the Upper Deck - a bright, welcoming space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a well-stocked bar, perfect for a pre-dinner drink or simply watching the river scenery glide by. For a more casual vibe, McGeary’s Bar on the same deck serves pub-style classics and snacks. 

Dining is centred in the Constellations Restaurant on the Main Deck, where breakfast, lunch and four-course dinners are served. Menus change daily and highlight both international favourites and regional specialities from the destinations visited. Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner. When the sun is shining, passengers can also enjoy lighter bites or a barbecue on the Sun Deck, making the most of alfresco dining. The Sun Deck itself is a lively social hub with a whirlpool, a walking track, and plenty of space for lounging. There’s also a putting green for a relaxed game on deck. Wellness facilities include a small fitness room and a hair and beauty salon. 

Travelmarvel Capella features 91 staterooms and suites, all outward-facing. On the Lower Deck, cabins have picture windows, while the Main and Upper Decks boast French Balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows that slide down at the touch of a button, opening up the room to the river views. Guests can choose from Standard Staterooms, French Balcony Cabins, Balcony Suites, or the more spacious Owner’s Suites on the Upper Deck. All cabins include queen or twin beds, a flat-screen TV, a safe, a mini-fridge, an en suite bathroom with a shower, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Extra touches like blackout blinds, climate control, and thoughtful storage help create a comfortable home away from home. Higher-grade suites offer added perks such as larger living areas, upgraded furnishings, and premium locations on board. 

Travelmarvel Capella sails Europe’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle. Typical itineraries feature stops in cultural capitals like Budapest, Vienna and Amsterdam, alongside charming riverside towns and wine-growing regions. Cruises combine days of scenic sailing with immersive shore excursions - many included in the fare - such as guided city tours, castle visits, vineyard tastings and cycling trips. 

Ganges Voyager II joined the Uniworld River Cruises fleet in 2016, purpose-built for luxury river cruising in India. She carries just 56 guests, looked after by a crew of around 36, ensuring an intimate and attentive experience throughout your journey. 

The ship has three passenger decks plus a Sun Deck. At the heart of life on board is the Governor’s Lounge on the Main Deck, a light-filled social space where guests can enjoy a drink, listen to live music or simply watch the riverbanks pass by. The East India Dining Room on the Lower Deck offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with menus that combine international favourites and authentic Indian cuisine, crafted from fresh, local ingredients. Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks are served with meals. Up on the Sun Deck, you’ll find comfortable loungers and shaded seating - the perfect spot to take in the ever-changing scenery or unwind after a day ashore. Enrichment activities such as cooking demonstrations and cultural performances add to the sense of place.

All accommodations aboard Ganges Voyager II are outward-facing with floor-to-ceiling windows and French balconies, ensuring guests never miss the views along the river. Suites are elegantly appointed with handcrafted furniture, rich textiles and Indian-inspired design details. Every cabin features a queen-size bed (convertible to twins), a seating area, a flat-screen TV, climate control and a spacious en suite bathroom with a rain shower. Extra touches such as plush robes, slippers, fresh fruit and butler service are available in higher-grade suites. 

Ganges Voyager II is dedicated to India’s iconic waterways, sailing immersive itineraries along the Ganges River and its tributaries. Cruises often form part of a longer journey that includes India’s famed Golden Triangle - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur - before joining the ship in Kolkata. From here, guests explore rural villages, bustling markets, ornate temples and historic sites, while enjoying the comfort of returning to their floating boutique hotel each evening.