If you’ve ever dreamed of gently cruising past medieval castles, historic cities, and charming villages on Europe’s great rivers, then a river cruise could be your perfect next holiday. But with so many river cruise lines to choose from, how do you pick the right one, and more importantly, find the best deal?
At CruiseDeals.co.nz, our CLIA-accredited team of river cruise specialists are here to help you book the perfect journey, with exclusive savings, expert advice and the online ability to search and compare the world’s top river cruise brands all in one place.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll introduce you to six of the world’s leading river cruise lines: AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, APT, Travelmarvel, Uniworld, and Viking River Cruises and show you how to save big when you book your next river cruise online.
AmaWaterways: Award-Winning Luxury and Active Cruising
Best for: Active travellers, food & wine lovers, couples.
- Exceptional dining experiences with locally inspired menus and complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks at meals.
- Wide choice of active shore excursions including hiking and cycling tours, ideal for energetic guests.
- Intimate ships with spacious balcony staterooms and complimentary wellness programs including yoga and fitness classes.
Most popular AmaWaterways Cruises:
Best of the Danube onboard AmaMagna, click for details
Avalon Waterways: Modern Suites with Panoramic Views: Best for: First-time river cruisers, solo travellers, scenery seekers.
- Unique “Open-Air Balcony” Panorama Suites offering floor-to-ceiling windows and beds facing the view.
- Flexible excursion options for classic sightseeing, discovery experiences or active adventures.
- Laid-back, contemporary vibe with fewer formalities and plenty of free time to explore.
Most popular Avalon Waterways Cruises:
Ready made packages including pre & post hotels or tours, click for details
APT: 5-Star Luxury with Everything Included: Best for: Luxury travellers, Australians and New Zealanders, cultural enthusiasts.
- Fully inclusive pricing covering excursions, drinks, gratuities and more with no hidden extras.
- Exclusive “Signature Experiences” and in-depth cultural encounters you won’t find with other lines.
- Larger suites, fine dining and personalised service tailored to the Australian & Kiwi market.
Most popular APT River Cruises:
Magnificent Europe, Amsterdam to Budapest & Vice versa, click here for details
Travelmarvel: Exceptional Value without Compromising Comfort: Best for: Value-conscious travellers, first-timers, social cruisers.
- More affordable than ultra-luxury lines but still offering quality dining, spacious cabins and great service.
- Relaxed onboard atmosphere with optional excursions giving you freedom to explore at your own pace.
- Excellent value-for-money with a fantastic choice of package deals including pre & post hotels or tours
Most Popular Travelmarvel River Cruise
Portugal's Douro River, click here for details
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: Luxury, Unique, Stylish and All-Inclusive: Best for: Design lovers, luxury seekers, honeymooners.
- Each ship is individually designed with opulent décor inspired by the region it sails.
- Truly all-inclusive — premium spirits, excursions, gratuities, and even airport transfers included.
- Small ship sizes create an intimate, boutique hotel experience on the rivers of Europe and beyond.
Most Popular Uniworld River Cruise
Venice & the Jewels of Veneto, click here for details
Viking River Cruises: The World's Largest and Most Popular River Cruise Brand: Adults Only and Best for: Mature travellers, history buffs, culturally curious couples.
- Focus on destination immersion with enriching lectures, cultural performances and shore tours.
- Sleek, Scandinavian-style ships with spacious public areas and serene staterooms.
- Known for excellent value with wine, beer and excursions included, and frequent special offers.
Most Popular Viking River Cruises & River Cruise & Stay packages
Paris to the Swiss Alps, click here for details
How to Find the Best River Cruise Deals
✔️ Compare All the Top River Cruise Brands Instantly on one web site
At CruiseDeals.co.nz, you can search and compare exclusive offers from all these top river cruise lines in one easy place. Use our powerful online booking engine to find the perfect itinerary, ship and price to match your travel style and budget.
✔️ Get Expert Help from our CLIA-Accredited River Cruise Specialists
Booking a river cruise is different from booking an ocean cruise — there are dozens of rivers, ports and options to choose from. That’s why our team of CLIA-certified river cruise experts are ready to support you every step of the way, ensuring you get the right itinerary, cabin and savings.
✔️ Limited Time Offer: Save a BONUS $1,000 Per Couple
Book your 2025, 2026 or 2027 river cruise by 30 June 2025 with one of our special partner brands: AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, APT, Travelmarvel, Uniworld or Viking River Cruises and you’ll save an exclusive $1,000 per couple only at CruiseDeals.co.nz.
This amazing saving is On top of the current offer the River Cruise company have in market
T&C
Bonus NZD$1000 Saving per couple applies to new online bookings created at www.cruisedeals.co.nz for River Cruise brands AmaWaterways, APT, Avalon Waterways, Travelmarvel, Uniworld and Viking River Cruises, Applicable discount will show in online shopping basket at time of booking. Online bookings must be deposited by 30 June 2025. Offer is combinable with all current River cruise promotions for the specified brands