River cruising is seeing phenomenal expansion. Here’s the latest on the new luxury river ships arriving in Europe this year.
Emerald Cruises
Emerald Astra is the first of Emerald Cruises’ new generation of Star-Ships, a fleet that now numbers 10 – seven in Central Europe, two in France and one in Portugal.
The 180-guest, 52-crew vessel reflects design elements from Emerald Cruises’ stylish oceangoing superyachts and features a sleek, streamlined exterior and updated interior spaces such as the popular indoor pool/cinema, sundeck and dining venues – and a self-service laundry, which not many river ships have.
The ship has a main dining room, Reflections, The Terrace for al fresco snacks, and the Horizon Bar & Lounge for casual meals and drinks. Facilities also include a gym, massage room and bicycles for independent and group shore tours.
Fares include shore excursions, gratuities onboard and on shore excursions, transfers to and from the ship, soft drinks, beer and wine at lunch and dinner, and Wi-Fi.
AmaWaterways
The 152-guest, 51-crew AmaSofia is AmaWaterways’ 24th ship on Europe’s rivers.
She will embark on Rhine cruises from March until May, then sails on the Danube from June to December and into New Year 2027, offering a selection of pre-Christmas and Christmas market itineraries.
AmaSofia is a sister to 2021’s AmaLucia and shares similar features, including twin-balcony staterooms that have both step-out and French balconies, a main dining room and Chef’s Table venue, and a sundeck pool with swim-up bar.
AmaWaterways includes a variety of shore excursions in the fare and throughout the fleet there is a strong emphasis on wellness activities and facilities, both onboard and onshore.
Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad’s first Europe-based river ship launches in April 2026 with two different eight-day itineraries on the Rhine.
The sleek new 120-passenger Connect will offer a high 1:2 crew to guest ratio and accommodation in 60 elegant 19.5sqm staterooms (convertible to 39sqm suites) with floor-to-ceiling windows and sash-window balconies.
The top deck houses fitness zones, a lounge area and a grill and bar. Other public spaces include a two-deck theatre for presentations and performances, a restaurant and bistro, lounge/bar, spa and sauna, and yoga studio with fitness equipment.
Each cruise will be staffed with Lindblad’s renowned cultural experts and photography instructors and there is a fleet of bicycles for group and independent use onboard.
Fares include shore excursions, beer, wine and soft drinks, Wi-Fi and crew gratuities; a second river ship, Evolve, is due in 2027.
Tauck
Tauck is launching two new river ships in France in April 2026: the 124-guest, 125-metre MS Serene on the Seine and the 130-guest, 135-metre MS Lumiere on the Rhône.
Tauck’s river ships are known for their spacious staterooms and public areas – more than 80 per cent of staterooms on both ships measure 21sqm or larger, plus 12 new solo cabins with no single supplement charge. Both ships have 50 crew members.
New features include the stylish sundeck, which has a pool, full-service bar and an al fresco dining area, and a wellness retreat with treatment rooms, a fitness centre and health food, juice and coffee bar.
Popular bistro Arthur’s, which is open during the day and evenings for light meals, has been redesigned; the main dining room, Compass Rose, will offer open seating, flexible dining times and always-available vegetarian meals.
Fares include excursions, all soft and alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi and crew gratuities.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Uniworld’s newest Super Ship, S.S. Emilie, will join the fleet in April 2026 to sail the first section of the line’s famous 50-night Rivers of the World Cruise, celebrating Uniworld’s 50th anniversary.
This itinerary is now waitlist only; however, S.S. Emilie will sail a variety of Danube itineraries throughout 2026.
Every Super Ship is individually designed to reflect a theme or destination; S.S. Emilie was inspired by the paintings of Gustav Klimt and his muse, Emilie Flöge. Her interiors feature Klimt reproduction artworks and Art Nouveau detailing.
The 154-guest ship has 57 crew and offers an ultra-luxe experience throughout. Suites range from two 38.25sqm Grand Suites to 16.25sqm Classic staterooms; public spaces include MDR Gustav’s, a private dining room, the light-filled Brocade Bar and lavish Belvedere Lounge. Other facilities include a pool and hot tubs on the sundeck, plus a spa and a fitness centre.
Fares include shore excursions, unlimited beverages, Wi-Fi, fitness classes, butler service in suites and crew gratuities.
Viking
The world’s biggest river fleet continues to grow as Viking introduces six more Longships to Europe’s waterways in 2026.
The 190-guest Viking Dagur, Viking Haki, Viking Halogi, Viking Rota and Viking Sjofn will offer cruises on the Rhine, Main, and Danube, while the 168-guest Viking Fjolvar will sail on the Seine.
Viking Longships all share the same Scandinavian-style interiors, main dining room and indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace dining options, lounge and library, and suites and staterooms that range from two huge 41sqm Explorer Suites to 14sqm Standard Staterooms.
Fares include one shore excursion in every port, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi and crew gratuities.
Size, space and rafting up
For clients new to river cruising, it’s worth pointing out that because all ships sailing Europe’s larger rivers – the Rhine, Danube, Moselle and Main – are about the same length (110-135 metres) and width (11.4 metres) in order to navigate locks and bridges, how they are configured and guest and crew numbers make a big difference to the onboard experience in terms of space and service.
AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna and upcoming AmaRudi, and Riverside Cruises’ Riverside Mozart are exceptions to the rule.
They are double the width of most river ships and offer the most spacious accommodation and public areas, and more dining venues. However, they only operate on the Danube between Vilshofen in Germany and Giurgiu in Romania because there are only two extra-large locks they can transit.
River ships on France’s Seine and Rhône rivers and Portugal’s Douro are smaller and similarly designed to navigate local bridges, locks and water levels.
First-time river cruisers are often surprised to find that the river views they enjoyed when their ship docked in the evening have been replaced by an up-close view of another ship when they wake up the next morning.
Rafting-up is a common practice in popular ports – up to three docked side by side – and as more ships are due to launch in the coming years, it is vital that the cruise industry and tourist authorities address overcrowding before river cruising becomes unsustainable and another case of killing the golden goose.
For more information, visit AmaWaterways, Emerald Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions, Tauck, Uniworld, Viking Cruises.
