Photo: Dori Saltzman
Comparing Europe’s river cruise lines isn’t easy. There’s no simple apples-to-apples comparison. While one line might cost more and have more inclusions, the cabins it offers might not have balconies. Another cruise line might offer affordable balcony cabins, but charge for everything extra the client wants.
Despite these granular differences, a comparison of the basics with starting prices can help travel advisors and their clients narrow down which brands might be most appropriate for them.
To help travel advisors get a bird’s eye view of the differences between the main European river cruise brands, TMR has put together a comparison using a mid-June 2026 seven-day Danube river cruise as the base.
For each cruise line below, you’ll find: the starting price, the ship’s passenger count, what’s included in the fare, and, for each, deck what is the standard accommodation on that level including how big it is; whether it has a dropdown window, French balcony, or full veranda (all Deck 1 cabins have fixed windows); and what the brochure price for that category is along with the lowest price we found during a one-month survey of the prices.
(A note on starting prices for Emerald and Scenic. The brochure prices for these lines are much higher than the other cruise lines. However, both brands operate a year-round two-for-one promotion, making the lower of the two starting prices we’ve listed the “real” starting price.)
(Tauck was not included in this comparison as the only seven-night Danube River cruises in June 2026 are Tauck Bridges Family cruises, designed specifically for families, and families only.)
Seven-night, Passau RT, June 22, 2026 on AMADEUS Nova (158 passengers)
Inclusions: All dining | Wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner | Bottled water in stateroom | 24/7 Tea and coffee | Gratuities | Wi-Fi | Bikes to borrow in port |
Deck 1 (Haydn Deck): Category C-1 fixed window — $3,248 brochure ($3,098 on 5/14/25)
Deck 2 (Strauss Deck): Category B-1 dropdown window — $4,378 brochure ($4,228 on 5/14/25)
Deck 3 (Mozart Deck): Suite w/balcony — $5,101 brochure ($4,951 on 5/14/25)
Seven-night, Budapest to Nuremberg, June 24, 2026 on the AmaSonata (162 passengers)
Inclusions: All dining | Wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner | Daily evening Sip & Sail | 24/7 Tea and coffee | Wi-Fi | All excursions | Bikes to borrow in port |
Deck 1 (Piano Deck): Category E, fixed-window — $4,449 brochure ($3,949 on 4/29/25)
Deck 2 (Cello Deck): Category BB, French Balcony & Full Balcony — $6,548 brochure ($6,048 on 4/29/25)
Deck 3 (Violin Deck): Category BA, French Balcony & Full Balcony — $6,748 brochure ($6,248 on 4/29/25)
Seven-night, Nuremberg to Budapest, June 22, 2026 on the Avalon Tranquility II (128 passengers)
Inclusions: All dining | Wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner | Daily evening Happy Hour | 24/7 Tea and coffee | Wi-Fi | All excursions | Bikes to borrow in port |
Deck 1 (Indigo Deck): Deluxe Stateroom — $4,330 brochure ($3,680 on 4/29/25)
Deck 2 (Sapphire Deck): Panorama Suite — $6,229 brochure ($5,479 on 4/29/25)
Deck 3 (Royal Deck): Royal Suite — $7,329 brochure ($6,579 on 4/29/25)
Seven-night, Budapest to Regensburg, June 17, 2026 on Emerald Star
Inclusions: All meals | Airport transfers | Choice of at least one excursion in each port| Wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner | Wi-Fi | 24/7 Tea and coffee | Gratuities | Bikes to borrow in port |
Deck 1 (Riviera Deck): $7,990 brochure ($3,995 with 2-for-1 promotion)
Deck 2 (Vista Deck): $10,490 ($5,245 with 2-for-1 promotion)
Deck 3 (Horizon Deck): $10,790 ($5,395 with 2-for-1 promotion)
Seven-night, Vienna RT, June 21, 2026 on Riverside Mozart (162 passengers)
Inclusions: All dining | Multiple excursions in each port | Unlimited beverages 24/7 | Wi-Fi | Bikes and LEKI walking sticks for use in ports | Airport transfers to/from ship | Gratuities |
Deck 1 (Harmony Deck): $6,345 brochure ($5,558 on 5/19/25)
Deck 2 (Seahorse Deck): $7,055 brochure ($8,011 on 5/19/25)
Seven-night, Budapest RT, June 15, 2026 on the MS William Wordsworth (169 passengers)
Inclusions: All dining | Superior drinks package | Tea and coffee | Wi-Fi | All excursions |
Deck 1 (Emerald Deck): $6,598 brochure ($3,299 on 4/30/25)
Deck 2 (Ruby Deck): $8,298 brochure ($4,149 on 4/30/25)
Deck 3 (Diamond Deck): $8,898 brochure ($4,449 on 4/30/25)
Seven-night, Budapest to Munich, June 15, 2026, on Scenic Amber (163 passengers)
Inclusions: All meals | unlimited beverages 24/7 | multiple excursion choices in each port | Wi-Fi | Butler service in every suite | All gratuities | Bikes to borrow in court |
Deck 1 (Jewel Deck): $11,390 brochure ($5,695 with 2-for-1 promotion)
Deck 2 (Sapphire Deck): $14,590 brochure ($7,295 with 2-for-1 promotion)
Deck 3 (Diamond Deck): $14,990 brochure ($7,495 with 2-for-1 promotion)
Seven-night, Budapest to Passau, June 21, 2026, on the S.S. Maria Theresa (150 passengers)
Inclusions: All meals | unlimited beverages 24/7 | multiple excursion choices in each port | use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks while in port | Wi-Fi | Onboard gratuities | Airport transfers to/from ship |
Deck 1 (Bavarian Deck): $4,799 brochure ($4,319 on 5/19/25)
Deck 2 (Schonbrunn Deck): $5,799 brochure ($5,219 on 5/19/25)
Deck 3 (Hofburg Deck): $6,299 brochure ($5,669 on 5/19/25)
Seven-night, Budapest to Passau, June 23, 2026, on the Viking Ingvi (190 passengers)
Inclusions: All dining | Wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner | Tea and coffee | Wi-Fi | One excursion in every port | airport transfer (if air booked through Viking) |
Deck 1: $3,099 brochure ($2,999 on 5/14/25)
Deck 2: $4,499 brochure ($4,199 on 5/14/25)
Deck 3: $4,999 brochure (no discount)
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