River cruise ships offer a more private and intimate ambiance, along with personalized service and the advantage of being able to port almost anywhere. Passengers get a feel for the water and experience destinations in a very up-close and personal way onboard and in the towns and areas visited, according to CruiseCompete.
Overall, cruise ship sizes range from megaships (almost 7,000 passengers) to very small vessels and luxury yachts whose passengers number in mere dozens (as small as 16). Knowing the differences is key to planning your best cruise vacation. CruiseCompete has divided today’s ships into categories and provides information on the benefits each provides, from the very small and intimate, to medium and up to the very large, mega ships.
For River Cruise Ship Size, from Extra Small to Small with guest capacity from just 18 to almost 260, and only a couple over that number, see details below.
From Avalon Waterways Treasure of Galapagos with 18 guests, to the American Queen Steamboat Company American Queen river ship that sails USA rivers with 417 guests , there is a ship size for everyone.
CRUISE LINE | SHIP | GUEST CAPACITY | SIZE |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Treasure of Galapagos | 18 | XXX Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | Zambezi Queen | 28 | XXX Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Saigon | 36 | XXX Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Siem Reap | 36 | XXX Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | MS Lastavica | 36 | XXX Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | MS Swallow | 36 | XXX Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Delfin III | 44 | XXX Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Aura | 44 | XXX Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Ra | 48 | XXX Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Ganges Voyager | 56 | XX Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | Ganges Voyager II | 56 | XX Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Mekong | 60 | XX Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking MS Antares | 62 | XX Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Spirit | 68 | XX Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | Mekong Jewel | 68 | XX Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | River Tosca | 82 | XX Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Osiris | 82 | XX Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | Emerald Harmony | 84 | XX Small |
Tauck River Cruising Cruises | ms Andorinha | 84 | XX Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | S.S. Sphinx | 84 | XX Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Azure | 96 | XX Small |
Tauck River Cruising Cruises | ms Emerald | 98 | XX Small |
Tauck River Cruising Cruises | ms Esprit | 98 | XX Small |
Tauck River Cruising Cruises | ms Sapphire | 98 | XX Small |
Tauck River Cruising Cruises | ms Treasures | 98 | XX Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Astrild | 98 | XX Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Beyla | 98 | XX Small |
American Cruise Lines Cruises | American Spirit | 100 | x Small |
American Cruise Lines Cruises | American Star | 100 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | S.S. Sao Gabriel | 100 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaDouro | 102 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaVida | 102 | x Small |
American Cruise Lines Cruises | Independence | 104 | x Small |
Crystal | Crystal Bach | 106 | x Small |
Crystal | Crystal Debussy | 106 | x Small |
Crystal | Crystal Mahler | 106 | x Small |
Crystal | Crystal Ravel | 106 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Helgrim | 106 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Hemming | 106 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Osfrid | 106 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Torgil | 106 | x Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | Emerald Radiance | 112 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Tsar | 112 | x Small |
U by Uniworld Cruises | The A | 116 | x Small |
U by Uniworld Cruises | The B | 116 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | Queen Isabel | 116 | x Small |
American Cruise Lines Cruises | Queen of the West | 120 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | MS Farah | 120 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaDara | 124 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer | 124 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS Douro Elegance | 126 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS Douro Splendour | 126 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Gem | 126 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Artistry II | 128 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Imagery II | 128 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Poetry II | 128 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Tapestry II | 128 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Tranquility II | 128 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Visionary | 128 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | River Queen | 128 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | S.S. Joie de Vivre | 128 | x Small |
Tauck River Cruising Cruises | ms Grace | 130 | x Small |
Tauck River Cruising Cruises | ms Inspire | 130 | x Small |
Tauck River Cruising Cruises | ms Joy | 130 | x Small |
Tauck River Cruising Cruises | ms Savor | 130 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | River Countess | 130 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | River Duchess | 130 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | River Empress | 130 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | River Princess | 130 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | River Royale | 130 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS George Eliot | 132 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | S.S. La Venezia | 132 | x Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | Emerald Liberté | 138 | x Small |
Amadeus River Cruises | MS Amadeus Provence | 140 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS Charles Dickens | 140 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS Jane Austen | 140 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS Lord Byron | 140 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS William Shakespeare | 140 | x Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | MS Hamees | 142 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaCello | 144 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaDante | 144 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaDolce | 144 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaLyra | 144 | x Small |
Amadeus River Cruises | MS Amadeus Diamond | 146 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Diamond | 149 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Sapphire | 149 | x Small |
Amadeus River Cruises | MS Amadeus Brilliant | 150 | x Small |
American Cruise Lines Cruises | American Pride | 150 | x Small |
American Cruise Lines Cruises | Queen of the Mississippi | 150 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | S.S. Maria Theresa | 150 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | River Beatrice | 152 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | S.S. Antoinette | 154 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaKristina | 156 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaSiena | 156 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaViola | 156 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaLea | 158 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaLucia | 158 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaMora | 158 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaStella | 158 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Pearl | 159 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Ruby | 159 | x Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | S.S. Catherine | 159 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaBella | 161 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaVerde | 161 | x Small |
Amadeus River Cruises | MS Amadeus Queen | 162 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaCerto | 162 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaPrima | 162 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaSerena | 162 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaSonata | 162 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Amber | 163 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Crystal | 163 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Jade | 163 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Jasper | 163 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Jewel | 163 | x Small |
Scenic Cruises | Scenic Opal | 163 | x Small |
Amadeus River Cruises | MS Amadeus Star | 164 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Envision | 164 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Expression | 164 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Impression | 164 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Passion | 164 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon View | 164 | x Small |
American Queen Steamboat Company Cruises | American Duchess | 166 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Illumination | 166 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Panorama | 166 | x Small |
Avalon Waterways Cruises | Avalon Vista | 166 | x Small |
Amadeus River Cruises | MS Amadeus Imperial | 168 | x Small |
Amadeus River Cruises | MS Amadeus Silver II | 168 | x Small |
Amadeus River Cruises | MS Amadeus Silver III | 168 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Skaga | 168 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS Emily Bronte | 169 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS Oscar Wilde | 169 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS Robert Burns | 169 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS Thomas Hardy | 169 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS William Wordsworth | 169 | x Small |
American Cruise Lines Cruises | American Constellation | 170 | x Small |
American Cruise Lines Cruises | American Constitution | 175 | x Small |
Riviera River Cruises | MS Geoffrey Chaucer | 176 | x Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | Emerald Dawn | 182 | x Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | Emerald Destiny | 182 | x Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | Emerald Luna | 182 | x Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | Emerald Sky | 182 | x Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | Emerald Star | 182 | x Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | Emerald Sun | 182 | x Small |
American Cruise Lines Cruises | American Harmony | 184 | x Small |
American Cruise Lines Cruises | American Song | 184 | x Small |
American Cruise Lines Cruises | America | 185 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Prestige | 188 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Legend | 189 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Rurik | 189 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Alruna | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Alsvin | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Atla | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Baldur | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Bragi | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Buri | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Delling | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Egil | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Einar | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Eir | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Fjorgyn | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Forseti | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Gefjon | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Gersemi | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Gullveig | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Heimdal | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Herja | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Hermod | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Hervor | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Hild | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Hlin | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Idi | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Ingvi | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Jarl | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Kadlin | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Kara | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Kari | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Kvasir | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Lif | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Lofn | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Magni | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Mani | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Mimir | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Modi | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Radgrid | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Rinda | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Rolf | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Sigrun | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Sigyn | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Skadi | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Skirnir | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Tialfi | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Tir | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Tor | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | River | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Vali | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Var | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Ve | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Vidar | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Vilhjalm | 190 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Vili | 190 | x Small |
Imperial River Cruises | m/s Shevchenko | 192 | x Small |
AmaWaterways Cruises | AmaMagna | 196 | x Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Sineus | 196 | x Small |
Imperial River Cruises | m/s Kandinsky Prestige | 200 | Small |
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection Cruises | River Victoria | 202 | Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Akun | 204 | Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Helgi | 204 | Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Ingvar | 204 | Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Truvor | 204 | Small |
Imperial River Cruises | m/s Rachmaninoff | 208 | Small |
Imperial River Cruises | m/s Tikhi Don | 220 | Small |
American Queen Steamboat Company Cruises | American Empress | 223 | Small |
Emerald Waterways Cruises | MS Rossia | 224 | Small |
Imperial River Cruises | m/s Ivan Bunin | 232 | Small |
American Queen Steamboat Company Cruises | American Countess | 245 | Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Emerald | 256 | Small |
Imperial River Cruises | m/s Dnieper Princess | 260 | Small |
Viking River Cruises | Viking Mississippi | 386 | Small |
American Queen Steamboat Company Cruises | American Queen | 417 | Small |
Cover photo: American Queen Steamboat
This is great information but I think we’ll wait for a vaccine before making the plunge! Thank you! We love to cruise and Love to get this type of info.
About 10 to 12 years ago we took a Danube cruise(Budapest to Regensburg) offered by GATE ONE. It was quite reasonable about $1100 each.
Could it have been on the Amadeus or AMA Waterways?
Not sure, sounds like it cold be a possibility. Thank you for your input. Kind regards, Heidi