River cruising is undeniably one of the most enchanting ways to explore the awe-inspiring landscapes and destinations that line the waterways of Europe and Asia.
And gliding along the romantic Rhine, exploring the Danube, or discovering the various mysteries of the Mekong doesn’t have to cost you the deposit on a house.
To give Aussie travellers and river cruise enthusiasts a guide on what deal to consider for their bucket-listed river adventure, here’s Cruise Passenger’s best river cruise deals for Asia and Europe.
Best river cruise deals for Europe
14-night Grand Danube Cruise: Giurgiu to Vilshofen with AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways offers a best-value autumn special this year. The 14-night Grand Danube Cruise from Giurgiu to Vilshofen is offered at AUD 9270 ($6,148 USD) from AUD 11154.85 ($7,398USD). This will give guests a total savings of up to 1,800 AUD.
Additionally, this Giurgiu-embarked cruise is set to explore the Danube waterway on November 4 via AmaVerde. Furthermore, this half-month sailing is set to visit eight countries namely: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Vilshofen, Germany (Embarkation) | Day 9 | Mohács – Pécs |
Day 2 | Vilshofen, Germany | Day 10 | Vukovar, Croatia |
Day 3 | Linz, Austria | Day 11 | Belgrade, Serbia |
Day 4 | Weissenkirchen, Austria | Day 12 | Scenic Cruising: The Iron Gates |
Day 5 | Vienna, Austria | Day 13 | Vidin, Bulgaria |
Day 6 | Bratislava, Slovakia | Day 14 | Rousse – Giurgiu, Romania |
Day 7 | Budapest, Hungary | Day 15 | Giurgiu – Disembarkation |
Day 8 | Budapest |
16-day Magnificent Rivers of Europe: Budapest to Amsterdam with Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways highlights an array of best-value European river cruises this year. On top of the list is the line’s 16-day Magnificent Rivers of Europe. This spring offering is priced at AUD$9,766 from $12,566 per person which allows guests to have a total savings of AUD$2800 per person. Moreover, this Budapest-embarked sailing is set to visit five countries including Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, and The Netherlands.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Budapest, Hungary (Embarkation) | Day 9 | Bamberg |
Day 2 | Budapest | Day 10 | Volkach |
Day 3 | Bratislava, Slovakia | Day 11 | Wurzburg |
Day 4 | Vienna, Austria | Day 12 | Miltenberg |
Day 5 | Durnstein – Wachau Valley | Day 13 | Rudesheim – Rhine Gorge |
Day 6 | Passau, Germany | Day 14 | Cologne |
Day 7 | Regensburg | Day 15 | Amsterdam, Holland |
Day 8 | Roth. Excursion To Nuremberg | Day 16 | Amsterdam (Disembarkation) |
12-day Cities of Light: Paris to Prague with Viking
Viking highlights a well-crafted river cruise itinerary that explores the stunning landscapes, quaint villages and the castle-accentuated Europe’s storied rivers: The Main, Rhine, and Moselle. This cruise is Viking’s 12-day Cities of Light scheduled on November 20. Additionally, this European river adventure is offered at AU$5,395 from AU$6,395 which gives every guest a total savings of AU$1000. Moreover, this Paris to Prague cruise via Viking Alsvin features 10 guided tours in three countries.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Paris, France | Day 7 | Heidelberg, Germany |
Day 2 | Paris, France | Day 8 | Würzburg, Germany |
Day 3 | Reims, France | Day 9 | Scenic Sailing: Main River, Spessart |
Day 4 | Trier, Germany | Day 10 | Nuremberg, Germany |
Day 5 | Cochem, Germany | Day 11 | Prague, Czech Republic |
Day 6 | Koblenz, Germany | Day 12 | Prague, Czech Republic |
8-day Danube Dreams: Vilshofen to Budapest with Avalon Waterways
Another best-value Spring offering from Avalon is the 8-day Danube Dreams scheduled on July 30. This Vilshofen-embarked river cruise is offered at a starting rate of AUD 4,341 from AUD 6,091 per person. This gives guests a total savings of AUD 1,750 per guest. Moreover, this 8-day sailing is set to visit the countries of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Vilshofen, Germany (Embarkation) | Day 5 | Vienna |
Day 2 | Passau-Schlogen Oxbow | Day 6 | Bratislava, Slovakia |
Day 3 | Linz, Austria | Day 7 | Budapest, Hungary |
Day 4 | Ybbs. Excursion To Melk-Wachau Valley | Day 8 | Budapest (Disembarkation) |
8-day Rhine Highlights: Basel to Amsterdam with Scenic
Scenic highlights a range of discounted itineraries all throughout the year this 2024. One of the line’s best-value river cruises is the 8-day Rhine Highlights scheduled on October 9. This autumn special is offered from AUD 4,945 per person. Moreover, this Scenic river cruise will start from the Swiss city of Basel as its port of origin and will disembark in Amsterdam.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Zurich to Basel | Day 5 | Rhine Gorge to Koblenz |
Day 2 | Kehl to Strasbourg | Day 6 | Cologne |
Day 3 | Rastatt to Baden-Baden | Day 7 | Amsterdam |
Day 4 | Mannheim | Day 8 | Amsterdam |
8-day Jewels of the Rhine: Amsterdam to Zurich with Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises boasts its 8-day Jewels of the Rhine cruise scheduled on October 19. This Autumn offering comes with a bonus offer of AUD 5,655 from AUD 6,055 per person. Additionally, This 8-day Rhine journey will start from Amsterdam and will end in Zurich.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Amsterdam | Day 5 | Heidelberg |
Day 2 | Amsterdam | Day 6 | Kehl- Strasbourg |
Day 3 | Cologne | Day 7 | Breisach – Freiburg |
Day 4 | Koblenz | Day 8 | Basel – Zurich |
8-day Holiday Magic: Danube Family River Cruise: Vienna to Passau with Tauck
Tauck is highlighting a pre-Christmas holiday river cruise via an 8-day Holiday Magic: Danube Family River Cruise. This exciting journey on the storied Danube is offered at AUD 6770 (4490 USD) and is scheduled on December 20 via MS Savor.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Vienna | Day 5 | The Wachau Valley – Dürnstein & Melk or Krems |
Day 2 | Budapest | Day 6 | Oberndorf and Salzburg |
Day 3 | Bratislava | Day 7 | Passau |
Day 4 | Vienna | Day 8 | Passau |
8-day Burgundy & Provence: Arles to Lyon with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises highlights a good number of itineraries for Europe this 2024. One of its best-value offerings is the Autumn special 8-day Burgundy & Provence scheduled on November 3. This cruise is offered at AUD 3,099 from AUD 5,599 per person which gives cruise passengers a total savings amounting to AUD 2500. Moreover, this Rhône and Saône waterways cruise will start from Arles and will end in Lyon.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Arles (Embark) | Day 5 | Tain-l’Hermitage |
Day 2 | Arles | Day 6 | Lyon |
Day 3 | Avignon | Day 7 | Beaune |
Day 4 | Viviers | Day 8 | Lyon (Disembark) |
7-night Douro Experience 2024: Porto to Porto with A-ROSA
With its commitment in bringing travellers into the soul of Portugal, A-ROSA features a premium all-inclusive river cruise itinerary via a 7-night Douro Experience 2024. The line offers a list of dates for this itinerary all throughout the year. The line’s best-value offering is priced at AU$2442 (€1,499) per person scheduled on August 7.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Porto | Day 5 | Vega Terron – Pinhão |
Day 2 | Porto – Régua – Pinhão | Day 6 | Pinhão – Régua – Leverinho |
Day 3 | Pinhão – Barca D’alva | Day 7 | Leverinho – Porto |
Day 4 | Barca D’alva – Vega Terron | Day 8 | Porto |
Best river cruise deals for Asia
15-day Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong: Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises highlights an early Christmas cruise via 15-day Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & The Mekong. This Ho Chi Minh City-embarked river journey is offered at AUD 9,899 from AUD 11,399 per person. This allows guests to enjoy a total of AUD 3000 stateroom savings. Additionally, this river cruise to the storied Mekong is scheduled on December 6.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | Day 9 | Angkor Ban – Wat Hanchey – Kampong Cham |
Day 2 | Ho Chi Minh City | Day 10 | Kampong Cham – Transfer To Siem Reap |
Day 3 | Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Tien Loi | Day 11 | Siem Reap |
Day 4 | Tien Loi – Vinh Long – Sa Dec | Day 12 | Siem Reap |
Day 5 | Sa Dec – Gieng Island – Hong Ngu – Mekong | Day 13 | Siem Reap – Fly To Hanoi |
Day 6 | Hong Ngu – Mekong -Phnom Penh | Day 14 | Hanoi |
Day 7 | Phnom Penh | Day 15 | Hanoi |
Day 8 | Phnom Penh – Mekong – Angkor Ban |
8-day Mekong Discovery: Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh with Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways features a number of well-crafted itineraries for Asia. On top of the list is its 8-day Mekong Discovery scheduled on September 19. This best-value cruise is offered at AUD 4,919 from AUD 7,719 per person. In addition, this cruise deal enables guests to enjoy a total savings of AUD 2800 per guest or AUD 5,600 per stateroom.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Ho Chi Minh City (Embarkation) | Day 5 | Phnom Penh |
Day 2 | Vinh Long-Cu Lao Gieng | Day 6 | Wat Hanchey – Angkor Ban |
Day 3 | Chau Doc – Long Khanh A – Border Crossing, Cambodia | Day 7 | Konpong Louang – Kampong Tralach |
Day 4 | Phnom Penh | Day 8 | Phnom Penh (Disembarkation). |
11-day Luxury Mekong and Temple Discovery Cruise: Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap with Scenic
Scenic lines up an array of Asian itineraries this 2024 including the best-value cruise 11-day Luxury Mekong and Temple Discovery Cruise. This Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap sailing is offered with a super earlybird promo of AUD 7,920 from AUD 11,320. This gives travellers a AUD 3,400 savings per person or a total of AUD 6,800 savings per stateroom. Moreover, this 11-day river cruise is scheduled on September 1, 2024.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Ho Chi Minh City | Day 7 | Phnom Penh – Oudong |
Day 2 | Cai Be | Day 8 | Silk Island – Angkor Ban |
Day 3 | Sa Dec | Day 9 | Wat Hanchey – Kampong Cham |
Day 4 | Tan Chau | Day 10 | Siem Reap |
Day 5 | Border Crossing – Phnom Penh | Day 11 | Siem Reap |
Day 6 | Phnom Penh |
8-Day Majestic Mekong Cruise: Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City with Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises lines up itineraries for Southeast Asia this 2024. One of its best-value offerings is the 8-Day Majestic Mekong Cruise scheduled on December 7. This pre-Christmas river cruise is offered at a super earlybird promo of AU$5,040 from AU$5,540 per guest. This allows guests to enjoy AU$500 savings per person.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Phnom Penh – Koh Khsach Krao | Day 5 | Gieng Island – My An Hung |
Day 2 | Oudongo – Phnom Penh | Day 6 | Sa Dec – Cai Be |
Day 3 | Phnom Penh | Day 7 | My Tho – Ho Chi Minh City |
Day 4 | Cross Vietnam/Cambodia Border -TanChau – An Long | Day 8 | Ho Chi Minh City |
15-day Magnificent Mekong: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City with Viking
Viking River Cruises features a 15-day Magnificent Mekong sailing on different dates throughout the year. But the line’s best-value offering is scheduled on September 23 which has a starting rate of AU$8595 from AU$9495. This gives each guest a savings of AU$900 and a total stateroom savings of AU$1800. Moreover, this Hanoi-embarked river cruise is visiting two countries and has 16 guided tours. Furthermore, cruise passengers will explore the grandeur and mystery of the Mekong via The Viking Saigon.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Hanoi | Day 9 | Phnom Penh |
Day 2 | Hanoi | Day 10 | Scenic Sailing: Mekong River |
Day 3 | Hanoi | Day 11 | Tân Châu |
Day 4 | Siem Reap | Day 12 | Sa Ðéc |
Day 5 | Siem Reap | Day 13 | Ho Chi Minh City |
Day 6 | Kampong Cham | Day 14 | Ho Chi Minh City |
Day 7 | Kampong Cham | Day 15 | Ho Chi Minh City |
Day 8 | Phnom Penh |
18-day The Heart of Cambodia & Vietnam: Siem Reap to Hanoi with Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways boasts several river cruises for Aussie travellers seeking to discover and explore the mysterious Mekong river. One of its best-value deals is the 18-day The Heart of Cambodia & Vietnam cruise. This sailing is offered at AU$10,097 from AU$12,897 per person. This deal allows cruise passengers to have savings amounting to AU$2,800 per guest and a total of AU$5,600 per stateroom. Additionally, this Siem Reap-embarked river cruise is scheduled on September 23.
Itineraries:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Siem Reap | Day 10 | Vinh Long |
Day 2 | Siem Reap | Day 11 | Ho Chi Minh City |
Day 3 | Siem Reap | Day 12 | Ho Chi Minh City. Excursion To Cu Chi Tunnels |
Day 4 | Phnom Penh | Day 13 | Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi |
Day 5 | Wat Hanchey – Angkor Ban | Day 14 | Hanoi |
Day 6 | Kampong Tralach – Konpong Louang -Phnom Penh | Day 15 | Hanoi-Ha Long Bay |
Day 7 | Phnom Penh | Day 16 | Ha Long Bay |
Day 8 | Border Crossing – Chau Doc | Day 17 | Ha Long Bay – Hanoi |
Day 9 | Long Khanh A – Cu Lao Gieng | Day 18 | Hanoi |
13-day India’s Golden Triangle & The Sacred Ganges: New Delhi to Kolkata with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Aside from featuring curated itineraries for The Mekong river, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises also highlights a well-crafted itinerary for India’s Ganges river via a 13-day India’s Golden Triangle & The Sacred Ganges cruise. This itinerary is offered on different schedules throughout the year but the best-value deal is scheduled on October 4. In addition, this deal is offered at AU$9,599 from AU$12,599 per person. This allows guests to enjoy AU$3000 savings per guest. Furthermore, this New Delhi to Kolkata journey highlights 10 days of excursions hosted by English-speaking local experts.
Itinerary:
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | New Delhi | Day 8 | Matiari |
Day 2 | New Delhi | Day 9 | Murshidabad – Baranagar |
Day 3 | New Delhi – Transfer To Agra | Day 10 | The Ganges – Khusbagh – Mayapur |
Day 4 | Agra – Transfer To Jaipur | Day 11 | Mayapur – Chandannagar |
Day 5 | Jaipur | Day 12 | Kolkata |
Day 6 | Jaipur – Fly To Kolkata (Embark) – Cruising The Ganges River | Day 13 | Kolkata (Disembark) |
Day 7 | Kalna |
13-day Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam & the Mekong: Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City with Emerald Cruises
Emerald Cruises features a pre-Christmas river cruise itinerary via13-day Wonders of Cambodia, Vietnam & the Mekong. This river cruise deal is offered at AU$5,995 from AU$7,495 per person as part of its super earlybird promo. This ensures guests of AU$1500 saving per person or a total of AU$3000 savings per stateroom. Additionally, this Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City cruise is scheduled on December 4 aboard the luxury Star-Ship Emerald Harmony.
Itineraries
DAY | DESTINATION | DAY | DESTINATION |
Day 1 | Siem Reap | Day 8 | Gieng Island – My An Hung |
Day 2 | Siem Reap | Day 9 | Sa Dec – Cai Be |
Day 3 | Siem Reap | Day 10 | My Tho – Ho Chi Minh City |
Day 4 | Siem Reap – Koh Khsach Krao | Day 11 | Ho Chi Minh City |
Day 5 | Oudong – Phnom Penh | Day 12 | Ho Chi Minh City |
Day 6 | Phnom Penh | Day 13 | Ho Chi Minh City |
Day 7 | Cross Vietnam/Cambodia Border – Tan Chau- An Long |