10 amazing river cruise destinations beyond Europe
River cruises have become synonymous with Europe. Advertisements conjure up images of the Danube, the castles of Europe and cities like Vienna and Budapest, Hungary. The number of navigable rivers in Europe is seemingly endless, from the Main River to the Rhine, the Rhone to the Garonne, and the wine-soaked regions of Bordeaux, France, to the Douro.
But some of the world's most amazing river journeys exist outside of Europe. Here are 10 amazing river cruise destinations beyond Europe that you don't want to miss.
India: The Ganges
There's nothing like a trip down "Mother Ganges" to change your entire worldview. This sacred waterway is deeply embedded in India's psyche, and it's no stretch to say a river cruise along it can be a life-changing experience. It can also be one of the most comfortable ways to see India.
From the shores of Varanasi, where Hindus traditionally bury their dead along the banks of the Ganges, to the bustling metropolis of Kolkata, a river cruise along the Ganges is an experience unlike any other. It's an experience filled with nature, temples, small towns and history.
A river cruise is also an excellent way to see India for the first time. It is a country that can be overwhelming, even for experienced travelers, and one that doesn't always have the same safety and sanitation standards that many Westerners are used to. Sailing on a river cruise along the Ganges provides an authentic look at the heart of India while also offering plenty of Western comforts.
Lines that sail here: CroisiEurope and Uniworld
Related: The best ways to fly to India with points and miles
US: The Columbia and Snake rivers
You can find one of the most beautiful and underrated river cruises in the world right in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Sailing from Portland, Oregon, these voyages travel the Columbia and Snake rivers through Oregon and Washington, calling on ports like Astoria, The Dalles and Hood River, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington.
Aside from the natural beauty of the region (Multnomah Falls is a must-see), there's also plenty of history here. There's the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the founding of Astoria, the lore of the Oregon Trail and even Howard Hughes' massive "Spruce Goose" aircraft, now on permanent display in McMinnville, Oregon.
Half the reason to cruise here, though, is for the Pacific Northwest cuisine, the abundance of local breweries and the quirk and kitsch that places like Portland and Cannon Beach, Oregon, offer.
UnCruise Adventures used to sail this region but has pulled back in recent years. Following the collapse of competitor American Queen Voyages in 2024, American Cruise Lines is now the largest operator on the Columbia and Snake rivers, operating voyages round-trip from Portland to Clarkston and vice versa.
Lines that sail here: American Cruise Lines
US: The Mississippi
The Danube of America doesn't disappoint. North America's most famous river is also one of its most storied. It winds past sites and towns honoring the U.S. Civil War, as well as remains of plantations that serve as important reminders of slavery within the U.S.
Most Mississippi river cruises operate from New Orleans to St. Louis or from St. Louis to St. Paul, Minnesota; a few voyages will travel the entire length of the river, sailing from New Orleans to St. Paul or vice versa. Because of the distances traveled, it leaves plenty of possibilities for passengers who want to take more than one cruise to the region. It also gives options to those who wish to explore related waterways like the Tennessee and Ohio rivers, where cruises run from Nashville to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Much like its famous European counterpart, the Mississippi is subject to fluctuating water levels that can impact cruises from time to time. It's always best to pack your patience and go with the flow on this waterway.
Lines that sail here: American Cruise Lines and Viking
Related: Viking Mississippi river cruise ship review: Viking's first Big Muddy vessel
China: The Yangtze
China's Yangtze is a sight to behold. The third-longest river in the world, the Yangtze includes plenty of spectacular scenery through the heartland of China. It also includes some human-made wonders, like the Three Gorges Dam — a massive hydroelectric dam that stands as the largest power station in the world.
Most Yangtze river cruises combine a four- or five-day river voyage along the Yangtze with visits to other important sites, like the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, and precruise and postcruise stays in cities like Beijing.
More North American-based lines used to offer cruises to China in the past, though these have dropped off dramatically in recent years due to geopolitical issues and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lines that sail here: Century Cruises
South America: The Amazon
Few waterways conjure up the kind of mystique the Amazon does. Moody, ethereal and maybe even dangerous, the Amazon is the stuff of mystery novels and turn-of-the-century adventurers.
Fortunately, you don't need a detective cap or plinth helmet to visit. River cruises to the Amazon tend to be part of larger itineraries in South America. They typically operate round-trip from Lima, Peru, but sometimes include overland jaunts to Machu Picchu or even Ecuador's Galapagos Islands.
Most Amazon River excursions begin in Iquitos, Peru, before transferring to remote Nauta, Peru, for embarkation. Expect to see abundant wildlife, small villages and local culture on these river cruises. They can also include trips into the equally impressive Amazon tributaries, the Ucayali and Maranon rivers.
Some ocean cruises even dip their collective hulls into the Amazon; most notably, Holland America Line has in the past offered an extensive Amazon River program as part of its longer South America sailings. However, these larger-ship explorations can never get as close to the action as a proper river vessel.
Lines that sail here: Aqua Expeditions and Uniworld
Related: 8 best South America cruises for 2025-2026
Vietnam and Cambodia: The Mekong
A cruise along the Mekong is one of the most magical and eye-opening river cruises in the world. Traveling between Vietnam and Cambodia, these voyages visit cities and towns that can be difficult to see independently. And much like river cruises down India's Ganges, Mekong river cruises offer a good deal of comfort for Western travelers who want to experience local culture without sacrificing creature comforts.
Regardless of whether you sail from Siem Reap, Cambodia, to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, or vice versa, expect an emotional journey. Watching the sun rise over the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Angkor Wat (near Siem Reap) borders on life-changing. Meanwhile, sobering visits to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's killing fields and Tuol Sleng detention center — leftover reminders of the murderous Khmer Rouge's reign of terror in the 1970s — offer a lightning rod of clarity into the culture and collective trauma that has shaped this region for years.
Lines that sail here: AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, CroisiEurope, Pandaw, Uniworld and Viking
Africa: The Chobe
For something completely different, set sail on a river cruise along Africa's Chobe River. These itineraries run through or touch Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania — all in one trip.
Most itineraries on the Chobe combine a short river cruise with a much longer overland package. Our personal favorite is AmaWaterways' 12-night "Rivers and Rails of Africa", a stunner of a voyage that includes a four-night safari river cruise on the Chobe, plus three nights aboard the legendary Rovos Rail "Blue Train" that travels from Victoria Falls on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border to Pretoria, South Africa.
It's a safari, a river cruise, a luxury rail journey and an overland trip to Cape Town and Johannesburg, all rolled into one.
Lines that sail here: AmaWaterways and CroisiEurope
Egypt: The Nile
Spend a few hours on Egypt's famed Nile, and you'll begin to understand the origins of the word "mirage." Rising like a phoenix from the middle of the desert, this splendid waterway also serves as the gateway to many of Egypt's famous attractions, including the Valley of the Kings.
Off-limits at various points over the last decade, river cruises are now returning to the region in abundance. Viking has launched brand-new ships here in recent years, as have operators like AmaWaterways and Uniworld. Because of that, guests can expect a greater deal of luxury on the Nile now more than ever.
Most river cruise itineraries sail here for a week, bookended with overland stays in Cairo as precruise and postcruise additions. Nile River cruises often visit Abu Simbel, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and historic Luxor.
Security is tight in Egypt: Backup motorcoaches follow your tours around, and tourist police act as escorts. And while all those precautions can take a little time for Westerners to get used to, the rewards for visiting this amazing country are well worth the effort.
Lines that sail here: AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Viking and Uniworld
Related: AmaWaterways vs. Viking: Which of these popular river cruise lines is right for you?
Canada: The St. Lawrence River
This might be one of the more unexpected destinations, but the St. Lawrence River, which runs between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean, is quickly becoming the next hot river cruise destination.
The catch with this river is that the ships that ply this region are typically small expedition vessels or niche cruise ships rather than "true" river cruise ships. But the St. Lawrence offers plenty of adventure: French expedition cruise company Ponant recently committed to sending its polar-class icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot to the region in the wintertime. It will sail from Quebec City to the small offshore French Atlantic outpost known as St. Pierre and Miquelon near Newfoundland on an adventure filled with snowshoeing, ice fishing, northern lights viewing and snowmobiling.
Local Canadian operator St. Lawrence Cruise Lines has plied these waters for the past three decades. Its sole ship, Canadian Empress, has sailed along the St. Lawrence between Montreal and Ontario's Ottawa, Kingston and famed Thousand Islands during the spring, summer and fall.
Lines that sail here: Pearl Seas, Ponant, Victory Cruise Lines, Viking and St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
Colombia: The Magdalena River
AmaWaterways' debut on Colombia's Magdalena River earlier this year marks the first new river cruise destination to debut in over two decades.
Magdalena sailings typically operate from Cartagena to Barranquilla or vice versa. They include a number of excellent cultural highlights, like a jazz excursion in Santa Cruz de Mompox, a "Traditions of Pinto" experience in Santa Barbara de Pinto and a floating village tour at Nueva Venecia.
With the launch of this new river cruise destination only having just begun, itineraries will likely be refined and adjusted as the season goes on. Early adopters will be rewarded with some pretty competitive pricing on river cruising's newest route, though.
These river cruise sailings can also be combined with precruise and postcruise stays in iconic cities like Medellin and Cartagena, Colombia, or Panama City for a truly immersive Central American experience.
Lines that sail here: AmaWaterways
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