Best New European River Cruise Ships for 2026 and 2027
Industry Overview
Current State:
- River cruising is booming
- Cruise lines investing heavily in new ships, thoughtful design, and better onboard experiences
- Ships launching throughout 2026 and into 2027
- Many ships still under construction (photos limited, some are renderings)
- Features may change slightly before launch
Rivers Featured:
- Danube
- Rhine
- Seine
- Rhône
- Other beautiful European waterways
Amadeus Aurea (2026)
Capacity & Accommodations:
- 158 guests
- 12 balcony suites
- 67 outside cabins
- Most cabins feature Amadeus's signature drop-down panoramic windows
Design & Atmosphere:
- Next-generation ship for Amadeus
- Modern, elegant, and calm
- Boutique hotel on the river feel
- Smarter design paired with green technology
Onboard Features:
- Panorama Restaurant
- Café Vienna-style lounge area
- Standout: Heated outdoor pool on sun deck
- Lido Bar adjacent to pool
Environmental Innovation:
- Hybrid propulsion system
- Heat recovery system
- One of Amadeus's most environmentally responsible ships
Best For:
- Travelers who love modern design
- Those seeking quieter, upscale ships
- People who want flexibility
- Independent explorers (excursions NOT automatically bundled)
- Those who prefer to customize their experience
AmaWaterways AmaSofia (Spring 2026)
Capacity & Accommodations:
- ~156 guests
- 78 staterooms and suites
- Larger suites toward the front of ship
- Signature Feature: Twin balcony staterooms (combines French balcony with true outdoor balcony for incredible indoor-outdoor flow)
Rivers:
- Designed for Rhine and Danube
Design Philosophy:
- Comfortable, refined, and approachable style
- Excellent dining
- Wellness focus
- Destination immersion
Onboard Features:
- Chef's Table specialty restaurant
- Fitness room
- Massage and hair salon
- Bikes onboard
- Wellness classes
- Sun deck with heated pool
Special Note:
- Will be christened at ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam (March 2026)
- Creator will be attending the christening
Best For:
- Travelers who want guided excursions included
- Active options enthusiasts (biking, walking tours)
- Those seeking warm, social onboard atmosphere
- People who prefer approachable luxury without ultra-luxury formality
Emerald Astra (2026)
Capacity & Accommodations:
- 180 guests
- Cabins range from 162 to 315 square feet
- Four one-bedroom owner's suites
Design & Atmosphere:
- Sleek, contemporary design
- More energetic than traditional river ships
- Modern luxury feel
Signature Features:
- Indoor pool that transforms into cinema at night (Emerald's signature feature)
- Multiple dining venues
- Modern lounge and bar
- Sun deck with walking track
- Putting green
- Barbecue area
- Gym and spa
- Complimentary guest laundry
Best For:
- Travelers who like modern luxury
- Social atmosphere seekers
- Value-forward pricing conscious travelers
- Those wanting stylish and contemporary without ultra-luxury price tag
Riviera Splendence (2026)
Operator:
- Riviera Travel (UK's largest river cruise operator)
Capacity & Accommodations:
- 178 guests
- Spacious yet intimate feel
- Riviera's largest suites ever
- Suites feature real walkout balconies and separate sitting areas
Design & Atmosphere:
- Spacious yet intimate
- Well-organized
- Strong value proposition
Standout Features:
- Split-level lounge design: Allows live music in one area and quiet conversation in another
- Three dining venues (rare on river ships):
- Mosaic tasting restaurant
- Casual bistro
- Main dining venue
Staterooms:
- Practical and comfortable
- Real walkout balconies in suites
- Separate sitting areas
Best For:
- First-time river cruisers
- Travelers wanting calm, well-organized European river cruise
- Those seeking newer ship with strong value
- Excellent dining enthusiasts
- British travelers (UK-based operator)
Tauck MS Lumiere & MS Serene (2026)
Two Purpose-Built Ships:
MS Lumiere:
- 130 guests
- Purpose-built for Rhône River
MS Serene:
- 124 guests
- Designed specifically for Seine River
Staffing:
- ~50 crew members each
- One of the best guest-to-staff ratios on the river
Accommodations:
- Nearly 80% of cabins are 224+ square feet
- Suites reach ~300 square feet
- Spacious compared to industry standard
Onboard Features:
- Open seating dining with flexible times
- Sun deck feels like small floating resort
- Wellness area with:
- Fitness center with river views
- Massage room
- Refreshment bar
Best For:
- Travelers who value space over crowds
- Those seeking expertly curated experiences
- People wanting truly seamless all-inclusive journey
- Refinement and expert guidance seekers
Uniworld Emily (2026)
Inspiration & Design:
- Inspired by Gustav Klimt and his muse Emilie Flöge
- Emilie was the woman behind Klimt's iconic painting "The Kiss"
- Dramatic colors
- Art Nouveau design
- Signature gold accents
- Bold, artistic luxury
River:
- Sailing the Danube
Capacity & Service:
- 154 guests
- 57 staff members
- One of the highest staff-to-guest ratios on the rivers
- Famous Uniworld butlers
Accommodations:
- Unique Feature: Ability to combine grand suite with adjacent cabin to create true two-bedroom suite
- Deeply personalized service throughout
Best For:
- Travelers wanting maximum luxury
- Art-driven design enthusiasts
- Highly personalized service seekers
- Those for whom the ship itself is part of the destination
- Travelers who appreciate bold aesthetics
Viking New Longships (2026)
Multiple New Ships:
- Viking Dekore
- Viking Haki
- Viking Hologi
- Viking Rota
- Viking Sjöfn
- Viking Jorunn (designed specifically for Seine River)
Capacity:
- Roughly 190 guests each
Design Philosophy:
- Clean, calm, modern, quietly efficient
- Consistency across all ships
- Light wood and neutral colors
- Clean Scandinavian design
- Spaces never feel cluttered
Signature Features:
- Standard Veranda staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows
- Clean-lined restaurant
- Cozy lounge
- Sun deck with plenty of seating
- Famous indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace at bow of ship
What Viking Offers:
- Consistent experience across fleet
- If you've sailed Viking before, you'll feel instantly at home
- Strong educational programming
Best For:
- First-time river cruisers
- Repeat Viking guests who love the brand
- Travelers who value consistency and simplicity
- Those seeking strong educational programming
- People who appreciate Scandinavian minimalism
Viva Voyage (May 2026)
River:
- Sailing exclusively on Seine River
Capacity & Accommodations:
- Just 112 guests (one of most boutique options)
- 56 cabins total
- Half of cabins are suites (one of highest suite ratios on river)
- Some suites reach 322 square feet
- New accommodation category: Master Suite
Dining Highlight:
- Three restaurants including:
- Fine dining tasting venue with wine pairings
- Two additional dining options
Design & Atmosphere:
- Refined, relaxed
- Unmistakably French
- Boutique-style
- Design-forward
Best For:
- Couples
- Repeat river cruisers
- Travelers wanting boutique, design-forward experience
- Elevated dining enthusiasts
- Those preferring relaxed pace
- People seeking intimate ship environment
AmaRudi (2027) - Creator's Most Anticipated
Revolutionary Design:
- Only the second double-width river ship ever built for Danube (following AmaMagna)
- Aside from Riverside Mozart, nothing else like it on Europe's rivers
- Extra width changes everything
Capacity:
- 196 guests
- Dramatically larger public spaces due to width
Accommodations:
- More than half of cabins are suites
- Many suites: 355 square feet
- Grand Suites: 474 square feet
- Owner's Suite: 710 square feet
Onboard Features:
- Four restaurants
- Massive sun deck
- Spa and fitness center with river views
- Next-level comfort throughout
- Designed for guests who like to stay active
Best For:
- Travelers wanting maximum space
- Exceptional dining enthusiasts
- Innovation seekers who don't want to sacrifice warmth and approachability
- Those seeking the most spacious river cruise experience available
- Active travelers
Creator's Note: "This is the one I truly cannot wait to sail."
Key Takeaways by Priority
If You Want...
Modern Design & Green Technology: → Amadeus Aurea
Active Options & Included Excursions: → AmaWaterways AmaSofia
Modern Luxury with Value Pricing: → Emerald Astra
Great Dining & First-Timer Friendly: → Riviera Splendence
Space & Best Staff Ratio: → Tauck MS Lumiere or MS Serene
Maximum Luxury & Art-Driven Design: → Uniworld Emily
Consistency & Educational Focus: → Viking Longships
Boutique French Experience: → Viva Voyage (Seine only)
Most Space & Innovation: → AmaRudi (2027)
Important Considerations
The Right Ship Matters:
- Every ship looks exciting on paper
- Not every ship is right for every traveler
- Choosing the right ship matters as much as choosing the river
Different Ships for Different Travelers:
- Some perfect for first-timers
- Some ideal for couples seeking space and luxury
- Others better for active travelers
- Some specialize in food lovers
- Others offer boutique, intimate feel
European River Cruising is Evolving:
- Not slowing down—actively improving
- Cruise lines investing in:
- More space
- Better design
- Improved dining
- Enhanced wellness
- Overall better guest experience