Top five best river cruise lines for cabins

Whether you want a balcony to take in the view while drifting down the Danube or you’d be content with just a porthole overlooking the Mekong, your river cruise cabin will be your home away from home during your trip.

Excursions and on-board entertainment may take priority each day but you'll need a comfortable place to relax in private each night. It’s vital to choose a river cruise line that offers top-quality cabins or suites. All cabins on even the largest river cruise ships will have an external window - great for tight budgets and deep pockets alike.

To make sure you rest easy on your next river cruise, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best river cruise lines for cabins, as voted in our river cruise survey. The companies that passengers picked cover most budgets so you should find something to suit you. See how to find the best river cruise deals.

Only logged-in Which? Members can view our recommendations in the tables below. Sign up for a Which? subscription today to access our survey results. Already a member? Log in now to find out which river cruise lines our members rated the best for cabins.

	Cabin star rating	WRP	Customer score	Typical price
	★★★★★	Y	77%	£2,195
	Although a little more expensive than others, this operator was voted the favourite for its spacious cabins. Holidaymakers praised it for its ‘comfortable cabins’ and for being ‘exactly as advertised’. Find out which river cruise line we’re talking about – log in or sign up to Which?
	Cabin star rating	WRP	Customer score	Typical price
	★★★★★	Y	76%	£1,547
	Middle-of-the-range on pricing, this river cruise operator was only just pipped to the title of best cabins by its more expensive rival. Customers enjoyed the ‘relaxed but luxurious cruise’. Find out which river cruise line we’re talking about – log in or sign up to Which?
	Cabin star rating	WRP	Customer score	Typical price
	★★★★★		73%	£1,079
	One of the cheaper operators we surveyed, this company scored highly for its comfortable cabins. Customers said it ‘exceeds expectations every time’. Find out which river cruise line we’re talking about – log in or sign up to Which?
	Cabin star rating	WRP	Customer score	Typical price
	★★★★★	Y	76%	£1,579
	A good all-rounder for price and scoring in our survey, this river cruise operator also didn’t disappoint in its ship cabins. Customers loved that it was ‘trouble-free’ and ‘delightful’. Find out which river cruise line we’re talking about – log in or sign up to Which?
	Cabin star rating	WRP	Customer score	Typical price
	★★★★★		66%	£1,595
	One of the lowest scorers overall in our survey, this operator still impressed for the quality of its cabins. Holidaymakers enjoyed the ‘memorable experience’. Find out which river cruise line we’re talking about – log in or sign up to Which?
Table notes: Rankings are taken from our 2018 river cruise survey. Percentages are based on the proportion of respondents who selected ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ in the cabin category. WRP Which? Recommended Provider

Not found the river cruise for you? Browse all of our river cruise reviews.

Five ways to get the best deal when booking your next river cruise

Whether you’re opting for a classic European river voyage or a steamboat cruise in the USA, booking a cruise needn’t be tricky. Here are five easy tips to help you find the cheapest river cruise:

1. Book during Wave season

The cruise industry’s version of Black Friday sales: Wave season runs from January to March each year. You’ll be able to pick up deals such as free upgrades and discounts – a great way to save money, especially if you have your eye on typically pricier cruise lines. Check out our reviews of the top river cruise lines

2. Book early

If you miss Wave season, the next best way to snare the lowest price for your river cruise is to book early. Unlike flights where you can often snaffle a bargain if you book last-minute, river cruise companies usually offer their best deals up to 15 months in advance

3. Book your own cheap transfers

Some river cruise lines will include the cost of transfers from your home to the cruise port, for others this will be an add-on or you’ll have to book it yourself. If you do, make sure you follow our tips to get the best deal on your airfare

4. Get the best deal on your travel money

On a typical river cruise you’ll spend much of your time on dry land, taking port excursions. Make sure you don’t get short changed on your spending money with our travel money tips

5. Choose the package that works for you

Whether you’re on a budget and happy with the basics, or have a fuller wallet and want to splash out on an inclusive drinks package, make sure you check our ratings of the best and worst river cruise lines