Viking River Cruises

The largest river cruise line in the world, Viking operates a fleet of nearly identical "Longships" across Europe's rivers, along with a growing Nile Egypt program on the Viking Osiris and Viking Aton. Viking's itineraries emphasize destination immersion over onboard entertainment, with included excursions in every port, free Wi-Fi, and a culturally-focused daily program rather than casinos or nightclubs.

Ships carry roughly 190 guests each, and the line's standardized Longship design means the onboard experience is nearly identical from one European itinerary to the next — a predictability some travelers prefer and others find less distinctive than smaller, individually designed ships. Viking's Nile ships break from this pattern, sailing more traditional, larger riverboats built specifically for Egypt.