Last updated: August 2026
Choosing a river cruise isn’t just about picking a destination.
AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Avalon Waterways, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Scenic, Tauck and Viking may sail many of the same rivers and visit many of the same destinations — but they can offer very different experiences.
I believe the best way to advise my clients is to understand those differences firsthand.
I’ve been personally sailing river cruises since June 2014, when my first river cruise was aboard the inaugural sailing of Tauck’s MS Savor and I completed my Tauck river cruise certification.
Since then, I’ve personally sailed 15 river cruise and river expedition journeys, including the Danube, Main, Rhine, Rhône and Seine in Europe and the Peruvian Amazon.
I’ve sailed river cruise products from AmaWaterways, Tauck, Uniworld, Scenic, Viking, Avalon Waterways, Riverside Luxury Cruises and International Expeditions, as well as the former U by Uniworld.
I’ve also made intensive ship inspections an important part of my professional research. I attended the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Vienna in 2025 and Amsterdam in 2026, giving me the opportunity to inspect 30 different river cruise ships across the two Expos. I’m already registered to return to Vienna for the ASTA River Cruise Expo in March 2027, which will be my third consecutive Expo.
There’s an important distinction, though:
A ship I’ve inspected isn’t the same as a ship I’ve sailed.
An inspection lets me examine cabins, bathrooms, balconies, public spaces, dining venues, wellness facilities and ship design.
Actually sailing allows me to experience what my clients experience — food, service, excursions, docking locations, onboard atmosphere and the daily rhythm of the journey.
And sometimes, it allows me to experience what happens when things don’t go according to plan.
Here’s my firsthand river cruise experience.
River Cruises I’ve Personally Sailed
Tauck — MS Savor | Main & Danube | June 24, 2014
My first-ever river cruise was aboard Tauck’s MS Savor on its inaugural sailing in June 2014.
I travelled to Europe to complete my river cruise training with Tauck and become a Tauck Certified Advisor.
That sailing was also where I met Arthur and Ronni Tauck. One particularly memorable moment was chatting with Arthur after dinner as we sailed away from Würzburg along the Main River in Bavaria.
That first cruise ignited what would eventually become one of the defining specialties of my travel career.
Firsthand perspective: Tauck, MS Savor, river ship cabin design, the Main and Danube, and the river cruise experience that began my specialization.
Tauck Bridges — MS Esprit | Danube | August 28, 2017
I returned to Tauck in 2017 for a completely different river cruise experience.
This time, I sailed aboard MS Esprit on a Tauck Bridges family river cruise with my husband and our two young daughters.
We stayed together in a Tauck Bridges Family Suite.
I experienced the cruise not only as a travel advisor but as a mother — watching how my daughters responded to the destinations and activities, how the pacing worked for younger travellers and what it was actually like for four family members to share accommodations designed for families.
Firsthand perspective: Family and multigenerational river cruising, Tauck Bridges and sharing a purpose-designed Family Suite as a family of four.
International Expeditions — M/V Zafiro | Peruvian Amazon | November 16, 2018
My river experience isn’t limited to Europe.
In November 2018, I travelled into the Peruvian Amazon aboard M/V Zafiro with International Expeditions, now part of Exodus Travels.
This was expedition-style river travel.
We left our river ship aboard skiffs, travelling through jungle waterways with skilled naturalists, looking for wildlife and exploring one of the most biodiverse environments on Earth.
We visited local communities, saw the unforgettable prehistoric-looking hoatzin bird and even went fishing in the Amazon.
Firsthand perspective: Expedition-style river travel, skiff exploration, naturalist-led wildlife experiences and how dramatically an Amazon river journey differs from a traditional European river cruise.
U by Uniworld — The A | Danube | December 6–13, 2019
In December 2019, I took a group of 75 solo women aboard The A with U by Uniworld for Dashin’ on the Danube — a special collaboration between Lush Life Travel and Shepherd’s Fashions in Ottawa.
It was a magical week built around fashion, shopping and Europe’s Christmas markets, with the Danube as our backdrop.
The A wasn’t traditional river cruising. With its chic black décor, rooftop spaces, nightlife and more contemporary, social atmosphere, the ship was particularly well suited to the energy of our group.
Travelling with 75 solo women also gave me a very different perspective on river cruising: how a ship works for a large group, how solo travellers interact and connect onboard, and how a shared interest can turn a river cruise into something much bigger than the itinerary itself.
Firsthand perspective: U by Uniworld, The A, Danube Christmas markets, group river cruising, solo women travellers, and how fashion, shopping and shared experiences can transform a river cruise into a true community experience.
AmaWaterways — AmaCerto | Rhine | November 22, 2022
In November 2022, I sailed the Rhine aboard AmaCerto.
One of my favourite memories is cruising through the Rhine Gorge.
It was a “wee bit chilly,” but I spent about three hours on the top deck, wrapped in a warm blanket and following the castle guide AmaWaterways provided as we sailed past more than 30 castles and historic fortifications.
Hot chocolate — with a little brandy — was conveniently available in the lounge below.
I could have watched the castles from my cabin, but because they’re distributed along both banks, I found the public areas and top deck much better for viewing.
It’s a small detail, but exactly the kind of firsthand detail I can now share with clients.
Firsthand perspective: AmaWaterways, AmaCerto, late-autumn Rhine cruising, the Rhine Gorge and where to position yourself onboard for the best castle viewing.
AmaWaterways — AmaKristina & AmaCello | Rhône | March 16, 2023
In March 2023, I sailed AmaWaterways’ Colors of Provence itinerary on the Rhône with my husband and daughter.
We began aboard AmaKristina on March 16.
Then circumstances changed.
France was experiencing national strike action, and on March 21 we changed ships and boarded AmaCello to continue our journey.
That gave me something I couldn’t have learned from a brochure: firsthand experience of an operational disruption and river cruise ship swap.
River cruising takes place in a dynamic environment. Water levels, locks, weather, strikes and other circumstances can sometimes affect an itinerary.
That’s why I pay attention not only to what a cruise line offers when everything goes according to plan, but also to how it responds when it doesn’t.
Firsthand perspective: AmaWaterways, AmaKristina, AmaCello, the Rhône, Colors of Provence and the passenger experience of a ship swap during an operational disruption.
AmaWaterways — AmaMagna | Danube | March 17, 2024
In March 2024, I sailed the Danube aboard AmaMagna, travelling from Budapest toward Vilshofen.
AmaMagna isn’t a conventional European river ship.
Its distinctive double-width design provides significantly more space for accommodations and onboard facilities.
Actually sailing AmaMagna allowed me to experience what those differences mean during an entire cruise rather than simply walking through the ship during an inspection.
Firsthand perspective: AmaMagna’s distinctive design, larger spaces and how a very different ship concept changes the traditional Danube river cruise experience.
Scenic — Scenic Amber | Danube | April 4, 2024
Just weeks later, I returned to the Danube aboard Scenic Amber.
This gave me firsthand experience of Scenic and another opportunity to compare how a different luxury river cruise company approaches the same river.
Firsthand perspective: Scenic’s onboard product and another valuable comparison point for clients considering luxury Danube cruises.
Uniworld — Uniworld River Duchess | Danube | October 4, 2024
In October 2024, I sailed Uniworld River Duchess on a journey from Budapest toward Prague.
Although I’d previously experienced U by Uniworld aboard The A, this gave me firsthand experience of Uniworld’s traditional luxury river cruise product.
By this point, I had travelled the Danube with several very different river cruise companies.
That’s important because it allows me to compare the experience, rather than simply the destination.
Firsthand perspective: Uniworld’s distinctive style, service, inclusions and onboard atmosphere, and another direct comparison with competing Danube products.
Viking — Viking Rinda | Danube | March 13, 2025
In March 2025, I sailed the Danube aboard Viking Rinda.
Viking is one of the most recognizable names in river cruising, so experiencing the product myself was important to my ability to compare it with other major river cruise companies.
Firsthand perspective: Viking’s ship design, onboard atmosphere and approach to European river cruising.
Avalon Waterways — Avalon Impression | Danube | March 22, 2025
Later that month, I sailed the Danube aboard Avalon Impression.
Avalon’s approach to cabin design is particularly distinctive, making this an important firsthand comparison with other major river cruise products I’ve experienced.
Firsthand perspective: Avalon’s Panorama Suite concept, ship design and onboard experience.
AmaWaterways — AmaDante | Seine, Paris & Normandy | July 10, 2025
In July 2025, I sailed AmaDante on AmaWaterways’ Paris & Normandy itinerary.
The season mattered.
A summer sailing gave me the opportunity to experience Giverny and Monet’s gardens in season.
Firsthand perspective: AmaDante, the Seine and the advantages of experiencing Paris & Normandy during the summer.
AmaWaterways — AmaDante | Seine, Paris & Normandy | November 9, 2025
Four months later, I returned to the same ship and itinerary in a completely different season.
This time, I travelled with a very special group of Canadian peacekeeping nurses, who proudly brought their peacekeeping uniforms and medals.
Our Normandy experience had a particular focus on Juno Beach and Canada’s connection to the region’s wartime history.
Sailing the same itinerary twice in different seasons reinforced something I frequently tell clients:
When you travel can be just as important as where you travel.
Firsthand perspective: How the same Seine itinerary can feel very different in summer and late autumn, and how a traveller’s interests should influence the timing of a river cruise.
Uniworld — S.S. Emilie | Rhine | March 12, 2026
In March 2026, I experienced Uniworld’s S.S. Emilie on the Rhine as part of my continuing river cruise research in Amsterdam.
It added another current Uniworld ship to my firsthand sailing experience and another opportunity to compare Uniworld with other luxury river cruise products.
Firsthand perspective: Uniworld’s current river product, ship design and luxury onboard experience.
Riverside Luxury Cruises — Riverside Debussy | Rhine | March 15, 2026
Following the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam, I sailed the Rhine aboard Riverside Debussy.
This allowed me to move beyond a ship inspection and experience Riverside’s luxury river cruise product as a guest.
Firsthand perspective: Riverside’s approach to luxury river cruising, including accommodations, dining, service and overall onboard atmosphere.
River Cruise Ships I’ve Personally Inspected
Sailing is the deepest form of research, but I also personally inspect river ships whenever I can.
And I deliberately keep the two experiences separate.
Inspected means I’ve personally stepped aboard and toured the ship. Sailed means I’ve actually travelled aboard it.
The ASTA River Cruise Expo has given me an exceptional opportunity to compare competing ships side by side.
I also take my own photos and videos during my ship inspections, creating a visual reference library I can return to when comparing cabins, suites, bathrooms, balconies and public spaces for clients.
ASTA River Cruise Expo — Vienna | March 2025
I attended my first ASTA River Cruise Expo in Vienna in March 2025.
The Expo brought together 15 ships throughout the event, plus AmaMagna during the opening portion, giving me access to 16 ships representing 10 river cruise brands.
Ships I Personally Inspected in Vienna in 2025
| Cruise Line | Ship |
|---|---|
| Amadeus River Cruises | Amadeus Nova |
| AmaWaterways | AmaBella |
| AmaWaterways | AmaLea |
| AmaWaterways | AmaMagna — also personally sailed |
| AmaWaterways | AmaSonata |
| Avalon Waterways | Avalon Illumination |
| Avalon Waterways | Avalon Passion |
| Avalon Waterways | Avalon Impression — also personally sailed |
| Riverside Luxury Cruises | Riverside Mozart |
| Riviera Travel | MS William Wordsworth |
| Scenic | Scenic Opal |
| Emerald Cruises | Emerald Luna |
| Tauck | MS Savor — also personally sailed |
| Uniworld | S.S. Maria Theresa |
| Viking | Viking Rinda — also personally sailed |
| Viking | Viking Ingvi |
PAX News subsequently interviewed me about what I learned and why this kind of side-by-side access matters when I’m advising clients.
2025: How a Canadian travel advisor gained major insights at the River Cruise Expo in Vienna
The Expo allowed me to go beyond cabin photographs and marketing materials. I could compare stateroom design, onboard ambience, wellness offerings and culinary programs and speak directly with senior leaders from the river cruise companies.
It also gave me an opportunity to ask the decidedly “in-the-weeds” questions I care about — including ship design, operating draught and how different river ships respond to changing river conditions.
ASTA River Cruise Expo — Amsterdam | March 2026
I returned to the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam in March 2026, where I personally toured 16 river ships representing 11 brands.
Only two ships — Scenic Opal and Emerald Luna — were repeats from the previous year’s lineup.
So across my first two ASTA River Cruise Expos, I had the opportunity to inspect 30 different river cruise ships.
Ships I Personally Inspected in Amsterdam in 2026
| Cruise Line | Ship |
|---|---|
| AmaWaterways | AmaPrima |
| AmaWaterways | AmaVenita |
| AmaWaterways | AmaSofia |
| Viking | Viking Kvasir |
| Viking | Viking Ve |
| Viking | Viking Rolf |
| Amadeus River Cruises | Amadeus Riva |
| Avalon Waterways | Avalon Envision |
| Avalon Waterways | Avalon View |
| Riviera Travel | Geoffrey Chaucer |
| Emerald Cruises | Emerald Luna — repeat inspection from 2025 |
| Scenic | Scenic Opal — repeat inspection from 2025 |
| Riverside Luxury Cruises | Riverside Debussy — also personally sailed |
| Uniworld | S.S. Emilie — also personally sailed |
| Tauck | MS Grace |
| VIVA Cruises | VIVA ENJOY |
The second Expo was particularly valuable because 14 of the 16 ships were different from the ships available to me in Vienna the previous year.
I went deep into the details.
I compared suite layouts, dining concepts, laundry service, gyms, hallways, bathrooms, bedding and different styles of French balconies. I experienced meals, wine pairings and entertainment across brands and continued speaking directly with the people behind the products.
PAX News documented that research:
2026: “Real Access”: Canadian travel advisors dive deep at the River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam
As I explained to PAX:
“While the river is the same, the experience onboard is very different.”
That’s ultimately why I invest so much time in this research.
Learning About River Cruise Lines Without Ships at the Expo
Not every river cruise company participating in Amsterdam had a ship there for me to inspect.
Celebrity River Cruises, Trafalgar River Cruises and Transcend Cruises were also represented at the 2026 Expo, giving me an opportunity to learn about their river cruise products and what’s coming next.
I don’t include them in my personally inspected ship count because I hadn’t stepped aboard one of their ships.
That distinction matters.
Returning to ASTA River Cruise Expo Vienna in March 2027
My ship research isn’t finished.
I’m already registered to attend the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Vienna in March 2027.
It will be my third consecutive ASTA River Cruise Expo after Vienna in 2025 and Amsterdam in 2026.
For me, attending isn’t about collecting ship names. It’s ongoing professional research.
New ships launch. Existing ships evolve. New companies enter the river cruise market. Cabin designs change. Dining concepts change. And travellers’ expectations continue to change.
There are also things I simply can’t learn from a deck plan.
When I inspect ships, I look at:
- Cabin and suite design
- Bathrooms and storage
- Bed positioning
- French balconies and windows
- Dining venues and food
- Public spaces and passenger flow
- Outdoor areas
- Gyms and wellness facilities
- Laundry options
- Accessibility
- Service style
- Overall onboard atmosphere
I’ll add the 2027 ships to this page after I have personally stepped aboard and inspected them.
Upcoming River Cruise Research
My firsthand river cruise research continues through 2026 and 2027, including destinations beyond the traditional European rivers I’ve already sailed.
AmaWaterways — AmaMagdalena | Magdalena River, Colombia | September 23, 2026
I’m scheduled to sail AmaMagdalena on Colombia’s Magdalena River beginning September 23, 2026.
This will give me firsthand experience of AmaWaterways’ river cruise product in South America and an opportunity to experience a river and destination very different from Europe’s traditional river cruises.
Status: Upcoming — not included in my completed river cruise experience.
AmaWaterways — AmaDahlia | Nile River, Egypt | November 18, 2026
I’m scheduled to sail AmaDahlia on Egypt’s Nile River beginning November 18, 2026.
This will give me firsthand experience of a Nile river journey and how AmaWaterways combines river cruising with Egypt’s history, archaeological sites and land-based touring.
Status: Upcoming — not included in my completed river cruise experience.
ASTA River Cruise Expo | Vienna | March 2027
I’m already registered to return to Vienna for the ASTA River Cruise Expo in March 2027.
It will be my third consecutive Expo and another opportunity to inspect and compare river ships and meet directly with the companies behind them.
Status: Upcoming — ships will only be added to my inspection record after I personally inspect them.
AmaWaterways — AmaSerena | Rhine | Basel to Amsterdam | November 23–30, 2027
I’m scheduled to return to the Rhine aboard AmaSerena, sailing seven nights from Basel to Amsterdam on AmaWaterways’ Festive Delights itinerary.
This will give me another opportunity to experience the Rhine in a very different season — during Europe’s festive and Christmas-market period — and add another AmaWaterways ship to my firsthand experience.
Status: Upcoming — not included in my completed river cruise experience.
What I Look For When I Compare River Cruise Lines
There isn’t one “best” river cruise line for everyone.
When I’m comparing options for a client, I look at much more than itinerary and price.
Cabins and suites. Published square footage matters, but so do layout, storage, bathrooms, windows, balconies and how the space actually feels.
Dining. Choice, quality, flexibility, beverages and dining style.
Excursions. How much choice is offered? Are there different activity levels? Hiking? Cycling? Special-interest touring?
Inclusions. What’s included in the fare and what will cost extra?
Service and atmosphere. Some ships feel more formal; others more relaxed, active, social or intimate.
Wellness and activity. Gyms, bicycles, wellness programming and active excursions vary considerably.
Accessibility. Cabin layouts, elevators, stairs, walking requirements and excursion logistics all matter.
Ship design. Windows, balconies, public spaces, outdoor areas and passenger flow.
Season. My two AmaDante sailings taught me firsthand how differently the same Seine itinerary can feel in July and November.
Operations. Rivers are dynamic. Water levels, locks, weather, strikes and other disruptions can affect a journey. Having personally experienced a ship swap gives me another perspective when discussing those possibilities with clients.
The question isn’t:
Which river cruise line is best?
It’s:
Which river cruise line is best for you?
Why Firsthand Experience Matters When Choosing a River Cruise
A brochure can tell me that a cabin is 225 square feet.
A deck plan can show me where the restaurant is.
A website can list the excursions.
But none of those things can completely tell me what it feels like to be there.
I’ve stood on AmaCerto’s top deck for three chilly hours watching the castles of the Rhine Gorge pass on both sides.
I’ve shared a Tauck Bridges Family Suite with my husband and two young daughters.
I’ve experienced a ship swap in France during national strike action.
I’ve sailed the Danube repeatedly with competing river cruise companies.
I’ve travelled the same Seine itinerary aboard the same AmaWaterways ship in July and November and experienced how much the season changed the journey.
I’ve travelled deep into the Peruvian Amazon by river and explored jungle waterways by skiff.
And I’ve deliberately walked from one competing river cruise ship to another at the ASTA River Cruise Expo, comparing details my clients may never think to ask about.
Those experiences become reference points when I’m helping someone make a decision.
How I Help Clients Choose the Right River Cruise
My role isn’t simply to book a river cruise.
It’s to help determine which combination of river, itinerary, cruise line, ship, cabin, season and travel style makes the most sense for you.
That’s particularly valuable for first-time river cruisers.
The differences between AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Scenic, Avalon, Viking and Riverside aren’t always obvious when you’re looking at websites and brochures.
And the cruise line your friend loved isn’t necessarily the one you’ll love.
I combine what I’ve learned from my own sailings and ship inspections with what I learn about you — how you like to travel, what you value, how active you want to be, your preferred level of service and luxury, your budget and what you hope to take away from the journey.
The goal isn’t simply to get you onto a river cruise.
It’s to get you onto the right river cruise for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which river cruise lines has Sheila Gallant-Halloran personally sailed?
I’ve personally sailed river cruise products from AmaWaterways, Tauck, Uniworld, Scenic, Viking, Avalon Waterways and Riverside Luxury Cruises, as well as the former U by Uniworld and International Expeditions in the Peruvian Amazon.
Has Sheila Gallant-Halloran personally sailed AmaWaterways?
Yes.
My completed AmaWaterways experience includes AmaCerto on the Rhine; AmaKristina and AmaCello on the Rhône; AmaMagna on the Danube; and two sailings aboard AmaDante on the Seine.
I’m also scheduled to sail AmaMagdalena in Colombia in September 2026, AmaDahlia on the Nile in November 2026 and AmaSerena on the Rhine in November 2027.
Those upcoming cruises aren’t included in my completed sailing experience.
Has Sheila Gallant-Halloran personally sailed Uniworld?
Yes.
I’ve personally sailed Uniworld River Duchess and S.S. Emilie, as well as The A with U by Uniworld in 2019.
I’ve also personally inspected additional Uniworld river ships.
Can Sheila Gallant-Halloran compare AmaWaterways and Uniworld?
Yes.
I’ve personally sailed multiple AmaWaterways and Uniworld ships and inspected additional ships from both companies.
Rather than saying one is universally “better,” I compare their accommodations, dining, excursions, inclusions, service, atmosphere and overall travel style against what a particular traveller wants from their trip.
Which European rivers has Sheila Gallant-Halloran personally cruised?
I’ve personally cruised the Danube, Main, Rhine, Rhône and Seine.
I’ve sailed several of those rivers repeatedly and with different river cruise companies.
Has Sheila Gallant-Halloran sailed the Danube with different river cruise lines?
Yes.
I’ve personally experienced the Danube with Tauck, Tauck Bridges, U by Uniworld, AmaWaterways, Scenic, Uniworld, Viking and Avalon Waterways.
That gives me a broad firsthand perspective on how different cruise companies can deliver very different experiences along the same river.
Has Sheila Gallant-Halloran experienced a river cruise ship swap?
Yes.
In March 2023, I began AmaWaterways’ Colors of Provence itinerary aboard AmaKristina.
During national strike action in France, we changed ships, and I boarded AmaCello on March 21 to continue the journey.
Experiencing that disruption as a passenger gave me firsthand insight into the logistics and guest experience of a river cruise ship swap.
How many river cruise ships has Sheila Gallant-Halloran personally inspected at the ASTA River Cruise Expo?
Across the 2025 ASTA River Cruise Expo in Vienna and the 2026 Expo in Amsterdam, I had the opportunity to inspect 30 different river cruise ships.
The two Expos featured 32 ship appearances in total, with Scenic Opal and Emerald Luna appearing in both years.
I’m already registered for my third consecutive ASTA River Cruise Expo in Vienna in March 2027.
Does Sheila Gallant-Halloran work with first-time river cruisers?
Absolutely.
First-time river cruisers often have the most questions because the differences between cruise lines aren’t always obvious.
I help clients understand those differences and choose the river, itinerary, cruise line, ship, cabin and season that best match the way they want to travel.
About Sheila Gallant-Halloran
I’m Sheila Gallant-Halloran, owner of Lush Life Travel, a Canadian travel advisor specializing in river cruising and expedition cruising.
I’ve been personally sailing river cruises since 2014 and continue to invest in firsthand sailings, ship inspections and professional research so the advice I give my clients is grounded in experience.
Travel, for me, isn’t simply about collecting destinations.
It’s about choosing experiences that enrich your life — what I call your Return on Life.
Considering a River Cruise?
If you’re planning your first river cruise, comparing AmaWaterways with Uniworld, wondering whether Tauck, Scenic, Avalon, Viking or Riverside might suit you better, or simply trying to decide which river and itinerary are right for you, I’d be happy to help.
Book a River Cruise Consultation
📩 Let’s Start Planning Your Bucket List Journey:
Sheila Gallant-Halloran | www.lushlife.ca | ✉️ sheila@lushlife.ca