VIVA Cruises has quietly become one of Europe's most talked-about river cruise lines. Launched in 2018 and backed by Swiss shipping group Scylla AG, the Düsseldorf-based operator has built a fleet of ten ships that sail across more rivers than almost any other line. The appeal is straightforward: a truly all-inclusive price (beverages, gratuities, daily minibar, even RITUALS toiletries), a modern and well-designed fleet, and itineraries that take in some of the continent's most rewarding waterways.
What Makes VIVA Cruises Different?
Most river cruise operators advertise all-inclusive fares but quietly charge extra for wine at dinner, gratuities, or drinks at the bar. VIVA's pricing covers all of this from the outset. Your fare includes:
- Full board – breakfast buffet, lunch, and a multi-course gourmet dinner with table service
- All beverages throughout the day, alcoholic and non-alcoholic
- Daily minibar refills in your cabin
- High Tea service (scones, sandwiches, pastries)
- RITUALS beauty products in every cabin
- Nespresso machine in cabin (on newer ships)
- Wi-Fi throughout the ship
- Crew gratuities
- Free bicycle hire at ports
The free bicycle hire is worth highlighting. Most river cruise lines offer excursion packages as paid add-ons. VIVA simply makes bikes available so you can explore towns and riverbanks independently, cycling ahead to meet the ship downstream if you choose.
The Fleet
VIVA operates ten ships ranging from 80 to 190 passengers. The smaller size is deliberate – fewer passengers means less queuing, more personal service, and access to smaller ports that larger ships cannot reach.
VIVA TWO (2023)
The newest flagship carries 190 passengers across 95 cabins and three decks. It has three dining venues: the RIVERSIDE main restaurant, the MOMENTS fine-dining venue (Italian cuisine with white-glove service), and VIVA's Bistro for casual meals. Cabins on the Diamond and Ruby Decks have French balconies; the Emerald Deck has fixed windows but the same interior standard. Eight suites on the Diamond Deck measure 24 m².
VIVA ONE (2022)
The first ship purpose-built for VIVA, carrying 176 passengers. Notably, 68 solar cells on the sun deck supplement the ship's power, and it runs on GTL clean synthetic diesel. VIVA ONE is dedicated to wellness sailings in 2026, with an on-board wellness area featuring steam bath, infrared sauna, and a fitness centre.
PORTO MIRANTE (2024)
Designed specifically for the Douro River in Portugal, this 120-passenger ship is built low and narrow to navigate the river's tight locks. It features a sky lounge with panoramic two-deck views – spectacular when sailing through the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley vineyards.
VIVA RUBY
The smallest and arguably the most exclusive ship in the fleet at just 80 passengers. Refurbished in 2025, it operates on Baltic Sea coastal voyages as well as classic river routes. The intimate scale means the crew-to-passenger ratio is exceptional and the atmosphere on board is genuinely personal.
The Rivers
VIVA sails more European rivers than most of its competitors. Here is a summary of the main routes:
Rhine
The Rhine remains the classic European river cruise route, sailing from Amsterdam through Germany's wine regions and on to Basel in Switzerland. The highlight is the UNESCO Middle Rhine Valley, a 65-kilometre stretch of castle-topped hillsides and steep vineyard terraces between Koblenz and Bingen. Ports include Cologne, Rüdesheim, Mainz, Speyer, and Strasbourg.
Danube
The Danube is VIVA's most varied river, with itineraries ranging from a short break between Vienna and Budapest to extended sailings that continue south through Serbia and into the Danube Delta on the Romanian and Ukrainian border. The Wachau Valley in Austria, Melk Abbey, and Budapest's illuminated Parliament building at dusk are consistent highlights.
Douro (Portugal)
The Douro Valley is one of Europe's great undiscovered river cruise regions. Sailing inland from Porto through terraced port wine vineyards, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic the further east you travel. PORTO MIRANTE is dedicated to this river, and the itineraries typically include wine tastings at quintas (estates) in the Pinhão valley and an optional day trip to Salamanca in Spain.
Seine (France)
VIVA's newest river launches in May 2026 with the purpose-built VIVA BEYOND. Itineraries focus on Paris and Normandy – sailing from the capital through Vernon (where Claude Monet's Giverny garden is a short drive away), past the chalk cliffs of Les Andelys, through Rouen (where Joan of Arc was executed), and out to Le Havre on the Normandy coast.
Rhône and Saône
The south of France route runs between Lyon and Arles, passing through Avignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the lavender fields of Provence. Summer sailings are particularly popular when the sunflowers and lavender are in full bloom across the Luberon.
Moselle
A quieter alternative to the Rhine, the Moselle winds through Luxembourg and eastern France before joining the Rhine at Koblenz. The river is lined with steep vineyard slopes and medieval wine towns – Cochem, Bernkastel, and Trier (Germany's oldest city) are regular stops.
Which Itinerary Should You Choose?
For a first river cruise, the Rhine between Amsterdam and Basel is hard to beat – the variety of ports, the UNESCO scenery, and the easy logistics make it an ideal introduction. Amsterdam is one of Europe's most enjoyable embarkation cities and Basel is a sophisticated end point.
For something more adventurous, the Danube extension south of Budapest into Serbia and Bulgaria opens up parts of Europe that few British travellers visit. The Iron Gate gorge, where the Danube cuts between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains, is genuinely dramatic.
If Portugal appeals, the Douro is the most visually stunning river VIVA sails. The valley looks like a natural amphitheatre of perfectly groomed terraces, and the pace of life in the villages along the bank is a world away from the Rhine's busier tourist circuit.
What to Expect On Board
The ships are not large, and that is the point. A ship carrying 120 to 190 passengers does not feel like a floating hotel – it feels more like a country house party that happens to be moving. Meal times are relaxed with open seating; you will sit next to different passengers each evening. The panorama lounge at the front of the ship is the social hub, with floor-to-ceiling windows and the kind of view that makes it difficult to go to bed.
Shore time is generous. Most itineraries dock in a port during the day and sail overnight, so you wake in a new location each morning. VIVA's approach to excursions is deliberately light-touch – the included bicycle hire encourages independent exploration rather than guided coach tours, though optional excursions are available for those who prefer a structured visit.
Booking a VIVA Cruise with Flights and Packages
We can arrange VIVA river cruise packages that include return flights from UK airports, transfers to the embarkation port, and the cruise itself. River cruise itineraries work best when the logistics are handled properly – getting from London to Amsterdam or Porto is straightforward, but if you are joining the ship in a less obvious port like Passau or Arles, having a package arranged in advance removes a great deal of complexity.
Call us on 020 8183 0518 to discuss availability and pricing, or use our search tool to browse current departures. VIVA sailings sell well, particularly during the popular spring tulip season on the Rhine and summer river cruises in the south of France, so booking several months ahead is advisable.
Previous
2 June 2026