Explore the world by river and sea

River cruising is one of the most immersive ways to experience Europe, and it's where Waterways Cruise started. Unlike an ocean cruise, a river cruise brings you directly into the heart of the cities and villages along the water — you wake up in a new town almost every morning, often docked within walking distance of the main square. Our river cruise lines sail the Rhine through Germany's castles and vineyards, the Danube through Vienna, Budapest and the Wachau Valley, and the Seine from Paris to Normandy. Further south and west, cruises along the Douro in Portugal, the Rhône and Saône in France, and the Garonne and Dordogne near Bordeaux showcase some of Europe's finest wine regions from the water. Smaller rivers like the Moselle, Main, Elbe and Vltava connect to larger itineraries for travelers who want to see more in a single trip. Every river cruise line we work with is vetted for quality, from ship condition to excursion program, so whichever river you choose, you can expect a well-run, comfortable sailing. Browse each river above to see the cruise lines and itineraries available, or contact our team for a personalized recommendation.

Some cruise destinations are popular for good reason — they consistently deliver a great trip, with well-established itineraries, strong shore excursion programs and a wide range of ships to choose from. Alaska and the Caribbean remain the two best-selling cruise regions in North America, but the list of dependable favorites goes well beyond them. The Mediterranean and Greek Islands combine history, food and coastline in a single sailing. Norwegian Fjords and Baltic Sea itineraries suit travelers drawn to dramatic scenery and Northern European cities. The Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal appeal to those wanting a shorter or more relaxed sailing, while Hawaii, the South Pacific and Australia & New Zealand suit longer trips further afield. Iceland and the British Isles have grown steadily in popularity for their combination of natural landscapes and walkable port towns, and newer entrants like Dubai & the UAE and Japan are attracting travelers looking for something different from the traditional cruise map. Whatever draws you to cruising, these destinations offer some of the most reliable, well-reviewed itineraries in the industry. Browse each one above to compare cruise lines and start planning your trip.

Where you depart from can matter just as much as where you're sailing to — a convenient home port means less travel before your cruise even begins, and often a lower total trip cost. Florida remains the busiest cruise state in the country, with Miami, Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Port Canaveral and Tampa collectively handling a large share of Caribbean and Bahamas departures. Along the Gulf Coast, Galveston, New Orleans and Mobile offer easy drive-to access for travelers across the South. On the West Coast, Los Angeles and San Diego serve Mexican Riviera itineraries, while Seattle is the primary gateway for Alaska cruises. The Northeast is well represented too, with New York, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Norfolk all serving as departure ports for New England, Canada, Bermuda and transatlantic sailings. Charleston serves the Southeast, Honolulu is the hub for interisland Hawaii cruises, and Whittier and Seward are the two main departure ports for one-way Alaska sailings paired with a land tour. If you'd rather drive to your ship than fly to it, browse the ports above to find the departure city that works best for you.