RIVER & CANAL CRUISES
Reviewed, compared and ranked by the people aboard.
The 15 most popular private cruises, compared side by side. What you see from the water, how long you are aboard, what it costs and which operator to book, so you can pick your boat in a couple of minutes.
Private Singapore night tour with hotel pickup, Little India, Gardens by the Bay light show, SkyPark 360 views, and a 40-min river cruise.
Most Popular“One word. Outstanding! Michael went above and beyond! He also took pics with his camera then surprised us with a video he created. Memories to last a lifetime.”
A private 2-hour Amsterdam canal cruise with a live guide, drinks, and a flexible route through classic and lesser-seen sights.
“Great guy, great tour, fine boat, and lots of fun. Capt. Popp is not only a skilled skipper, he knows his history and is generous in sharing it. After 9 days of tours together, the 6 of us decided we enjoyed this twilight-tour and our time spent with him as the most enjoyable. Many thanks…”
A 90-minute private Amsterdam night canal cruise with a live local guide, drinks, and comfort options like blankets and optional roof.
“We had the best time with Skipper Paap! He showed us way more than we expected and took the time to capture several photos of us. I’ve taken a few canal tours and this one was far more exciting and enjoyable than the others. Highly recommend this private 90-min tour!”
5-day private Nile cruise Luxor to Aswan with an Egyptology guide, top temples in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan.
“The best part of this trip was our tour guide Omar and all the wonderful knowledge he has about Egypt and history. We didn’t have to worry about anything from the moment we arrived in Luxor and we’re picked up by the tour company representative. We were able to visiRead more”
Private 7-hour Singapore tour with river cruise, Little India and Orchid Garden. Hotel pickup, private guide, all transport included.
“Alex was a great guide and very personable. Lots of info and really enjoyed the ethnic neighborhoods ( little India, Chinatown, etc) Recommend this tour. We took it after an audio tour of the marina Bay Area the day before and there was very little crossover. If you’re looking for Marina bay tour, this is…”
Private 10-hour Blue Mountains day with Echo Point Three Sisters, koalas at a wildlife park, plus a harbour cruise ending near the Opera House.
“My family found the private tour so enjoyable, every moment will be unforgettable. So many activities in the one day, even lunch at the Yello Deli was an experience. Customer setvice, timely stops, history given, the animal park and brilliant scenic places. It’s a high quality journey with a most accomplished guide.”
![Kuala Lumpur: Putrajaya Tour Half Day Tour [Shared/Private] - Tasik Putrajaya cruise: the best views come from the water](https://tour.rivercruisetravelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/kuala-lumpur-putrajaya-tour-half-day-tour-shared-private.jpg)
Half-day Putrajaya tour from Kuala Lumpur with the Pink Mosque, Putrajaya Lake cruise, and top government and bridge photo stops.
“it was amazing, Putrajaya it's a beautiful city. love the river cruise. Our guide and driver were knowlegeable and friendly. they took us to the right spots for amazin pics. it was a Sunday...offices were close ..easy to have great pics Thanks Ivy tours and Mr T and RB (”
VIP Huangpu River cruise and Shanghai lights tour with hotel pickup, Yuyuan Old Street, Xintiandi, and VIP Bund skyline views.
“Excellent tour guide. Excellent English and history knowledge. Tailored tour to our interests. Excellent lunch.”
Private Douro cruise on the 1963 Cabernet boat from Afurada. Pass six bridges, sip Port, and toast at sunset.
“WOW an absolutely AMAZING experience never to be forgotten. Nadia and Paulo greeted us, and treated us, as old friends. Truly exceptional people. This trip was fabulous from beginning (but not the end, as we didn't want to leave.) Paulo pilated the boat very carefully and slowly so we could take in the wonderful surrounds.…”
Private Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with guide, onboard Chinese buffet lunch, countryside tour, and West Street time.
“The river cruise was a fantastic way to see the famous Guilin karsts, and the visit to Yangshuo and the charming surrounding countryside was wonderful. Tony was a great guide, patiently answering our questions and giving us plenty of time to enjoy our walk after the cruise. Highly recommended!”
Private Douro Valley day tour with hotel pickup, Quinta do Cume tastings, Pinhão lunch, and a 1-hour Douro River cruise.
“Fun and informative tour and tasting at a Quinta, a beautiful river cruise on our own private boat, and a delicious lunch - all with lots of wine from the Douro valley. Our guide Luis was very friendly, knowledgeable, and did a great job. Highly recommended!”
Private Amsterdam walking tour plus a canal cruise, with tram stops for first-timer orientation, photo breaks, and market time.
“Danny gave us a great 4-hour tour of Amsterdam. We're able to see all of the major sites and get a great history and perspective of how Amsterdam has developed over many many years. We especially appreciated having prepaid tickets and going on a houseboat,that was a unique experience. Great job, thank you.”
Private 2-hour Venice canal cruise with Grand Canal views, a Jewish Ghetto walk, Porta dell’Acqua Arsenale, and Dorsoduro gondola craft.
“This was an excellent tour and I wholeheartedly recommend it! Georgia was our guide and she was superb. She gave lots of history and background on the city and the buildings. One of the highlights was our stop at the Jewish ghetto where we spent a significant time learning about how it came about and…”
Private romantic Amsterdam canal cruise for two with Prosecco, snacks, blankets, and love-filled stories under iconic bridges.
“As far as value for Money - Best in Amsterdam. Stunning Boat. Stunning South African Host. Overseen a beautiful cruise which finished with myself and my partner becoming engaged. Cant thank enough for making it happen so perfectly.”
Luxury 5-day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan with a private Egyptologist, included meals, and guided temple visits along the way.
“My husband and I cruised the Nile aboard the Jaz Viceroy from May 2–7, 2025, and it was nothing short of magical. Our itinerary took us from Luxor to Aswan, with unforgettable stops in Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Abu Simbel.”
Pick a canal city, a famous river, or the kind of cruise you want to be on.
