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“We only had one day in Singapore and this tour gave a perfect overview of the city loved it. The Supertree show was amazing.”
A private 2-hour Amsterdam canal cruise with a live guide, drinks, and a flexible route through classic and lesser-seen sights.
“Pick up was in time at exact location. Paap, the captain was very friendly, but had expected more of what was offered for the price we paid (almost €180). we did not know if drinks were included. We were not asked if wanted any cover or not, or blankets, since it was a bit snippy…”
A 90-minute private Amsterdam night canal cruise with a live local guide, drinks, and comfort options like blankets and optional roof.
“Relaxed, informative, great captain! We throughly enjoyed this trip and Captain Deep was great. Informative without over talking, small enough boat to be intimate and yet plenty of room to spread out!”
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.
“Great night time tour of Singapore with amazing views on the River Boat cruise, water and light shows! The Chicken Sayay at the end was yummy and they had a non peanut sauce option available for those allergic.”
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.
“Featherdale, loved getting up very close to the animals. scenic world train and gondola were amazing. We had a great time. Dave was great. Thank you! Mmmmmmmmmmmm”
![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.
“Excellent! Buildings incredible 😲 Our guide Mac, very cool with so much knowledge. Great day 😀”
VIP Huangpu River cruise and Shanghai lights tour with hotel pickup, Yuyuan Old Street, Xintiandi, and VIP Bund skyline views.
“Wonderful experience. Mr jemmy has been wonderful guide. Extremely polite and humble. His knowledge about city and china is excellent”
Private Douro cruise on the 1963 Cabernet boat from Afurada. Pass six bridges, sip Port, and toast at sunset.
“The most amazing experience we have ever had. They took care of everything, we got blankets , a cocktail, snacks. Honestly worth every cent spent!!! 10/10 . The most amazing couple too! Thank you guys❤️”
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.
“The guide Henrique was very nice! We enjoyed the time a lot! We enjoyed a lot the second quinta as it was a small producer and we felt the passion of the family.”
Private Amsterdam walking tour plus a canal cruise, with tram stops for first-timer orientation, photo breaks, and market time.
“This was a must do for any first timers to Amsterdam! Juliette was absolutely amazing with her knowledge of the city's history and a delight to tour with around the city. Wear your walking shoes! We truly covered the city and had a great overview of everything.”
Private 2-hour Venice canal cruise with Grand Canal views, a Jewish Ghetto walk, Porta dell’Acqua Arsenale, and Dorsoduro gondola craft.
“Was looking forward to this tour and was very disappointed after finishing it. First of all the motor boat was too crowded - 8 passengers plus the guide. They put 4 of us in the back and 4 plus the guide in the front of the boat. It was a beautiful day and all the…”
Private romantic Amsterdam canal cruise for two with Prosecco, snacks, blankets, and love-filled stories under iconic bridges.
“Very enjoyable way to see the city. And a HH of way to get away from the crowds. Perfect way to enjoy a couple hours in Ansterdam.”
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.”
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