Cruise Lines

Best for: Couples · Active/bike-and-hike travelers · First-time river cruisers

Loyalty:

AmaWaterways Loyalty Program

Final payment:

90 days prior to departure

Best for: Travelers who want a U.S.-only cruise with no passport, no long-haul flight and often a drive-to port · Older and first-time river cruisers who value large balcony staterooms and an included pre-cruise hotel night · Solo travelers (single staterooms on every ship, no single supplement)

Loyalty:

Eagle Society

Final payment:

120 days prior to sailing

Best for: Guests who want a river cruise sold as a package, with first- and last-day airport transfers, gratuities and most sightseeing included · Travelers who like exclusive group events (APT 'Signature Experiences') plus a choice of daily excursions ('Freedom of Choice') · Guests looking beyond Europe: APT sells river cruises on the Mekong, Lower Ganges, Yangtze, Amazon and Australia's Murray River as well as the Rhine, Main, Danube and Douro

Loyalty:

APT Club

Final payment:

100 days before departure

Best for: Travelers who want a 16-40-guest luxury ship with a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio and twice-daily small-group excursions · Mekong (Cambodia & Vietnam) and Peruvian Amazon river expeditions, including short 3- and 4-night sailings · Galapagos, East Indonesia (Komodo, Spice Islands, Raja Ampat, Asmat) and Seychelles snorkeling and wildlife trips on a superyacht

Loyalty:

Circolo Aqua (Guest Loyalty Program; free, Miles-based; separate Circolo Aqua Trade Loyalty Program for advisors)

Final payment:

90 days before departure

Best for: Couples who want extra-large staterooms · Active travelers (bikes/e-bikes) · Guests who want a wide choice of included excursions

Loyalty:

Welcome Back Credit

Final payment:

90 days prior to departure

Best for: Celebrity/RCL loyalists who want to use their existing Captain's Club status on a river product · Guests wanting a modern, suite-forward river ship with butler service · Couples wanting European river itineraries (Danube, Rhine) with big-ship-style inclusions

Loyalty:

Captain's Club

Final payment:

120 days prior to departure

Best for: Value-minded river cruisers · Francophiles and foodies · Travelers wanting less-common rivers (Loire, Guadalquivir, Elbe)

Loyalty:

CroisiClub

Final payment:

30 days prior to departure (European rivers, barges, coastal); 45 days (Nile, Mekong, Ganges, Amazon, Southern Africa)

Best for: First-time river cruisers wanting an all-inclusive fare · Guests who want a suite-style balcony (Emerald's signature open-air/enclosed balcony) · Couples/small groups wanting European river itineraries at a mid-luxury price point

Loyalty:

Scenic & Emerald Rewards

Final payment:

90 days prior to departure

Best for: Solo travelers · Value-minded first-time river cruisers · Couples

Loyalty:

Not yet verified

Final payment:

101 days prior to departure

Best for: Guests wanting a true all-inclusive luxury river fare (drinks, tours, and more bundled in) · Guests who want butler service on a river ship · Travelers who want both Europe and Southeast Asia river options from one brand

Loyalty:

Scenic & Emerald Rewards

Final payment:

90 days before departure (Full Fare)

Best for: Travelers who want a fully guided river cruise, with Tauck Directors handling every detail on board and ashore · Clients who hate add-on costs: excursions, all drinks aboard, gratuities and transfers are in one upfront price, and no options are sold · Solo travelers (no single supplement in Category 1 on every European river departure)

Loyalty:

Not yet verified

Final payment:

120 days before departure

Best for: Value-minded travelers who want a river cruise package with gratuities, first- and last-day airport transfers and guided sightseeing included · Guests who are happy with wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner rather than an all-day open bar · Travelers looking beyond Europe: Travelmarvel also sells river cruises on the Mekong, Nile, Yangtze and Australia's Murray River

Loyalty:

Traveller Club

Final payment:

100 days before departure

Best for: Luxury travelers · Guests who want a true all-inclusive fare · Couples celebrating an occasion

Loyalty:

River Heritage Club

Final payment:

120 days prior to departure

Best for: Adults-only travelers (18+) · First-time river cruisers · Culturally curious/destination-focused travelers

Loyalty:

Viking Explorer Society

Final payment:

Set by the booking's promotion; shown on the invoice