New River Cruise Ships That Launched in 2025: Full List & Key Facts
Complete Guide to Every River Cruise Ship Launched in 2025
Explore all the new river cruise ships of 2025, including launch dates, passenger numbers, cabin counts, and standout features for each vessel.
Updated 31 December 2025
Collage of new river ships launched 2025. Image: created by Cruise Lowdown from credited images below
River cruising may be more tightly regulated than ocean cruising, but 2025 has still delivered a notable wave of new river cruise ships entering service. From purpose-built vessels on the Danube and Douro to trail-blazing ships opening up Colombia’s Magdalena River, these launches reflect where river cruising is heading next.
Importantly, this list focuses only on river ships that launched and sailed during 2025 - for Ocean Cruise Ships see my related post. Each ship below is listed in chronological launch order, with key facts including dimensions, passenger and cabin numbers, plus the standout features that set them apart.
Whether you are tracking industry trends or planning your next river cruise, these are the new river cruise ships that truly defined 2025.
Riviera Radiance (Riviera Travel)
Riviera Radiance - the first new river cruise ship for 2025. Image: Riviera Travel
Launched: March 2025 | Danube River
Riviera Radiance was the first new river cruise ship to enter service in 2025, marking a step-change in Riviera Travel’s fleet design. Built for the Danube, she is one of the largest and most spacious river ships currently sailing in Europe.
Key Specifications
Length: approx. 135 metres
Beam: approx. 12 metres
Passenger capacity: 178
Cabins: 89
Decks: 3 passenger decks
Region: Danube (Central Europe)
Highlights
One of the largest river cruise ships currently operating
Grand Suites and Superior Suites up to 32 sqm
Multiple dining venues including speciality restaurants
Sun deck with swimming pool
Designed for light, space and panoramic river views
Riviera Rose (Riviera Travel)
New River Cruise Ship for 2025 - Riviera Rose. Image: Riviera Travel
Launched: April 2025 | Douro River
Purpose-built specifically for Portugal’s Douro River, Riviera Rose entered service in April 2025, offering a more intimate, destination-focused experience compared with larger central European river ships.
Key Specifications
Passenger capacity: 114
Cabins: 57
Decks: 3 passenger decks
Region: Douro River, Portugal
Highlights
Designed to navigate the Douro’s locks and narrow stretches
French balcony cabins plus a small number of outdoor balcony suites
Sun deck with pool and shaded seating
Strong focus on regional food and wine
Boutique atmosphere with fewer passengers
AmaSintra (AmaWaterways)
AmaSintra joined AmaWaterways’ growing Douro fleet in spring 2025. Image Credit: AmaWaterways
Launched: April 2025 | Douro River
AmaSintra joined AmaWaterways’ growing Douro fleet in spring 2025, bringing the line’s wellness-led approach to one of Europe’s most scenic wine regions.
Key Specifications
Passenger capacity: approx. 102
Cabins: approx. 51
Decks: 3 passenger decks
Region: Douro River, Portugal
Highlights
Heated pool with swim-up bar
Wellness and fitness facilities onboard
Majority of cabins with French balconies
Included walking and cycling excursions
Al fresco dining with vineyard views
AmaMelodia (AmaWaterways)
AmaMelodia is one of the most significant river cruise launches of 2025 Credit: AmaWaterways
Launched: June 2025 | Magdalena River, Colombia
AmaMelodia is one of the most significant river cruise launches of 2025, opening up Colombia’s Magdalena River to international cruise tourism alongside sister ship AmaMagdalena.
Key Specifications
Length: approx. 68 metres
Passenger capacity: approx. 64
Cabins: 32
Decks: 2 passenger decks plus sun deck
Region: Magdalena River, Colombia
Highlights
Purpose-built for shallow and variable river conditions
All cabins with French balconies and walk-out verandas
Small-ship, highly immersive itineraries
Strong focus on local culture, music and cuisine
Outdoor lounge and pool on the top deck
Spirit of the Moselle (Saga River Cruises)
Spirit of the Moselle became Saga’s newest purpose-built river ship Credit. Saga
Launched: July 2025 | Main & Rhine Rivers
Spirit of the Moselle became Saga’s newest purpose-built river ship in July 2025, reinforcing the brand’s long-term commitment to the European river market.
Key Specifications
Length: approx. 135 metres
Beam: approx. 11.4 metres
Passenger capacity: up to 182
Cabins: approx. 90+
Decks: 4 passenger decks
Region: Main and Rhine rivers
Highlights
Majority of cabins with full-height French balconies
Contemporary, light-filled public spaces
Panoramic main restaurant and lounge
Sundeck with loungers and shaded areas
All-inclusive cruising model popular with UK guests
S.S. Elisabeth (Uniworld Boutique River Cruises)
Uniworld’s S.S. Elisabeth entered service at the end of the 2025. Image: Uniworld
Launched: November 2025 | Rhine River
S.S. Elisabeth entered service at the end of the 2025 season, debuting under the Uniworld flag in time for festive Rhine and Christmas market sailings.
Key Specifications
Passenger capacity: approx. 110
Cabins: approx. 55
Decks: 3 passenger decks
Region: Rhine River, Europe
Highlights
Boutique, design-led interiors
Spacious suites with drop-down panoramic windows
Uniworld’s fully all-inclusive pricing model
Designed for themed and festive itineraries
High staff-to-guest ratio for personalised service
Why 2025 Was a Standout Year for New River Cruise Ships
The River Danube at sunset. Mage: Uniworld Cruising
Unlike ocean cruising, river cruise ship launches are selective and highly strategic. In 2025, new builds focussed on:
Douro River growth, driven by demand for wine-led itineraries
Larger, more spacious ships on major rivers like the Danube
New global river destinations beyond Europe
Boutique luxury and wellness-led design
For travellers who value scenery, cultural depth and slower-paced travel, these new river cruise ships of 2025 marked an exciting shift in the market.
The Lowdown
River cruising does not see launches on the same scale as the ocean sector, which makes each new ship debut more meaningful. In 2025, the emphasis was clear – larger, more spacious river ships, destination-specific designs, and new global waterways beyond Europe.
The Magdalena River ships in Colombia represent the boldest expansion, while new vessels on the Danube and Douro show how cruise lines are refining comfort and layout rather than simply increasing capacity. For travellers, this means better cabins, improved public spaces and itineraries that feel more immersive than ever.
If 2025 proved anything, it is that river cruising continues to evolve quietly but confidently – and these ships are shaping what the next decade of river travel will look like.