Luxury River Cruises That Belong on Your Travel Bucket List in 2027

River cruising is looking less Europe-only and more global heading into 2027, with more itineraries spanning Africa, Asia and North America alongside classic Rhine and Danube routes. Cruise demand has grown at 10 to 15% annually over the past decade, driven by capacity that usually stays under 200 passengers per ship, according to CLIA data. The expanded supply makes choices tougher, so the article highlights standout options. VIVA UNIQUE launches Po River sailing from Venice on May 28–June 4, 2027, carrying 104 guests. Windstar’s Star Explorer runs May 5–13, 2027, with Moroccan and Iberian stops.