BOOK THAT RIVER CRUISE
Compared and reviewed.
The 15 most popular river cruises across Asia. Light shows along the Singapore River, the Shanghai skyline from the Huangpu and the slow brown water of the great tropical rivers.
Singapore River Cruise at dusk plus Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands light shows, with hotel transfers and a guided plan.
Most Popular“The scenic River Cruise brought a welcome breeze in the late afternoon. Both light shows were spectacular.”
A 3-hour Shanghai night river cruise plus Xinjiang halal dinner with hotel pickup, private transport, and a guide to translate what’s on the menu.
“Queena was a great guide, very knowledgeable in the area, great command of the English language. The boat ride was very good, we had a VIP section that was less crowded and gave perfect views.”
See Merlion Park, Singapore River bumboat cruise, Supertree lights, and Marina Bay Sands Spectra in one guided night route with pickup.
“Great photo opportunities, knowledgeable guide(Simson) The light shows were spectacular. Be aware that all areas visited are very busy with other tourist groups but this didn’t spoil the experience.”
A private 7-hour Singapore highlights tour with Little India, temples, Chinatown, National Orchid Garden, Mount Faber, and an included Singapore River cruise.
“Wong was a tremendous guide. He was very knowledgeable about both the sites we were seeing and historical context of them. Wong kept us comfortable throughout the tour. He also took some awesome photos for us. Excellent tour!”
2-night kelotok cruise in Tanjung Puting, Borneo: spot orangutans at Tanjung Harapan and Camp Leakey with meals, drinks, and an English guide.
“Orangutan applause fue la operadora de nuestro viaje. Todo increíble, la tripulación, comida, guía(Darmin) y los lugares visitados fue una experiencia que quedará en nuestro recuerdo por siempre. Gracias por todo! Volveremos con nuestros futuros hijos!!”
Singapore twilights: Clarke Quay river cruise plus Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands light shows, ending at Lau Pa Sat.
“This tour has minimal duplications from our other tours. Plus, it was much cooler at night. We were picked up and dried off at the cruise center. Our guide, Ed, kept a nice pace, was well traveled himself, kept the tour conversational, vs spewing information. The evening gardens by the Bay and the marina Bay…”
VIP Huangpu River cruise plus Shanghai lights by night, with hotel pickup, Yuyuan Old Street, Xintiandi, and Lujiazui skyline views.
“So nice having a private viewing area. Nothing but railing between ourselves and scenery. The view of city was spectacular. We then went to Old Shanghai. Beautiful in the day but really special at night. Trip was leisurely with minimal walking. Our guide Tom was great, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke perfect English.”
A comfortable half-day Putrajaya tour with hotel pickup, photo stops at key government landmarks, and a calm river cruise by the Pink Mosque area.
“Wear long pants or you'll have to put a robe on at the Mosque, which will make it uncomfortably hot.”
40-minute Singapore River cruise from Clarke Quay to Marina Bay sights, with e-tickets, onboard commentary and Bay Gardens views.
“The boat traveled along the river and marina but didn't travel around the botanical garden. We paid extra for a 7:30 pm cruise but were hurried onto an earlier general admission cruise. The description online indicates the cruise travels around the botanical garden. We were disappointed to miss that part as well as the laser…”
Klias Wetlands cruise from Kota Kinabalu for proboscis monkeys, mangroves, Malaysian buffet dinner, and fireflies at night.
“A truly great experience and tour package! Driver Selani was very prompt, contacted in advance and a safe driver. Tour bus was clean and air conditioned. The driver also pointed out points of interest along the 2 hour journey. You arrive at bRead more”
Night cruise on the Huangpu River, Bund waterfront stroll, Peace Hotel stop, and Nanjing Road views by trolley from Shanghai hotels.
“This felt like half a tour, they drop you off at the boat on the Bund and then you do a walk back through the city, that's about it.”
VIP Huangpu River night cruise with hotel pickup and Bund lights, plus optional Shanghai Tower 118F views and local dinner.
“Great overview of the city, both in the early evening through the night. Great to see the city from such different perspectives.”
Private 6 pm Singapore night tour with Gardens by the Bay, Marina Barrage, and a bum boat ride with door-to-door pickup.
“Our guide Alex was the best! Luxury air-conditioned car, safe driving, SO informative , funny yet highly professional. Alex was ultra organised and the evening flowed in a wonderful stress free manner. We could not have wished for a better tour. The only thing you might need to do is decide when to have dinner…”
Private 3.5-hour Singapore night tour with Marina Bay Skypark, Gardens by the Bay light show, and a Singapore River cruise.
“We took a private tour with Leon. He was a wonderful tour guide - he did all the little things to make us comfortable, like getting us chairs since we’re in our 70s. He was very knowledgable, very enthusiastic, answered all our questions, and was genuinely passionate about Singapore. He gave us lots more information…”
Private 3-hour Langkawi mangrove cruise with snorkeling, Pinang Cave stop, and Pulau Dangli reef time, guided by JungleWalla.
“We did the private UNESCO Geopark Mangrove Cruise with JungleWalla, and it was one of the highlights of our trip in Langkawi.”
Choose a river by name, or the city it runs through. The Seine in Paris, the Douro from Porto, the Vltava under Charles Bridge – every great waterway, and the boats that work it.
