Nicko Cruises
River Cruising
Nicko is the river cruise line for people who find Viking too polished and AmaWaterways too American. It is a proper German operator with 30 years on Europe's rivers — the ships are comfortable four-star standard, the itineraries are thoughtful, and the pricing undercuts the big-name lines significantly. Their English-language sailings are still relatively new, so you get a more authentic European atmosphere on board.
Nicko Cruises is a long-established German river cruise operator that has been sailing Europe’s waterways since 1994. With a fleet of around 20 river ships plus the ocean-going Vasco da Gama, the company offers one of the most extensive river cruise programmes in Europe, covering the Danube, Rhine, Main, Moselle, Elbe, Douro, Rhone, and several more far-flung waterways. The name may not be immediately familiar to English-speaking travellers, but in the German market Nicko is a household brand with three decades of river cruising expertise.
The fleet varies considerably in size and style, reflecting the different nautical demands of each river — narrow lock dimensions on the Main-Danube Canal require different vessels than the broad, open Danube below Budapest. Ships are classified by Nicko’s own wave rating system (three to five waves), roughly equivalent to four- to five-star hotel standards on land. The flagship NickoVision carries up to 220 passengers on the Danube with a cleverly designed split-level layout and extensive glass that creates a genuine sense of space. Smaller vessels like the NickoSPIRIT (170 passengers) cruise the Rhine and Moselle with a more intimate, boutique feel.
Nicko’s guiding philosophy is “time to discover” — a slow-cruising approach that prioritises extended port stays and the freedom to explore independently rather than herding guests through back-to-back coach excursions. Ships are designed to dock right in town centres wherever possible, so guests can simply walk off the gangway and into the heart of a medieval old town, a riverside market, or a vineyard village. All cabins are outside-facing with windows or French balconies, and dining typically features regional cuisine reflecting the river being sailed — Austrian specialities on the Danube, Alsatian dishes on the Rhine.
For UK travellers, Nicko’s English-language sailings are bookable through specialist agent Light Blue Travel, and the company also offers no-fly river cruise options with rail connections from the UK. The pricing sits noticeably below the premium river cruise brands like Viking, Uniworld, and AmaWaterways, making Nicko an appealing option for travellers who want a solid, comfortable European river cruise experience without the premium markup. Gratuities are not included — Nicko suggests 10 to 13 euros per passenger per night — but overall value for money is strong.
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