%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-the-oberoi-luxury-nile-cruisers-00-RIVCRUISEWB25-725ae4c1c5d94fb2b3c1785b5308cd3c.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
These Are the 10 Best River Cruise Lines of 2025—and No. 1 Is a Luxe Journey Through the Nile
Travel + Leisure readers praised the casual nature of river travel and the ability to see destinations from a unique on-the-water viewpoint. Aqua Expeditions (No. 3) was also applauded for its top-notch Peruvian cuisine using local ingredients on the Amazon. Fans of Grand Circle Cruise Line (No. 2) continue to cite the line's seamless delivery of destination knowledge via expert guides. The winner in this category, The Oberoi Cruises, with five-star sailings on the Nile, achieved one of the top scores in the entire World's Best Awards survey for 2025.
The Oberoi Luxury Nile Cruisers The Oberoi Philae, Luxury Nile Cruiser at sunset.
With a nearly perfect score, The Oberoi Cruises was a standout fan favorite. The line's two small river ships, the Oberoi Philae and Oberoi Zahra, sail the Nile in style, with the option of suite accommodations with their own outdoor whirlpools, Egyptologists on board for history lessons, and riverview spas where you can pretend you are Cleopatra while getting a signature facial using fresh products such as honey and watermelon. The ships are operated by Oberoi Hotels & Resorts. Comments from T+L readers included 'amazing,' 'wow, nice, best in class,' and 'fabulous.'
Wow, nice, best in class.
— T+L Reader
1. The Oberoi Luxury Nile Cruisers
Reader Score: 99.07
2. Grand Circle Cruise Line
Reader Score: 97.37
3. Aqua Expeditions
Reader Score: 96.93
4. Tauck
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 96.00
5. AmaWaterways
Reader Score: 94.74
6. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 93.50
7. Viking
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 92.10
8. Scenic
Reader Score: 88.95
9. American Cruise Lines
Reader Score: 88.52
10. Avalon Waterways
Reader Score: 88.09
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Condé Nast Traveler
7 minutes ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
This Italian Train Journey Is a Testament to Aesthetic Travel, Beyond the Trends
Immersive, emotionally resonant design is part of Orient Express's DNA, which was known for its opulent white-tablecloth dining carts and gilded carriages. The new-look train, by Milan-based Dimorestudio, is a glossy midnight blue that stands out among the commuter trains on the platform. It's an homage to midcentury Italian glamour but attuned to the tastes of the creative directors, entrepreneurs, and celebrities who will ride it today. The rich velvets and considered patterns are both chic and comfortable. Nothing is overdone, but being on board feels like a special occasion. (There are no dress codes, but I did make a point to wear heels at dinner each night.) Every cabin, corridor, and common space has been meticulously reimagined by Dimorestudio's Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci, known for their emotive layering in locations like London's famed Arts Club. Moments after I've boarded, I'm handed a glass of Franciacorta, which I sip in one of the bar car's neat retro booths while taking in its diamond-shaped motifs and warm jewel tones. 'It's a place where geometry and atmosphere meet,' says Moran. 'We imagined it as the setting for a quiet moment at sunset, with curved lines and sharp details guiding the eye like a stage.' Like Toro, Moran and Salci embraced the brief while staying true to their own creative ethos. The bold patterns reference the Indiscreto screens they sell through Dimoremilano, their luxury furniture line. 'Designing a train meant crafting a journey, not just a space,' says Salci. The snug corridors encourage passengers to mingle. At breakfast I swap stories with a dapper gentleman at the table beside me; at night in the bar car, the Italian passengers cheerfully share the lyrics to 'Tu Vuò Fa' L'Americano' so I can join an impromptu sing-along. But the train's design also invites us to admire the sights outside out the window—like the moment near Venice when the sprawling green of Veneto suddenly gives way to the Mediterranean. The Italian countryside as seen from the dining car Alixe Lay Pulling into Santa Margherita Station in Liguria Alixe Lay The marriage of form and function reaches its peak in the cabins. Mine has undulating wood paneling, moody lighting, and a vanity so thoughtfully conceived it should be a design-school case study. There's space for everything, from hair dryers to travel clutter, all of which can be tucked discreetly into custom cabinetry. 'We approached functionality as part of the aesthetic, not as a compromise,' says Salci. 'Every element had to contribute to the emotional and visual experience.' Over 48 hours I fill my camera roll with details: the glint of cutlery in the dining car, the angle of a light fixture catching the dusk. But what lingers afterward is the way the train has become a conduit for connection. 'We weren't just designing interiors,' Salci tells me. 'We were building a moving world, a stage for personal stories.' One-night journeys on La Dolce Vita Orient Express from $3,580. This article appeared in the September/October 2025 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
When we go on family vacations, one of us arrives 3 days early without our kid. It's the secret to our happy marriage.
My wife and I both love traveling alone, but having a baby has made it hard to plan solo trips. We came up with an arrangement — whenever we take a family trip, one of us arrives a few days early. This system also improves our trips because we can report back on the weather, culture, and lodging. Just six months after we met, my now-wife and I flew to Spain for a 10-day crash course in compatibility. This felt like a natural thing to do — we love travel, and often joke that spontaneous trips are our love language. On that vacation, we made a pact: As long as we were together, we'd always give each other time and space to explore the world. The plan was going well … until our daughter was born about 15 months ago. Budgeting time and money for wanderlust suddenly became much trickier. So, we came up with a solution. Now, when we take a family trip, one of us leaves for our destination a few days early. Not only does this arrangement satisfy that promise we made to each other years ago, but it makes for a better, easier stay once all parties have landed. Our travel system doubles as an advanced scouting mission Arriving first doesn't mean that one of us gets to just kick up our feet poolside for a few days. On the contrary, it means we get to do extensive recon on neighborhoods, public transport, activities, and other logistics before the rest of the family lands. Earlier this year, I headed to Lisbon a few days ahead of my wife, baby, and my entire immediate family. My to-do list included familiarizing myself with the city's metro system, identifying the biggest tourist traps (and when to avoid them), testing out a few restaurants, and buying tickets for an upcoming soccer match. By the time everyone arrived, I had hammered out a rough itinerary complete with dinner reservations, travel routes, and a good idea of when to visit the city's most popular attractions without having to suffer through an hourlong line. (Pro tip: Catch the famous Tram 28 in the morning, and make sure you board at one of its two termini.) Arriving separately is also the ultimate packing hack One other thing I learned during those first 72 hours in Lisbon? Trying to push your kid around the City of Seven Hills in a stroller is a fool's errand. After just a few hours hiking around cobblestoned Chiado and the Bairro Alto, I called home and saved my wife from having to travel with our bulkiest piece of baby equipment. Early arrivals also allow us to relay valuable info about the weather, terrain, and local vibe. Sometimes that means packing clothes that are more casual or formal than we'd initially planned; often, it means making more informed decisions on footwear and necessary layers. Whenever it's my wife touching down first, she'll always find time to linger in a city's best vintage shops, where she can pick out some new outfits for the trip and beyond. Most importantly, our arrangement is about discovery The biggest reason my wife and I abide by this whole trip-before-the-trip philosophy isn't better planning — it's our desire to find something new, something uncharted, something unfamiliar. It's what gave us the travel bug to begin with. When we travel with our daughter, her needs — meals, naps, accessibility — come first. That makes it hard to do some of the things we loved doing in our pre-child life, like wandering a new neighborhood with no destination in mind or plopping down at some unassuming bar simply because we liked the sign on the door. That kind of spontaneity has always led us to the people and places that stick with us. When we travel alone, even just for a few days, we're not only getting time off from our parental duties — we're reconnecting with a sense of independence and curiosity that lies at the very foundation of the life we've built together. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Best 0% purchase credit cards
Credit cards aren't just about spending. They are also powerful tools that, when used wisely, can help you save money, manage debt and even earn rewards. Whether you're looking to cut down on interest payments, earn cashback on everyday purchases, rack up air miles for your next holiday, or avoid fees while traveling abroad, there's a credit card tailored to your needs. In this guide, we'll break down the best options on the market for balance transfers, purchases, cashback, air miles and travel spending. We'll show you how to use these cards to your advantage, ensuring you get the most value while avoiding common mistakes. Best 0% purchase credit cards A 0% purchase card allows you to make new purchases without paying interest for a set number of months. This can save you thousands compared with using a standard credit card, assuming you pay off the balance during the interest-free period. Read more: How to build passive income These cards are perfect for planned, necessary purchases. Think of them as a tool for managing big buys such as a new TV or essential home improvements. Let's say you take out a 0% purchase card with a 10-month interest-free period and spend £2,000 on new appliances. If you repay £200 each month, you'll clear the debt before the interest kicks in. However, if you still have a balance after the 10-month period, you'll start accruing interest at the standard rate, which can be as high as 27% annually. Key points: 1. Make sure to pay at least the minimum each month to keep the 0% deal. 2. Borrow only what you can comfortably repay within the 0% period. Kate Steere, a credit card expert at personal finance comparison site said: 'TSB currently has the longest 0% purchase deal on the market at 25 months, narrowly ahead of M&S (MKS.L) and Barclaycard at 0% for 24 months. 'If you're planning a large expenditure, like a summer holiday or some new garden furniture, the current range of 0% purchase cards could offer a handy way to spread the cost. None of these cards come with annual fees, but all of them revert to very standard (read 'punishing') rates after the 0% periods end. If you haven't cleared your balance at that point, look at a balance transfer deal.' Best credit cards for holidays and travelling Planning a trip abroad? A specialist travel credit card can save you a bundle by offering near-perfect exchange rates without the usual foreign transaction fees. Most credit and debit cards charge around 3% on foreign transactions, meaning a £100 purchase abroad could cost you £103. On top of that, some cards add a flat fee for every overseas transaction. Specialist travel cards waive those fees, letting you spend abroad at the same rates your bank gets. Key points: 1. Avoid cash withdrawals, as they often come with fees and interest. 2. Use the card for spending abroad to enjoy near-perfect exchange rates. Steere said: 'If you're getting ready for the holiday season, there are great offers at the moment to help you avoid currency conversion fees overseas, and you can even earn cashback on your spending (at home or abroad). "NatWest (NWG.L) offers 1% cashback on all eligible travel spending, while Barclaycard's (BARC.L) new promotion sees you earn 0.5% cashback until 30 November. Just be sure to pay your card off in full each month to avoid paying interest (which would soon outweigh any cashback).' Best credit cards for air miles If you travel frequently, a credit card for air miles can help reduce the cost of flights and even unlock perks like flight upgrades and hotel stays. By using these cards for everyday purchases, you can earn points that can be redeemed for flights with your favourite airline's loyalty programme. Read more: How to use your Avios points for more than flight tickets How it works: 1. Earn miles: Points are usually earned based on the amount you spend and the class of your ticket — premium tickets often earn more points. 2. Redeem points: You can use points to cover the cost of flights or upgrades, though taxes and fees may still apply. Steere said: 'For big rewards, the British Airways (IAG.L) American Express (AXP) Premium Plus Card offers 30,000 Avios when you spend £6,000 in three months, while the Barclaycard Avios Plus Card gives 25,000 Avios for spending £3,000 in the same period. "Virgin Atlantic fans can earn 18,000 points with the Virgin Money Virgin Atlantic Reward Plus Credit Card by making their first purchase within 90 days. Just remember the cards with the biggest introductory reward offers are also the ones with the largest annual fees.' Best 0% balance transfer credit cards If you're struggling to keep up with credit card payments, a balance transfer credit card can be a lifesaver. These cards allow you to transfer existing credit card debt onto a new card with a 0% interest rate for a set period, potentially saving you hundreds of pounds in interest. Read more: How to contribute to a loved one's pension However, there are some crucial rules to follow to make the most of these deals: Always pay the minimum monthly repayment. Missing a payment could result in losing your 0% interest deal, incurring fines, and damaging your credit score. Clear the debt within the interest-free period. To avoid paying interest after the promotional period ends, make sure you can pay off the entire balance within the 0% timeframe. Don't use the card for new purchases. The 0% deal usually applies only to transferred balances, and using the card for new spending could result in hefty interest charges. Check your credit score. The best deals are often reserved for those with a strong credit rating, so it's worth checking your score before applying. Steere said: 'There's healthy competition in the balance transfer market at the moment, with 4 big names offering almost 3 years at 0%. MBNA leads the pack with 0% for 34 months and a balance transfer fee of 2.99%. "If you're in the market for a balance transfer and don't think you'll need such a long period to clear your card debt, then first consider the longest no-fee deals on the market (Barclaycard currently offers 14 months with no transfer fee). But if you do know you'll need longer to clear your debt, then it's worth taking a slightly shorter 0% term to get a lower balance transfer fee.' Best cashback credit cards A cashback credit card rewards you with a percentage of your spending, effectively giving you back some of what you spend. For example, if your card offers 1% cashback and you spend £100 on groceries, you'll earn £1 back. This cashback is typically credited to your account or added to your statement. Read more: Over 3.6 million UK investors to pay dividend tax Things to watch out for: 1. Limits: Some cards cap the total cashback you can earn. 2. Introductory offers: Cashback rates might only apply for the first few months. 3. Restrictions: Some cashback offers are limited to specific purchases or retailers. 4. Minimum spend: Some cards require you to spend a certain amount to qualify for cashback. Steere said: "Amex (AXP) currently offers the highest introductory cashback rate: 5% (up to £125) for the first five months. After the five months, with the Everyday Amex you can earn 0.5% ongoing cashback (1% on annual spend over £10,000) or you can upgrade to the Amex Cashback Credit Card (£25/year) for a slightly higher ongoing earn-rate. "Afterwards, you can earn 0.75% ongoing cashback — the extra cashback covering the card fee once it kicks back in, provided you spend £10,000 on the card annually. However, if you want an instant welcome bonus, then you can get a £20 Amazon (AMZN) welcome gift card with the Amazon Barclaycard.' Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are the author's alone (unless stated otherwise) and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the providers listed. Yahoo does not earn any commissions from the lenders, or any other third party from the content in this series.
