Flowing from the Alps simply east of Switzerland into the North Sea within the Netherlands, the Rhine River is likely one of the largest and most necessary rivers in Europe. Cruising it’s also one of the crucial invigorating and exquisite methods to see a lot of the continent.
The perfect River Rhine cruises take you on a journey by means of historical past, into trendy cities, and thru a spread of cultures alongside this European river. It’s a wonderful solution to spend a number of hours or a number of days touring Europe.
The exhausting half is figuring out that are the perfect river cruises on the Rhine. Quite a few choices exist, and whereas not all of them are luxurious experiences, many provide distinctive alternatives with shore excursions, insightful historical past, and many enjoyable on board the precise cruise. Numerous Rhine River cruise strains are on the market to select from; listed below are a few of the greatest and the cruises they provide.
| Class | Cruise | Description |
|---|---|---|
Greatest Total Cruise| Cruce Mundo – Christmas Markets on the Rhine | A festive five-day cruise, visiting a few of Germany’s most charming cities | |
Greatest Lengthy Cruise| Viking River Cruise – Grand European Tour Cruise | 4 nations over 15 days; the be-all and end-all of a luxurious Rhine cruise | |
Greatest Day Cruise| Siebengebirge Cruise: Cologne to Königswinter | Cramming a few of the most lovely components of the German Rhine area right into a 4-10 hour cruise | |
Greatest River Rhine Cruises to Guide In the present day
1. Avalon Waterways Romantic Rhine for Wine Lovers
Cruise Places: The Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland
Size: 8 days
Spend eight days exploring the wine nation on the romantic, lovely Avalon Waterways river cruise. Discover Cologne, a metropolis that’s 2,000 years outdated and famous for its gorgeous Gothic structure. This river cruise additionally has stops in Strasbourg, France, and Breisach, Germany, together with into the Black Forest and Speyer.
In Speyer, you’ll take pleasure in a stroll by means of the Wine Museum, go to a fortress, and store at quite a few quaint retailers within the middle of the town. That is the perfect Avalon Waterways cruise for wine and historical past lovers. There may very well be native wine festivals happening alongside the journey, which is effectively value exploring.
Key sights alongside the best way embrace:
- Amsterdam’s streets and canal homes
- A guided tour of the Jewish heritage websites in Cologne
- Wine tasting excursions
- Tour of the vineyards of Rüdesheim
- Tour the stained-glass cathedral and discover the La Petite France District
See Associated: Greatest Wine Tasting in Paris, France (+ Vineyards)
2. Viking River Cruise – Grand European Tour Cruise
Cruise Places: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary
Size: 15 days, with different choices accessible
Among the best-known Rhine Valley river cruise operators is Viking. Viking, which additionally gives ocean cruises across the globe, has lengthy been the most effective choices for these wishing to see the Rhine River and gives a number of choices.
The perfect Rhine River cruise Viking gives is the Grand European Tour, a blockbuster journey spanning from Amsterdam to Budapest throughout 15 days. Different Viking River cruises can be found.
Key sights alongside the best way embrace:
- 900-year-old fortress
- Medieval city of Miltenberg
- The city of Regensburg, one of many oldest cities on the Danube
- The wine-growing area, together with Melk
- Vienna’s parks and upscale boulevards
See Associated: Greatest Day Journeys from Vienna, Austria
3. Cruce Mundo – Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Places: Düsseldorf, Koblenz, Mainz, Rüdesheim and Colonge, Germany
Size: 5 days
This round-trip cruise leaves from Düsseldorf and takes you on a tour of most of the German Christmas markets and different locations alongside the best way alongside the Rhine River.
In the course of the journey, you’ll take pleasure in the entire native traditions, together with fabulous meals and conventional mulled wine. You may as well go ice skating at a number of of the excursions alongside the best way.
Key sights alongside the route embrace:
- Purchasing in Düsseldorf and different cities
- Discover Koblenz, one of many oldest cities within the nation
- Navigate the little retailers and slim streets of Mainz
- Discover the historical past and museums in Cologne
See Associated: Issues to Do in Rhineland-Palatinate & Locations to Go to
4. Siebengebirge Cruise: Cologne to Königswinter
Places: Cologne to Königswinter, Germany
Size: 4 to 10 hours
It is a a lot smaller, single-day cruise by means of the Siebengebirge. You’ll journey by means of the Drachenfels mountains, see the enjoyable great thing about the waterway and the small cities, and make a number of stops alongside the best way.
As soon as the situation for fairytale castles and picturesque villages, time has modified a lot of this space. You might hold it brief as a one-way cruise or spend a number of hours in Königswinter earlier than returning.
A few of the sights alongside the best way embrace:
- See the ruined historical castles within the Drachenfels mountains
- Take a look at the waterfalls alongside the route
- Get pleasure from audio historical past excursions of the areas as you cross by means of every area
- Distinctive views of the Rhine River Valley and the Rolandsborgen alongside the best way.
See Associated: Greatest Locations to Go to in Germany
5. Grape Escape Rhine Valley – Private Wine Excursions
Places: Frankfurt and Mainz, Germany
Size: 7 to 9 hours
Go away Frankfurt for a day journey alongside the Rhine River. It is a non-public tour, which implies you’ll be capable of ask questions and get a extra customized expertise. For these exploring the historical past of the area or who wish to have the right journey into German wine nation, this is a wonderful alternative.
Although one of many shorter European river cruises, it’s a good way to see the area if you’re already in Frankfurt.
Key sights alongside the best way embrace:
- Go to a number of wineries and luxuriate in cellar excursions
- Study in regards to the historical past of quite a few German vineyards and the storybook cities close by
- Pattern wine from these lush vineyards, studying in regards to the varied varieties current
- Loosen up on the solar deck and watch the plush wooded areas alongside the route
- Select your departure date and time, based mostly on what matches your schedule
See Associated: Greatest Household Trip Concepts in Germany
6. AmaWaterways – Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps
Places: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland
Size: 7 nights
A wonderful exploration of the historical past and attraction of this area, AmaWaterways gives an thrilling journey. Alongside this explicit cruise (there are a number of choices to select from), you’ll get to see the historic vineyards and fairytale castles alongside the Rhine River.
It begins off in Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, and takes you thru to Germany, the place you’ll see the UNESCO World Heritage Web site on the River Gorge. Alongside the journey, you’ll see 40 castles which are situated alongside the riverbanks. When you attain the Swiss Alps, you’ll have a few of the greatest views of the ranges proper from the riverboat.
Key sights alongside the best way embrace:
- Cologne Cathedral and Holy Metropolis strolling tour (select a motorbike tour or a beer tour when there)
- Get pleasure from wine tasting on the Rhine Gorge
- Discover the Heidelberg Thinker’s hike in Ludwigshafen
- Take the Gem of Alsace tour in Strasbourg
- Discover the Metropolis of Artwork in Basel and the panoramic views
See Associated: Expertise the Mt. Pilatus Golden Spherical Journey in Switzerland
7. A-ROSA: Expertise the Moselle
Places: Cologne, Cochem, Trier-Mehring, Bernkastel-Kues, and Koblenz, Germany
Size: 5 nights
Discover the river alongside the Rhenish Massif, a route that takes you alongside a number of clean curves, the place nothing wanting gorgeous magnificence awaits you round every bend.
You’ll get to discover a number of small cities, take pleasure in a winery tour of the realm that makes Riesling, and loosen up. It is a sluggish cruise meant to be lavished and loved at a a lot calmer tempo than others. Nonetheless, there’s a lot to see and expertise alongside the best way.
The important thing sights you’ll see right here embrace:
- Tour Cochem, on the financial institution of the Moselle, the place you’ll discover the Reichsburg, a fortress perched up on a hilltop and overlooking the waterway beneath
- Discover the UNESCO World Heritage websites in Trier-Mehring, together with the church buildings and historic monuments that dot this metropolis.
- Embark on a personal wine-tasting tour on the Thanisch Vineyard
- Discover Koblenz on a culinary tour
- Take a cable automotive to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
See Associated: The way to Plan a Journey to Germany
8. Croisi Europe Cruises: The Romantic Rhine Valley and the Rock of Lorelei
Location: Germany, France
Size: 5 days
Discover the romantic Rhine Valley on board this cruise that takes you to the well-known Lorelei Rock. That is the vacation spot the place legend has it a maiden threw herself into the river and reworked right into a siren. She is alleged to proceed to lure fisherman to their demise, and plenty of a ship has been dashed in opposition to this rock.
There’s way more to see and do alongside this route, together with exploring the historic cities and medieval cities alongside the route. This is a wonderful Rhine River cruise for the entire household, although solo vacationers are welcomed too and will even discover love alongside the best way.
A few of the experiences you’ll have right here embrace:
- Discover the native markets, style native delicacies, and luxuriate in conversations in charming cafes
- Sail previous the historic cities of Kaub, Saint-Goar, Oberwesel, and Koblenz.
- Discover the Stolzenfels fortress.
- Take a vacationer practice trip by means of the Rhine Valley alongside the best way, having fun with a wine-tasting cellar alongside the best way
- See the historical past of the area in any of the museums alongside the route
See Associated: Greatest Fortress Lodges in Germany
9. Emerald Cruises: Jewels of the Rhine
Places: The Netherlands, Germany
Size: 8 days
Spend seven nights on board an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship touring alongside this Rhine River cruise. Throughout this time, you’ll be capable of embark on varied excursions, together with guided excursions of Cologne’s Previous City, a canal cruise in Amsterdam, an area farm property with a cooking demonstration, and way more.
The journey is likely one of the greatest choices to see the Rhine River at a little bit of a slower tempo, with extra river cruise excursions alongside the best way.
Some key experiences you’ll have relying in your departure date embrace:
- Strolling tour of Koblenz and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
- Bike tour of Waterland
- Climbing Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
- Exploring Strasbourg and Heidelberg
- Taking a motorbike tour of Breisach
See Associated: Two Days in Amsterdam Itinerary | The way to Spend 48 Hours
10. Scenic Luxurious Cruises & Excursions: Rhine Highlights
Places: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland
Size: 8 days
This Zurich to Amsterdam river cruise is one which means that you can take pleasure in an all-inclusive expertise in a luxurious riverboat. You’ll spend your time exploring the historical past and tradition of this area, together with the sloping vineyards, the conflict of German and French cultures in Alsace, and the legendary canals of Amsterdam.
That is luxurious river cruising at its greatest, particularly if you wish to discover the perfect eating places and high-end buying alongside the best way.
A few of the locations you’ll expertise embrace:
- Discover Mittelbergheim within the French Alsace area to see the native wine business up shut
- Discover the Black Forest and historic farmhouses within the space
- Get pleasure from one of many spas in Black Forest
- Take a look at Mannheim, also referred to as the situation the place Carl Benz developed the Mercedes-Benz
- Take a strolling tour of Cologne
See Associated: Greatest Automotive Museums in Germany to Go to
11. 2 River Day Journey by Boat to Koblenz
Places: Alken to Koblenz, Germany
Size: 1 day
For a day journey, think about taking a cruise from Alken to Koblenz. It is possible for you to to discover the realm of Deutsches Eck throughout your time in Koblenz.
It is a enjoyable, shorter day cruise that offers you an opportunity to see a few of the greatest websites alongside the best way. You’ll journey down the Moselle and Rhine Rivers.
A few of the locations you’ll see:
- The castles and mountain slopes alongside the Moselle
- The conjunction between the Moselle and Rhine River
- The UNESCO World Heritage Deutsche Eck location
- Take a look at the bridges and views within the area
- See the Wasserburg von der Leyen and Gondorf buildings
See Associated: Greatest Islands in Germany to Go to
12. Cologne: High Sights Rhine River Cruise
Location: Cologne, Germany
Size: 1 Day
This full-day journey alongside the Rhine River provides you an distinctive have a look at the town of Cologne, together with the area’s 2,000-year historical past. This cruise is a wonderful expertise for many who wish to take in a little bit of German historical past and tradition whereas additionally exploring this very cosmopolitan metropolis.
A few of the websites you will note alongside the best way embrace:
- Observe well-known websites alongside the river whereas listening to the recorded commentary in regards to the area
- Discover the 5 5 Rhine River bridges and word their architectural magnificence
- See the Cologne Cathedral and Previous City areas
- Get pleasure from some espresso, cake, and a Kolsch beer throughout the journey
- Not the quite a few L-shaped crane homes alongside the best way
See Associated: Greatest Breweries in Cologne, Germany | High Beer Halls
13: Rhine Valley Journey from Frankfurt, Together with Rhine River Cruise
Location: Center Rhine space of Koblenz, Germany
Size: 1 day
A romantic, winding river cruise down the Rhine, this expertise will be both a half-day or a full-day, relying on what your targets are. The journey is finished alongside a conventional steamer vessel, and also you’ll journey alongside the vineyards and medieval cities within the space.
Observe the castles alongside the route. If in case you have a bit extra time, take a tour of the vineyards whereas right here.
A few of the websites you’ll see embrace:
- Discover the Lorelei Rock
- Get pleasure from some wine tasting on a full-day journey
- Discover the historic Rudesheim with a tour
- Get pleasure from lunch at a riverside restaurant with views
- Observe the mountaintop castles that line the Rhine River alongside the route
See Associated: Greatest Cities & Locations to Go to in Western Germany
The way to Select the Greatest European River Cruise for You
Earlier than you choose any of those Rhine River cruises or others, think about a number of particulars which will matter to you:
Onboard Facilities
Whereas your objective is to see the Rhine Area, you wish to ensure that the vessel has every thing you want for the proper journey. Make certain the providers and facilities you want can be found to you. Relying on the cruise and the boat, that would embrace lunch, a health room, guided excursions, deliberate actions, yoga, and meet-and-greets.
Excursions
When evaluating your choices, be very cautious about what the river cruise is promising. You might even see a spread of sights alongside the route from the ship, however excursions can get you shut and private. Some could also be included in the price, however others won’t be.
Value
When exploring the Rhine Area, know that most of the ports are the costliest areas for meals and buying. Journey into the cities a bit extra and take a tour of extra of the native areas to economize and for a greater have a look at the wealthy tradition of the area.
FAQs
What cruise strains sail the Rhine River?
Quite a few cruise strains provide a Rhine River cruise, together with Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Riviera Journey, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises, Emerald Waterways, and A-ROSA.
Which facet of the ship is greatest on a Rhine River cruise?
It’s an enormous query, however one which doesn’t have an easy reply since you would be touring in both path. There’s no higher facet, although, on this cruise. We encourage you to take a look at the points of interest and locations provided after which plan your journey to be out of your stateroom so you may see every thing alongside the primary rivers right here.
The place do Rhine River cruises begin and finish?
That’s actually depending on the size of the journey and your targets. You will see some that start in Amsterdam, Germany, Switzerland, France, and quite a few locations all through the Rhine River Valley.
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Kyle Kroeger is a seasoned traveler and globetrotter enthusiastic about journeying and capturing moments. Yeah, he is perhaps the man with 4 cameras dangling off him whereas exploring. Along with his intensive journey expertise and keenness, he made a life-altering determination to not solely do that full-time but in addition depart his hometown of Minneapolis and transfer to Amsterdam. Alongside together with his household, Kyle now travels all through Europe full-time, making each second rely whereas exploring the wonder and variety this continent has to supply.
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