map of rhine river cruise

6 day Lüftner Rhine River Cruise itinerary and map

Taking a Rhine river cruise is a stress free way of seeing the landscapes and towns of several different countries in one holiday. For my Rhine River cruise with Lüftner Cruises I posted a day by day diary of everything that we enjoyed. Follow our journey on the Rhine river map and read my account of our 6 day Rhine River Cruise in the article below.

Table of Contents

Rhine River cruise map

I partnered with The Online Travel Journal, who created the interactive Rhine River cruise map below to show all the places I visited on the cruise.

Rhine River map

Our cruise covered everything on the Rhine River map from the city of Strasbourg, the music museum at Rudesheim, wine tasting in Alsace to admiring the romantic castles and landscape of the Middle Rhine.

If you’re considering a Rhine River Cruise, the Rhine cruise map should give you a good feel for the places you might visit and things to enjoy. Click on the white dots to see more photos of the places we visited or read more about our trip below and at the Online Travel Journal .

Day 1 – Arriving in Basel

Exploring basel.

On arrival in Basel we made a short walk from the town centre along the river to meet our Lueftner Cruise ship, the Amadeus Princess. Since check in was at 4pm, we dropped our bags on board and wandered back along the river bank towards the centre of town.

It being a public holiday in Basel, all the shops were shut which was a shame as I was tempted by the displays of delicious looking chocolate and marzipan in the Confiserie Schiesser .

Sightseeing in Basel town centre

In the main square we admired the attractive facade of the 16 th  century Basel City Hall or Rathaus . Within the internal courtyard we found the walls covered with classical frescoes on the theme of law and justice.

By now we were ready for a coffee but since nothing seemed open, we wandered around the narrow lanes of the old quarter. Passing the picturesque half timbered houses, we arrived at the large cathedral square.

The café of the Museum of Culture was open for coffee and cake, with an interesting sculptural roof in contrast to the older buildings all around. A fountain played in the museum’s courtyard and as we walked more around Basel we started to notice fountains everywhere, as well as many public sculptures.

A group of friends played boules in the shade and within the cloisters of the cathedral was what looked like a wildflower meadow. Our impression of Basel was a civilised and artistic city, with bicycles everywhere. The Rhine is at the heart of the city and evidently clean enough for swimming, since we saw platforms on the river for summer swimming.

Checking in for our Rhine River Cruise

By now it was time to return to the Amadeus Princess and check in. We found our cabin, which was compact but comfortable with plenty of storage. Late in the afternoon there was a safety briefing and then a captain’s welcome cocktail, before we enjoyed our 5 course meal in the restaurant washed down by local wines.

Day 2 – Strasbourg and the Alsace Wine Road

Our first stop was in Strasbourg, to explore the city and do a wine tasting tour.

A morning tour of Strasbourg

On our tour of Strasbourg, we learned so many fascinating things from our guide’s commentary. Passing through the diplomatic quarter we spotted the nests of the storks are the symbol of the city, perched like hats on top of the pollarded lime trees.

In the 1970s they had almost disappeared from the region, but now there are over 400 in Alsace. Of course everyone knows that if you leave a piece of sugar out for the stork it will bring you a baby!

We also learned that Strasbourg has switched from France to Germany many times in its history, being on the border of the two countries. The statue of Mother Alsace mourning over her two dead sons killed in action, commemorates a time when families might have brothers from the same family fighting against each other in the French and German armies.

No wonder that the people of Strasbourg believe so strongly in peace and host the Conseil de l’Europe to ensure that there is never another war in Europe.

Our coach dropped us in the historic town centre, with its half-timbered houses. We explored the cathedral where the stained glass windows had all been cleaned to make their colour extra bright. Our morning in Strasbourg ended with a boat trip with guided commentary through the Petite-France area of rivers and canals, with view from the water of many more beautiful old houses.

The Alsace Wine Road

After lunch back on the Amadeus Princess, we boarded the coach once more for an afternoon excursion. Our object was a wine tasting on the Alsace wine route, that runs through the rolling foothills of the Vosges mountains.

First stop was at Domaine Hering where we passed through the cellars to see the steel vats and enormous oak barrels used to age the wine. Back upstairs, we learned about the six different kinds of Alsace grapes and tasted the Pinot Gris, Reisling and Gewurtztraminer. I also spotted that they make a Cremant d’Alsace, the local equivalent of Champagne but half the price.

Our route back to the Amadeus Princess included a stop at the pretty small town of Obernai. The town is bounded by the river and old ramparts, designed to protect the wealth of the town that came from its wine.

Day 3 – Speyer and Heidelberg

By morning we arrived in the small town of Speyer, with a visit to the university town of Heidelberg in the afternoon.

A morning tour of Speyer

The Amadeus Princess moored in Speyer, just a five minute walk from the small town with a very big Romanesque Cathedral. In past centuries the town had a large Jewish population who were invited here by the German Emperors to oil the wheels of commerce.

The first stop on our walking tour was a look around the medieval Mikveh or Jewish baths, used for ritual purification, where the water of heavens (rainwater) and earth (groundwater) mingled. Our walk continued to the Lutheran Trinity church where we admired the beautifully decorated roof and gilded altar to the accompaniment of an organist who was practicing for a wedding.

Speyer Cathedral

Finally we visited the cathedral with soaring pillars built of the local red sandstone. Within its crypt are buried many of the kings and emperors of Germany from the 12th century. On seeing the huge stone coffins I marvelled how they had managed to manoeuvre these heavy blocks of stone into the narrow niches where they now sat.

At the front of the cathedral we noticed a stone bowl 2 metres wide and learned of the custom that each new bishop had to fill it with wine for the people of Speyer as part of his inauguration.

A tour of Heidelberg castle

After lunch back on the ship we took the coach for our afternoon excursion to the famous university town of Heidelberg, which escaped bombing during the Second World War. A ruined castle on the hill gives the town a romantic aspect and our first walk was around its courtyards and stone facades carved with statues and pillars.

From the castle terraces we had a bird’s eye view over the red tiled roofs of the town with two churches and the old stone bridge across the Neckar river. In the castle cellars we found an enormous wine cask, but just around the corner was an even bigger one, with a stairway leading to the top where there was a small platform once used for dancing.

A walk around Heidelberg

Driving back down to the town centre, our guide pointed out to us several houses decorated by flags. These are owned by wealthy fraternities of university students who gather (men only!) to drink as much beer as possible and practice sword fighting.

We enjoyed our walk around the pedestrianised centre of the town with plenty of cafes and beer gardens. Near the old stone bridge were the marks of the water levels in past centuries when the town had flooded.

We came across Kathe Wohlfahrt , a shop devoted entirely to Christmas decoration as well as a room full of cuckoo clocks, and chose a wooden tree decoration to take home.

Finally we stopped for a coffee at the Gundel café , where I tried their special Kurfürstenkugel cake. This sponge ball filled with cream and covered with chocolate, was created in the 17th century, in honour of Prince Frederick V and his wife Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of the king of England.

Day 4 – Rüdesheim, the castles of the Middle Rhine and Koblenz

After a visit to the charming town of Rüdesheim, we cruised through the romantic Middle Rhine Valley, past castles and vineyards, arriving at Koblenz.

A morning walk in Rüdesheim

Our day began in Rüdesheim with a walking tour of this charming small town, the highlight of which was the music museum. An old manor house houses a collection of mechanical musical instruments, bought and restored by Siegfried Wendel, with everything from a colourful fairground organ to a tiny music box.

As we walked through each room, the guide set each of the instruments to play in turn, including a phonograph invented by Thomas Edison. It required a fresh needle to play every record and had no volume control, resulting in the expression, ‘put a sock in it’, as this was exactly what they did to turn the sound down.

Our walk continued around Rüdesheim, down a narrow street filled with taverns and wine shops, known as the Drosselgasse. We couldn’t resist to try the local specialty of a Rüdesheimer coffee , a delicious concoction of flamed brandy, mixed with coffee, topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with chocolate.

In the days when it was considered unseemly for women to drink in public, this was the way they could enjoy a secret tipple with their friends.

The Castles of the Middle Rhine

Later in the morning, the Amadeus Princess sailed from Rüdesheim, passing through the sloping vineyards and romantic scenery of the Middle Rhine valley. This area of the Rhine has many castles set high above the river that were built in the Middle Ages by local princes, in order to tax the merchandise being transported along the river.

We passed the high cliff, known as the Loreley, where only a narrow channel of the river is navigable, causing many ships to founder at this point of the Rhine. The legend has it that a beautiful maiden sits on the rock, distracting the sailors with her singing, a bit like the sirens in the tale of Odysseus.

As our previous days had been busy with sightseeing, we really enjoyed the chance to relax on the top deck and enjoy the picturesque castles and scenery.

A tour of Koblenz

By the afternoon we reached Koblenz, named after the confluence of the rivers Moselle and Rhine. Over 80 percent of the town was destroyed by Allied bombing in the Second World War. The retreating Germans finished the job by blowing up all the bridges.

Our walking tour took us past the confluence of the rivers, where all the flags of the German states were flying, as well as an American Stars and Stripes that the Germans added in solidarity after the bombings of 9/11.

Beware of the famous statue in Koblenz of a young boy spitting, which soaks the unwary every few minutes if you stand in front of it. Our tour ended at 6pm under the church clock to watch the face that rolls its eyes and sticks out its tongue six times as the clock strikes.

Day 5 – Cochem, Wine Tasting and a Cycle Ride

The Amadeus Princess takes a detour along the Mosel River to Cochem where we visited the picturesque Reichsburg Castle, learned about local wines and cycled be the river.

Cochem and Reichsburg Castle

Taking a detour from the Rhine, the Amadeus Princess headed up the Mosel river to the town of Cochem, overlooked by a picturesque castle on the hill. Although built in the 11th century, the Reichsburg castle was later given the fashionable romantic look of towers and turrets. It was restored in the 1860s by the wealthy German industrialist, Jacob Louis Ravené, who used it as a summer residence.

Millions of German marks were spent rebuilding and renovating the castle with the modern conveniences of electricity and running water, with decoration in romantic neo-gothic style. We enjoyed the intimate feel of the castle, with rich furnishings, suits of armour and colourful painted walls.

After our castle visit we walked down to the old town where narrow stone staircases lead down from the old monastery building above the town. Closer to the river we heard how the shops are sometimes flooded when the river rises. Businesses monitor the water level at Trier further up river and get sufficient warning to empty out all their goods before the flood hits Cochem.

Moselle wine tasting

Our tour finished with a wine tasting where we learned how the best vines of the Mosel region grow on south facing slopes. beneath the vines are beds of slate, which act like a radiator to help ripen the grapes.

The Riesling grape is well suited to the damp, cool summers and requires a long growing season before being harvested by October. A special variety of red-fleshed peach is also grown in many vineyards and is used to make a peach liqueur that is delicious mixed with sparkling white wine to make a Kir Moselle.

A cycle ride beside the river

Continuing with the local food and wine theme, at lunch we enjoyed some seasonal fat white asparagus that we’d spotted in all the markets. As the ship was not due to sail until the evening, we took the opportunity to borrow bikes from the ship. A happy hour was spent cycling along the path beside the river with views of the old painted houses built hard up to the rock below the castle.

Day 6 – Our Rhine Cruise Ends at Cologne

We arrive at Cologne where we disembark, although the ship continues to Amsterdam.

Cologne Cathedral

On the final day of our Rhine river cruise with Lüftner Cruises, we woke up in Cologne, within a short walk of the city centre. This is where we were to disembark, but we still had a day of sightseeing, leaving our suitcases in an automated baggage store at the station.

At the heart of Cologne is the magnificent cathedral, that was one of the few buildings that remained standing in the Second World War. The twin spires have become the landmark of the city.

On the cruise we had an excellent guide for every place we visited, but now we were free to wander at our own pace with just a leaflet to explain the points of interest. The cathedral has many beautiful side chapels, colourful stained glass and precious altar decorations and we had time to see most things of interest, before the visitors were restricted in order to allow a time of prayer.

Lunch in Cologne

Although there were plenty of pleasant cafes along the river frontage, we decided on lunch at one of the many beer halls around the Heumarkt where a street market was just setting up. Despite the traditional appearance, our choice turned out to be an Italian restaurant and I ordered from their asparagus menu featuring several dishes using the local asparagus that was in season.

Cologne Chocolate Museum

With a couple of hours to spare, we walked to the chocolate museum on the banks of the Rhine, joining the crowds of teenagers and school children. In the museum we learned how the cacao beans are grown and chocolate made, and walked through a mini tropical greenhouse growing some of the cacao and other tropical plants.

There was a large room of chocolate making machinery where we could see chocolate progressing from the melting stage, to being moulded and wrapped in foil, all on the same machine.

After a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of chocolate cake in the café with a view of the Rhine, we took a bicycle taxi from outside the museum back to the station where the train took us to the airport.

An end to our Rhine River Cruise

While we had to go home a little early, the Amadeus Princess was continuing for a further couple of days as far as Amsterdam. We left with great memories of our first cruise, finding it a very relaxing way to travel.

We had been able to dip into interesting riverside towns, each with its own story to tell, while enjoying a comfortable and luxurious base on the Amadeus Princess.

Listen to my podcast on the Rhine River cruise that we took, visiting pretty riverside towns, tasting local wines and l

Listen to my Rhine River Cruise podcast – a week of history, wine and music

More Tales from my Rhine River Cruise

All aboard the Amadeus Princess – what to expect from your river cruise ship Video – The Rudesheim Music Museum – Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet From Riesling to Gewürztraminer – our wine tasting on the Alsace Wine Route

About Lüftner Cruises

Lüftner Cruises specialise in European river cruises on the Rhine, Danube, Rhône and other destinations in Europe, with personal service and Austrian hospitality. We travelled on the Amadeus Princess on a 7 day Classical Rhine Cruise which travelled from Basel to Amsterdam, although we disembarked at Cologne.

My thanks to Lüftner Cruises who hosted* our Rhine River Cruise.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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Julie Arnold

Monday 25th of May 2015

My husband and I took a winter cruise down the Rhine. It was the first time for both of us. We will be back. The ship and staff were excellent. I don't know how they can improve on perfection.

Heather Cowper

@Julie I'm so pleased that you had such a great experience

Lauren Meshkin

Tuesday 9th of July 2013

I've been wanting to take a river cruise ever since two summers ago when I saw several of them floating down the Danube River in Budapest. I think all of these posts have finally convinced me. Thanks! Looks like you had a fabulous time. I love all of the pictures.

@Lauren Yes, this was my first cruise but I'll definitely be back for more.

Top Rhine River Day-Trip Cruise Lines in Germany

Published on March 18, 2024

by Henk Bekker

in Germany , N24 , Rhine / Rhein River , Rhine River , River Cruises

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) is the best Rhine River day trip cruise line with excursions from Cologne (Köln), Koblenz, Rüdesheim, and the Loreley Valley.

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) and the Weisse Flotte Rhein are the best-known day-trip riverboat cruise lines on the Rhine River in Germany and are good choices for short to all-day excursion cruises. Popular day-trip cruises are to tour the Loreley Valley between Rüdesheim, St Goar, and Koblenz or panorama sightseeing cruises in larger cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf, Cochem ( Mosel ), and Frankfurt ( Main ).

The Rhine River is a very popular day-trip destination from cities such as Cologne (Köln) and Frankfurt am Main. Trains run on both banks of the Rhein but nothing beats a cruise on the river itself. Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) has the largest number of boats on the Rhine River and has many cruises through the lovely Loreley Valley that could be as short as an hour or all day. Several further companies operate cruises on the Rhine and past the Lorelei (Loreley). Special savings deals are available on many cruises.

The KD Rhine Pass savings deal has not been on sale in recent years but Get Your Guide offers easy booking (and often sensible cancelation options) for day-trip cruises on the Rhine departing from many popular cities such as Cologne , Düsseldorf , Bonn , Koblenz , Boppard , Ruedesheim , Cochem , and Frankfurt . Most cruise lines now also accept online ticket purchases but several still prefer to sell tickets directly at the quay or on board cruise boats.

Tips for the Best Rhine River Day Trip Cruises in Germany

Day-trip cruises on the Rhine River are very popular in Germany with departures available from many cities and even small towns on the Rhine. Reservations are often not possible for regular day cruises but it is worth planning a bit in advance to take advantage of savings deals to get the best value (and finest views) from a cruise.

• Rhine riverboats differ in size in and between companies but there are little real noticeable differences between boats. Often it is best to simply take the next boat to depart.
• Most boats cruising on the Rhine River have their own restaurants and bars but it is acceptable to consume your own food and drink on the open decks of Linienfahrten , i.e. cruises with stops en route.
• The high season for Rhine River day cruises is from end April to early October. However, regular cruises operate usually from late March to late October.
• Cruises in winter months are very limited but often a few cruises may be available during the Christmas market Advent season. Departures are most likely from Rüdesheim and Cologne .
• Return trips on most Rhine River cruise lines are only marginally more expensive than one-way cruises. Often cruising up and down river on a scenic part of the river may be more rewarding than going a longer distance in one direction.
• If space is available, bicycles are transported for free on some boats — KD charges €3.50.
• Show Deutsche Bahn tickets (or often any public transportation ticket) if applicable when buying boat tickets and discounts are often applied – check German Railways timetables and book train tickets online at Deutsche Bahn . (If available, select the town name with KD at the end to include instructions on how to reach the boat landing from the train station.) The timetables sometimes include boat trips too.
• Smaller lines are often slightly cheaper than the Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) boats. However, the price difference is very small and the discounts offered by KD and the higher number of departures may well outweigh any price disadvantage.

See also Loreley Valley Rhine River Day Cruises for tips on sensible routings and cruise times between ports on the very popular Middle Rhine Valley.

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) – the Largest Pleasure Day Cruise Line on the Rhine in Germany

Köln-Düsseldorfer, or simply KD , is the largest operator of pleasure boats for short and full single day cruises on the Rhine River in Germany. KD has been in business since 1827 but the oldest KD boat in operation is the SS Goethe first launched in 1913.

Köln-Düsseldorfer is generally a good choice for day cruises on the Rhine. KD has the largest number of departures by far of all Rhine pleasure boat lines. This allows passengers to make more stops en route if desired — remember to indicate all planned stops when buying tickets as separate tickets are issued for each leg of the cruise.

During the high season, KD has at least two boats doing the daily cruise route from Rüdesheim and Bingen to Koblenz (and return) with further boats cruising between Mainz and Boppard. Many more KD boats cruise between Bonn and Linz with the occasional boat starting from Cologne.

In 2024, no regular Rhine boats cruise between Linz and Koblenz in either direction. KD also does not offer Mosel cruises other than the panorama cruise in Cochem .

KD also often has arrangements with other local boat operators to offer a high number of departures.

Köln-Düsseldorfer historic SS Goethe paddle steamer from 1913 is the oldest regular cruise boat on the Rhine River. The Goethe steams daily (except Monday) from Koblenz to Rüdesheim and back — just over 6 hours upstream and just less than 4 hours going back.

Depending on the season, KD has scheduled cruises on the Rhine, Mosel , and Main rivers and panorama cruises in Düsseldorf , Cologne , Cochem , and Frankfurt . The Middle Rhine and Loreley Valley remain the top cruise by far.

Special Savings Deals KD Rhine River Boat Day Cruises

Köln-Düsseldorfer offers a wide range of special savings deals to make Rhine River day trips cheaper. Different discounts generally cannot be combined and official identification may be required. Also, discounts are only available for tickets bought in person for regular cruises and are usually only valid if KD’s own boats are used:

• Birthday Child – irrespective of age, a passenger and any partner may cruise for 50% off on the specific birthday date.
• Special family passes are good value. Sometimes the family day deals are available: Family Day — Wednesdays up to three children under 13 cruise for free per paying adult.
• Children between 4 and 13 cruise on KD for only €9 per day as long as they are accompanied by a fare-paying adult (up to 3 children per adult). Children under 4 sail for free.
• School children and students under 27 pay only half price if the above discounts are not applicable.
• Seniors over 60 receive 20% discount on all cruises.
• Dog tickets are €3.90 per cruise — dogs must be kept on a leash the whole cruise.
• On Tuesdays and Thursdays, cyclists sail two for the price of one on one-way trips (two cyclists and two bicycles – or a tandem – are required!). Ironically the bicycle ticket (€3.50 per bike per cruise) is not discounted.

For more details on these and other saving fares see Rhine River Day Cruise Saver Fares .

Weisse Flotte Rhein Rhine River Day Cruises in Germany

A few independent Rhine boat cruise operators cooperate under the Weisse Flotte Rhein banner. However, these companies set their own schedules and prices. These companies cruise on all parts of the Rhine but departures and cruises are most frequent in the vicinity of the Rhine where these independent boat cruise lines are based. Many cruise lines offer discount combination tickets for cruises and sightseeing sites.

Note that Rundfahrt (circular cruises) and Panorama Cruises usually mean that it is not possible to leave the boat en route or at a destination other than the original departure point, while Linienfahrten allow passengers to disembark anywhere en route, as is mostly the case with KD cruises.

The Weisse Flotter Rhein companies in geographical downstream order:

Bingen-Rüdesheimer Rhine River Day Cruise Pleasure Boat Line

Bingen-Rüdesheimer offers cruises in the Rüdesheim and Bingen area, as well as up to three daily cruises through the Loreley Valley to St Goar and St Goarhausen. Rüdesheim has a popular Christmas market and is one of the few towns along the Rhine that offers some cruises during the winter season. Bingen-Rüdesheimer still honors the tradition Geburtstagtarif — free cruises on a birthday. The child an bicycle fares are also slightly cheaper than KD and dogs mostly cruise for free.

See also Rhine River Cruises from Rüdesheim – a great town to start or conclude a Rhine day cruise.

Loreley Linie Weinand from Kamp Bornhofen

Loreley-Linie Weinand operates from Kamp Bornhofen with cruises to the Loreley Valley with stops mostly in Boppard, Kamp Bornhofen, Kestert, St Goar, and St Goarhausen. Once a week, it is possible to cruise all the way to Rüdesheim and back.

Bonner Personen Schiffahrt Rhine Cruises

Bonner Personen Schiffahrt cruises on the Rhine mostly from Bonn with panorama cruises in the former German capital as well as Rhine cruises mostly to Linz — some may be booked online. Cruises between Linz and Koblenz are rare and usually only for repositioning boats after Rhine in Flames fireworks shows.

Rössler Linie Rhine River Boat Cruises in Germany

Rössler Line is based in Rüdesheim-Assmannshausen. Rössler has mostly shorter Rhine cruises in the Rüdesheim vicinity but Rössler occasionally cruises down the Loreley Valley past Die Lorelei to St Goar / St Goarhausen. The shorter cruises in the popular Rüdesheim area may include visiting castles or winetastings — many may be booked online .

Köln Tourist Personenschiffahrt am Dom

Köln Tourist competes with KD in its home town Cologne. Although it offers some excursion cruises, it mostly operates panorama sightseeing cruises in the Cologne area including special harbor cruises and cruises with an emphasis on culinary events, dancing, and parties.

See also Loreley Valley Rhine River Day Cruises for tips on sensible routings and cruise times between towns from Koblenz to Mainz and Top Rhine Day Cruises from Cologne for similar information on cruises from Cologne (Köln), Bonn, and Düsseldorf.

More on the Rhine River in Germany

Day-Trip Excursions and Pleasure Cruises on the Rhine River:

• cruise from Rüdesheim ( cruise lines ), Koblenz ( cruise lines ), winter & Christmas
• from Frankfurt — fast trains to the Rhine , or slow boat to the Rhine
• from Mainz and Wiesbaden
• Savings Tips , Best Cruise Lines
• Lower Rhine — Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn to Linz
• Special events: Cruises to Rhine in Flames Fireworks , Christmas and New Year’s Cruises in Cologne , Düsseldorf , Frankfurt , and Rüdesheim
• Moselle River Cruises ( Cochem , Bernkastel-Kues, Trier, Koblenz , Burg Eltz )
• Cruises on the Main River in Frankfurt (or better By Train from Frankfurt to the Best Rhine Cruises )
• Cruises from Worms, Mannheim, Heidelberg (on the Neckar River)
• Cruises from Speyer
• Rhinefalls (Rhine Waterfalls, Schaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, Kreuzlingen) in Switzerland

Tips and Savings on Day-Trip Rhine Cruises

• The best part of the Rhine for day-trip excursion cruises in the Middle Rhine between Rüdesheim / Bingen and Koblenz . See Savings Tips and the Best Cruise Lines cruising in the Loreley Valley.
• Check train times for Germany (and most of Europe) at German Railways .

About the author:

Henk Bekker

Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer with over 20 years of experience writing online. He is particularly interested in history, art, and culture. He has lived most of his adult life in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. In addition to European-Traveler.com , he also owns a travel website on the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland and maintains statistical websites on car sales and classic car auction prices . Henk holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and an MSc in Development Finance from the University of London.

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Rhine Gorge, Cologne, and Strasbourg aboard a Premier River Vessel

Enchanting rhine.

Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, France

From $2,699

Call 1-800-368-2794 or contact us for any questions

This riverside odyssey brings you along the ancient Rhine to picture-postcard towns, imperial cathedral cities, and famed wine country. You'll begin in Basel, then visit Strasbourg in Alsace. You'll have your choice of a hike or tour in the historic university town of Heidelberg, or a visit to Speyer to see the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe. Sail the stunning Rhine River Gorge, lined with ruins of medieval castles and fortresses and experience Cologne and its majestic Gothic cathedral. Conclude your cruise in the grand capital of Amsterdam, with its enchanting canals and culture. Reverse departures are also offered. Optional pre- and post-cruise Land Programs to Lucerne and Zurich are available at an additional charge.

Arrive: Basel, Switzerland

Depart: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

• Amsterdam's tranquil canals, Cologne's majestic cathedral
• The Rhine Gorge, with its castles and legends
• Medieval Strasbourg, the winemaking town of Rudesheim
• Optional guided bike tours

Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.

Dates & Pricing

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At time of reservation: $400 100 days prior to departure: Balance Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Cancellation & Transfer Schedule

Minimum fee: $200 per person 90-120 days prior to departure: $400 per person 60-89 days prior to departure: 35% of trip cost 30-59 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost 7-29 days prior to departure: 80% of trip cost 6 days or less: 100% of trip cost

Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

• 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom, most with French balconies
• Life enriching tours and excursions daily
• All meals included aboard ship
• State-of-the-art Infotainment System in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library & English language TV stations
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board
• Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding
• Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise
• Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe's great wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every dinner on board
• Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
• Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner
• Transfer from Basel to Lucerne
• 2 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Lucerne including daily Buffet Breakfast
• 2 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Zürich including daily Buffet Breakfast
• Special highlights including lectures, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances and piano music
• Bicycles to explore on your own & guided bicycle tours
• Services of professional Cruise Manager
• All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• All local taxes
• “Culinary Delights – Bites & Sights” excursions

Not Included

• Airfare to/from points of embarkation and debarkation of the boat
• Arrival/departure transfers
• Any activities and services described as an upgrade or optional
• Optional travel insurance
• Optional gratuities to guides or crew
• Other expenses of a personal nature (some alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)

Accommodations

Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Days 1-7 (7 nights)

What the Trip is Like

This cruise is rated Level 1, Easiest , and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Daily shore excursions require a moderate amount of walking, often along uneven cobblestone streets and up and down stairs. To better accommodate guests and their individual fitness levels, AMA Waterways programs provide several levels of walking tours whenever possible: "Gentle Walkers" are designed for slower walkers to enjoy the tour in a relaxed manner, "Active Walkers" enjoy the tours at a normal pace, and there is also a "Late Starters" group offered to guests who prefer to sleep in.

Staterooms range from 160-350 square feet (depending on category), and typical hotel room amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, television, and mini-safe. Every stateroom has individually controlled air conditioning, internet access, wi-fi (free throughout the ship!) and a movie-on-demand system that offers a variety of English language channels, films and music options. Most staterooms have balconies, either walk-on or French, but lower categories just have fixed windows or portholes.

AMA is known for its efforts to bring in regional cuisine, which is always fun as you explore new countries and cultures. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style with made-to-order specialties. Dinner is multi-course. Every lunch and dinner includes free-flowing regional wines as well as complimentary beer and soft drinks. Bottled water, specialty teas, and coffees are always available free of charge. All ships have an open seating policy in the main restaurant to encourage you to meet your fellow travelers.

On Board AMA Riverboats

AMA Waterways specializes in high-end river journeys that navigate some of Europe's most famous waterways. Their ships accommodate approximately 150 passengers in comfortable staterooms, all with scenic views. While this might sound like a lot of travelers compared to Wilderness Travel's traditional small group trips, it's a modest number of passengers in the cruise ship world and there are a number of comfortable lounges, dining rooms, bars, and sitting areas on board for you to find a perfect spot to socialize or quietly relax, depending on your mood.

There is a warm and welcoming feel to all AMA cruises. From the moment you step onboard, you will be welcomed by crew, staff, and leaders who are friendly, professional and English speaking. There is a high staff to guest ratio (1:3) that assures a feeling of being well-taken-care-of at all times. Your fellow passengers will come from a variety of English-speaking countries and guests tend to mingle freely. No need to bring fancy clothes as the atmosphere onboard is casual, although guests do tend to dress up for the Captain's dinner.

Daily shore excursions are included in the cost of the cruise, along with free time to explore on your own. Each tour is led by a qualified, local guide. At many stops, you'll be free to choose from one of several options. Complimentary headset systems ensure that you hear every word of your tour. AMA ships carry more than two dozen bicycles and helmets, free of charge, for your use should you want to venture into the countryside.

There is a reception desk onboard that is open 24 hours a day with somebody available to help you, should you need it. All announcements and lectures will be presented in English as the clientele is mainly North American, Australian, and European. All AMA cruises prohibit smoking inside their ships. Smoking is only permitted outside on the sun deck.

Electricity on board all ships is 220v, with 2-pin power outlets. You will need an adapter, and/or converter depending on which electrical appliances you bring with you. There are no medical facilities on board although if medical services are needed, they can easily be called from shore. Laundry services are available for a fee.

All ships are equipped with either a whirlpool or a small, heated swimming pool. If you think you might want to use this, be sure to pack a swimsuit!

Tips are not included in the price of the cruise, and are entirely at your discretion. The recommended rate suggested is 3 Euros per passenger per day to the Cruise Manager and 12 Euros per passenger per day to the crew, which will be divided up and distributed. You can use your credit card for this expense. It is also customary to acknowledge a particularly good performance of a local guide by leaving a tip of 1-2 Euros per tour.

Wilderness Travel enjoys partnering with AMA Waterways because they offer a high quality product with thoughtfully planned itineraries, allowing travelers to experience Europe's most glorious architecture, medieval castles, historic villages, and idyllic countryside with minimal effort. Since these trips are relatively short, you may consider this as part of a longer, European adventure!

Client Testimonials

"I was pleased that the ship offered active shore excursions, and particularly liked our Trip Leader's talks on subjects such as the Berlin Wall. Her presentations were fascinating, and from the heart."

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Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Level 1 – Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.

• Royal Rajasthan and Villages of India
• Small ship cruises

Level 2 – Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.

• Our African safaris
• Costa Rica Wildlife

Level 3 – Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.

• Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
• Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
• Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
• Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as  Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin,  are Trip Level 3.

Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.

• Ultimate Patagonia
• Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Level 5 – Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.

• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• Everest Lodge to Lodge

Level 6 – Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.

• Everest Base Camp
• Climb Kilimanjaro!

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Rhine River Cruises A river of myth & legend

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13 European Rivers and Waterways to Cruise

Michael Runkel / robert harding / Getty Images

The number of river cruise ships sailing in Europe has been rapidly growing for most of this century, and river cruises continue to be a very popular way to see cities and towns inaccessible to ocean-going ships. 

Today, travelers can cruise over a dozen different rivers in Europe. Most river cruise lines sail similar itineraries and include shore excursions in each port of call. The price differential between the river cruise lines is usually due to the level of service, cabin size, and onboard amenities.

This article explains some of the differences in the 13 primary cruise ship rivers and their itineraries. Although each river is discussed individually, note that many river cruise itineraries cover more than one river. For example, if someone has about 3 to 4 weeks of vacation time and enough money, they can sail all the way between Amsterdam and the Black Sea on the same ship. River cruise lines offer other combinations, but they involve moving on land from one river to another.

The Danube River: Central Europe

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove 

The source of the Danube River (Donau in German) is in the Black Forest of Germany, and it flows almost 1,800 miles east through central Europe towards the Black Sea, passing through or touching the border of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine. 

River cruises sail the length of the navigable Danube between Regensburg and the Black Sea, but most itineraries focus on one of the two most spectacular sections—either between Passau and Budapest  or between Budapest and Bucharest. The navigable Danube has 19 locks, with 15 of them between Regensburg​ and Vienna. 

Passau to Budapest River Cruise

This Danube River cruise covers some of central Europe's most gorgeous river scenery in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wachau Valley , plus it stops in three of the continent's most fascinating capital cities— Vienna , Bratislava , and Budapest . Other ports of call include towns like Linz (for tours to Salzburg), Melk , Krems, or Durnstein.

Most ports are marvelous walking destinations, and river ships stop right in the heart of the town and include a walking tour and free time to explore. 

Budapest to Bucharest

Travelers love this river cruise itinerary because it gives them the opportunity to visit eastern European countries where travel for North Americans has just become very popular and accessible in this century.  The citizens of Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria welcome tourists and love to share their corner of the world with travelers.

As the Danube continues its way to the Black Sea, travelers first explore amazing Budapest, with most ships spending either one or two days at the dock to allow their guests adequate time to see the city. The ship next stops in Kalocsa , the "Paprika Capital of the World", before moving on to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is one of Europe's oldest cities and still carries remnants of the destruction of its last war in the 1990's.  As the ship moves downriver, guests explore a Roman archaeological site, museums of ancient history, the Iron Gates of the Danube, and miles of lovely scenery. Most of the river ships do not sail all the way to the Black Sea, but end at a small town near the Romanian capital of Bucharest.  Passengers are bused between the river and Bucharest, and the cruise tour includes time to see the city.

The Main River: Germany

The Main River (pronounced "mine") in Germany is the longest river that lies entirely in Germany. It flows west and joins the Rhine River near Mainz. The Main River is 327 miles long, but only 246 miles are open to traffic, and this navigable section of the river has 34 locks. The Main River cruise ports of call are Bamberg , Wurzburg , Wertheim , and Miltenberg . Each of these towns features interesting history, walking tours, and picturesque streets and architecture. 

Most river cruise travelers primarily see the Main River as a link between the Rhine and Danube Rivers. However, ships could not sail from the North Sea to the Black Sea until the Main-Danube Canal was completed in 1992, and it took 32 years of construction. Ships pass through 16 locks on the 106-mile transit of the canal. The Main-Danube Canal starts near the Danube River near Regensburg and travels north by Nuremberg to Bamberg. River cruise ships often feature day-long tours of Nuremberg while their ship passes through several of the locks, saving time for everyone.

The locks of the Main-Danube Canal (and elsewhere on the Danube and Main Rivers) are important to cruise travelers because the size of the locks dictates the size of river ships. Anyone who wonders why a river ship is so narrow will understand when they see the size of the locks. The low bridges over these same rivers control the height of the river ships. 

The Rhine River: Switzerland to the Netherlands

The source of the Rhine River is in Switzerland, and it flows over 800 miles generally northwest before dumping into the North Sea near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. River ships sailing only on the Rhine move between Basel, Switzerland (near the border of France, Germany, and Switzerland) and Amsterdam. The Rhine has 12 locks, 10 of which are downstream from Basel. All 10 of these are between Basel and Mainz where the Main River joins the Rhine. 

The cruise between Basel and Mainz features stopovers at Strasbourg and Heidelberg. Many visitors find Strasbourg particularly interesting since part of the city is in France and the other (across the Rhine) is in Germany. Heidelberg is not quite on the river but is very nearby. This university town is lively, and the city has a marvelous castle. 

The Rhine River cruise region between Mainz and Koblenz is one of the most scenic in Europe. The breathtaking castles lining the Upper Middle Rhine Valley make it a traveler's favorite. Many people take a European river cruise just to see these magnificent old castles. The Loreley (Lorelei) Rock is also found along this section of the river. Cruise travelers have many opportunities to see the "castles on the Rhine" since they are also included on cruises between Amsterdam and Danube River ports or on Moselle/Rhine/Main/Danube River cruises.

One cute town with lots to offer Rhine River cruise travelers is Rudesheim , which is between Mainz and Koblenz. It offers a fun "party" street, a mechanical musical instrument museum (way more fun and interesting than it sounds), a cable car to the top of a hill with great views of the river and surrounding vineyards, and a giant German monument. 

Another popular stopover on the Rhine River is at Cologne , Germany. As river ships approach the city, the huge cathedral soon comes into view, and a visit to the cathedral and its square is a popular site in the city.

The only other stop for most ships sailing the Rhine River towards Amsterdam is at Kinderdijk to see its 19 windmills, most dating back to the 18th century. Along with tulips, windmills are an iconic symbol of the Netherlands, and the most picturesque are at Kinderdijk.

The Moselle River: France, Luxembourg, and Germany

The Mosel (German) or Moselle (French) River begins in France and passes through Luxembourg and Germany before flowing into the Rhine River at Koblenz. The Moselle has 28 locks, but only 12 are on the section of the river used by river cruise ships. The Moselle is 255 miles long, but river cruises only sail on the last 100 miles before it enters the Rhine. 

The Moselle River is one of Europe's most scenic, with a river valley that twists and turns as it makes its way towards the Rhine. The hillsides are covered with vineyards, most growing grapes for Germany's famous Riesling.  Ports of call include Cochem, Bernkastel, and Koblenz. All three of these towns are delightful to explore, and ships dock near the town centers. A highlight of Cochem is its spectacular castle , and cruise ship guests all love the views of the river from its towers. 

Some of the river cruise lines' most innovative itineraries include the Moselle River. For example, Moselle River cruises often start in Luxembourg or in Trier , Germany. However, cruise lines sometimes include a few days in Paris before the cruise begins and then transport guests to the ship via the TGV train from Paris to Metz or Remich and then on to Trier via bus. It's an exciting way to start a cruise! 

The Moselle River is included on river cruise tours between Paris and Prague , Amsterdam and Basel, or Paris to Budapest. 

The Elbe River: Germany

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

The Rhine and Danube Rivers are the most popular rivers to cruise in Germany, but those who are fascinated by 20th-century history or by Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation will love an Elbe River cruise between Prague and Berlin . The 680-mile long Elbe has seven locks, but five are in the Czech Republic upstream from where river cruises embark in Melnik and the other two are downstream from where the ships disembark at Magdeburg for the drive to Potsdam and then Berlin. The Elbe eventually flows into the North Sea near Hamburg. 

Elbe River cruise tours include hotel stays in Prague and Berlin, two of Europe's great cities. Most of the cruise is in eastern Germany, and cities like Dresden , Meissen, and Wittenburg all have their own special charm. After being almost completely destroyed during World War II and now rebuilt, Dresden is a marvelous city to visit, with one of the world's great museums. Meissen has its fine porcelain, and Wittenburg has Martin Luther and the Reformation. Seeing the improvements in these eastern German cities since the reunification of the country in 1990 is impressive.

The Elbe River is often shallow, so cruise lines sailing the Elbe use smaller ships with a shallower draft for these cruises. 

The Seine River: France

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Almost all Seine River  cruises sail roundtrip from Paris, heading downstream and north towards Le Havre and Honfleur, where it enters the English Channel. The 483-mile river has 34 locks, but 29 are upstream from Paris.  Paris is a beautiful city and a perfect place to begin a French river cruise vacation.

Ports of call visited between Paris and the sea might include Vernon, Les Andelys, Conflans, and Mantes-la-Jolie.  Monet's famous  Giverny garden is near Vernon. A highlight for many travelers is an all-day excursion to the Normandy beaches of World War II .

Many river ships turn around near Rouen , which is 75 miles from the sea and navigable by ocean-going ships.  Others go 27 miles further downstream to Caudebec-en-Caux. Most cruise lines spend one or two nights in one of these two cities, which allows their guests to have a day on the Normandy beaches and to explore the charming coastal town of Honfleur. 

The Rhone River: France

France also has river cruises in the southern part of the country. One of these is a Rhone River cruise in the Provence region between Lyon and Arles or Avignon .  The 500-mile Rhone River has 13 locks, and 12 of these are between Lyon and where the Rhone empties into the Mediterranean Sea.  The source of the Rhone River is the Rhone Glacier in Switzerland. 

Some Rhone River cruise tours begin with a few days at a hotel in Paris and then include a transfer to Lyon to begin their cruise. It's not a surprise that many of the highlights of one of these cruises include food or drink. Wine and cheeses abound, and a tour of the Valrhona chocolate factory in Tournon is an unforgettable experience for all chocolate lovers. History buffs will love Avignon and its importance to the Catholic Church, and they'll also love exploring the walled-city of Viviers and the Roman Pont du Gard near Avignon.

Most river cruise lines have combination tours that include Rhone River cruises along with one on the Saone, Seine, or Bordeaux region of France. Extensions to Paris, Nice, or other cities in Provence or the French Riviera are also easily done. 

The Saone River: France

The 300-mile long Saone River is a tributary of the Rhone River, merging in Lyon. Since river ships can only sail about 80 miles upstream from Lyon through Macon up to Chalon-sur-Saone, cruises usually include time on the Rhone River also. Although the Saone has 51 locks, only 3 are impacted by river cruises.

Macon is a city in the south Burgundy region of France, so it has some fine wines and opportunities to taste them. This ancient city dates back to 200 BC, and the town also has several museums and historic attractions. Many of the interesting parts of the old city are on the Saone River. 

Chalon-sur-Saone  is also in Burgundy, and many local activities revolve around food and wine. 

Bordeaux Waterways: France

The fourth region of France with river cruises is Bordeaux , which is southwest of Paris. Ships explore the Bordeaux region on three rivers—the Dordogne, Garonne, and Gironde. The city of Bordeaux is the heart of the cruise, which primarily showcases the superb wines of the region.

These three rivers are not as scenic as those in other parts of Europe, primarily because they are subject to huge fluctuations with the tides (especially the Gironde). In addition, the land is very flat. The vineyards offer some beauty, but many cannot be seen from the rivers.

Some ocean ships can sail from the Atlantic Ocean up to the city of Bordeaux , but a bridge prevents them from going further. Bordeaux is a gorgeous French city and is fun to explore, even for those who don't like wine.

In addition to the city of Bordeaux, ports of call might include Cadillac, Libourne, Pauillac, Saint Emilion, and Blaye. Seeing the many famous vineyards  and wine cellars near Pauillac and Saint Emilion is memorable for all who love wine and historic cities. Travelers will have their friends talking if they take a selfie front of a Saint Emilion shop that sells bottles of wine for thousands of dollars each.

Some cruise lines even offer an optional tour to the city of Cognac, where guests have the opportunity to blend their own. Another fun activity is to go truffle hunting with a farmer and his dog (pigs aren't used anymore). 

The Douro River: Portugal and Spain

Until a few years ago, even experienced travelers did not know about the Douro River as a cruise destination . This 557-mile long river starts in Spain, but most of its navigable waters are in Portugal, and the river flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Porto. The Douro River has 15 dams that generate hydroelectric power, but only five are on the navigable section, and all of these also have locks to enable ships to go up and down the river. Because of its rapids, the Douro was once very dangerous for ships to travel, but it has always been used to transport valuable goods downstream. The first valuable was gold mined in the mountains, but wine eventually replaced the gold.

The Douro River valley is spectacular as the river winds its way down the mountains toward the sea. Once ships leave Porto and sail upriver, the scenery changes rapidly as the river narrows and cliffs are steeper. Only a few small towns are visible, although vineyards fill the slopes. The region is settled, but there is not much to be seen by just walking from the ship. Buses are needed to take guests sightseeing and to visit the historical and cultural sites. This is an amazing river cruise destination, so don't let the bus time scare you.

Ships sail up the Douro from Porto to Spain, turn around, and sail back down. They are not allowed to sail at night, but different shore excursions are offered upstream and downstream, so it doesn't seem repetitive. 

Douro River ships are specifically built to sail this river and are smaller since they need to navigate the sharp turns in the river and the smaller locks. Some river cruise lines feature 7-day cruise-only vacations, embarking and disembarking their ships in Porto.  Others have cruise tours that include two or three nights in Lisbon, a transfer to Porto, and then a 7-day cruise. 

The Volga River and Other Russian Waterways

A cruise on Russian rivers and waterways between St. Petersburg and Moscow is the best way to see parts of Russia on a cruise. Many will travel to St. Petersburg on a Baltic cruise and are amazed at the beauty and fascinated by the history and culture of this great city. Some of these travelers want to learn more about Russia, and this river cruise itinerary fits the bill.

The Volga River, which is Europe's longest, is the major river on this cruise. Its source is in central Russia and it empties into the Caspian Sea. Ships sailing from St. Petersburg embark on the Neva River, sail through Lake Ladoga and then onto the Svir River, which joins with the Volga-Baltic Waterway before entering the Volga River. The Volga system features many reservoirs, so often ship passengers feel they are on an ocean rather than a river. The last body of water is the Moscow Canal, but thanks to the lock system, Moscow is connected with the Baltic Sea at St. Petersburg and the cities on the Volga downstream to the Caspian Sea. 

This cruise is usually 12-13 days and includes overnights (or more) in both St. Petersburg and Moscow . Other ports of call include small towns on the Svir River that are perfect for shopping, trying different kinds of vodka, or experiencing a Russian banya (sauna and bath house). Ships also stop at Kizhi Island to see traditional wooden homes and churches, and at historic towns down the Volga River like Yaroslavl and Uglich that provide a look at the culture and life outside of the major cities. 

The tour guides on this river cruise recognize that travelers are very interested about their lives in Russia, so they feature many lectures and free-flowing discussions on different topics while the ship is sailing. Since the cruise is only in one country, the entire focus can be on Russian food, drink, clothing, schools, churches, politics, and everyday life.  And, since Moscow is far inland, it's an unexpected treat to visit on a cruise. 

The Dnieper River: Ukraine

The 1,333-mile Dnieper River is Europe's fourth longest and sails from Russia through Belarus and Ukraine before flowing into the Black Sea. It has many hydroelectric dams and is very important to the Ukraine economy. 

Cruises sail between Kiev and Odessa, so the entire cruise is in the Ukraine. These two cities are so important over half of an 11-day cruise is spent there. Kiev is the capital of Ukraine and is one of Europe's oldest cities, offering many historic sites and a major cathedral. ​Odessa sits on the northern shore of the Black Sea, not far from where the Dnieper River enters the Sea. Unlike Kiev, Odessa was not founded until the 18th century by Russian Empress Catherine the Great.Today, it is a transportation hub and its beaches attract many tourists.  

Other Dnieper River ports visited on the cruise are Kremenchug, Dnipro, and Zaporozhye, which is the ancestral home of the Cossacks. It's not surprising that Cossack horsemen put on a show similar to the one in Puszta , Hungary since Cossacks settled both regions.

Due to the political unrest in the Ukraine, many river cruise lines have postponed running their ships on the Dnieper River. Viking River Cruises is the only major river cruise line that caters to English-speaking guests that currently has Dnieper cruises scheduled.

Spring Tulip and Windmill Cruises: Netherlands and Belgium

A river cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium encompasses parts of well-known rivers like the Rhine and lesser-known rivers such as the Issel, Nedderrijn, and Schelde (or Scheldt). Some of the cruises are also on waterways such as the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal or Ijssel Lake. 

A spring tulip time cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium is a marvelous cruise for flower lovers, but also for those who appreciate quiet villages, windmills, and history. Travelers fascinated by the power of water will enjoy learning about how the Dutch have reclaimed much of their land from the sea and also how they keep the sea from flooding that precious land. The waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium have about 40 locks, all of which are important for flood control rather than height differences. (Don't worry, river cruises don't pass through all of them.)

Many of these cruises are roundtrip from Amsterdam , and a day touring this famous city is often included in the tour before the ship sails. 

The best time to see the tulip fields and world-famous Keukenhof Gardens is from late March to mid-May, so river cruise lines operate at full strength during this time. Most of the ships that sail the waterways of the Netherlands are 7 or 8 days long, while those that sail around the Netherlands and Belgium are usually 10-14 days. 

A few cruise lines also sail the Netherlands and Belgium in the fall months, but you won't see any tulips blooming in the fields at that time of year. 

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Rhine River Cruises

Uncork new discoveries as you raise a glass of Riesling on our acclaimed Rhine River cruises through Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. See how the Rhine, Main and Moselle river systems unfold to create a spellbinding display of storybook villages, Dutch windmills, German vineyards and splendid UNESCO Sites.

Rhine Getaway

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Grand European Tour

NEW! Rhine & Main Explorer

Cities of Light

Paris to the Swiss Alps

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NEW! Treasures of the Rhine

Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle

Christmas on the Main & Moselle

Christmas on the Rhine

Rhine & Viking Shores & Fjords

Rhine & Moselle Discovery

A Tale of Three Rivers

Highlights of rhine river cruises.

A Rhine River cruise takes you into the heart of Middle Europe, where stately castles, fairytale villages and cultural centers have long been witnesses to history. The river’s banks are brimming with historic treasures, natural beauty and vibrant capitals. Here are a few highlights Viking reveals to you:

• Amsterdam’s charming canals and gabled houses
• Windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Cologne’s Gothic Dom
• Rüdesheim’s wine-growing region
• Marksburg Castle, perched above scenic Braubach
• Multicultural Strasbourg
• Breathtaking views of the legendary Black Forest
• The distinct French-German culture of Alsace
• Mythical Lorelei Rock at the Middle Rhine Gorge
• Stunning Heidelberg, inspiration to writers and philosophers

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River Cruises from Amsterdam

A cruise starting in Amsterdam is a great way to experience river cruising. We have 230 cruises that range from 5 days up to 30 days in length. The most popular time for river cruises leaving Amsterdam is May.

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230 amsterdam river cruises with 258 reviews.

• River Cruise

Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 2024

Sehr schön, tolle Gruppenreise, viele verschiedene Reiseeinheiten buchbar. Gutes Essen, Service war gut, Unterkunft angepasst und schöne Unterhaltung. Auch als Alleinreisender durchführbar.

Classic Rhine cruise (Amsterdam-Basel) MS Crucevita

Price great….cruise director excellent…food just so so…6 English speaking thankful for at least four others English speaking…..we had to have our own guide’s. They should have American coffee and always ice. And free wine and beer at dinner

Tulip Time Cruise 2024

A wonderful experience for our first cruise. The service personnel were first class. The tours were highly organized and loved the guides.

Holland & Belgium Tulip River Cruise (Amsterdam - Brussels - Amsterdam)

This was our second river cruise and our overall experience was more than expected. Crew and service on board including meals on Crucevita was very good especially cruise director Julia. We thank you all and look forward for another experience in the future.

Classical Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel) (10 destinations)

We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise. It was well organized and the food was superb.

From Amsterdam to Basel: The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River (port-to-port cruise)

Excellent facilities and services. Food was very good and cabins were large with plenty of space

Captivating Rhine 2024 Start Amsterdam, End Basel

Through authentic Holland (port-to-port cruise)

We had a wonderful time on this enjoyable cruise in The Netherlands. The itinerary was perfect for our family. The ship's crew were all fantastic: efficient, friendly, welcoming and helpful. And even the weather cooperated. My only (minor) concern was that the information about where and when we could board the ship was not particularly clear, especially as we were traveling independently i.e. we were not met on arrival and escorted to the boat). Fortunately, the public transportation systems in Netherlands are so efficient that this was not a big problem.

• Walking Adventure

Castles along the Rhine (2025) (Amsterdam to Basel, 2025)

Captivating Rhine 2025

Treasures of the Rhine from Amsterdam Crucevita Main Cabin

Landscapes of Holland Dutch Symphony Superior Deluxe

Splendours of Europe (Start Amsterdam, End Budapest)

The program in the Emerald ship was magnificently planned and discussed. The local music during the cruise was so informative. Long live the music from the Netherlands and Germany through Austria and Slovakya to Hungary! Just for the music, dances and songs I will do the cruise again!

Tulips & the Rhine - Ludwigshafen – Schwetzingen (Start Amsterdam, End Zurich)

It was not excellent but good…entertainment lacked they had a girl singing that was one of the bartenders and some bell ringers..tours were good.We had one issue we found out that people that were going to train station had their fare covered and we thought transfer was just to airport.both were 30 mins away from port.some people had their fare covered to train station .we had to pay 75 euro.this we found unfair.food was good and waiters were exceptional but rest of staff mainly cruise director didn’t go above and beyond.

Dutch Delight (2024) (Amsterdam to Amsterdam, 2024)

What people love about river cruise tours from amsterdam.

It was a great cruise. The food was amazing, the crew was really helpful, and the tours and tour guides were great. The only thing to imporve on if the WiFi which only worked half the time.

Great company to cruise with. Ship carries 110 passengers. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner each day. Plenty of stops to sightsee. The castles along the Rhine make trip a very enjoyable cruise. All staff were great.

Travel Styles

River cruise from amsterdam.

• to Basel (51)
• to Amsterdam (46)
• to Zurich (29)
• to Budapest (19)
• to Prague (12)
• to Lucerne (11)
• to Bucharest (8)
• to Paris (7)
• to Brussels (6)
• to Arles (6)
• to Nice (5)
• Best 7 Day Netherlands Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• 10 Best River Cruise Companies (with Reviews)

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• Complimentary Brochures

Rhine River Cruises

Uncork new discoveries as you raise a glass of Riesling on our acclaimed Rhine River cruises through Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. See how the Rhine, Main and Moselle river systems unfold to create a spellbinding display of storybook villages, Dutch windmills, German vineyards and splendid UNESCO Sites.

Rhine Getaway

• Request a Quote

Grand European Tour

NEW! Rhine & Main Explorer

Cities of Light

Paris to the Swiss Alps

NEW! Lyon, Provence & the Rhineland

Holland & Belgium

Tulips & Windmills

European Sojourn

NEW! Treasures of the Rhine

Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle

Christmas on the Main & Moselle

Christmas on the Rhine

Rhine & Viking Shores & Fjords

Highlights of rhine river cruises.

A Rhine River cruise takes you into the heart of Middle Europe, where stately castles, fairytale villages and cultural centers have long been witnesses to history. The river’s banks are brimming with historic treasures, natural beauty and vibrant capitals. Here are a few highlights Viking reveals to you:

• Amsterdam’s charming canals and gabled houses
• Windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Cologne’s Gothic Dom
• Rüdesheim’s wine-growing region
• Marksburg Castle, perched above scenic Braubach
• Multicultural Strasbourg
• Breathtaking views of the legendary Black Forest
• The distinct French-German culture of Alsace
• Mythical Lorelei Rock at the Middle Rhine Gorge
• Stunning Heidelberg, inspiration to writers and philosophers

Sign up to receive updates from Viking

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

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• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
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Viking Expeditions

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