Where do river cruises from Amsterdam typically visit?

Starting from Amsterdam, most cruises follow the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers. You'll stop at places like Cologne where you can visit its towering cathedral, the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, and the beautiful palace in Würzburg. Many travelers love exploring Vienna's grand buildings and Budapest's impressive parliament. The route takes you through the Rhine Gorge, where you'll see more than 40 historic castles, and you can visit the amazing Melk Abbey. If you want to spend extra time in Amsterdam or Budapest before or after your cruise, many people stay at the Hotel Estherea or the Ritz-Carlton.

When is the best time to take a river cruise from Amsterdam?

Most people cruise between April and October, but each season offers something special. If you love flowers, come in April or May when millions of tulips are blooming. Summer brings warm weather around 72°F (22°C), perfect for walking around towns and sitting on deck. In fall, the trees along the rivers turn beautiful colors and temperatures stay mild at about 61°F (16°C). December is magical too - that's when you can visit traditional Christmas markets in towns along the way.

How long do river cruises from Amsterdam usually last?

Most trips run between 8 and 15 days. Many people choose the 8-day Classical Rhine Cruise, which gives you a good taste of the region. If you have more time, the 15-day Jewels of Europe cruise lets you really explore the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Many travelers tell us they like having enough time to properly see each place without feeling rushed.

What happens on the first day of an Amsterdam river cruise?

You'll usually board your ship in the afternoon around 4 PM. The crew welcomes you with cocktails and you'll meet your fellow travelers. Your first dinner on board is always special, and sometimes there's entertainment like Dutch singers performing traditional songs. One traveler told us: "The crew of 36 did everything they possibly could to make our trip both memorable and enjoyable from day one, starting with a wonderful welcome reception."

Which route do ships take after leaving Amsterdam?

Your ship will first sail to Utrecht, which takes about 4 hours. From there, you'll continue south through Dutch waterways toward Cologne, Germany. Most ships spend the first morning in Amsterdam so you can explore the city, then start sailing in the afternoon. Ships usually leave Amsterdam either around 10 PM on the first day or 8:30 AM the next morning.

What special events can I experience during different seasons?

Each season on the rivers brings different experiences. In spring (March to May), you can visit Keukenhof Gardens when millions of tulips are in bloom. Summer's long days and warm temperatures around 72°F (22°C) are perfect for exploring towns and relaxing on deck. Fall cruises coincide with grape harvests along the Rhine. In December, you can visit Christmas markets in places like Cologne and Strasbourg, where the old town squares fill with lights, decorations, and local food stands.

River Cruise Tours from Amsterdam

Picture cruising from Amsterdam, heading to historic Arnhem and its green spaces, past Cologne's ancient cathedral, or drifting through the UNESCO-listed Romantic Rhine landscape. Strasbourg's historic sites and Alsace region await you, Alkmaar's cheese market's a true highlight, and the scenic Rhine Gorge? Pretty spectacular aboard the River Diamond. Zurich is another must-visit.

238 tours

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River Cruise
Reflections on the Rhine (Southbound) 2026
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Imagery II
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
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US$7,512per person
+$297 upfront costs
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River Cruise
Amsterdam & Rhine Castles & Moselle Vinyards with Switzerland 2026
Duration
16 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 12+
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
7% Off
From $7,935
US$7,411per person
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Captivating Rhine 2026
4.9 (9 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
AmaViola AmaPrima AmaSiena AmaLucia AmaStella Old+3 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
AmaWaterways
7% Off
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US$4,299per person
+$250 upfront costs
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- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Castles along the Rhine (2026) (Amsterdam to Basel, 2026)
4.8 (12 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ships
S.S. Antoinette S.S. Victoria S.S. Elisabeth+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
7% Off
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US$4,499per person
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River Cruise
Magical Rhine and Moselle Rivers (Amsterdam to Basel) (2026)
4.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Rhine Moselle
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
7% Off
From
US$4,699per person
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River Cruise
Jewels of Europe & Normandy & Gems of the Seine 2026 - 25 Days (from Amsterdam to Paris)
Duration
25 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany Austria Czech Republic Slovakia Hungary France+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Jewel Scenic Gem +1 ship
River
Danube Rhine SeineMain+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
21% Off
From $21,831
US$17,324per person
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River Cruise
Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards 2026 - 11 Days (15 destinations)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 12+
River
Rhine Moselle
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
9% Off
From $5,795
US$5,271per person
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River Cruise
Romantic Rhine & Moselle 2026 - 15 Days (including Rhine Gorge)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Netherlands Belgium Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Pearl
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
9% Off
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US$9,695per person
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River Cruise
The Rhine & Moselle with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound) 2026
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany Luxembourg France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Imagery II
River
Rhine Moselle
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
9% Off
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US$9,511per person
+$330 upfront costs
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River Cruise
The Rhine & Moselle (Southbound) 2026
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany Luxembourg France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Imagery II
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
9% Off
From
US$8,412per person
+$330 upfront costs
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River Cruise
European Vistas
4.5 (95 traveler reviews)
"The tour was fantastic. Both made the trip very memorable and exciting."
Anita, traveled in May
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany Austria Italy Switzerland France Belgium+1 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
River
Rhine Seine
Operated in
English
Operator
Expat Explore Travel
31% Off
From $1,805
US$1,243per person
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Europe Explorer
4.4 (160 traveler reviews)
"This was a very well organized tour. We would us this service again."
Richard, traveled in September
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Netherlands Belgium France Andorra Spain Monaco Italy Vatican City (Holy See)Switzerland Germany+3 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
River
Rhine Seine
Operated in
English
Operator
Expat Explore Travel
34% Off
From $4,100
US$2,726per person
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River Cruise
Rhine Highlights 2026 - 8 Days
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"Excursions were very good with varied options and terrific guides."
Frederick, traveled in April
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Opal Scenic Pearl+1 ship
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
14% Off
From $5,965
US$5,135per person
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River Cruise
Classical Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel) (12 destinations)
4.3 (4 traveler reviews)
"We loved the river cruise and all it had to offer"
Amanda, traveled in May
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Amadeus Riva
River
Rhine
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Lueftner Cruises
20% Off
From $2,820
US$2,256per person
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River Cruise
Romantic Rhine & Moselle with Switzerland Loyalty Departure 2026 - 22 Days
Duration
22 days
Destinations
Netherlands Belgium Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Jasper
River
Rhine Moselle
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
20% Off
From
US$14,106per person
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