Which major cities and attractions do you visit on river cruises from Frankfurt?

From Frankfurt, your cruise will take you along the Rhine and Main rivers to cities like Strasbourg, where you can visit the towering Gothic Cathedral, and Koblenz, where you'll see the meeting point of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. You'll also stop in Basel to explore its well-preserved medieval center. Along the way, you'll get to see the Niederwald Monument with its sweeping views of the Rhine Valley, the impressive Speyer Cathedral, and the charming narrow streets of Rüdesheim. You can expect to stay in nice hotels like the Steigenberger in Frankfurt and the Regent in Strasbourg. One TourRadar traveler put it well: "The variety of cities from Frankfurt to Basel offered a perfect mix of history, culture and scenic beauty."

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

The best cruising happens between April and October when the weather is just right - around 60-75°F (15-24°C). This is perfect for walking around towns and relaxing on deck. If you like Christmas markets, December is great too, though it gets cold at 35-45°F (2-7°C). Summer gives you more daylight to explore ports, while spring and fall mean fewer tourists and pretty seasonal colors. The Christmas season is special, with markets and decorations everywhere. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Our September cruise from Frankfurt had perfect weather for both outdoor activities and comfortable cruising."

What kinds of cabins can I choose from on Frankfurt river cruises?

You'll find several room types to fit your style and budget. There are Panorama Suites with big windows (200 square feet), regular Deluxe Staterooms, and fancy Royal Suites. Ships like A-ROSA CLEA and Avalon Panorama have rooms with balconies and junior suites. Each room comes with temperature control, a TV, and nice bathroom products. One TourRadar traveler said: "The Panorama Suite on our Frankfurt departure provided spectacular views of the passing scenery and was much more spacious than expected."

How much free time do I get when the ship stops in ports?

Most stops mix guided tours with time to explore on your own. You'll usually have 4-8 hours in each place, often with a guided tour in the morning and free time in the afternoon. In bigger cities like Strasbourg or Rüdesheim, the ship often stays until late so you can have dinner in town. One TourRadar traveler said: "The balance between organized activities and free time was perfect for experiencing each destination at our own pace."

What drinks are included on Frankfurt river cruises?

Most cruises include a good variety of drinks throughout the day. You can usually get coffee, tea, water, sodas, beer, prosecco, and wines while the bar is open. A-ROSA cruises include premium drinks, and Avalon Waterways gives you free wine, beer, and sodas with lunch and dinner, plus specialty coffees. One TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The inclusive drinks package with regional wines really enhanced our dining experience while cruising from Frankfurt."

What kind of evening entertainment is there on Frankfurt river cruises?

In the evenings, you'll find different kinds of entertainment like local musicians, concerts, and cultural shows. The ships have comfortable lounges and bars where people gather, like the Panorama Lounge on Avalon ships and the Club Lounge on A-ROSA boats. There are also special welcome and goodbye dinners, regional theme nights, and evening cruises past lit-up cities. One TourRadar traveler shared: "The mix of onboard entertainment and evening cruising past Frankfurt's lit skyline created memorable nights."

10 Best River Cruises from Frankfurt-am-Main

10 best River Cruise tour packages from Frankfurt-am-Main

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River Cruise
Rhine, Fjords, and Nordic Wonders - 10 days
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Germany Denmark Norway Sweden
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
20% Off
From $2,580
US$2,064per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
The Majestic Rhine & Lucerne - Zurich
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Frankfurt-am-Main, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Koblenz,Rhine Gorge,Moselle Valley,Cochem,Ludwigshafen,Heidelberg,Rastatt,Baden-Baden,Black Forest,Kehl,Breisach,Basel,Lucerne,Zurich+13 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Destiny Emerald Sun+1 ship
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
60% Off
From $10,020
US$4,025per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Southern Rhine City Experience 2026
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Rhine Rhine Valley
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
60% Off
From
US$1,425per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Main & Middle Rhine Experience 2026
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Frankfurt-am-Main, Cologne, Konigswinter, Koblenz, Loreley,Rudesheim am Rhein,Mainz+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
60% Off
From
US$1,187per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Charming Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle 2026|2027 - 8 Days (from Frankfurt-am-Main to Zurich)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Frankfurt-am-Main, Mainz, Koblenz, Bernkastel, Cochem,Rhine Gorge,Rudesheim am Rhein,Rastatt,Breisach,Basel,Zurich+6 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Ruby Scenic Pearl+1 ship
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
66% Off
From $11,190
US$3,770per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle 2026|2027 - 8 Days (from Frankfurt-am-Main to Basel)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Frankfurt-am-Main, Mainz, Koblenz, Bernkastel, Cochem,Rudesheim am Rhein,Rastatt,Breisach,Basel+4 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ships
Scenic Ruby Scenic Pearl+1 ship
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
66% Off
From $11,190
US$3,770per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Classic Christmas Markets (2026) (Frankfurt to Nuremberg, 2026)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Frankfurt-am-Main, Wiesbaden, Wertheim, Wurzburg,Kitzingen,Rothenburg ob der Tauber,Schweinfurt,Bamberg,Nuremberg+5 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Elisabeth
Country Region
Bavaria
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
66% Off
From
US$5,549per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Classic Christmas Markets (2027) (Frankfurt to Nuremberg, 2027)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Frankfurt-am-Main, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Kitzingen,Schweinfurt,Bamberg,Nuremberg+3 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Country Region
Bavaria
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
10% Off
From $5,099
US$4,589per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
The Majestic Rhine 2026|2027 - 8 Days (from Frankfurt-am-Main to Basel)
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Germany Switzerland France
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Destiny Emerald Sun Emerald Sky+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
68% Off
From $8,790
US$2,795per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhine Legends Frankfurt 2026
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Frankfurt-am-Main, Speyer, Strasbourg, Breisach, Mainz
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Rhine Rhine Valley
Operated in
English, German
Operator
A-ROSA
68% Off
From
US$997per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Legends of the Rhine RIVER DIAMOND Standard
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Rhine Rhine Valley
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
68% Off
From
US$2,084per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Legends of the Rhine RIVER DIAMOND Intermediate
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Rhine Rhine Valley
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
68% Off
From
US$2,310per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Legendary Rhine & Moselle
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Frankfurt-am-Main, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Bernkastel,Moselle Valley,Trier,Schweich,Cochem,Koblenz+5 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Emerald Destiny Emerald Sun Emerald Sky+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
68% Off
From $8,990
US$2,895per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Southbound) 2026
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Illumination
Regions
Rhine Rhine Valley
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
68% Off
From
US$3,735per person
+$132 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Christmastime in the Heart of Germany 2027
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Frankfurt-am-Main, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ships
Avalon Expression Avalon Panorama Avalon Passion Avalon Vista+3 ships
Country Region
Bavaria
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
68% Off
From
US$3,299per person
+$180 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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