River Cruise Tours & Trips in France and Germany
A cruise through France and Germany will show you amazing sights. The Rhine River connects Cologne's cathedral through Strasbourg's old town to Mainz's half-timbered center. German cities like Cologne and Mainz bracket French Strasbourg along this central European waterway. Medieval architecture lines the river as it passes vineyards climbing hillsides and castles topping ridges throughout the Rhine Valley from Germany into France.
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Lesley • traveled in January
We enjoyed the New Year AMA cruise,especially the food,the pleasant ambiance on the boat and the friendly staff. Although the weather was not amazing,the organised trips were good and there was plenty of variety.The mixture of nationalities and age groups was a real bonus and we met many interesting people from all over the world. A better variety of evening entertainment would have made the experience even better. (For us ,too much loud music,especially on New Year’s Eve ,when we would have liked something rather more special than just a loud disco.) Generally though a very enjoyable experience to be recommended.
Christmas Markets on the Rhine 2026 - E
Ermira • traveled in June
It was a very nice experience. The staff was excellent. The food awesome. Only language barrier was a little problem but there were a few of staff that could speak English and they were very helpful. Thanks! We enjoyed our trip with CroisiEurope and would recommend it to our friends
Family Club - The Romantic Rhine Valley and the Rock of Lorelei (port-to-port cruise) - J
Joanna • traveled in September, 2025
Service and food were very good. The tour guide is good, information in English is a bit "scattered" because she speaks more in Spanish to most of the group. She is polite and communicate well.
SPECTACULAR RHINE, Cologne – Strasbourg-Basel – Cologne
10 best River Cruise France and Germany tour packages
Compiled by
NinaFrance and Germany travel expert at TourRadar
- Jewels of the Rhine & Amsterdam 2026 - 10 Days (18 destinations)
- Amsterdam & Jewels of the Rhine 2026 - 10 Days (from Amsterdam to Zurich)
- Enchanting Rhine 2026
- Christmas Markets on the Rhine 2026
- The Rhine as a Legacy: Art, History and Heritage. Discovering Europe's Geniuses and Masterpieces (port-to-port cruise) (from Basel to Amsterdam)
- A Taste of the Rhine – A Wine Cruise with Amsterdam 2027 - 10 Days
- Castles along the Rhine & Amsterdam (2027) (Amsterdam to Basel, 2027)
- Scenic Rhine, Paris & the Swiss Alps (2027) (Paris to Zurich, 2027)
- Rhine & Rhône Revealed (Northbound) 2026
- The Rhine & Moselle with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Northbound) 2026
Duration 10 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From
- US$5,255
Duration 10 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $5,255
8% Off- US$4,858You save $397
AmaWaterways' luxurious ships sail through France and Germany's historic ports. The UNESCO-listed Grande Île in Strasbourg, medieval Colmar, and wine tasting in Rüdesheim highlight the journey. Twin-balcony staterooms and guided excursions enhance riverside town visits.
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range Ages 12+ Operator AmaWaterways From
8% Off- US$3,999+$250 upfront costs
French and German waterways lead to enchanting Christmas markets and historic sites. The itinerary includes Strasbourg's Christkindelsmarik, medieval Colmar, and Heidelberg Castle. Wine tastings complement the cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge.
Duration 8 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 12+ Operator AmaWaterways From
8% Off- US$4,799+$250 upfront costs
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
8% Off- US$1,389
Duration 10 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $7,150
7% Off- US$6,623You save $527
Duration 10 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
7% Off- US$3,949
What our customers ask about River Cruise Tours & Trips in France and Germany
What are the best times of year to take a France and Germany river cruise?
River cruises between France and Germany operate best from April through September. Spring brings flowering tulips to Amsterdam and budding vineyards in Bad-Dürkheim while summer temperatures average 75°F making it ideal for outdoor exploration. The shoulder seasons of April-May and September offer fewer crowds but equally pleasant conditions. A TourRadar traveler shared about their Emerald Cruises experience: "The July weather was perfect for exploring the charming villages and enjoying the Sun Deck views of castles along the Rhine Gorge."
What are the most scenic stretches along France and Germany river cruises?
The Rhine Gorge stands out as the route's centerpiece with 40 castles dotting a 40-mile stretch between Koblenz and Rüdesheim. The Moselle Valley presents rolling vineyard slopes and towns like Cochem while the Alsace region near Strasbourg offers views of the Black Forest and Vosges Mountains. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The Rhine Gorge was absolutely breathtaking - we spent hours on deck photographing castles and listening to the commentary about each one."
How does the dining experience differ between France and Germany river cruise sections?
Each region's culinary identity shapes onboard dining. German sections feature local beer tastings in Cologne and traditional Black Forest cakes in Breisach. French portions showcase regional wines from Beaune and Provençal specialties. Ships like AmaWaterways offer specialty dining venues such as The Chef's Table. A TourRadar guest observed: "The food was exceptional - we loved how the menu changed to reflect each region from hearty German dishes to refined French cuisine."
What are the typical cabin options on France and Germany river cruise ships?
Ships like Emerald Dawn and AmaViola provide varied accommodation choices. Standard options include Panorama Suites (200+ square feet) with floor-to-ceiling windows Owner's Suites with separate living spaces and Staterooms with fixed windows. The AmaCerto's Panorama Suites measure 30% larger than typical river cruise cabins featuring premium bedding and marble bathrooms. A TourRadar guest noted: "Our Panorama Suite was incredibly spacious with stunning views through the wall-to-wall windows and the bathroom amenities were top-notch."
What are the main differences between Rhine and Rhône river cruise itineraries?
Rhine cruises focus on medieval heritage Germanic culture and wine regions through cities like Cologne Koblenz and Heidelberg. Rhône journeys highlight French culture Roman architecture and Provençal landscapes stopping at Lyon Avignon and Arles. A TourRadar traveler explained: "The contrast between the two rivers was fascinating - from the fairy-tale castles of the Rhine to the Roman amphitheaters along the Rhône each day brought new discoveries."
Which cities serve as the main embarkation points for France and Germany river cruises?
Amsterdam and Basel serve as primary departure points for Rhine cruises while Lyon anchors Rhône itineraries. Nice and Marseille connect the Rhine and Rhône segments. Ships like Emerald Dawn start from Amsterdam and Emerald Liberté operates Rhône routes. Quality hotels such as InterContinental Amsterdam offer pre-cruise stays. According to a TourRadar guest: "Starting in Amsterdam was perfect - we had time to explore the canals before embarking on our Rhine journey."
What shore excursions are typically included on France and Germany river cruises?
Most cruise fares cover guided tours at each port. Standard offerings include visits to Cologne Cathedral Heidelberg Castle and Strasbourg's historic center. Active options range from Dutch countryside bike rides to Black Forest hikes. Emerald Cruises' EmeraldACTIVE program features guided walks from Mount Königstuhl and Rhine-side cycling tours. A TourRadar reviewer noted: "The included excursions were excellent - especially loved the guided bike tour through Breisach and wine tasting in the Black Forest."