France and Germany River Cruises
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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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 - K
Kristin • traveled in October
Collette River Cruise on the Charles Dickens. Overall 7/10. The good and the bad. I was nervous to go on this trip because I get sea sick. No need to fear. You will not know you are on a ship. I did not feel sick once. All outside rooms with plenty of natural light. Tours are great of course. There is a good mix of planned activities and free time to explore on your own. Coffee and cookies or fruit are available 24/7. When compared to other tours, rather than sitting on a bus for hours, you can lay in the sun on the rooftop sun deck, sit at a bar or lay down to take a nap. The bad. Tipping is not included and you tip ALOT. Prepare to spend several hundred extra. You can not even get a water without an additional drink package. This surprised me and I felt like I was on a cheap carnival cruise, not a pricey luxury river cruise. Everyone in the room must buy the package which runs an additional $30-45 a day. Otherwise a bottle of water costs $4.50. Only one person per cabin allowed to be on wifi! Crazy. Don’t plan on sleeping soundly if you’re a light sleeper. The boat is loud traveling overnight. And forget sleeping in. No blackout shades for the windows. You’re up with the sun everyday. Irons are not provided and they charge you to use their laundry service, so bring clothes that don’t wrinkle. Rooms are nice but bathroom could use a good scrubbing. Finally the food. I would say this was a 6/10 at best. Breakfast and lunch are basic buffets. No ability to get hot food between meals. No local cuisine planned. Dinner was plated but nothing special. This was a big disappointment. Free drinks, including wine, are provided at dinner. Overall, I had a very nice time, but for the money we spent, I would not go on another river cruise.
Magical Rhine and Moselle Rivers (Zurich to Amsterdam) - D
David • traveled in October
A great tour of the best part of the Rhine. We were the only english speaking people on the tour but the Company went out of their way to accommodate us. Highly recommended.
Family Club - The Romantic Rhine Valley and the Rock of Lorelei (port-to-port cruise)
10 best river cruises through France and Germany
Compiled by
NinaFrance and Germany travel expert at TourRadar
- The Rhine & Moselle with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound) 2026
- Discover the Rhine & Rhone rivers 2026 - 15 Days (including Beaune)
- Jewels of the Rhine & Amsterdam 2026 - 10 Days (from Zurich to Amsterdam)
- Rhine Highlights 2026 - 8 Days (27 destinations)
- Rhine & Moselle Splendors (Wine Cruise) 2026
- Wondrous Europe 2026 - 25 Days (from Lyon to Amsterdam)
- Enchanting Rhine 2026
- Rhine in Flames (Basel - Amsterdam) (9 destinations)
- Rhine & Rhône Revealed with 2 Nights in French Riviera (Southbound) 2026
- Rockin' on the Rhine with Sister Hazel (Southbound)
The Avalon Imagery II links France and Germany with panoramic suites and regional cuisine. Amsterdam's canals lead to the Rhine Gorge and Strasbourg's La Petite France. Gothic cathedrals, medieval castles, and riverside wine villages dot the journey.
Duration 13 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
- US$9,511+$330 upfront costs
The luxurious Emerald Dawn sails through France and Germany's riverside treasures. Marvel at Arles' UNESCO-listed amphitheater, sample wines at Hospices de Beaune, and learn Black Forest traditions in Freiburg. Classical concerts in Avignon and private performances along the Rhine complement the picturesque cruise.
Duration 15 days Destinations France, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $9,930
9% Off- US$9,053You save $877
Duration 10 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $5,255
8% Off- US$4,858You save $397
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $4,995
9% Off- US$4,538You save $457
AmaCerto's route between France and Germany showcases Strasbourg's La Petite France and the UNESCO Rhine Gorge. Wine tastings in Rüdesheim and Alsace complement luxury staterooms with twin balconies and regional cuisine at The Chef's Table.
Duration 8 days Destinations Luxembourg, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 12+ Operator AmaWaterways From
9% Off- US$4,198+$250 upfront costs
No departure dates availableDuration 25 days Destinations France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours 
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
9% Off- US$3,999+$250 upfront costs
What our customers ask about France and Germany River Cruises
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."