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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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 2026The river cruise was good even though we missed seeing what we had paid to see. The staff were amazing. The food was so delicious. The places we did see were interesting. River cruising the Netherlands and Belgium is not quite cruising the Rhine Valley though. But nobody can control the water levels. Unfortunately the on tour support from Tour Radar was sub standard. We needed answers to questions straight away but nobody works an afternoon shift or the weekends at Tour Radar. This left us in a state of stress for a lot of our cruise not knowing what was going on from one day to another. Surely when there is a time difference for travellers who are overseas someone could work afternoon and weekends. After all that’s when you’re needed, when things don’t go to plan. Have to rate the after sales service of Tour Radar one star. The river cruise company was 4 stars.
Classical Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel, 12 destinations)Solid execution of itinerary and shipboard activities and service. Food was less than excellent but generous and adequately prepared: no big failures. Excursions were very good with varied options and terrific guides.
Rhine Highlights 2026 - 8 Days (from Amsterdam to Basel)
Our traveler's Moments
- Rhine Highlights 2026 - 8 Days (from Amsterdam to Basel)
- New year in Holland and the romantic Rhine (port-to-port cruise)
- The Rhine and Moselle Rivers (port-to-port cruise)
- Classical Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel, 12 destinations)
- Christmas and New Year Rhine cruise: Dusseldorf - Dusseldorf - MS Vista Rio
- Rhine Enchanting Christmas Markets 2027
10 best river cruises through France and Germany
Compiled by
NinaFrance and Germany travel expert at TourRadar
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- Rhine Highlights with Amsterdam 2027 - 10 Days (from Zurich to Amsterdam)
- The Rhine as a Legacy: Art, History and Heritage. Discovering Europe¿s Geniuses and Masterpieces (port-to-port cruise)
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- Paris, Prague & Germany's Hidden Gems (2027, Paris to Prague)
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- Rhine & Moselle Fairytales 2026
Duration 10 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From
- US$5,585
Duration 10 days Destinations Switzerland, France, Germany, Netherlands Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $7,150
21% off- US$5,623
The Rhine as a Legacy: Art, History and Heritage. Discovering Europe¿s Geniuses and Masterpieces (port-to-port cruise)
Duration 8 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
21% off- US$1,920
Duration 17 days Destinations Hungary, Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
21% off- US$14,531+$528 upfront costs
Duration 8 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
21% off- US$4,699+$252 upfront costs
Duration 10 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
21% off- US$3,449
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."