Germany River Cruises
Imagine walking along the Rhine's banks and seeing Cologne's historic buildings, or walking through Rüdesheim's Drosselgasse, where wine bars call out to you. Want to experience Mainz's amazing 2,000-year history, where Gutenberg invented the printing press? See Frankfurt's modern skyscrapers next to medieval timber-framed houses, and visit Koblenz's old palaces where the Moselle meets the powerful Rhine.
- Choose from 450+ Germany tours
- 1,000+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
- J
Jesmond • traveled in December, 2025
Great Trip on the rhine
AUTUMN CHARM OF THE RHINE (Dusseldorf - Dusseldorf) MS VISTA RIO - M
Marcia • traveled in December, 2025
The staff and crew were extremely helpful and went out of their way to help. The ship was nice, not luxurious but more than adequate for us. Comfy casual atmosphere made the cruise perfect for us. The only fault was not realizing very few people onboard spoke fluent English. Thus socializing with other passengers was limited. I will ask about this before booking any future cruises.
Christmas Markets on Rhine, MS Vista Rio - P
Paula • traveled in June
2nd Amadeus river cruise and we loved it. very laidback and enjoyable.
German Riverscapes from Trier to Passau (Trier - Passau) (9 destinations)
Our traveler's Moments
CSChristobel
SPECTACULAR RHINE, Cologne – Strasbourg-Basel – Cologne
Christmas Markets on Rhine, MS Vista Rio
Marcia
TKTiffany
Moselle Romance 2026
MMmichael
Rhine Enchanting Christmas Markets 2026
CWColin
LEGENDS OF RHINE (Amsterdam-Mainz) MS River Diamond 5*
New year in Holland and the romantic Rhine (port-to-port cruise)
Michele
Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2024
Gail
GGGaby
FASCINATING RHINE (Mainz - Mainz) MS River Diamond 5*
PKPaul
The romantic Rhine Valley and the rock of the Lorelei (port-to-port cruise)
LLindaShah
Magnificent Europe 2025
From Amsterdam to Basel: The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River (port-to-port cruise)
Elaine
4 Rivers: The Moselle, Sarre, Romantic Rhine, and Neckar Valleys (port-to-port cruise)
Anne
SHsabine
Castles along the Rhine (2024) (Amsterdam to Basel, 2024)
Trans-European cruise from Strasbourg to Budapest (port-to-port cruise) (17 destinations)
Alexander
The Rhine and Moselle Rivers (port-to-port cruise)
Viktors
10 best river cruises through Germany
Compiled by

SteffGermany travel expert at TourRadar
- AUTUMN CHARM OF THE RHINE (Dusseldorf - Dusseldorf) MS VISTA RIO
- Christmas Markets on Rhine, MS Vista Rio
- Legendary Rhine & Moselle
- German Riverscapes from Trier to Passau (Trier - Passau) (9 destinations)
- Rhine & Danube Symphony (Cologne - Passau) (9 destinations)
- Christmastime in the Heart of Germany 2027 (from Frankfurt-am-Main to Nuremberg)
- Classic Christmas Markets (2026) (Nuremberg to Frankfurt, 2026)
- Berlin & Legendary Rhine & Moselle
- Cruising the Rhine
- Magical Christmas Markets of Germany 2027
AUTUMN CHARM OF THE RHINE (Dusseldorf - Dusseldorf) MS VISTA RIO
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great Trip on the rhine.”
Jesmond, traveled in December
The MS Crucevita, rated 4.8/5.0 for its cuisine, glides through Germany's Rhine from Düsseldorf to medieval Rüdesheim. French balconies offer views of snow-dusted castles along the UNESCO-listed Rhine Valley, passing through Koblenz's German Corner.
Duration 5 days Destinations Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Cologne Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Operator Crucemundo From $800
30% Off- US$560+$100 upfront costsYou save $240
Christmas Markets on Rhine, MS Vista Rio
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Beautiful Christmas Markets. Wonderful staff.”
Leesa, traveled in December
Duration 5 days Destinations Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Cologne Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Operator Crucemundo From
30% Off- US$899+$100 upfront costs
Emerald's luxury vessel winds through Germany's iconic rivers from Mainz to Cochem. Guided tours of Trier's Roman ruins, wine tastings at Schloss Johannisberg, and evening entertainment at Cochem Castle unfold against UNESCO-listed landscapes.
Duration 8 days Destinations Frankfurt-am-Main, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Bernkastel, Moselle Valley, Trier, Schweich, Cochem, Koblenz Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $3,895
76% Off- US$948You save $2,947
German Riverscapes from Trier to Passau (Trier - Passau) (9 destinations)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very laidback and enjoyable. We loved it.”
paula, traveled in June
Duration 9 days Destinations Trier, Cochem, Koblenz, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Regensburg, Passau Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From
76% Off- US$1,810
The cruise takes you through the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, where you'll pass the legendary Loreley Rock and see around 40 fairytale castles between Cologne and Passau. The AMADEUS Aurea or AMADEUS Brilliant ships hold up to 150 guests (ages 8+) and have spacious Mozart Suites with walk-out balconies.
Duration 8 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From
76% Off- US$2,798
Duration 6 days Destinations Frankfurt-am-Main, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
76% Off- US$3,299+$180 upfront costs
The S.S. Elisabeth, featuring luxurious Savoir beds and riverview accommodations, sails from Nuremberg to Frankfurt. Christmas markets in seven riverside towns await, including Würzburg's baroque palace and Rothenburg's medieval charm.
Duration 8 days Destinations Nuremberg, Bamberg, Kitzingen, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Wertheim, Wiesbaden, Frankfurt-am-Main Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
76% Off- US$6,449
What our customers ask about Germany River Cruises
What are the most popular rivers for cruising in Germany and what makes each unique?
Germany's main river cruise routes follow the Rhine Main Moselle and Danube. Each waterway offers distinct experiences. The Rhine flows past the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge where medieval castles dot the hillsides above riverside vineyards. The Moselle curves through steep valleys lined with terraced vineyards leading to wine towns like Cochem and Bernkastel. Along the Main River route travelers can explore historic cities including Frankfurt and Würzburg where the Würzburg Residence palace stands as a baroque masterpiece. A TourRadar traveler describes the Moselle: "The entire Moselle region around Cochem is a real sight to behold with the town's landmark Reichsburg castle towering above the river."
What kind of cabins are available on German river cruise ships and how do they differ?
River cruise ships in Germany provide various cabin options. Take AmaWaterways vessels which offer Panorama Suites with twin balconies on upper decks and standard rooms with fixed windows on lower decks. The MS Crucevita features 12.3m² cabins that come with French balconies on the Promenade deck while rooms on the Main deck have panoramic windows. Room sizes amenities and views vary by deck level and price point. According to one TourRadar traveler: "Our cabin was upgraded which greatly added to our enjoyment of the cruise. The rooms were spacious and well-appointed with comfortable bedding and excellent views."
What are the best times of year for a Germany river cruise?
The main cruise season runs April through October when weather conditions are ideal for sightseeing. A second peak occurs from late November through December during Christmas market season. Summer months provide full access to riverside attractions like Marksburg and Drachenburg castles. December transforms cities like Nuremberg into festive destinations with Germany's largest Christmas market. One TourRadar traveler's experience on an A-ROSA Christmas Market cruise: "The ports we called at were great with Christmas Markets fairly easy to find just strolling around. The Mainz Christmas Market was still being set up but it was still nice to wander around."
Which rivers in Germany offer the most scenic cruise routes?
The Rhine and Main rivers present different but equally engaging landscapes. Along the UNESCO-protected Upper Middle Rhine Valley travelers pass more than 40 castles including Marksburg Castle and the Rheinfels ruins near St. Goar. The Main River route leads to cultural gems like Würzburg's baroque Residenz palace and Bamberg's medieval center. At Koblenz's Deutsches Eck the Moselle joins offering views of dramatic vineyard-covered slopes. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Towns we docked/visited along the Rhine are all very near the ports; all walkable within a few minutes; wonderful experience overall!"
What types of shore excursions are typically offered on Germany river cruises?
Shore activities range from city walking tours to castle visits and wine tastings in the Rheingau region. UNESCO sites feature prominently including Würzburg Residence and Bamberg's historic center. Active travelers can join bike tours along the Rhine or hike to landmarks like the Niederwalddenkmal monument. Uniworld's Classic Christmas Markets cruise includes special seasonal excursions such as the "Taste of Christmas Frankfurt Walking Tour" and visits to Rothenburg's holiday market. As shared by a TourRadar traveler: "The excursion package includes visits to Koblenz Rudesheim and Cologne which gave us a great overview of the region."
What is the typical length and price range for Germany river cruises?
Standard river cruises last 6-8 days with prices from $1500-4500 per person. Luxury lines like AmaWaterways reach $9000 per person. These rates typically cover lodging meals and guided tours. A-ROSA's 8-day Rhine cruise begins at $1543 while the premium AmaSiena 8-day journey starts at $4298. One TourRadar traveler notes: "The value for money was excellent with the Crucevita ship offering luxury amenities at a moderate price point."































