Germany River Cruises

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."