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.
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malee • traveled in November, 2025
It’s my first time on the River Cruise beyond my expectations . Love it and highly recommend to my friend .
Rhine Christmas Markets 2026 - G
GERALD • traveled in April
Excellent in all respects; expectation, service, personnel, price, food quality, operation and communications. The communications were extremely informative and replies were very responsive. For a first time river cruise experience, all expectations were excellent, from information packages, to arrival and departure. Everything about TourRadar was excellent, your service and your personnel were the best and made our trip outstanding.
Moselle Discovery 2026 - A
Algis • traveled in October, 2024
This was a great cruise overall. In particular the staff were fantastic, the food provided was plentiful and delicious, the stops chosen, tours given and tour guides provided were excellent and the boat was lovely. There were also a few negatives though. In particular I really objected to being charged €10 for 1Gb or 1 day whichever expired first for relatively slow WiFi. We've been travelling around the world now since March. We've been To 28 countries and stayed at 92 different hotels and hostels, some very basic. Every single one, with the only exception of the Crucivita, offered free WiFi. It wasn't always fast or reliable but it was always free. On our cruise, my wife and I found ourselves skipping parts of the tours in Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Cologne and Amsterdam so we could catch up with events on social.media when we walked through free WiFi hotspots in cities, often near cafes but sometimes not. I started really resenting having to do that. It left a bad taste in my mouth that the cruise tried to get money from.us in this way. Another problem was the fixed seating arrangements for lunch. The four Americans we shared a table with 15 times throughout the week were nice folk but it really put a strain on our civility when we found out, half way through, that they were Trump supporters. It would be good if there was an option to sit at a table of your choice for some meals or something. Finally, our room was towards the back end of the boat and so we had the engine noise pretty bad some nights. But overall, it was great. Thank you.
SPECTACULAR RHINE, Cologne – Strasbourg-Basel – Cologne
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Rhine Christmas Markets 2026
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The cruise staff were lovely, the room was great, and the food was amazing.”
Titiana, traveled in December
A-ROSA AQUA offers four cabin categories for Rhine River sailing. The route winds through Loreley Valley to Rüdesheim's famous Drosselgasse and Frankfurt's modern skyline, including gourmet buffets, unlimited drinks, and e-bike excursions.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Mainz, Frankfurt-am-Main, Koblenz Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
- US$641
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 $8,990
68% Off- US$2,895You save $6,095
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
68% Off- US$5,299
Sail through the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley past the legendary Loreley Rock and 40 fairytale castles aboard the luxury AMADEUS Aurea or Amadeus Brilliant. See the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Würzburg Residence with its baroque architecture, medieval Bamberg with over 2,000 listed buildings, and Regensburg's Gothic St. Peter's Cathedral. Transit the engineering marvel of the Main-Danube Canal while enjoying free-flowing European wines at dinner, Bavarian evenings with live music, and complimentary bicycles for independent exploration.
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
68% Off- US$2,785
Travel along Germany's Rhine and Moselle Rivers on luxury Star-Ships like Emerald Sky, Emerald Sun, or Emerald Destiny, which carry up to 182 passengers and feature heated pools with retractable glass roofs. See the UNESCO-listed Porta Nigra in Trier and hike through Rüdesheim's vineyards to reach the Niederwalddenkmal monument. Tour Neuschwanstein Castle, set high in the Bavarian Alps. Try wines at Schloss Johannisberg Winery in the Rheingau region. Cochem's Imperial Castle rises above the Moselle Valley. Stay overnight at hotels in Munich and Nuremberg, with guided tours of Nuremberg Castle and Mainz's sandstone cathedral where Gutenberg invented the printing press.
Duration 11 days Destinations Munich, Neuschwanstein, Nuremberg, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Bernkastel, Moselle Valley, Landshut, Trier, CochemSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $10,590
57% Off- US$4,595You save $5,995
The luxurious Avalon Impression glides along Germany's Main River. Passengers visit UNESCO-listed Bamberg, admire Würzburg's baroque Bishop's Residence, and savor regional specialties paired with wine while passing festively lit medieval towns.
Duration 6 days Destinations Frankfurt-am-Main, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
57% Off- US$2,999+$165 upfront costs
Duration 8 days Destinations Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Rudesheim am Rhein, Rhine Gorge, Koblenz, Mainz, Frankfurt-am-Main Age Range Ages 12+ Operator AmaWaterways From
57% Off- US$4,599+$280 upfront costs
The Rhein Symphonie sails Germany's historic waters, highlighting Andernach's famous geyser and Mannheim's Baroque Palace. Guided tours reveal Heidelberg Castle and Koblenz's Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, while regional specialties await in the panoramic restaurant.
Duration 8 days Destinations Cologne, Andernach, Mainz, Germersheim, Speyer, Mannheim, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Loreley Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Just You From $4,387
5% Off- US$4,185You save $203
Avalon Tranquility II sails through Germany's iconic rivers, stopping in Rüdesheim's wine country and medieval Bamberg. The Rhine Gorge's spectacular views, Frankfurt's cultural landmarks, and Würzburg's baroque Bishop's Residenz come alive while enjoying regional cuisine and complimentary wines.
Duration 9 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Avalon Waterways From
5% Off- US$4,799+$264 upfront costs
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
5% Off- US$2,273
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."