Rhine River Cruises
Did you know that there are more than 40 medieval castles and fortresses along the Rhine Gorge?. Sail down the mighty Rhine in total comfort, enjoying some of the best locations as you go. Head to Cologne and visit the iconic cathedral, try local wines in Rüdesheim, and simply gaze in awe at the sights around you. This river is legendary, and your trip will be, too.
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Mick • traveled in October, 2025
The boat was well fitted-out and its smaller size gave it an intimate feel. Unfortunately the boat often docked away from city centres and sometimes away from easy access to public transport, so having a shuttle bus option would have been a good idea. The food was excellent and the staff were all very friendly. The walking tour groups were too big, except in Amsterdam where government regulations limits tour groups to 15 persons. The boat's bar was welcoming and laid-back with comfy sink-into sofas, however it was disappointing that the free-drinks package was limited to only "house" beer and wines.
UNDISCOVERED NETHERLANDS, Cologne - Amsterdam - Cologne, MS Vista Rio - J
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 - A
Andrew • traveled in April
Helpful responsive staff
Rhine Experience Amsterdam & Rotterdam 2026 (6 destinations)
Traveler Photos & Videos from Rhine Cruises
UNDISCOVERED NETHERLANDS, Cologne - Amsterdam - Cologne, MS Vista Rio
ROGER
CWColin
LEGENDS OF RHINE (Amsterdam-Mainz) MS River Diamond 5*
Christmas markets cruise MS ArenaJesmond
CSChristobel
SPECTACULAR RHINE, Cologne – Strasbourg-Basel – Cologne
New year in Holland and the romantic Rhine (port-to-port cruise)Michele
PKPaul
The romantic Rhine Valley and the rock of the Lorelei (port-to-port cruise)
DANUBE “BELGRADE EXPRESS” (Belgrade - Vienna), MS RIVER SAPPHIREBrian
From Amsterdam to Basel: The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River (port-to-port cruise)Elaine
Silvester in FlandernMoira
MMmichael
Rhine Enchanting Christmas Markets 2026
Rhine Getaway Amsterdam to BaselYasmine
Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2024Gail
LLindaShah
Magnificent Europe 2025
SHsabine
Castles along the Rhine (2024) (Amsterdam to Basel, 2024)
Table of contents
- The best Rhine cruises
- Travel Rhine your way
- Best tour companies
- Popular Rhine Cruise Ships
- Best places to start your adventure
- Discover Rhine tours for every budget
- Rhine tours for every type of group
- Top Rhine travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit
- Contact our Rhine travel experts
The best Rhine cruises
Compiled by
MelissaRhine travel expert at TourRadar
UNDISCOVERED NETHERLANDS, Cologne - Amsterdam - Cologne, MS Vista Rio
40 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The cruise was amazing and Jessica was the best tour director we have ever had in many years of travel.”
Juergen, traveled in August
The scenic route takes you through Amsterdam's canals, Cologne's Gothic Cathedral, and Strasbourg's La Petite France district. The UNESCO-listed Rhine Valley unfolds with stops at medieval Koblenz and wine-rich Rüdesheim. MS Crucevita offers elegant 12.3m² cabins, with an all-day drinks package and three daily meals.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Netherlands, Belgium Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, French, Spanish Ships MS CrucevitaMS Vista Rio River Rhine Operator Crucemundo From $2,213
30% Off- US$1,549+$125 upfront costsYou save $664
SPECTACULAR RHINE, Cologne – Strasbourg-Basel – Cologne
27 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Cabin was great. Cruise was great.. included a day of sightseeing whilst cruising.”
Sharon, traveled in May
The elegant MS Crucevita welcomes passengers to French balcony cabins on the Promenade deck. Local specialties await at 3 daily meals, while Heidelberg Castle ruins and Rudesheim's vineyards beckon. Includes welcome cocktails, 24-hour coffee station, and nightly entertainment for approx. $210 per day with optional WiFi and excursion packages.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, French, Spanish Ships MS CrucevitaMS Vista GraciaMS Vista Rio River Rhine Operator Crucemundo From $2,213
30% Off- US$1,549+$125 upfront costsYou save $664
Rhine Experience Amsterdam & Rotterdam 2026 (6 destinations)
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Helpful responsive staff.”
Andrew, traveled in April
A-ROSA SENA offers harbor tours in Rotterdam and Antwerp, plus extended Amsterdam stays. Luxurious 21m² balcony cabins, SPA-ROSA facilities, and comprehensive dining with live-cooking stations create an ideal setting between historic sites and modern cities.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Netherlands, Belgium Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA SENA River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
30% Off- US$1,730
Family Club - The Romantic Rhine Valley and the Rock of Lorelei (port-to-port cruise)
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A great tour of the best part of the Rhine. Highly recommended.”
David, traveled in October
Premium ships MS Beethoven and MS Lafayette offer panoramic cabins and French balconies. The route passes Stolzenfels Castle, Rudesheim's wine taverns, and the Lorelei Rock. All-inclusive dining features regional wines, approx. $200 per day.
Duration 5 days Destinations Germany, Switzerland, France Age Range All Ages Welcome Ships MS Gerard SchmitterMS La BohèmeMS Monet River Rhine Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
30% Off- US$1,264
Rhine Experience Netherlands & Belgium 2026
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Clean boat, staff efficient, abundant food.”
elizabeth, traveled in July
A-ROSA AQUA navigates past Cologne Cathedral and Emmerich's iconic bridge. Dutch fortress town Willemstad and historic Gorinchem offer cultural highlights, complemented by luxury amenities and regional cuisine during the 8-day voyage.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Netherlands, Belgium Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA AQUA River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
30% Off- US$1,425
Duration 8 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France Age Range All Ages Welcome River Rhine Operator Europamundo From
30% Off- US$2,272
Duration 29 days Destinations Hungary, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland Age Range Ages 18+ Ships Scenic Jade Scenic Pearl River RhineMoselle Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $22,359
20% Off- US$17,806You save $4,553
Travel Rhine your way
Best tour companies
Based on feedback from our Rhine cruise travelers, AmaWaterways stands out for going above and beyond with their service - they've really mastered the art of luxury river cruising. Our guests particularly appreciate how the staff anticipates needs before they even arise.Crucemundo delivers solid value with comfortable cabins and satisfying meals, and cruise directors Marina and Jessica get mentioned often in guest reviews for solving problems quickly. Though the drink package could use some adjustments and meal timing isn't always ideal, these are minor points in an otherwise smooth experience.If you're interested in seeing the Rhine from a different angle, Luftner Company excels at thoughtful itinerary planning. Their crew consistently receives praise for creating a welcoming atmosphere while keeping everything running like clockwork.Emerald Cruises rounds out the options with their modern Star-Ships and well-organized shore excursions. The tours hit all the right spots, though our non-German speaking passengers sometimes mention feeling a bit disconnected from the full cultural experience. Still, their contemporary approach to river cruising appeals to travelers who prefer updated amenities and fresh perspectives on classic routes.
Popular Rhine Cruise Ships
Best places to start your adventure
Amsterdam tops our departure city list - we've got 36 different cruise options starting there. You can also begin your journey from Cologne, Basel and also Strasbourg, each offering 13-15 departure choices. Based on what works best for our travelers, booking about 3 months ahead (94 days to be exact) gives you the widest choice of cabins and early booking benefits. Many of our guests swear by the French balcony cabins for watching medieval towns and castles drift by. While summer brings perfect weather conditions, we see lots of happy travelers in spring when flowers line the riverbanks, or during December when Christmas markets light up historic squares with their seasonal charm.
Discover Rhine tours for every budget
Rhine tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Rhine travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
Solo Travelers247 tours- Couples278 tours
- Seniors (50+)249 tours
Best time to visit
- Spring 2026
Spring sets up perfect conditions for Rhine cruising, especially when Dutch tulip fields burst into color. The Amsterdam-based Tulip Serenade aboard AMADEUS Riva lets you mix city visits with time at Keukenhof Gardens while millions of bulbs bloom. Our travelers particularly enjoy combining cultural stops in medieval Ghent and Bruges with countryside bike rides past windmills and also canals. The Basel to Amsterdam route shows off riverbanks dotted with wildflowers, plus you'll get to explore Strasbourg's cathedral and walk through the Black Forest as it wakes up for spring. The mild temperatures work perfectly for active outings - think guided cycling through Cologne or hiking above Rudesheim's vineyards.
- March 2026 40 tours
- April 2026 52 tours
- May 2026 popular 68 tours
- Summer 2026
Summer along the Rhine means long daylight hours that make scenic cruising through the gorge especially good. The Basel to Amsterdam routes get lots of praise for their outdoor dining spots and open-air viewing areas - just right for watching castles go by on warm evenings. Active options really shine in summer, with cycling tours, vineyard walks and also gondola rides above the river. MS Crucevita's summer sailings earn great feedback, especially for stops in Koblenz, Rudesheim and also Strasbourg. The crews set up fantastic outdoor activities, from deck barbecues to evening shows under the stars while docked in small wine towns.
- June 2026 71 tours
- July 2026 64 tours
- August 2026 popular 73 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
Fall turns the Rhine Valley golden and red, making it prime time for cruises between Amsterdam and Basel in either direction. The vineyard hillsides change color beautifully, setting up perfect wine-focused trips through the Rhine Gorge. Our guests particularly like autumn cruises with wine tastings in Rudesheim - you can try local Rieslings while watching the grape harvest in nearby vineyards. Cool temperatures make it just right for getting active - you might hike Heidelberg's Philosopher's Path or cycle through Strasbourg's old town without summer crowds. When evening comes, entertainment moves inside, often with local musicians joining while ships dock in riverside towns.
- September 2026 58 tours
- October 2026 popular 64 tours
- 57 tours
Contact our Rhine travel experts
Evan
Expert in Rhine at TourRadar
Evan is one of our seasoned Rhine Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Rhine tours answered!
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