What's the typical duration of Amsterdam Rhine river cruises starting in Amsterdam?

Rhine river cruises departing from Amsterdam last between 7 to 15 days with most travelers choosing 8 to 10-day journeys. The Avalon View offers 8-day routes from Amsterdam to Basel along the Rhine Valley. More extensive options include 15-day voyages on vessels like the Avalon Imagery II which adds ports in Belgium and the Netherlands. Recent travelers often note that 8 days provides enough time to experience key Rhine destinations while beginning and ending in Amsterdam's rich cultural setting.

What are the best hotels to stay at before or after an Amsterdam Rhine cruise?

The area around Amsterdam Centraal Station and the IJ River where cruise ships dock has several well-located hotels. The Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam set in a historic shipping house provides waterfront accommodations close to departure points. The NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace stands steps from Centraal Station making it practical for cruise access. Both properties put guests within walking distance of departure points while offering easy access to Amsterdam's main attractions.

What is the best time of year to start an Amsterdam Rhine cruise?

The main sailing season spans April through October with each period offering distinct experiences. Spring cruises in April and May coincide with Keukenhof Gardens' tulip displays near Amsterdam. Summer months from June through August bring warmer temperatures ideal for exploring Amsterdam's waterways and Rhine Valley ports. Travelers often choose spring departures to combine tulip viewing with Rhine Valley exploration or summer dates for the best outdoor sightseeing weather.

What are the typical embarkation points for Rhine cruises starting in Amsterdam?

Rhine cruise ships in Amsterdam mainly use terminals along the IJ River behind Centraal Station including the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam and Amsterdam Cruise Port. Most vessels dock at either De Ruijterkade or Veemkade piers. These points are accessible by taxi or public transit from anywhere in central Amsterdam with clear signage directing passengers to their specific vessel.

What unique day trips are available from Amsterdam before starting the Rhine cruise?

The region around Amsterdam offers several distinctive excursions before Rhine cruises begin. Travelers can visit the windmills of Zaanse Schans the fishing community of Volendam or Alkmaar's cheese market. Keukenhof Gardens draws visitors from March through May during tulip season. The historic city of Haarlem located just 15 minutes away by train provides another popular pre-cruise destination.

How many cities do Rhine river cruises typically visit after departing Amsterdam?

After leaving Amsterdam Rhine river cruises generally stop at 6 to 8 major destinations. Standard ports include Cologne with its Gothic cathedral Koblenz at the Rhine and Moselle confluence Rudesheim known for wine production and Strasbourg in France. Week-long trips concentrate on main attractions while 15-day journeys extend to places like Basel and Lucerne. Ships like the MS Crucevita balance visits between large cities and smaller medieval towns along the route.

Rhine Cruises from Amsterdam

A cruise adventure starting in Amsterdam is a great way to see Rhine. We have 71 tours that range from 5 days up to 24 days. The most popular time for tours from Amsterdam is June, which has the most cruise departures.

10 best Rhine river cruises from Amsterdam

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River Cruise
Springtime in Holland (port-to-port cruise) - FRANCE
3.8 (8 traveler reviews)
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Amsterdam, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Keukenhof, Volendam,Zaanse Schans+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS France
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
From
US$1,041per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Magnificent Europe 2026 Start Amsterdam, End Budapest (14 destinations)
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany Austria Hungary
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
AmaLea AmaStella
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
AmaWaterways
From
US$6,999per person
+$490 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Classical Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel) (9 destinations)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ships
AMADEUS Queen Amadeus Star Amadeus Cara Amadeus Riva AMADEUS Aurea+4 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Lueftner Cruises
From
US$2,735per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Tulip Time Cruise 2026
4.6 (5 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, Middelburg, Veere,Willemstad+1 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ships
Avalon Expression Avalon Panorama Avalon Envision+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
From
US$3,799per person
+$231 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Reflections on the Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound) 2026
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Ship
Avalon Imagery II
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Avalon Waterways
From
US$6,275per person
+$297 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Romantic Rhine & Moselle 2026 - 15 Days (16 destinations)
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Netherlands Belgium Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Scenic Ruby
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
62% Off
From $16,990
US$6,495per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Holland and the romantic Rhine valley (port-to-port cruise) - GERARD SCHMITTER
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ship
MS Gerard Schmitter
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
CroisiEurope River Cruises
62% Off
From
US$2,140per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Amsterdam & Tulips & the Rhine 2026 - 10 Days
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
Emerald Sun
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
62% Off
No departure dates available
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River Cruise
Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps (Christmas Cruise) 2026
4.0 (2 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ship
AmaSerena
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
AmaWaterways
62% Off
From
US$3,898per person
+$250 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Classical Rhine and Switzerland Extension (Amsterdam - Zurich)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 8+
River
Rhine
Operated in
English, German
Operator
Lueftner Cruises
62% Off
From
US$4,319per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
LEGENDS OF RHINE (Amsterdam-Mainz) MS River Diamond 5*
4.3 (20 traveler reviews)
"Accommodations great, staff outstanding."
CaterineFares, traveled in June
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Ships
MS Crucevita MS River Diamond+1 ship
River
Rhine
Operated in
English, German,French,Spanish+2 more
Operator
Crucemundo
62% Off
From
US$2,486per person
+$125 upfront costs
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Legends of the Rhine from Amsterdam to Alsace RIVER DIAMOND Intermediate
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany Switzerland France
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
62% Off
From
US$2,272per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Rhine Highlights with Switzerland 2026|2027 - 12 Days (from Amsterdam to Zurich)
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The trip itself was the usual wonderful Scenic Cruise. Our admiration and respect for Scenic remains very strong."
DAVID, traveled in June
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Amsterdam, Koblenz, Baden, Basel, Montreux, Bern, Gstaad,Lucerne,Zurich+2 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Ships
Scenic Opal Scenic Ruby Scenic Pearl+2 ships
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
49% Off
From $12,690
US$6,495per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
Tulips & the Rhine & Glacier Express
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 12+
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Emerald Cruises
51% Off
From $27,576
US$13,473per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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River Cruise
Remarkable Rhine & Historic Holland (2026) (Amsterdam to Basel, 2026)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Netherlands Germany France Switzerland
Age Range
Ages 16+
Ship
S.S. Antoinette
River
Rhine
Operated in
English
Operator
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
10% Off
From $5,449
US$4,904per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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