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.
Excellent
- Choose from 1,000+ Rhine tours
- 1,600+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
We enjoyed touring with Crucemondo, our first time on a riverboat cruise! The journey was well-paced, the boat very comfortable, the meals were very good and our fare included a beverage package. We were 2 of 6 English speakers, with a few Spanish and Turkish residents. Most guests were German, yet all guests were supported in their language regarding tour information and announcements. We have wonderful memories of our experience with Crucemondo!
Treasures of the Danube & the Balkans, Belgrade - Vienna, MSAnyone that books this tour will already realise that it is fitting a lot in a short space of time. Is it tiring? Yes. Do you get to see and experience a lot ? Yes. Sam our driver and Myra our tour guide were absolute stars. Both went out of their way to make our experience the best it could possibly be. If you have limited time and want a great taste of 7 countries in 8 days, then do this tour. Accomodation varied but was great some nights and average on others. The included meals were great and pleasantly surprised me. Overall, a very good tour at a great price, made even more special by Sam and Myra taking amazing care of us.
European VistasWas fantastic the whole trip was amazing
Europe Explorer
Traveler Photos & Videos from Rhine Cruises
- Europe Explorer
- Rhine Christmas Markets 2026
- Castles along the Rhine (2024) (Amsterdam to Basel, 2024)
- Christmas Markets on Rhine, MS Vista Rio
- The romantic Rhine Valley and the rock of the Lorelei (port-to-port cruise)
- Europe Taster New Year
- European Vistas
- The Best of The Netherlands (port-to-port cruise)
- Rhine Highlights 2026 - 8 Days (from Amsterdam to Basel)
- Treasures of the Danube & the Balkans, Belgrade - Vienna, MS
- Tulip Serenade (Amsterdam - Amsterdam, 16 destinations)
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
Treasures of the Danube & the Balkans, Belgrade - Vienna, MS
“Great stay on cruise and also the city tours were wonderful.”
Janny, 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 Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Spanish Ship MS Vista Rio River Rhine Operator Crucemundo From
- US$2,140+$139 upfront costs
European Vistas
“Do you get to see and experience a lot? Yes. The included meals were great and pleasantly surprised me.”
Kerri, traveled in September
Duration 8 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium Age Range Ages 10+ River RhineSeine Operator Travel Chasers formerly Expat Explore From $2,010
22% off- US$1,565
Europe Explorer
“It was a very well organised tour, with plenty of optional excursions to suit all interests.”
Amanda, traveled in August
Duration 18 days Destinations Netherlands, Belgium, France, Andorra, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City (Holy See), Switzerland, Germany Age Range Ages 10+ River RhineSeine Operator Travel Chasers formerly Expat Explore From $4,565
23% off- US$3,505
The luxurious A-ROSA AQUA, complete with balcony cabins and spa access, takes you to Cologne's Cathedral, Frankfurt's banking district, and Rüdesheim's famous Drosselgasse. The route includes Christmas markets in 5 historic German towns, featuring evening entertainment by local performers and traditional Rüdesheim coffee tasting.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Mainz, Frankfurt-am-Main, Koblenz Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Ships A-ROSA SILVAA-ROSA AQUAA-ROSA BRAVA River RhineMain Operator A-ROSA From
23% off- US$617
Rhine Metropolises 2027
“Team very pleasant, accommodating. Overall, happy to take first time river cruise!”
cory, traveled in April
A-ROSA ALEA glides along the Rhine, connecting storied waterfront cities. The voyage showcases Cologne Cathedral, Antwerp's medieval center, Amsterdam's canal ring, and Düsseldorf's modern riverside. Premium drinks, à la carte dining, and local entertainment enhance the journey.
Duration 6 days Destinations Germany, Curaçao, Belgium, Netherlands Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA AQUA River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From $995
11% off- US$889
Rhine Highlights 2026 - 8 Days (from Amsterdam to Basel)
“Excursions were very good with varied options and terrific guides.”
Frederick, traveled in April
Duration 8 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 18+ Ship Scenic Opal River Rhine Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From
11% off- US$5,965
From the Heart of Alsace to Summits in the Swiss Alps (port-to-port cruise)
“We enjoyed the food/ drinks well organized tours, love the excursion, especially the train to Switzerland Alps.”
Wilma, traveled in September
Duration 5 days Destinations France, Germany, Switzerland Age Range All Ages Welcome Ship MS La Bohème River Rhine Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
11% off- US$1,805
Explore our featured Rhine tours
TourRadar earns higher commission on featured adventures here.
Travel Rhine your way
More travel styles:
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
Who are you traveling with?
Top Rhine travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
Solo Travelers687 tours- Couples725 tours
- Seniors (50+)604 tours
Best time to visit
- 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.
- October 2026 18 tours
- popular 74 tours
- Winter 2026 / 2027
Winter brings something special to the Rhine, particularly in December when Christmas markets fill the historic squares. The Dusseldorf round-trip route on MS Crucevita takes you to festive markets in Koblenz, Rudesheim and also Mainz. Our guests tell us how much they love wandering from the ship right into these easy-to-find markets, with the boat's seasonal decorations adding just the right touch to the experience. There's also a popular route through Vienna, Budapest and also Bratislava, where traditional markets pop up against beautiful baroque buildings. The crews make winter trips extra welcoming - they're known for adding thoughtful festive details that turn cold-weather sailing into something really memorable.
- December 2026 popular 82 tours
- Spring 2027
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 2027 96 tours
- April 2027 134 tours
- May 2027 popular 184 tours
- Summer 2027
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 2027 175 tours
- July 2027 183 tours
- August 2027 popular 201 tours
Contact our Rhine travel experts
Joachim
Expert in Rhine at TourRadar
Joachim is one of our seasoned Rhine Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Rhine tours answered!
- Choose from 1,062+ Rhine tours
- 1,689 verified reviews by TourRadar customers
- 24/7 customer support
Call us
+1 844 311 8331