River Cruises in Rhine Valley
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10 best river cruise Rhine Valley tours
Compiled by

MelissaRhine Valley travel expert at TourRadar
- Rheinerlebnis
- Family Cruise: on the romantic Rhine and in the heart of the Black Forest.Experience history and traditions in a Rhine atmosphere.Optional: a day at Europa Park (port-to-port cruise).
- Rhine Enchanting Christmas Markets 2025
- The Majestic Rhine 2026 - 8 Days (from Frankfurt-am-Main to Zurich)
- Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Southbound) 2026
- Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Northbound) 2026
- Christmas Cruise on the Rhine (Cologne - Cologne)
- New Year's Eve Cruise on the Rhine - AMADEUS Aurea (Cologne - Cologne)
- Southern Rhine Experience 2026
- The Majestic Rhine 2026 - 8 Days (from Basel to Frankfurt-am-Main)
Duration 7 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Speyer, Straßburg, Karlsruhe, Wiesbaden Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator DCS Touristik From
- US$1,252
Family Cruise: on the romantic Rhine and in the heart of the Black Forest.Experience history and traditions in a Rhine atmosphere.Optional: a day at Europa Park (port-to-port cruise).
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It is a ship for 160 passengers. He coordinates everything in the cruise: land tours, entertainment on board.”
LILLY, traveled in August
MS Gerard Schmitter navigates past UNESCO-listed Rhine Valley castles, docking at Rüdesheim's historic Bassenheimer Hof and Koblenz's Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. The route includes medieval Mainz's Gutenberg Museum, vineyard-covered hillsides, and Black Forest treetop walks. All-inclusive dining showcases refined French cuisine.
No departure dates availableDuration 6 days Destinations Strasbourg, Rudesheim am Rhein, Koblenz, Mainz, Heidelberg, Mannheim Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship MS Gerard Schmitter River Rhine Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises The A-ROSA SILVA visits Rhine Valley's Christmas markets, including medieval Rüdesheim's Drosselgasse and UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral. The ship sails through the legendary Loreley Valley with festive onboard celebrations. Six historic ports include Strasbourg's decorated old town.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Germersheim, Strasbourg, Mainz, Koblenz Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA SILVA River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
- US$926
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range up to 90 year olds Ships Emerald DestinyEmerald Sun River Rhine Operator Emerald Cruises From $8,790
50% Off- US$4,395You save $4,395
Avalon Visionary's Panorama Suites with Open-Air Balconies provide stunning views of the romantic Rhine Valley. The itinerary features Christmas markets in Heidelberg and Strasbourg, wine tasting in Breisach, and Black Forest traditions.
Duration 5 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships Avalon IlluminationAvalon Imagery II River Rhine Operator Avalon Waterways From
50% Off- US$2,649+$132 upfront costs
Luxury suites aboard the Avalon Imagery II offer panoramic views of the romantic Rhine Valley. The journey includes riverside Christmas markets, medieval towns, wine tasting in Breisach, and exploration of Heidelberg Castle.
Duration 5 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships Avalon Imagery IIAvalon Panorama River Rhine Operator Avalon Waterways From
50% Off- US$2,649+$132 upfront costs
The AMADEUS sails through the snow-covered Rhine Valley past legendary Loreley Rock and medieval castles. The itinerary includes UNESCO sites in Koblenz, Middle Rhine's winter vistas, and Strasbourg's canals. River-view cabins and regional wine tastings complement the voyage.
Duration 7 days Destinations Cologne, Koblenz, Speyer, Strasbourg, Mainz Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator Lueftner Cruises From
50% Off- US$2,286
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator Lueftner Cruises From $1,786
15% Off- US$1,518You save $268
Southern Rhine Experience 2026
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Outstanding service, clean spaces, good food. Just incredible for the price.”
Victoria, traveled in April
The A-ROSA SILVA sails the Rhine's most dramatic sections, from Cologne's Gothic cathedral to Basel's medieval center. The ship winds through the majestic Loreley Valley, docks at Rüdesheim's famous Drosselgasse, and offers trips to UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral from Germersheim.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Switzerland, France Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA SILVA River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
15% Off- US$1,391
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France Age Range up to 90 year olds Ships Emerald DestinyEmerald Sun River Rhine Operator Emerald Cruises From $8,790
50% Off- US$4,395You save $4,395
Rhine Valley River Cruise Reviews
- Family Cruise: on the romantic Rhine and in the heart of the Black Forest.Experience history and traditions in a Rhine atmosphere.Optional: a day at Europa Park (port-to-port cruise).
Fabulous crew, great food, wonderful service, lovely ship! We had a super holiday!
- The romantic Rhine Valley and the rock of the Lorelei (port-to-port cruise)
Fabulous trip, loved it. Fantastic good and staff. Would highly recommend
What our customers ask about River Cruises in Rhine Valley
Which major cities and attractions are typically included on Rhine Valley river cruises?
A Rhine Valley cruise connects Europe's most notable riverside destinations. Passengers visit Strasbourg's UNESCO-listed Grande Île and explore Cologne's towering Gothic Cathedral. The route includes Rüdesheim where narrow streets lead to traditional wine taverns and Koblenz where the Rhine meets the Moselle. Most ships dock in Amsterdam's canal district and stop at the Black Forest region. Notable sights include the Lorelei Rock and Heidelberg Castle. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "The food was amazing and the journey along the Rhine at Christmas something we shall never forget especially visiting Strasbourg's historic center and the Christmas markets."
What are the most scenic stretches along Rhine Valley river cruises?
The Rhine Gorge between Rüdesheim and Koblenz stands out as the route's visual centerpiece. Medieval castles perch 400 feet above the water including the well-preserved Marksburg Castle and the storied Lorelei Rock. As one TourRadar traveler noted "The combination of medieval castles vineyard-covered hillsides and charming villages made the Rhine Gorge absolutely breathtaking." Ships such as MS Modigliani and Emerald Sky feature large windows and open decks designed for viewing these landscapes.
What types of cabins are available on Rhine Valley river cruise ships?
Rhine cruise ships offer accommodations across multiple price points and deck levels. The Emerald Dawn provides options from Owner's Suites to standard Emerald Staterooms. On the MS Gerard Schmitter passengers choose between Category A B and C cabins spread across Upper Middle and Main decks with flexible bed configurations. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned "Our cabin on the upper deck was surprisingly spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of storage space."
What shore excursions are typically included on Rhine Valley river cruises?
Standard Rhine Valley cruise packages include guided walks through Cologne's Old Town Strasbourg's historic center and Heidelberg Castle. Many ships offer bicycle tours in Breisach and Amsterdam's Waterland area. Additional experiences range from wine sampling in Rüdesheim to Black Forest excursions and visits to Mainz's Gutenberg Museum. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The included walking tours were informative and well-paced while optional excursions like the Black Forest tour added great cultural insights."
When is the best time of year to take a Rhine Valley river cruise?
The Rhine Valley cruise season runs year-round with distinct seasonal highlights. April to October sees the highest number of sailings. Spring cruises (April-May) coincide with tulip season near Amsterdam's Keukenhof Gardens. Summer brings warm weather perfect for deck viewing while fall offers wine harvests and colorful foliage. December cruises focus on traditional Christmas markets with Strasbourg hosting one of Europe's largest. As one TourRadar traveler noted about their spring cruise: "A wonderful tour where the staff did all they could to make our experience memorable. The journey along the Rhine at Christmas something we shall never forget."
How much free time is typically available in ports?
Rhine Valley cruise schedules mix guided activities with independent exploration time. Major stops like Cologne and Strasbourg usually allow 2-4 hours of free time after organized tours. Evening ports such as Rüdesheim give passengers time to explore local attractions like the Drosselgasse at their own pace. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "We appreciated having free afternoons to wander through charming towns like Koblenz and shop at local markets after our morning tours."