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River cruising has grown in reputation lately, with new strains providing distinctive methods to expertise Europe’s most iconic rivers, together with the Danube, Douro, Seine, and, after all, the Rhine. “The Rhine River is legendary for castles, cathedrals, historic websites, and medieval cities, providing majestic surroundings as you journey by way of a number of European nations. You are feeling as in case you’ve traveled again to a distinct time in our world,” Journey + Leisure A-list advisor Olga Placeres says.
On most Rhine River cruises, friends can discover on their phrases, making this an awesome journey concept for multi-generational journey. From family-friendly journeys to beer-focused itineraries to festive vacation cruises, listed below are 10 of the very best Rhine River cruises for each kind of traveler.
AmaWaterways
Courtesy of AmaWaterways
7-night Enchanting Rhine Cruise
Cruise knowledgeable Placeres named AmaWaterways one in all her favourite river cruise strains. This family-owned and operated line gives all-inclusive river cruises with a variety of shore excursions for each energetic and relaxed vacationers. A number of Rhine River cruises can be found, and some embody the Moselle and Principal Rivers. Christmas market cruises and wine-focused itineraries are additionally provided.
The Enchanting Rhine cruise begins in Basel, Switzerland, the place passengers board their vessel (whereas the precise ship varies relying on the dates, all carry fewer than 170 friends). In Breisach, Germany, friends can select a wine nation bike tour, strolling tour, or hike within the Black Forest. The cruise continues to Strasbourg, Heidelberg, and Rüdesheim, with choices every day for energetic or relaxed excursions. The scenic Rhine River Gorge space is a spotlight, and there are visits to Cologne and Düsseldorf earlier than arriving in Amsterdam.
Viking River Cruises
Courtesy of Viking River Cruises
11-day Rhine and Principal Explorer Cruise
Placeres additionally recommends Viking Cruises, which was established by Torstein Hagen in 1997 and operates river, ocean, and expedition cruises throughout all seven continents. Viking’s Rhine River cruises vary from eight to fifteen days, and itineraries transcend the Rhine to incorporate the Principal, Moselle, and a voyage that goes throughout the North Sea to Norway’s fjords.
The Rhine and Main Explorer begins in Nuremberg and continues to Bamberg for a strolling tour by way of the winding streets of the medieval metropolis. Cruise highlights embody palace excursions in Würzburg, native Bavarian tradition and meals in Marktheidenfeld, scenic crusing on the Principal River, touring the charming French metropolis of Strasbourg, and admiring Germany’s well-known Black Forest. The tour ends with two nights in Basel, the place you’ll be able to take a tour of the town and revel in cheese fondue.
Adventures by Disney
Terry Ward
8-day Rhine River Cruise
Adventures by Disney river cruises are designed for households, however additionally they supply adults-only (18+) experiences on Europe’s rivers. As a substitute of setting sail on a Disney Cruise Line mega ship, these itineraries use AmaWaterways river ships for a extra intimate expertise with a most of 156 friends. Journey author Terry Ward took her six and 7 12 months olds and her 18-year-old niece on the Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise in July. “I can affirm it’s a visit with whole multigenerational attraction,” Ward says. “There have been at all times a number of choices for shore excursions — one thing to curiosity passengers throughout the board.”
“Throughout a port of name in Germany’s Black Forest area, for instance, we might select a toboggan run by way of the forest with time spent carving picket toys and studying to make butter, visiting Europa Park, or having fun with the medieval outdated city of Riquewihr.” Ward tells T+L, “On a number of nights, Disney’s Journey Guides whisked the children off to the lounge for their very own enjoyable — perhaps a Disney film and dinner or video games — so the adults might attempt the chef’s tasting desk or take pleasure in a quieter dinner. Teenagers had their very own tables for dinner in the event that they wished.” Ward added, “The Journey Guides hailed from among the nations we sailed by way of, so touring with them in Europe felt a bit like being alongside for the trip with an in-the-know good friend.”
Avalon Waterways
Courtesy of Avalon Waterways
8-day Tulip Time for Beer Fanatics Cruise
After practically a century in European tourism, the Globus household of manufacturers launched Avalon Waterways in 2004, and it was ranked among the many top river cruise lines in the world by T+L readers in 2024. Avalon’s Rhine River cruises vary from 5 days to 11 days; a number of embody the Moselle, they usually supply seasonal Christmas market cruises.
The Tulip Time for Beer Enthusiasts cruise is a round-trip cruise from Amsterdam provided within the spring, with a beer knowledgeable on board to host lectures, beer tastings, and meals and beer pairings. The ship heads to Rotterdam for a strolling tour, bike trip, or a guided tour to Keukenhof, often known as the “Backyard of Europe” with over seven million tulips. In Antwerp and Ghent, friends can select between bike or strolling excursions, whereas guided excursions in Willemstad take friends amongst centuries-old buildings. In Amsterdam, friends can take a guided canal cruise adopted by a Dutch beer expertise.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
8-day Rhine River Valley Cruise
Based in 1976, Uniworld is an expensive, all-inclusive cruise line that gives itineraries on Europe’s well-known rivers. Uniworld’s Rhine River cruises begin at eight days, however vacationers with extra time can mix the Danube, Principal, and Rhine Rivers on a 25-day, eight-country cruise.
The eight-day Rhine River Valley cruise boards in Nuremberg and cruises to Bamberg the place friends can select a strolling tour, nature park hike, or brewery tour. In Würzburg, an 18th-century palace tour or wine tasting are choices; further stops embody Miltenberg, Mainz, Baden-Baden, Strasbourg, and Breisach, earlier than disembarking in Basel.
Tauck
8-day Castles on the Rhine: Household Riverboat Journey Cruise
This century-old, family-owned firm gives journey experiences in additional than 100 locations, starting from small-group excursions to river cruises. Tauck’s Rhine River cruise itineraries vary from eight days to the 15-day Grand European Cruise that covers 9 nations alongside the Rhine, Principal, and Danube rivers.
The eight-day Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure is a Tauck Bridges household cruise designed for friends of all ages. The cruise departs from Basel, and the following day, friends journey by rail to Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne to trip the world’s steepest cog-wheel prepare. In Strasbourg, there’s a French sing alongside and chocolate tasting. The family-focused enjoyable continues at stops in Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, and Cologne earlier than the ship reaches its last cease. In Amsterdam, friends can take a canal cruise, go to a windmill, or style native cheeses.
Scenic
Courtesy of Scenic
8-day Rhine Christmas Markets Cruise
This Australian-founded firm established in 1986 gives river cruises, ocean voyages, and expeditions to the polar areas. Billed as an ultra-luxury, five-star cruise line, Scenic gives particular Rhine River itineraries that function Christmas markets or concentrate on matters like wine and meals.
The Rhine Christmas Markets cruise begins in Amsterdam with choices of a strolling, biking, or canal tour earlier than setting off for Cologne, the place friends can see the magnificent Thirteenth-century Gothic cathedral, go to a brewery, and browse the Christmas markets. In Baden-Baden, a famed German spa city, browse the markets or soak in thermal waters. Koblenz, Mannheim, and Strasbourg are further stops on this holiday-themed itinerary.
Emerald Cruises
Courtesy of Emerald Cruises
8-day Jewels of the Rhine Cruise
Emerald, based in 2013, makes a speciality of luxurious river and yacht cruises. Emerald’s Rhine River cruises embody an eight-day voyage and an 11-day cruise that features the Moselle.
The Jewels of the Rhine cruise begins with two nights in Amsterdam, the place friends can take a bicycle tour or canal cruise earlier than the captain’s dinner. Then, it is off to Cologne and the charming cities of Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Freiburg, the place castles, historic church buildings, and half-timbered buildings await. The ship arrives in Basel for the tip of the cruise the following day.
CroisiEurope
Courtesy of CroisiEurope
5-day Rhine in Flames Cruise
Based in 1976 in France, CroisiEurope is the biggest European-based river cruise line. The corporate additionally gives sea voyages and canal barge cruises. Their budget-friendly river cruises embody some shore excursions, and Rhine River cruises differ in size from three days to 2 weeks or longer.
The five-day Rhine in Flames cruise boards in Strasbourg for an evening of cruising. The following day in Rüdesheim, tour choices embody a prepare trip to a wine cellar adopted by a go to to the Museum of Mechanical Musical Devices or a gondola elevate to the Niederwalddenkmal and winery hike. The following day is the primary occasion because the ship sails in the direction of Trechtingshausen for the well-known Rhine in Flames fireworks present. The ship arrives in Mannheim for an elective go to to Heidelberg and later a gala night earlier than crusing again in the direction of Strasbourg.
A-Rosa Cruises
Courtesy of A-ROSA Cruises
6-day Rhine Legends Cruise
This German firm has been cruising the Rhine River and its tributaries since 2009. The family-friendly line has a children membership and household suites with loads of room to unfold out. Their river cruises vary from 4 to seven days, and there’s a charge for many excursions.
The five-day Rhine Legends cruises the Center Rhine round-trip from Cologne. In Rüdesheim, friends can tour the countryside on a motorcycle or prepare tour. Stops in Speyer, Strasbourg, Mainz, and Koblenz present extra methods to discover the attractive area, earlier than the ship returns to Cologne for disembarkation.
