rhine river tours

7 Rhine River Cruises for Every Type of Traveler

Whether you love the idea of sailing past dozens of castles and forts or are eager to explore one of europe’s more underrated wine regions, there’s a rhine river cruise for you..

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8 Rhine River Cruises for Every Type of Traveler

A cruise down the Rhine River remains one of the most popular vacation options for travelers looking to get a taste of central Europe.

Courtesy of Avalon Waterways

One of the world’s great rivers, the Rhine, marks a storied stretch of winding waterway that spans 765 miles and six nations— Switzerland , Liechtenstein, Austria , Germany , France , and the Netherlands—from the Swiss Alps on to the North Sea. European river cruise itineraries here most commonly glide through four of these countries in one whirlwind week, on regular runs between Basel, Switzerland, and Amsterdam , with stops in France and Germany along the way.

It’s a romantic route marked by the region’s legendary castles and half-timbered houses, hillside vineyards, and fairy-tale Black Forest landscapes—along with a pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Apart from all that surface beauty, cruising the Rhine affords an immersive contextual understanding about how this ancient highway and trade route—pivotal since ancient Roman times through to today—has contributed to the history, culture, and economic development of greater Europe. The Rhine is one of the busiest and most economically important waterways in Europe , and your journey will also take you past hulking factories and stacks of shipping containers for a behind-the-scenes look at how essential goods are transported across the continent.

A Rhine River cruise provides seamless door-to-door delivery to the attractions of bigger cities like Basel, Strasbourg, Cologne, and Amsterdam, as well as access to less-visited but entirely worthy destinations such as Koblenz and Rüdesheim in Germany, where you’ll get your fill of castles, churches, museums, and wineries—all from the comfort of your floating hotel with accommodations, meals, and guided excursions included.

In 2022, the Rhine River experienced one of the worst droughts in recent history —some parts of the river in Germany dropped to below 16 inches of water in key navigational areas. The drought affected the flow of cargo and river cruise ships. While ships are still sailing , keep in mind that low water levels may affect river cruise itineraries by shortening the amount of time that passengers have in port when ships are forced to sail at a slower pace.

Nevertheless, river cruise companies have seen a major rebound in demand since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Rhine river cruises are still among the most popular sailing itineraries in Europe. Here, we present seven of the best Rhine River cruises (in no particular order) for every type of experience, whether it’s food, family adventure, wine—or something else—that floats your (river)boat.

Amawaterway's "Captivating Rhine" itinerary runs from Amsterdam to Basel, while their "Enchanting Rhine" cruise runs in the opposite direction.

AmaWaterway’s “Captivating Rhine” itinerary runs from Amsterdam to Basel, while its “Enchanting Rhine” cruise runs in the opposite direction.

Photo by Bjoern Wylezich/Shutterstock

AmaWaterways: Captivating Rhine

Cost: From $3,000 per person Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Basel, Switzerland (AmaWaterways’ Enchanting Rhine Cruise runs from Basel to Amsterdam and is the same itinerary, just in the opposite direction)

The seven-night “ Captivating Rhine Cruise ” sails between Amsterdam and Basel, with stops in Germany (Cologne, Rüdesheim, Ludwigshafen, and Breisach) and France (Strasbourg)—it’s a paradise for wine lovers. Itineraries include wineries, vineyards, and cellars: Hike through the vineyards of the winemaking town of Rüdesheim; visit the “Great Vat,” an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine barrel in Heidelberg; or taste the famous white wines of Alsace in Riquewihr. Some notable varieties to sample include riesling, which is known as the “queen of the grapes” along the Middle Rhine, while red wine drinkers will enjoy Germany’s full-bodied and velvety spätburgunder (known as pinot noir in France and made using the same grapes).

However, there are plenty of other things to do on this cruise for those who want to experience the culture of the towns along the route or hope to stay active on vacation. AmaWaterways has several cruise excursions available for each port on its itinerary, including gentle walking tours with local guides and bike tours through the gorgeous central European countryside. (Tip: Don’t miss the bike tour of Strasbourg, which explores the charming city’s modern role as one of the de facto capitals of the European Union, as well as its historic Alsatian identity with a well-informed local guide and leisurely 10-mile ride.)

Viking runs regularly trips up and down the Rhine with its line of over 40, nearly identical sister ships.

Viking regularly travels up and down the Rhine with its line of over 40, nearly identical sister ships.

Photo by Shutterstock

Viking: Paris to the Swiss Alps

Cost: From $3,299 per person Days: 12 days Departure Port: Paris, France Final Port: Zürich, Switzerland

Viking, which bills itself as “the thinking person’s cruise,” is a major player on the Rhine, where it operates more than 40 riverboats—nearly identical sister ships with a capacity for 190 guests. Of particular interest to history buffs is its “ Paris to the Swiss Alps ” cruise tour, a four-nation trip that bookends a seven-night sailing on the Moselle (a Rhine tributary) and Rhine with a two-night, hotel-based stay in both Paris and Zurich . After taking a coach from Paris, guests visit Luxembourg en route to Trier, Germany, the embarkation point for a voyage that stops in Bernkastel, Cochem, Koblenz, Mainz, and Speyer in Germany, as well as Strasbourg, France. The cruise ends in Basel before continuing on by ground transfer to Zurich.

The itinerary is loaded with history-rich excursions. Among the highlights is the American Cemetery where more than 5,000 World War II soldiers repose in Luxembourg; a tour of relics of Roman baths, an amphitheater, and city gates at Trier; a visit to the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz to explore the history of the printing press; a stroll through the palace and gardens of Versailles in France; and Germany’s historic university city, Heidelberg.

Frankfurt, Germany, was the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who penned the play Faust .

Avalon Waterways: Active & Discovery on the Rhine

Cost: From $2,849 per person Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Frankfurt, Germany

The Avalon Waterways “ Active & Discovery on the Rhine ” itinerary incorporates an array of customizable excursion options that emphasize physical activity. Choose from guided tours like kayaking the canals of Amsterdam, hiking through the Netherland’s De Hoge Veluwe National Park (140,000 acres and home to red deer, wild boars, and pine martens), jogging while sightseeing in Cologne, or biking through Düsseldorf. Or set out on your own in ports with loaner bikes and Nordic walking sticks on hand. The river cruise operator also offers a series of “discovery” excursions, hands-on, interactive experiences that often focus on culture and cuisine.

Adventures by Disney

Cost: From $5,399 per adult; from $4,899 per child Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Basel, Switzerland

River cruise lines have long catered to the over-50 crowd, but the industry has been shaking things up in recent years with the emergence of several family-friendly river itineraries . Leading the charge is the six-year-old partnership between Disney (via its Adventures by Disney tour operating arm) and AmaWaterways; their seven-night Rhine River itineraries unfold aboard two ships, the 156-guest AmaLucia and the AmaSiena. Both riverboats include rare connecting staterooms and suites, designed with families in mind, and fun onboard activities like cooking classes, karaoke nights, and swimming in the heated pool.

Sailing between Amsterdam and Basel, the ship stops in France (at Strasbourg) and Germany (at Mannheim, Rüdesheim, and Cologne) en route. Excursion highlights—all led by up to eight Disney-trained “Adventure Guides”—include a “Black Forest adventure” outing, where you can choose between an alpine toboggan run or a zipline ride and hike to Germany’s highest waterfalls at Triberg Waterfalls; a visit to a chocolate museum in Cologne; horseback riding in Riquewihr (the French village that inspired Beauty and the Beast ); an indoor winter park in Neuss, Germany (for a sledding or tubing adventure, no matter the season); and the Rhine requisite and fun-for-all-ages Heidelberg Castle tour and Amsterdam canal cruise. Note that itineraries are suggested for kids ages eight and up, and a minimum age of four years old applies.

European river cruises are especially popular around the holiday season when Christmas markets are in business.

Photo by ecstk22/Shutterstock

Scenic: Christmas on the Rhine

Cost: $4,195 Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Nuremberg, Germany

Scenic Cruise’s “ Christmas on the Rhine ” takes the best parts of a typical Rhine river cruise and sprinkles in a little holiday magic. Taking place just once a year from December 21 to 28, this cruise sails during Christmas—a memorable way to observe the holiday. The journey begins in Amsterdam, where guests are invited to take a river canal tour or visit the nearby towns of Alkmaar and Schermerhorn, home to windmills that date back to the 16th century. Then the ship will wind its way through Cologne, Rüdesheim, Würzburg, and Bamberg before finally ending in Nuremberg. There are plenty of places in each port to soak up the festive European atmosphere, while making time to pick up a Christmas-themed trinket or two in either Amsterdam or Cologne, Germany.

The moist, but well-drained soil of the Netherlands provides the perfect growing conditions for tulips.

Photo by Travelpixs/Shutterstock

Uniworld: Tulips and Windmills

Cost: $4,699 Days: 10 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Antwerp, Belgium

Uniworld’s “ Tulip and Windmills ” cruise begins on the Rhine, but then veers to the west toward Belgium. While in the Netherlands, travelers can look forward to skipping through acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens and getting up close and personal with Kinderdijk’s 19 UNESCO-protected windmills that have guarded the low country from rising sea levels for centuries. Guests will also get to visit small, charming Dutch towns, such as Enkhuizen, Hoorn, and Veere, and take in the dazzling skyline of Rotterdam. Art fans will be sure to especially enjoy this itinerary, which features stops at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo (which houses nearly 100 works by Van Gogh) plus a tour through the world-renowned Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which has been nicknamed the “home of the Dutch masters.” Once in Belgium, visitors can take in Ghent’s world-renowned architecture on a walking tour and learn about the UNESCO World Heritage site Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. Be sure to munch on those Dutch and Belgian pastries when you can.

Tauck's Rhine Enchantment intinerary combines two great modes of transportation: cruising and trains.

Tauck’s Rhine Enchantment intinerary combines two appealing modes of transportation: cruising and trains.

Photo by Gaspar Janos/Shutterstock

Tauck: Rhine Enchantment, Amsterdam to Milan

Cost: $6,400 Days: 11 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Milan, Italy

OK, I know what you’re thinking: There are no waterways that directly connect Amsterdam with Milan. Tauck’s “ Rhine Enchantment ” itinerary combines arguably two of the most popular modes of leisure transportation in Europe: cruise ships and rail. After sailing from Amsterdam to Basel (with stops in places like Düsseldorf and Heidelberg), guests will take a train along a stunning route through the Alps to Milan. The cost of the trip includes three nights at the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan during the Italian leg of the journey, a private boat ride on Lake Como, and a gala evening at a baroque palace situated along the Rhine near Wiesbaden, Germany.

This article was first published on June 10, 2019. It was updated on August 19, 2022.

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Rhine Tour Companies

Looking for an unforgettable Rhine tour? Book a fully-organized trip with the best tour companies in Rhine and let the tour operator take care of everything for you. Check out the tour details and read 24468 reviews from our customers to help you choose the perfect tour for you.

List of Rhine travel companies & tour operators with 24468 reviews

Excellent - 312 reviews for Rhine tours

Our second Crucemundo cruise was just as great as the first! The food was wonderful, and the whole crew was wonderful. Our Cruise Director, Jessica, went out of her way to make sure we enjoyed every part of our vacation.

An unforgettable experience , not only with the cruise, but as Ldo with all the lovely crew onboard as well as our tour leader Jessica. Thank you very much.

Avalon Waterways

Excellent - 225 reviews for Rhine tours

When compared to other river cruises on which I have travelled, service on Avalon is less caring. Food is ok but not super. Worst of all, notwithstanding the prevalence of seasonal flu, they did nothing about guests talking avidly without mask while at the buffet table selecting food. Nor were coughing and sneezing customers asked to wear mask while in the bus, boat trips or at briefings. As a result, a number of passengers including my husband and I developed very bad flu towards the end of the trip.

1. The WIFI solution is really poor. Most of time on ship has no connection. 2. It seemed to be lack of staff. The food was delivered slowly. We are waiting "way much longer" in between appetizer/soup and main courses. 3. Many dishes were not cleaned properly. "Cleaned" mugs have coffee print and "cleaned" soup bowls were oily, Overall, this ship didn't have the same quality I took for Danube River cruise before pandemic.

Europamundo

Good - 2,968 reviews for Rhine tours
This operator has no Rhine reviews

CroisiEurope River Cruises

Excellent - 309 reviews for Rhine tours

A wonderful tour where the staff did all they could to make our experience memorable. The food was amazing and the journey along the Rhine at Christmas something we shall never forget.

Excellent way to finish off our traveling holiday. Very happy with the cruise, great crew, good food, (except my wife would have preferred some smaller options at lunchtimes) excellent destinations but the choices of excursions were a little bland when doing them, plus NO bike options that were also mentioned within your itinerary?? I have no hesitation in recommending river cruising as it is a great way to travel and meet new people. many thanks again from us here in New Zealand

Lueftner Cruises

Excellent - 129 reviews for Rhine tours

A lovely experience! Relaxed ambience, very good cruise directors, wonderful cabin, friendly staff, superb food.

Excelllent experience: Nice boat Friendly staff Good food Jc

Good - 65 reviews for Rhine tours

Need more English speaking on tour excursions and meed more than 1 elevator on the cruise ship.

Nice boat. Clean rooms. Buffet food not the best. Saw 2 Christmas markets only as other 2 were closed early morning. Evening entertainment not the best. Did not cater well for English speakers. But after all that we did have a good time but would not go on this particular cruise again.

AmaWaterways

Excellent - 26 reviews for Rhine tours

I've been on three Amawaterways ship and the cruise experience has not failed me a bit. Am recommending it to more friends.

I am rating this as Good. All went well on the trip - not as many markets open as some closed before we got there or were not open that day we were there. The surprise outside the door was a bit underwhelming - gigantic item to put into luggage already full of purchases - would have been better to have smaller and easier to pack. The staff was excellent and friendly. A last minute change on Covid testing caused some frustration and I felt like the ball dropped on helping the customer. Cologne for 3day prior to flying testing had to change to Amsterdam 24hr testing. We were told this and basically was said you have to do it we are not doing anything now there is a QR code. I felt like - we are done with you now - your problem not ours. I figured out the QR code but then a list of 15 locations came up - some were 20 miles away some 8 miles. I finally went to the Cruise Director and said - "okay which one of these do we pick that is closest walking distance from the ship"? At least he figured it out which took a bit of time. A map to the area would have helped as it took 4 of us over 45 minutes to finally find the testing site. At least we got it done - and had 3 hrs to look around after before the 5pm curfew started on Amsterdam. Other than those few things the trip was nice. First time on Ama and probably will use my other lines instead - far more customer friendly in getting you taken care of with testing etc. But it was a nice trip.

Emerald Cruises

Excellent - 24 reviews for Rhine tours

The program in the Emerald ship was magnificently planned and discussed. The local music during the cruise was so informative. Long live the music from the Netherlands and Germany through Austria and Slovakya to Hungary! Just for the music, dances and songs I will do the cruise again!

It was not excellent but good…entertainment lacked they had a girl singing that was one of the bartenders and some bell ringers..tours were good.We had one issue we found out that people that were going to train station had their fare covered and we thought transfer was just to airport.both were 30 mins away from port.some people had their fare covered to train station .we had to pay 75 euro.this we found unfair.food was good and waiters were exceptional but rest of staff mainly cruise director didn’t go above and beyond.

Exodus Travels

Excellent - 13,240 reviews for Rhine tours

Uniworld Boutique River Cru…

Excellent - 79 reviews for Rhine tours

A friend recommended Uniworld to me and I'm glad he did. What a wonderful experience it was. The boat, the staff, the food, the scenery - everything exceeded my expectations. And you could be as active or laid back as you desired. I started each day joining the exercise class on the top deck. There were daily walking tours of the local town or village where we were moored, a strenuous hike for the more adventurous and a bike ride between towns. Bicycles were available to use at any time and many did meander up and down the bike paths along the river. I was travelling alone and had no trouble mixing and dining with the other guests, even though I am a little shy when it comes to social situations. I am looking forward to my next Uniworld experience, the difficulty being, which one will I choose!

I absolutely love the cruise. The staff on board especially. They were so kind and took care of everything we might need. The tour locations were beautiful and interesting. Can’t wait to save up for another.

DCS Touristik

Good - 1 review for Rhine tours

Indus Travels

Excellent - 252 reviews for Rhine tours

Excellent - 5,345 reviews for Rhine tours

Terranova Touristik

Excellent - 243 reviews for Rhine tours

The tour was amazing—so much to see along the Mainz and Rhine. My ebike was perfect. We especially loved the stop at Oberwesel. Such a lovely unique hotel.

The individual bike tour along the romantic Rhine was an unforgettable experience! The route led through picturesque villages and past historical sights. The accommodations were comfortable and the food was very tasty. The tour was well organized and the maps were helpful. We had a great time discovering the beauty of the Rhine. We recommend this tour to anyone looking for an active and authentic trip along the romantic Rhine.