River Cruises from Cologne

What our customers ask about River Cruises from Cologne

• How many cities do Rhine river cruises from Cologne visit?

  Most river cruises from Cologne stop at 4 to 6 cities along the way. Take the Rhine Metropolises cruise - you'll visit Willemstad, Antwerp, Amsterdam, and Düsseldorf. The shorter Rhine Mini Cruise takes you to 4 main stops. One of our travelers put it well: "Predominantly German cities with some Dutch and Belgian stops make for a diverse experience."

• What are the favorite stops on river cruises from Cologne?

  You'll sail to beautiful historic cities like Koblenz, Rüdesheim, and Strasbourg along the Rhine. Everyone loves passing through the Loreley Valley to see the famous Loreley Rock. In Mainz, you can explore a 2,000-year-old historic center, while Strasbourg wows visitors with its UNESCO-listed old town and cathedral. As one of our travelers said: "The variety of destinations from medieval towns to modern cities makes these cruises incredibly engaging."

• When's the best time to take a river cruise from Cologne?

  Plan your trip between April and September when the weather is lovely - temperatures stay between 60-75°F (15-24°C) with little rain. If you love Christmas markets, book a cruise in November or December to experience festive markets in places like Strasbourg and Basel. Most cruises run during summer, especially on ships like A-ROSA SILVA which offers lots of different routes during these months.

• What do river cruises from Cologne usually cost?

  You can expect to pay between $838 and $4,549 per person, which works out to about $140-$569 per day. Luxury trips like Uniworld's Rhine Holiday Markets are at the higher end, while comfortable options like A-ROSA's Rhine Experience cost less. Your ticket usually covers your room, meals, some drinks, and basic shore trips. If you're staying in Cologne before your cruise, many people like the Excelsior Hotel Ernst or Hyatt Regency.

• How much free time do you get at each stop?

  You'll get a good mix of guided tours and time to explore on your own. In Strasbourg, for example, you're usually in port for 6-8 hours. The guided tours take about 2-3 hours, leaving plenty of time to wander around yourself. When you stop at bigger cities like Amsterdam and Basel, you often stay overnight, so you can check out the evening scene and really get to know the place.

• Which places do most river cruises from Cologne visit?

  Most cruises take you to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Rüdesheim. Ships like the A-ROSA AQUA and Amadeus Cara offer different routes, but they all stop at historic cities along the Rhine. One of our travelers shared: "We had a fabulous time visiting different markets; all towns we docked/visited along the Rhine are very near the ports and walkable within a few minutes."