Germany River Cruises
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10 best river cruises through Germany
Compiled by
SteffGermany travel expert at TourRadar
- Moselromantik
- German Riverscapes from Trier to Passau (Trier - Passau) (12 destinations)
- From Stralsund to Berlin: The Baltic Sea and the Oder and Havel Rivers (port-to-port cruise)
- Rheinerlebnis
- Cologne to Mainz by Bike and Barge
- Rhine & Danube Symphony (Passau - Cologne)
- Classic Christmas Markets (2026) (Frankfurt to Nuremberg, 2026)
- Legendary Rhine & Moselle
- Legendary Rhine & Moselle & Romantic Franconia & Bavaria
- Classic Christmas Markets (2026) (Nuremberg to Frankfurt, 2026)
Duration 6 days Destinations Cologne, Cochem, Trier, Bernkastel, Koblenz, Andernach Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator DCS Touristik From
- NZ$1,433
The Amadeus Riva connects Trier to Passau along Germany's scenic waterways. Moselle wine tastings, UNESCO-listed Würzburg Residenz, and Bavarian culture in Regensburg highlight the journey. Luxury suites with French balconies showcase Rhine castles and vineyard panoramas.
Duration 9 days Destinations Trier, Moselle Valley, Cochem, Koblenz, Bad Marienberg, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Zeil, BambergSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From
- NZ$3,633
Duration 7 days Destinations Stralsund, Rugen Island, Greifswald, Wolgast, Usedom, Lunow, Oderberg, Henningsdorf, Berlin Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
- NZ$3,088
Duration 7 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Speyer, Straßburg, Karlsruhe, Wiesbaden Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator DCS Touristik From
- NZ$2,064
MS Olympia traverses the romantic Rhine, stopping at UNESCO sites from Cologne's Dom to Mainz's cathedral. Medieval castles, traditional wine villages, and riverside towns unfold while guests enjoy regional cuisine and comfortable accommodations.
Duration 8 days Destinations Cologne, Bonn, Andernach, Koblenz, Sankt Goar, Rudesheim am Rhein, Mainz Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator UTracks From
- NZ$3,290
Amadeus Brilliant sails Germany's waterways with luxury French balcony cabins. The route from Passau through Main-Danube canal to Cologne features UNESCO sites, Würzburg's cellar wine tasting, and Weltenburg Abbey's historic brewery.
Duration 8 days Destinations Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Miltenberg, Rudesheim am Rhein, Cologne Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From
- NZ$3,958
S.S. Elisabeth's luxury suites and gourmet dining enhance this cruise from Frankfurt's modern riverfront to medieval Wertheim. The route includes baroque Würzburg and UNESCO-listed Bamberg, with daily excursions to Christmas markets.
Duration 8 days Destinations Frankfurt-am-Main, Wiesbaden, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Kitzingen, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Schweinfurt, Bamberg, Nuremberg Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $7,499
10% Off- NZ$6,749You save $749
Emerald's luxury vessel winds through Germany's iconic rivers from Mainz to Cochem. Guided tours of Trier's Roman ruins, wine tastings at Schloss Johannisberg, and evening entertainment at Cochem Castle unfold against UNESCO-listed landscapes.
Duration 8 days Destinations Frankfurt-am-Main, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Bernkastel, Moselle Valley, Trier, Schweich, Cochem, Koblenz Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Emerald Cruises From $16,147
50% Off- NZ$8,074You save $8,073
Duration 11 days Destinations Frankfurt-am-Main, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Bernkastel, Trier, Cochem, Koblenz, Nuremberg, Munich, Neuschwanstein Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Emerald Cruises From $18,125
45% Off- NZ$9,968You save $8,157
The S.S. Elisabeth, featuring luxurious Savoir beds and riverview accommodations, sails from Nuremberg to Frankfurt. Christmas markets in seven riverside towns await, including Würzburg's baroque palace and Rothenburg's medieval charm.
Duration 8 days Destinations Nuremberg, Bamberg, Kitzingen, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Wertheim, Wiesbaden, Frankfurt-am-Main Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From $8,699
10% Off- NZ$7,829You save $869
River Cruises in Germany Reviews
- Classic Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam-Mainz) MS Crucevita
The boat was immaculate. The pace very relaxing. The staff was very warm and inviting. The value for money was excellent.
- Treasures of the Rhine cruise (Basel-Amsterdam) MS Crucevita
The management and staff went over and above to accommodate passengers. Accommodations, food, excursions above our expectations. Will cruise with them again.
- The Romantic Rhine Valley and the Rock of Lorelei (port-to-port cruise)
It was a very nice experience. The staff was excellent. The food awesome. Only language barrier was a little problem but there were a few of staff that could speak English and they were very helpful. Thanks! We enjoyed our trip with CroisiEurope and would recommend it to our friends
What our customers ask about Germany River Cruises
What are the most popular rivers for cruising in Germany and what makes each unique?
Germany's main river cruise routes follow the Rhine Main Moselle and Danube. Each waterway offers distinct experiences. The Rhine flows past the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge where medieval castles dot the hillsides above riverside vineyards. The Moselle curves through steep valleys lined with terraced vineyards leading to wine towns like Cochem and Bernkastel. Along the Main River route travelers can explore historic cities including Frankfurt and Würzburg where the Würzburg Residence palace stands as a baroque masterpiece. A TourRadar traveler describes the Moselle: "The entire Moselle region around Cochem is a real sight to behold with the town's landmark Reichsburg castle towering above the river."
What kind of cabins are available on German river cruise ships and how do they differ?
River cruise ships in Germany provide various cabin options. Take AmaWaterways vessels which offer Panorama Suites with twin balconies on upper decks and standard rooms with fixed windows on lower decks. The MS Crucevita features 12.3m² cabins that come with French balconies on the Promenade deck while rooms on the Main deck have panoramic windows. Room sizes amenities and views vary by deck level and price point. According to one TourRadar traveler: "Our cabin was upgraded which greatly added to our enjoyment of the cruise. The rooms were spacious and well-appointed with comfortable bedding and excellent views."
What are the best times of year for a Germany river cruise?
The main cruise season runs April through October when weather conditions are ideal for sightseeing. A second peak occurs from late November through December during Christmas market season. Summer months provide full access to riverside attractions like Marksburg and Drachenburg castles. December transforms cities like Nuremberg into festive destinations with Germany's largest Christmas market. One TourRadar traveler's experience on an A-ROSA Christmas Market cruise: "The ports we called at were great with Christmas Markets fairly easy to find just strolling around. The Mainz Christmas Market was still being set up but it was still nice to wander around."
Which rivers in Germany offer the most scenic cruise routes?
The Rhine and Main rivers present different but equally engaging landscapes. Along the UNESCO-protected Upper Middle Rhine Valley travelers pass more than 40 castles including Marksburg Castle and the Rheinfels ruins near St. Goar. The Main River route leads to cultural gems like Würzburg's baroque Residenz palace and Bamberg's medieval center. At Koblenz's Deutsches Eck the Moselle joins offering views of dramatic vineyard-covered slopes. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Towns we docked/visited along the Rhine are all very near the ports; all walkable within a few minutes; wonderful experience overall!"
What types of shore excursions are typically offered on Germany river cruises?
Shore activities range from city walking tours to castle visits and wine tastings in the Rheingau region. UNESCO sites feature prominently including Würzburg Residence and Bamberg's historic center. Active travelers can join bike tours along the Rhine or hike to landmarks like the Niederwalddenkmal monument. Uniworld's Classic Christmas Markets cruise includes special seasonal excursions such as the "Taste of Christmas Frankfurt Walking Tour" and visits to Rothenburg's holiday market. As shared by a TourRadar traveler: "The excursion package includes visits to Koblenz Rudesheim and Cologne which gave us a great overview of the region."
What is the typical length and price range for Germany river cruises?
Standard river cruises last 6-8 days with prices from $1500-4500 per person. Luxury lines like AmaWaterways reach $9000 per person. These rates typically cover lodging meals and guided tours. A-ROSA's 8-day Rhine cruise begins at $1543 while the premium AmaSiena 8-day journey starts at $4298. One TourRadar traveler notes: "The value for money was excellent with the Crucevita ship offering luxury amenities at a moderate price point."