Germany River Cruises
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10 best river cruises through Germany
Compiled by
SteffGermany travel expert at TourRadar
- Rhine Christmas Markets 2025
- Christmas Markets MS River Diamond
- Festtage auf dem Rhein
- Rhine Christmas Markets River Diamond Standard
- Rhine Christmas Markets River Diamond Superior
- Advent auf dem Rhein
- Rhine & Danube Symphony (Cologne - Passau)
- From Stralsund to Berlin: The Baltic Sea and the Oder and Havel Rivers (port-to-port cruise)
- Romantic Franconia & Bavaria & Legendary Rhine & Moselle
- Legendary Rhine & Moselle
A-ROSA ALEA provides premium accommodations for this 5-day Rhine adventure. From Cologne's Cathedral to the mythical Loreley Valley, stops include Rüdesheim's wine town and Frankfurt's modern skyline, with all-inclusive dining and drinks.
Duration 5 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Mainz, Frankfurt-am-Main, Loreley, Koblenz Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator A-ROSA From
- NZ$1,276
Christmas Markets MS River Diamond
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“An unforgettable experience, not only with the cruise, but as well as our tour leader Jessica.”
David, traveled in December
Duration 5 days Destinations Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Cologne Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Crucemundo From
- NZ$1,783+$167 upfront costs
Duration 6 days Destinations Cologne, Cochem, Trier, Bernkastel, Koblenz, Andernach Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator DCS Touristik From
- NZ$1,869
Duration 5 days Destinations Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Cologne Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$1,172
Duration 5 days Destinations Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Cologne Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
- NZ$1,724
Duration 4 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Koblenz Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German Operator DCS Touristik From
- NZ$737
Duration 8 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Operator Lueftner Cruises From $3,819
15% Off- NZ$3,246You save $573
From Stralsund to Berlin: The Baltic Sea and the Oder and Havel Rivers (port-to-port cruise)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers
The MS Victor Hugo sails Germany's waterways to UNESCO-listed Stralsund and Berlin. The Niederfinow boat elevator demonstrates remarkable engineering prowess. Refined French cuisine and panoramic views complement the 7-day route past Usedom's beaches.
Duration 7 days Destinations Stralsund, Rugen Island, Greifswald, Wolgast, Usedom, Lunow, Oderberg, Henningsdorf, Berlin Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
15% Off- NZ$2,953
Duration 11 days Destinations Munich, Neuschwanstein, Nuremberg, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Bernkastel, Trier, Cochem, Koblenz, Frankfurt-am-Main Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $16,925
45% Off- NZ$9,366You save $7,558
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 Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $15,117
50% Off- NZ$7,558You save $7,558
River Cruises in Germany Reviews
A nice sized boat and beautifully fitted out. Buffet breakfasts and a good choice of 4 course lunch and dinners, which you preordered at breakfast each day. Xmas decorations were up which added to the atmosphere. The ports we called at were great, with Xmas Markets fairly easy to find just strolling around. Although the Mainz Xmas Market was still being set up, it was still nice to wander around. There were 2 large groups (Norwegian and Spanish) with their own guide, so it was hard to mix with others, but we connected with a Spanish couple also travelling on their own, even though they had limited English and we only knew the courtesies in Spanish. No set tours were offered.
Christmas Markets MS River Diamond
- Moselle Discovery 2025
Excellent in all respects; expectation, service, personnel, price, food quality, operation and communications. The communications were extremely informative and replies were very responsive. For a first time river cruise experience, all expectations were excellent, from information packages, to arrival and departure. Everything about TourRadar was excellent, your service and your personnel were the best and made our trip outstanding.
- Rhine Christmas Markets 2026
The ship was lovely and very clean. The cabin space was more than adequate and the crew was charming. We enjoyed the buffets. The only disappointment was in Mannheim two of the Christmas markets weren’t there this year. The cruise line should have been aware of this and informed their passengers. Our little group spent a couple hours walking around not finding what we were looking for. A very elderly couple joined us and the needless walking was a concern for them. This is a small issue but one you should know about. We LOVED the time spent with A-Rosa and will recommended you to others.
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."