River Cruises in Rhine Valley
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10 best river cruise Rhine Valley tours
Compiled by

MelissaRhine Valley travel expert at TourRadar
- Rheinerlebnis
- Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Northbound) 2025
- Christmas Markets of the Rhine 2025
- New Year's Eve Cruise on the Rhine (Cologne - Cologne)
- Christmas Cruise on the Rhine (Cologne - Cologne)
- The Magic of Christmas: Savory delights and holiday traditions on a Rhine River cruise (port-to-port cruise)
- Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Northbound) 2026
- Rhine Legends 2025 (8 destinations)
- Rhine Legends 2025 (6 destinations)
- Southern Rhine New Year's Dream 2026
Duration 7 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Speyer, Straßburg, Karlsruhe, Wiesbaden Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator DCS Touristik From
- NZ$2,071
The Avalon Imagery II offers a 5-day Rhine adventure with wall-to-wall window suites. The route features Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral, medieval Heidelberg Castle, and charming Black Forest villages. Illuminated riverside towns create magical evening backdrops for regional cuisine and wines.
Duration 5 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship Avalon Panorama River Rhine Operator Avalon Waterways From
- NZ$5,861+$199 upfront costs
Emerald Destiny, with its panoramic suites and intimate 182-passenger capacity, sails the Rhine past seven Christmas markets beneath Cologne Cathedral. The journey includes Heidelberg Castle ruins and the magical Ravenna Viaduct market, plus wine tastings and guided tours through UNESCO-listed Strasbourg's Grande Île.
Duration 8 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range up to 90 year olds Ship Emerald Sun River Rhine Operator Emerald Cruises From $16,267
60% Off- NZ$6,472You save $9,795
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ships Amadeus Silver IIAmadeus Cara River Rhine Operator Lueftner Cruises From
60% Off- NZ$3,625
The AMADEUS sails through the snow-covered Rhine Valley past legendary Loreley Rock and medieval castles. The itinerary includes UNESCO sites in Koblenz, Middle Rhine's winter vistas, and Strasbourg's canals. River-view cabins and regional wine tastings complement the voyage.
Duration 7 days Destinations Cologne, Koblenz, Speyer, Strasbourg, Mainz Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator Lueftner Cruises From
60% Off- NZ$3,779
The MS Beethoven glides past legendary Lorelei Rock and medieval castles along the Rhine Valley. Highlights include Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet in Rüdesheim and Saint-Martin's Cathedral in Mainz. Traditional Alsatian celebrations enhance evening entertainment.
Duration 5 days Destinations Strasbourg, Sankt Goarshausen, Rudesheim am Rhein, Mainz, Gambsheim Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship MS Beethoven River Rhine Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
60% Off- NZ$1,802
Luxury suites aboard the Avalon Imagery II offer panoramic views of the romantic Rhine Valley. The journey includes riverside Christmas markets, medieval towns, wine tasting in Breisach, and exploration of Heidelberg Castle.
Duration 5 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France Age Range up to 99 year olds Ships Avalon Imagery IIAvalon Panorama River Rhine Operator Avalon Waterways From
60% Off- NZ$4,402+$219 upfront costs
A-ROSA SILVA sails from Cologne's Gothic architecture through the storied Loreley Valley. The ship offers live-cooking stations, visits to medieval Rüdesheim's Drosselgasse, and tours of UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral. Stops include Koblenz's Deutsches Eck.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Germersheim, Strasbourg, Kehl, Mainz, Koblenz Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA SILVA River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
60% Off- NZ$1,531
A-ROSA AQUA's modern ship boasts 14.5m² cabins across three decks while sailing the romantic Rhine Valley. The route passes medieval castles and the legendary Loreley Rock, with stops at historic ports from Rüdesheim's wine taverns to Koblenz's Deutsches Eck. All-inclusive dining features regional wines.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cologne, Mainz, Speyer, Strasbourg, Koblenz Age Range 2 to 80 year olds Operated in English, German Ship A-ROSA AQUA River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
60% Off- NZ$1,723
The A-ROSA CLEA takes guests along the Rhine Valley, making stops at iconic riverside destinations. Sample coffee at Rüdesheim's famous cafes, tour the UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral, and visit Geldermann sparkling wine cellars in Breisach. All-inclusive gourmet dining and riverside cabin views enhance the journey.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Switzerland, France Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
60% Off- NZ$2,875
Rhine Valley River Cruise Reviews
- Family Cruise: on the romantic Rhine and in the heart of the Black Forest.Experience history and traditions in a Rhine atmosphere.Optional: a day at Europa Park (port-to-port cruise).
Fabulous crew, great food, wonderful service, lovely ship! We had a super holiday!
- The romantic Rhine Valley and the rock of the Lorelei (port-to-port cruise)
Fabulous trip, loved it. Fantastic good and staff. Would highly recommend
What our customers ask about River Cruises in Rhine Valley
Which major cities and attractions are typically included on Rhine Valley river cruises?
A Rhine Valley cruise connects Europe's most notable riverside destinations. Passengers visit Strasbourg's UNESCO-listed Grande Île and explore Cologne's towering Gothic Cathedral. The route includes Rüdesheim where narrow streets lead to traditional wine taverns and Koblenz where the Rhine meets the Moselle. Most ships dock in Amsterdam's canal district and stop at the Black Forest region. Notable sights include the Lorelei Rock and Heidelberg Castle. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "The food was amazing and the journey along the Rhine at Christmas something we shall never forget especially visiting Strasbourg's historic center and the Christmas markets."
What are the most scenic stretches along Rhine Valley river cruises?
The Rhine Gorge between Rüdesheim and Koblenz stands out as the route's visual centerpiece. Medieval castles perch 400 feet above the water including the well-preserved Marksburg Castle and the storied Lorelei Rock. As one TourRadar traveler noted "The combination of medieval castles vineyard-covered hillsides and charming villages made the Rhine Gorge absolutely breathtaking." Ships such as MS Modigliani and Emerald Sky feature large windows and open decks designed for viewing these landscapes.
What types of cabins are available on Rhine Valley river cruise ships?
Rhine cruise ships offer accommodations across multiple price points and deck levels. The Emerald Dawn provides options from Owner's Suites to standard Emerald Staterooms. On the MS Gerard Schmitter passengers choose between Category A B and C cabins spread across Upper Middle and Main decks with flexible bed configurations. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned "Our cabin on the upper deck was surprisingly spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of storage space."
What shore excursions are typically included on Rhine Valley river cruises?
Standard Rhine Valley cruise packages include guided walks through Cologne's Old Town Strasbourg's historic center and Heidelberg Castle. Many ships offer bicycle tours in Breisach and Amsterdam's Waterland area. Additional experiences range from wine sampling in Rüdesheim to Black Forest excursions and visits to Mainz's Gutenberg Museum. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The included walking tours were informative and well-paced while optional excursions like the Black Forest tour added great cultural insights."
When is the best time of year to take a Rhine Valley river cruise?
The Rhine Valley cruise season runs year-round with distinct seasonal highlights. April to October sees the highest number of sailings. Spring cruises (April-May) coincide with tulip season near Amsterdam's Keukenhof Gardens. Summer brings warm weather perfect for deck viewing while fall offers wine harvests and colorful foliage. December cruises focus on traditional Christmas markets with Strasbourg hosting one of Europe's largest. As one TourRadar traveler noted about their spring cruise: "A wonderful tour where the staff did all they could to make our experience memorable. The journey along the Rhine at Christmas something we shall never forget."
How much free time is typically available in ports?
Rhine Valley cruise schedules mix guided activities with independent exploration time. Major stops like Cologne and Strasbourg usually allow 2-4 hours of free time after organized tours. Evening ports such as Rüdesheim give passengers time to explore local attractions like the Drosselgasse at their own pace. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "We appreciated having free afternoons to wander through charming towns like Koblenz and shop at local markets after our morning tours."