Rhine Cruises in September 2026
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10 Rhine river cruises in September 2026
Compiled by

SteffRhine travel expert at TourRadar
- ESSENCE OF RHINE (Cologne - Strasbourg - Mainz - Cologne)
 - Classical Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Basel)
 - Enchanting Rhine 2026
 - Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2026
 - Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Northbound) 2026
 - Round Europe (30 destinations)
 - Captivating Rhine 2026
 - Romantic Rhine & Alsace Region – VISTAGRACIA Standard
 - Active & Discovery on the Rhine (Southbound) 2026
 - Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 2026
 
ESSENCE OF RHINE (Cologne - Strasbourg - Mainz - Cologne)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was a wonderful tour.”
MeralAka, traveled in April
Duration 8 days Destinations Cologne, Koblenz, Mannheim, Strasbourg, Speyer, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Andernach Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, French, Spanish Ship MS Crucebelle River Rhine Operator Crucemundo September departure dates
23 Sep, 2026 10+ spaces left From $3,763
20% Off- NZ$3,010+$152 upfront costsYou save $753
 
Duration 8 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ships AMADEUS QueenAmadeus StarAmadeus CaraAmadeus RivaAMADEUS Aurea River Rhine Operator Lueftner Cruises September departure dates
See All Departure Dates7 Sep, 2026 10+ spaces left 9 Sep, 2026 10 spaces left From $4,647
15% Off- NZ$3,950You save $697
 
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range Ages 12+ Ships AmaViolaAmaCertoAmaPrimaAmaSienaAmaLuciaAmaStella Old River Rhine Operator AmaWaterways September departure dates
See All Departure Dates3 Sep, 2026 10 spaces left 5 Sep, 2026 7 spaces left From
15% Off- NZ$6,488+$438 upfront costs
 
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range Ages 12+ Ships Avalon PanoramaAvalon VistaAvalon EnvisionAvalon View River Rhine Operator Avalon Waterways September departure dates
See All Departure Dates1 Sep, 2026 7 spaces left 5 Sep, 2026 7 spaces left From
15% Off- NZ$6,488+$405 upfront costs
 
Duration 10 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range Ages 8+ Ships Avalon PanoramaAvalon VistaAvalon View River Rhine Operator Avalon Waterways September departure dates
See All Departure Dates3 Sep, 2026 7 spaces left 6 Sep, 2026 7 spaces left From
15% Off- NZ$9,078+$405 upfront costs
 
Duration 14 days Destinations France, England, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic Age Range All Ages Welcome River RhineSeine Operator Europamundo September departure dates
See All Departure Dates5 Sep, 2026 10+ spaces left 12 Sep, 2026 10+ spaces left From $4,084
15% Off- NZ$3,471You save $613
 
Duration 8 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 12+ Ships AmaViolaAmaCertoAmaPrimaAmaSienaAmaLuciaAmaStella Old River Rhine Operator AmaWaterways September departure dates
See All Departure Dates3 Sep, 2026 10 spaces left 10 Sep, 2026 7 spaces left From
15% Off- NZ$4,559+$438 upfront costs
 
Duration 8 days Destinations Cologne, Koblenz, Mannheim, Strasbourg, Speyer, Mainz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Andernach Age Range All Ages Welcome River Rhine Operator Europamundo September departure dates
23 Sep, 2026 10 spaces left From $3,428
15% Off- NZ$2,914You save $514
 
Duration 8 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 8+ Ships Avalon PanoramaAvalon Vista River Rhine Operator Avalon Waterways September departure dates
See All Departure Dates5 Sep, 2026 7 spaces left 12 Sep, 2026 7 spaces left From
15% Off- NZ$7,189+$405 upfront costs
 
Duration 8 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range Ages 12+ Ships Avalon PanoramaAvalon VistaAvalon EnvisionAvalon View River Rhine Operator Avalon Waterways September departure dates
See All Departure Dates1 Sep, 2026 7 spaces left 8 Sep, 2026 7 spaces left From
15% Off- NZ$6,488+$405 upfront costs
 
What people love about Rhine River Cruises in September
- ESSENCE OF RHINE (Cologne - Strasbourg - Mainz - Cologne)
Great tour, great food, great people.
 
What our customers ask about Rhine Cruises in September 2026
What are the best stops along the Rhine River in September?
The Rhine River offers excellent stops during September when temperatures are mild and crowds have thinned. Key destinations include Heidelberg where castle light shows illuminate the evening sky and Rüdesheim where visitors can sample local wines along the historic Drosselgasse. The Rhine Gorge UNESCO site shows its first autumn colors while the Black Forest region provides comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities. Cities like Cologne and Amsterdam are noticeably quieter than peak season. A TourRadar reviewer notes: "The September timing was perfect for exploring outdoor markets in Cochem and enjoying coffee at riverside cafes in Basel."
Which cruise lines offer the best September Rhine River experiences?
Top cruise operators maximize September's pleasant weather with themed voyages. AmaWaterways runs specialized wine cruises while Avalon Waterways features their Suite Ships® and CroisiEurope delivers authentic European experiences. Most routes last 7-10 days between Amsterdam and Basel with luxury hotel options like the Schweizerhof in Lucerne available for extended stays. According to TourRadar reviews: "AmaWaterways' wine harvest cruise in September was exceptional with perfect weather for vineyard tours and castle visits."
What type of accommodation options are available on Rhine River cruises in September?
Ships range from upscale vessels like the AmaSerena with balcony suites to well-appointed boats like A-ROSA BRAVA offering multiple room categories. The Avalon Imagery II provides 200-square-foot Panorama Suites with river views. Premium hotels such as the Marriott in Cologne serve as bases for pre or post-cruise stays. One TourRadar traveler commented "Our cabin on the upper deck of MS Lafayette had floor-to-ceiling windows perfect for watching the changing September landscapes."
What are the most scenic stretches of the Rhine River to cruise in September?
The Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage site between Koblenz and Rüdesheim shows its early autumn colors in September. Castles dot the clifftops while vineyards between Cologne and Strasbourg begin their harvest. The Middle Rhine Valley draws consistent praise with one TourRadar reviewer noting: "The September afternoon light made the castles and vineyards look absolutely magical."
What are the best shore excursions available on Rhine River cruises in September?
September's mild weather suits outdoor activities perfectly. Options include walks on Heidelberg's Philosopher's Path bike rides through Rüdesheim's vineyards and tours of Strasbourg's La Petite France quarter. The Black Forest open-air museum gondola rides to Niederwalddenkmal and Rhine Gorge castle explorations round out the offerings. According to a TourRadar review: "The September weather was perfect for the guided bike tours through the vineyards and visiting the medieval castles above the Rhine."
How crowded are Rhine River cruises and attractions in September?
September strikes an ideal balance with reduced crowds and comfortable temperatures. Major sites like Cologne Cathedral and Heidelberg Castle become more accessible. Ships including AmaWaterways' AmaPrima and Avalon's Vista typically carry 150-160 passengers creating an intimate atmosphere. As one TourRadar traveler mentions: "Traveling in September meant we could enjoy all the sights without the summer crowds especially in popular spots like Rüdesheim and Strasbourg."
What special events and festivals can I experience along the Rhine River in September?
September brings wine harvest celebrations to Rhine River towns like Rüdesheim and Bernkastel. The Rhine in Flames festival lights up castle-lined shores with fireworks. Visitors can join traditional wine-pressing in the Moselle Valley and attend harvest concerts at Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum. A TourRadar traveler notes: "The wine festivals in September were a highlight - we got to participate in grape harvesting and enjoy fresh wine tastings at local vineyards."





















