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7-Day Rhine Cruises
7-Day Rhine Cruises

7-Day Rhine Cruises

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Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Rhine itineraries

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MelissaRhine travel expert at TourRadar

  • From Basel to Amsterdam : The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River (port-to-port cruise)

    Rolling through 14 destinations from Swiss Basel to Dutch Amsterdam, this 7-day Rhine journey balances guided tours of riverside landmarks with scenic sailing past vineyards and medieval castles.

    Map of From Basel to Amsterdam : The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River (port-to-port cruise)
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    • Basel Switzerland

      33 mi
    • Breisach Germany

      10 mi
    • Colmar France

      41 mi
    • Black Forest Germany

      26 mi
    • Strasbourg France

      99 mi
    • Mainz Germany

      47 mi
    • Andernach Germany

      20 mi
    • Show 2 more

    • Konigswinter Germany

      5 mi
    • Bonn Germany

      14 mi
    • Cologne Germany

      21 mi
    • Dusseldorf Germany

      58 mi
    • Nijmegen Netherlands

      10 mi
    • Arnhem Netherlands

      50 mi
    • Amsterdam Netherlands

    • From Basel to Amsterdam : The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River (port-to-port cruise)
    • From Basel to Amsterdam : The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River (port-to-port cruise)
    • From Basel to Amsterdam : The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River (port-to-port cruise)
    • From Basel to Amsterdam : The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River (port-to-port cruise)
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  • 6 Day Rhine River Cruise Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Amsterdam

    A 6-day river cruise links 4 major cities across Germany and Netherlands, featuring 21m² balcony cabins on A-ROSA SENA. Full days explore Rotterdam's maritime port, Amsterdam's historic district with 7,500 listed buildings, and Utrecht's cathedral views and canal houses.

    Map of Rhine City Experiences 2025
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    • Day 1

      Cologne, Germany

      Arrive early to explore Cologne before the 5:00 PM departure. Visit the Gothic Cathedral (Kölner Dom) right when it opens at 6:00 AM to avoid crowds. The dome viewing platform is best visited before 10:00 AM for shorter lines and better city views. You can store your luggage on the ship while exploring since most hotels have late check-in times.

      6 Day Rhine River Cruise Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Amsterdam
    • Day 2

      Rotterdam, Netherlands

      You'll cruise the Rhine all morning and reach Rotterdam at noon with almost 12 hours to explore Europe's largest port city. Take a water taxi from the cruise dock to see the Cube Houses and Markthal food hall. Stay until evening departure to see Rotterdam's light art collection light up the Erasmus Bridge.

      6 Day Rhine River Cruise Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Amsterdam
    • Day 3

      Amsterdam

      You'll have a full day in Amsterdam after arriving in the morning. Book Anne Frank House tickets online 2-3 months ahead since they sell out fast. Some ships dock in Lelystad instead, so plan for a 1-hour shuttle ride to central Amsterdam if needed. Skip Dam Square between 11 AM-4 PM when it gets packed with tour groups.

      6 Day Rhine River Cruise Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Amsterdam
    • Days 4-5

      Utrecht

      Utrecht deserves the two-day stop. Take the first Dom Tower tour at 10 AM for the best city views without crowds. The canals here have unique wharf cellars and feel more local than Amsterdam's waterways. Just remember that local shops close early on Mondays.

      6 Day Rhine River Cruise Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Amsterdam
    • Day 6

      Return to Cologne

      You'll arrive in Cologne around 4 AM. Planning to explore more? Store your bags at the Hauptbahnhof lockers (€5-8) and visit the chocolate museum when it opens at 10 AM for a nice end to your trip.

      6 Day Rhine River Cruise Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Amsterdam
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  • 7 Day Rhine River Christmas Markets Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Strasbourg

    Map of Christmas Cruise on the Rhine - AMADEUS Riva (Cologne - Cologne)
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    • Day 1

      Cologne, Germany

      Plan to arrive by 10:30 AM for boarding and settling in. Visit the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market when it opens at noon to avoid the afternoon rush. Stop by the Heimat der Heinzel market in the Old Town for local Kölsch beer and traditional lebkuchen cookies. It's less crowded than the Cathedral market and offers a more relaxed experience.

      7 Day Rhine River Christmas Markets Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Strasbourg
    • Day 2

      Koblenz & Middle Rhine Valley

      Visit the Deutsche Eck Christmas market in Koblenz when it opens at 10 AM. After lunch, enjoy a 3-hour scenic cruise through the Middle Rhine Valley. You'll see more than 20 castles and the famous Lorelei Rock. The sun deck offers the best views but bring warm clothes. December temperatures usually range from 35-40°F (2-4°C).

      7 Day Rhine River Christmas Markets Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Strasbourg
    • Day 3

      Speyer

      Arrive early morning in Speyer to visit the Christmas market by the UNESCO-listed Romanesque cathedral. Looking for the best Glühwein? Head to the stand near the Old Mint building. You can keep the special mug for a small deposit. If you're interested in midnight mass at the cathedral, arrive 45 minutes early to find seats.

      7 Day Rhine River Christmas Markets Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Strasbourg
    • Day 4

      Strasbourg, France

      A short 1.5-hour morning cruise takes you to Strasbourg, known as the "Capital of Christmas." Visit Place Broglie market before 2 PM when it's quieter. Check out the huge Christmas tree in Place Kléber and the covered market at Place de la Cathédrale. Take a walk through the small streets of Petite France to find unique Alsatian ornaments away from the crowds.

      7 Day Rhine River Christmas Markets Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Strasbourg
    • Day 5

      Mainz

      Start at the Gutenberg Museum at 9 AM before the Christmas market opens at noon. The market spans five town squares, with Domplatz offering the most beautiful views. Try the local specialty near the Dom: Weck, Worscht un Woi (bread, sausage, and wine).

      7 Day Rhine River Christmas Markets Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Strasbourg
    • Day 6

      Cologne

      Back in Cologne for a full day. Visit the cathedral in the morning before tour groups arrive. The Angels Christmas Market on Neumarkt looks particularly beautiful after 4 PM when they turn on the lights. Want a perfect photo? Head to the KölnTriangle viewing platform across the river around sunset (4 PM in December).

    • Day 7

      Cologne Departure

      On your final morning, you can store luggage at the central station for €5 per locker if you have a late departure. The Alter Markt opens at 11 AM for last-minute shopping. It's about a 15-minute walk from the river to the train station. Give yourself extra time if you're carrying shopping bags.

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