River Rhine, Main and Danube cruises in Germany and Austria

River Cruises from the River Rhine via the Main-Danube Canal to the River Danube

Cruise the waterway connecting the Rhine to the Danube - an obsession of King Ludwig of Bavaria in the mid-19 century

We offer cruises from the River Rhine through the Main-Danube Canal to the River Danube and further, as well as cruises along the Canal to or from the Danube River.

The Main River flows from the River Rhine at Mainz through Frankfurt twisting and turning through vineyards, wine villages and ancient towns rich in medieval architecture. From Miltenberg with its ancient market place the Main reaches Wurzburg. Here the Prince-Bishop’s Residenz, a UNESCO World Monument, features the largest ceiling fresco in the world.

Bamberg on the Main is an architectural gem, its Old Town Hall decorated with lavish frescos. This is the start of the Main-Danube Canal, winding 106 miles through rural Bavaria linking the Main with the River Danube at Kelheim. Only completed in 1992, the Canal includes 16 locks that rise to a height of 1330 feet near Nuremberg, the highest point of any commercial waterway in Europe.

Nuremberg’s 13th century city walls are complete with moats, watchtowers and gateways. From Nuremberg the Canal continues to meet the River Danube at Kelheim and on to Passau and eventually the Black Sea.

Check out our Rhine-Main-Danube cruises from the selection below

River Map of Europe
Follow the Rhine, Main, and Main-Danube Canal to the Danube on our zoomable map
- right-click to zoom.

Main River Miltenberg

Wurzburg Prince-Bishop's residenz Bamberg Town Hall

Elevations of the Main-Danube Canal

River Rhine via Main-Danube Canal to River Danube Cruises 2009

See also River Rhine and Moselle cruises; River Danube to Budapest cruises; River Danube to Black Sea cruises


Viking River Cruises Full board cruises, informal dress code, freestyle seating for meals on most cruises, inclusive wine lunch and dinner, packaged with flights or rail from UK, or available cruise only
Cruise	River	Nts	Description	Ship	Grade	Price
Castles and Wine	Moselle, Rhine, Main	7	Between Trier and Nuremberg	Viking Sky	4*	from £1585pp
Grand European Tour	Rhine, Main, Danube	14	Between Amsterdam and Budapest	Viking Legend, Spirit, Pride, Neptune	4/5*	from £2140pp


Avalon Waterways Full board cruises, casual dress, freestyle seating for meals, inclusive wine with dinner, cruise only or tailor made
Cruise	River	Nts	Description	Ship	Grade	Price
Central European Experience	Moselle, Rhine, Main	11	Paris, with cruise between Trier and Nuremberg plus Prague	Tranquility	5*	from £1589pp
European Splendour	Rhine, Main, Danube	12	Between Amsterdam and Vienna	Artistry	5*	from £1959pp	New for 2009
Jewels of Central Europe	Moselle, Rhine, Main, Danube	16	Paris, with cruise between Trier and Budapest	Tranquility	5*	from £2329pp
Magnificent Europe	Rhine, Main, Danube	14	Between Amsterdam and Budapest	Tranquility, Tapestry, Artistry, Poetry	5*	from £2029pp


Elegant River Cruises Full board cruises, casual dress, freestyle seating for meals, inclusive drinks with dinner, full travel package from UK with VIP Home Departure Service, or available cruise only
Cruise	River	Nts	Description	Ship	Grade	Price
Rhine and Main Discovery	Rhine, Main	7	Between Nuremberg and Basel	River Countess	5*	from £1395pp	Book by 31 Jul 09 for No Single Supp
European Serenade	Rhine, Main, Danube	12	Between Vienna and Amsterdam	River Countess, Duchess	5*	from £1695pp	Book by 31 Jul 09 for No Single Supp
European Discovery	Rhine, Main, Danube	14	Between Basel and Vienna	River Countess	5*	from £2095pp	Book by 31 Jul 09 for No Single Supp
European Jewels	Rhine, Main, Danube	14	Between Budapest and Amsterdam	River Queen, River Empress	5*	from £2115pp	Book by 31 Jul 09 for No Single Supp


Scenic Cruises The following cruises are full board on new ships, with balconies on most cabins, free shore excursions, informal dress code, freestyle seating for dinner, inclusive wine with lunch and dinner, no gratuities to pay and packaged with regional flights from UK, or available cruise only
Cruise	River	Nts	Description	Ship	Grade	Price
Three Rivers Cruise	Moselle, Rhine, Main	7	Between Trier and Nuremberg	Scenic Sapphire	6*	from £1895pp
Jewels of Europe Cruise	Rhine, Main, Danube	14	Between Amsterdam and Budapest	Scenic Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, Ruby	6*	from £2695pp



See also River Rhine and Moselle cruises; River Danube to Budapest cruises; River Danube to Black Sea cruises