Rhine and Danube River Cruises
Journey across Europe from Amsterdam to Budapest, on the Rhine and through the Main-Danube Canal to the Danube.
Follow the River Main and the Main-Danube Canal which connects the Rhine to the Danube, with our comprehensive collection of 2-week voyages from Holland, through Germany and Austria to Hungary. Shorter routes explore sections of the Main and Main-Danube Canal, from the Rhine or Danube.
Cruise Collection
European Gems
Special OfferSave up to 30%!
Cruise through the heart of four magnificent countries on this premium cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam with included shore excursions
Amsterdam to Budapest
Magnificent Europe
Special OfferSave up to 20%!
An all-inclusive, luxury cruise through five magnificent countries along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, with exclusive signature experiences, guided excursions, home pick-up service and travel from the UK
Amsterdam to Budapest
Magnificent Rivers of Europe
Special OfferSave up to £1000 Per Couple PLUS Free Flights on 2025 Cruises!
Cruise through the heart of Europe along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers from Amsterdam to Budapest following the route of emperors and kings through five magnificent countries. Includes guided excursions and drinks with meals
Amsterdam to Budapest
Reflections of the Rhine and Main
Special OfferSave up to 30%!
A superb full-board essential cruise along the beautiful Rhine River from Amsterdam to Nuremburg, travelling through Rüdesheim, Wertheim and Würzburg
Amsterdam to Nuremburg
Rhine Christmas Markets
Special OfferSave up to 30% plus Free Business Class Flights!
Embark on a festive voyage this Christmas, cruising through Europe's enchanting cities: Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Rastatt, Baden-Baden, Kehl, Strasbourg, and Basel. A holiday experience like no other awaits!
Amsterdam to Zurich
Three Rivers
Special OfferSave 15% on all 2025 cruises!
Cruise along the scenic waterways of the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers through the heart of Germany to discover medieval villages, ancient castles and picturesque vineyards
Amsterdam to Nuremberg
A Tale of Three Rivers
A unique 7-night cruise through the most scenic part of the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine through the breathtaking Rhine Gorge and along the Moselle and Main rivers between Trier and Bamberg, with included guided excursions and return flights from the UK
Trier to Bamberg
Across Europe
Special OfferSave 15% on all 2025 cruises!
UK - Amsterdam (Holland) , Amsterdam - Utrecht, Cologne (Germany), Rudesheim, Miltenberg - Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau , Melk/Emmersdorf - Durnstein, Vienna, Bratislava (Slovakia), Budapest (Hungary), Budapest - UK
Along the Blue Danube
Special OfferSave 15% on all 2025 cruises!
Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Dürnstein, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
Captivating Rhine
Special OfferSave up to £1000 Per Couple PLUS Free Flights on 2025 Cruises!
Amsterdam (The Netherlands) , Cologne (Germany) , Cruising the Rhine Gorge , Ludwigshafen , Strasbourg (France) , Breisach (Germany) , Basel (Switzerland)
European Rivers and Castles
Special OfferSave up to £1000 Per Couple PLUS Free Flights on 2025 Cruises!
Nuremberg (Germany), Bamberg - Volkach, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Rudesheim - Lahnstein, Cochem - Zell, Zell - Trier, Luxembourg
German Grandeur
Special OfferExclusive special early booking discounts on 2025 cruises - call us for details!
Basel (Switzerland), Breisach (Germany), Strasbourg (France), Rüdesheim (Germany) - Boppard, Frankfurt, Main river village, Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg
About Rhine to River Danube Cruises
The Main River flows from the Rhine at Mainz, 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 marks 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.
Explore Nuremberg’s 13th century city walls, complete with moats, watchtowers and gateways. From Nuremberg the Canal continues to meet the River Danube, which flows on to Passau, Vienna and Budapest, and eventually the Black Sea.
Rhine Danube River Highlights
Here are a few highlights of a cruise along the Rhine and Danube rivers:
- Cologne’s striking Gothic Cathedral
- The imposing Heidelberg Castle with views of the Neckar River Valley
- Bamberg’s half-timbered houses and brightly-coloured Little Venice area
- See the first printed Bible in the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz
- Medieval Nuremberg and its WWII sites
- Wertheim’s 12th-century castle
- The ornate Bishop’s Residenz palace in Wurzburg
- Frankfurt’s towering skyscrapers and quaint medieval Old Town
- Travel along the Romantic Road to the medieval town of Rothenburg
- Miltenberg’s richly-timbered houses and narrow cobblestone streets
Cruise Reviews
Travelmarvel By Apt Rhine-Main-Danube
by J.KnightWe can highly recommend this cruise the organisation was superb with every detail dealt with .The places we visited had so much to see but the guides managed to help us see the major sights and give us information as we walked .For those with walking problems there was a small bus to help their transport needs .We particularly liked the open dining with no fixed seating ,so we were able to meet many interesting people,and make new friends. The staff on the boat were efficient and friendly and the cleanliness was outstanding .The food was excellent and they dealt with dietary needs well..I will send a photo separately
Splendours Of Europe
by M.PinkneyI am still in overload after being away for 6 weeks including the Splendours of Europe cruise. However, the combination of blue Water Holidays and the Emerald Dawn was faultless. Possibly the best holiday experience of my life. Everyone went beyond what I would have expected. The service and friendliness of the Emerald Dawn was so genuine. A perfect holiday made so be an awesome ship and wonderful people.
Travelmarvel Jewel
by M.NichollsIt was the first River Cruise we had booked after many ocean cruises and our opinion is that it was a most enjoyable, if not exhausting, experience.
We were met at the airport and coached to the ship in Amsterdam with the evening to explore the local area. Throughout our voyage we were kept well informed of anything by the very skilled Cruise Director, Roland, who also assisted so many passengers with a myriad of problems and questions. The passengers thought very highly of him with just cause.
The journey went smoothly from beginning to end and we enjoyed seeing all the varied scenery and exploring the towns and cities along the way. It was good to have included excursions in the price even if they were early morning starts. We were not disappointed with the venues.
Our Owners Suite was well appointed and looked after extremely well by the ever cheerful Hemli. We appreciated the welcome champagne and basket of fruit on arrival and the necessary bottles of water throughout the voyage.
The food and service throughout was second to none and the dining room staff were very generous with the beer and wine.
Departure procedures went smoothly and efficiently.
Overall we would recommend Blue Water Holidays.