Rhine River Cruises
Our recommended Rhine river cruises are the best way to explore the mighty Rhine. Sail from the clear lakes and towering mountains of Switzerland to the fairytale castles and terraced vineyards of the Rhine Valley. Journey from Amsterdam to Basel through the scenic Middle Rhine and past the famous Lorelei Rock, or choose an itinerary that explores the pretty meandering River Moselle.
Moor in the heart of picturesque riverside towns like lively Rudesheim, and visit historic cities such as Cologne and Strasbourg, as you voyage through Switzerland, Germany, France and Holland to the North Sea. See the highlights of each port on guided excursions accompanied by local guides, or simply step ashore to explore on your own.
Cruise Collection
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UK - Amsterdam (Holland), Amsterdam - Utrecht (Netherlands), Cologne (Germany), Cochem , Koblenz - Rudesheim , Mannheim - Speyer, Strasbourg (France), Basel (Switzerlan
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Basel (Switzerland) , Breisach (Germany) , Strasbourg (France) , Ludwigshafen (Germany) - Rudesheim , Rudesheim - Rhine Gorge - Lahnstein , Cologne , Amsterdam (The Net
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Amsterdam, Cologne , Koblenz, Ludwigshafen – Heidelberg, Kehl – Strasbourg, Breisach - Freiburg , Basel
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Frankfurt – Mainz, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Ludwigshafen – Heidelberg, Rastatt – Baden-Baden, Kehl – Strasbourg, Breisach – Colmar, Basel
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UK - Cologne (Germany), Cochem, Trier - Bernkastel, Koblenz – Boppard, Rudesheim, Cologne, Cologne - UK
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Amsterdam (Holland), Cologne (Germany), Lahnstein, Cochem, Trier, Bernkastel, Rudesheim, Ludwigshafen, Strasbourg (France), Breisach (Germany), Basel (Switzerland)
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UK - Cologne (Germany), Koblenz - Boppard, Rhine Gorge - Mainz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg (France) - Colmar, Rudesheim (Germany), Cologne, Cologne - UK
Basel, Breisach, Strasbourg, Speyer, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Cologne, Amsterdam
Budapest (Hungary), Vienna (Austria), Durnstein – Melk, Passau (Germany), Regensburg , Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Miltenberg, Rudesheim, Cologne - Bruhl, Amsterdam (
UK - Amsterdam (Holland), Andernach - Koblenz, Rudesheim, Miltenberg, Wurzburg , Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau - Linz (Austria), Melk - Durnstein, Vienna, Buda
UK - Amsterdam (Holland), Amsterdam - Utrecht, Cologne (Germany) - Bruhl, Rhine Gorge - Rüdesheim, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg - UK
UK - Amsterdam (Netherlands) , Kinderdijk , Cologne (Germany) , Koblenz - Rudesheim , Speyer , Strasbourg (France) , Breisach (Germany) , Basel (Switzerland) - UK
About Rhine River Cruises
From Amsterdam, voyage upstream through colourful Dutch waterways and rich farmland to Cologne with its Old Town and great Gothic Cathedral. Continue to Koblenz where the Rhine meets the Moselle, and on to the ancient fortress town of Boppard.
Pass the famous Lorelei Rock on the way to the wine country town of Rudesheim with its lively Drosselgrasse street of restaurants and taverns. At Mainz the River Main leaves the Rhine which continues south, allowing a tour to romantic Heidelberg, the oldest university town in Germany.
Sail on up the upper Rhine to Strasbourg, a cosmopolitan city on the French-German border with a soaring cathedral and colourful half-timbered buildings, and Basel, Switzerland's second largest city. Some itineraries spend a couple of days in Switzerland with visits to Lucerne and the dramatic Bernese Oberland.
The River Moselle is smaller and more intimate, meandering from Koblenz through woods and vineyards for over 160 miles. Travel past hills dotted with romantic castles, and through wine villages such as Cochem, Bernkastel and Piesport to Trier, founded by the Romans 2000 years ago.
Highlights of the Rhine River
Here are a few highlights of a cruise along the Rhine:
- Amsterdam’s elegant architecture and famous canals
- Bamberg’s brightly-coloured fishermen’s houses in Little Venice
- The timber-framed houses of Bernkastel surrounding the medieval square
- Cologne’s Old Town, dominated by the impressive cathedral
- Heidelberg, a favourite of writers and philosophers
- German Corner in Koblenz, where the River Moselle flows into the Rhine
- The Printing Museum in Mainz, birthplace of Johann Gutenberg
- Rüdesheim’s wine-growing region
- See the fairytale Petite France district of Strasbourg
- The spectacular Rhine Gorge with the legendary Lorelei Rock
River Rhine Ports
A cruise on the Rhine River and her tributaries offers the opportunity to enjoy the passing scenery and go ashore to explore a viariety of riverside attractions
Cologne, Germany
Founded by the Romans, Cologne has long been an important trading centre and was once home to the composers Schumann and Mendelssohn. The city's main attraction is the twin-spired Gothic cathedral whch dominates the skyline. There are also baroque palaces, medieval churches and a 16th-century City Hall.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The cruise terminal in Amsterdam is a short distance from the city centre and its tall merchant houses and tree-lined canals. Chief sights are the prestigious Rijks museum and its large collection of important paintings, the Van Gogh Museum and Ann Frank’s House. The attractive narrow streets are full of bars, coffee houses, quaint bridges and interesting shops.
Rudesheim, Germany
The scenic town of Rudesheim has many attractions - it sits at the foot of the Niederwald mountain and in one of the Rhines best wine-making regions. Stroll the gorgeous Drosselgasse and sip a glass of superb Riesling in a cosy tavern or take a tour by gondola up the Niederwald,. Other options include Castle Vollards or a miniature train ride to the eccentric Mechanical Music Museum.
Basel, Switzerland
Basel is a handsome city with a buzzing Marketplatz and daily food markets. In its old town are winding streets, the cathedral, red-brick City Hall, art museums and many historic buildings. The green valleys and chocolate-box villages of Switzerland are sometimes included in tours from Basel.
Strasbourg, France
The Grand Ile is the historic centre of Strasbourg, the busy European capital which combines dazzling historic buildings with the offices of the European Parliament and modern commerce. Stroll the fairytale district of Petite France, see covered bridges and the magnificent cathedral.
Rhine Cruise Reviews
Rhine River Cruise FAQs
The cruise season on the Rhine usually starts in March and lasts into December. Spring is usually cooler and there will be less people about, suiting those who like to explore without crowds. Cruising on the Rhine in spring usually offers the opportunity to visit the tulip fields of Holland at the best time. Summer can be a busier time to cruise, with more tourists, but is usually warmer so suits those who prefer to holiday in warmer climates. Autumn means that the surrounding river banks change colour, and with the wine harvests in September it is a great time to discover regional wines en route. November and December are a very festive time to cruise the Rhine, with traditional Christmas markets in local towns and cities.
For more information on the best time to cruise the Rhine, see our dedicated blog What is the best month to take a Rhine River cruise
A standard Rhine cruise is usually seven nights long, which takes you along the popular stretches of the Rhine between Amsterdam and Basel. These cruises visit popular Rhine ports like Cologne, Rudesheim and Strasbourg in France. Some Rhine cruises last longer, allowing more opportunity to explore lesser-visited parts of the Rhine, like Speyer and Heidelberg. Most Rhine cruises will take in the scenic Middle Rhine section of the river, with its fairytale castles perched above terraced vineyards.
Read our blog on the top towns to visit on a Rhine cruise
There are a number of cruise lines operating river cruises on the Rhine. As a quick guide, luxury all-inclusive cruise lines are Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Scenic. Known for superb food are AmaWaterways, with their Chaine des Rossiteurs connection. If you enjoy a British experience on board then Riviera Travel are recommended, whereas for a more European flavour, CroisiEurope and Amadeus are good options. Emerald and APT Travelmarvel offer a contemporary, modern experience, representing excellent value.
Each cruise line is different and it can be difficult to determine which will suit you best. As river cruise experts for over 20 years, our Blue Water specialists can help you find the perfect cruise for you – call us on 01756 706500 for independent advice on the best Rhine cruise.