River Cruises in Rhine Valley
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10 best river cruise Rhine Valley tours
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MelissaRhine Valley travel expert at TourRadar
- Southern Rhine Experience 2025
- The Majestic Rhine 2024|2025 - 8 Days
- Rheinerlebnis
- The Magic of Christmas: Savory delights and holiday traditions on a Rhine River cruise (port-to-port cruise)
- New Year's Eve Cruise on the Rhine (Cologne - Cologne)
- Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Southbound) 2025
- Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Northbound) 2025
- Rhine Enchanting Christmas Markets 2025
- Rhine Legends 2025 (including Kehl)
- Christmas Markets on the Rhine 2026 - 8 Days (from Zurich to Amsterdam)
The A-ROSA SILVA sails the Rhine's most dramatic sections, from Cologne's Gothic cathedral to Basel's medieval center. The ship winds through the majestic Loreley Valley, docks at Rüdesheim's famous Drosselgasse, and offers trips to UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral from Germersheim.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, Switzerland, France Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
- US$1,779
The Majestic Rhine 2024|2025 - 8 Days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Was an outstanding cruise. Just the right mix of activity with rest.”
Steven, traveled in June
Panoramic views unfold aboard Emerald Sun through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, including vistas from Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Canal tours wind through Strasbourg's Petite France, while stops include Siegfried's Music Museum in Rüdesheim and Baden-Baden's famous casino.
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range up to 90 year olds Ships Emerald SunEmerald Sky River Rhine Operator Emerald Cruises From
- US$7,590
Duration 7 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Speyer, Straßburg, Karlsruhe, Wiesbaden Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator DCS Touristik From
- US$1,131
The MS Beethoven glides past legendary Lorelei Rock and medieval castles along the Rhine Valley. Highlights include Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet in Rüdesheim and Saint-Martin's Cathedral in Mainz. Traditional Alsatian celebrations enhance evening entertainment.
Duration 5 days Destinations Strasbourg, Sankt Goarshausen, Rudesheim am Rhein, Mainz, Gambsheim Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship MS Beethoven River Rhine Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
- US$948
Duration 8 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German Ships Amadeus Silver IIAmadeus Cara River Rhine Operator Lueftner Cruises From
- US$1,980
The Avalon Suite Ship takes guests to enchanting Christmas markets in Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Breisach. Highlights include the 16th-century Strasbourg Cathedral, the world's largest wine barrel at Heidelberg Castle, and Black Forest traditions. Chef-prepared regional cuisine served with panoramic views from Wall-to-Wall windowed suites.
Duration 5 days Destinations Germany, France, Switzerland Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Ship Avalon Panorama River Rhine Operator Avalon Waterways From
- US$3,499+$120 upfront costs
The Avalon Imagery II offers a 5-day Rhine adventure with wall-to-wall window suites. The route features Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral, medieval Heidelberg Castle, and charming Black Forest villages. Illuminated riverside towns create magical evening backdrops for regional cuisine and wines.
Duration 5 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship Avalon Panorama River Rhine Operator Avalon Waterways From
- US$3,527+$120 upfront costs
The A-ROSA SILVA visits Rhine Valley's Christmas markets, including medieval Rüdesheim's Drosselgasse and UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral. The ship sails through the legendary Loreley Valley with festive onboard celebrations. Six historic ports include Strasbourg's decorated old town.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Germersheim, Strasbourg, Mainz, Koblenz Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
- US$627
A-ROSA SILVA sails from Cologne's Gothic architecture through the storied Loreley Valley. The ship offers live-cooking stations, visits to medieval Rüdesheim's Drosselgasse, and tours of UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral. Stops include Koblenz's Deutsches Eck.
Duration 6 days Destinations Cologne, Rudesheim am Rhein, Germersheim, Strasbourg, Kehl, Mainz, Koblenz Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, German River Rhine Operator A-ROSA From
- US$627
Cruise the Rhine Valley aboard Emerald Destiny or Luna, exploring Christmas markets beneath Cologne Cathedral and Ravenna Viaduct. Experience wine tasting at Heidelberg Castle and tour UNESCO-listed Grande Île in Strasbourg.
Duration 8 days Destinations Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands Age Range up to 90 year olds Ship Emerald Destiny River Rhine Operator Emerald Cruises From $8,190
50% Off- US$4,095You save $4,095
What our customers ask about River Cruises in Rhine Valley
Which major cities and attractions are typically included on Rhine Valley river cruises?
A Rhine Valley cruise connects Europe's most notable riverside destinations. Passengers visit Strasbourg's UNESCO-listed Grande Île and explore Cologne's towering Gothic Cathedral. The route includes Rüdesheim where narrow streets lead to traditional wine taverns and Koblenz where the Rhine meets the Moselle. Most ships dock in Amsterdam's canal district and stop at the Black Forest region. Notable sights include the Lorelei Rock and Heidelberg Castle. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "The food was amazing and the journey along the Rhine at Christmas something we shall never forget especially visiting Strasbourg's historic center and the Christmas markets."
What are the most scenic stretches along Rhine Valley river cruises?
The Rhine Gorge between Rüdesheim and Koblenz stands out as the route's visual centerpiece. Medieval castles perch 400 feet above the water including the well-preserved Marksburg Castle and the storied Lorelei Rock. As one TourRadar traveler noted "The combination of medieval castles vineyard-covered hillsides and charming villages made the Rhine Gorge absolutely breathtaking." Ships such as MS Modigliani and Emerald Sky feature large windows and open decks designed for viewing these landscapes.
What types of cabins are available on Rhine Valley river cruise ships?
Rhine cruise ships offer accommodations across multiple price points and deck levels. The Emerald Dawn provides options from Owner's Suites to standard Emerald Staterooms. On the MS Gerard Schmitter passengers choose between Category A B and C cabins spread across Upper Middle and Main decks with flexible bed configurations. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned "Our cabin on the upper deck was surprisingly spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of storage space."
What shore excursions are typically included on Rhine Valley river cruises?
Standard Rhine Valley cruise packages include guided walks through Cologne's Old Town Strasbourg's historic center and Heidelberg Castle. Many ships offer bicycle tours in Breisach and Amsterdam's Waterland area. Additional experiences range from wine sampling in Rüdesheim to Black Forest excursions and visits to Mainz's Gutenberg Museum. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The included walking tours were informative and well-paced while optional excursions like the Black Forest tour added great cultural insights."
When is the best time of year to take a Rhine Valley river cruise?
The Rhine Valley cruise season runs year-round with distinct seasonal highlights. April to October sees the highest number of sailings. Spring cruises (April-May) coincide with tulip season near Amsterdam's Keukenhof Gardens. Summer brings warm weather perfect for deck viewing while fall offers wine harvests and colorful foliage. December cruises focus on traditional Christmas markets with Strasbourg hosting one of Europe's largest. As one TourRadar traveler noted about their spring cruise: "A wonderful tour where the staff did all they could to make our experience memorable. The journey along the Rhine at Christmas something we shall never forget."
How much free time is typically available in ports?
Rhine Valley cruise schedules mix guided activities with independent exploration time. Major stops like Cologne and Strasbourg usually allow 2-4 hours of free time after organized tours. Evening ports such as Rüdesheim give passengers time to explore local attractions like the Drosselgasse at their own pace. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "We appreciated having free afternoons to wander through charming towns like Koblenz and shop at local markets after our morning tours."