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10 Best Rhine River Cruises

Sail past stunning castles, quaint towns, and vineyards on these Rhine River cruises.

Courtesy of Riverside Luxury Cruises

River cruising has grown in popularity in recent years, with new lines offering unique ways to experience Europe’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, Douro, Seine, and, of course, the Rhine. “The Rhine River is famous for castles, cathedrals, historic sites, and medieval towns, offering majestic scenery as you travel through several European countries. You feel as if you’ve traveled back to a different time in our world,” Travel + Leisure A-list advisor Olga Placeres says.

On most Rhine River cruises, guests can explore on their terms, making this a great trip idea for multi-generational travel. From family-friendly trips to beer-focused itineraries to festive holiday cruises, here are 10 of the best Rhine River cruises for every type of traveler.

AmaWaterways

Courtesy of AmaWaterways

7-night Enchanting Rhine Cruise

Cruise expert Placeres named AmaWaterways one of her favorite river cruise lines. This family-owned and operated line offers all-inclusive river cruises with a range of shore excursions for both active and relaxed travelers. Several Rhine River cruises are available, and a few include the Moselle and Main Rivers. Christmas market cruises and wine-focused itineraries are also offered.

The Enchanting Rhine cruise begins in Basel, Switzerland, where passengers board their vessel (while the specific ship varies depending on the dates, all carry fewer than 170 guests). In Breisach, Germany, guests can choose a wine country bike tour, walking tour, or hike in the Black Forest. The cruise continues to Strasbourg, Heidelberg, and Rüdesheim, with options each day for active or relaxed excursions. The scenic Rhine River Gorge area is a highlight, and there are visits to Cologne and Düsseldorf before arriving in Amsterdam.

Viking River Cruises

Courtesy of Viking River Cruises

11-day Rhine and Main Explorer Cruise

Placeres also recommends Viking Cruises, which was established by Torstein Hagen in 1997 and operates river, ocean, and expedition cruises across all seven continents. Viking’s Rhine River cruises range from eight to 15 days, and itineraries go beyond the Rhine to include the Main, Moselle, and a voyage that goes across the North Sea to Norway’s fjords.

The Rhine and Main Explorer begins in Nuremberg and continues to Bamberg for a walking tour through the winding streets of the medieval city. Cruise highlights include palace tours in Würzburg, local Bavarian culture and food in Marktheidenfeld, scenic sailing on the Main River, touring the charming French city of Strasbourg, and admiring Germany's famous Black Forest. The tour ends with two nights in Basel, where you can take a tour of the city and enjoy cheese fondue.

Adventures by Disney

8-day rhine river cruise.

Adventures by Disney river cruises are designed for families, but they also offer adults-only (18+) experiences on Europe’s rivers. Instead of setting sail on a Disney Cruise Line mega ship, these itineraries use AmaWaterways river ships for a more intimate experience with a maximum of 156 guests. Travel writer Terry Ward took her six and seven year olds and her 18-year-old niece on the Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise in July. “I can confirm it’s a trip with total multigenerational appeal,” Ward says. “There were always multiple options for shore excursions — something to interest passengers across the board.”

“During a port of call in Germany’s Black Forest region, for example, we could choose a toboggan run through the forest with time spent carving wooden toys and learning to make butter, visiting Europa Park, or enjoying the medieval old town of Riquewihr.” Ward tells T+L, “On several nights, Disney’s Adventure Guides whisked the kids off to the lounge for their own fun — maybe a Disney movie and dinner or games — so the adults could try the chef’s tasting table or enjoy a quieter dinner. Teens had their own tables for dinner if they wished.” Ward added, “The Adventure Guides hailed from some of the countries we sailed through, so traveling with them in Europe felt a bit like being along for the ride with an in-the-know friend.”

Avalon Waterways

Courtesy of Avalon Waterways

8-day Tulip Time for Beer Enthusiasts Cruise

After nearly a century in European tourism, the Globus family of brands launched Avalon Waterways in 2004, and it was ranked among the top river cruise lines in the world by T+L readers in 2024. Avalon’s Rhine River cruises range from five days to 11 days; several include the Moselle, and they offer seasonal Christmas market cruises.

The Tulip Time for Beer Enthusiasts cruise is a round-trip cruise from Amsterdam offered in the spring, with a beer expert on board to host lectures, beer tastings, and food and beer pairings. The ship heads to Rotterdam for a walking tour, bike ride, or a guided excursion to Keukenhof, known as the “Garden of Europe” with over seven million tulips. In Antwerp and Ghent, guests can choose between bike or walking tours, while guided tours in Willemstad take guests among centuries-old buildings. In Amsterdam, guests can take a guided canal cruise followed by a Dutch beer experience.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

8-day Rhine River Valley Cruise

Founded in 1976, Uniworld is a luxurious, all-inclusive cruise line that offers itineraries on Europe's famous rivers. Uniworld's Rhine River cruises start at eight days, but travelers with more time can combine the Danube, Main, and Rhine Rivers on a 25-day, eight-country cruise.

The eight-day Rhine River Valley cruise boards in Nuremberg and cruises to Bamberg where guests can choose a walking tour, nature park hike, or brewery tour. In Würzburg, an 18th-century palace tour or wine tasting are options; additional stops include Miltenberg, Mainz, Baden-Baden, Strasbourg, and Breisach, before disembarking in Basel.

8-day Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure Cruise

This century-old, family-owned company offers travel experiences in more than 100 destinations, ranging from small-group tours to river cruises. Tauck’s Rhine River cruise itineraries range from eight days to the 15-day Grand European Cruise that covers nine countries along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers.

The eight-day Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure is a Tauck Bridges family cruise designed for guests of all ages. The cruise departs from Basel, and the next day, guests travel by rail to Switzerland’s Lake Lucerne to ride the world’s steepest cog-wheel train. In Strasbourg, there’s a French sing along and chocolate tasting. The family-focused fun continues at stops in Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, and Cologne before the ship reaches its final stop. In Amsterdam, guests can take a canal cruise, visit a windmill, or taste local cheeses.

Courtesy of Scenic

8-day Rhine Christmas Markets Cruise

This Australian-founded company established in 1986 offers river cruises, ocean voyages, and expeditions to the polar regions. Billed as an ultra-luxury, five-star cruise line, Scenic offers special Rhine River itineraries that feature Christmas markets or focus on topics like wine and food.

The Rhine Christmas Markets cruise begins in Amsterdam with options of a walking, biking, or canal tour before setting off for Cologne, where guests can see the magnificent 13th-century Gothic cathedral, visit a brewery, and browse the Christmas markets. In Baden-Baden, a famed German spa town, browse the markets or soak in thermal waters. Koblenz, Mannheim, and Strasbourg are additional stops on this holiday-themed itinerary.

Emerald Cruises

Courtesy of Emerald Cruises

8-day Jewels of the Rhine Cruise

Emerald, founded in 2013, specializes in luxury river and yacht cruises. Emerald's Rhine River cruises include an eight-day voyage and an 11-day cruise that includes the Moselle.

The Jewels of the Rhine cruise starts with two nights in Amsterdam, where guests can take a bicycle tour or canal cruise before the captain’s dinner. Then, it's off to Cologne and the charming cities of Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Freiburg, where castles, historic churches, and half-timbered buildings await. The ship arrives in Basel for the end of the cruise the next day.

CroisiEurope

Courtesy of CroisiEurope

5-day Rhine in Flames Cruise

Founded in 1976 in France, CroisiEurope is the largest European-based river cruise line. The company also offers sea voyages and canal barge cruises. Their budget-friendly river cruises include some shore excursions, and Rhine River cruises vary in length from three days to two weeks or longer.

The five-day Rhine in Flames cruise boards in Strasbourg for a night of cruising. The next day in Rüdesheim, excursion options include a train ride to a wine cellar followed by a visit to the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments or a gondola lift to the Niederwalddenkmal and vineyard hike. The next day is the main event as the ship sails towards Trechtingshausen for the famous Rhine in Flames fireworks show. The ship arrives in Mannheim for an optional visit to Heidelberg and later a gala evening before sailing back towards Strasbourg.

A-Rosa Cruises

Courtesy of A-ROSA Cruises

6-day Rhine Legends Cruise

This German company has been cruising the Rhine River and its tributaries since 2009. The family-friendly line has a kids club and family suites with plenty of room to spread out. Their river cruises range from four to seven days, and there is a fee for most excursions.

The five-day Rhine Legends cruises the Middle Rhine round-trip from Cologne. In Rüdesheim, guests can tour the countryside on a bike or train tour. Stops in Speyer, Strasbourg, Mainz, and Koblenz provide more ways to explore the beautiful region, before the ship returns to Cologne for disembarkation.

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Highlights of rhine river cruises.

A Rhine River cruise takes you into the heart of Middle Europe, where stately castles, fairytale villages and cultural centers have long been witnesses to history. The river’s banks are brimming with historic treasures, natural beauty and vibrant capitals. Here are a few highlights Viking reveals to you:

• Amsterdam’s charming canals and gabled houses
• Windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Cologne’s Gothic Dom
• Rüdesheim’s wine-growing region
• Marksburg Castle, perched above scenic Braubach
• Multicultural Strasbourg
• Breathtaking views of the legendary Black Forest
• The distinct French-German culture of Alsace
• Mythical Lorelei Rock at the Middle Rhine Gorge
• Stunning Heidelberg, inspiration to writers and philosophers

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2024-2027 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR FARES:  Offer applies to bookings made from August 1-31, 2024. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all River itineraries. Special fares plus up to FREE International airfare valid on select departures of Grand European Tour, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland, European Sojourn and Capitals of Eastern Europe, Paris to the Swiss Alps, Cities of Light, London DDAY & Paris, Rhine & Main Explorer. Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. 2024 : Pay in full by August 31, 2024 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure. 2025 : Pay in full by September 30, 2024. 2026 : Pay in full by March 31, 2025. 2027 : Pay in full by November 30, 2025. Offers expires August 31, 2024.

$25 DEPOSIT:  $25 DEPOSIT: For itineraries 35 days or less, a $25 deposit applies to January 2025 & onward departures; for itineraries greater than 35 days, a $25 deposit applies to March 2025 & onward departures; World Cruise products excluded; call for details.

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NOTE: U.S. flights depart one day prior to check-in date. Paid Business or Premium Economy Class may require travel in economy on flights within North America or Europe. Premium economy is limited to specific airlines and we may not be able to accommodate based on aircraft type and availability. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received.

7 Rhine River Cruises for Every Type of Traveler

Whether you love the idea of sailing past dozens of castles and forts or are eager to explore one of europe’s more underrated wine regions, there’s a rhine river cruise for you..

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A cruise down the Rhine River remains one of the most popular vacation options for travelers looking to get a taste of central Europe.

Courtesy of Avalon Waterways

One of the world’s great rivers, the Rhine, marks a storied stretch of winding waterway that spans 765 miles and six nations— Switzerland , Liechtenstein, Austria , Germany , France , and the Netherlands—from the Swiss Alps on to the North Sea. European river cruise itineraries here most commonly glide through four of these countries in one whirlwind week, on regular runs between Basel, Switzerland, and Amsterdam , with stops in France and Germany along the way.

It’s a romantic route marked by the region’s legendary castles and half-timbered houses, hillside vineyards, and fairy-tale Black Forest landscapes—along with a pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Apart from all that surface beauty, cruising the Rhine affords an immersive contextual understanding about how this ancient highway and trade route—pivotal since ancient Roman times through to today—has contributed to the history, culture, and economic development of greater Europe. The Rhine is one of the busiest and most economically important waterways in Europe , and your journey will also take you past hulking factories and stacks of shipping containers for a behind-the-scenes look at how essential goods are transported across the continent.

A Rhine River cruise provides seamless door-to-door delivery to the attractions of bigger cities like Basel, Strasbourg, Cologne, and Amsterdam, as well as access to less-visited but entirely worthy destinations such as Koblenz and Rüdesheim in Germany, where you’ll get your fill of castles, churches, museums, and wineries—all from the comfort of your floating hotel with accommodations, meals, and guided excursions included.

In 2022, the Rhine River experienced one of the worst droughts in recent history —some parts of the river in Germany dropped to below 16 inches of water in key navigational areas. The drought affected the flow of cargo and river cruise ships. While ships are still sailing , keep in mind that low water levels may affect river cruise itineraries by shortening the amount of time that passengers have in port when ships are forced to sail at a slower pace.

Nevertheless, river cruise companies have seen a major rebound in demand since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Rhine river cruises are still among the most popular sailing itineraries in Europe. Here, we present seven of the best Rhine River cruises (in no particular order) for every type of experience, whether it’s food, family adventure, wine—or something else—that floats your (river)boat.

AmaWaterway’s “Captivating Rhine” itinerary runs from Amsterdam to Basel, while its “Enchanting Rhine” cruise runs in the opposite direction.

Photo by Bjoern Wylezich/Shutterstock

AmaWaterways: Captivating Rhine

Cost: From $3,000 per person Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Basel, Switzerland (AmaWaterways’ Enchanting Rhine Cruise runs from Basel to Amsterdam and is the same itinerary, just in the opposite direction)

The seven-night “ Captivating Rhine Cruise ” sails between Amsterdam and Basel, with stops in Germany (Cologne, Rüdesheim, Ludwigshafen, and Breisach) and France (Strasbourg)—it’s a paradise for wine lovers. Itineraries include wineries, vineyards, and cellars: Hike through the vineyards of the winemaking town of Rüdesheim; visit the “Great Vat,” an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine barrel in Heidelberg; or taste the famous white wines of Alsace in Riquewihr. Some notable varieties to sample include riesling, which is known as the “queen of the grapes” along the Middle Rhine, while red wine drinkers will enjoy Germany’s full-bodied and velvety spätburgunder (known as pinot noir in France and made using the same grapes).

However, there are plenty of other things to do on this cruise for those who want to experience the culture of the towns along the route or hope to stay active on vacation. AmaWaterways has several cruise excursions available for each port on its itinerary, including gentle walking tours with local guides and bike tours through the gorgeous central European countryside. (Tip: Don’t miss the bike tour of Strasbourg, which explores the charming city’s modern role as one of the de facto capitals of the European Union, as well as its historic Alsatian identity with a well-informed local guide and leisurely 10-mile ride.)

Viking regularly travels up and down the Rhine with its line of over 40, nearly identical sister ships.

Photo by Shutterstock

Viking: Paris to the Swiss Alps

Cost: From $3,299 per person Days: 12 days Departure Port: Paris, France Final Port: Zürich, Switzerland

Viking, which bills itself as “the thinking person’s cruise,” is a major player on the Rhine, where it operates more than 40 riverboats—nearly identical sister ships with a capacity for 190 guests. Of particular interest to history buffs is its “ Paris to the Swiss Alps ” cruise tour, a four-nation trip that bookends a seven-night sailing on the Moselle (a Rhine tributary) and Rhine with a two-night, hotel-based stay in both Paris and Zurich . After taking a coach from Paris, guests visit Luxembourg en route to Trier, Germany, the embarkation point for a voyage that stops in Bernkastel, Cochem, Koblenz, Mainz, and Speyer in Germany, as well as Strasbourg, France. The cruise ends in Basel before continuing on by ground transfer to Zurich.

The itinerary is loaded with history-rich excursions. Among the highlights is the American Cemetery where more than 5,000 World War II soldiers repose in Luxembourg; a tour of relics of Roman baths, an amphitheater, and city gates at Trier; a visit to the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz to explore the history of the printing press; a stroll through the palace and gardens of Versailles in France; and Germany’s historic university city, Heidelberg.

Frankfurt, Germany, was the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who penned the play Faust .

Avalon Waterways: Active & Discovery on the Rhine

Cost: From $2,849 per person Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Frankfurt, Germany

The Avalon Waterways “ Active & Discovery on the Rhine ” itinerary incorporates an array of customizable excursion options that emphasize physical activity. Choose from guided tours like kayaking the canals of Amsterdam, hiking through the Netherland’s De Hoge Veluwe National Park (140,000 acres and home to red deer, wild boars, and pine martens), jogging while sightseeing in Cologne, or biking through Düsseldorf. Or set out on your own in ports with loaner bikes and Nordic walking sticks on hand. The river cruise operator also offers a series of “discovery” excursions, hands-on, interactive experiences that often focus on culture and cuisine.

Adventures by Disney

Cost: From $5,399 per adult; from $4,899 per child Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Basel, Switzerland

River cruise lines have long catered to the over-50 crowd, but the industry has been shaking things up in recent years with the emergence of several family-friendly river itineraries . Leading the charge is the six-year-old partnership between Disney (via its Adventures by Disney tour operating arm) and AmaWaterways; their seven-night Rhine River itineraries unfold aboard two ships, the 156-guest AmaLucia and the AmaSiena. Both riverboats include rare connecting staterooms and suites, designed with families in mind, and fun onboard activities like cooking classes, karaoke nights, and swimming in the heated pool.

Sailing between Amsterdam and Basel, the ship stops in France (at Strasbourg) and Germany (at Mannheim, Rüdesheim, and Cologne) en route. Excursion highlights—all led by up to eight Disney-trained “Adventure Guides”—include a “Black Forest adventure” outing, where you can choose between an alpine toboggan run or a zipline ride and hike to Germany’s highest waterfalls at Triberg Waterfalls; a visit to a chocolate museum in Cologne; horseback riding in Riquewihr (the French village that inspired Beauty and the Beast ); an indoor winter park in Neuss, Germany (for a sledding or tubing adventure, no matter the season); and the Rhine requisite and fun-for-all-ages Heidelberg Castle tour and Amsterdam canal cruise. Note that itineraries are suggested for kids ages eight and up, and a minimum age of four years old applies.

European river cruises are especially popular around the holiday season when Christmas markets are in business.

Photo by ecstk22/Shutterstock

Scenic: Christmas on the Rhine

Cost: $4,195 Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Nuremberg, Germany

Scenic Cruise’s “ Christmas on the Rhine ” takes the best parts of a typical Rhine river cruise and sprinkles in a little holiday magic. Taking place just once a year from December 21 to 28, this cruise sails during Christmas—a memorable way to observe the holiday. The journey begins in Amsterdam, where guests are invited to take a river canal tour or visit the nearby towns of Alkmaar and Schermerhorn, home to windmills that date back to the 16th century. Then the ship will wind its way through Cologne, Rüdesheim, Würzburg, and Bamberg before finally ending in Nuremberg. There are plenty of places in each port to soak up the festive European atmosphere, while making time to pick up a Christmas-themed trinket or two in either Amsterdam or Cologne, Germany.

The moist, but well-drained soil of the Netherlands provides the perfect growing conditions for tulips.

Photo by Travelpixs/Shutterstock

Uniworld: Tulips and Windmills

Cost: $4,699 Days: 10 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Antwerp, Belgium

Uniworld’s “ Tulip and Windmills ” cruise begins on the Rhine, but then veers to the west toward Belgium. While in the Netherlands, travelers can look forward to skipping through acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens and getting up close and personal with Kinderdijk’s 19 UNESCO-protected windmills that have guarded the low country from rising sea levels for centuries. Guests will also get to visit small, charming Dutch towns, such as Enkhuizen, Hoorn, and Veere, and take in the dazzling skyline of Rotterdam. Art fans will be sure to especially enjoy this itinerary, which features stops at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo (which houses nearly 100 works by Van Gogh) plus a tour through the world-renowned Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which has been nicknamed the “home of the Dutch masters.” Once in Belgium, visitors can take in Ghent’s world-renowned architecture on a walking tour and learn about the UNESCO World Heritage site Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. Be sure to munch on those Dutch and Belgian pastries when you can.

Tauck’s Rhine Enchantment intinerary combines two appealing modes of transportation: cruising and trains.

Photo by Gaspar Janos/Shutterstock

Tauck: Rhine Enchantment, Amsterdam to Milan

Cost: $6,400 Days: 11 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Milan, Italy

OK, I know what you’re thinking: There are no waterways that directly connect Amsterdam with Milan. Tauck’s “ Rhine Enchantment ” itinerary combines arguably two of the most popular modes of leisure transportation in Europe: cruise ships and rail. After sailing from Amsterdam to Basel (with stops in places like Düsseldorf and Heidelberg), guests will take a train along a stunning route through the Alps to Milan. The cost of the trip includes three nights at the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan during the Italian leg of the journey, a private boat ride on Lake Como, and a gala evening at a baroque palace situated along the Rhine near Wiesbaden, Germany.

This article was first published on June 10, 2019. It was updated on August 19, 2022.

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Overview Enchanting Rhine

7-night cruise, 7-night cruise with 2 nights zurich, 2 nights lake lucerne pre-cruise, 7-night cruise add pre- or post-cruise land program 7-night cruise with 2 nights zurich, 2 nights lake lucerne pre-cruise 7-night cruise with 2 nights zurich, 2 nights lake lucerne pre-cruise add pre- or post-cruise land program 7-night cruise, cruise from: basel to amsterdam, countries: france, germany, netherlands, switzerland france, germany, netherlands, switzerland, rivers: rhine, enchanting rhine at a glance.

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Rhine River Pleasure Day-Trip Boat Cruises from Rüdesheim

Published on June 28, 2024

by Henk Bekker

in Germany , NAdX , Rhine River

Rüdesheim is one of the best departure ports for short day-trip excursion riverboat cruises to see the Rhine River Valley, castles, and Loreley Rock in Germany.

Rüdesheim is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. It is one of the best ports to depart from on Rhine River pleasure boat cruises: the immediate vicinity is astonishingly beautiful with many castles, vineyards, and pretty small towns that make the Rhine such a popular day-trip cruise destination. Many pleasure boats depart from Rüdesheim to the Loreley Valley on KD and numerous other Rhine boat cruise lines. Pleasure cruises could be as short as an hour or a full day. Excellent railway links make day trip cruises on the Rhine River easy via Rüdesheim when traveling from Frankfurt ( Hauptbahnhof and Airport ), Wiesbaden, Mainz, Koblenz, and Cologne.

Pleasure Boat Cruises on the Rhine River from Rüdesheim

Rüdesheim is at the southernmost point of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage-listed Upper Middle Rhine ( Oberes Mittelrheintal ) making it an excellent choice when exploring the romantic Rhine Valley on a day-trip excursion boat cruise.

The best Rhine River cruise from Rüdesheim is downriver to explore the Loreley Valley . From here to around Koblenz , the Rhine Valley is narrow with steep slopes – often planted with vineyards – and statistically, a castle (or castle ruin) is seen every two kilometers. The easiest to recognize — if a bit hard to pronounce by non-German speakers — is Burg Pfalzgrafenstein built on a small island in the Rhine at Kaub.

The most popular cruises from Rüdesheim are past the Loreley Rock to St Goar and St Goarhausen. However, if time allows, it is beautiful to continue further downriver to Boppard or even Koblenz. It is only possible to continue all the way to Bonn with boat changes in Koblenz on rare occasions — currently, most boats heading to Bonn and Cologne only depart from Linz (a short train ride from Koblenz).

If the schedule works, try to cruise on KD’s SS Goethe. The historic paddle steamer from 1913 cruises daily (except Mondays) in the high season from Koblenz to Rüdesheim (6 hours) and back (4 hours).

Riverboats also cruise from Rüdesheim upriver to Eltville, Wiesbaden, and Mainz. However, the Rhine here is a much wider river and the scenery is less spectacular than downriver from Rüdesheim.

Shorter circular excursion cruises are also possible from Rüdesheim to Bingen, Assmannshausen, and nearby castles. These are good alternatives if time is limited or if no sailings depart for the Loreley Valley.

The KD Rhine Pass savings deal has not been on sale in recent years but Get Your Guide offers easy booking (and often sensible cancelation options) for day-trip cruises on the Rhine departing from many popular cities such as Cologne , Düsseldorf , Bonn , Koblenz , Boppard , Ruedesheim , Cochem , and Frankfurt . Most cruise lines now also accept online ticket purchases but several still prefer to sell tickets directly at the quay or on board cruise boats.

Rhine River Day-Trip Cruise Season

Rhine River day trips and excursion boats cruise from Rüdesheim for most of the year. The main cruising season is from April to October. Early and late season, Rhine cruises are more common on weekends, although departures are available almost daily from Rüdesheim.

Cruises in winter are more limited and apart from the advent weekends usually require reservations. See Winter Day-Trip Boat Cruises on the Rhine River for more details. No Rhine River excursion cruises are likely during January, other than car ferries that cross the river in lieu of bridges.

Overnight cruises – sometimes as short as one night – are often available at reasonable prices during the Christmas season on riverboat cruise lines focusing on the German and European markets. International offerings are usually much more expensive weeklong or ten-day cruises to visit Christmas markets along the Rhine.

Boat Cruise Times on the Rhine River from Rüdesheim to Koblenz and Mainz in Germany

The Rhine River is a fast and strong-flowing river, especially in the Loreley Valley downstream from Rüdesheim. Cruising downriver is thus much faster than sailing back upriver: to Koblenz, the downriver cruise time from Rüdesheim is less than four hours but it takes more than six hours to come back. Even to nearby Assmannshausen, the downriver cruise time is only two-thirds of the upriver time, as boats have to pass through the Bingen Gap (Binger Loch), which was not navigable by most boats until the rapids were blasted into submission during the 19th century. (Using the train one way saves time but not money.)

Cruise times on the Rhine River from Rüdesheim to several major stops are around:

Stops may be in reverse order for towns on opposite sides of the Rhine. As the Rhine here flows north, most maps have the towns correctly on the left (L) / west and right (R) / east banks.

Transportation Tips for Rhine River Boat Cruises

Trains provide a very fast alternative for one-way travel if time is too limited to return by boat. However, note that the return fares on Rhine boat day trips are often hardly pricier than the one-way fare.

The train on the right bank of the Middle Rhine between Koblenz and Rüdesheim runs hourly. Trains on the left bank are more frequent but require a change in Mainz or Koblenz if Rüdesheim is the destination.

When checking train schedules at German Railways , use the town name with KD added when available – the results will indicate how far the train station is from the Rhine riverboat landings in the specific town. Walking is often a better option than waiting for a bus.

Trains on the right bank are operated by VIAS but all regular German Railways / Deutsche Bahn fares and tickets are valid. The Rheinland-Pfalz Ticket is valid all the way from Kaub to Wiesbaden and on to Mainz (but not onwards to Frankfurt) despite this part of the Rhine Valley being in Hessen.

No bridges cross the Upper Middle Rhine (Mittelrhein) between Mainz / Wiesbaden and Koblenz. However, car and passenger ferries connect the Rhine frequently between many towns including Rüdesheim and Bingen as well as St Goar and St Goarhausen.

Transportation to Rüdesheim

It is easy to get to Rüdesheim by car or train making it simple to enjoy day-trip pleasure cruises on the Rhine from cities such as Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Mainz, Bonn, and Köln (Cologne), or even from Frankfurt International Airport when on a long stopover.

The driving time from Frankfurt am Main or Airport is only around 50 minutes. Driving on either side of the Rhine from Rüdesheim to Koblenz takes around two hours. Parking on the Rhine River promenade in Rüdesheim is very expensive – follow signs to parking lots a few blocks inland of the river for cheap day parking in Rüdesheim and most Rhine River towns.

Trains to Rüdesheim on the Rhine River in Germany

Direct trains from Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (main station) take around 1:10 to Rüdesheim with the train usually continuing all the way to Koblenz. Traveling times to Rüdesheim are 1:20 from Frankfurt International Airport and 0:51 from Mainz – in both cases change trains in Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof.

Traveling to Rüdesheim from Bonn or Cologne requires a transfer to the VIAS train in Koblenz. Traveling times to Rüdesheim from Bonn are 1:40 (2:00 on regional trains) and from Köln 2:00 (2:20 on regional trains).

The VIA train operates only once per hour between Rüdesheim and Koblenz or Wiesbaden. More trains run on the left bank of the Rhine making it often better to return to other cities by trains on the eastern side of the Rhine.

Train schedules to Rüdesheim / Train Schedules from Rüdesheim

Rüdesheim lives from tourism (and wine) and caters very well to mass tourism with endless restaurants, bars, cafés, and souvenir shops. The narrow Drosselgasse is famous for its bars, faux Gothic, and live music – German travel guides consider it obligatory to sneer that this is what American and Japanese tourists expect but the majority of visitors by far are still Germans. The town has a few museums (torture, musical boxes) and it is fun taking the small cable car up the hill to the huge Niederwald Monument for super views and a pleasant walk back to the Rhine through vineyards.

Rüdesheim is tourism central. However, it is not an unpleasant town to spend some time in and have a meal or drink while waiting for a boat excursion or a train.

More on the Rhine River in Germany

Day-Trip Excursions and Pleasure Cruises on the Rhine River:

• cruise from Rüdesheim ( cruise lines ), Koblenz ( cruise lines ), winter & Christmas
• from Frankfurt — fast trains to the Rhine , or slow boat to the Rhine
• from Mainz and Wiesbaden
• Savings Tips , Best Cruise Lines
• Lower Rhine — Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn to Linz
• Special events: Cruises to Rhine in Flames Fireworks , Christmas and New Year’s Cruises in Cologne , Düsseldorf , Frankfurt , and Rüdesheim
• Moselle River Cruises ( Cochem , Bernkastel-Kues, Trier, Koblenz , Burg Eltz )
• Cruises on the Main River in Frankfurt (or better By Train from Frankfurt to the Best Rhine Cruises )
• Cruises from Worms, Mannheim, Heidelberg (on the Neckar River)
• Cruises from Speyer
• Rhinefalls (Rhine Waterfalls, Schaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, Kreuzlingen) in Switzerland

Tips and Savings on Day-Trip Rhine Cruises

• The best part of the Rhine for day-trip excursion cruises in the Middle Rhine between Rüdesheim / Bingen and Koblenz . See Savings Tips and the Best Cruise Lines cruising in the Loreley Valley.
• Check train times for Germany (and most of Europe) at German Railways .

Home » Germany » Rhine River Pleasure Day-Trip Boat Cruises from Rüdesheim

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• Luftner-Amadeus River Cruises

Amadeus Imperial

Cruise line Luftner-Amadeus River Cruises

Amadeus Imperial last position

Amadeus Imperial last location was at Europe Inland (coordinates 49.78500 N / 9.92666 E) cruising en route to STRASSBOURG. The AIS position was reported 10 hours ago.

Current itinerary of Amadeus Imperial

Amadeus Imperial current cruise is 6 days, round-trip Rhine , themed as "Christmas". Prices start from USD 2334 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 22 Dec, 2024 and ends on 28 Dec, 2024 .

Specifications of Amadeus Imperial

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Amadeus Imperial Itineraries

Amadeus imperial review, review of amadeus imperial.

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated Amadeus Imperial cruise ship is 170-passenger riverboat owned by the Austrian company and shipowner Luftner Cruises and operated via the Luftner-owned travel brand Amadeus River Cruises.

Like the sisterships Amadeus Silver 2 (2015), Amadeus Silver 3 (2016), Amadeus Cara (2021) and Amadeus Riva (2023), Amadeus Imperial cruises on the Moselle, Rhine, and Danube itineraries, including on Danube Delta (to the Black Sea) voyages.

The vessel (ENI number 4813870) is currently Germany- flagged (MMSI 211299340) and registered in Cologne .

MS Amadeus Imperial has 84 staterooms and four decks - Sun Deck (open-air) plus 3 interior passenger decks named after famous Austrian composers - Haydn, Mozart, Strauss.

The riverboat has 12x Amadeus Suites (27 m2, with step-out balconies), 54x French Balcony cabins (18 m2) plus 18x Window cabins (18 m2, with non-opening windows).

All staterooms offer as standard amenities twin beds (convertible to Queen-size double bed), mirrored vanity table with chair, wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), direct-dial phone, TV, seating area (2 armchairs with round-shaped coffee/dining table), floor-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows (slide-opening to French Balcony), en-suite bathroom (WC, single-sink vanity, shower, hairdryer).

The suites additionally offer fully-stocked minibars (not complimentary), corner sofa (daybed), walk-in wardrobe, step-out balcony.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

On the Amadeus Imperial ship, all meals are served at Panorama Restaurant (located forward on Strauss Deck 2). The Restaurant offers light bites (early breakfast) and buffet breakfast. Lunch is either buffet-style or sit-down (waiter-served). All dinners are 5-course gourmet dining affairs with complimentary regional wines. All produce is locally-sourced and seasonal. Guests can also indulge in Afternoon Tea & Cake service, midnight snacks and 24-hour coffee/tea station.

The best place on the boat for spending leisure time is the Sun Deck (deck 4). It provides top-deck views of the riverside scenery, plenty of sitting (deckchairs, sun loungers, shaded seating areas covered by retractable awnings), putting green (mini-golf course), Giant Chessboard, Shuffleboard. The sundeck area is served by Lido Bar (light snacks and beverages). Sun Deck's fore-located Navigation Bridge (called "Wheelhouse" on riverboats) is passenger accessible and telescopic (can be lowered for passing under low bridges).

• (Mozart Deck 3 forward) Panorama Lounge & Bar is the show lounge with floor-ceiling windows, comfortable furniture, full-service Bar. The Lounge also serves the company's enrichment program with port talks, destination/itinerary-themed lectures and media presentations, themed parties, crew show, live music and dance performances by local artists boarding the ship.
• (Mozart Deck 3 aft) Amadeus Club is a stylish wine bar with Internet stations. It also doubles as Library.
• (Mozart Deck 3 midship) Cafe Vienna is the ship's bakery/patisserie/coffee house serving Austrian specialty coffees, fresh-baked homemade cakes, tarts, light pastries and other gourmet desserts.
• (Mozart Deck 3 bow) River Terrace is a glass-shielded room (wind-rain-protected outside lounge) accessible via Panorama Lounge or via stairs from Sun Deck.
• Spa (massage room), Hair Salon (hairdresser), Gym (fitness room)

The ship has no swimming pool or outdoor Jacuzzi. One elevator (passenger lift) connects all cabin decks. Wi-Fi costs extra and is with shipwide coverage. On all tours/shore excursions are offered complimentary bikes (mounted on the Sun Deck) and wireless audio systems.

Amadeus Imperial ship related cruise news

Amadeus River Cruises' boat Amadeus Imperial officially christened in Amsterdam

Luftner-Amadeus River Cruises officially introduced its newest riverboat - Amadeus Imperial, during a christening ceremony in Amsterdam, Netherlands...

Shipyard De Hoop delivers Amadeus Imperial to Luftner Cruises

Shipyard De Hoop (shipbuilder in Lobith, Holland)) delivered a newbuild riverboat - Amadeus Imperial - to Luftner Cruises. In special conditions...

Lüftner Cruises Orders River Ship from Shipyard De Hoop

Shipyard De Hoop (located in Lobith, Holland) announced yard's 15th order from Luftner Cruises - a 135-meter long newbuild river cruise ship. The...

•   show more news

Other Luftner-Amadeus River Cruises cruise ships

• Amadeus Amara
• Amadeus Brilliant
• Amadeus Cara
• Amadeus Diamond
• Amadeus Elegant
• Amadeus Nova
• Amadeus Provence
• Amadeus Queen
• Amadeus Riva
• Amadeus Royal
• Amadeus Silver
• Amadeus Silver II
• Amadeus Silver III
• Amadeus Star
• Amadeus Symphony
• MS Dutch Grace
• MS Dutch Largo
• MS Dutch Opera

Amadeus Imperial Wiki

The vessel (ENI number 4813870) was launched (floated out from drydock) on December 14, 2019 (at 11 am) at Shipyard De Hoop (in Tolkamer, Lobith, Holland). The new ship is Germany- flagged (MMSI 211299340). The boat is the 15th in the Luftner-Amadeus River Cruises fleet . The christening ceremony was held on August 24, 2020, in Amsterdam Holland . The naming ceremony was led by godmother Martina Lueftner (company's co-founder) joined by her husband (company co-founder) Wolfgang Lueftner and their 3 daughters.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our  River Cruises  hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.

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Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2024

• River Cruise
• Fully Guided

Traveled in August 2019

Places You’ll See

• Explore the ship on your first night
• Bike along the Rhine or tour the Black Forest
• See Strasbourg's cathedral and La Petite France
• Visit Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat
• Cruise Amsterdam's canals or walk the city
• Introduction
• Day 1 BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
• Day 2 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
• Day 3 STRASBOURG, FRANCE
• Day 4 MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
• Day 5 RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE
• Day 6 COLOGNE
• Day 7 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
• Day 8 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)

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Avalon Waterways

Number of tours

8 to 99 years old

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Introduced in 2003, Avalon Waterways sets the standard in river and small-ship cruising with a young fleet, the most included shore excursions, the widest range of choices and extraordinary itineraries. Our Suite Ships® feature one-of-a-kind Panorama SuitesSM, with the widest opening windows in...

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• Overall Rating Excellent 4.7
• Itinerary Excellent 4.6
• Guide Excellent 4.8
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• Tour Operator Avalon Waterways 4.6
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• YS Yungchen · 20th April 2023 1. The WIFI solution is really poor. Most of time on ship has no connection. 2. It seemed to be lack of staff. The food was delivered slowly. We are waiting "way much longer" in between appetizer/soup and main courses. 3. Many dishes were not cleaned... Show more Trip date: April 2023

• GS George · 4th September 2022 Wonderful!! Food and staff were above average par none!!! Trip date: August 2022
• LB Larry · 26th August 2022 Overall, our trip was excellent. There was a disruption during the river cruise because water levels were too low for our ship to continue. The Avalon Vista crew did a great job of overcoming this obstacle by providing transportation, meals, and a... Show more Trip date: August 2022
• T Tom · 22nd July 2022 A few of the cruise ports were in heavy industrial areas - therefore walking to city centers was not an easy option. When finally arriving those centers, we noticed Viking Cruise ships in more desirable dock positions. Ship was also only at 35% capacity. Trip date: July 2022
• MR Max · 12th July 2022 We had an excellent experience, the ship was great, service was great, personnel were so attentive, professional, fun. One suggestion : the walking tours were long and exhausting. Perhaps alternative shorter tours for those who prefer less walking. Trip date: June 2022
• R RobertWalton · 10th March 2020 Awesome! Our first trip was well beyond our expectations. It was only supposed to be one trip, but it was so great, we booked another, this time a Danube River cruise leaving from Budapest. We've only been on an Avalon cruise and have stayed with them... Show more Trip date: June 2019
• TB Torie · 5th October 2019 Everything was fantastic! We couldn't have been more happy about our decision for our honeymoon. The staff made every effort to make you feel welcome and enjoy the trip. The excursions were fun and all except one of our guides went the extra mile to... Show more Trip date: September 2019
• SH Sandra · 14th August 2019 The Accomodation, Staff, Food all very good. The cruise travels on the Rhine canal so scenery was disappointing it is more industrial than picturesque Trip date: August 2019

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• Tuesday 8 Oct, 2024 Tuesday 15 Oct, 2024 English Multiple Room Types Avalon Expression €3,799 + €478 additional upfront costs Book Online Hold space for 48h
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What our customers ask about this tour

Yes, some rooms feature balconies while others may have large windows.

It's recommended to include at least one excursion in each port for a complete experience.

Customization options may be available depending on the cruise and your preferences.

Yes, there is a single supplement fee for those traveling alone.

Check our website or contact us for the most current availability on specific dates.

Meals during the cruise are generally included in the package price.

Wifi may be available; please check if it is included or if there are additional costs.

Discounts may be offered for larger groups; details can be provided upon inquiry.

The main airport for this cruise is Basel, Switzerland.

You can refer to the cruise itinerary for details about excursions at each port.

Good to Know

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• Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Germany and Switzerland. Ideally 6 months before travel.
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• For any tour departing before 4th December 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 4th December 2024, a minimum payment of €250 is required to confirm your booking with Avalon Waterways. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 95 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
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