The Best German River Cruises

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River cruising is well and truly in its prime, especially where European river cruising is concerned. Discover more about the rise in river cruising – particularly within Europe, why German river cruises have been so popular in recent years and the best river cruises in Germany to book for 2019/20.

Recently, you may remember reading about the time I spent onboard the Viking Sun with Viking Cruises. Sadly, I wasn’t sailing with Viking as it was just an overnight stay while the ship was docked up in Greenwich, London, but the whole experience has left me longing to book a cruise holiday.

Although I usually prefer travelling long-haul, I’m particularly drawn to the prospect of river cruises around Europe. The idea of gliding through the magnificent waterways of the continent fills me with a deep sense of calm and relaxation. It seems I’m not the only one who feels this way, as river cruise bookings were up 21% from 2016 to 2017 according to the River Cruise Review (published by the Cruise Lines Association). What’s more, European river cruises accounted for 90% of bookings in 2017 – a whopping 188,000 passengers!

I wasn’t surprised to discover that Germany is one of the top destinations for a European river cruise. Home to three of Europe’s major rivers – the Rhine, the Danube and the Elbe – Germany is brimming with scenic landscapes, making it an ideal destination for cruising. So, let’s take a look at some of the best German river cruise itineraries.

The best German river cruise routes

Rhine river cruise

No German river cruise would be complete without a voyage along the magnificent 1,233km-long River Rhine. One of the biggest rivers in Europe, the Rhine flows northerly from Switzerland through Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and on into the North Sea.

Don’t miss out on seeing the fairytale fortresses, sacred cathedrals, ancient cities and towns and breathtaking scenery of the Middle Rhine – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sample the local white wine grown in vineyards dating back to Roman times, or explore Alsace, France and its many culinary traditions; there’s so much to see and do on a Rhine river cruise.

Popular itineraries include Viking’s Rhine Getaway, which begins in Basel, Switzerland and finishes in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with prices beginning at £1,495 for eight days. Meanwhile, AMA Waterways’ Enchanting Rhine River Cruise starts at £1,793 per person. Alternatively, why not treat yourself to a festive cruise in the form of the Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets cruise from Riviera Cruises, beginning at just £529 per person for six days.

Moselle river cruise to Basel, Switzerland

Many Rhine river cruises will also sail along Germany’s River Moselle (or Mosel). A tributary of the rushing River Rhine, the 544km-long River Moselle meets the Rhine at Koblenz, passing through some of the country’s most enchanting landscapes including lush terraced vineyards, ancient castles, olde-world village and half-timbered houses.

Explore the quaint old towns of Koblenz or Cochem, taste some of the world’s best Rieslings or visit the 1000-year-old Reichsburg Castle, to highlight just a few of the best attractions along the River Moselle. The Moselle Valley is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful parts of the country and it’s well-worth returning to explore the area in more detail as part of a Germany road trip.

Viking Cruises offers four different routes that include the River Moselle, including the Rhine and Moselle Discovery, which sails from Basel, Switzerland onto Strasbourg France, finishing in Roman Trier, Moselle through Strasbourg, France and onto Basel, Switzerland. Prices start from £1,495 per person for an eight-day cruise, including seven guided tours. Similarly, Riviera Cruises offers an eight-day cruise of the Rhine and Moselle starting from £1,499 per person.

Danube river cruise to Budapest

Rushing through Germany, Austria, Hungary and seven other countries before winding up at the Black Sea, the River Danube lies at the heart of central Europe.

At almost 3,000km long, the River Danube is probably one of the most – if not the most – popular routes for a German river cruise and probably one of the most popular choices for European river cruises. As such, most cruise lines offer a number of routes passing through the Danube.

A popular route begins in Passau, Germany and passes through Austria, Hungary and Slovakia before ending up in Austria. After waving farewell to the colourful houses and elegant arcades of Passau, you’ll sail through the 1st Century Roman castle settlement of Linz in Austria, before proceeding to Krems and Vienna. Following your trip to Austria, you’ll continue sailing on to the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava before ending up in Budapest, Hungary (the so-called Paris of the East).

Sail this itinerary with Viking Cruises from as little as £1,395 on the eight-day Danube Waltz or, alternatively, from £1,680 per person with luxury cruise line, AMA Waterways.

What else would you like to know about German river cruises? Share your thoughts below and I’ll get back to you when I can.

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