Comparing Rhine River Cruise Itineraries
Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist
We always say that the most important reason to go on a river cruise is what you get to see and experience. The Rhine River Route from Amsterdam to Basel or the reverse is the second most popular route for US guests. The route allows guests to see 4 different countries and many of the cruise companies stop at common ports.
There is a significant difference between company offerings, when you consider what tours are included in the cruise fare and which lines charge for optional tours.
So, let’s explore together to compare the offering of various lines and learn about tours on the Rhine River.
Rhine River Overview
Born in the heart of the Alps, the mighty Rhine flows through 4 countries—Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. On this amazing journey, you will travel through the famous Alsace region of wine and quaint villages, sail the stunning Rhine River Gorge to view the 40 castles that dot the hillsides, and port in both Cologne and Amsterdam.
River Cruise Ports and Sights on the Rhine
To name the ports, I have decided to sail from north to south for most of these Rhine cruises. Here is a list of prime ports:
Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Rhine Gorge, Rüdesheim, Mainz, Speyer, Strasbourg, and Basel are actually on the Rhine or very close like Strasbourg.
There are several sights that are near some of the ports that can enhance your trip. Stops like Lahneck Castle, Cochem Castle and Marksburg Castle have tours of some very interesting fortifications that you can visit inside the castle. There are tours to Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, Riquewihr, a visit to the Black Forest and Frieberg.
Note that not every port is available on every sailing, as a few sailing trips are themed cruises.
The offerings are also changing due to weather conditions, water levels, and other factors.
For each line, I have provided a Day-by-Day Route Summary with our Port Pictures. This should make the comparisons far more meaningful.
AmaWaterways
Map From AmaWaterways
The two routes are called the Captivating Rhine (north to south) and Enchanting Rhine (south to north). AmaWaterways does not charge extra for any tours on these 2 routes. Ports are Amsterdam, Cologne, Rhine Gorge, Rüdesheim, Speyer, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Riquewihr, Freiburg and Basel (only tours on the Enchanting Rhine route of Basel). On the Enchanting Rhine there is an exclusive Lahneck Castle tour.
Most stops offer 3 tour options at each port. They are particularly strong in active bike and hiking tours and are the only cruise line with a dedicated wellness host who conducts daily classes and escorts the hiking and biking tours.
Amawaterways also has themed cruises on this route. Our favorite is wine themed cruises that have a onboard wine host who offers tastings and usually a wine pairing dinner.
There are pre and post tours. They include Amsterdam. Lucerne, Zurich and Lake Como on the Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps itinerary.
Avalon
Map from Avalon Waterways
The most booked route on the Rhine River offered by Avalon is named the Romantic Rhine.
The ports visited are Amsterdam, Cologne, Rhine Gorge, Rüdesheim, Mainz, Strasbourg, Briesach (gateway to the Black forest and the route ends in Basel).
Avalon has 3 types of tours. They are Classic, Discovery, and Active. They also have themed cruises on this route.
There are some optional tours that require an extra charge. During the spring, they offer a Kurkenhof gardens tour.
Emerald Waterways
Map From Emerald River Cruises
Jewels of the Rhine is the route that goes from Basel to Amsterdam. There are 5 included tours, 3 active tours and 2 Emerald Plus tours included in the fare. Tours to Freiburg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Cologne city tour and extra cooking demonstration tour) and Amsterdam.
Extra charge tours include Riquewihr, and Cochem Castle.
Scenic
Map from Scenic River Cruises
There are 20 included tours in the Rhine Highlights itinerary. In Amsterdam there are 3 tours—city tour or ,canal cruise or bike tour and excursion to Edam and Volendam. There are 3 tours offered in Cologne. Also 3 tours in Koblenz include a visit to Cochem Castle. In Heidelberg you can visit the castle or tour the old town, that night there is a special private evening concert at the Baroque Palace of Rastatt. At the Baden-Baden port stop, you can visit the famous spa town, or take an active hike or visit the Mercedes-Benz factory. In Strasbourg, you can tour the old town or go on a wine tasting Mittelbergheim in the Alsace and sample some of the best wines the region has to offer or tour the Black Forest. Your final port of Basel is just to disembark.
There are no extra charges or optional tours—all tours are included with Scenic.
Tauck
Route Map from Tauck River Cruises
Tauck’s route is called the Romantic Rhine. The tour in Amsterdam starts with a city drive, then a canal boat tour and a visit to the world famous Rijksmuseum. Next, in Cologne, you will visit the old town by bus and take a walking tour of this unique city. That evening there will be a Tauck Exclusive private evening featuring a cocktail reception, dinner and entertainment at Schloss Ehreshoven. In Koblenz, you can either take a bike tour or a tour of the old city. You have 2 great choices in your next port—Speyer or Heidelberg. In Strasbourg, you will have a morning tour of the old town, In the afternoon you can stay in Strasbourg or visit the spa town of Baden-Baden. On your last day of touring, you will have the choice of visiting Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus or you can take a wine tasting at Château Haut-Koenigsbourg along the Alsace Wine Route.
There are no optional tours or extra charges on your Tauck cruise.
Uniworld
Map From Uniworld River Cruises
The Castles Along the Rhine is the name of the route offered by Uniworld. Your tour starts in Cologne with a walking tour of the old town. There are 3 choices in Boppard for Day 3 of the cruise. They are Koblenz walking tour; Marksburg Castle Visit; and a Boppard Village Stroll. On Day 4, after sailing on the Rhine Gorge, you have a Castle Vollrads wine tasting. Day 5 is their signature visit to the Weinessiggut Doktorenhof estate for a special vinegar tasting in their Make Travel Matters program. Day 6 is a walking tour of Strasbourg. Day 7 is a tour of Freiberg or a visit to the village of Kaysersberg. The tour ends in Basel where you disembark.
There is a special Generations program focusing on families on this route and have special tours.
There are optional tours that require an extra charge. There is a Gourmet Vinegar Cooking Class and a Romantic Heidelberg tour choices on Day 5. On Day 6 there is a Natural Beauty and Living History which includes a walking tour of the Vogtsbauernhof outdoor museum.
Viking
Map from Viking River Cruises
The Viking route is called the Rhine Getaway. As with the other lines it covers 4 countries. Viking only has 6 included tours—the other tours require an extra charge. Day 2 is a visit to the famous windmills at Kinderdijk. On Day 3, you will arrive in Cologne and the included tour is a guided visit to the Old town On Day 4, you will have a walking tour of Koblenz in the morning or a chance to see Marksburg Castle. Later in the day, after sailing through the Rhine Gorge, you will have free time or optional tours in Rüdesheim. The Day 5 tour is a tour of Speyer. Day 6 is a guided tour of Strasbourg. Day 7 is a tour of the Black Forest.
On this route, it is quite possible to get per person charges of more than 500 Euros per person, depending on your choices.
Our Final Thoughts
This may be an excellent start to understanding the difference offered between the 7 companies we follow.
I think you can see why we are in the business—it just is awesome to help folks have a great vacation. We hope you enjoyed this report.
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ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 50 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent
