Monday, April 1, 2024

The Best Rhine River Cruises for Every Traveler

hop on hop off - rhine river cruise

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. Although it offers some excursion cruises, it mostly operates panorama sightseeing cruises in the Cologne area including special harbor cruises and cruises with an emphasis on culinary events, dancing, and parties.

5 Tips for an Amsterdam River Cruise - Cruise Critic

5 Tips for an Amsterdam River Cruise.

Posted: Wed, 19 Feb 2020 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Popular

A Mississippi River cruise to explore antebellum history - The Arizona Republic

A Mississippi River cruise to explore antebellum history.

Posted: Fri, 11 Jan 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Riviera Travel isn't the most widely known cruise provider, but those looking to cruise the Rhine River solo are in luck. On every Riviera sailing a number of double cabins on the lower deck are set aside for single travelers with no single supplement (which is generally charged by cruise lines if you're traveling alone). Additionally, Riviera offers a number of solo-traveler-only itineraries on the Rhine where there is no single supplement on any cabin, including suites. New itineraries for 2024 include an extended 10-night Cologne, the Rhine Gorge & Medieval Germany River Cruise from Cologne to Nuremberg. For a day tour, it’s best to decide on a final destination if you plan to take the return boat trip back rather than returning via the train or spending the night.

More on the Rhine River in Germany

hop on hop off - rhine river cruise

Köln-Düsseldorfer, or simply KD, is the largest operator of pleasure boats for short and full single day cruises on the Rhine River in Germany. KD has been in business since 1827 but the oldest KD boat in operation is the SS Goethe first launched in 1913. Viking River's shore tours are graded as easy, moderate or demanding so travelers can gauge their ability to partake.

Travelers interested in this activity also viewed

This allows passengers to make more stops en route if desired — remember to indicate all planned stops when buying tickets as separate tickets are issued for each leg of the cruise. On an Adventures by Disney river cruise, families are the only passengers onboard. Programming and excursions are geared toward kids, with a focus on stories rather than history, and activities designed to burn off energy and keep children engaged, such as tobogganing in the Black Forest. The ships also have small pools onboard, so kids can take a break from touring and just have fun (while their parents relax).

Rhine River Hop On Hop Off Cruise On Castle Route - Frankfurt - With Reviews & Ratings

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. Köln-Düsseldorfer is generally a good choice for day cruises on the Rhine. KD has the largest number of departures by far of all Rhine pleasure boat lines.

hop on hop off - rhine river cruise

The high season is between April and October, which means more boats and times. Any beautiful day in spring, summer, or fall is a perfect day for a river tour. Several boat operators have some trips during Advent, but they appear to serve a different purpose, mainly focused around the Christmas markets. You will still get to see the castles only in winter and the weather could mean you spend more time inside the boat. But with family visiting, this could still be a festive way to see the area and stay warm. I was overwhelmed by the tour choices, including where to start, how far to go, where to stop, etc.

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.

At the daily port talk -- outlining the following day's activities -- the cruise director will go into a high level of detail about what to expect, such as if any steps or cobblestone streets are involved and the length of time spent walking. But it's Tauck's fully-inclusive rates that really help make this line a great choice for luxury seekers. Exclusive events for Rhine River passengers include a special reception, dinner and entertainment at the historic Rheingau wine estate overlooking the river. You can also expect thoughtful extra touches, such as money to buy something to eat if any tours take place over lunchtime.

You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen. KD also often has arrangements with other local boat operators to offer a high number of departures. For wallet-conscious cruisers used to deals on ocean-going lines, the price of a Rhine River cruise can come as a shock.

The Moselle River extends through France and Luxembourg and meets the Rhine in Germany at Koblenz; several cruises tour port cities along both rivers. 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. 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.

The Disney name is synonymous with family fun, so it's not a surprise that Adventures by Disney is easily the best Rhine River cruise line for families. Adventures by Disney charters AmaWaterways ships that carry only 140 passengers, and brings their own spin to the sailings through Adventure Guides who are trained in all things kids. If you’re visiting the Frankfurt area for more than a few days, I highly recommend doing a Rhine River boat tour. Count on it taking at least a full day and maybe even an overnight if time allows.

Many more KD boats cruise between Bonn and Linz with the occasional boat starting from Cologne. With its culture-rich itineraries, Viking River Cruises is a popular line with older passengers. Viking places a big emphasis on curating tours that provide an authentic insight into destinations rather than just scratching the surface. The line is also highly considerate of any mobility issues its passengers might have and provides options for all.

No comments:

Post a Comment

How To Cut Your Dogs Hair, According To Experts DodoWell

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.