Last updated on March 15th, 2019
River Cruising – Pick a Cruise Line
River Cruising – Europe
The River cruising industry in Europe was revolutionized in 1992 with the connection of the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers by the Main – Danube Canal. A series of locks now allow for river travel from Amsterdam at the Atlantic to Bucharest at the Black Sea:
- Amsterdam to Basel (Rhine): 14 locks
- Koblenz to Remich (Moselle): 12 locks
- Mainz to Bamberg (Main River): 34 locks
- Bamberg to Kelheim (Main-Danube Canal): 16 locks
- Kelheim to Budapest (Danube): 17 locks
Danube River, Passau, © Bergfee – Fotolia.com
Size of River Cruising Ships
The size of river cruising ships in Europe is limited by the length of the locks and the low clearance under bridges. Many ships use hydraulics to lower the captain’s pilot house, so that the ship will fit under bridges.
Advantages of River Cruising
- A more intimate experience with less than 200 passengers, as compared to over 4,000 on some ocean cruise ships.
- Docking downtown in the cities along the rivers.
- 100% outside facing staterooms.
- Shore Excursions included in the price.
- Travel Your Way – join the excursions or plan your own activities.
Viking Hlin, Basel
Rhine River – West to East
Amsterdam, Kinderdjik (Rotterdam), Cologne, Koblenz (Moselle junction), Middle Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Mainz (Main – Rhine junction), Manheim (near Heidelberg), Speyer (near Heidelberg), Strasbourg, Breisach and Basel.
Main River – West to East
Mainz (Main – Rhine junction), Frankfurt, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamberg
Egypt and China
Get more exotic with a cruise along the Nile River or along the Three Gorges on the Yangtze in China. The major river cruise companies cover the world.
Rhine – Danube Map
Main – Danube Canal
The Main-Danube Canal (pronounced “mine”) was opened for traffic in 1992. It covers 106 miles and joins the Main River to the Danube. The completion of the canal made it possible to cruise 2,200 miles from the Atlantic to the Black Sea. The towns along the Main-Danube Canal, from west to east, are: Bamberg, Nuremberg, Kelheim and Regensburg.
Western Danube – West to East
Regensburg, Linz (near Salzburg), Passau, Melk, Durnstein, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest.
Eastern Danube – West to East
Budapest, Osijek, Belgrade, Kostolac and Bucharest.
Rhine River, Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
Mosel (German) or Moselle (French) River
The Moselle River is situated in the Moselle Valley, famous for its beautiful scenery and excellent wines. Rising in northeastern France, the Moselle forms part of the border between Germany and Luxembourg. Then the river flows northeast to Koblenz, Germany, where it becomes a tributary to the Rhine River. The towns along the river include Koblenz, Cochem, Bernkastel and Trier. A Moselle River cruise is ideal for wine lovers. Riesling, Elbling, Müller-Thurgau, and Kerner wines are all produced in this area.
Seine River
A Seine River cruise typically visits Paris, Giverny and Rouen.
Rhône & Saône
The Saône River in France flows into the Rhône River. Prominent towns on the Rhône include Lyon, Avignon and Arles.
River Cruising Slide Show
