Which Cruise Line?
Choosing the best Cruise Line for your Rhine River Cruise can feel a bit daunting at first.
Because of the nature of the rivers, most of the cruise ships cruising on the Rhine look very similar in design and style, making it hard to tell the distinguishing features between each.
Itineraries tend to be quite similar and most river cruise lines talk about All Inclusive - but the actual inclusions can differ quite widely.
Understanding the difference in service and on board facilities as well as the nature of the shore excursions is key to making the correct choice for your river cruise.
One of our River Cruise experts can help guide you in making the right choice, especially if you're new to river cruising in Europe.
We've outlined some of our recommended Rhine Cruise operators opposite which might help you work out which may be the best Rhine cruise line for you.
Cruising Season
Most Rhine cruises operate on a limited season - normally between April and October, the exception being some of the Christmas Market cruises on the Rhine.
Itineraries and Water Levels
You should note that all Rhine Cruise itineraries are subject to alteration due to water levels - either too high or too low.
This is not often a problem on the Rhine but has been a problem on the Danube and other European rivers at various seasons.
Facilities on Board
Bear in mind that facilities on most river cruise ships is fairly limited due to the size of the ships.
So if you're used to Ocean Cruising you need to bear in mind that most ships have limited facilities - a lounge and bar, a main dining room, a sun deck and possibly a fitness and massage room.
Do check with us regarding facilities on each vessel if you need clarification of on board facilities.
All Inclusive Rhine Cruise
Bear in mind that almost all Rhine cruises are All Inclusive in that they include your cabin, meals, some drinks and usually most shore excursions.
Please check with us regarding the specific inclusions on each cruise, as these can differ.
Some Rhine Cruises for instance feature all drinks on board (sometimes unlimited Premium Drinks at any time of day in the case of Uniworld).
When we put together our itineraries, we will always include port charges and almost always shore excursions will be included.
Check with us whether or not gratuities are included.
Shore Excursions on your Rhine Cruise
Bear in mind that river cruise shore excursions tend to be quite active - in that many will be walking tours in different destinations.
You'll need to have a basic level of fitness to make the most of the excursions, which may include some walking up small hills or along cobbled streets.
The advantage of cruising on the Rhine of course is that you can visit a lot of destinations without having to pack and unpack - your hotel moves with you and you'll find the ship normally docks right in the destination.
Solo Travellers
Check with us for offers for solo travellers. There are usually offers available for solo travellers, often during shoulder or low season, so do check with us for the latest offers.
We always have the best solo traveller offers with all of our featured cruise partners.
Uniworld
Uniworld is one of the most prestigious operators of cruises on the Rhine. Service and on board facilities are exceptional and the cruises are positioned as '6-star'.
For a luxury Rhine River Cruise, Uniworld is right at the top in terms of all round quality.
With Uniworld you can expect lush and glitzy interiors and top quality with all on board features, from the quality of the linen to the dining service.
All Inclusive with Uniworld includes unlimited Premium spirits and wines.
Each Uniworld ship is like a luxurious floating boutique hotel with inviting spaces, exquisite antiques, custom fabrics and original works of art.
AMA Waterways
AMA Waterways is one of our favourite luxury cruise lines and we're always delighted with our customer's feedback.
Remarkably, AMA is still a family owned and run company, almost 20 years old now. They operate over 20 ships.
AMA's ships are contemporary and stylish, with large cabins, with Juliette balconies and tradtional balconies in each Stateroom.
Technology is great on board and the dining is outstanding, especially with the Chef's Table where you can watch the chef's prepare the food.
Wellness is quite a big thing on AMA and each ship has a dedicated wellness consultant on board and there are usually classes and special wellness excursions you can join in.
AMA's ships dock in close proximity to city centres, and with our quick and easy embarkation and disembarkation, you can step right off the ship and explore.
Scenic Cruises
Scenic Cruises is an excellent luxury river cruise line, with plenty of options for cruising the Rhine.
Scenic's 'Space-Ships' are specially designed to navigate Europe’s rivers, offering an abundance of spacious public areas to unwind in for a relaxing river cruise experience.
With no more than 163 guests on board and numerous spacious public areas, it’s easy to find a quiet spot to relax and indulge on a Scenic Space-Ship.
The Sun Deck runs the entire length and width of each Space-Ship, offering an expansive rooftop area where you can take in the fresh air and watch the serene landscapes of Europe pass by.
Scenic has also gone to the Nth degree to ensure your complete comfort and wellbeing, and because there are no hidden extras, you can afford to leave your wallet at home.
Viking River Cruises
Viking Cruises is perhaps the most well known 5-starcruise line operating Rhine River Cruises.
Viking is a large company operating over 70 ships, most of which are the same, accommodating up to 190 passengers. Viking also has smaller vessels operating on the rivers which can't accommodate the larger vessels.
Viking's style is quite traditional and the ships tend to be quite Nordic in design, contrasting with the more contemporary style of say AMA Waterways.
Viking's traditional take on cruising means there are no bikes on board and no fitness centre or focus on wellness. They do have some active excursions however.
One of the best things about Viking is the great choice of itineraries in Europe and they have plenty of options for Rhine Cruises.
CroisiEurope
CroisiEurope is a much less well-known cruise line in the UK but is the oldest river cruise operator in Europe.
They are a family owned mid-range cruise line, with a more european based clientele than most Rhine Cruise operators.
CroisiEurope offer cost effective river cruising in Europe and are sometimes the only cruise operator to cruise on certain rivers.
CroisiEurope is a good choice if you are more focused on the destinations than on the on board standards and if you're happy with a more European mix of customers.
