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Picturesque bend of the river Rhine near the town Filsen, Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate

River Cruises in Germany

With sixteen very different states - known locally as “Länder” - Germany is a country of dramatic variations.

From towering Alpine peaks and glaciers to dense forests, lush vineyards, national parks and majestic rivers such as the RhineDanube and Elbe, its shifting landscapes are endlessly beautiful and fascinating. Today, with more than eighty million inhabitants, Germany has the highest population in the European Union. The world's fourth largest economy and its second largest exporter, it’s once again the major economic and political power on the European scene.

But Germany is also a historic leader in many cultural, artistic and technical fields. The home of countless influential philosophers, composers, painters, scientists and inventors, it’s often been referred to as “Das Land der Dichter und Denker” (the land of poets and thinkers) thanks to the huge contribution that its famous sons and daughters have made to Western thought and culture. For most of the 20th century, Germany had more Nobel Prize winners than those of any other country, especially in the sciences and medicine: Albert Einstein, Hans Geiger, Gottlieb Daimler, Rudolf Diesel and Karl Benz for starters. Where would our musical heritage be without Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Wagner and Strauss? How much duller would generations of children’s bedtime stories have been without the Brothers Grimm and where would our best libraries be without Goethe, Schiller and Thomas Mann? From philosophy and poetry to physics and painting, Germany’s mark on the world is huge and undeniable, and you can explore it all on one of our river cruises.

Unbeatable value

which always includes

  • Five-star ships with impeccable on-board service
  • Itinerary curated by Riviera experts
  • Insightful excursions & visits every day with local guides
  • Expert Riviera Cruise Director & Concierge looking after you throughout
  • Evening entertainment from quizzes to impressive performers
  • Onboard spa & wellness facilities
  • Onboard lounge, bar & restaurant
  • Delicious full board dining, plus Chef's Dinner
  • Free Wi-Fi

Find your perfect river cruise

We've found you 16 River Cruises in Germany

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Old town on the Pegnitz River in Nuremberg, Germany
  • Germany
  • 5* ship
  • Full board dining
  • 10 included experiences
  • Explore iconic historical cities & sites
  • Enjoy scenic towns along the Romantic Road
Call to Claim: Your 2026 Air Credit Offer
Call to Claim: Your 2026 Air Credit Offer
Pretty bridge across a waterways of Strasbourg, capital city of the Alsace region, France
Feldberg Mountain, Germany, with views of distant Hills and Forests under a blue cloudy sky
Famous Chapel Bridge in the historic city center of Lucerne, the city's symbol and one of Switzerland's main tourist attractions and views on a sunny day in summer, Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland
Church, houses and vineyards with the Rhein river in Assmanshausen, Germany

River Cruise

Rhine Cruise to Switzerland

  • France, Germany, Switzerland
  • 5* ships
  • Full board (except one lunch if choosing the full day excursion)
  • 10 included experiences
Call to Claim: Your 2026 Air Credit Offer
Call to Claim: Your 2026 Air Credit Offer
Canal and illuminated buildings during a Christmas market in Strasbourg, France
Christmas market lights in front of Speyer Cathedral at night, Germany
St. Michael church covered in snow at night in Cologne, Germany
Christmas market and Catholic cathedral at night in the city of Cologne, Germany

River Cruise

Christmas on the Rhine River Cruise

  • France, Germany
  • 5* ships
  • Full board with Christmas Gala dinner
  • 9 included experiences
  • Festive folklore show
  • Onboard Stollen making demonstration
  • Violin Duo performance on board

Cruise Director Anette on cruising with Riviera Travel

Annette tells us about her favourite destinations to cruise in Europe, and what makes a Riviera Travel River cruise holiday so special.

 

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