Rhine river cruises
 

My husband and I are going to Germany in July and we are in the beginning stages of planning our itinerary. We definitely want to see the Rhine river and take a cruise.

The question is - day cruise or a 2-4 night cruise?

Both seem to have their selling points. I am looking for opinions and experiences from others.

Thanks.

All I have done is a 1/2 day cruise from Assmanhausen to Boppard and back. It is my understanding that this is the most scenic part of the Rhine. I think the answer to your question would depend alot on how much time you have and how relaxed you want to be. I felt like the cruise we took was sufficient to see the best of the Rhine.

Dear J:

I am surprised you haven't had more responses. You should top this tomorrow a.m. Here's my two cents, for what it's worth:

I think a Rhine cruise would depend on how much time you have and the areas you will be visiting. We were in the Rhine area about 6 years ago. We stayed in Mainz for a wine conference, so they took us on a cruise from Mainz to Bacharach. Their was no commentary, so I whipped out my Rick Steve's book and everyone from our area of CA gathered round to try to figure out what we were seeing. This is supposed to be the most scenic part of the Rhine. Earlier that week, we did more touring in this same Rhine area & along the Moselle. I think the car gave us more options. Trains are also a good option.

I hope you get more responses.

MY

I pretty much agree with Bob KY. However, I would suggest starting in Bingen or Rudesheim. Those two towns are almost across the river from each other.

I have taken the boat from Bingen to St. Goar and from Bingen to Boppard. If time is a concern, the shorter cruise is sufficient.

You can take the boat round trip or you can take it one way and the train the other way. The boat roundtrip usually doesn't cost too much more than a one-way fare. At one time, one could purchase a round trip boat ticket and go to the train station at the end of the one leg of the cruise and pay just a little bit to take the train back. I haven't done that in a while, so I don't know if that is still possible.

Hi J,

We arrived in Frankfurt, found a small hotel on the banks of the Rhine in Assmannshauser where we spent 2-3 nights. Right in front of our hotel was a boat landing where we boarded a boat for a trip downstream.

We were able to leave the boat to visit towns along the the river, catching another boat to another town. At the end of the day we boarded last boat going upstream, back to Assmannshausen.

A week or so later we were staying in a river front hotel in Boppard and were able to have a round trip upstream to the Rhine Gorge and back. That was a party boat with a live band, dancing, etc. We stayed on the top deck enjoying the scenery, but most of the Germans were in the lounge, drinking beer, smoking, dancing and having a good time.

There are castles on both banks which can be visited by car. The Mosel is another scenic river to explore.

Enjoy, JJ

Thanks for the post. Saving selfishly for trip planning.

Dear J,

agreeing with both Bob and JoeE, you should focus on a daytrip between Rudesheim and Boppard, you will see enough castles, vineyards, the Loreley etc. on that way.
Better plan a few days by car to explore the regions of "Rhine-Hesse" and the Moselle. Between the city of Wiesbaden (only 30 Min. away from Frankfurt airport, spa center, nice town) and Rudesheim there are beautiful monastries and castles surrounded by vineyards - great wine tasting of the famous "Riesling" wine!

Links:
Rhine River Cruises - www.koeln-duesseldorfer.de
Wiesbaden - www.wiesbaden.de/international

Have fun planning your trip!

Thanks for all the advice. I have been thinking that a day cruise rather than a multi-day cruise is the way to go and you guys have confirmed it.

You have made the right decision! We have done both. Our first trip was a 4 day cruise from Cologne to Frankfurt and were so enamored by the small towns and castles along the Rhine that years later we returned and based ourselves in Boppard spending a full week just exploring the Rhine and Mosel valleys. Have a wonderful trip!