European river cruises continue to captivate discerning travellers – and already 2025 is shaping up to be a big year.
The Rhine, Danube, and Moselle remain the top choices for those seeking a perfect blend of cultural experiences, stunning landscapes, vibrant history, and world-class cuisine.
On the other hand, major cruise lines such as AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Tauck, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises craft well-thought-out itineraries on these rivers, each with their exclusive approach to luxury cruising and cultural immersion offered at best-value fare rates.
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11-day The Rhine & Moselle with Avalon Waterways
For guests wanting to experience cruising and marvelling at the gems of two storied waterways, the Rhine and Moselle, this 11-day The Rhine & Moselle sailing with Avalon is the one to beat. Offered in multiple dates, the line’s best-value rate is at AU$7,504 per person from AU$9,004 per person based on twin occupancy. This Basel to Amsterdam voyage is scheduled for September 3. This deal allows guests to enjoy a total of AU$1500 savings per person or a total of AU$3000 per stateroom.
Itinerary highlights
The itinerary for this 11-day sailing highlights the stunning cities of four countries: Germany, Switzerland, France, and The Netherlands. A guided tour to the magical Black Forest in Breisach to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air museum is one activity guests look forward to. A city tour in Strasbourg to experience the famous La Petite France District as well as marvelling at the highly celebrated Cathedral of Notre Dame known for its astronomical clock is also one for the books. This itinerary also features a walking tour of the charming wine village of Bernkastel, a guided walk in Cochem to see the half-timbered houses and winding streets, and an off-the-beaten-path walk tour to experience the cobblestone streets of Amsterdam.
7-night Captivating Rhine cruise with AmaWaterways
For discerning travellers and cruise enthusiasts seeking to explore the storied Rhine with vineyard-clad hills and storybook castles the line along its banks, this spring-ender offering via a 7-night Captivating Rhine cruise with AmaWaterways is perfect for you. With a best-value fare rate of AU$ 5,007 per person from AU$ 5,239 per person, this Amsterdam to Basel cruise is scheduled to depart on March 19 via Ama Prima.
Itinerary highlights
This week-long voyage with AmaWaterways features visits to four countries: France, Germany, Netherlands, and Switzerland. Guests have plenty of options for their day’s excursion in Düsseldorf, a chance to explore the highly preserved medieval city of Heidelberg, and an opportunity to marvel at France’s Alsace region with its stunning capital, Strasburg. Here, guests are treated to a panoramic tour of Parc de l’Orangerie and the European Parliament. In addition, guests also get to enjoy the vineyards of the Rhine when they get to Breisach.
8-day Delightful Danube with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
For European history enthusiasts seeking to explore the wonders of Danube and the rich history of the countries the line with it, Uniworld highlights its shoulder month offering via an 8-day Delightful Danube sailing. This voyage is offered at a best-value fare rate of AU$4,949 per guest from AU$5,499 per person which allows passengers to enjoy an AU$550 savings per person. This Budapest to Nuremberg cruise is set to depart on April 13.
Itinerary highlights
This 8-day voyage with Uniworld features three countries to visit namely: Hungary, Austria, and Germany. This luxury cruise experience allows guests to marvel at the stunning beauty of Wachau Valley, tagged as one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. This Budapest to Nuremberg voyage offers an avalanche of bucket-listed activities to experience like the neo-Renaissance architecture in Budapest, the exhibits in The Belvedere, the beautifully preserved medieval city of Regensburg, and so much more.
10-day The Rhine, Swiss Alps & Amsterdam sailing with Tauck
For guests wanting to experience a romantic Rhine River cruise while it sails through the amazing countries of Central Europe, Tauck has lined up several departure dates for its 10-day The Rhine, Swiss Alps & Amsterdam voyage. But the line’s best-value rate is offered at AU$10426.66 (US$6999) per person scheduled on August 11. This voyage aboard Tauck’s MS Inspire allows guests to marvel at the amazing landscapes and the rich culture of Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands and France.
Itinerary highlights
This 10-day sailing with Tauck highlights exclusive reception at the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, dinner and entertainment at Schloss Ehreshoven, and private shore excursions valued at US$4,377. Additionally, guests also get to experience a two-night stay at a luxury hotel in Bern, a trip to Jungfraujoch in the Alps, a visit to the famous windmills of Kinderdijk, and the opportunity to visit and enjoy the breathtaking medieval wine villages, storybook castles, museums, and landscapes that line along the storied Rhine.
