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All clock in at around 300 square feet, so there's plenty of space to spread out. In the evening, kids gather together to have their own supervised meal -- teens have their own gathering -- while parents unwind on their own. It's all a great mix of together time as a family, paired with opportunities for parents to reconnect -- the extra Disney-level service is just a bonus. This particular castle ruin is a good one with lots of nooks and crannies for kids to wander through and climb around. There is a small museum with information in both German and English (always appreciated). And the view from the top of the tower is perfect for all the Instagramers.
More on the Rhine River in Germany
Gate 1 cruises also have more onboard activities than your typical river cruise, such as bingo, trivia and early morning exercise classes. When you plan your river cruise with AAA Travel, we put you at the center of exploration, taking you directly to the vibrant heart of unique locations and organizing immersive cultural experiences at every port. While these cruises are not meant to be a hop on/hop off type of tour, start early enough and one short stop along the way is possible. Our river boat, the Stolzenfels, was a little late arriving at Oberwesel, but the scenery and activity on the river are pleasant distractions. When we got on board, the river boat was quite packed and being a sunny day, the upper deck was full of sightseers who have installed themselves in prime viewing seats at the front of the boat.
Tips for the Best Rhine River Day Trip Cruises in Germany
Riviera Travel isn't the most widely known cruise provider, but those looking to cruise the Rhine River solo are in luck. On every Riviera sailing a number of double cabins on the lower deck are set aside for single travelers with no single supplement (which is generally charged by cruise lines if you're traveling alone). Additionally, Riviera offers a number of solo-traveler-only itineraries on the Rhine where there is no single supplement on any cabin, including suites. New itineraries for 2024 include an extended 10-night Cologne, the Rhine Gorge & Medieval Germany River Cruise from Cologne to Nuremberg. For a day tour, it’s best to decide on a final destination if you plan to take the return boat trip back rather than returning via the train or spending the night.
Hop on hop off Combo Ticket Cologne
Many more KD boats cruise between Bonn and Linz with the occasional boat starting from Cologne. With its culture-rich itineraries, Viking River Cruises is a popular line with older passengers. Viking places a big emphasis on curating tours that provide an authentic insight into destinations rather than just scratching the surface. The line is also highly considerate of any mobility issues its passengers might have and provides options for all.
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Taking place just once a year from December 21 to 28, this cruise sails during Christmas—a memorable way to observe the holiday. The journey begins in Amsterdam, where guests are invited to take a river canal tour or visit the nearby towns of Alkmaar and Schermerhorn, home to windmills that date back to the 16th century. Then the ship will wind its way through Cologne, Rüdesheim, Würzburg, and Bamberg before finally ending in Nuremberg.
Germany Christmas Market River Cruise: Preparing For The Trip - La Jolla Mom
Germany Christmas Market River Cruise: Preparing For The Trip.
Posted: Sun, 06 Dec 2020 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Köln-Düsseldorfer, or simply KD, is the largest operator of pleasure boats for short and full single day cruises on the Rhine River in Germany. KD has been in business since 1827 but the oldest KD boat in operation is the SS Goethe first launched in 1913. Viking River's shore tours are graded as easy, moderate or demanding so travelers can gauge their ability to partake.
At the daily port talk -- outlining the following day's activities -- the cruise director will go into a high level of detail about what to expect, such as if any steps or cobblestone streets are involved and the length of time spent walking. But it's Tauck's fully-inclusive rates that really help make this line a great choice for luxury seekers. Exclusive events for Rhine River passengers include a special reception, dinner and entertainment at the historic Rheingau wine estate overlooking the river. You can also expect thoughtful extra touches, such as money to buy something to eat if any tours take place over lunchtime.
The high season is between April and October, which means more boats and times. Any beautiful day in spring, summer, or fall is a perfect day for a river tour. Several boat operators have some trips during Advent, but they appear to serve a different purpose, mainly focused around the Christmas markets. You will still get to see the castles only in winter and the weather could mean you spend more time inside the boat. But with family visiting, this could still be a festive way to see the area and stay warm. I was overwhelmed by the tour choices, including where to start, how far to go, where to stop, etc.
Leading the charge is the six-year-old partnership between Disney (via its Adventures by Disney tour operating arm) and AmaWaterways; their seven-night Rhine River itineraries unfold aboard two ships, the 156-guest AmaLucia and the AmaSiena. Both riverboats include rare connecting staterooms and suites, designed with families in mind, and fun onboard activities like cooking classes, karaoke nights, and swimming in the heated pool. Köln-Düsseldorfer is generally a good choice for day cruises on the Rhine. KD has the largest number of departures by far of all Rhine pleasure boat lines.
The Moselle River extends through France and Luxembourg and meets the Rhine in Germany at Koblenz; several cruises tour port cities along both rivers. Nevertheless, river cruise companies have seen a major rebound in demand since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Rhine river cruises are still among the most popular sailing itineraries in Europe. Here, we present seven of the best Rhine River cruises (in no particular order) for every type of experience, whether it’s food, family adventure, wine—or something else—that floats your (river)boat. River cruise lines have long catered to the over-50 crowd, but the industry has been shaking things up in recent years with the emergence of several family-friendly river itineraries.
One of the world’s great rivers, the Rhine, marks a storied stretch of winding waterway that spans 765 miles and six nations—Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, and the Netherlands—from the Swiss Alps on to the North Sea. European river cruise itineraries here most commonly glide through four of these countries in one whirlwind week, on regular runs between Basel, Switzerland, and Amsterdam, with stops in France and Germany along the way. Although it offers some excursion cruises, it mostly operates panorama sightseeing cruises in the Cologne area including special harbor cruises and cruises with an emphasis on culinary events, dancing, and parties.
Or set out on your own in ports with loaner bikes and Nordic walking sticks on hand. The river cruise operator also offers a series of “discovery” excursions, hands-on, interactive experiences that often focus on culture and cuisine. In 2022, the Rhine River experienced one of the worst droughts in recent history—some parts of the river in Germany dropped to below 16 inches of water in key navigational areas. While ships are still sailing, keep in mind that low water levels may affect river cruise itineraries by shortening the amount of time that passengers have in port when ships are forced to sail at a slower pace.
With that in mind, Avalon offers Active & Discovery itineraries on the Rhine with options to suit both active travelers and those who prefer to explore in a more laid back manner. Often overlooked by tourists who travel to Germany for Oktoberfest, castles, beer, and WWII history, the Middle Rhine River Valley is a gem worth exploring. Germany has some of the best white wine in the world, rarely exporting the good stuff to the U.S. so you have to get it while you’re here. Scenic Cruise’s “Christmas on the Rhine” takes the best parts of a typical Rhine river cruise and sprinkles in a little holiday magic.
You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen. KD also often has arrangements with other local boat operators to offer a high number of departures. For wallet-conscious cruisers used to deals on ocean-going lines, the price of a Rhine River cruise can come as a shock.
The Disney name is synonymous with family fun, so it's not a surprise that Adventures by Disney is easily the best Rhine River cruise line for families. Adventures by Disney charters AmaWaterways ships that carry only 140 passengers, and brings their own spin to the sailings through Adventure Guides who are trained in all things kids. If you’re visiting the Frankfurt area for more than a few days, I highly recommend doing a Rhine River boat tour. Count on it taking at least a full day and maybe even an overnight if time allows.
This allows passengers to make more stops en route if desired — remember to indicate all planned stops when buying tickets as separate tickets are issued for each leg of the cruise. On an Adventures by Disney river cruise, families are the only passengers onboard. Programming and excursions are geared toward kids, with a focus on stories rather than history, and activities designed to burn off energy and keep children engaged, such as tobogganing in the Black Forest. The ships also have small pools onboard, so kids can take a break from touring and just have fun (while their parents relax).
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