There are countless ways to explore Europe, but after spending a week cruising the Rhine, I can confidently say a river cruise deserves a spot near the top of the list. Waking up in a new destination every day, unpacking only once, and sailing past castles, vineyards, and storybook villages made for an incredibly relaxing and rewarding way to travel.
Whether you're considering your first river cruise or just curious what it's like, here are some of my favorite stops, a few helpful tips, and the experiences that stood out most along the way.
Amsterdam was the perfect place to begin our Rhine River adventure. We spent a couple of days exploring before boarding our Viking cruise, and it didn’t take long to see why so many people fall in love with this city. Although it’s a major European city, it never felt overwhelming. Many of the main sights are easily reached on foot or by bike, making it a great place to explore at your own pace.
Amsterdam is every bit as bike-friendly as you’ve heard. Bikes outnumber cars in many areas, so always look for cyclists before stepping into the street! One of my favorite experiences wasn’t a famous attraction at all—it was spending a warm afternoon at a park along the Amstel River, where locals were swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the sunshine. It was a great reminder that some of the best travel experiences come from slowing down and enjoying the local lifestyle.
A canal cruise is an absolute must. We sailed with Flagship Amsterdam and really enjoyed the knowledgeable guides and unlimited wine. My only complaint was that the decorative flowers on the boat blocked some of the views. If you can, consider an evening cruise when the canals begin to light up—but remember that summer sunsets in Amsterdam are surprisingly late.
One tip for fellow river cruisers: don’t arrive at the port too early or too late. We arrived late (around 7:30pm) and found very little signage or staff to help direct passengers. Since our ship was tied alongside another river ship, we couldn’t even see it from the dock. Arriving closer to the official embarkation time would likely make the process much smoother.
Check sunset times before you travel. In the summer, northern Europe stays light much later than many visitors expect. That means evening canal cruises, dinners, and walks often happen in broad daylight.
Our standard stateroom (no balcony) was about what I’d expect from a premium cruise line. It wasn’t large, but it was thoughtfully designed with plenty of storage, a mini fridge, both U.S. and European outlets, and a surprisingly spacious shower. The toiletries were excellent, the towels may have been my favorite part of the room, and housekeeping was outstanding, servicing the room both morning and evening.
Dining was another highlight. Breakfast offers both a buffet and made-to-order options, while lunch and dinner feature regional specialties inspired by the day’s destination, along with an “always available” menu if you’re craving something familiar. Everything we tried was very good. Meals are social, so unless you’re traveling with a larger group, expect to share a table and get to know your fellow travelers. House wine (red and white), beer, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, with premium beverages available for purchase. One thing to know: unlike many ocean cruises, food isn’t available around the clock, so you’ll want to plan around meal times.
Evenings are low-key but enjoyable. We experienced live music, dancing, trivia, and destination talks about upcoming ports. Entertainment isn’t the focus of a river cruise, but there was always something to do after dinner if you wanted.
One thing I did miss was a pool. We had enough scenic daytime sailing that it would have been nice to cool off, especially during the summer heat. That said, the Sun Deck is a wonderful place to relax, with plenty of lounge chairs, tables, towels, and both sunny and shaded seating. There’s also a walking track if you’d like to stretch your legs between ports.
Overall, the ship felt comfortable, welcoming, and relaxed—the perfect home base for exploring a new destination nearly every day.
Our first port was Kinderdijk, home to 19 historic windmills that have been keeping this low-lying region dry for centuries. The mills pump water to help control the water level, and whether they’re actively working depends largely on how much rain the area has received. One thing I found fascinating is that the tops of the windmills rotate so they can be positioned into the wind, and the millers can adjust the sails to catch more or less wind as needed. Even more impressive, most of the windmills are still occupied by millers and their families today.
We chose one of Viking’s paid excursions, which included Kinderdijk followed by a visit to a Dutch cheese farm. While the cheese farm was fun—we sampled several varieties of Gouda, met some incredibly friendly cows, and even saw a few calves—I honestly don’t think the paid excursion is necessary unless you’re specifically interested in cheese making.
If your main goal is to experience Kinderdijk, the included excursion is more than enough. The windmills are just a short walk away, and you can tour one of the museum windmills to see how the millers lived and worked. It’s a beautiful, easy stop that doesn’t require spending extra to enjoy.
Alex and I spent the morning exploring Cologne on our own before joining a bike excursion in the afternoon. Our first stop was climbing the tower of Cologne Cathedral. The 533 steps definitely get your heart pumping, but the views over the city are worth the €8 admission. I’d recommend doing this first thing in the morning—we walked right up, but by the time we came back down there was a very long line.
Be sure to spend some time inside the cathedral as well. Construction began in the 1200s, stalled for nearly 300 years, and wasn’t completed until the late 1800s. Even today, the cathedral is under constant restoration due to its age and size. Learning its history gave me an even greater appreciation for what we were seeing.
In the afternoon, I joined a bike tour, which was a great way to see the city and hear more about Cologne’s history. One thing that stood out was learning that much of the city was destroyed during World War II, which explains why there are relatively few historic buildings outside the cathedral. The ride itself was easy, and since Cologne is fairly compact, we were able to cover a lot of ground without feeling rushed.
The Middle Rhine Valley is home to more castles than almost anywhere else in Europe. There are around 40 castles and fortresses packed into just a 40-mile stretch of river.
Our morning began with a visit to Marksburg Castle, the only medieval castle in the Rhine Valley that has never been destroyed or conquered. Although our ship docked within walking distance, you can’t simply walk up and tour the castle on your own. Entry is only by guided tour, and with the ship’s short time in port, there really isn’t enough time to hike up and join a public tour independently. We chose Viking’s excursion, which included a short bus ride, a walk up to the castle, and an excellent hour-long guided tour. The castle has been beautifully preserved and is even home to the castle manager and caretakers today. If seeing the inside of a medieval castle interests you, I thought this excursion was well worth the extra cost.
Back onboard, we cruised through the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine Valley, one of the most scenic stretches of the entire journey. Castles seemed to appear around every bend, along with steep vineyards, charming villages, and the famous Lorelei Rock. Viking provided excellent commentary throughout the sailing, which really helped bring the landscape to life. Even on a hot day, I highly recommend heading to the Sun Deck for the best views—just arrive early if you want a good seat.
That evening we arrived in Rüdesheim, which quickly became one of my favorite towns on the itinerary. We stopped at Philipp Winery for a tasting of their estate-produced wines paired with local bites, and it ended up being one of my favorite wine experiences of the trip. Afterward, we wandered the lively streets, discovered a pop-up wine bar in the town square, and eventually found another one right along the river on our walk back to the ship. It was the perfect way to end a day that perfectly captured everything I had hoped for from a Rhine River cruise: castles, spectacular scenery, and exceptional local wine.
Speyer was one of two ports where we didn’t actually dock in the advertised city. Instead, the ship tied up in Mannheim, an industrial port about a 35-minute drive away. Viking handled this well by including coach transfers into Speyer for the guided tour and running a few shuttle buses throughout the day. Just keep in mind that it’s a bit too far to casually go back to the ship for lunch or a break, so we planned to spend the entire day in town. Speyer itself is small and very walkable. Its main attraction is the impressive red sandstone cathedral, which is surprisingly simple inside compared to many European cathedrals. The design was intentional, allowing visitors to appreciate the sheer scale of the building rather than elaborate decoration. As we wandered the town, we also stumbled upon two other beautiful churches and the old clock tower.
For lunch, we ate at Zur alten Münz, which was excellent and one of my favorite meals of the trip. I had hoped to spend the afternoon enjoying a few local wine bars, but many didn’t open until 4 or 5 p.m. Instead, I visited the Technik Museum Speyer, and it ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the entire cruise. The museum features everything from classic cars and trains to aircraft, boats, and spacecraft. You can even walk through a submarine and explore a retired Lufthansa Boeing 747, including the upper-deck first-class cabin—a place I’ll probably never experience on a commercial flight! If you have any interest in aviation, transportation, or engineering, I think it’s absolutely worth making time for.
Our final two ports were less about sightseeing and more about slowing down and enjoying the local lifestyle.
Although the itinerary listed Strasbourg, we actually docked across the river in Kehl, Germany. Rather than spending the day in Strasbourg, we took an Uber to Obernai, rented bikes, and explored the Alsace wine region instead. It ended up being one of our favorite decisions of the trip. We enjoyed a wonderful tasting at Domaine Motz, had an excellent lunch, and spent the afternoon cycling through vineyards and charming villages before catching the train back to Strasbourg, and then the bus back to the ship. For us, the slower pace of Alsace was exactly what we were looking for.
Our final stop in Breisach had a similar feel. We rented bikes from the only bike shop in town, whose owner was kind enough to open just for us even though he had planned to be closed. From there we rode to Burkheimer Baggersee, a beautiful swimming lake, before stopping at a local winery for yet another complimentary tasting—where we found a delicious dessert wine that came home with us. After a quick lunch back on the ship, we crossed into France, found a small beach along the Rhine, and finished the afternoon swimming in the river.
These last two days perfectly summed up my favorite part of the cruise. While the included excursions are excellent, river cruising also gives you the freedom to create your own adventure. Sometimes the most memorable experiences aren't checking off famous landmarks—they're discovering a quiet winery, cycling through vineyards, or cooling off with a swim in one of Europe's most iconic rivers.
After spending a week on the Rhine, it's easy to understand why river cruising has become so popular. It's one of the most relaxing ways to experience Europe. You unpack once, wake up in a new destination every day, and spend your time enjoying medieval towns, vineyards, castles, and local culture instead of worrying about logistics.
For me, the greatest advantage was the flexibility. You can join the included excursions, book optional experiences, or head off on your own like we often did. Whether your ideal day is touring a castle, cycling through wine country, or simply enjoying a glass of local wine overlooking the river, there's plenty of opportunity to make the trip your own.
Would I do another river cruise? Absolutely. I'll be looking into the Mekong and Nile for my next cruises, so if river cruising sounds up your alley but you're looking for something more unique than Europe, there are plenty of options for you! If Europe sounds perfect, there are dozens of itineraries to choose from to fit your travel style and goals. If you're interested, contact me today to learn more!
Wilton Manors, Florida
(919) 943 8918
cara@wolftravels.com
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