Best Rhine River Cruise Companies

Top Luxury German and European Riverboat Lines and Tour Operators

Feb 7, 2008

MS Heidelberg - Peter Deilmann Cruises, Peter Deilmann Cruises

Top luxury German and European riverboat cruise line companies and Rhine River tour operators include Peter Deilmann Cruises, Tauck, Viking, and Amadeus Waterways.

Several cruise lines operate luxury cruises on the Rhine (Rhein) and other German and European rivers. Some of the better-known ones that market heavily in the USA and other non-European markets include Tauck World Discovery, Peter Deilmann Cruises, Amadeus Waterways, and Viking River Cruises.

Always read the fine print when comparing prices. Some cruise lines, especially ones marketed to non-European travelers, include more excursions, more meals, free wine, tips, and services than others do. Cancellation policies and refunds also vary widely.

Tauck World Discovery

Tauck is amongst the more expensive cruise lines operating on the Rhine River but also amongst the best. Almost all possible expenses are included in the advertised cruise price.

On Tauck cruises, three meals per day are included. Most meals are taken onboard but occasionally interesting restaurants may be used on land. Fine wines are served for free with dinner. Several shore excursions, especially guided town walks, are included in the cruise price.

Tauck’s boats generally have less than 120 passengers with a larger number of suites (up to 300 square feet) available than on most other boats. Tauck’s boats have up to two whirlpools, saunas, and gymnasiums.

All gratuities are included in the Tauck cruise price – no need for additional tipping at any stage of the trip.

Peter Deilmann Cruises

Peter Deilmann Cruises has been in the European river cruise business for three decades and is a byword for luxury cruising in Germany. For Peter Deilmann, service is very important – the company claims its average passenger to staff ration of one staff member for every 2.5 passengers is the best in the business and almost double the industry standard.

Rather uniquely, Peter Deilmann has a medical doctor on each boat. (This probably says more about the average age of passengers – Peter Deilmann is very popular with German retirees – than the propensity of passengers to fall sick while cruising.) Visits to these doctors are charged for at the normal German going rate.

Peter Deilmann cruises are also typified by the excellent quality of the multi-course meals. Rather uniquely, breakfast on Peter Deilmann boats can be taken from the buffet or served at table as a five-course meal. Excellent wines are on offer at dinner but not free.

Onshore excursions are generally not included in Peter Deilmann’s standard price but a wide range of tours can be booked in packages prior to sailing.

Amadeus Waterways

Amadeus has amongst the newest and most luxurious boats cruising on European rivers – the oldest was built in 2006. All boats have whirlpools and gymnasiums while beauty treatments and massages can be booked.

Excursions are mostly included on Amadeus cruises and include town walks and visits to local attractions. A large number of bicycles are available for onshore exploration.

Three meals are served onboard most days and unlimited free wine is served with dinner. Evening entertainment – mostly local folk dancing and music – is arranged onboard many evenings.

Viking River Cruises

Viking is one of the world’s better-known river cruise companies. It has a wide range of cruises on various European, Russian, African, and Chinese rivers.

Viking often uses larger boats – up to 200 passengers – although some are as small as 120 passengers. Services such as whirlpools and swimming pools vary across the Viking fleet.

Three meals are generally served onboard although occasionally lunch is taken in a local restaurant. Coffee and tea are gratis but other drinks are charged for.

For cruises booked from North America, many excursions often are included in the cruise price. For cruises booked in euro, rather than USA dollar, excursion packages are generally optional.

Viking seems a bit more comfortable than other cruise lines operating on the Rhine and European rivers to charge separately additional fees such as fuel surcharges and port fees. On the plus side, Vikings cancellation policies are relatively generous.