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Moselle River Cruises

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The Moselle River originates in northeast France and flows along the Luxembourg and German border before entering Germany and flowing into the Rhine River at Koblenz. Nearly all cruises on the Moselle visit the Rhine as well. The Moselle’s German leg features spectacular castles and hillsides covered with vineyards growing some of the world's best Riesling grapes. The Moselle River is called the Mosel in Germany and Musel in Luxembourg, and highlights include picturesque stops at Trier, Bernkastel, Cochem and Koblenz where the Moselle joins with the mighty Rhine River. Some cruises also include the Neckar and Saar Rivers or the Main River in Germany. Contact one of our European river cruise specialists to start planning your cruise on the Moselle today.
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10 Best Moselle River Cruises for 2024-2025

All Moselle River Cruises

Top 10 Luxury Moselle & Rhine River Cruises for 2024-2025

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
The Enchanting Rhine - From Zurich to Amsterdam$487912Mar 23, 2024After spending two nights in both Zurich and Lucerne, Switzerland, board the MS Amaprima on an exclusive 7-day Rhine River cruise through the …
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Rhine Highlights$90908Apr 8, 2024Journey along the Rhine in all-inclusive luxury aboard Scenic Crystal. Visit delightful towns and cities along the Rhine river valley, such as …
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Castles along the Rhine$29998Mar 23, 2024Cruise the Rhine between France and Germany on this 8-day cruise aboard S.S. Antoinette. Alsace's mixed French-German ancestry gives it great …
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Rhine Holiday Markets$33998Nov 25, 2024Switzerland, France and Germany provide the perfect backdrop for this true connoisseur’s Christmas market cruise. Embark the S.S. Antoinette from …
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The Enchanting Rhine - From Basel to Amsterdam$25998May 9, 2024Experience 8 days full of discovery and wonder on this complete cruise along the enchanting Rhine, one of Europe´s most fascinating rivers. Enjoy …
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Rhine Christmas Markets$90908Dec 7, 2024Admire festive decorations and twinkling lights along streets and squares, and even the Scenic Crystal will be decked out in all its Christmas …
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Rhine & Moselle Delights - Cruise Only$559911May 26, 2024Begin this exclusive 11-day cruise in Basel and conclude in charming Amsterdam. This voyage includes a large variety of activities so that you can …
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Rhine & Moselle Fairytales$758918May 13, 2024Join the MS Amaprima on this unique adventure starting with an 11-night cruise from Amsterdam to Zurich, followed by three magical nights in Zurich. …
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Christmas Markets on the Rhine - Cruise Only$36998Dec 11, 2024Enjoy a 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard the MS Amaprima. As you sail the Rhine River, visit classic Christmas markets, bike along …
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Rhine & Moselle Fairytales - Cruise Only$499912May 15, 2024Board the MS Amaprima for an 11-night cruise from Amsterdam to Zurich. Enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours and in many cases, choose between …
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10 Best Riverboats Cruising the Moselle River for 2024-2025

Moselle River Travel Guide

Popular Moselle River Cruise Destinations

Often paired with destinations along the Rhine River, some of the most popular destinations frequently visited on a Moselle River cruise include:
Moselle River Cruise Highlights

Don't miss these picturesque ports on the Moselle:

Trier - Founded by the Romans, Trier is the oldest town in Germany, and is blessed with well-preserved Roman ruins & structures like the Porta Nigra gate, Roman baths, and the stone bridge over the Moselle River. Many consider the Moselle from Trier to Koblenz is the most scenic with castles, steep vineyards, sleepy half-timbered wine villages.

Koblenz - The Rhine & Moselle Rivers converge at the Deutsches Eck monument in the medieval city of Koblenz, Germany. The UNESCO World Heritage site, the Rhine Gorge (aka Upper Middle Rhine Valley) runs between Koblenz and Bingen,

Cochem - its beauty is only surpassed by its charm, Cochem is an ancient town of Medieval city gates, castles and half-timbered houses surrounded by steep mountains and terraced vineyards. 
 
The Mosel Wine Region

Mosel is Germany's third largest wine region in terms of volume of production, but is considered by many to be the country's top wine region in terms of quality and international prestige. Formerly called the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region, it was officially changed to the more brand-friendly Mosel Region in 2007.

Riesling and Beyond
Undoubtedly, Riesling is the region's premier variety, and it produces  some of the world's finest Riesling making up more than 60% of local production, but Mosel is more than just Riesling. Try Elbling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Kerner and Auxerrois varieties. Pinot Noir & Chardonnay are often used in Sekt–German sparkling wine.

Best Mosel Vintages
If you can find them, pick up some bottles from 2015, 2014, 2011, and 2009, 2008 and 2007, with 2015 and 2007 considered the absolute best years. 

How to choose a Moselle River cruise

Where to Go?
The Moselle River connects to the Rhine River in central Germany. Cruises along the Moselle typically visit Luxembourg City, Trier, and Cochem, before meeting with the Rhine in Koblenz, Germany and continuing on to destinations such as Bamberg, Nuremburg and other German towns and cities.

How Long?
Cruises exclusive to the Moselle River tend to be 4-7 days, however many of the longer Moselle River cruises spend time exploring connected or nearby waterways like the Rhine and Main Rivers of central Europe. The most popular cruises are the 7-day explorations, as this gives travelers plenty of time to explore this region of Europe. Longer cruises of the Moselle tend to reach more destinations in France, Luxembourg, and Germany, while the shorter 4-day Moselle River cruises are an excellent extension to any France or Germany river cruises, but aren't very good as standalone vacations.

On which riverboat?
The vessels we have hand-selected for the Moselle River cruises were specifically designed to explore the borderlands of France, Luxembourg, and Germany. Their length, comfort, and style reflect classic riverboat design. All of the vessels feature a panoramic sun deck, a lounge and bar, elegant dining rooms, and comfortable air-conditioned rooms. Contact us if you need guidance in selecting the best boat for you.

What is there to do and see?
The Moselle River cruises feature all of the staple European activities you'd hope for: wine tasting tours, urban exploration, biking and hiking opportunities, and even visits to archaeological sites. Each excursion showcases the best of each town.

Moselle River FAQs

Why should I choose a river cruise?
The Moselle River takes you through some of the best destinations in France, Luxembourg, and Germany in an all-inclusive experience, where your dining, accommodations, and transportation are all part of the ticket price. You won't waste any time traveling from one site to the next as your river vessel takes you right there. That means no packing & unpacking and a new destination to wake up to every morning along the Moselle River.

What should I look for on a riverboat?
Our hand-picked Moselle River vessels immerse guests in the romantic French & German atmosphere in well appointed cabins and suites, spacious lounges and dining areas, and a panoramic sun deck where you can breathe in the fresh air of the Moselle River valley. A friendly captain and crew guide you on this experience as you visit the quaint villages and significant destinations of the Moselle River. Don't expect the same kind of onboard experience as a giant sea faring cruise ship, since those focus much more on the onboard spaces while Moselle River cruises emphasize the day excursions that allow you to explore the best that France, Luxembourg, and Germany have to offer.

Should I get a room with a balcony?
It all depends on what your priorities are, but they can often be an unnecessary additional expense. The way these river vessels are designed, each room faces out, which means that even rooms without balconies tend to have large picture windows that allow you to see the scenic nature of the Moselle River valleys. Plus, there is ample deck space on the panoramic sun deck where you can take in the majesty of the Moselle from all sides. Unless you have your heart set on a balcony, then a great alternative is getting a room with large windows or a sliding glass door that opens right out towards the fresh air (known as a "French balcony").

What is dining like?
The culinary delights of a Moselle River cruise highlight the best of French & German cuisine, prepared by each of our hand-picked vessel's gourmet chefs. While in town, be sure to sample the local flavors as well for lunch or dinner in the taverns, diners, and restaurants.

Do river cruises ever visit destinations that aren't on the river?
The Moselle River cruises mainly visit destinations and sites on the river, but since many of these cruises start or end in other cities and a fair amount of Moselle River cruises are coupled with Rhine River cruises, you can expect to see much more of central Europe as well.

Will my vessel have WiFi?
Most but not all Moselle Riverboats have WiFi. Most, especially the newer riverboats, have free WiFi access everrwhere onboard, including n your room, a few boats charge for WiFi, and some have reception only on public deck areas and not in the rooms. It's important to check with your Adventure Life representative to confirm that your riverboat of choice has WiFi onboard.

What kind of power outlets are there? Will I need a converter?
In Europe the power is 220v, not the 110v like in North America, but typically devices can handle both without the need for a converter. You will need plug adapters for European style plugs which have two round prongs.

How can I save money on a river cruise?
If you're hoping to save money on a European River cruise, then check out our Deals & Promotions page to find the best offers each season. We can also help you track the river cruises of your choice and let you know when there are specials and deals that you might be interested in. We advise travelers to avoid saving money by booking cheaper cabins - cabins that save you a lot of money tend to sacrifice space and often the breathtaking views that make river cruises in Europe such a wonderful experience.

Are Moselle River cruises a good family vacation?
Certain Moselle River cruises are great for family vacations - look for cruises that have activities perfect for the ages of your family members. If you are traveling with kids, then the cruises with lots of easy activities are ideal. If you have adolescents, then consider an active cruise, with opportunities for biking, hiking, and faster-paced exploration. Among adults, the cultural and wine-tasting cruises are a popular option. There's a perfect Moselle River cruise for every family.

Do Americans and Canadians need a passport and visa to travel to the Moselle River?
All citizens of North America traveling to and throughout Europe need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. Due to changes in visa laws in recent years, it is not necessary to apply for a visa before traveling to Europe as long as you plan to stay less than three months. These laws are subject to change in the future. Make sure to check current European visa requirements.

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