At a glance: The best time to cruise through central Europe on the Moselle River is during the summer season, from June through August, when temperatures are warm, there is little rain, and river levels are low enough to allow ideal navigability for ships. If you’re looking for discounted rates, consider the shoulder seasons in late spring (April-May) or early autumn (October-November). Unless you are planning a cruise of the legendary Christmas Markets in November or December, you should generally avoid Moselle River cruises in the winter months (December-March) as the temperatures can get quite low.
The Moselle River (also, Mosel) is one of the lesser-known gems among the river cruising destinations in Europe. Flowing through Germany, Luxembourg, and France, this river acquaints explorers with modern cities, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and world-class wine throughout the continent, including popular ports like Trier, Koblenz, and Cochem. Many Moselle River cruises are also coupled with the legendary Rhine River cruise.
River through Koblenz Germany
Moselle Valley Climate
Weather in the Moselle valley is often warm and pleasant, making it ideal for growing grapes. During the months of April and May, the average temperature in Cochem is 17°C, but this rises to 22°C in June and 24°C or more in July and August. September and October are quite comfortable at 20°C in the city.
Autumn Cruises on the Moselle River Valley
If we had to pick a month, September is the best month to cruise the Moselle River. Why? The brisk autumn temperatures combined with the breathtaking display of leaves changing color and the fact that considerably fewer people are traveling during this season make September an ideal month to cruise the Moselle River. Plus, if you travel in September, you can avoid the summer heat, which can occasionally reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Vineyards across the Mosel Valley will be celebrating their harvests starting in the early fall. There will be amazing fireworks displays, a grand parade, live music, and, of course, wine tastings.
Visit charming towns on the Moselle River
Spring Cruises on the Mosel Valley
The cruising season on the Moselle River typically begins in late spring as the temperatures begin to warm up again. This can be a great time to tour central Europe in full bloom, and you might even find some good discounted rates since it is before the main cruising season. Travelers planning a Moselle France river cruise for spring should pack warmer clothes for the chilly temperatures.
It’s also good to keep in mind that water levels can impact cruises, especially during the spring rainy season when snow is melting, as rising river levels can make it impossible for riverboats to navigate under low bridges until the water goes down. If this happens, your cruise operator will have a plan B, which is usually docking the boat in port and using luxury motor coaches to continue your itinerary, using your boat as the hotel.
Visit charming villages in France
Summer Cruises on the Mosel River
The best time to visit Mosel Valley is during the summer months in June, July, and August. Summer temperatures in central Europe can range from warm to hot, making this a great time to plan your Moselle River cruise if you’re looking forward to basking in the sun on the panoramic sun decks. If you don’t like crowds, then you should probably avoid the summer months, as this is the peak of the tourism season and certain cities and attractions can feel a bit full. Traben-Trarbach and Bernkastel are two examples of riverside towns hosting yearly wine festivals during this time.
Winter Market Moselle River Cruises
A tradition that dates back millennia, the Winter Markets of European port towns might make it worth it to visit during the chillier November and December months. In almost every town along the rivers of central Europe in the weeks leading up to Christmas, travelers are delighted by the vibrant and festive markets set up in the old town squares and plazas, where artisans and bakers are happy to share their traditions with you.
The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
Liz O
2 days ago
Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
Kathleen Weller
2 days ago
It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
1 week ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
1 week ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.