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Cologne, Germany

Cologne River Cruises

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With more than two thousand years of history, Cologne is one of Germany's most significant cultural centers, especially for its signature Gothic architecture. Straddling the Rhine River, this city is home to a magnificent twin-spired Gothic cathedral, recognized in 1996 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of course, no Cologne cruise is complete without a stop in the Fragrance Museum and the birthplace of Eau de Cologne. Cologne is the embarking and departure point for many of our Rhine River cruises, which vary from 4 days all the way to two weeks so that you can either combine this journey with another European cruise or decide to spend more time in the ancient Rhineland of historic Germany. Some of the longer cruises even visit neighboring France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Contact us to start planning your Cologne cruise!
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Best Cologne Cruises for 2026-2027

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Best Luxury Cruises to Cologne for 2026-2027

Trip Name From Days Summary
Rhine & Moselle Delights - Cruise Only $5,259 11 Begin this exclusive 11-day cruise in Basel and conclude in charming Amsterdam. This voyage includes a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore the wondrous delights of the Rhine and Moselle River regions.
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Rhine & Moselle Delights - Cruise Only $5,259 11 Embark on an 11-day cruise along the Rhine and Moselle, exploring Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Discover charming villages, UNESCO treasures, and enjoy hikes, bike rides, and scenic gondola views.
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Rhine Christmas Markets $10,790 8 Experience a festive 8-day Rhine River cruise from Zurich to Amsterdam on the Scenic Jasper. Discover historic Christmas markets charming towns, and enjoy special traditions like glühwein and festive shopping.
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Jewels of the Rhine $7,990 8 Join an 8-day cruise from Zurich to Amsterdam on the Emerald Sun, featuring a welcome dinner in Basel, guided tours, and a private concert at Bruchsal Palace. Experience the Rhine Gorge, visit Koblenz and Cologne, and enjoy a canal cruise or cycling tour in Amsterdam.
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Castles along the Rhine $4,399 8 Embark on an 8-day Rhine River cruise from Basel to Amsterdam aboard the S.S. Antoinette. Discover the charm of medieval towns like Breisach and Braubach, explore the cobbled streets of Strasbourg, and visit the majestic Marksburg Castle. Delight in guided walking tours, bike rides along the Rhine, and panoramic views from cable cars.
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Rhine & Moselle Fairytales - Cruise Only $5,499 12 Board 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 excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes, and wine & beer tastings. Visit historic medieval towns of Germany, France, and the Netherlands, highlighted by castles & other landmarks.
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Christmas Markets on the Rhine $7,259 14 Sail the Rhine on a 14-day holiday cruise with stays in Amsterdam, Lucerne, and Zurich aboard the MS Amastella. Stroll Europe’s most enchanting Christmas Markets, from Cologne’s Gothic backdrop to Strasbourg’s festive charm and Gengenbach’s giant Advent calendar.
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Castles along the Rhine $8,999 8 During this 8-day cruise from Basel to Amsterdam aboard the S.S. Victoria, cruise along the impressive Rhine River —Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans.
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Castles along the Rhine $5,199 8 During this 8-day Rhine River cruise aboard the S.S. Elisabeth, cruise from Basel to Amsterdam, visiting Breisach, Strasbourg, Speyer, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, and Cologne. Enjoy guided tours, wine tastings, scenic cruising, and cultural experiences across Switzerland, France, and Germany in 8 unforgettable days.
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Christmas Markets on the Rhine - Cruise Only $4,049 8 Enjoy a 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard the MS Amaprima. As you sail the Rhine River, visit classic Christmas markets, bike along Rüdesheim, boat down canals, and visit historic castles that highlight this region of central Europe, including stops in Cologne, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Breisach.
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Our Favortie Cologne Cruises Deals for 2026-2027

Trip Name From Days Summary
The Rhine & Moselle (Northbound) $5,629 11 Embark on an 11-day cruise aboard the Avalon Imagery II. Explore the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, starting in Basel. Discover charming cities in Germany, France, and Amsterdam, exploring Breisach, Strasbourg, and the Rhine Gorge while enjoying wine tastings in Bernkastel and a canal cruise in Amsterdam.
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Vineyards, Chateaux & Bordeaux $13,153 22 Experience a 22-day voyage aboard Avalon Artistry II, cruising Europe’s legendary rivers through Switzerland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Bordeaux. From the Rhine Gorge’s castles to Paris’s cultural treasures and Bordeaux’s famed vineyards, immerse yourself in guided tours, wine tastings, and châteaux visits.
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Romantic Rhine (Northbound) $4,151 8 Sail the 8-day Romantic Rhine River Cruise (Northbound) aboard Avalon Envision from Switzerland to Holland, visiting France and Germany along the way, with guided tours of historic cities, scenic sailing, and cultural highlights.
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Romantic Rhine (Southbound) $4,030 8 Experience an 8-day Romantic Rhine cruise aboard Avalon Envision, sailing through Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Explore Amsterdam, Cologne, Rüdesheim, Mainz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Breisach, with castles, cathedrals, and the Black Forest along the way.
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The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards & Castles $4,330 8 Sail the Rhine & Moselle for 8 days aboard Avalon Imagery II, visiting Amsterdam, Cologne, Rüdesheim, Cochem, Bernkastel, and Luxembourg. Take canal cruises, tour castles, hike vineyards, taste wines, and see Rhine Gorge while exploring Europe’s historic towns and wine regions.
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Reflections on the Rhine (Southbound) $5,496 10 Experience Europe’s Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel for 10 days on Avalon Imagery II. Explore Amsterdam’s canals, Nijmegen’s Roman ruins, Cologne Cathedral, Rhine Gorge castles, Rüdesheim vineyards, Heidelberg Castle, Strasbourg’s La Petite France, and the Black Forest with guided tours, tastings, and scenic walks.
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Romantic Rhine (Northbound) $4,030 8 Set sail on an 8-day Rhine River cruise, traveling from Basel to Amsterdam aboard Avalon View. Explore Germany’s Black Forest, Strasbourg’s Gothic cathedral, and Heidelberg Castle. Walk through Mainz, sail the Rhine Gorge past ancient castles, and visit Cologne’s cathedral before ending among Amsterdam’s canals.
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Romantic Rhine (Southbound) $4,051 8 Experience an 8-day Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard Avalon View. Explore Amsterdam canals, Cologne’s Gothic cathedral, Rhine Gorge castles, Rüdesheim vineyards, Heidelberg Castle, Strasbourg’s La Petite France, the Black Forest, and Basel’s city center. Optional guided excursions are available throughout the journey.
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Spectacular Switzerland with Romantic Rhine $8,829 16 Travel from Zurich to Amsterdam on a 16-day journey combining Swiss guided tours with a river cruise aboard Avalon Vista. Explore Switzerland with visits to Geneva, Lucerne, & Grindelwald before embarking in Basel. Sail through the Black Forest, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, & the scenic Rhine Gorge, then explore Cologne before concluding in Amsterdam.
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Swiss Splendors by Train with Romantic Rhine Cruise $9,379 15 Experience a 15-day journey from Geneva to Amsterdam aboard Avalon Vista. Travel by train through Zermatt, Interlaken, and Lucerne before boarding your ship in Basel. Cruise along the Rhine, exploring the Black Forest, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Mainz, Koblenz, Cologne, and Amsterdam. Experience mountain views, historic towns, and canal-lined streets.
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Cologne Travel Guide

Cologne, Germany Highlights

From history to architecture, the storybook German city of Cologne seems to come straight out of a fairytale. Whether embarking here or simply passing through, this city is full of delights, including:
  • The twin-spired Gothic cathedral, immediately recognizable as one of Germany's foremost masterpieces of the Gothic period.
     
  • The Fragrance Museum, where you will see how cologne is made and how this city earned a reputation as one of the world's most aromatic destinations.

After getting to know this historic city, your cruise will continue on to other destinations along the Rhine River, from Germany's medieval cities to charming towns in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and perhaps even France.
 
Popular Destinations in Cologne, Germany
Some of the most popular destinations frequently visited on a trip to Cologne, Germany are:
  • Fragrance Museum
  • Cologne Cathedral
  • Hohenzollern Bridge
  • The restored Old Town
  • St. Gereon’s Basilica
  • St. Maria im Kapitol Church
  • Belgian Quarter
  • Rheinauhafen District
  • Cologne Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Museums in Cologne, Germany
  • Ludwig Museum (contemporary & avant-garde art)
  • Romano-Germanic Museum
  • Wallraf-Richartz Museum (Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Impressionist art)
  • Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln
  • Kolumba Museum
  • Schnütgen Museum (medieval liturgical art)
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