Rhine cruise advice

[History Addict, Alfreton]

We are currently investigating the possibilities of doing a Rhine cruise in August this year with friends. We all love castles, history and wine so it seems perfect.

We have cruised with Viking previously and love their product and have done a number of Nile cruises of varying quality. There are so many more river cruise lines to choose from nowadays since our last river adventure and some great deals out there but I have a concern about some of the deals being too good to be true. There is also some variance in itineraries.

I would appreciate any advice about the good river cruise lines, which to avoid and what the must-see points of interest are along the Rhine. We are looking at just 7 days so the longer itineraries are outside our scope.

All advice appreciated!

[Malcolm, Essex]

I was on the Rhine last Christmas:

Amadeus do NOT include flights, all drinks and excursions in their fare, which is a bonus as far as I'm concerned:

https://malcolmoliver.wordpress.com/...ver-ii-review/

Strangely they have two web sites. The euro fares are often a bit cheaper than the sterling ones, however the 'perks' are slightly different.

Amadeus River Cruises

Lüftner Cruises - River Cruises on Europe’s most beautiful waterways

All their ships are similar, but the newer SilverII (there's now a Sliver III too) had the edge over the slightly older 'Elegant' which I cruised the Danube this year.

If you start from Cologne (or do a round trip) the Eurostar* and DB train is an easy option, if you do not want to fly. I stayed opposite Cologne station pre-cruise and walked to the ship!

(I appreciate London is a long way from Alfreton!)

[History Addict, Alfreton]

I was on the Rhine last Christmas:

Amadeus do NOT include flights, all drinks and excursions in their fare, which is a bonus as far as I'm concerned:

https://malcolmoliver.wordpress.com/...ver-ii-review/

Strangely they have two web sites. The euro fares are often a bit cheaper than the sterling ones, however the 'perks' are slightly different.

Amadeus River Cruises

Lüftner Cruises - River Cruises on Europe’s most beautiful waterways

All their ships are similar, but the newer SilverII (there's now a Sliver III too) had the edge over the slightly older 'Elegant' which I cruised the Danube this year.

If you start from Cologne (or do a round trip) the Eurostar* and DB train is an easy option, if you do not want to fly. I stayed opposite Cologne station pre-cruise and walked to the ship!

(I appreciate London is a long way from Alfreton!)

Actually the journey to the Eurostar hub at St Pancras isn't too bad from here. I travel regularly into the city with my work and we have a wonderful station called East Midlands parkway just off the M1 that is only an hour and 20 mins into St Pancras. I love flying but hate airports so the Eurostar might be a good option.

I did enjoy all the excursions with Viking however there was a lot of included activities and as they were included in the price you did feel obliged to take part. If they weren't included I probably wouldn't have done them all and had a little more time resting on the boat.

I'll definitely look at Amadeus. Am I right in thinking they are relatively new? I don't recall seeing them when I booked my Viking cruise although I don't recall how much research I did at the time. I know very little about the river cruise market.

[Topdeck, London]

OK though I had posted might have missed the reply button again.
summary

They have been around for over 30 years

That UK site is registered to the German company but all communication and T&C point at a UK company which is part of the Fred Olsen travel group.

[History Addict, Alfreton]

OK though I had posted might have missed the reply button again.
summary

They have been around for over 30 years

That UK site is registered to the German company but all communication and T&C point at a UK company which is part of the Fred Olsen travel group.

Thanks Topdeck. I'll look them up.

[Malcolm, Essex]

Amadeus are owned by the Luftner family (Austrian) and were originally called 'Luftner Cruises'. They will introduce their 14th river ship this month.

I can't compare them to Viking as I've not been with them.

Amadeus will sell you excursions if you want them!

Cologne is only a couple of hours from Brussels Midi by train. Brussels is a nice city if you have never stopped off there. It has a surprising about of culture and cafes/bars/restaurants.

[Topdeck, London]

I missed it earlier when checking the domain registration


Austrian not German.

[History Addict, Alfreton]

I missed it earlier when checking the domain registration


Austrian not German.

Even better, Austria is my spiritual home and most favourite European country. I've spent many many weeks over there and love the people, the culture, the food and the national madness of character. If there is any essence of Austria in the cruise line then that will be the one for me.

[Malcolm, Essex]

If there is any essence of Austria in the cruise line then that will be the one for me.

I'm not sure, but their product is pretty multi-national. On the Rhine we had Germans, Brits, French and a few other nationalities.

[Malcolm, Essex]

Amadeus Silver II and Silver III are on the Rhine this year.

Although similar ships, III is obviously the newest.