Longer cruises use the Rhine to connect to other rivers as well so if you want a longer cruise that includes cruising the Rhine, that is also possible. Several different cruises lines provide the opportunity to choose a cruise that can fit your interests perfectly.
No matter which of the cruise lines you choose, the ships will be much smaller than the ships that travel on the seas.
Because the water level is much lower in the rivers the ships have a much lower profile and are designed to travel in a river. Most rooms on a river cruise will have windows and offer spectacular views.
Avalon Waterways
Avalon offers cruises beginning in the first week of April. There are several options including an 8-day trip that begins in Amsterdam and ends in Basel. Spring is magical in the Netherlands with their amazing tulips and this is an ideal way to not only see the Rhine River towns and villages but to enjoy the beauty of springtime in Holland.
Among the stops on this particular cruise are Cologne, Koblenz, Mainz, Strasbourg, France and Breisach, Germany. At each of these stops, there are a variety of options for excursions that include visits to Heidelberg and the Black Forest among many others.
You can just tour the cities on the river and enjoy walking along the streets and shopping or visiting historic sites.
Avalon’s fleet of ships is among the youngest in Europe and offers quite a high degree of comfort and amenities. Things such as WiFi are available as well as luxurious accommodations and delicious food.
What you won’t get are things like a swimming pool and Broadway type shows. It is a different and more relaxed experience to cruises the Rhine River.
Viking Cruises
Perhaps the best known of the Cruise lines for Americans is Viking Cruises which does extensive advertising in the U.S. They offer cruises beginning in April as well and follow the same itinerary choices as Avalon. Excursions are offered to many different destinations from the different stops and the accommodations are luxurious with spacious rooms and lots of included amenities. Readers of Conde Nast Magazine have voted them Best Small Ship and Top River Cruise Ship. You can also choose to extend your cruise with more cruising or tours and hotels.
These are just two of the options available if you want to choose to cruise the Rhine River in the spring. Prices for cruises on either line will be lower in April than in June and it is the weather that will be the major difference when it comes to choosing which spring month works the best for you. It is more likely to be rainy in April than in June but you also get the benefit of viewing the early spring flowers and trees beginning to bud.
Spring is a great time to enjoy cruising the Rhine River and it is less crowded than the more popular summer months. You can choose spring cruises on the Rhine and enjoy more flowers and smaller crowds.
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