Germany Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
224 ships from 31 cruise lines
Germany cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 1,796 upcoming sailings on 224 ships from 31 cruise lines visiting Germany, calling at 127 places. Cruises can start in Nuremberg, Hamburg, Cologne, Passau, Frankfurt am Main, Vilshofen and 2 more and end in Nuremberg, Hamburg, Passau, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Vilshofen and 2 more. Of 1,806 upcoming sailings, 476 start in Germany and 479 end there. More Western Europe cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Germany cruise lines
See every Germany cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Germany
Germany is the cultural and logistical heart of European river cruising. The Rhine, Moselle, Main, Danube, and Elbe together offer an extraordinary mix of UNESCO cathedrals, castle-lined gorges, vineyard terraces, medieval old towns, and 20th-century history. For the American milestone traveler, Germany rewards those who choose smaller ships, build in free time, and balance romantic scenery with honest memory sites.
Typical routes
- Rhine and Moselle: Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Mainz, Speyer, Mannheim, Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, Trier
- Main-Danube Canal and Danube: Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau; plus Elbe/Berlin routes for Dresden and Hamburg
Ports overview
German river ports are generally walkable, well maintained, and closely tied to medieval or Roman centers. The most frequent stops lie on the Rhine between Mainz and Cologne, the Moselle between Koblenz and Trier, the Main-Danube Canal between Würzburg and Nuremberg, and the Danube between Regensburg and Passau.
Cruise season
April through November is the main season; May-June and September-October are best for mild weather and smaller crowds. Christmas market cruises run from late November into December.
Find your Germany sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Germany, earliest departure first.
16 Days One-Way from Copenhagen to Portsmouth UK
Visits Germany. Also visits Denmark, Sweden, Finland
Azamara Quest
44 Days One-Way from Copenhagen to New York
Visits Germany. Also visits Denmark, Sweden, Finland
Azamara Quest
14 Days One-Way from Warnemunde-Rostock to Hamburg
Starts and ends in Germany. Also visits Sweden, Estonia, Finland
MSC Explora 4
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9 Days One-Way from Warnemunde-Rostock to Copenhagen
Starts in Germany. Also visits Sweden, Estonia, Finland
MSC Explora 4
15 Days One-Way from Kiel to Hamburg
Starts and ends in Germany. Also visits Norway
ms Europa
17 Days One-Way from Passau to Bucharest
Starts in Germany. Also visits Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
SS Marlene
9 Days One-Way from Munich to Budapest
Starts in Germany. Also visits Austria, Hungary
APT Ostara
10 Days Frankfurt Am Main, Germany Round Trip
Starts and ends in Germany
Arosa Alea
22 Days One-Way from Amsterdam to Oltenita
Visits Germany. Also visits Netherlands, Austria, Hungary
Avalon Impression
23 Days One-Way from Amsterdam to Bucharest
Visits Germany. Also visits Netherlands, Austria, Hungary
Avalon Impression
25 Days One-Way from Amsterdam to Bucharest
Visits Germany. Also visits Netherlands, Austria, Hungary
Avalon Impression
13 Days One-Way from Stockholm to Bergen
Visits Germany. Also visits Sweden, Estonia, Poland
Viking Vesta
Where Germany cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (27)
Coastal and island ports
Bremerhaven (13) (cruises from) · Hamburg (173) (cruises from) · Kiel (90) (cruises from) · Travemünde (5) (cruises from) · Warnemünde (167) (cruises from)
River ports
Bamberg (356) (cruises from) · Berlin (48) (cruises from) · Breisach (419) (cruises from) · Bremen (11) (cruises from) · Cochem (148) (cruises from) · Cologne (580) (cruises from) · Dresden (16) (cruises from) · Duisburg (16) (cruises from) · Düsseldorf (187) (cruises from) · Frankfurt am Main (150) (cruises from) · Hannover (13) (cruises from) · Koblenz (433) (cruises from) · Mainz (128) (cruises from) · Munich (51) (cruises from) · Nuremberg (484) (cruises from) · Oberammergau Germany (5) (cruises from) · Passau (629) (cruises from) · Potsdam (21) (cruises from) · Regensburg (497) (cruises from) · Stralsund (13) (cruises from) · Trier (65) (cruises from) · Vilshofen (122) (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (28)
Coastal and island ports
Bremerhaven (13) · Hamburg (173) · Kiel (90) · Travemünde (5) · Warnemünde (167)
River ports
Bamberg (356) · Berlin (48) · Bonn (117) · Breisach (419) · Bremen (11) · Cochem (148) · Cologne (580) · Dresden (16) · Duisburg (16) · Düsseldorf (187) · Frankfurt am Main (150) · Hannover (13) · Koblenz (433) · Mainz (128) · Mannheim (205) · Munich (51) · Nuremberg (484) · Passau (629) · Potsdam (21) · Regensburg (497) · Stralsund (13) · Trier (65) · Vilshofen (122)
Ships by type: 52 ocean 169 river 5 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your Germany cruise
Germany cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Germany cruise port guide →More Western Europe cruises
France · Netherlands · Spain · Portugal · Italy · Belgium · Austria · Switzerland
Frequently asked questions about Germany cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Germany?
127 Germany places are visited by 224 ships from 31 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Germany cruise?
April through November is the main season; May-June and September-October are best for mild weather and smaller crowds. Christmas market cruises run from late November into December.
Sources and further reading
Background on Germany draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: Germany
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Rhine River
- German National Tourist Board: Germany Travel: River Cruises
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Germany: Properties Inscribed on the World Heritage List
- AmaWaterways: Rhine River Cruises
- Viking River Cruises: Rhine & Moselle Cruises
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
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