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Best river cruises for next summer

Planning ahead? Here are the best river cruises for next summer.
From sailing along the culture-studded Danube to ticking off picture-worthy towns along the Rhine, we’ve got plenty of exciting river cruises planned for next summer. We’ve added three new itineraries to our summer line-up – that’s a total of 20 itineraries to choose from. And, we’re giving you more flexibility than ever, thanks to our new durations. Our short sailings – three, four, five or six nights – mean that you can dip your toe in the river cruising waters, or fit in a sailing if you’re short on time. Or, if you’re keen to set off on a longer sailing, but don’t fancy one of our 14-night itineraries, we have 11,14 and 15-night durations to pick from. Want to know more? We’ve picked out some of our favourite new sailings – or sailings where we’ve added new ports of call – below.  

Then, take a look at all the itineraries we’ve got on offer...

And, if you’d like to learn about how we’re making sure you can sail safely, check out our River Cruise with Confidence hub.

1. Rhine Gorge Discovery

Get set for a three-night adventure through Germany's wine country on the Rhine Gorge Discovery itinerary. Your journey kicks off in Frankfurt, where you can soak in skyscraper views from the Main Tower's top deck. The next stop, it’s Koblenz, known as the 'gateway' to the Rhine Valley, where ancient fortresses and historic buildings await. Day three takes you to Boppard and Rudesheim, offering a taste of fine wine and 16th-century vibes. And on on day four, you'll sail back to Frankfurt, where you can Explore the city's red-hued Frankfurt Cathedral and admire medieval half-timbered houses on Romerberg Square.
Cable cars near Fortress Ehrenbreitstein in Koblenz, Germany

2. North Rhine Explorer

This seven-day sailing weaves its way through the dramatic landscapes of the Rhineland, with stops in the lively cities of Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Rotterdam and more. Starting in Frankfurt you’ll have plenty of photo ops with in this landmark littered city, with an eclectic range of architecture from medieval style Bricker to futuristic buildings on the waterfront. After trekking through Germany, you’ll head to Amsterdam for two days of exploration, where you can see the iconic Anne Frank house and cruise along the Netherlands famous Canal system.
A bridge over the canal in Amsterdam, with rows of colourful tulips in the foreground.

3. European Explorer

This 11-night itinerary finds its way through four countries and a string of history-laden towns. Day one is all about exploring Budapest's must-see spots like the historic Buda Castle, and on day two, you'll get to kick back like a local at a thermal bathhouse. Then, it's off to Bratislava, where you'll be clued up on the history at the Main Square and soak in sweeping views from Bratislava Castle. Vienna, Austria, is up next, offering imperial palaces like Schonbrunn Palace and a treasure trove of art at Museums Quartier. To round it all off, you'll explore Austria and Germany, with their cool Gothic-style buildings, quaint timber-framed houses, fairytale style castles, and a taste of the famous Bamberg smoky beer at a brewery.
Bratislava Castle, Slovakia
Set on sailing next summer?

Check out our full line-up of sailings for next year. Or, if you’re after some more inspo, have a read of our highlights of a Main, Moselle, and Danube river cruise.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.

Author: Hannah Stratton and Chanté Frazer

Last updated: 10.09.2023

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