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Excellent for Disabled Passengers - Rhine River Day Cruises

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  • Rhine River Day Cruises

Booked a week long cruise with Titan travel. "Enchanting Towns of the Rhine". What a fantastic... read more

rhine river cruises for disabled

We jumped on board at St Goar after having bought our tickets on the morning from an amazing lady... read more

rhine river cruises for disabled

Excellent for Disabled Passengers

Not quite sure the correct classification but could not find better & it matches other reviews. We had a weeks cruise on the MS Alegria with Shearings. We had previously been refused bookings with a wheelchair on river cruises, but we found this boat is specially adapted for the disabled. It has huge lifts (elevators) which can accomodate up to 5 wheelchairs at a time. Just make sure you do not book a cabin on the lower deck as that only has a stair lift. The crew could not have been more helpful when the "gangplank" was steepish. I recommend you pay extra for the best cabins if you use a wheelchair as they are more spacious.

The river cruise is great, you get to see the old castles along the river way. They have restaurants aboard and you can buy good german beer onboard. Take plenty of snapshots.

My husband and I took this cruise recently (June/July) and absolutely loved it! Although the first week of the cruise was cloudy and rainy, the included visits to beautiful places like Black Forest (and the Cuckoo Clocks, the Black Forest Cherry Cake), Breisach, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rudesheim, lifted even the darkest skies! Not to mention the 5-star Gourmet 3 meals a day! The food was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented! Thanks to the Chefs and staff! Also the Cruise Director Sabine and the crew were very friendly and entertaining. Cruise Director would have a 'port talk' every evening to let us know what's happening the next day and she'd have notes prepared and left in our rooms each night. So for e.g. when we were cruising down the Rhine with lots of castles along the way, she had a sheet prepared with names of the castles and on which side of the boat we could see them and take pictures. We thought that was pretty handy! Fantastic crew that is extremely polite and go all the way to make our stay very welcome and pleasant! From the front desk Reception, to the Housekeeping, to the Kitchen/Restaurant, everyone just kept making sure that we get so pampered! We were very fortunate to have a very hygiene conscious crew on board and plenty of hand sanitizers around for everyone to use whenever we came back on board from the excursions. We also noted that crew kept wiping staircase railings and steps and everything in sight everyday! Very clean indeed! So with the fine weather for the second part of the river cruise, what more could we ask for? Beautiful and smooth sailing all the way to Kinderdijk to see the windmills, then Edam, Volendam and Amsterdam. Also thanks to the Captain and his crew for the smooth sailing! One last note: we can't choose our traveling companions but we sure know which cruise to choose if we ever want to do this again!

Firstly I wish to say that the scenery on this cruise is magnificent, it really is beautiful views all the way, if you wish to see fairy tale castles and quaint towns this is the trip for you, a word of caution though, don't go with Riviera, this Company in my view provides a poor holiday experience in all ways. We travelled with Riviera shortly after the flooding of this area in mid June 2013, prior to travelling I contacted this Company to voice concerns about the viability of the cruise, particulaly as there was considerable damage to many of the stops en route, also there were concerns about the navigability of the Danube River, even though respectable companies such a Viking had cancelled cruises and offered their Clients full refunds or revised cruise dates, Riviera insisted that there should be minimal chance of spoiling our holiday as a result of closure of the Rivers due to heavy rain and that it would be clear by the time we arrived at Vienna and Budapest, this sentiment was clearly motivated by money, and no thought was given to their Clients expectations, the result of this was that the cruise was curtailed at Meltz, thereafter we experiences three days of hell, being transported around in buses, staying in hotels, if I had wanted a bus and hotel tour I certainly wouldn't have chosen Riviera. The Riviera tour guides were nothing short of useless, and made the whole experience a lot worse. The much lauded Captains dinner which was advertised as having a menu prepared form the places we had visited, was laughable, the Captain sat with the Riviera reps and the Ships cruise director, laughing and having a great time while us poor smucks had to make do with a baked Alaska, sorry but I don't think we actually visited Alaska!!. It was obvious that the ship had not taken on board further supplies!. The whole cruise came to a sorry end with a stay in the Novotel in a residential part of Budapest, there was no chance of enjoying free time in the city as advertised. Generally the ships decor was tired and dated, the food poor quality and boring, and the Captain boorish. My advise do this cruise with Viking or Scenic because the country is beautiful, forget Riviera Travel unless you want to be treated as a CASH COW!

rhine river cruises for disabled

The one day we had on the Rhine, it rained. We took our rain gear and took the cruise on the Bingen-Rudesheimer cruiseline anyway. We boarded at 1015am. Arrived The boat was very clean and offered drinks and snacks for purchase. While the clouds were low, we could still see the castles as they are right along the coast. Our photos are excellent as the clouds are hanging low in the backgrounds. The info shared on the cruise about each castle was very brief, but in 4 or 5 languages. I would have appreciated more historical information. We road from Bingen to Bacharach and it was plenty to take in. Many castles in this short distance. We were glad we did not travel further up river to St. Goar because the boat ride back seemed to take forever (1.5 hr). When we got off at Bacharach, we toured the small town and had lunch at a small bar/grill. Brat and fries for 5€. Later (after walking the castle trail) had spaghetti ice cream...Excellent!

I have just come back from a weeks cruise on the Rhine with Viking Tours. A party of six of us went to celebrate one of our friends significant birthdays. We were on the Viking Sun from Basle to Amsterdam. The first things that must be said are the the boat is very comfortable, the staff are extremely friendly and helpful and the food was excellent. Having said that it is an expensive seven days if you have third deck state rooms and for that you should expect nothing less. My wife and I have cruised before on river and sea but not in Europe. so we were looking forward to a new experience. Two things though combined to give us probably one of the least satisfactory holidays we have had in some considerable time. The weather of course cannot be helped but it was abysmal. Wet and cold and despite the efforts of the staff to keep people cheerful the Rhine is not an attractive place in the rain when viewing it from a boat with a daily precision invasions to see some point of interest. The excursions did not give enough time for self exploration because one suspects of the commercial need to fit in two excersions per day, the one in the morning complimentary the one in the afternoon chargeable. Our friend missed his birthday celebration because he like a reasonable number of fellow sailors fell ill with a bout of diarrhea and projectile vomiting and was confined to his cabin for two days. The crew assured us that the illness had be brought on board by an American lady and she and her husband had since left the ship to return home. They also said that only 3% had contracted the bug and that they had had a doctor on board who had stated that the cause was bacterial not viral. Very reassuring except that it was clearly in excess of 5 people (198 passengers being on board) with the bug and it was increasing daily. Also to rule out a virus such as say Norro Virus would require swabbing which we don't believe happened and up to two days to determine. However I have to say the staff were heroic in containing the outbrake within reasonable levels. On the final night another one of our party (not the first gentleman's wife) and an American lady went down with the bug. There may have been others we don't know. We were therefore surprised when we sat in the lounge waiting for our connection to Schipol when we heard some new passengers arriving for the next criuise being told that there had been no outbreak of the bug for 48 hours. That simply was not true and I do hope the measures taken to sanitise the ship for the new voyage were enough to ensure no further outbreak on the new cruise and indeed that the bug was not after all a virus. If the sun had shone all week I think the holiday would have been much better. However the Rhine is a big working river and not all of it is picturesque. I might go back and tour the Mid Rhine valley again but this time by hire car. In the event I cruise anywhere in future I want to be guaranteed the weather. Despite having fun with our party regardless of illness this was a holiday without real highlights and sadly not great value for money.

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Guide To Accessible River Cruising - Traveling With Disabilities

rhine river cruises for disabled

Leisure, culture, and appealing facilities draw senior travelers and baby boomers closer to river cruises. There seems to be no upper limit or holding back when it comes to river cruising. However, given the features aboard the best river cruises in the world, you might think it is appropriate for passengers traveling with disabilities.

Unfortunately, this is not the case! River cruises present various challenges for disabled passengers, both on and off the ship. People traveling with disabilities, wheelchairs, or difficulty walking need to know the forthcoming pitfalls before booking their tickets. From a shortage of accessible staterooms to activities and excursions, there are plenty of challenges awaiting passengers traveling with disabilities. It is not a smooth sail ahead!

However, it is not just bad news and challenges for us all. The correct information and details can tell you precisely what you should be expecting. You can find a river cruise that offers a satisfying experience to passengers traveling with disabilities too. You just need to do your homework right!  

Here is Leisure’s guide to accessible river cruising.

Choosing the right river cruise

rhine river cruises for disabled

It is tough to find the correct information about the various facilities available for disabled passengers on the websites and their glossy brochures. River cruises might look stunning and almost the same on the outside but are incredibly different on the inside. If you are concerned about how your disabilities or mobility issues might impact your vacation, you should ask the following questions before booking your cruise.

The first detailed information you require is to ensure the correct configuration for your cabin. River cruise cabins are smaller in comparison to hotel rooms. And in some cases, some river cruises might not offer you a stateroom at all. Some provide a tiny number of cabins or accessible cabins, while others might have a modified cabin with wide doors. You just need to know if you choose the right river cruise since suitable cabins are not always readily available. 

You should enquire about the doors, whether they can open easily so your wheelchair can go inside. You should also find out if there is enough space to meet your mobility needs and storage requirements. Your equipment should be stored inside the cabin and not in the corridor because of safety regulations. 

Although it is extremely rare to find a bathtub on a river cruise, you should ask questions like if they have a shower stall or a fixed door on their shower stall with limited access. Some cabin bathrooms have a small door that folds back to create a larger bathroom space. 

You should also inquire about your bathroom configurations, especially if you are not getting a particular accessible room to book. 

Elevators 

Most of today’s cruise ships offer elevators indoors. But the number of floors they serve can vary. River cruises have to pass through low bridges, and therefore the sun deck might only be available by stairs. Some of these river cruise ships have unique chairs that lift to take their wheelchair-accessible passengers up to the top deck. Uniworld, Algeria Charter Ships, and Vantage Vessels have some of the options. However, not all cruise ships have these facilities. They are pretty rare on a river cruise. 

Accessible Excursions

rhine river cruises for disabled

Daily excursions are usually included in your river cruising fare. You will not get the correct value for money if you are not joining most of them. Usually, there are options for wheelchair-accessible passengers who will be easily able to navigate through these activities. Traveling with disabilities might sound easy on some of these river cruises. Still, not every single tour and excursion will be available for you. 

Considering the European river cruises, they go through historic waterways, through many important cities and vineyards. This is an excellent opportunity for passengers traveling with disabilities since they can visit the museums, shops, churches, restaurants, and other attractions along the path without needing bus transfers. 

Here, Viking river cruises have various central mooring sports as they own their docks. You should look for cruises that offer walking tours on a gradable basis. This means they are differentiating between their walking excursions based on people’s fitness levels. Slower walking tours suggest people do not need to walk many steps, which is exceptionally suitable for passengers traveling with disabilities or in wheelchairs. 

The bad news here, however, is that many old towns in Europe still have cobbled streets. These streets can present various problems for people in wheelchairs. 

Your cruise director can also advise you on various suitable tours for multiple individuals, as per their mobility needs. They can also suggest multiple places where such passengers can rest or offer an alternative attraction that is also wheelchair accessible. For example, an alternative short and easy excursion instead of a visit to a castle requires long walks on uneven steps. 

For excursions that involve bus traveling, coaches might not be able to take you places. As a passenger, you will require lifting the wheelchair and other mobility aids onto the bus and would be required to climb the steps to board the bus. Considering the repercussions and potential pitfalls of this plan, you would want to research ports on the itinerary you are considering to avoid getting stuck at multiple ports in a row that you cannot explore or navigate. 

If the excursions do not suit you, the proximity of town centers and the docking points make it easier for independent travelers to explore the town centers on their own. This is great since many of the waterfronts, besides the rivers, are pretty flat in terms of topography and offer many places for stopping for snacks and drinks. However, since the prices of these excursions are included in the cruise fare, it is entirely up to you to decide if the trip is worth your time and money. 

Picking the itinerary 

The highlight of any excellent river cruise is the ever-changing panorama of scenic beauty, which can be easily admired from the comforts of your sails. Passengers traveling with disabilities or are mobility-impaired should choose itineraries that cover longer distances on rivers with plenty of time on the cruise. This means that you can spend more time aboard the ship with your loved ones and other fellow passengers. This also comes as an excellent tip for people who are cruising for the very first time. 

Danube and Rhine river cruises are some of the most popular river cruises . These highlights include a day cruise along the Middle Rhine, which is UNESCO-listed and famous for the Lorelie Rock. Similarly, the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley is also a great option along the dramatic stretches of the Danube river. 

The Main Cruises line offers a 15-day journey from Budapest to Amsterdam along the Danube and the Rhine, offering an easy way to explore five different countries without having the hassle of traveling or exploring on land. 

France and Portugal are great options too and are extremely beautiful. However, their itineraries clock up very few river miles between different ports. This means the passengers traveling with disabilities might not witness the scenic beauty as much if they choose to stay on board. In contrast, others are busy with different shore excursions. 

The northern France itineraries include one whole day at various sites like the Normandy landing beaches, landmarks for the second world war, which take you on a long bus journey to these locations. This is not highly suitable for people with mobility issues. 

For people traveling with disabilities, choosing to cruise through wine-growing regions around south France is better suited since they stop at fascinating locations like Lyon, Avignon, and Macon. These locations can be easily explored without having to transfer yourself through a coach. 

All in all, it pays to study your itinerary well before you make any decisions. However, it should be noted that though some tours and excursions are included in your fare, people do not have an obligation to join these activities. A few people always decide to stay back while the ship is docked near the port. So, you will not feel alone. 

Accessible River Cruises

rhine river cruises for disabled

Most cruise ships cater to the British markets through various tour operators. Out of all these, MS Alegria is perhaps the only river cruise that offers ease of accessibility to passengers traveling with disabilities. The cruise accommodates approximately 100 passengers, of which it can carry ten disabled passengers at a time for one sailing. The cruise also comes with manual and electric wheelchairs, foldable electric scooters, and walking-friendly frames. Passengers can bring the larger electric scooters to use for their shore excursions as well. 

For passengers traveling with disabilities, cabins on the cruise feature a pretty large doorway, wet-room-based bathrooms with comfortable seats installed in the shower areas. Other cabins also have wheelchair-accessible doorways and stools, which can be provided at passenger’s request. 

Passengers can also rent a ceiling-mount hoist to assist their loved ones in and out of bed, along with other mobility equipment like a walking frame to be used on the ship. Items available on the ship do not include any significant medical equipment. However, the ship does offer a small oxygen cylinder with prior arrangements. 

Aboard this cruise ship, three elevators link the passenger decks and two chairs that take disabled passengers to the top sun deck. The cruise also comes with wheelchair-friendly wide corridors and wheelchair-accessible docking to aid passengers in their shore excursions. 

Other river cruises

AmaWaterways: Passengers aboard the AmaWaterways are recommended to bring along a collapsible wheelchair stored inside their cabins. All rooms on this ship are wide enough to allow wheelchairs to go in and out. Some of their ships like AmaSonata, AmaSerena, AmaPrima, and AmaReina have specially designed staterooms with large wide doors and a modified bathroom for passengers traveling with disabilities. These cabins also come with appropriate emergency doors that lead directly out of the ship, accommodating a wheelchair in cases of emergencies. 

Every ship from AmaWaterways has an elevator serving all the floors, except the lower deck and the sun deck. However, the good news is, crewmembers will be happy to assist passengers traveling with disabilities towards the top deck.

In addition to this, the shore excursions are fully accessible to passengers traveling with disabilities. It is, of course, recommended by the cruise line for disabled passengers to travel with a caregiver to assist them during the vacation. 

A-Rosa: This German-owned river cruise line offers one cabin suitable for passengers traveling with disabilities on their ship A-Rosa Viva. Aboard the ship, passengers can also carry their wheelchair and other mobility aid. Medical oxygen bottles can also be carried on this cruise, however, with prior notice. When available, the crew helps passengers on and off the ship and around the stairs. However, caregivers should be present to assist as well. 

CroisiEurope: All of their ships are premium-rated and offer completely accessible cabin rooms with all the necessary equipment and wide doors to meet the requirements of passengers traveling with disabilities. This three-deck ship has an elevator that goes up and down the ship, except the sun deck. Disabled passengers can travel with their caregiver to assist them since the crew is limited on this ship. Passengers must also connect with the cruise line before booking their seats on this vessel.

Uniworld: Although the ship does not offer wheelchair-accessible cabins, their shower stalls do have grab bars for people traveling with disabilities. Most of the river cruises by Uniworld have an elevator to serve passenger decks and a chair-lift to lead them to the sun deck. You can also get a travel-sized, completely collapsible wheelchair onboard. 

Shore excursions by the cruise line include various programs rated suitable for “gentle walking,” which means passengers traveling with disabilities can also participate. The line, however, does ask passengers to walk unassisted for guided tours, so if a wheelchair is essential offshore, guests would be recommended to explore the locations independently. 

Vantage: The Vantage cruise ships are fully equipped with hydraulic chairs between top passenger decks and the sun deck. Some elevators serve the inside decks. Their cruise ship, Discovery II, offers handicapped cabins and accessible restrooms in public areas. Passengers aboard the ship also get access to extra wheelchairs that can be carried onboard. The only policy that Vantage cruises strictly stick to is for passengers traveling with disabilities to be accompanied by someone who can responsibly take care of them. 

Viking: One of the most extensive river cruises welcomes passengers traveling with disabilities with a smile. However, this smile comes with particular challenges existing onboard and in their planned shore excursions. Viking does not offer a designated wheelchair-friendly stateroom. Most of their ships do come with elevators. Still, some of them have a split-level deck which makes movement difficult for mobility-impaired people. 

Their shore excursions include walking across roads laden with cobblestones or sometimes even steps. So, physically challenged passengers would require an extra pair of hands assisting them at all times since crew availability is limited. Collapsible wheelchairs are allowed aboard the ship, but your motorized scooters are not permitted due to lack of space. Guests with special medical needs - physical and unique, are recommended to check with the ship first to gain information on the ship’s layout or their questions before boarding.

Final Words:

So, should you go cruising this year? 

Traveling with disabilities can be easy if you are choosing the right cruise ship. Keep in mind all the abovementioned technicalities to board the river cruise of your dreams. However, if you miss out on even one aspect, your river cruise vacation could throw a damper on your plans. 

Choose what’s best for you and your loved ones. Happy vacationing to you! 

Our private tours typically range from $500 - $1000 per person/per night depending on chosen hotels and room categories, vehicles used, types of tours, flight cost, time of year and other factors. Make an inquiry for a customized trip quote.

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Europe River Cruising for Wheelchair-bound Travellers

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European River Boats with Wheelchair-accessible Cabins:

rhine river cruises for disabled

Europe River Cruises – River boat

From the queries we see and from our own personal experience, it’s clear that finding information on European river cruises that cater to travellers with mobility problems was not an easy task in the past.  In 2005 when we took my 89 year-old mother-in-law (Barbara) on the Amsterdam to Budapest river cruise , none of the river boats (including the fairly new ones at that time) had elevators and the only access from deck to deck was via the stairs.

Although Barbara was not wheelchair-bound , she could only walk slowly and climbing steps was difficult for her. We overcame the problem as best we could by booking her a stateroom that was on the same level as the restaurant.  Her stateroom also had French windows so if she didn’t feel like going on the sundeck, she was still able to enjoy all the views along the river and the sunshine from the comfort of her room. To get up to the sundeck or down to the reception, we helped her along, taking things quite slowly so she felt comfortable making those trips.

Many ocean cruisers have cabins that are equipped with facilities for wheelchair-bound travellers, but river boats generally do not have them. Understandably, river boats are much smaller vessels than the ocean-going ships and space is an issue.

Riverboat Developments

That was in 2005 , and it’s good to see that many of the modern river boats now have elevators , however this still does not solve the problem for travellers who are wheelchair-bound as the cabins are not “wheelchair-accessible”.

One river cruise operator, I checked with ( Scenic Tours ) confirmed that all of their ships feature elevators and have wheelchair-accessible cabins . Note that Scenic Tours have one of the most advanced fleet of river boats which they call “space-ships”.  The MS Scenic Ruby, Scenic Diamond, Scenic Emerald and Scenic all feature outside balconies , whereas many of the other river boats would only have French windows, if at all.

rhine river cruises for disabled

Scenic River Boat – Outside Balconies

Scenic Tours say that they will “strive to the extent feasible, to accommodate guests with disabilities and mobility challenges” .  This is the advice I received from a representative of Scenic Tours:

  • Scenic has a beautiful Junior Suite (Suite 302 on the  Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, Ruby) with a balcony which has wheelchair facilities for wheelchair- bound passengers. This suite is close to the reception and near the lift.
  • The doors have been widened to allow access by a standard size wheelchair. The space in the room allows for easy manoeuvring of a wheelchair and there is a power point next to the bed. You can enjoy the view from your private balcony although there is a small lip onto the balcony level.
  • There is a wheel-in shower and a stool provided for showering as well as a rail on the wall for further assistance.
  • Lifts – Unlike a lot of river cruising ships the lifts on Scenic’s ships have access to the two main decks and this provides full access on these two decks which have reception, restaurants, shop, bar and lounge. Only the top outside deck, the Moselle deck and the Wellness Centre (including the hairdresser) are not accessible by the lift.
  • Wheelchairs – Passengers confined to their wheelchairs must provide their own collapsible chair. It should be noted that only standard size wheelchairs can be accommodated on board.

Apart from the specific wheelchair-accessible cabins, all other cabins cannot be accessed by a wheelchair.

Other River Cruise Operators

rhine river cruises for disabled

Relaxing on the Sundeck

Uniworld does not have handicapped or wheelchair-accessible cabins. There are elevators on the River Princess, River Queen, River Empress, River Duchess and River Countess. On the River Queen, the elevator does not reach all decks.  Although these boats have elevators, we noticed on our 2013 trip on the River Princess that the elevator is hidden away and used for movement of baggage and supplies only.

AMA Waterways do not have wheelchair-accessible cabins. There are elevators on the MS Amacello, MS Amadagio, MS Amadante, MS Amadolce, MS Amadouro, MS Amalegro, MS Amalyra

Avalon/Globus do not have wheelchair-accessible cabins. There are elevators on the Avalon Affinity, Creativity and Scenery only.

Viking does not have wheelchair-accessible cabins. Of their huge fleet, only the Viking Danube and Viking Sky have elevators.

So if you’re looking for a European river boat with wheelchair-accessible cabins, Scenic Tours are the best equipped to cater for passengers with disabilities and mobility challenges. At least there is now one European river cruise operator who provides for travellers who use wheelchairs.

Things to be Aware of

But before you rush off to make your river cruise booking, there are certain things that you need to be aware of:

  • river cruising involves a fair amount of shore excursions and in the old towns of Europe, most of these walks are along cobbled streets.  If participation in the shore excursions is important to you, make sure that you discuss your personal circumstances with the river cruise operator  to make sure that there will be no issues with your travel.
  • in the early days of river cruising when there were less boats plying the rivers of Europe, our riverboat was mostly moored close to the towns that we stopped at. In 2013 , when we travelled from Vienna to Paris , our boat was more often than not moored a distance from the historic centres. In Bamberg and Wurzburg, we were moored at the industrial port.  There was quite a walk into town at Deggendorf and Wurzburg and at other destinations where it was too far to walk, we were transported in by coach. The moorings close to the centre are still there, but it may be that they are more costly now. If sightseeing is important to you, check with your cruise operator how accessible the towns are to the moorings they will be using.
  • you need to make sure that the person you are travelling with is able to help you with all your physical needs like lifting your wheelchair, etc.  River cruises generally operate with a smaller crew than the ocean cruises and they do not have staff available to personally attend to passengers with mobility problems.  Even though Scenic Cruises told me that they have a suite equipped for physically challenged passengers, when one of our readers rang them, he was told that none of their cruises are suitable for wheelchair dependent travellers because of the limited access on the gang planks.
  • be aware that river cruising is now a very popular form of travel and when there is more than one boat in port, the boats could be moored alongside each other.  If your boat happens to be the one that is moored away from the landing pier, then passengers are required to walk across gang planks through the lobby of the other ship before getting to the landing pier.  At one of the ports that we arrived at in July 2013, the ship closest to shore did not allow passengers to walk through their lobby.  Instead we had to climb to the top deck and then climb down the other side to get to shore.   Be aware that this could happen to you.

Again, as people have different degrees of disability, it is worthwhile having a chat with the river cruise operator to discuss your personal situation.  The good thing about cruising down the Rhine, Danube or any of the European rivers is that the scenery is spectacular and you actually see a lot from the river boat.  So even if you can’t do many shore excursions, river cruising in Europe is still very enjoyable and worthwhile doing .

Read more about European river cruising

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About Helen Page

Helen Page is a prolific blogger and ardent traveller; she runs Travelsignposts with her professional writer and photographer husband Tony.

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July 14, 2010 at 1:37 pm

Having just returned from a Viking Waterways cruise in Russia with my partially disabled sister, I would not recommend this type of holiday to anyone who relies on a wheelchair, whizzer or walks with canes. Even though the Cruise company will tell you that you can bring your wheelchair or motorised scooter on board, but there might be ‘challenges’, there are too many barriers for disabled people. No matter how accessible the cabin or the shower, getting on and off the boat is a nightmare, especially when two or three are moored alongside each other and one has to negotiate over raised doorways, gangways with gaps and steep steps and gangplanks. None of the buses used for our excursions were adapted for wheelchair users (no lift, ramp or hoist). Most of the palaces, churches, monuments, theatres etc are not accessible and do not have lifts (elevators). All have flights of stairs into the buildings and more staircases inside. Few of the towns or viallges we visted had ramps on and off sidewalks, at intersections or at pedestrian crossings. At some places – Uglich comes to mind – there were fights of steps leading up to the promenade from the pier -with no ramp for a wheelchair. Many places in Russia have cobblestones roads and squares (eg: Red Square) which are definitely not wheelchair freindly! Amawaterways are launching the Amakatarina next year and claim to have wheelchair friendly cabins etc. That is fine if you want to spend 10 days in a floating hotel but are restricted to the boat and are unable to enjoy the many excursions and tours included in the price.

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November 16, 2011 at 11:17 am

I wonder how much walking is involved on the excursions. I can climbs stairs and walk well for short distances, but can’t walk for distances. Does anyone know about this? I dream of going on one of these riverboat cruises.

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February 8, 2023 at 12:55 am

Hi there, I’m considering a river cruise later this year and am interested in whether you got and responses and have done one? Thanks Claire

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February 17, 2023 at 3:45 pm

Hi Claire, As you’ve posted your comment on this blog covering River Cruising for Wheelchair-bound travellers, I assume you have some mobility issues. The link below provides comprehensive information on accessible river cruises and things you need to be aware of before booking a cruise. The information is pretty accurate, except the section “Discover Truly Accessible River Cruising”. Unfortunately, the MS Alegria is no longer in operation. https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/articles.cfm?ID=1959

We are not a travel company and I would suggest that you visit a travel agent to discuss your specific needs.

Kind regards, Helen Page

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May 20, 2012 at 9:07 am

Thanks for the info. I’m considering taking my 83 year old neighbor on a cruise but wondered how it would work.

May 24, 2012 at 7:54 pm

Wes, many of the river cruise operators now have DVDs that will give you and your neighbour an idea of what river cruising is about. As mentioned in the post above, river cruising offers passengers the opportunity to explore many of the towns and villages along the rivers in Europe. And if you want to see these places, it involves a fair amount of shore excursions and walking on cobbled streets. If your neighbour is wheelchair-dependent, you’ll need to consider if you are able to participate in the land sightseeing. Whereas most cruise operators are very good at looking after passengers when they are on the boat, it is not their responsibility to push wheel-chair bound passengers around the sights. I suggest you discuss your neighbour’s mobility issues with whichever company you are considering a cruise with and take their advice on what’s possible. You’ll also need to consider how you will manage your travel before and after the cruise. While my mother-in-law thoroughly enjoyed her river cruise, and we were pleased that we took her on a couple, it did involve a fair bit of work on our part. Regards, Helen Page

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August 19, 2012 at 4:05 am

Everything stated above is very true but if you can climb stairs and do limited walking, think about Viking River Cruises as they offer included shore excursions. One excursion each day is geared to slow walkers and those with limited ability to do distances. I specialize in travel for persons with special needs so let me know if I can help. 800 920-8989

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May 3, 2013 at 10:00 pm

thank you for all this info – my husband & I are thinking a gong with Scenic, but you have to pick your itinerary well before you depart your cruise. What happens if you change your mind too bad.

I also have limited mobility & can only walk for a short while & then need to stop, so what happens there as. I don’t want to be a burden on everyone else.

Has anyone else had this problem.

May 7, 2013 at 6:56 pm

Viv, the river cruise companies run information sessions where you can find out more about the cruises and discuss with the consultants as to which cruise you will enjoy best. Scenic is currently running one for their 2014 cruises and if you can you should try and attend one.

http://www.scenictours.com.au/europe-river-cruising-information-sessions-2014/?utm_source=web&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=webercpage

On the cruises, they usually give passengers a program of the next day’s activities. You can discuss with the tour director which excursions you are able to participate in and which ones you would prefer to sit out of. You’ll find that most of the tour directors and staff on the cruises are very helpful. They can tell how much walking is involved at each stop and make suggestions on what you can do.

I would really recommend that you try and attend an information session so that you can discuss your needs with the company before you decide.

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June 6, 2013 at 4:49 pm

Hi Helen, My wife and I are interested in a European river cruise but she is a total paraplegic confined to a wheelchair. Although you mentioned that one of the cabins on the Scenic tours boat is wheelchair accessible, when I contacted them they didn’t believe wheelchair dependant people would be suitable to any of their cruises. They listed very poor access through the boats, and vertually nil access to and from shore due to steps, and width of gang plank. Once ashore very limited access due to steps and stairways to any of the sights, and now wondering if this is all worth while. We would be travelling on our own, and relying soley on the good nature of other passengers/crew for assisstance. Is all this true, or some sales assistants don’t know their product. Thanks, John

June 10, 2013 at 8:10 am

Hi John, Apologies for the late reply as we’re currently on assignment in Paris. When you purchase a river cruise, what you’re paying for is the cruise itself and the many shore excursions. As your wife is totally confined to a wheelchair, it would be very difficult for her to participate in the shore excursions and you would therefore not be getting value for trip.

The reasons given by Scenic are correct. Because river cruising has become so popular these days and the number of river boats have increased significantly in recent years, what commonly happens at each river port is that the boats are lined up alongside each other. If your boat happens to be away from the landing pier, then you’d have to step through narrow gang-planks of the other boats to get to the pier. In your wife’s situation, It would be difficult to navigate the gang planks of the other boats to get her across to shore if yours is not the only boat at the pier.

As you may be aware, many of the old towns in Europe have cobbled streets and this is another reason why it would be difficult for you alone to wheel your wife on the walking tours.

Unfortunately, because of the limitation of the size of the riverboats, most companies aren’t able to cater for disabled travellers and it is correct that Scenic should warn you of the difficulties, even though they do have a wheelchair-accessible cabin. Having brought my mother-in-law on a few trips, I can speak from personal experience that it was hard work for my husband and I, and you and your wife may prefer not to put yourself through the stress. Have you considered coastal cruises?

Kind regards, Helen

June 12, 2013 at 9:47 am

Thanks Helen for your very helpful and sound advice. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem feasible for us to travel to Europe anytime soon. We have considered coach tours, but organising and relying on disability access with accomodation, coach access, and sightseeing venues would be a nightmare. There are some tours that do cater for wheelchairs, but my wife’s condition means she needs to lie flat for the majoity of the day, where the river cruise would have been ideal. We have been on the Pride of America, Hawaii, and she thoroughly enjoyed it, so we may do something similar again.

Thanks again. John

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May 14, 2015 at 10:20 am

FYI – Reserved a Cruise and 2 months later I’M hospitalized and Oxygen. Wanting the cruise, I’ve found online a number of companies that offer international cruise/travel support. At least one has done business for +12 with European River vendors (who – don’t know). Key is What Line, ship, Departure/Off Load City & Dates. I’m still opitimizic I won’t have to cancel it – I want my wife to have it !

If others are in my oxygen/cruise situation please advise or suggest – Thanks

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February 27, 2018 at 1:54 pm

Hi Helen – I can’t walk far without a walker and I can hardly do stairs- on Scenic Budapest to Amsterdam I had a balcony room but there was a lift – we had off boat excursions but there was the issue of climbing over the other boats to get to shore twice. I opted for a limited walking slower paced bu one day the tour guide forgot we were in the group and onlynoticed half way – we were behind – and left one time while we were getting to the bus back..that said there was plenty of entertainment etc and tours to cnoose from – we ate at an old castle one night and about 10 opted out of the tour – turns out a wise decision as there was about 170 steps – that said the cruise was amazing – no need for any tipping all is paid up at the start so it was great

February 27, 2018 at 6:54 pm

Hi Lynn, Thank you for sharing your river cruise experience. I’m so glad that inspite of your mobility problems you gave it a go and had a great time. It sure beats staying at home!! I hope you’re planning for your next cruise. Kind regards, Helen

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  • River Cruising

Viking River Cruise. If you have LIMITED MOBILITY please read this!

By hateleavingthecats , January 3, 2017 in River Cruising

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hateleavingthecats

My husband and I took the Rhine River Christmas market cruise from Basel Switzerland to Amsterdam in December 2016. My husband has limited mobility - in his case, he can walk unassisted but needs moments to stop and rest (hip replacement one year ago).

The cruise itself was as expected from how Viking sells itself (high end luxury type cruise). We were assured that there were off-vessel excursions for my husband to participate in that involved very little walking. We found this to be totally untrue. The easy excursions still required a person to walk sometimes distances of half a mile or more to a bus. I wish someone had forewarned us of this prior to making our reservation. While i thoroughly enjoyed the cruise, my poor husband paid $5,000 to essentially sit on the vessel at each port since they don't make any accommodations for those with handicaps or limited mobility.

Yes, i read the disclaimer but was assured by the booking agent AND the employees on the vessel that the distances were short enough for even those who couldn't walk far and that they would help us - which was not true. We hired a taxi in one location. The one excursion that my husband did participate in, required him to leave 40 minutes prior to the scheduled time just so he could make it to the bus as the rest of us arrived.

The cities that you visit are amazing but you need more time than what is allotted for each stop over to experience the life. This is a great, albeit expensive, way to get a feel for the places you may want to visit in more depth in the future.

In summary, the accommodations on the vessel Viking Vidar were wonderful. The food was overabundant and delicious. The employees did what they could and did it well in most cases. The tipping mentality during the daily briefings on the ship was obnoxious. The program director got more and more 'insistent' about tipping as the cruise progressed.

If you have any particular questions, please feel free to contact me directly. We had 4 people on our vessel who either walked with a cane, had bad knees or other limited mobility who all wished they had been told the truth about the distances when they inquired with specific questions during their reservation process.

I really wanted to focus this review on the mobility issue more than anything else. I wish someone had told me while I was still in the planning stage of our trip. I would have opted for something else before we spent all that money on a trip only I could fully enjoy.

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With all due respect to the OP, the walking requirements on river cruises in general (not just Viking) have been discussed ad infinitum on these message boards.

It's hard not to get the message about the walking requirements if one spends any time on these boards.

Not trying to be mean to the OP at all, it's just that this info is readily available. I wonder how much the OP paid attention to CC while planning their trip. Trying to be fair to Viking, who often serves as the whipping boy on these boards.

With all due respect to the OP, the walking requirements on river cruises in general (not just Viking) have been discussed ad infinitum on these message boards.   It's hard not to get the message about the walking requirements if one spends any time on these boards.   Not trying to be mean to the OP at all, it's just that this info is readily available. I wonder how much the OP paid attention to CC while planning their trip. Trying to be fair to Viking, who often serves as the whipping boy on these boards.

So glad that I cruised with a company that includes ALL tipping was comparable in cost to Viking.

3,000+ Club

LondonTowner

I have limited mobility and for that reason I know that river cruising is not for me.

When you have a disability the key to making the most of your holiday and ensuring you will enjoy it, is re search. Last September we rented a house in Brittany. I got the owner of the house to take a photo of the stairs so I could decide whether I could negotiate them.

Travel agents are not specialists in travel for people with disabilities, even the ones that claim to be are not very good. At the end of the day they want to earn their commission.

I am sure there would have been local tour operators or transport that would have enabled them to do tours. Surely if mobility is a problem it is sensible to take a wheelchair.

We travel frequently and never have problems as I do all my research beforehand and ensure everything is suitable. In this day and age it is easy, albeit time consuming as there is so much information available on the internet

I'm not being unsympathetic, just realistic. I've had both hips and a knee replacement so understand the constrictions.

It's been posted on numerous occasions that if one is going to use a travel agent, be sure to find one who specializes in, or is at least very knowledgeable about river cruises.

As compared to ocean cruises, they are a totally different animal. You don't want a travel agent whose main interest is in making commissions, as opposed to cultivating a satisfied clientele who will become RETURN customers.

Like the previous poster, trying not to be unsympathetic, but the information is certainly out there.

Regrettably I think this is mostly a matter of a self-assessment issue and the way the limitation was communicated.

If this is what you tell people when you talk to them:

My husband has limited mobility - in his case, he can walk unassisted but needs moments to stop and rest (hip replacement one year ago).

Then I too would not consider that your husband would have a problem with this:

The easy excursions still required a person to walk sometimes distances of half a mile or more to a bus.

I certainly would not expect that it would take him this long to manage what is generally a 10 min walk based on the way you described his concern:

The one excursion that my husband did participate in, required him to leave 40 minutes prior to the scheduled time just so he could make it to the bus as the rest of us arrived.

My Father-in-law has a similar limitation on his walking distance, he too would say he walks unassisted, he walks to his car, he drives himself to go food stopping etc. all unaided, but ...

... he is a frequent ocean cruiser and when he talks to a travel agent or the cruise line agents he tells them he will need wheelchair assistance at the airport, at the cruise terminal etc. for boarding.

While onboard ship he is happily mobile once more without assistance.

If he decides to go ashore, he will once again put himself in the wheelchair category.

When deciding on the type of vacation to take, it is not the time to minimize any restrictions or special challenges you or someone in your party might face. It is perhaps better to slightly overstate the issue and assume that more rather than less assistance might be needed.

In your case it would seem prudent that if a 10 min walk actually takes 40 mins that a wheelchair would be a better option even if it was only used for the distance to and from the coach...

As for Viking providing assistance, I've seen this many times when people needed help with steps or an incline when getting ashore or returning from a trip, but there isn't much they can do if in reality what is normally a 10 min walk is impractical...

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TravelerThom

I have seen several mentions of wheelchairs on this thread. I don't want anyone new to river boats thinking that a wheelchair will be all that useful on a river boat. It is not unusual that boats are rafted (tied up side by side) and in some cases merely getting to shore requires several climbs up the steep stairs to the sunroof and going across a narrow gangway to the roof of the next ship (most riverboats have elevators, but often not to the lowest deck, and I have never seen a true elevator to a riverboat sun deck [some do have a stairlift on one side only]). The gangway from the boat to shore may be relatively steep and may be narrower than a standard wheelchair. Once off the boat it is common to be on cobblestone streets which are unfriendly to wheelchairs. There is a reason that we are doing mobility challenging trips while we still can; most 13th century buildings are not ADA compliant.

Roz

European travel in general is tough if you have mobility issues, where it's a river cruise or land tour. Cobblestones, narrow steps and lots of them, old bldgs. without ramps or elevators, etc. I'm sorry your husband missed out on so much of the trip.

Bailey Swedishfish

I think every Viking cruise we've been on, we've observed people with wheelchairs or walkers. I'd say I've seen a mix of folks who are fairly nimble and mobile with their walkers--and I've also seen some without assistive devices who look like a stiff wind would knock them over. We've observed people falling off busses, falling over cobblestones, falling off bar stools (oh wait, that might be a different issue...) and on our recent Lyon trip, one gal twisted her ankle so badly she required a hospital visit. Europe isn't ADA compliant--so I am not sure how much Viking is to blame for that.

I'm sorry your husband didn't get to enjoy the full travel experience. I'm sure that was disappointing. But I don't think that's really Viking's responsibility. When you think about river levels (up and down) and gangways and access to the river fronts and where roads and parking lots can be located, it just seems like common sense would indicate you don't just walk off the boat and onto a bus without some measure of effort. Even just getting up and down bus steps require some mobility.

And FWIW, I work in a CCRC in long term care. I'm extremely familiar with the abilities and agilities of people with mobility issues. I'm always incredibly impressed with Viking's cruise directors and staff who go beyond expectation in making sure the slowest guest is included and not forgotten or left behind. We've seen them holding hands, helping push (2) wheelchairs at once down a ramp, helping people up and down stairs and uneven surfaces...they most definitely put themselves at risk by assisting others. (Their own safety, their own risk of being sued for not assisting someone correctly...)

  • 2 weeks later...

On our Christmas Markets Heart of Germany tour Viking offered a more leisurely tour which required less walking in almost every port. We had several people using walkers, canes, etc. Cobble streets come with the territory. Sorry your husband couldn't enjoy his trip but Viking can't be held responsible for it. Oh, we were on the Tor and tips were only mentioned once and in a very low key way.

For years I had always wanted to do a Nile cruise. Just before the Arab Spring we decided on a holiday in Egypt. Initially, we were going to book a Nile cruise, so I started to do some research. I soon came to the conclusion that a river cruise was not going to be suitable.

We went to Luxor for two consecutive years on a land holiday. It soon became apparent that a Nile cruise would have been very difficult, although we did do a day trip cruise to Dendera.

We very much enjoyed Luxor, but some of the places were a challenge with a wheelchair, even though I can walk short distances and some stairs.

Anyway, what I am really trying to say is that when you have a disability life isn't as easy as you would like it to be. So, you have to do lots of research or contact people/ places to know what is accessible and what isn't. I think only the person with the disability can judge as they are the one who knows their capability.

Fortunately, I have travelled extensively all my life, so have seen many places. The one regret I have is not going to Macchu Pichu when I was able, but you can't win them all.

There are laws in EU countries whereby public places have to have disabled access, but in some places this is not possible. It's quite difficult to visit castles. Many places do make an effort and all the information is available on the relevant website.

The moral of the story is to do plenty of research before booking the holiday and don't rely on strangers to help you.

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Rhine river cruises.

Uncork new discoveries as you raise a glass of Riesling on our acclaimed Rhine River cruises through Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. See how the Rhine, Main and Moselle river systems unfold to create a spellbinding display of storybook villages, Dutch windmills, German vineyards and splendid UNESCO Sites.

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Basel to bergen, highlights of rhine river cruises.

A Rhine River cruise takes you into the heart of Middle Europe, where stately castles, fairytale villages and cultural centers have long been witnesses to history. The river’s banks are brimming with historic treasures, natural beauty and vibrant capitals. Here are a few highlights Viking reveals to you:

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Tauck's Rhine River cruises follow this romantic river on its winding journey through medieval towns, cathedrals, castles, and museums, with enchanting river landscapes along the way.

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Flowing through six countries, the Rhine River cuts deeply through mountains, meandering between hillside castles and age-old winelands. This is Germany's landscape at its most dramatic, with spectacular views of forested hillsides alternating with craggy cliffs... idyllic villages appearing around each bend... and half-timbered houses and Gothic churches that appear as if plucked from a fairy tale world.

Heidelberg, germany, history's all around you in heidelberg.

In Heidelberg – Germany's oldest university town – narrow cobblestoned lanes, shops and pubs housed in 17th-century structures in the Altstadt are kept lively by the cadence of 21st-century student life. On the hillside above the city, visit the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle, celebrated in writing by many, including the German poet Goethe and American writer Mark Twain, who both spent time here. Twain wrote about the striking red sandstone ruins of Schloss Heidelberg in "A Tramp Abroad"; they were a magnificent residence for Bavarian royalty from the 13th to 18th centuries. The castle is an imposing ensemble of buildings, from different architectural periods, surrounding a central courtyard; from its terrace and gardens, the sweeping views impress along with the feel of more than 600 years of history.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Canals and more in amazing amsterdam.

Amsterdam is often called the "Venice of the North" because of its elaborate network of canals winding through a romantic historic center of cobbled streets and Dutch Renaissance architecture. A canal boat cruise reveals The Netherlands's historic capital from the inside (often with a slice of Dutch apple pie), as you glide along 17th-century waterways lined with trees, gabled merchant houses and vibrant urban life. During your visit to Amsterdam, Tauck also includes a tour of the Rijksmuseum, one of the world's most respected art museums, home to masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age including Rembrandt's "Night Watch."

Köln, Germany

Exploring köln (cologne) on the river rhine.

One of Germany's oldest cities (founded in the 1st century AD), Köln (Cologne) was once a Roman provincial capital, and later a wealthy medieval trading port; the city was almost totally destroyed during World War II, but many of its architectural treasures have been restored – including the towering Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), a twin-spired masterpiece of High Gothic architecture that is the centerpiece of the city. With Tauck, you'll visit this imposing cathedral, along with the nearby Roman Germanic Museum, housing extraordinary exhibits of archaelogical finds from the Köln region.

Jungfraujoch, Switzerland

Enjoy cocktails at the "top of europe" with an exclusive tauck reception at the jungfraujoch's ice palace.

As your mountain railway train ascends into the majestic Swiss Alps, you'll arrive at Kleine Scheidegg at the foot of the Eiger, then board a cogwheel train for the scenic climb to Europe's highest railway station, at the Jungfraujoch (perched at 11,333 feet above sea level). Here, at "the top of Europe," you'll find a restaurant, observatory, research station, a gallery of ice sculpture, and breathtaking views of the glacier-clad Bernese Alps, often called Switzerland's "jewel in the crown." And you'll enjoy a Tauck Exclusive... a private cocktail reception at the Ice Palace… taking time. of course, to savor the astounding views of the lofty peaks of the Eiger, Jungfrau and Mönch surrounding you!

The Rhinegau wine country

An exclusive evening at a rheingau wine estate overlooking the rhine.

The Rheingau ("Rhine district") is one of Germany's most important wine regions, where viticulture dates back to the time of Charlemagne (if not the Romans), and where many significant winemaking innovations have been developed over the years. As you cruise through the Rhine Valley and visit the region, you'll enjoy a Tauck Exclusive evening – featuring a special reception, dinner and entertainment – at a historic Rheingau wine estate perched in the mountains overlooking the Rhine, and surrounded by vineyards that have been producing local wines for centuries.

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Explore by land and water, the treasures along the Rhine River... discover the inside of a fairy-tale castle during a private dinner with family in Burg Satzey... diverge from the Rhine to experience the Moselle River with its rich heritage of wine production... experience how the colorful fall foliage enhances the beauty along the banks of the river creating the perfect backdrop to Bavaria's most colorful festival... and immerse yourself in picture-book villages, wooded forests, and bier halls along the way. Four riverboat experiences that will give you a wonderful taste of Europe.

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  • New to river cruise , Tips
  • A Guide To Accessible River Cruises: 7 Things To Consider

by Emma Smith - 02/04/2019

Wheelchair - Mobility on a cruise

River cruises are extremely popular with the over 50s. In fact, the average age of a River Voyages customer is 75!

The leisurely pace, relaxing atmosphere and culture-rich itineraries make river cruising very appealing to the senior age group. Given this target audience, you would hope that river cruises would be accessible for passengers with disabilities. Sadly, that is not the case.

For those people who are dependent on a wheelchair all of the time, river cruising is simply not suitable. They should instead look into ocean cruising, where they will be very well catered for. However, for those who have some difficulty walking and may use a wheelchair or other mobility aid for assistance, a river cruise is entirely possible, just be sure to plan your trip carefully and beware of the pitfalls. This article will help you to do just that.

The pitfalls of river cruising for people with limited mobility

If you can climb a flight of 12-15 steps (even with help and a rest at the top), then you should manage just fine on a river cruise. The reason why this is so important is that on-board the vast majority of ships, the elevator only serves some floors.

River cruise ships have to be fairly low in order to pass under bridges, and for this reason, the sun deck is usually only accessible by stairs. On a few vessels, such as the newer Uniworld ships, there is a chair lift to take passengers up to the top deck, but this is very rare.

The walkway on to a river ship is nothing like the walkway on to an ocean cruise ship. The gangplank is very narrow and often doesn’t have a sturdy handrail – more often than not it’s just a rope.

Depending on the water level, you may board the ship on different decks. This can mean that the gangplank is sloping up or down towards the ship. Sometimes, two or three ships are moored alongside each other. Passengers on the outermost ships, therefore, have to negotiate the gangplanks that link the ships together, which are often located on the top deck.

Panorama Suite - Avalon Waterways

Storage for mobility aids

With most river cruise ship cabins too small to store a wheelchair, and equipment not being allowed to be left in the corridor for health and safety reasons, the storing of mobility aids can cause an issue. It is for that reason that most river cruise lines have stated that any wheelchairs brought on board have to be collapsible so that they can be stored under the bed when not in use.

Most river cruise lines also specify that wheelchair users are required to have a travel companion who is able to assist them. Despite this official line, you’ll probably find that crew members are willing to lend a hand with embarkation and disembarkation. However, at certain times, like when you need to fold your wheelchair to store in under the bed and get it back out again in the morning, you’ll need someone with you who is able to do this.

Saga river cruises

Most river cruise excursions are walking tours and require a good level of fitness. You will find that some river cruise lines categorise their excursions and that slower-pace tours are available.

For any tours that involve coach travel, passengers will need to be able to store any mobility aids beneath the coach and climb the four or so steps on to the coach.

As excursions are generally included in the price of a river cruise, you’ll be wasting money if you can’t join them. A good option for someone who doesn’t want to take any excursions is an Amadeus or CriosiEurope river cruise, as these don’t include excursions.

Portugal - The Douro river

The good news for disabled travellers is that many important towns and cities are located on the banks of Europe’s waterways, meaning that attractions are usually very close by, with no need for a bus or taxi.

The bad news, however, is that many of Europe’s historic towns have cobbled streets. European kerbs can also be much higher than those in the UK. If you’d like to explore independently, your cruise director will be able to suggest the best routes to take.

Itineraries

One of the highlights of any river cruise holiday, as admiring the scenery pass you by from the ship. If you’d like this to be the focus of your holiday, it would be wise to choose an itinerary that has lots of sailing time and fewer days in port.

Popular options are the Danube and the Rhine . These long stretches of river have stunning, UNESCO-listed scenery and are also ideal for first-time river cruisers.

Book your river cruise with RiverVoyages.com

If you’d like any more information on accessible river cruising for disabled passengers, or want to check if your needs can be met, here at River Voyages we have a team of expert concierge who would be delighted to help. Just give us a call on 0800 197 0854 .

Not for you, try our sister brands!

If, however, you have decided that river cruising is not for you at the moment, and want to consider an ocean cruise instead, we would like to introduce you to our sister companies: SixStarCruises.co.uk who specialise in luxury cruises, and Cruise118.com who offer mainstream cruise holidays.

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About Emma Smith

Emma has more than seven years' experience as a writer and has been in the travel industry for nearly five years. She loves learning about new places and cruise ships coming to market, as well as discovering fun and exciting activities to do while you sail. She has cruised with Princess Cruises, Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Avalon Waterways and Royal Caribbean and is looking to get something in her diary for 2024! Her favourite things to see on a ship include excellent entertainment, a delicious cocktail menu and extraordinary dining venues.

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7 Rhine River Cruises for Every Type of Traveler

Whether you love the idea of sailing past dozens of castles and forts or are eager to explore one of europe’s more underrated wine regions, there’s a rhine river cruise for you..

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8 Rhine River Cruises for Every Type of Traveler

A cruise down the Rhine River remains one of the most popular vacation options for travelers looking to get a taste of central Europe.

Courtesy of Avalon Waterways

One of the world’s great rivers, the Rhine, marks a storied stretch of winding waterway that spans 765 miles and six nations— Switzerland , Liechtenstein, Austria , Germany , France , and the Netherlands—from the Swiss Alps on to the North Sea. European river cruise itineraries here most commonly glide through four of these countries in one whirlwind week, on regular runs between Basel, Switzerland, and Amsterdam , with stops in France and Germany along the way.

It’s a romantic route marked by the region’s legendary castles and half-timbered houses, hillside vineyards, and fairy-tale Black Forest landscapes—along with a pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Apart from all that surface beauty, cruising the Rhine affords an immersive contextual understanding about how this ancient highway and trade route—pivotal since ancient Roman times through to today—has contributed to the history, culture, and economic development of greater Europe. The Rhine is one of the busiest and most economically important waterways in Europe , and your journey will also take you past hulking factories and stacks of shipping containers for a behind-the-scenes look at how essential goods are transported across the continent.

A Rhine River cruise provides seamless door-to-door delivery to the attractions of bigger cities like Basel, Strasbourg, Cologne, and Amsterdam, as well as access to less-visited but entirely worthy destinations such as Koblenz and Rüdesheim in Germany, where you’ll get your fill of castles, churches, museums, and wineries—all from the comfort of your floating hotel with accommodations, meals, and guided excursions included.

In 2022, the Rhine River experienced one of the worst droughts in recent history —some parts of the river in Germany dropped to below 16 inches of water in key navigational areas. The drought affected the flow of cargo and river cruise ships. While ships are still sailing , keep in mind that low water levels may affect river cruise itineraries by shortening the amount of time that passengers have in port when ships are forced to sail at a slower pace.

Nevertheless, river cruise companies have seen a major rebound in demand since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Rhine river cruises are still among the most popular sailing itineraries in Europe. Here, we present seven of the best Rhine River cruises (in no particular order) for every type of experience, whether it’s food, family adventure, wine—or something else—that floats your (river)boat.

Amawaterway's "Captivating Rhine" itinerary runs from Amsterdam to Basel, while their "Enchanting Rhine" cruise runs in the opposite direction.

AmaWaterway’s “Captivating Rhine” itinerary runs from Amsterdam to Basel, while its “Enchanting Rhine” cruise runs in the opposite direction.

Photo by Bjoern Wylezich/Shutterstock

AmaWaterways: Captivating Rhine

Cost: From $3,000 per person Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Basel, Switzerland (AmaWaterways’ Enchanting Rhine Cruise runs from Basel to Amsterdam and is the same itinerary, just in the opposite direction)

The seven-night “ Captivating Rhine Cruise ” sails between Amsterdam and Basel, with stops in Germany (Cologne, Rüdesheim, Ludwigshafen, and Breisach) and France (Strasbourg)—it’s a paradise for wine lovers. Itineraries include wineries, vineyards, and cellars: Hike through the vineyards of the winemaking town of Rüdesheim; visit the “Great Vat,” an 18th-century, 49,000-gallon wine barrel in Heidelberg; or taste the famous white wines of Alsace in Riquewihr. Some notable varieties to sample include riesling, which is known as the “queen of the grapes” along the Middle Rhine, while red wine drinkers will enjoy Germany’s full-bodied and velvety spätburgunder (known as pinot noir in France and made using the same grapes).

However, there are plenty of other things to do on this cruise for those who want to experience the culture of the towns along the route or hope to stay active on vacation. AmaWaterways has several cruise excursions available for each port on its itinerary, including gentle walking tours with local guides and bike tours through the gorgeous central European countryside. (Tip: Don’t miss the bike tour of Strasbourg, which explores the charming city’s modern role as one of the de facto capitals of the European Union, as well as its historic Alsatian identity with a well-informed local guide and leisurely 10-mile ride.)

Viking runs regularly trips up and down the Rhine with its line of over 40, nearly identical sister ships.

Viking regularly travels up and down the Rhine with its line of over 40, nearly identical sister ships.

Photo by Shutterstock

Viking: Paris to the Swiss Alps

Cost: From $3,299 per person Days: 12 days Departure Port: Paris, France Final Port: Zürich, Switzerland

Viking, which bills itself as “the thinking person’s cruise,” is a major player on the Rhine, where it operates more than 40 riverboats—nearly identical sister ships with a capacity for 190 guests. Of particular interest to history buffs is its “ Paris to the Swiss Alps ” cruise tour, a four-nation trip that bookends a seven-night sailing on the Moselle (a Rhine tributary) and Rhine with a two-night, hotel-based stay in both Paris and Zurich . After taking a coach from Paris, guests visit Luxembourg en route to Trier, Germany, the embarkation point for a voyage that stops in Bernkastel, Cochem, Koblenz, Mainz, and Speyer in Germany, as well as Strasbourg, France. The cruise ends in Basel before continuing on by ground transfer to Zurich.

The itinerary is loaded with history-rich excursions. Among the highlights is the American Cemetery where more than 5,000 World War II soldiers repose in Luxembourg; a tour of relics of Roman baths, an amphitheater, and city gates at Trier; a visit to the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz to explore the history of the printing press; a stroll through the palace and gardens of Versailles in France; and Germany’s historic university city, Heidelberg.

Frankfurt, Germany

Frankfurt, Germany, was the birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who penned the play Faust .

Avalon Waterways: Active & Discovery on the Rhine

Cost: From $2,849 per person Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Frankfurt, Germany

The Avalon Waterways “ Active & Discovery on the Rhine ” itinerary incorporates an array of customizable excursion options that emphasize physical activity. Choose from guided tours like kayaking the canals of Amsterdam, hiking through the Netherland’s De Hoge Veluwe National Park (140,000 acres and home to red deer, wild boars, and pine martens), jogging while sightseeing in Cologne, or biking through Düsseldorf. Or set out on your own in ports with loaner bikes and Nordic walking sticks on hand. The river cruise operator also offers a series of “discovery” excursions, hands-on, interactive experiences that often focus on culture and cuisine.

Adventures by Disney

Cost: From $5,399 per adult; from $4,899 per child Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Basel, Switzerland

River cruise lines have long catered to the over-50 crowd, but the industry has been shaking things up in recent years with the emergence of several family-friendly river itineraries . Leading the charge is the six-year-old partnership between Disney (via its Adventures by Disney tour operating arm) and AmaWaterways; their seven-night Rhine River itineraries unfold aboard two ships, the 156-guest AmaLucia and the AmaSiena. Both riverboats include rare connecting staterooms and suites, designed with families in mind, and fun onboard activities like cooking classes, karaoke nights, and swimming in the heated pool.

Sailing between Amsterdam and Basel, the ship stops in France (at Strasbourg) and Germany (at Mannheim, Rüdesheim, and Cologne) en route. Excursion highlights—all led by up to eight Disney-trained “Adventure Guides”—include a “Black Forest adventure” outing, where you can choose between an alpine toboggan run or a zipline ride and hike to Germany’s highest waterfalls at Triberg Waterfalls; a visit to a chocolate museum in Cologne; horseback riding in Riquewihr (the French village that inspired Beauty and the Beast ); an indoor winter park in Neuss, Germany (for a sledding or tubing adventure, no matter the season); and the Rhine requisite and fun-for-all-ages Heidelberg Castle tour and Amsterdam canal cruise. Note that itineraries are suggested for kids ages eight and up, and a minimum age of four years old applies.

European river cruises are especially popular around the holiday season when Christmas markets are in business.

European river cruises are especially popular around the holiday season when Christmas markets are in business.

Photo by ecstk22/Shutterstock

Scenic: Christmas on the Rhine

Cost: $4,195 Days: 8 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Nuremberg, Germany

Scenic Cruise’s “ Christmas on the Rhine ” takes the best parts of a typical Rhine river cruise and sprinkles in a little holiday magic. Taking place just once a year from December 21 to 28, this cruise sails during Christmas—a memorable way to observe the holiday. The journey begins in Amsterdam, where guests are invited to take a river canal tour or visit the nearby towns of Alkmaar and Schermerhorn, home to windmills that date back to the 16th century. Then the ship will wind its way through Cologne, Rüdesheim, Würzburg, and Bamberg before finally ending in Nuremberg. There are plenty of places in each port to soak up the festive European atmosphere, while making time to pick up a Christmas-themed trinket or two in either Amsterdam or Cologne, Germany.

The moist, but well-drained soil of the Netherlands provides the perfect growing conditions for tulips.

The moist, but well-drained soil of the Netherlands provides the perfect growing conditions for tulips.

Photo by Travelpixs/Shutterstock

Uniworld: Tulips and Windmills

Cost: $4,699 Days: 10 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Antwerp, Belgium

Uniworld’s “ Tulip and Windmills ” cruise begins on the Rhine, but then veers to the west toward Belgium. While in the Netherlands, travelers can look forward to skipping through acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens and getting up close and personal with Kinderdijk’s 19 UNESCO-protected windmills that have guarded the low country from rising sea levels for centuries. Guests will also get to visit small, charming Dutch towns, such as Enkhuizen, Hoorn, and Veere, and take in the dazzling skyline of Rotterdam. Art fans will be sure to especially enjoy this itinerary, which features stops at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo (which houses nearly 100 works by Van Gogh) plus a tour through the world-renowned Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which has been nicknamed the “home of the Dutch masters.” Once in Belgium, visitors can take in Ghent’s world-renowned architecture on a walking tour and learn about the UNESCO World Heritage site Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. Be sure to munch on those Dutch and Belgian pastries when you can.

Tauck's Rhine Enchantment intinerary combines two great modes of transportation: cruising and trains.

Tauck’s Rhine Enchantment intinerary combines two appealing modes of transportation: cruising and trains.

Photo by Gaspar Janos/Shutterstock

Tauck: Rhine Enchantment, Amsterdam to Milan

Cost: $6,400 Days: 11 days Departure Port: Amsterdam, the Netherlands Final Port: Milan, Italy

OK, I know what you’re thinking: There are no waterways that directly connect Amsterdam with Milan. Tauck’s “ Rhine Enchantment ” itinerary combines arguably two of the most popular modes of leisure transportation in Europe: cruise ships and rail. After sailing from Amsterdam to Basel (with stops in places like Düsseldorf and Heidelberg), guests will take a train along a stunning route through the Alps to Milan. The cost of the trip includes three nights at the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan during the Italian leg of the journey, a private boat ride on Lake Como, and a gala evening at a baroque palace situated along the Rhine near Wiesbaden, Germany.

This article was first published on June 10, 2019. It was updated on August 19, 2022.

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Rhine river cruises

Discover a world of fairy tale landscapes and historical backdrops along the Rhine River.

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Explore the delights of the Rhine River

Sail on a voyage of discovery on board a Rhine river cruise and unveil gems such as the Black Forest and the cultural mecca of Amsterdam. A mesmerizing route through mainland Europe, the Rhine offers an abundance of unique charm to lose yourself in.

Uncover the jewels of the Rhine

A world of experiences

Enlightening experiences await on your Rhine river cruise. Journey from the Netherlands and through the heart of Germany, along the eastern border of France into the north of Switzerland, enjoying all the sights on the way.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Marksburg Castle, Germany

Discover the Rhine River

Embrace and celebrate european flair.

Street performers and crowd gathering in Trier, Germany

Tasty sweets and hearty meats

A slice of German Black Forest gateaux with cherries on top

Fairy tale landscapes

Cochem Castle and the surrounding town, green fields and the Rhine River

The beauty of nature

Rows of green field vineyards and Cochem Castle from the river

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Jewels of the Rhine

Discover Europe’s most popular river cruises

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Holland & Belgium in Bloom

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The Majestic Rhine

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Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards

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Splendours of Europe

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Jewels of the Rhine & Lucerne - Zurich

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The Majestic Rhine & Berlin

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Amsterdam & Jewels of the Rhine

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Berlin to Zurich & The Majestic Rhine

Emerald Cruises Europe River Cruises 2024 Brochure

Your guide to Europe river cruising

Our featured blogs.

A quaint town nestled along the Rhine River in Autumn

The top 6 cities on the Rhine River

There are many beautiful cities, towns, and villages along the banks of Rhine. Discover the top six cities to visit on your luxury river cruise.

Grapes growing in vineyards

The history of Riesling wine

Discover the history and origins of Germany’s favorite grape variety and uncover the Riesling wine-producing regions of Europe.

The fairytale Marksburg Castle in Germany at sunset

How the Rhine Gorge became one of the most romantic places in the world

The Rhine Gorge is synonymous with romance. Find out how it gained this famed reputation.

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Experience a world beyond your expectations. Choose from our award-winning vacations on virtually every continent with local favorites and off-the-beaten-path experiences only Globus can share.

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Rhine River Cruises

Rhine River Cruises

From the legendary canals of Amsterdam to the German Black Forest of fairytales, any one of the Rhine river cruises will charm and delight. Our Rhine river cruises include visits to some of Central Europe's cultural hubs, where art, fine dining and historic sites abound. Choose a special Rhine cruise through the blooming tulip fields of northern Holland. Glide through the majestic vineyards of the Rhine Valley. Or select a Christmas river cruise  with excursions to magical holiday markets.

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Overview Captivating Rhine

7- night cruise, 7- night cruise with 2-nights amsterdam pre-cruise and 2 nights lake lucerne, 2 nights zurich post-cruise, 7-night cruise add pre- or post-cruise land program 7-night cruise with 2-nights amsterdam pre-cruise and 2 nights lake lucerne, 2 nights zurich post-cruise 7-night cruise with 2-nights amsterdam pre-cruise and 2 nights lake lucerne, 2 nights zurich post-cruise add pre- or post-cruise land program 7-night cruise, cruise from : amsterdam to basel, cruise from :, countries: france, germany, netherlands, switzerland france, germany, netherlands, switzerland, rivers: rhine, captivating rhine at a glance.

  • Amsterdam to Basel
  • Amsterdam to Zurich

Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.

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Rhine River Cruises

Uncork new discoveries as you raise a glass of Riesling on our acclaimed Rhine River cruises through Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. See how the Rhine, Main and Moselle river systems unfold to create a spellbinding display of storybook villages, Dutch windmills, German vineyards and splendid UNESCO Sites.

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Grand European Tour

Budapest to amsterdam, onboard gratuities included.

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Rhine Getaway

Basel to amsterdam.

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NEW! Rhine & Main Explorer

Nuremberg to basel.

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Cities of Light

Paris to prague.

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Paris to the Swiss Alps

Paris to zürich.

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NEW! Lyon, Provence & the Rhineland

Avignon to amsterdam.

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Holland & Belgium

Amsterdam to antwerp.

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Tulips & Windmills

Amsterdam to amsterdam.

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European Sojourn

Amsterdam to bucharest.

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Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle

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Christmas on the Main & Moselle

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Christmas on the Rhine

Amsterdam to basel.

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NEW! Treasures of the Rhine

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Rhine & Viking Shores & Fjords

Basel to bergen.

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Rhine & Moselle Discovery

Trier to basel.

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A Tale of Three Rivers

Bamberg to trier, highlights of rhine river cruises.

A Rhine River cruise takes you into the heart of Middle Europe, where stately castles, fairytale villages and cultural centers have long been witnesses to history. The river’s banks are brimming with historic treasures, natural beauty and vibrant capitals. Here are a few highlights Viking reveals to you:

  • Amsterdam’s charming canals and gabled houses
  • Windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Cologne’s Gothic Dom
  • Rüdesheim’s wine-growing region
  • Marksburg Castle, perched above scenic Braubach
  • Multicultural Strasbourg
  • Breathtaking views of the legendary Black Forest
  • The distinct French-German culture of Alsace
  • Mythical Lorelei Rock at the Middle Rhine Gorge
  • Stunning Heidelberg, inspiration to writers and philosophers

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Rhine River Cruises

The Rhine starts its journey in Switzerland's Alps and passes through iconic cities in France (including Strasbourg), Germany (Dusseldorf and Cologne) and the Netherlands . A European river cruise along the Rhine will reveal the best of Western Europe , from its unique scenery, to the exquisite cuisine on offer.

250+ Rhine river cruises with 889 reviews

Legendary Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam-Mainz) MS Crucevita Tour

Legendary Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam-Mainz) MS Crucevita

We had a wonderful time! The staff were excellent. Riverboat cruising is the perfect way to see Europe.

Classic Rhine cruise (Amsterdam-Basel) MS Crucevita Tour

Classic Rhine cruise (Amsterdam-Basel) MS Crucevita

Great company to cruise with. Ship carries 110 passengers. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner each day. Plenty of stops to sightsee. The castles along the Rhine make trip a very enjoyable cruise. All staff were great.

Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 2024 Tour

Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 2024

Far exceeded my expectations. To be clear, I hate traveling, I did it for 40 years and was loath to start again retired. But was I wrong, this was a great trip and vacation. I’ve been on ocean cruises but river cruising is so different. The boat is small, one meets many people, the food (except for one meal) was very good, wines good, excursions good, just well done, well organized, no problems, no mess, just enjoy. Truly is one price. I can’t wait to go back.

Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2024 Tour

Romantic Rhine (Northbound) 2024

Avalon really got everything right. Personalized but organized. Great value. Great service.

The Romantic Rhine Valley and the Rock of Lorelei (port-to-port cruise) Tour

The Romantic Rhine Valley and the Rock of Lorelei (port-to-port cruise)

A great tour of the best part of the Rhine. We were the only english speaking people on the tour but the Company went out of their way to accommodate us. Highly recommended.

The romantic Rhine Valley and the rock of the Lorelei (port-to-port cruise) Tour

The romantic Rhine Valley and the rock of the Lorelei (port-to-port cruise)

We could not fault anything. We had a wonderful time and the staff were very attentive.

Captivating Rhine 2024 Start Amsterdam, End Basel Tour

Captivating Rhine 2024 Start Amsterdam, End Basel

Castles along the Rhine (2024) (Amsterdam to Basel SS Victoria, 2024) Tour

Castles along the Rhine (2024) (Amsterdam to Basel SS Victoria, 2024)

Castles along the Rhine (2024) (Basel to Amsterdam SS Victoria, 2024) Tour

Castles along the Rhine (2024) (Basel to Amsterdam SS Victoria, 2024)

Very nice trip. Your were OK with a few standouts like the vinegar tasting. Wish there had been more lectures and cultures talks. The one about modern German attitudes was particularly fascinating.

Splendours of Europe (Start Amsterdam, End Budapest) Tour

Splendours of Europe (Start Amsterdam, End Budapest)

The program in the Emerald ship was magnificently planned and discussed. The local music during the cruise was so informative. Long live the music from the Netherlands and Germany through Austria and Slovakya to Hungary! Just for the music, dances and songs I will do the cruise again!

Rhine Experience Amsterdam & Rotterdam 2024 Tour

Rhine Experience Amsterdam & Rotterdam 2024

Tulip Time 2024 Start Amsterdam, End Amsterdam Tour

Tulip Time 2024 Start Amsterdam, End Amsterdam

Splendours of Europe (Start Budapest, End Amsterdam) Tour

Splendours of Europe (Start Budapest, End Amsterdam)

Southern Rhine Experience 2024 (9 destinations) Tour

Southern Rhine Experience 2024 (9 destinations)

Nord/Süd Holland und Belgien Metropolen Tour

Nord/Süd Holland und Belgien Metropolen

Reviews of rhine cruises.

Well organised with plenty to see.
Great company to cruise with. Ship carries 110 passengers. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner each day. Plenty of stops to sightsee. The castles along the Rhine make trip a very enjoyable cruise. All staff were great.
It was a great cruise. The food was amazing, the crew was really helpful, and the tours and tour guides were great. The only thing to imporve on if the WiFi which only worked half the time.

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  5. 10 EPIC Wheelchair Accessible Cruises + Disabled Cruises to Consider

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  6. A Guide to Accessible River Cruises

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COMMENTS

  1. Cruises for the Disabled to Rhine River

    THE 25 BEST Cruises for the Disabled to Rhine River (with Prices) on Cruise Critic Cruises for the Disabled to Rhine River We found you 1,361 cruise s Filter Sort: Popularity...

  2. THE 25 BEST Cruises for the Disabled to Rhine River (with Prices) on

    Cruises for the Disabled to Rhine River We found you 1,265 cruise s Filter Sort: Popularity Viking Tialfi 7 Night Rhine Getaway 186 Reviews Leaving: Cruise Line: Viking River Cruises Itinerary Ship Reviews View All Prices Price Tracker Emerald Star 14 Night Splendours Of Europe 129 Reviews Leaving: Amsterdam Cruise Line: Emerald River Cruises

  3. Rhine River Cruises for the Disabled Reviews

    2,163 reviews Filters Cruise Line Ship Destination Show more filters 1 - 10 of 2,163 Rhine River Cruises for the Disabled Reviews Christmas Market experience Review for a Europe - River...

  4. Viking Cruises for the Disabled Reviews

    1 - 10 of 157 Viking Cruises for the Disabled Reviews Gentle joyful fun Review for a Europe - River Cruise Cruise on Viking Idun Michelle I 2-5 Cruises • Age 70s Read More Sail Date:...

  5. A Guide to Accessible River Cruises

    Jeannine Williamson Contributor Melinda Crow Last updated Aug 25, 2023 Read time 13 min read Accessible river cruising is certainly doable, but the logistics involved require a bit of inside...

  6. Cruises for the Disabled to Europe River

    Cruises for the Disabled to Europe River We found you 2,106 cruise s Filter Sort: Popularity Cruise Critic Favorite Viking Tor 7 Night Danube Waltz 172 Reviews Leaving: Budapest Cruise...

  7. Excellent for Disabled Passengers

    Rhine River Day Cruises: Excellent for Disabled Passengers - See 244 traveler reviews, 410 candid photos, and great deals for Bingen am Rhein, Germany, at Tripadvisor.

  8. Guide To Accessible River Cruising

    River cruises present various challenges for disabled passengers, both on and off the ship. People traveling with disabilities, wheelchairs, or difficulty walking need to know the forthcoming pitfalls before booking their tickets.

  9. Rhine River Cruises for the Disabled Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED

    Rhine River Cruises for the Disabled Cruise Reviews: Read 2,153 Rhine River Cruises for the Disabled cruise reviews. Find great deals, tips and tricks on Cruise Critic to help plan your cruise.

  10. 10 Best Rhine River Cruises for Seniors

    10 Best Rhine River Cruises for Seniors - TourRadar Home / Europe tours / Rhine cruises / Seniors Rhine River Cruises for Seniors Explore Rhine with other Seniors. These 250+ tours include popular destinations like Amsterdam and Strasbourg. 250+ Rhine river cruises for over 50s & 60s with 469 reviews Romantic Rhine (Southbound) 2024

  11. Europe River Cruises

    Uniworld does not have handicapped or wheelchair-accessible cabins. There are elevators on the River Princess, River Queen, River Empress, River Duchess and River Countess. On the River Queen, the elevator does not reach all decks.

  12. Accessible Cruises for Disabled Passengers

    Browse our disabled-friendly cruises below, or speak to our team on 0800 711 7112. Refine Search Filters New Release Summertime Fjordland - Ambassador Cruise Line Summertime in Norway delivers a spectacular cruise experience. Aboard the Ambience you'll be gliding effortlessly through stunning fjords, mountains, and vibrant blue waters.

  13. Rhine River Senior Cruises

    THE 25 BEST Senior Cruises to Rhine River (with Prices) on Cruise Critic Rhine River Senior Cruises cruise s Filter Sort: Popularity Avalon Envision 9 Night Festive Season On The...

  14. Viking River Cruise. If you have LIMITED MOBILITY please read this!

    My husband and I took the Rhine River Christmas market cruise from Basel Switzerland to Amsterdam in December 2016. My husband has limited mobility - in his case, he can walk unassisted but needs moments to stop and rest (hip replacement one year ago). The cruise itself was as expected from how Viking sells itself (high end luxury type cruise).

  15. Rhine River Cruises

    Rhine River Cruises Uncork new discoveries as you raise a glass of Riesling on our acclaimed Rhine River cruises through Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. See how the Rhine, Main and Moselle river systems unfold to create a spellbinding display of storybook villages, Dutch windmills, German vineyards and splendid UNESCO Sites.

  16. All Inclusive Rhine River Cruises 2024/2025

    Rhine River Cruises. Tauck's Rhine River cruises follow this romantic river on its winding journey through medieval towns, cathedrals, castles, and museums, with enchanting river landscapes along the way. Flowing through six countries, the Rhine River cuts deeply through mountains, meandering between hillside castles and age-old winelands.

  17. A Guide To Accessible River Cruises: 7 Things To Consider

    Given this target audience, you would hope that river cruises would be accessible for passengers with disabilities. Sadly, that is not the case. For those people who are dependent on a wheelchair all of the time, river cruising is simply not suitable. They should instead look into ocean cruising, where they will be very well catered for.

  18. The 7 Best Rhine River Cruises to Book Now

    Cost: From $3,299 per person. Days: 12 days. Departure Port: Paris, France. Final Port: Zürich, Switzerland. Viking, which bills itself as "the thinking person's cruise," is a major player on the Rhine, where it operates more than 40 riverboats—nearly identical sister ships with a capacity for 190 guests.

  19. Rhine River Cruises 2024

    Explore the delights of the Rhine River. Sail on a voyage of discovery on board a Rhine river cruise and unveil gems such as the Black Forest and the cultural mecca of Amsterdam. A mesmerizing route through mainland Europe, the Rhine offers an abundance of unique charm to lose yourself in. 2:28. Uncover the jewels of the Rhine.

  20. Rhine River Cruises

    Our Rhine river cruises include visits to some of Central Europe's cultural hubs, where art, fine dining and historic sites abound. Choose a special Rhine cruise through the blooming tulip fields of northern Holland. Glide through the majestic vineyards of the Rhine Valley. Or select a Christmas river cruise with excursions to magical holiday ...

  21. 2025 Captivating Rhine

    A family-owned company since 2002, award-winning AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 28 ships sailing through Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. 'Ama' means love - and we put love in everything we do, from our exquisite locally-sourced cuisine to our variety of included shore excursions in every port to our warm, personalized service. We are also proud of our innovations ...

  22. Rhine River Cruises

    Rhine River Cruises Uncork new discoveries as you raise a glass of Riesling on our acclaimed Rhine River cruises through Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. See how the Rhine, Main and Moselle river systems unfold to create a spellbinding display of storybook villages, Dutch windmills, German vineyards and splendid UNESCO Sites.

  23. 10 Best Rhine River Cruises 2024/2025

    10 Best Rhine River Cruises 2024/2025 - TourRadar Home / Europe tours / Rhine tours Rhine River Cruises The Rhine starts its journey in Switzerland's Alps and passes through iconic cities in France (including Strasbourg), Germany (Dusseldorf and Cologne) and the Netherlands.