Top Germany Small Ship Cruise Trips & Packages In 2025/2026

Our 267 most popular Germany Small Ship Cruise Trips & Packages trips. Compare tour itineraries from 25 tour companies. 6 reviews.

267 Trips match your criteria (89 - 110 shown)

Christmastime in Alsace & Germany (Northbound)
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Basel, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Strasbourg, Zurich

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of visit to Freiburg or excursion to Black Forest; Christmas market
  • Guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; Christmas market
  • Guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat; free time for Christmas market
  • This Christmas river cruise begins in Switzerland and takes you down the Rhine River to France and Germany, with beautiful passing views and quaint villages festively lit and decorated—a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season! Board your ship in Basel, Switzerland, then stop in Breisach, considered the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest
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Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
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European Masterpiece: the Rhine, Seine and Rhône Revealed with 2 Nights in Lucerne and 2 Nights in French Riviera
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Amsterdam, Arles, Avignon, Basel, Dijon, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Lyon, Nice, Normandy, Paris, Rouen, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Welcome to Switzerland
  • Guided walking tour with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
  • Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or sightseeing of Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
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Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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Christmastime from Nuremberg to Basel
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Prague, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of Nuremberg guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market
  • Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; onboard Christmas Traditions lecture
  • Guided tour, visit the Bishop's Residence; Christmas market
  • Cookie-baking demonstration on board; guided tour
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Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

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European Masterpiece: the Rhine, Seine and Rhône Revealed with 2 Nights in Lucerne
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Amsterdam, Arles, Avignon, Basel, Dijon, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Lyon, Normandy, Paris, Rouen, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Welcome to Switzerland
  • Guided walking tour with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
  • Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); onboard welcome reception
  • E with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
Show more

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Romantic Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Northbound)
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Basel, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Zurich

Highlights

  • Welcome to Switzerland
  • Guided walking tour with the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge
  • Excursion to Mount Pilatus or Mount Stanserhorn per seasonal accessibility (in case of bad weather, visit the Swiss Transport Museum instead); onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of excursion to Black Forest, or sightseeing in Freiburg or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, visit La Petite France district and the Gothic cathedral or bike with your Adventure Host
Show more

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Christmastime from Budapest to Basel
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Bamberg, Basel, Budapest, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Munich, Nuremberg, Passau, Rudesheim, Strasbourg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Scenic sailing, pass through Bratislava; Austrian cookies tasting on board; free time in Vienna in the evening
  • City sightseeing; Christmas market
  • Guided city walk in Krems; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk
  • Guided walk; Christmas market
Show more

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Festive Season in the Heart of Germany with 2 Nights in Prague
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Bamberg, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Prague

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Guided tour
  • Guided tour, visit the Bishop's Residence; Christmas market
  • Onboard Christmas Traditions lecture; guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; Christmas market
  • Choice of guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market
Show more

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Magnificent Rivers of Europe
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They combine the assurance of working with a large cruise operator with the warmth and personal service of a boutique provider.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Bratislava, Budapest, Nuremberg, Passau, Rudesheim, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of guided tour, see Heroes' Square or hike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided tour, visit St. Martin's Cathedral or up hike to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided tour or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided tour or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard wine tasting
Show more

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lovely with great views."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Germany Small Ship Cruise Trips & Packages Reviews

W

Wayne H

Jan 2017

Written on

The most amazing river trip in Europe

Traveling from Belgium through 6 countries to Switzerland is one of the most amazing travel experiences in Europe, especially if traveling with Grand Circle Travel. ...

R

Rick & Fran

Aug 2015

We enjoyed the entire experience

We enjoyed the entire experience; Normandy and Omaha Beach were especially moving. The food and service deserve praise too. This is our third Viking cruise and we'll...

L

Larry

Oct 2018

Misleading and often just plain dishonest.

We paid for a 3 week luxury river cruise but received a large group bus trip across Europe with many days of packing and unpacking. I called our Viking representativ...

C

Charles

Oct 2022

Good and no so goog

Recently returned from a Viking Rhine trip on 10/14. The good: Rhine water levels were good, no issues. Service on the vessel was A+, excluding one attendant with...

T

Tonya

Aug 2015

Incredible experience

Incredible experience sailing on the Grand European tour from Amsterdam to Budapest! Just wonderful! The tours were interesting, and most allowed for adequate free t...

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