Viking River Rhine Cruise Review: Ports and Excursions

Choosing a Viking River Cruise from their enticing selection of itineraries is like asking a child in a chocolate factory to pick just one sweet from an overwhelming array of tempting treats. After much deliberation, my husband and I selected the Rhine Getaway, an eight-day cruise on the Rhine River. Oh, what a wonderful choice we made! Review my round-up of all the Viking River Rhine Cruise destinations below.

Rhine River view from Rudesheim, Germany
Rhine River view from Rudesheim, Germany (Photo credit: julia-lav, Depositphotos.com)

This story is brought to you in partnership with Viking Cruises.

Travel Mamas and Grownup Getaways sometimes receive compensation and/or hosted travel and sample products related to blog posts. This story may include affiliate links for which we receive a small commission at no extra cost to consumers. As an Amazon Associate, we earn money from qualifying purchases.

Basel, Switzerland

Our Viking River Rhine Cruise set sail from Basel, Switzerland. This beautiful city is home to 40 museums including one so tiny, it’s literally impossible to step inside. Expect a charming Old Town, gorgeous Rhine River views, and exquisite dining options. Read more about romantic things to do in Basel, Switzerland now!

Bicycle and flowers in Basel, Swizerland
Bicycle and flowers in Basel, Swizerland (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Germany’s Black Forest

Land of cuckoo clocks, fruit elixirs, and its namesake hams and cakes — the Black Forest seems like a place dreamed up by the Brothers Grimm for their fairy tales. Read more about what to expect when visiting Germany’s Black Forest with Viking River Cruises.

Germany's Black Forest
Germany’s Black Forest (Photo credit: jentara, Depositphotos.com)

Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg, France captured my heart and has left me daydreaming of moving to this beautiful French town with a German accent. Discover what’s so enchanting about Strasbourg, France before you go.

Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg, France (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Heidelberg, Germany

Rich with history, Heidelberg is home to Germany’s oldest university, the ruins of a romantic Renaissance castle, and the world’s largest wine barrel. Learn about these sites and more things to do in Heidelberg, Germany today.

Heidelberg's famous castle
Heidelberg’s famous castle (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Rudesheim am Rhein, Germany

Rudesheim am Rhein is the picture of a quaint German town, filled with charming wine garden restaurants and plenty of souvenir shops peddling adorable Christmas treasures. Learn more about Rudesheim am Rhein, Germany before your cruise.

Rudesheim am Rhein Christmas shop
Christmas shops are plentiful in Rudesheim am Rhein (Photo credit: yulan, Depositphotos.com)

Marksburg Castle in Braubach, Germany

Marksburg Castle was the most fascinating castle I have ever visited, and I’ve visited quite a few. Our Viking River Rhine Cruise tour guide gave an intriguing glimpse into what life was like during the time of castles, kings, knights and princesses. Find out what made this castle so intriguing in this story, Marksburg Castle with Viking River Cruises.

Marksburg Castle in Braubach, Germany
Marksburg Castle in Braubach, Germany (Photo credit: haveseen, Depositphotos.com)

Cologne, Germany

Cologne is known for its gothic cathedral and its unique Kölsch beer. It’s also the birthplace of the world’s first eau de cologne and home to some of the best shopping in the country. Check out the fun and tasty things to Do in Cologne, Germany.

Cologne Cathedral
Cologne’s famous cathedral (Photo credit: hiro1775, Depositphotos.com)

Kinderdijk, the Netherlands

If you want to get your traditional Dutch windmill fix, then Kinderdijk is the place to be. Learn more about Dutch windmills at Kinderdijk now.

Dutch windmills at Kinderdijk
Dutch windmills at Kinderdijk (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Keukenhof Gardens in Holland, the Netherlands

Our Rhine Getaway concluded in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Rather than purchasing the Viking Post-Cruise Extension, we opted to explore on our own. We were lucky to sail during spring when the tulips are in full bloom at the renowned Keukenhof Gardens outside Amsterdam in Holland. This sprawling botanic garden is filled with every varietal of tulips you could imagine among many other lovely flowers and things to do.  Read more about Keukenhof Gardens near Amsterdam.

Keukenhof Gardens in Holland
Keukenhof Gardens in Holland (Photo credit: phb.cz, Depositphotos.com)

Save Money on Your Viking River Cruise

After looking back on the incredible memories made with Viking, I’m tempted to go book another river cruise right now! Would you like to book a Viking River Cruise? You can save money and get perks when you book with CruiseDirect.

Princess Cruises wine tasting
Wine tasting on a Princess Cruise (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Get More Cruise Tips

Discover romantic things to do on a Princess Cruise.

Learn how to plan a cruise with friends.

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Find out how to choose a Disney Cruise.

Viking Rhine River Cruise Review

Keep this Viking River Rhine Cruise Information

Considering a Viking River Cruise? Be sure to save this round-up of Viking River Rhine Cruise ports and excursions. Just pin the image above to Pinterest. Go ahead and follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re at it!

If you enjoyed this story, then I bet you’ll like reading our other grown-up getaway ideas!

Would you like to embark on a Viking River Cruise? Let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: Our cruise was hosted by Viking River Cruises. I did not receive any monetary compensation related to this story. All opinions are mine, as always.

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42 Comments

  1. My husband and I are going on this exact cruise at the end of next month and after reading your descriptive blog, I couldn’t be more excited😀 I see that this blog was written in 2015. Do you have anything that’s more current?

    1. Hi Christine – I’m so excited for you and your husband! I hope you both love your Viking River Cruise as much as my husband and I did! I wish I had something more up-to-date. Eventually, I will do some research and update these stories!

  2. Wow, this is SO on our bucket list. A couple of years ago I did a Baltic Sea cruise and loved it, only made me really want to add Viking River Cruise to this list! Thanks for the inspiration — on the list for our 20th anniversary!

    1. Congratulations on 20 years together! My husband and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, too. What a WONDERFUL anniversary trip a Viking River Cruise would be!

  3. Dreamy dreamy. A river cruise is definitely on my list of must-do’s. I’ve sailed the ocean with Viking, and sure would love to sail through these sweet European port towns with them … someday!

    1. Kara – I bet you would LOVE a Viking River Cruise! You really spend much more time exploring and less time on the boat. I wish I could go book another sailing right now!