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River Cruises
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Idyllic journeys through some of Europe's most famous and inspiring landscapes may be enough to tempt you, but there are many more reasons to let Great Rail Journeys take care of your cruise holiday. Our ships and barges have been hand-selected to offer the highest quality experience in a relaxing and exceptionally comfortable environment, accompanied by fine food and panoramic views.

Excursions are all included in the price to ensure you get the most out of your trip. Not only that, but you also get the kind of reassurance that only comes with selecting an experienced holiday operator who will make sure that every aspect of your cruise is a joy.

Whether you arrive at your cruise's starting destination by flight or rail, we're with you all the way. There are lots of ways our river cruises can suit you, including extending your tour with an iconic rail journey, or choose a barge cruise if you prefer a more intimate experience than on our larger ships.

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49 results matching: Escorted River Cruises

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River CruiseRiver Cruise
BudapestBudapestBudapestBudapestBudapest
Save up to £400pp
The Beautiful Blue Danube: Passau Round Trip
4.6 stars(76 reviews)
2026JunJulAug

Enjoy a leisurely cruise through four countries and three capital cities, basking in beautiful river scenery all the way. Sail from the German town of Passau through the Austrian wine-growing region of the Wachau Valley, admiring picturesque Dürnstein and Melk Abbey enroute. After exploring imperial Vienna, the captivating Hungarian capital...

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Save up to £400pp
10 days from
£2,499 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Tulips CruiseTulips CruiseTulips CruiseTulips CruiseTulips Cruise
Save up to £400pp
Springtime Tulips & Keukenhof Gardens
4.5 stars(301 reviews)
2026Apr
2027Apr

Embrace the stunning scents and colours on this flower-filled cruise through Belgium and the Netherlands. Walk among incredible floral displays at Keukenhof Gardens, visit poignant war sites and explore the quaint streets of Amsterdam, Bruges and Ghent. Cruising aboard a luxurious ship, step ashore at ports along the way to visit Ypres...

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Save up to £400pp
8 days from
£2,199 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Cologne Christmas MarketsCologne Christmas MarketsCologne Christmas MarketsCologne Christmas MarketsCologne Christmas Markets
Save up to £400pp
German Christmas Markets of the Rhine
4.5 stars(138 reviews)
2025NovDec
2026NovDec

Feel the spirit of Christmas on this cruise along the beautiful Rhine. Discovering Germany at the most magical time of the year we stop at traditional Christmas markets along the way. Strolling through the stalls, admire the craftsmanship of local artisans and savour the flavours that define the season. On board, soak up the natural beauty...

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Save up to £400pp
5 days from
£1,299 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
BaselBaselBaselBaselBasel
Save up to £400pp
The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel
4.4 stars(135 reviews)
2026MayJunJul

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Netherlands to Switzerland on a luxury river cruise. Sail through four countries, admiring stunning forested valleys, charming half-timbered towns and historic cities lining the picturesque banks of this incredible river. Marvel at the spectacular scenery of the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage...

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Save up to £400pp
8 days from
£2,199 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Strasbourg at ChristmasStrasbourg at ChristmasStrasbourg at ChristmasStrasbourg at ChristmasStrasbourg at Christmas
Save up to £400pp
Festive Markets of the Rhine & Alsace
2025Nov
2026NovDec

A festive cruise through Europe's most enchanting Christmas destinations on the Rhine river. Scenic landscapes and charming towns come alive with seasonal cheer as we sail through Germany and France during the most wonderful time of the year. From the twinkling lights of Koblenz's historic streets to the captivating markets of Rüdesheim,...

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Save up to £400pp
5 days from
£1,799 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
BudapestBudapestBudapestBudapestBudapest
Save up to £400pp
Delights of the Danube: Budapest to Passau
4.3 stars(113 reviews)
2026JunJulAugSep
2027JunJulSep

Uncover the gems of Hungary, Slovakia and Austria on a luxurious Danube river cruise. Explore the fascinating cities of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna, marvel at the striking Melk Abbey in the Wachau Valley, indulge in local cuisine and sample some of the region's finest wines. Choose to spend a day in historic Salzburg, the birthplace...

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Save up to £400pp
11 days from
£3,099 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
ParisParisParisParisParis
Save up to £400pp
Paris, Normandy & the River Seine
4.0 stars(31 reviews)
2026AprJunJulSep

Eight days of unparalleled luxury aboard the MS Amadeus Diamond begin and end in the romantic City of Light, Paris. Cruise along the River Seine, where history, art and natural beauty converge to create an inspiring experience. While sailing, discover the peaceful landscapes that inspired some of the world's greatest artists. Wander the...

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Save up to £400pp
8 days from
£2,499 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Rhine GorgeRhine GorgeRhine GorgeRhine GorgeRhine Gorge
Save up to £400pp
The Majestic Rhine: Basel to Amsterdam
4.5 stars(250 reviews)
2026MayJunJul
2027MayJunJul

Embark on a scenic river cruise from Switzerland to Amsterdam, uncovering enchanting landscapes on the way, including the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, adorned with stunning castles, lush forests and sprawling vineyards. Sail from Switzerland to the Netherlands, drifting by forested valleys and charming riverside villages while enjoying guided...

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Save up to £400pp
8 days from
£2,399 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Rhine Valley in FlamesRhine Valley in FlamesRhine Valley in FlamesRhine Valley in FlamesRhine Valley in Flames
Save up to £400pp
The Rhine Valley in Flames
4.4 stars(33 reviews)
2026Sep

Watch as the Rhine bursts to life in a show of colour during the Rhine in Flames event on this luxury river cruise. Sail along the River Rhine onboard a ship likened to a floating five-star hotel, soaking up the scenery while drifting from the cultured streets of Cologne to the picturesque Middle Rhine. Historic towns, unspoiled vistas and...

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Save up to £400pp
8 days from
£2,999 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
BudapestBudapestBudapestBudapestBudapest
Save up to £400pp
Delights of the Danube: Budapest to Passau - Fly
4.6 stars(49 reviews)
2026JunJulAugSepOct

Fly to Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube' for a luxurious cruise through beautiful nature and the historic cities of central Europe. Enroute, uncover quaint villages, hillside vineyards and local cuisine. After exploring the fascinating cities of Bratislava and Vienna, marvel at the 11th-century Melk Abbey in Austria's scenic Wachau ...

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Save up to £400pp
8 days from
£2,199 pp £1,999 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
BiarritzBiarritzBiarritzBiarritzBiarritz
Save up to £400pp
Biarritz & Bordeaux Cruise
2026JunSep

Experience the Basque coast of France and a river cruise into the wine region of Bordeaux. Starting in the Belle Époque city of Biarritz, we enjoy a trip on La Rhune Mountain Railway in the western Pyrenees. Next, we sail through the scenic Garonne and Dordogne aboard the MS Cyrano de Bergerac, into one of Europe's most renowned wine ...

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Save up to £400pp
10 days from
£3,099 pp
per person
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River CruiseRiver Cruise
Danube RiverDanube RiverDanube RiverDanube RiverDanube River
Save up to £400pp
The Classic Blue Danube: Passau to Budapest
4.4 stars(30 reviews)
2026JunJulAug

Journey down the blue Danube, where each bend in the river reveals a new tapestry of architectural wonders and culture. Delve into the history of the Ottoman and Habsburg empires and wander among inspiring architecture in Budapest and Vienna. Sail through the beautiful Wachau Valley to Dürnstein and captivating Melk Abbey. Discover the...

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Save up to £400pp
11 days from
£3,099 pp
per person
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Our customers love our River Cruises tours
The Beautiful Blue Danube: Passau Round Trip
30/Sep
Philip Adams
5 stars
“Wonderful experience! Worth flying in from Singapore to enjoy our time on the cruise with exceptional staff, facilities and fellow passengers.
Collected by Trustpilot
The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel
17/Aug
Helen Antrichan
5 stars
“Everything was so well planned and organised. The ship was perfect and staff were wonderful.
Collected by Trustpilot
The Majestic Rhine: Basel to Amsterdam
5/Aug
JD
5 stars
“Very enjoyable, well organised trip
Collected by Trustpilot
The Classic Blue Danube: Passau to Budapest
31/Jul
Old Bob
5 stars
“Excellent trip, well organised with top quality travel by trains and river boat
Collected by Trustpilot
Springtime Tulips & Keukenhof Gardens
27/May
SPUD
5 stars
“WONDERFUL CRUISE WITH WITH EXCELLENT ATTENTION TO DETAIL, COULDN'T FAULT IT!!
Collected by Trustpilot
Paris, Normandy & the River Seine
7/Oct
B Culver
4 stars
“Boat was fine. Staff were good. Food was very good. General service was good. Room was perfectly fine. Evening entertainment was OK for first couple of days, then as it was the same person, it became a bit repetitive. Quizzes were OK, but could...
Collected by Trustpilot
The Rhine Valley in Flames
4/Oct
PAULINE
4 stars
“Great trip but too much coach and train changing for us as we don't have direct access to St Pancras.. would have preferred flight option
Collected by Trustpilot
Delights of the Danube: Budapest to Passau
5/Sep
Rachel Nelson
4 stars
“First time we have done a river cruise and escorted rail journey. We had a great experience and met lovely people . We had a lovely tour manager Wyn. However we felt on the escorted rail journey we had very little time to explore that the hotels were generally outside...
Collected by Trustpilot
Delights of the Danube: Budapest to Passau - Fly
30/Aug
Paul from Abingdon
4 stars
“The itinery was great, state room was lovely and a good size but didn't like the vertical opening windows, I prefer French balcony with sliding doors. The food was great quality but lacked choice of main courses and deserts & should have more fresh fruit especially at breakfast. One of...
Collected by Trustpilot

River cruising is a great holiday choice if you want to distil the real essence of each destination you visit from the comfort of your floating hotel. And with Great Rail Journeys, you can expect each of our cruises, as well as our fantastic team, to go above and beyond. We'll make sure you have a wonderfully relaxing cruise experience. But how exactly do we make this happen?

Take it easy, you'll be looked after from start to finish

From when you book until the journey home, we'll be right beside you making sure your cruise goes without a hitch. Be reassured by the expert knowledge of our Travel Specialists, enjoy the company and composed nature of your Tour Manager, and get inspired by your on board Cruise Director. We can even arrange luggage transfers directly to and from your home.

One of the biggest stars of any great cruise holiday is often the river itself. Charming banks lined by beautiful scenery, the gentle lull of calm waters and the wonderful variety of sights to see all make the simple act of sailing down the river an experience to remember.

Amadeous Silver II Deluxe Suite

Your holiday, your way

We know that one size fits all doesn't work for holidays. When you cruise with Great Rail Journeys, you can make the most of a whole host of personalised options. If it's easier to fly, no problem! Fancy extending your holiday with a pre-cruise tour? Just let us know. Or perhaps you don't want to decide all your plans until you're on board. Excursions are included in the price, but you can explore independently if you like or simply relax on board.

We've also included a choice of sightseeing tours so you can pick the pace best suited to you.