Rhine & Moselle River Cruise

Rhine & Moselle River Cruise by Jodie

Last August, I was invited to join a 7 night Rhine and Moselle River Cruise onboard the beautiful MS Emily Bronte with Riviera Travel.

Along with 10 other agents, I got the opportunity to experience life onboard as well as enjoy the fantastic scenery of the beautiful, picturesque towns that line the river.  

The journey began in Cologne, which is one of Germany’s most historic cities. Upon arrival, we embarked our river vessel, and enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea in the main restaurant before being shown to our mid deck cabins. All mid deck cabins include a luxurious double bed, air conditioning, spacious bathroom with shower and toiletries and a wonderful floor to ceiling French balcony, which is perfect for watching the world go by. 

Day 2 – Cruising to Cochem

The first full day on board began with a sumptuous hot and continental breakfast followed by a scenic cruise along the Rhine. In the afternoon, we arrive in Cochem for a guided tour which took us through the cobbled streets and Bavarian style buildings. We also enjoyed a cable car ride to its hilltop castle before stopping for a quick German beer once we were back on the ground! In the evening we enjoyed the onboard delights of a traditional live folk music performance.

Day 3 – Trier

The cruise continued upstream along the Moselle, passing dramatic river bends and steep vineyard slopes. After lunch, we travelled by coach to Trier, Germany’s oldest city. A guided tour of the cities landmarks, such as the Porta Nigra and Cathedral of Trier highlighted its history and impressive architecture. Following some free time to explore before dinner, we returned to the ship before moving onto Bernkastel.

Day 4 – Bernkastel

After breakfast we were ready to enjoy a guided walking tour of Bernkastel’s historic market square and streets, which looked like something out of a fairy tale! We visited the famous bear fountain, who are mascots of the village, and enjoyed the views of some of the most exclusive vineyards in Europe! In the afternoon we tasted some of the grapes we had seen earlier in the day at the vineyard and sampled some of the villages famous wines.  This evening we enjoyed the ala carte restaurant ‘ The Bistro’ which offers an intimate dining experience with both fantastic cuisine and panoramic views. 

Day 5 – Koblenz & Boppard

To start the day we stopped at Koblenz which is the third largest city on the Rhineland. After a brief walking tour we were able to admire some of the fantastic landmarks the city has to offer, such as St castors Basillica and the infamous Schängel fountain. We also enjoyed a cable car ride up to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress which originates from the year 1000.  

Day 6 – Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim

This morning I decided to enjoying breakfast in my cabin whilst looking out over the beautiful Rhine Gorge. Once I had finished, I went onto the upper deck to continue to admire the view whilst listen to the German folk’s tale of the Lorelei rock.

Upon arrival in Rüdesheim, our guided tour took us through the narrow-cobbled streets lined with traditional shops and restaurants. The day concluded with the ship’s signature Chef’s Dinner, marking a memorable highlight of the voyage.

Day 7 – Cologne

A leisurely final cruise returned us to Cologne. After lunch, we had a guided tour of the old town, focussing on the city’s architectural and cultural heritage, including its renowned Gothic cathedral. The evening concluded with a Lindt chocolate tasting on board, providing a fitting and indulgent farewell.

River cruises offer the perfect blend of culture, relaxation, and immersive travel. If you’re looking for a stress-free way to explore multiple countries onboard a small and luxurious ship, then this could be a great option!