A Week on the Rhine. River Cruising with Riviera Travel

I was invited by Riviera Travel UK to spend a week on board MS George Eliot, sailing along part of the the River Rhine. This classic route showcases some of Europe’s most picturesque landscapes, medieval towns, dramatic river gorges, UNESCO World Heritage sites, vineyards, castles, and cities steeped in history. Here is what it was like to spend a week cruising one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers.

Arrival and First Impressions

Day one was spent travelling to meet the ship at Bonn. I flew from Birmingham Airport and the flight time to Frankfurt Airport was just over an hour. Return flights and transfers are included with Riviera Travel, so everything is taken care of. If you do not like flying, or you cannot fly, you can join the ship via Eurostar.

At Frankfurt Airport, we were met by a Riviera Travel representative who directed us to our coach transfer. This made things to simple and stress-free. A great start to a great trip. Before I set sail, Riviera Travel also sent out all the information I needed for my cruise by email, and there was also a printed booklet sent in the post, including my luggage labels. It was so well-organised.

After a short coach transfer from Frankfurt airport to Bonn, we arrived at our home for the next week. All our luggage was transferred directly to our cabin. Yet again – Riviera Travel make things so simple and seamless. Check in was quick and efficient and in no time I was heading up to my cabin.

I was staying on the Diamond Deck, which is the highest deck on board. It was spacious, elegant and very comfortable. I have put together a tour of the cabin and the ship on my YouTube Channel but here are some photos to give you an idea of how elegant and refined this ship is.

After a quick change and refresh, I headed down to dinner. Seating is open, so you can simply turn up and sit with others or have a smaller table on your own.

At first glance the menu assured me that the food was likely to be excellent, and when it arrived I was certainly not disappointed. The menus are clearly labelled with allergy advice and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. I especially enjoyed the cheeseboard, which was a definite highlight.

After a full day of travelling it was time to head back to the cabin and rest, ready for our first full day on board exploring the Rhine.

Koblenz and Boppard

Early the next morning I noticed that we had quietly slipped away from Bonn overnight and were now alongside the banks of the Moselle in Koblenz.

Today we were visiting Koblenz and Boppard, so it was a good idea to start with a hearty breakfast. Breakfast is served between 7.00 am and 9.00 am each day and is open seating.

You can help yourself from the buffet or order at your table, with options including cooked breakfasts, freshly made omelettes and an impressive continental selection. Room service breakfast is also available and included.

After breakfast we joined the complimentary walking tour.

Riviera Travel offers seven guided tours on this itinerary, all with English-speaking guides. Vox audio systems are provided in each cabin, and Riviera also supplies excellent paper maps with detailed port information.

We explored the beautiful city of Koblenz on a guided tour, taking in some of its most notable sights. As we left Koblenz, we passed the Deutsches Eck and headed upstream through the Romantic Rhine. I spent some time spotting castles along the way before relaxing in my cabin.

We arrived in Boppard around 3.30pm. Once again, a complimentary walking tour was available, but I opted to take the chairlift up to the viewpoint above the town. The short walk from the top leads to a viewing platform offering one of the greatest panoramas in the Rhineland, overlooking the bendiest bend in the Rhine.

After returning safely to solid ground, I headed back on board for some relaxation. Dinner was once again a feast for the senses, followed by entertainment in the lounge, including a local folk band and the onboard pianist. I found that drinks on board were very reasonably priced, and there were plenty of options available.

The Rhine Gorge and Mainz

The following morning, we cruised through the Rhine Gorge, where the river narrows dramatically and steep valley walls rise on either side. Castles and fortresses crown the hills, reminders of a time when tolls were extracted from passing ships.

Caroline, our cruise director, narrated the journey, pointing out landmarks such as the legendary Lorelei Rock. I had arranged for breakfast to be delivered to my cabin timed to arrive one the main part of the scenic sailing had been completed, so I could enjoy the scenery uninterrupted, something I would highly recommend.

We arrived in Mainz after lunch and joined a walking tour. Mainz is Germany’s wine capital, and after another full day, I relaxed back on board with cocktails and dinner in the Riverview Restaurant..

Heidelberg and Speyer

Next morning, we travelled inland to Heidelberg, one of Germany’s most beautiful cities and home to one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Remarkably, the city escaped bombing during the Second World War, leaving its old town and castle largely intact.

After a guided walk, I visited Heidelberg Castle and saw the famous Heidelberg Tun, one of the largest wine barrels in the world along with its mascot, Perchio. The views over the red-roofed old town and the Neckar River were superb.

We rejoined to the ship which had sailed a little further downstream at Speyer. There was an optional excursion in to the town in the afternoon. It had been a long day and I felt the need to recharge back on board, so I passed up on the optional walking tour in favour of the peaceful sundeck and splash pool and relaxing chairs at the front of the ship. That evening, we sailed towards Strasbourg, enjoying a stunning sunset and another excellent dinner.

Strasbourg and Colmar

By morning, we had arrived in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace. We explored the magnificent Gothic cathedral and the charming Petite France quarter, with its canals, timber-framed houses and flower-filled windows. It’s certainly a location I will readily return to for a longer trip.

In the afternoon, we travelled to Colmar, a town so picturesque it feels almost unreal. With its canals, pastel houses and cobbled streets, it is widely believed to have inspired Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. It is also the birthplace of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.

That evening, we enjoyed a regional Alsatian menu on board, followed by a French chanson concert in the lounge, a lovely cultural touch.

Rüdesheim

Today we arrived in Rüdesheim, one of the liveliest and most charming towns on the Rhine. Instead of the walking tour, I took the cable car up to the Niederwald Monument, floating above vineyards with sweeping views across the valley. At the top, I sampled Federweißer, a lightly fermented seasonal wine, refreshing (like apple juice) but deceptively alcoholic at around 9% alcohol.

Back on board, the afternoon featured an ice-cream social in the lounge, followed by the Captain’s Dinner in the evening, a celebratory meal showcasing specialities from across the regions we had visited

Bonn & Cologne

Our final stop was Bonn – where we wandered around a little before heading to Cologne for the afternoon.

Cologne is home to one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the cathedral took over six centuries to complete and is one of the most extraordinary churches in Europe.

On our final evening, the crew hosted a farewell gathering in the lounge, followed by one last elegant dinner, a fitting end to a wonderful week. After our wonderful farewell dinner, there was time for one last drink in the lounge before packing. The next morning, after one last indulgent breakfast, it was time to disembark and head home.

What is Cruising the Rhine with Riviera Travel Really Like?

This Rhine cruise with Riviera Travel offered a perfect balance of scenic sailing, cultural discovery, comfort, and excellent food. Everything was meticulously organised, the staff were warm and professional, and the itinerary showcased some of the very best that this region has to offer.

From castles and cathedrals to vineyards and villages, every day brought something new, and often spectacular.

If you are considering a river cruise for the first time or are simply looking for a relaxed and enriching way to explore central Europe, this itinerary and cruise line is an excellent choice.

With special thanks to Riviera Travel, and especially Catherine and Lee, for hosting this unforgettable journey.

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