EU River Cruises BEST EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES

Main River Cruise 2023

There is no better way to spend your vacation time in 2023 than on a boat down the stunning Main River. A sail along the Main seems like a peaceful way to view some of Europe's most historic cities. The Main River provides a cruise through charming scenery and insights into the rich history of Germany from modern, densely populated Mainz to more traditional medieval Bavarian towns where wine and leather goods are manufactured. Bamberg on the Main is an architectural gem, and marks the start of the Main-Danube Canal, winding 106 miles through rural Bavaria linking the Main with the River Danube at Kelheim.

Main River

Main River CruiseMain river cruise, at first glance, seems like a wonderfully tranquil way to see some of the most historic towns and cities in this part of Europe. Winding across Central Germany for 525 km, the Main River is formed by the joining of the Red Main and the White Main, meeting the Rhine River at the town of Mainz. On Main river cruises, you'll cut a course through lush valleys of the German Highlands to romantic Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg and Hesse, passing some of the most picturesque medieval towns like Miltenberg, Wurzburg and Bamberg including several cities like Frankfurt and Offenbach. The Main-Danube canal with a total of 16 locks, from Bamberg via Nuremberg to Kelheim near Regensburg, joins the Rhine River, the Main River and Danube River, making it possible to travel via river cruise ship from the North Sea to the Black Sea. The Main River cruising season starts in March and runs through December, though the most popular time to visit is either during the warm summer months or during the festive Christmas Markets of December.

Departure port on Main River

The most common starting points for the Main River river itinerary are and Frankfurt. As you cruise along the Main, you will have the opportunity to see some of the most picturesque landscapes and towns in Europe.

Stops on a Main River cruise

The Main passes through and Germany. Passengers on a Main River cruise will have the unique opportunity to learn about and participate in a wide variety of local customs, traditions, and pastimes. On a Main River cruise, major ports like Bamberg, Eltmann, Frankfurt, Miltenberg, Volkach, Wertheim, Wurzburg, are frequently visited, but there are also some lesser-known ports that are not any less intriguing than the more well-known ones.

Cruise Lines on Main River

Embark on an unforgettable adventure on a luxury river cruise on the Danube in 2023. Danube river cruises are offered by a number of cruise lines, such as A-ROSA River Cruises, Amadeus River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Tauck River Cruises, Uniworld River Cruises, and Viking River Cruises. Every river cruise line has its own range of prices as well as its own level of included amenities.

Length of Main cruises

In 2023, Main river cruises range from 5 to 25 days. You can choose between 5-day, 6-day, 7-day, 8-day, 9-day, 10-day, 11-day, 12-day, 15-day, 16-day, 23-day, and 25-day, depending on the length of your holiday.

The best time of year for a Main river cruises

The Main season for river cruising generally runs from March through December. However, the months of late spring (April–May) and early fall (September–October) are considered to be the finest times to take a Main river cruise. In the end, it all depends on the time of year you choose to explore the banks of the Main. You will find a Main river cruise in March 2023, April 2023, May 2023, June 2023, July 2023, August 2023, September 2023, October 2023, November 2023, and December 2023. River cruising offers a unique and relaxing way to visit some of Europe’s most beautiful destinations, so any month you choose, you won't go wrong.

2023 Main River Cruise Schedule

Find out more about the Main river cruises that depart from Amsterdam, Baden-Baden, Basel, Bucharest, Budapest, Cologne, Frankfurt, Luxembourg City, Nuremberg, Paris, Passau, Prague, Strasbourg, Trier, Vienna, and other European cities in 2023.

Date: September 13, 2023

Ports of Call: Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Cologne, Rudesheim, Frankfurt, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Main River, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, Budapest, Budapest, Budapest, Mohacs, Belgrade, Iron Gates, Vidin, Ruse, Giurgiu, Bucharest, Bucharest; View Itinerary

Date: August 20, 2023

Ports of Call: Bucharest, Bucharest, Giurgiu, Ruse, Vidin, Iron Gates, Belgrade, Mohacs, Budapest, Budapest, Budapest, Vienna, Vienna, Wachau Valley, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Frankfurt, Rudesheim, Cologne, Amsterdam, Amsterdam; View Itinerary

Viking Main 23-day route

23-day Main River Cruise from Bucharest

Viking Longship Lif, Viking

Date: June 13, 2023

Ports of Call: Bucharest, Bucharest, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Iron Gates, Belgrade, Osijek, Kalocsa, Budapest, Budapest, Vienna, Vienna, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Koblenz, Cologne, Kinderdijk, Amsterdam; View Itinerary

Date: July 16, 2023

Ports of Call: Budapest, Budapest, Vienna, Vienna, Wachau Valley, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Frankfurt, Rudesheim, Cologne, Amsterdam, Amsterdam; View Itinerary

Viking Rhine 23-day route

23-day Rhine River Cruise from Amsterdam

Viking Longship Lif, Viking

Date: April 12, 2023

Ports of Call: Amsterdam, Kinderdijk, Cologne, Koblenz, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, Vienna, Budapest, Budapest, Kalocsa, Osijek, Belgrade, Iron Gates, Vidin, Veliko Tarnovo, Bucharest, Bucharest; View Itinerary

Viking Rhine 23-day route

23-day Rhine River Cruise from Amsterdam

Viking Longship Lif, Viking

Date: September 27, 2023

Ports of Call: Amsterdam, Kinderdijk, Cologne, Koblenz, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, Vienna, Budapest, Budapest, Kalocsa, Osijek, Belgrade, Iron Gates, Vidin, Veliko Tarnovo, Bucharest, Bucharest; View Itinerary