Rhine and Moselle River Cruise
Turn off the Rhine at Koblenz into a valley of vineyards, castles and wine towns.
Get Free Moselle Cruise QuotesThe Rhine’s Gentler Sister
A Rhine and Moselle river cruise pairs Germany’s great working river with its prettiest tributary. Leaving the Rhine at Koblenz, the ship turns up the Moselle into a narrow, winding valley where vineyards climb almost vertical slopes, castles watch from the hilltops and half-timbered wine towns crowd the water’s edge.
This site is about that turn. It explains the Moselle river cruise on its own — its locks and tight loops, its towns from Cochem to Trier, its Riesling slopes, and shorter ways to enjoy it, from a local day cruise to a few days ashore. For the Rhine itself see Rhine Riverboat Cruises; for every European river, our sister site European Riverboat Cruises.
Why the Moselle wins hearts
- Intimate scale. The valley is narrow, so towns and vineyards are close on both banks.
- Tight loops. The river doubles back on itself again and again, so the view changes at every bend.
- Wine at the source. Riesling from the steep slate slopes is poured in cellars a few steps from the quay.
- Roman roots. Trier, near the Luxembourg border, was a capital of the Roman Empire in the West.
Plan Your Moselle River Cruise
Moselle River Cruise
How Moselle sailings are built, which lines go there and what a day on board feels like.
The Moselle week →
Route Map
Koblenz to Trier and the Luxembourg border, town by town, with the locks in between.
Follow the river →
The Moselle Valley
Steep slate vineyards, Riesling, wine festivals and the towns in between.
Wine country →
Trier & Luxembourg
Roman Trier, the Schengen village and Luxembourg City’s fortress old town.
The upper river →
Day Trips
Short Moselle boat trips, and the best day excursions from a longer cruise.
Short on time? →How a Rhine and Moselle River Cruise Fits Together
Most itineraries spend part of the week on the Rhine and part on the Moselle. A common pattern starts in Amsterdam, Cologne or Basel, sails the Rhine to Koblenz, then turns up the Moselle for two to four days before returning or ending upriver. Some lines run the trip the other way, starting near Luxembourg or Trier and finishing on the Rhine.
| Line (2027 listings) | Itinerary name | Moselle stops mentioned |
|---|---|---|
| AmaWaterways | Rhine & Moselle Splendors | Trier, Cochem; Luxembourg to Basel |
| Viking | Paris to the Swiss Alps; Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle | Trier, Bernkastel-Kues, Cochem |
| Riviera Travel | Rhine & Moselle | Cochem, Bernkastel, Trier |
| A-ROSA | Moselle Romance | Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, Traben-Trarbach, Trier |
| Avalon Waterways | The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards & Castles | Varies by sailing |
Itinerary names and stops come from 2027 listings and change from year to year; our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise confirm the current details when you ask.
Who Should Choose the Moselle
Pick a Rhine and Moselle river cruise if you love small wine towns, gentle walks, castles and Roman history, and if you would rather see a narrow valley up close than a wide river from afar. Wine lovers should also compare other wine routes on Wine River Cruises, and anyone dreaming of December should look at the festive sailings on Cool River Cruises.
Who Is Behind This Site
Europe Riverboat Cruising is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Tell us how many days you want on the Moselle and whether Trier or Luxembourg matter to you, and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will find the right sailing. Meet Mister Cruise →
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Moselle River Cruise Questions
What is a Rhine and Moselle river cruise?
An itinerary that combines the Rhine — usually including the castle-lined Rhine Gorge — with several days on the Moselle, which joins the Rhine at Koblenz. Typical stops include Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues and Trier, and some sailings start or end near Luxembourg.
Can you cruise only the Moselle?
Yes, though pure Moselle sailings are less common than Rhine and Moselle combinations. Some lines run Moselle-focused weeks from Cologne or Koblenz; the shortest way to experience the river is a local day cruise.
When is the best time for a Moselle river cruise?
Late spring to autumn. The grape harvest and wine festivals of September and October are a favorite time; December brings Christmas markets in Trier, Bernkastel and Koblenz.
Is the Moselle good for walking?
Very. The old towns are compact, the riverside paths are flat, and the vineyard trails above them offer steeper hikes for those who want them.
Get Your Rhine and Moselle Cruise Quote
Tell us your dates and how many days you want on the Moselle. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will line up the sailings that fit, with free quotes.
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