Heidelberg Small Group Tours & Trip Packages

Heidelberg Small Group Tours & Trips

106 Heidelberg trips. Tours from 18 tour companies. 41 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

6 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
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Small Group Tour
Romantic Germany 2025
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Munich

Highlights

  • Journey along the scenic 'Yellow Roads' – such as the scenic Black Forest High Road and the fabled 'Romantic Road' – through fairy-tale forests and past medieval castles... where timeless tales are told in storied towns such as Heidelberg
  • Munich
  • Frankfurt
  • Dresden
  • Rothenburg and Berlin... explore the compelling history
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Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sadly disappointed but still tried to enjoy the experience. Rooms were dirty, food were often buffets and other group dinners with some food inedible. We noticed other tours staying in our hotels and paying much less for their tours. One positive was we never touched our luggage which was nice but my small suitcase was damaged during one transfer. Word to the wise… read their emails thoroughly as the email we received a few weeks before our trip reads like a disclaimer for poor service and accommodations."

Trip dates & details
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Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure - Southbound 2025
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Create cherished family memories on our unforgettable Basel to Amsterdam riverboat cruise along the Rhine River between aboard ms Grace
  • visiting Switzerland
  • France
  • Germany and The Netherlands for an adventure unlike any other.Family travel experiences include a bicycle ride through forests and vineyards along the Rhine riverside; Swiss folklore and more in lakeside Lucerne; a ride aboard the world's steepest cogwheel train to the top of Mt. Pilatus in the Swiss Alps; exploring the fascinating ruins of hilltop Heidelberg Castle in the medieval university town of Heidelberg; learning about the Lorelei and other Rhine River legends while keeping an eye out for fairy tale castles; discovering the art treasures and historic canals of Amsterdam; an exclusive medieval dinner for Tauck guests only at Burg Satzvey
  • a medieval moated castle in Germany; becoming 'French for a Day' with French language lessons
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Themes

Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sadly disappointed but still tried to enjoy the experience. Rooms were dirty, food were often buffets and other group dinners with some food inedible. We noticed other tours staying in our hotels and paying much less for their tours. One positive was we never touched our luggage which was nice but my small suitcase was damaged during one transfer. Word to the wise… read their emails thoroughly as the email we received a few weeks before our trip reads like a disclaimer for poor service and accommodations."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure - Northbound 2025
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Lucerne, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Create cherished family memories on our unforgettable Basel to Amsterdam riverboat cruise along the Rhine River
  • exploring Switzerland
  • France
  • Germany and The Netherlands for an adventure unlike any other.Family travel experiences include a bicycle ride through forests and vineyards along the Rhine riverside; Swiss folklore and more in lakeside Lucerne; a ride aboard the world's steepest cogwheel train to the top of Mt. Pilatus in the Swiss Alps; exploring the fascinating ruins of hilltop Heidelberg Castle in the medieval university town of Heidelberg; learning about the Lorelei and other Rhine River legends while keeping an eye out for fairy tale castles; discovering the art treasures and historic canals of Amsterdam; an exclusive medieval dinner for Tauck guests only at Burg Satzvey
  • a medieval moated castle in Germany; becoming 'French for a Day' with French language lessons
Show more

Themes

Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sadly disappointed but still tried to enjoy the experience. Rooms were dirty, food were often buffets and other group dinners with some food inedible. We noticed other tours staying in our hotels and paying much less for their tours. One positive was we never touched our luggage which was nice but my small suitcase was damaged during one transfer. Word to the wise… read their emails thoroughly as the email we received a few weeks before our trip reads like a disclaimer for poor service and accommodations."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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The Best of Austria & Switzerland with Romantic Rhine
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Basel, Colmar, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Innsbruck, Koblenz, Lucerne, Rudesheim, Salzburg, St. Moritz, Strasbourg, Vienna, Zermatt, Zurich

Highlights

  • Welcome to Austria
  • Guided sightseeing, see the Ringstrasse, Heldenplatz, and visit Schönbrunn Palace
  • Danube cruise and visit to The Sound of Music Parish Church in Mondsee; guided walking tour in Salzburg
  • Day at leisure
  • Walk through the Old Town, see the Golden Roof in Innsbruck; travel to St. Moritz
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We just finished the Magnificent Europe trip on Avalon and it was amazing. Truly a trip to remember. Everything was great, the staff was incredibly attentive, the excursions where done with local guides that where incredible knowledgable and friendly. The food was delicious and tailored to the local cuisine. My wife has Celiac and they would go out of their way to make sure she had Gluten Free bread, and plenty to eat. The ship was very comfortable and clean and relaxed. The other passengers became our friends and had lots of laughs and good times. Strongly recommend Avalon if you are looking for a well run ship with great staff making for a truly amazing vacation."

Trip dates & details
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German Highlights
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Berlin, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremberg, Potsdam

Highlights

  • Frankfurt : A welcome dinner at a local restaurant and a farewell dinner at your hotel
  • Rhine cruise:
  • Cologne : Visit the cathedral; enjoy a beer at the Cölner Hofbräu Früh
  • Cologne–berlin: By high-speed first-class ICE train
  • Berlin : Guided sightseeing, take pictures of Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial, visit Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Visions of Japan was our first international trip ever, so we were nervous, but as it turns out, we had no reason to be - everything went so smoothly! Our guide was wonderful and knowledgeable, the driver was skilled, and the hotels were beautiful. All the stops were fun and amazing. It was a great 'get your feet wet' tour of Japan. I highly recommend it! You're in good hands with Globus."

Trip dates & details
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12 Day Benelux: Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, France & Germany
3.6/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bastogne, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Luxembourg, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • Discover 700-year-old Amsterdam, with its historic canals and gabled buildings Visit the world-famous Rijksmuseum, featuring some of the world's greatest artists Board a glass-top boat for a delightful cruise of the winding canals of Amsterdam Explore the historic Flanders port of Ghent, a showcase of Flemish wealth Tour Bruges, home to some of Europe's best-preserved medieval buildings Marvel at the 17th-century Grand Place with its ornately decorated guild houses Visit the Bastogne War Museum which covers WWII from its origins to the Battle of the Bulge Walking tour of picturesque Strasbourg with its blend of French and German cultures Explore the Alsace Wine Route with stops at Riquewihr and Katzenthal for wine tasting Visit the imposing red sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle, a Gothic masterpiece In Frankfurt, tour the historic town center or Römerberg with its half-timbered houses †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"I am a reputation manager. I can help you take your overall ratings to 5.0 with Verified and verified user reviews. Contact me on Gmail; digitalpro669..g.m.a.i.l.c.o.m"

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5 Different Rivers: The Rhine, Neckar, Main, Moselle, and Saar
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Trier

Highlights

  • CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS The cultural diversity of five authentic rivers EXCURSIONS INCLUDED: Frankfurt, a dynamic and international city Luxemburg The Cochem Castle overlooking the Moselle Trier and its Roman ruins

Themes

50 plus, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Family Friendly, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Summary over a cruise on the Haute Seine and Yonne on a barge. As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience about traveling on a barge in a canal. It was also time to overcome this lack. A number of companies offer this kind of cruising on barge with 8 to 16 passengers, however very often at exorbitant prices. Luckily, we discovered that the company CroisiEurope offers one week cruise on various canals in Europe, at very decent price, especially considering that all is inclusive (full board, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and all excursions) on modern barges with a maximum of 22 passengers. We opted for the barge Ms Deborah, which cruises on the canal de la Loire, with the Briare to Nevers’ route. We were looking forward to this itinerary because the proposed excursions particularly suited us. Unfortunately, only a few days before departure, we were informed that due of a lack of water in the Loire canal the Ms Deborah was switched over to the Haute Seine and Yonne for a new itinerary from Paris to Sens. Despites the fact that this new itinerary didn’t really meet our desires, especially the excursions, we decided to accept the change. Our group of 6 persons from Switzerland was very warmly greeted by all members of the crew when arriving on the quai de Grenelle in Paris where we see the MS DEBORAH for the first time, our floating home for the week. With its two dominating colours blue and white, it is difficult not to fall in love with this beautiful small ship. We were invited immediately for the welcome cocktail during which we met officially the crew and the other six individual passengers originating from New Zealand, England and the USA. With less time than it needs to tell, the relation between us was created, so that everyone felt part of a bunch of friends knowing each other for long time. There is no need to present here the MS Deborah itself, as this is already thoroughly done on the Cruise Critic page. The crew of 6 persons is composed of a captain, a sailor, a cruise director, a chef, a waitress and a cabin hostess who put all their efforts to satisfy the passengers and offer them the best possible service. The captain as well as the sailor are always trying to make passengers at ease, answer questions or even bring a drink. The lady cruise director is omnipresent, taking care of the passengers better than a mother hen would do. The talented young French chef aims to produce dishes which please everybody. His outstanding sauces and excellent desserts should be particularly praised. However, referring to comments we made during a cruise on the Seine Princess two years ago, we cannot understand that why today it is not possible to offer the choice of a light buffet at lunch instead a three or even four course menu! The always smiling and friendly Hungarian waitress was very caring and attentive, without forgetting the cabin hostess doing a great job in the cabins, the public spaces and even the kitchen. It wouldn’t be fair to name a single person as all members of the crew, without any exception, do all they can to make the cruise unforgettable. Our one-week cruise on the barge Ms Deborah enables us today to make the following comments: ~ a cruise on a barge cannot be compared to any other kind of cruise ~ despite all the comfort offered on modern barge, one must be very aware that life on board happens at a restraint space, requiring therefore much flexibility and understanding in all aspects from all passengers ~ in our case, being only 12 passengers, we had the opportunity to take our meals on the terrace. We also never had the feeling that the boat was overcrowded. This can be different when the ship is full, especially by bad weather ~ the state of mind between the passengers who are mostly of foreign nationalities, who don’t know each other and don’t speak French, must function well right from the beginning ~ if the interrelation works, it is difficult to find a more relaxing and enjoyable way of travelling ~ the success on a barge is mainly due on the quality of its crew. Ms Deborah’s crew members have quickly created a family spirit on board, showing also that they genuinely like what they do ~ excursions can play a major role in choosing an itinerary. Not speaking French or English can be a handicap Do we recommend to do a cruise on a barge? Yes, definitively! It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting. In our case, this second try with CroisiEurope gives them a better note."

Trip dates & details
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Delightful Christmas Markets in the Neckar Valley
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Heidelberg, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • EXCLUSIVE OFFER CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS A romantic holiday cruise along the enchanting Neckar River lined with medieval cities, majestic fortresses, and lovely countryside
  • Our stops include: The Christmas market in Heidelberg, an exceptional setting in one of Germany's most romantic cities
  • The former medieval city of Eberbach
  • The poetic charm of Heilbronn
  • Historic Speyer and its Imperial Cathedral

Themes

50 plus, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Family Friendly, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Summary over a cruise on the Haute Seine and Yonne on a barge. As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience about traveling on a barge in a canal. It was also time to overcome this lack. A number of companies offer this kind of cruising on barge with 8 to 16 passengers, however very often at exorbitant prices. Luckily, we discovered that the company CroisiEurope offers one week cruise on various canals in Europe, at very decent price, especially considering that all is inclusive (full board, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and all excursions) on modern barges with a maximum of 22 passengers. We opted for the barge Ms Deborah, which cruises on the canal de la Loire, with the Briare to Nevers’ route. We were looking forward to this itinerary because the proposed excursions particularly suited us. Unfortunately, only a few days before departure, we were informed that due of a lack of water in the Loire canal the Ms Deborah was switched over to the Haute Seine and Yonne for a new itinerary from Paris to Sens. Despites the fact that this new itinerary didn’t really meet our desires, especially the excursions, we decided to accept the change. Our group of 6 persons from Switzerland was very warmly greeted by all members of the crew when arriving on the quai de Grenelle in Paris where we see the MS DEBORAH for the first time, our floating home for the week. With its two dominating colours blue and white, it is difficult not to fall in love with this beautiful small ship. We were invited immediately for the welcome cocktail during which we met officially the crew and the other six individual passengers originating from New Zealand, England and the USA. With less time than it needs to tell, the relation between us was created, so that everyone felt part of a bunch of friends knowing each other for long time. There is no need to present here the MS Deborah itself, as this is already thoroughly done on the Cruise Critic page. The crew of 6 persons is composed of a captain, a sailor, a cruise director, a chef, a waitress and a cabin hostess who put all their efforts to satisfy the passengers and offer them the best possible service. The captain as well as the sailor are always trying to make passengers at ease, answer questions or even bring a drink. The lady cruise director is omnipresent, taking care of the passengers better than a mother hen would do. The talented young French chef aims to produce dishes which please everybody. His outstanding sauces and excellent desserts should be particularly praised. However, referring to comments we made during a cruise on the Seine Princess two years ago, we cannot understand that why today it is not possible to offer the choice of a light buffet at lunch instead a three or even four course menu! The always smiling and friendly Hungarian waitress was very caring and attentive, without forgetting the cabin hostess doing a great job in the cabins, the public spaces and even the kitchen. It wouldn’t be fair to name a single person as all members of the crew, without any exception, do all they can to make the cruise unforgettable. Our one-week cruise on the barge Ms Deborah enables us today to make the following comments: ~ a cruise on a barge cannot be compared to any other kind of cruise ~ despite all the comfort offered on modern barge, one must be very aware that life on board happens at a restraint space, requiring therefore much flexibility and understanding in all aspects from all passengers ~ in our case, being only 12 passengers, we had the opportunity to take our meals on the terrace. We also never had the feeling that the boat was overcrowded. This can be different when the ship is full, especially by bad weather ~ the state of mind between the passengers who are mostly of foreign nationalities, who don’t know each other and don’t speak French, must function well right from the beginning ~ if the interrelation works, it is difficult to find a more relaxing and enjoyable way of travelling ~ the success on a barge is mainly due on the quality of its crew. Ms Deborah’s crew members have quickly created a family spirit on board, showing also that they genuinely like what they do ~ excursions can play a major role in choosing an itinerary. Not speaking French or English can be a handicap Do we recommend to do a cruise on a barge? Yes, definitively! It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting. In our case, this second try with CroisiEurope gives them a better note."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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A Cruise Through Four Exquisite European Valleys
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Heidelberg

Highlights

  • Highlights An exclusive getaway on board a paddle riverboat through thebeautiful valleys within the Rhine and its tributaries
  • Four exceptional rivers: The enchanting Neckar, the romantic Rhine,the picturesque Moselle, and the well-preserved Saar
  • The legendary Great Bend in the Saar
  • The magic of the romantic Rhine and its awe-inspiring scenery with acastle on every hill and the famous rock of the Lorelei
  • THE MUST-SEES: Heidelberg, the most romantic city in Germany
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Family Friendly, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Summary over a cruise on the Haute Seine and Yonne on a barge. As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience about traveling on a barge in a canal. It was also time to overcome this lack. A number of companies offer this kind of cruising on barge with 8 to 16 passengers, however very often at exorbitant prices. Luckily, we discovered that the company CroisiEurope offers one week cruise on various canals in Europe, at very decent price, especially considering that all is inclusive (full board, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and all excursions) on modern barges with a maximum of 22 passengers. We opted for the barge Ms Deborah, which cruises on the canal de la Loire, with the Briare to Nevers’ route. We were looking forward to this itinerary because the proposed excursions particularly suited us. Unfortunately, only a few days before departure, we were informed that due of a lack of water in the Loire canal the Ms Deborah was switched over to the Haute Seine and Yonne for a new itinerary from Paris to Sens. Despites the fact that this new itinerary didn’t really meet our desires, especially the excursions, we decided to accept the change. Our group of 6 persons from Switzerland was very warmly greeted by all members of the crew when arriving on the quai de Grenelle in Paris where we see the MS DEBORAH for the first time, our floating home for the week. With its two dominating colours blue and white, it is difficult not to fall in love with this beautiful small ship. We were invited immediately for the welcome cocktail during which we met officially the crew and the other six individual passengers originating from New Zealand, England and the USA. With less time than it needs to tell, the relation between us was created, so that everyone felt part of a bunch of friends knowing each other for long time. There is no need to present here the MS Deborah itself, as this is already thoroughly done on the Cruise Critic page. The crew of 6 persons is composed of a captain, a sailor, a cruise director, a chef, a waitress and a cabin hostess who put all their efforts to satisfy the passengers and offer them the best possible service. The captain as well as the sailor are always trying to make passengers at ease, answer questions or even bring a drink. The lady cruise director is omnipresent, taking care of the passengers better than a mother hen would do. The talented young French chef aims to produce dishes which please everybody. His outstanding sauces and excellent desserts should be particularly praised. However, referring to comments we made during a cruise on the Seine Princess two years ago, we cannot understand that why today it is not possible to offer the choice of a light buffet at lunch instead a three or even four course menu! The always smiling and friendly Hungarian waitress was very caring and attentive, without forgetting the cabin hostess doing a great job in the cabins, the public spaces and even the kitchen. It wouldn’t be fair to name a single person as all members of the crew, without any exception, do all they can to make the cruise unforgettable. Our one-week cruise on the barge Ms Deborah enables us today to make the following comments: ~ a cruise on a barge cannot be compared to any other kind of cruise ~ despite all the comfort offered on modern barge, one must be very aware that life on board happens at a restraint space, requiring therefore much flexibility and understanding in all aspects from all passengers ~ in our case, being only 12 passengers, we had the opportunity to take our meals on the terrace. We also never had the feeling that the boat was overcrowded. This can be different when the ship is full, especially by bad weather ~ the state of mind between the passengers who are mostly of foreign nationalities, who don’t know each other and don’t speak French, must function well right from the beginning ~ if the interrelation works, it is difficult to find a more relaxing and enjoyable way of travelling ~ the success on a barge is mainly due on the quality of its crew. Ms Deborah’s crew members have quickly created a family spirit on board, showing also that they genuinely like what they do ~ excursions can play a major role in choosing an itinerary. Not speaking French or English can be a handicap Do we recommend to do a cruise on a barge? Yes, definitively! It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting. In our case, this second try with CroisiEurope gives them a better note."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Four Rivers, Four Valleys: Four Rivers, Four Valleys
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Heidelberg

Highlights

  • Highlights A luxury cruise on an authentic paddle riverboat ONLY WITH CROISIEUROPE
  • THE MUST-SEES: Cochem Castle
  • The Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum in Rüdesheim
  • Heidelberg, the most romantic city in Germany

Themes

50 plus, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Family Friendly, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Summary over a cruise on the Haute Seine and Yonne on a barge. As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience about traveling on a barge in a canal. It was also time to overcome this lack. A number of companies offer this kind of cruising on barge with 8 to 16 passengers, however very often at exorbitant prices. Luckily, we discovered that the company CroisiEurope offers one week cruise on various canals in Europe, at very decent price, especially considering that all is inclusive (full board, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and all excursions) on modern barges with a maximum of 22 passengers. We opted for the barge Ms Deborah, which cruises on the canal de la Loire, with the Briare to Nevers’ route. We were looking forward to this itinerary because the proposed excursions particularly suited us. Unfortunately, only a few days before departure, we were informed that due of a lack of water in the Loire canal the Ms Deborah was switched over to the Haute Seine and Yonne for a new itinerary from Paris to Sens. Despites the fact that this new itinerary didn’t really meet our desires, especially the excursions, we decided to accept the change. Our group of 6 persons from Switzerland was very warmly greeted by all members of the crew when arriving on the quai de Grenelle in Paris where we see the MS DEBORAH for the first time, our floating home for the week. With its two dominating colours blue and white, it is difficult not to fall in love with this beautiful small ship. We were invited immediately for the welcome cocktail during which we met officially the crew and the other six individual passengers originating from New Zealand, England and the USA. With less time than it needs to tell, the relation between us was created, so that everyone felt part of a bunch of friends knowing each other for long time. There is no need to present here the MS Deborah itself, as this is already thoroughly done on the Cruise Critic page. The crew of 6 persons is composed of a captain, a sailor, a cruise director, a chef, a waitress and a cabin hostess who put all their efforts to satisfy the passengers and offer them the best possible service. The captain as well as the sailor are always trying to make passengers at ease, answer questions or even bring a drink. The lady cruise director is omnipresent, taking care of the passengers better than a mother hen would do. The talented young French chef aims to produce dishes which please everybody. His outstanding sauces and excellent desserts should be particularly praised. However, referring to comments we made during a cruise on the Seine Princess two years ago, we cannot understand that why today it is not possible to offer the choice of a light buffet at lunch instead a three or even four course menu! The always smiling and friendly Hungarian waitress was very caring and attentive, without forgetting the cabin hostess doing a great job in the cabins, the public spaces and even the kitchen. It wouldn’t be fair to name a single person as all members of the crew, without any exception, do all they can to make the cruise unforgettable. Our one-week cruise on the barge Ms Deborah enables us today to make the following comments: ~ a cruise on a barge cannot be compared to any other kind of cruise ~ despite all the comfort offered on modern barge, one must be very aware that life on board happens at a restraint space, requiring therefore much flexibility and understanding in all aspects from all passengers ~ in our case, being only 12 passengers, we had the opportunity to take our meals on the terrace. We also never had the feeling that the boat was overcrowded. This can be different when the ship is full, especially by bad weather ~ the state of mind between the passengers who are mostly of foreign nationalities, who don’t know each other and don’t speak French, must function well right from the beginning ~ if the interrelation works, it is difficult to find a more relaxing and enjoyable way of travelling ~ the success on a barge is mainly due on the quality of its crew. Ms Deborah’s crew members have quickly created a family spirit on board, showing also that they genuinely like what they do ~ excursions can play a major role in choosing an itinerary. Not speaking French or English can be a handicap Do we recommend to do a cruise on a barge? Yes, definitively! It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting. In our case, this second try with CroisiEurope gives them a better note."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
A Cruise Through Four Exquisite European Valleys
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Heidelberg, Trier

Highlights

  • Highlights An exclusive getaway on board a paddle riverboat through thebeautiful valleys within the Rhine and its tributaries
  • Four exceptional rivers: The enchanting Neckar, the romantic Rhine,the picturesque Moselle, and the well-preserved Saar
  • The legendary Great Bend in the Saar
  • The magic of the romantic Rhine and its awe-inspiring scenery with acastle on every hill and the famous rock of the Lorelei
  • THE MUST-SEES: Heidelberg, the most romantic city in Germany
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Family Friendly, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Summary over a cruise on the Haute Seine and Yonne on a barge. As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience about traveling on a barge in a canal. It was also time to overcome this lack. A number of companies offer this kind of cruising on barge with 8 to 16 passengers, however very often at exorbitant prices. Luckily, we discovered that the company CroisiEurope offers one week cruise on various canals in Europe, at very decent price, especially considering that all is inclusive (full board, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and all excursions) on modern barges with a maximum of 22 passengers. We opted for the barge Ms Deborah, which cruises on the canal de la Loire, with the Briare to Nevers’ route. We were looking forward to this itinerary because the proposed excursions particularly suited us. Unfortunately, only a few days before departure, we were informed that due of a lack of water in the Loire canal the Ms Deborah was switched over to the Haute Seine and Yonne for a new itinerary from Paris to Sens. Despites the fact that this new itinerary didn’t really meet our desires, especially the excursions, we decided to accept the change. Our group of 6 persons from Switzerland was very warmly greeted by all members of the crew when arriving on the quai de Grenelle in Paris where we see the MS DEBORAH for the first time, our floating home for the week. With its two dominating colours blue and white, it is difficult not to fall in love with this beautiful small ship. We were invited immediately for the welcome cocktail during which we met officially the crew and the other six individual passengers originating from New Zealand, England and the USA. With less time than it needs to tell, the relation between us was created, so that everyone felt part of a bunch of friends knowing each other for long time. There is no need to present here the MS Deborah itself, as this is already thoroughly done on the Cruise Critic page. The crew of 6 persons is composed of a captain, a sailor, a cruise director, a chef, a waitress and a cabin hostess who put all their efforts to satisfy the passengers and offer them the best possible service. The captain as well as the sailor are always trying to make passengers at ease, answer questions or even bring a drink. The lady cruise director is omnipresent, taking care of the passengers better than a mother hen would do. The talented young French chef aims to produce dishes which please everybody. His outstanding sauces and excellent desserts should be particularly praised. However, referring to comments we made during a cruise on the Seine Princess two years ago, we cannot understand that why today it is not possible to offer the choice of a light buffet at lunch instead a three or even four course menu! The always smiling and friendly Hungarian waitress was very caring and attentive, without forgetting the cabin hostess doing a great job in the cabins, the public spaces and even the kitchen. It wouldn’t be fair to name a single person as all members of the crew, without any exception, do all they can to make the cruise unforgettable. Our one-week cruise on the barge Ms Deborah enables us today to make the following comments: ~ a cruise on a barge cannot be compared to any other kind of cruise ~ despite all the comfort offered on modern barge, one must be very aware that life on board happens at a restraint space, requiring therefore much flexibility and understanding in all aspects from all passengers ~ in our case, being only 12 passengers, we had the opportunity to take our meals on the terrace. We also never had the feeling that the boat was overcrowded. This can be different when the ship is full, especially by bad weather ~ the state of mind between the passengers who are mostly of foreign nationalities, who don’t know each other and don’t speak French, must function well right from the beginning ~ if the interrelation works, it is difficult to find a more relaxing and enjoyable way of travelling ~ the success on a barge is mainly due on the quality of its crew. Ms Deborah’s crew members have quickly created a family spirit on board, showing also that they genuinely like what they do ~ excursions can play a major role in choosing an itinerary. Not speaking French or English can be a handicap Do we recommend to do a cruise on a barge? Yes, definitively! It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting. In our case, this second try with CroisiEurope gives them a better note."

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Heidelberg Reviews & Ratings

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K

Kenneth Bork

Oct 2022

Written on

Best of Germany

Dinner in Berlin was at a Middle Eastern restaurant. Being in Berlin, it should have been an authentic German meal. Also, the Berlin hotel was a very cramped room f...

J

John Altenbach

Oct 2022

Written on

Best of Germany

Saw all the highlights of Germany from Berlin in the northeast to Munich and the Black Forest.

N

Nicole Smith

Oct 2022

Written on

Best of Germany

I loved every place that we visited, the only thing I would change would have been to have had more time but I understand why that wasn't really possible. It seemed ...

N

Neal Smith

Oct 2022

Written on

Best of Germany

I enjoyed the variety of stops we made, and the enthusiasm of the Tour Director on what we would see at each location. From quint communities, to historic castles, t...

A

Angela Febles

Oct 2022

Written on

Best of Germany

Great itinerary! Views were fantastic!!!

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