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You are here: Home / Rhine and Moselle River Cruises

Rhine and Moselle River Cruises

Royal-Crown-Upper-Deck
Royal Crown’s upper deck is well suited to spotting historic villages and marveling at steep vineyards, or just chatting with fellow guests. Courtesy of Teeming River Cruises

Luxury Without Straining the Travel Budget

By Alison Gardner, Editor, Travel with a Challenge

European River Cruising at “Half the Price, Twice the Fun”! Well, that slogan certainly caught my attention as I was shopping for a 2019 river cruise on some part of the European continent that we had yet to explore. My husband, Peter, and I decided to take up this seemingly unlikely challenge from Teeming River Cruises while navigating unfamiliar parts of the Rhine and Moselle rivers between Dusseldorf and Trier.
Another appealing aspect of this cruise was our ship itself, the Royal Crown, with a low passenger count of 90 maximum, as we have been noticing the design of many river cruise ships creeping up to 150 or even 200 guests. As that happens, the intimacy level decreases accordingly.

Even before casting off from the Dusseldorf riverbank, it was clear that our ship, the Royal Crown, would be a distinctive part of exploring the destination. While built in 1996, its design from public areas to cabins all reflected the glamour and elegance of Europe’s 1930’s, a Golden Age of Travel. Polished bronze, rich mahogany woodwork, etched glass windows and Art Nouveau lamps were essential elements at every turn. Even our bathroom claimed its share of bronze, warm wood and green marble in a modest-sized cabin. No, we were not in the owner’s suite!

Royal-Crown-Cabin
Well-designed public and private spaces aboard the 90-passenger Royal Crown make time aboard this ship a pleasure. Courtesy of Teeming River Cruises

In keeping with the atmosphere of the ship, from day one dining aboard the Royal Crown was – dare I say? – regal in terms of service and settings with a menu to match. Breakfast and lunch were buffet in style and dinner was fully served. An army of chefs behind the scenes took particular pleasure in surprising the guests with freshly-prepared dishes made with local ingredients. Tea, coffee and snacks were always available in the lounge with early risers treated to daily surprises by the ship’s talented pastry chef. Though normally not tempted by dessert, I found myself eagerly anticipating the dessert menu every day with no apologies made!

Royal-Crown-Main-Course
Whether sampling dessert or main course, dish presentation was always a proud part of everything that came from the Royal Crown kitchen. Courtesy of Teeming River Cruises

Royal-Crown-Dessert

We chose Teeming River Cruises, www.teemingrivercruises.com because it is taking a different approach to European river cruising. Launched in 2017, it is an independent, family-owned business with the expressed intent of being the low-price leader in European river cruises. As an example of how this is accomplished, cruise guests only pay for activities and tours each person chooses, as opposed to a cruise price which includes all excursions as well as guides.

Schloss-Drachenburg-Castle
When cruise travelers visited Schloss Drachenburg Castle in Konigswinter on the Rhine, they carried a complimentary walking tour app which allowed each guest to learn at their own pace. ©Alison Gardner

To explore each port of call independently, you are given a free app to help you decide what you would personally like to see or do. However, if you are not a fan of making such decisions independently, you may book a personally guided tour in advance of the trip. (See “Teeming City Walking App” notes in our Follow Up Facts box below for a fuller appreciation of accessing tour options.) An unforeseen bonus that we used often with our app was the GPS function in order to find our way back to the ship before sailing time!

Royal-Crown-Lounge
The warm, friendly lounge and bar is a gathering place for presentations and before-dinner drinks, or for tea, coffee and snacks 24 hours a day. Courtesy of Teeming River Cruises

Likewise, unlimited alcohol with meals is offered as a separate package at additional cost for those who wish to have it. And there are no pickups or drop-offs at the airport, as most Teeming guests tend to check into local hotels for a few days of exploration in arrival and departure towns at the beginning or end of the cruise anyway. These are some examples of cost-saving measures and increased flexibility offered to guests.

Captain-Rafael-at-Locks
Captain Rafael, one of two captains aboard the Royal Crown, skillfully guided the vessel through a number of locks on the Moselle River. ©Alison Gardner

As Florida-based owners Jeff and Gina Paglialonga say, “We offer lots of advice in our onboard briefings, but we also equip our guests to get off the ship and explore on their own. There is no better way to see the world!” declare these well-seasoned travelers on six continents. So Peter and I attended the daily port briefings, hung our apps around our necks to use when we felt like it, and took Jeff and Gina at their word on our 8 city/8 day Delights of the Rhine & Moselle cruise.

Koblenz-Two-Rivers
At the city of Koblenz, Royal Crown guests bid farewell to the Rhine and joined the less-traveled Moselle River until journey’s end at Trier. ©Alison Gardner

The Mosel/Moselle River (German and French spelling, respectively) Experienced European river cruisers will likely be quite familiar with the Rhine River, one of the main waterways crossing the continent. Not particularly well known is the Moselle River, a left tributary of the Rhine where the two waterways connect at Koblenz, Germany. It is a smaller river with dramatic geography, less used by commercial vessels, and best known for picturesque riverbank towns and villages. These are often nestled below still-imposing fortifications that trace their heritage from Roman settlements, 2000 years ago, through many historical periods as reflected in their colorful architecture. The Moselle literally meanders its way between Koblenz and Trier (both ancient Roman cities) along one of Germany’s most beautiful river valleys with hillsides decorated by terraced vineyards that produce some of the world’s finest Riesling wines. Summer wine festivals unfold along cobbled streets, within close walking distance from each assigned docking area for river cruise visitors. Walking back to the ship as the sun is setting to the accompaniment of outdoor German and international singalongs is truly a magical memory.

Moselle-River-Vineyards
The Moselle River is Germany’s waterway most associated with vineyards, many of which are among the world’s steepest, and always picturesque while cruising along. ©Alison Gardner

So how does the name “teeming” fit into the company name? Gina jumps in to answer that one, “We picked it because our cruises are teeming with affordability, flexibility, individual control, active options for different abilities and interests, and plenty of port time to exercise them all! We have found that our travelers love the opportunity to create their own adventures and itineraries while exploring lovely cities and ports on the iconic waterways of Europe.”

Moselle-Village-Castle
Colorful villages along the river’s edge, steep vineyards and fairytale castles are all experienced during the “Delights of the Rhine and Moselle” cruise. ©Alison Gardner

Follow Up FactsWatch the Upcoming Cruises web page for 2023 and 2024 cruises as they are announced.
Teeming’s City Walking Tour App for smartphones is free of charge. Prior to your sailing date, instructions are sent about downloading Apps. There you may also advance purchase “Optional Excursions” for various ports. Note that these guided tours are not exclusively offered to Teeming River Cruises passengers so optional excursions should be booked early to avoid popular excursions selling out and to secure the pre-sailing excursion price. While the excursions are based on a first come first serve basis, you may still be able to purchase some excursions after boarding the ship, depending on remaining openings and availability.
There are several solo cabins available per cruise. None of the cabins are equipped to accommodate more than 2 passengers (regardless of a passenger being adult or child). There are no connecting cabins on Teeming River Cruises, and no children under 8 years of age may travel on any TR cruise.
The top three countries from which clients come so far are the USA, Canada and Australia. About 28% are between 45 and 60 years, while 64% are 61 or better. These traveling adventurers recognize a good deal and are always up for some of that promised fun!

Alison Gardner is a travel journalist, magazine editor, guidebook author, and consultant. She specializes in researching vacations throughout the world, suitable for people over 50 and for women of all ages. She is also the publisher and editor of Travel with a Challenge web magazine, www.travelwithachallenge.com. Email: alison@travelwithachallenge.com

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