Cruises on the Moselle river
The Moselle region in Luxembourg has been a very popular excursion and holiday destination for many decades. Incredible landscapes, picturesque villages, award-winning wines and gastronomic treats provide a varied offer for active holidaymakers, gourmets and explorers. The passenger ships sailing on the Moselle also offer you all this. Once on board, you can not only travel comfortably from one port to the next, but also enjoy the unique scenery slowly passing you by while you relax on board.
Discover Luxembourg from the river
The Moselle flows for 37.3 km between Luxembourg and Germany against the picturesque backdrop of alternating vineyards and villages. The two Luxembourg-based operators, Navitours and Entente Moselle, offer several round trips, river lock cruises and day cruises, which call at the various ports as per the timetable. Three ships sail the Moselle for Navitours, the Riverdiva, Roude Léiw and Muselschëff, while Entente operates the MS Marie-Astrid, probably the region’s best-known passenger ship. The Marie-Astrid, as she is called in Luxembourg, has been sailing river cruises on the Moselle since 1966; the current, ultra-modern ship is the fifth generation.
The MS Marie-Astrid and the Schengen Treaties
On 14 June 1985, the Schengen Agreement was signed by five EU Member States on board the second MS Marie-Astrid. From 1992 to 2021, it sailed on the Danube as MS Regensburg. With the support of the Luxembourg government, it is now being bought back and will be reopened as a museum ship in Schengen in 2025.
The boats call at the various piers at fixed times, so you can easily get on or off wherever you like.
Both shipping companies allow you to not only discover the Moselle from the river, but also take time to succumb to the charm of the villages and towns you discover along the way. You can easily combine hiking with a relaxing river cruise and, after a tour through the hilly landscape and its natural treasures, end the day comfortably on deck with a glass of Crémant, the sparkling wine from the region.
Places like Wormeldange, Bech-Kleinmacher, Remich and Grevenmacher are not only worth a visit because of the many winegrowers there, but are also the starting point for the surrounding hiking and cycling trails, inviting you to stroll along the esplanade. Schengen stands out here with its famous European Museum. The name alone is synonymous with an open Europe, and where else but in the border triangle of Germany, France and Luxembourg is the lack of borders more tangible.
Indulge with all your senses
You can of course also spend a whole day on board and discover other views. Day trips to Trier, Bernkastel and Saarburg in Germany, as well as to Thionville in France give you a closer look at these cities and their highlights, allowing you to explore an entire region in the most relaxed of ways.
Above all, quality is emphasised on board. Not only are the ships state-of-the-art, but also the service and culinary specialities that await you on board meet the highest standards. Whether it’s a small snack or à la carte, no wishes are left unfulfilled.
There are even special culinary cruises where you can enjoy slow food on the Moselle. Navitours has a unique concept especially for food lovers: the Péniche Vintage, Europe’s first wine sampling boat. Here you will discover local and regional specialities against the backdrop of an incomparable panorama.
For larger events, such as weddings or company parties, it is even possible to rent a boat all for yourselves.
Other activities
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Luxembourg’s largest waterway is also well-known for its numerous activities around the Moselle.
Active holidaymakers can do some daring wakeboarding, or take a time-out while canoeing or fishing. For nature lovers, a visit to the Haff Remich Biodiversum, a nature reserve of a special kind, is also recommended.
Are you more the relaxed type? Then take time for yourself at the thermal baths in Mondorf-les-Bains or enjoy the sun at the quarry ponds in Remerschen.
No matter what your preferences are, whether you arrive as a day tourist or want to stay longer, the region is bound to enchant you.
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