About the Elbe
The Elbe runs from the Krkonoše mountains in Bohemia through Dresden, Wittenberg and Magdeburg to Hamburg. Its shallow draft requires purpose-built ships — typically narrower and lower than Rhine vessels — and seasonal water levels can shorten the navigable window to roughly April through October.
Headline destinations: Prague, Dresden, Wittenberg, Meissen, Saxon Switzerland National Park.
The river flows through 2 countries — Czech Republic, Germany. 2 ships from 2 different operators currently sail itineraries here, ranging from week-long classic loops to multi-week extended voyages.
Featured itineraries on the Elbe
| Itinerary | Length | Sample ports |
|---|---|---|
| Elbe Highlights | 10 nights | Berlin · Magdeburg · Wittenberg · Meissen · Dresden · Litoměřice · Prague |
| Elbe & Bohemia | 10 nights | Hamburg · Magdeburg · Wittenberg · Meissen · Dresden · Bad Schandau · Prague |
Operators sailing the Elbe
Founded 1976
CroisiEurope
Family-owned French line covering Europe's lesser-known rivers.
Founded 1979
Amadeus River Cruises
Family-owned Austrian line with classic European itineraries.
Ships sailing the Elbe
| Ship | Cruise line | Class | Guests | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amadeus Cara | Amadeus River Cruises | Amadeus Elbe | 150 | 2025 |
| MS Elbe Princesse II | CroisiEurope | Paddle Wheel | 80 | 2018 |