Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Rhine River cruises in March
Tulip-time cruises in Holland and Belgium start late in the month as Keukenhof opens, and the first Rhine departures follow. Expect cool, showery weather with highs in the 50s °F (10–13°C), budding vineyards and some of the lowest fares of the season.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 49°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: Jörg Braukmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rhine River in March: Shoulder season
Tulip-time cruises in Holland and Belgium start late in the month as Keukenhof opens, and the first Rhine departures follow. Expect cool, showery weather with highs in the 50s °F (10–13°C), budding vineyards and some of the lowest fares of the season.
Across Rhine River cruise ports, March brings average highs around 49°F (9°C) and lows near 38°F, with about 2.3 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- Late March to December; tulip cruises in spring, Christmas markets from late November
- Average high / low
- 49°F / 38°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.3 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights Amsterdam–Basel; 9–12 nights with the Moselle or the Main
What to pack: proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear.
How March compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Best time to go
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Rhine River weather in March
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 436 | 457 | 499 | 5412 | 6217 | 6820 | 7021 | 7222 | 6719 | 5915 | 5010 | 457 |
| Low °F (°C) | 362 | 362 | 383 | 426 | 4910 | 5613 | 5915 | 6015 | 5513 | 4910 | 426 | 394 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.281 | 2.871 | 2.359 | 1.949 | 2.358 | 2.768 | 2.768 | 2.872 | 3.075 | 3.282 | 3.487 | 3.179 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
March weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | 49°F | 38°F | 2.3 in | 12 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in March
Rhine River in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Rhine River?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. Tulip-time cruises in Holland and Belgium start late in the month as Keukenhof opens, and the first Rhine departures follow. Expect cool, showery weather with highs in the 50s °F (10–13°C), budding vineyards and some of the lowest fares of the season.
What is the weather like on a Rhine River cruise in March?
Across Rhine River cruise ports, March brings average highs around 49°F (9°C) and lows near 38°F, with about 2.3 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Rhine River cruise in March?
Pack proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Rhine River?
Late March to December; tulip cruises in spring, Christmas markets from late November. The best months are usually May, June, September, December.
Where else can I cruise in March?
March is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.