Our Story
Born on the Rhine. Built for Every River.
CruiseRMD was founded by river enthusiasts who believed the Rhine, Main & Danube deserved a specialist — not a generalist. Twenty years on, we've helped thousands of travellers discover Europe at its most intimate.
How CruiseRMD Began
In 2004, Elena Hartmann took her first river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel and came home transformed. The slow pace, the ever-changing scenery, the ability to wake up in a new medieval town each morning — she knew this was how Europe was meant to be seen.
She founded CruiseRMD with a single conviction: that the Rhine, Main & Danube waterway is one of the world's great travel experiences, and that it deserves specialists who know every lock, every port, and every hidden restaurant worth the detour.
Today our team of river experts has collectively sailed more than 400,000 nautical miles across Central Europe's inland waterways. We don't just book cruises — we design journeys.
20+
Years specialising in river cruises
12,000+
Voyages planned and delivered
98%
Client satisfaction rating
The CruiseRMD Difference
Deep Expertise
Every member of our team has sailed the rivers we sell. We know the best cabins, the ports worth lingering in, and the ones to pass through quickly.
Truly Independent
We're not tied to any single cruise line. We recommend the right ship for you — not the one that pays us the highest commission.
Bespoke by Default
No two voyages are identical. We tailor every itinerary to your travel style, interests, and pace — from solo adventurers to multi-generational groups.
24/7 On-Trip Support
Once you're aboard, we're still with you. Our team is reachable around the clock for anything that arises during your voyage.
Meet the Team
Elena Hartmann
Founder & Rhine Specialist
Elena has sailed the Rhine more than 60 times and still finds new things to love about it. She founded CruiseRMD in 2004 and leads our Rhine and Grand Waterway programmes.
Marcus Bauer
Senior River Consultant
Marcus spent five years working aboard Danube cruise ships before joining CruiseRMD. His insider knowledge of every port from Passau to Budapest is unmatched.
Sophie Klein
Danube & Main Expert
Sophie grew up in Frankfurt and has a particular passion for the quieter Main river and the Christmas market season on the Danube. She speaks German, French, and Hungarian.
Why Travellers Choose CruiseRMD
ABTA & ATOL protected for your peace of mind
Independent — we work with all major river cruise lines
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot with 2,400+ reviews
No booking fees — ever
Flexible payment plans available
Dedicated specialist from first call to disembarkation
Ready to Start Planning?
Speak with one of our river specialists — no obligation, no hard sell. Just honest advice from people who love these rivers.