I'm introducing 3 Colombians to Germany, and one of the bucket list items is a trip on a DB ICE train. Our tentative itinerary begins with us leaving North Hessen at 8:00 AM, and arriving in Dresden HBf around 11:30 AM. It should be enough time to take in some of the landmarks in Alt Stadt. But after seeing a Rick Steve clip on Dresden, the group wants to go on a short river cruise. Any cruise recommendations or websites would be appreciated. Oh, and we need to leave Dresden NLT 19:30. Thanks.
Posted by
Germany
868 posts
The problem is, in just 1 or 2 hours you can't do or see much. Basically just steam the river up or down a few metres to see a panorama of the reconstructed old town. After you leave this very small part you cross a few not so nice quarters, which were all leveled in WW2, and when the good stuff begins, the castles, posh suburbs and vineyards, you already have to return to the start.
Here is the website of the company (strangely I can't switch to English):
https://www.saechsische-dampfschiffahrt.de/
There are two tours that last less than 2h, the Stadtfahrt (city tour) and Canaletto tour, which basically just show you the small old town from the river. The third one, the Schlösserfahrt (castle tour), lasts 3 hours and is more interesting, since you see at least a small part of the good stuff previously mentioned.
Here is a plan (again: can't find a English version):
https://www.saechsische-dampfschiffahrt.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/18-Brosch%C3%BCre-gesamt.pdf
Frankly, I wouldn't recommend it, simply bc you would miss the highlights of the city this way.
Posted by
OP
Rionegro, Colombia
13 posts
Martin, thank you... that is exactly what I was looking for. I hear what you are saying about the value of a short cruise. My original plan was to focus on the Alt Stadt marvels with maybe an hour or so in Neustadt, but my crew wants to experience as much as they can in a very short time. I imagine advanced reservations are really not necessary for the short cruises.