Cruises to Dresden

11 Reviews
Dresden (Photo:Rudy Balasko/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Dresden

Dresden's churches, palaces, museums and squares are among the finest in the country and well worth a day in port on a cruise to Germany. The grand baroque domes and spires that form the skyline today are something of a miracle. The city has a long history as the rich capital and royal residence of the Saxon empire, but fierce firebombing raids by Allied forces during World War II completely destroyed the city center. Nearly 45 years under Communist occupation saw little restoration.

It was only after Germany was reunited in 1989 that determined citizens could begin to rebuild, exactly replicating the splendor of the past. Art treasures that had been hidden away have been restored to their rightful homes, and this small city (population 500,000) once again features art, music, architecture and culture exceptional for its size, earning it the nickname "Florence on the Elbe."

The handsome city straddles the Elbe River with scenic paths along the water and bridges connecting the two sides. Most of the important sites are in the restored Old Town (Altstadt). Some choice shopping and a scenic bicycle path along the Elbe are on the opposite bank (Neustadt).

  • More about Dresden

  • Why Cruise to Dresden?

  • Dresden Cruise Port Facilities?

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Seabourn Quest
Seabourn Quest (Photo: Seabourn Cruises)

10 Night
Dalmatian Coast & Italy

166 Reviews
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Viking Astrild
Viking Astrild

9 Night
Christmas Along The Elbe

126 Reviews
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Viking Astrild
Viking Astrild

9 Night
Elegant Elbe

126 Reviews
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Viking Beyla
Viking Beyla

9 Night
Christmas Along The Elbe

115 Reviews
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9 Night
Elegant Elbe

115 Reviews
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9 Night
Elegant Elbe

115 Reviews
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9 Night
Elegant Elbe

126 Reviews
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9 Night
Christmas Along The Elbe

115 Reviews
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9 Night
Christmas Along The Elbe

126 Reviews
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6 Night
Christmas On The Elbe

2 Reviews
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20 Night
Dalmatian Coast & Jewels Of The Riviera

166 Reviews
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8 Night
From Prague To Berlin: Cruise On The Vltava And El...

2 Reviews
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6 Night
New Year's Eve On The Elbe From Dresden To Berlin

2 Reviews
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8 Night
From Berlin To Prague: Cruise On The Elbe And Vlta...

2 Reviews
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46 Night
Eastern Mediterranean, Balkans & Rivieras

166 Reviews
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More about Dresden

Why Cruise to Dresden?

Pros:

This beautiful city is packed with sights and attractions, including palaces and churches, museums and more

Cons:

A lot of the city had to be reconstructed after World War II, so what you're seeing is often not original

Bottom Line:

Dresden is a small city, but has a lot to offer visitors who enjoy exploring culture and history

Dresden Cruise Port Facilities?

There are no facilities directly at the ship because the town is so close by, less than a 10-minute walk or a very short taxi ride. Ships may also offer shuttle service for the short trip.

Good to Know?

Dresden is a small city, and although it's quite safe, watch out for pickpockets in crowded places.

Getting Around?

On foot: Almost all of the don't-miss sights are in the compact center of the Old Town and are easily walkable. The Royal Palace, opera house and Zwinger museums all are clustered around the stately Theaterplatz (Theater Square).

By Bus or Tram: Bus and tram lines are convenient for further exploration. You can find transit maps and information on the DVB Web site. Tickets can be bought at the stops or aboard, and schedules are posted at each stop. Riding is on the honor system, but fines are steep if inspectors board and find passengers without a pass. The Dresden-City-Card offers good value for those visiting several museums. It gives unlimited access to all public transportation and entry to 12 city museums for 24 hours. The card is sold at the main tourist office and at many hotels. Pick up transit maps at the tourist office, as well.

By Taxi: Taxi stands are located at the main sightseeing locations; rates are moderate. Taxis don't line up by the dock, but you can easily walk or shuttle into town and find one there.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The euro is the local currency. ATM's are plentiful, and major credit cards are widely accepted.

Language?

German is the native language. Museums have printed information in English, and some English is spoken in many restaurants and shops, but a German-American dictionary may come in handy.

Where You're Docked?

Riverboats anchor on the edge of town. There is no formal dock area; a gangplank connects to the riverbank and the road or walking path into the city.


Dresden Cruise Reviews
Who can visit Dresden without shuddering at the conflagration they endured toward the end of WWII? It was amazing to me to see the varieties of neighborhoods, the reclamation and restoration of the buildings, utiliziRead More
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Intlxpatr
I confess I was somewhat disappointed in Dresden. The tour was mainly in a museum which, while worthwhile, did not cover much of the city and its history. But the older buildings in the town center are worth seeing.Read More
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MostlyLegal
Six different Christmas markets. We visited the five free ones. Loved the city tour.Read More
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boeing720
We visited a number of places on our own as we had been here before. The tour of the Treasure Rooms was very good.Read More
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tenormary

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