The dreamy landscapes of the Middle Rhine Valley await you, snowy and festively lit, as well as trips to the most beautiful Christmas markets of the region, where the scent of roasted almonds, gingerbread and glühwein fills the air.
You will see romantic towns by the water’s edge, where the pre-Christmas mood prevails. A Rhine cruise during this most peaceful time of year offers you relaxation and contemplation in dream destinations, glowing with wintery Christmas cheer.
Itinerary
Although the weather in Cologne is mild, even in December, and the thermometer rarely drops below zero degrees, nevertheless, the Rhine metropolis welcomes you with wintery charm. After embarkation in the afternoon, you will have plenty of time to explore your festively decorated AMADEUS ship, followed by a Welcome Cocktail with the on-board cruise management. Thereafter, you will savor your first culinary delights on board at our stylish AMADEUS Welcome Dinner, during which our chef will put you in an appropriately celebratory mood for your upcoming winter trip. Late at night your ship will set off for Koblenz.
Stay Cologne
Departure at 10pm
You reach Koblenz before breakfast and you can explore the romantic town in the northern Rhineland-Palatinate during the course of an extended sightseeing walk, allowing the Christmas flair of the old town to charm you. Thereafter, your trip continues through the magical Middle Rhine Valley, past the legendary Lorelei rock. The enchanting landscape loses none of its charm in the winter months and this section of the Rhine is rightly considered one of the most beautiful! Late in the afternoon, you will reach the wine town of Rüdesheim, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Rhine Valley. Discover this picturesque little town during a relaxed stroll and enjoy the pre-Christmas atmosphere, before your AMADEUS ship continues southwards after dinner.
Stay Koblenz
7am - 11am
Stay Ruedesheim
5pm - 10pm
Excursions
Christmas magic awaits you again today in Speyer, where you arrive punctually at breakfast time. You can take a tour to the old imperial residence town of Heidelberg, where you can enjoy not only numerous tourist attractions, but can also admire and enjoy the regional handicrafts, as well as the gingerbread and glühwein available at the romantic Christmas market. After lunch, you have the opportunity to explore Speyer. Here, too, a beautiful Christmas market awaits you, which you should not miss. Spend a relaxed evening enjoying the contemplative advent atmosphere before you continue to France during dinner.
The south of France welcomes you in the morning with Christmas cheer. Visit the surrounding area and fall under the spell of the wintery Alsace and Obernai. In contrast to these dreamy landscapes, during the course of a city tour, discover the most beautiful aspects of the exciting metropolis of Strasbourg. In the pre-Christmas season, the beautifully decorated shops which set the city aglow with festive light are particularly worth seeing. Of course, you will also visit the Christmas market. As your trip nears its end, round it off with some hot punch and enjoy the romantic atmosphere, before the exclusive Captain’s Gala Dinner in the evening. During your last night on board, your ship remains anchored in Strasbourg.
Stay Strassbourg
7.30am - overnight
Now it is time to say “Adieu.” After fortifying yourself at a generous breakfast, our crew will gladly assist you at disembarkation. Before you leave Strasbourg and make your way back home, our crew, in the name of the entire AMADEUS team, wishes you a pleasant journey and a joyous festive season!
Dates & Prices
Loading available dates
Inclusions
- Large, outside river-view staterooms, most with French balconies or walk-out balconies
- Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe’s famous wine regions, beer & soft drinks
with every lunch and dinner onboard - Gourmet dining onboard
- Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Gala Dinner
- Services of an experienced English-speaking onboard Cruise Director
- 24 hour coffee station
- All onboard entertainment including talks, cooking demonstrations, musical performances and nightly piano music
- Bottled water in every stateroom
- In-stateroom infotainment center
- Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
- Complimentary use of onboard bicycles
- Complimentary state-of-the-art audio headsets for optional excursions
- All local taxes & port charges included
Excursion Packages
Owing to the variety of available excursions it‘s often difficult to choose between them - so on this cruise we offer you tailor-made and carefully composed sets of excursions that you can book in advance with 15% discount. All excursions can of course also be booked individually at regular rates on board.
| Cruise Highlights | Unit Price | A | B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koblenz walking tour | $ 21.00 | ||
| Rüdesheim walking tour incl. music cabinet museum | $ 31.00 | ||
| Excursion to Heidelberg with Christmas Market | $ 60.00 | ||
| included | |||
| Wintry Alsace and Obernai | $ 72.00 | ||
| City Tour of Strasbourg with Christmas Market | $ 70.00 | ||
| Onboard Booking Price | $ 182.00 | $ 254.00 | |
| Prices for packages booked in advance | $ 155.00 | $ 234.00 | |
Additional Services
Arrival & Transfer
You're in good hands with us from the start: Let us book you a transfer from the airport or train station to the ship port and back. The following prices apply per person per transfer.
COLOGNE (GER)
Airport - Port $43
Train Station – Port $34
