The Majestic Rhine Cruise

8 Days

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary history and wondrous scenery of the Netherlands, Germany, and France on this rail & cruise voyage.

  • Priced from $3395 per person
  • Departure in September 2023

Overview

From cities where modern life is set amongst buildings constructed centuries ago to stunning castles and cultures that simply cannot be replicated, the Rhine region’s offerings are vast and diverse. This river cruise voyage offers a sampling of the extraordinary history and the wondrous scenery while traveling between the Netherlands, Germany, and France. Enjoy time exploring Amsterdam on one of three optional excursions. Moving in Germany, ports of call include Cologne, Koenigswinter, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Speyer and Heidelberg. Time in Strasbourg, right on the France-Germany border, and a final stop in Basel round out the expedition. As we sail along the Rhine, look upon influences from the Romans, Prussians, French and other European cultures. Spend time walking amongst buildings constructed in the Middle Ages on guided tours or during periods of independent sightseeing. Experience the timeless grandeur of castles and the elegance that can only be found in this part of the world. All of this pairs with luxurious offerings aboard our cruise ship, fantastic cuisine, delightful onboard entertainment, and a route that highlights scenic sections of the river, like the Upper Rhine and the Rhine Gorge, to create an experience that captures the essence of this majestic waterway.

Highlights

  • 7-night Rhine River cruise aboard a five-star Amadeus cruise ship
  • Ride aboard Germany’s oldest cog railway, the Drachenfelsbahn, to the summit of Dragon’s Rock
  • Discover the historic cities along the Rhine River, including Cologne, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Speyer, and Strasbourg
  • Sail through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Itinerary

Today, meet your Tour Manager and the rest of your group at London St Pancras before travelling on the Eurostar service to Paris. From here, we continue to the Swiss city of Basel, where you'll be escorted to the ship. This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before a delicious Swiss themed first meal. Overnight ship.

Includes:
• Dinner

Day 2 :
Strasbourg

Our vessel sails into the charming French city of Strasbourg today. Strasbourg's position on the German-French border has seen it change hands between the two nations frequently throughout history. Because of this, Strasbourg represents the best of both cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets.

You have two choices here. Your first option is a city tour of Strasbourg, uncovering its charm and history. Your second choice sees you travel into the famous Black Forest, passing through stunning fairytale panoramas. Overnight ship.

Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

We arrive in Speyer this morning, where there's free time to explore. This town is home to one of the largest privately-owned collections of vehicles in the world, the Technik Museum Speyer. Featuring an entire jumbo jet, army vehicles, emergency vehicles, a submarine and much more, this museum is a treasure trove of vehicular delights and is well worth a visit.

Later in the afternoon, we have an excursion to the delightful university town of Heidelberg where we are treated to a guided tour. Heidelberg is famous for a magnificent ruined castle that stands guard over the riverbanks, proudly looking over the town below. Overnight ship.

Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

We sail into the classic German town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, known for its formidable wine production, especially of the dry Riesling variety. Perhaps walk along the river during your free time here this morning, before our ship departs for Koblenz.

This afternoon includes one of the highlights of the tour as we pass through the glorious Rhine Gorge, one of the most beautiful sections of the river and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sheer banks rise up, towering over the river below, covered in deep forests and miles of green vineyards, lending an almost ethereal feel to the waterway.

Our lunch today sees us tuck into a wonderful themed buffet with a suckling pig as the striking centrepiece, and several smaller dishes from this part of the world. We sail this evening into the enchanting city of Koblenz; you may wish to visit one of the famous wine taverns here. Overnight ship.

Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

After an evening in Koblenz, we depart and discover the marvellous Lower Rhine, a stretch of river characterised by lush green meadows and postcard villages.

Our Cruise Director provides us with the history of this area, and highlights points of interest. In the afternoon, we dock in Koenigswinter, where we embark on a journey on the Drachensfelbahn railway. This rack railway rises into the mountains and high into the forests for wonderful views across the Rhine- Westphalia region of Germany. Overnight ship.

Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Day 6 :
Cologne

Arriving in Cologne this morning, we venture forth into this vibrant German city on a walking tour. We see the resplendent cathedral, a centuries-old building which survived 14 aerial hits during World War Two. We also wander through the many bustling squares and labyrinthine streets, seeing Romanesque town-houses. Tonight is an opportunity to dress up in our finest as we enjoy a gala dinner with the captain. Overnight ship.

Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

We arrive in Amsterdam this morning where we have a choice of two excursions, the first is a city tour of Amsterdam. One of the most popular of all the European cities, Amsterdam is as modern as it is historic, as young as it is old. From idyllic canals and large parks to contemporary art galleries and futuristic architecture, this is a city that boasts something for everyone. The second option is an excursion to Hoorn where we board the splendid Medemblik Steam Train and enjoy a nostalgic trip through enchanting Dutch scenery. Overnight ship.

Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

After a buffet breakfast, we disembark the ship and here your cruise concludes. Make your way back to the railway station with your Tour Manager to board your train back to London St Pancras.

Includes:
• Breakfast

Inclusions

What's Included

  • First Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • 7-night cruise on board MS Amadeus Silver III or Imperial
  • Transfers to ship
  • Escorted throughout your tour by an on board Tour Manager and Cruise Director
  • UK Tour Manager from London St Pancras to embarkation, and from disembarkation back to London St Pancras
  • Exclusive meeting point at our dedicated Departure Office in St Pancras
  • 20 meals including 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Dinner drinks included every night of your cruise

What's not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Arrival and departure flights
  • Although we pride ourselves on excellent service as standard, we also firmly believe that tipping should be at the discretion of the guest - therefore we don't include tips in the price of our cruises, nor do we add a daily gratuity to your bill. If you do wish to tip, an envelope will be left in your cabin on the final evening for your convenience.

Tour Map

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The Majestic Rhine Cruise
From $3,395
/ Adult