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Germany & Eastern Europe

The Majestic Rhine Cruise

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
8 days From $2,795 per person
5.0 stars(5 reviews)
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Experience the breathtaking beauty of the majestic Rhine on a luxurious cruise.

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
Special Offer

$200 off any 2024 or 2025 River Cruise. Plus enjoy a free cabin upgrade on any 2024 River Cruise. Offer only available by phone.

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2024 Tour code: RLR24

About the tour

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 two 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.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
Sail through the lush scenery of the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site defined by fairytale castles, green forests and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Keep an eye out for the Pfalzgrafenstein - an impressive former toll castle that stands on an island in the middle of the river.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg
Explore the beautiful riverside city of Heidelberg on a guided tour discovering its ancient buildings and fabulous hilltop castle.
Rüdesheim
Rüdesheim
Wander Rüdesheim’s cobbled streets, admire its half-timbered buildings, and experience the famous Drosselgasse alley bursting with life, cosy pubs and inviting wine cellars.
Drachenfels Cog Railway
Drachenfels Cog Railway
Climb to the top of the Drachenfels on the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway, with wonderful views across the shimmering river and beyond.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Visit Amsterdam, a diverse city of peaceful parks, picturesque canals, unique museums and distinctive architecture.
Cologne
Cologne
Tour the vibrant streets of bustling Cologne and visit its impressive Gothic cathedral.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Eurostar to Strasbourg

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 Strasbourg, 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
Day 3 - Speyer and Heidelberg

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
Day 4 - Rüdesheim and the Rhine Gorge

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
Day 5 - The Lower Rhine and the Drachenfelsbahn

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
Day 7 - Amsterdam and the Medemblik Steam Train

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
Day 8 - Tour Conclusion

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

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Trains

Drachenfels Railway
Eurostar
Medemblik Steam Train
Thalys

Ships

MS Amadeus Imperial
MS Amadeus Star

Reviews

5.0 stars5.0 / 5 · 5 reviews

  1. 5 stars
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  5. 1 star
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Susan Colmenares

5 stars

Submitted 08 Oct 2023

Service, food, and crew were impeccable

Collected by Trustpilot

Stephen Moy

5 stars

Submitted 27 Sep 2023

I was absolutely amazed. I loved this trip so much we are already planning our next with the same company.

Collected by Trustpilot

COLTON, JOYCE LESLIE

5 stars

Submitted 28 Aug 2023

The trip was even better than I expected.

Collected by Trustpilot

GOMES, ANGELA KAY

5 stars

Submitted 24 Jul 2023

Stunning, absolutely gorgeous ??

Collected by Trustpilot

GOMES, ANGELA KAY
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STRAPULOS, GEORGE

5 stars

Submitted 29 May 2023

Friendly and helpful staff, very nice ship, overall, well organized. The food and related service was great. Recommending to friends and will be back for a different cruise in the future. Also looking at rial trips.

Collected by Trustpilot

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