Itinerary
- Day 1
Embarkation
You'll board the ship at 5 p.m. and get settled into your cabin. There's a welcome cocktail where you'll meet the crew, followed by dinner on board. Later in the evening, there's a special celebration featuring Alsatian bredeles cookies before the ship cruises through the night.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Welcome cocktail with captain and crew
- Dinner on board
- Evening celebration of Alsatian bredeles cookies
- Day 2
Rüdesheim
The ship cruises along the Rhine today, passing the Lorelei rock, dramatic ruins, vineyards, and fortresses. You'll taste bredeles while taking in the views. In Rüdesheim, you'll ride a tourist train to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet where 350 historic instruments are on display. The Christmas market has 120 wooden chalets to explore, and then you can walk down Drosselgasse with its cafes and bars. Back on the ship for dinner, you'll finish the evening with Rüdesheimer Kaffee.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Rhine river cruise to Lorelei and Rüdesheim
- Tourist train to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet
- Bredeles tasting in the lounge
- Dinner on board
- Rüdesheimer Kaffee
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Rüdesheim's Christmas market
- Browse artisan objects and culinary specialties at Christmas market chalets
- View the largest nativity scenes in Europe at Rüdesheim Christmas market
- Visit cafes and bars along Drosselgasse
Landmarks/POIs Lorelei Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Rüdesheim Christmas Market Drosselgasse - Day 3
Mainz
The ship arrives in Mainz early morning. A walking tour takes you through the city's restored sites, including the 1,000-year-old Saint-Martin's Cathedral where you'll go inside. From there, you'll stroll to the Gutenberg Museum to see copies of the Gutenberg Bible. The Christmas market near the cathedral has wooden carousels and traditional chalets to browse. After some free time to explore on your own, you'll head back to the ship for lunch. The afternoon brings more cruising to Gambsheim with onboard entertainment about Christmas traditions, and tonight features a festive gala.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner (Festive gala dinner)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Mainz's restored sites
- Inside visit to Saint-Martin's Cathedral
- Gutenberg Museum visit
- Lunch on board
- Onboard entertainment on Christmas traditions
- Gala dinner
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Mainz's old city streets
- Browse Mainz Christmas market near cathedral
- Shop handcrafts, souvenirs, and local goodies at Christmas market
Landmarks/POIs Saint-Martin's Cathedral Gutenberg Museum Mainz Christmas Market - Day 4
Gambsheim to Strasbourg
A coach takes you from Gambsheim to Wingen-sur-Moder to visit the Musée Lalique, where you'll see René Lalique's crystal and glass designs, jewelry, and Art Nouveau and Art Deco pieces. There's also a special holiday temporary exhibit. Continuing to Strasbourg, you'll get a panoramic city tour before returning to the ship for lunch. The afternoon is free for you to explore the festive lights around the cathedral, Place Kléber, Carré d'Or, and Place Gutenberg, plus browse Christmas markets throughout the city. Back on the ship, you'll have mulled wine and an authentic Alsatian dinner, ending with an Alsatian Christmas Markets quiz.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner (Authentic Alsatian dinner)
Included Activities
- Coach trip to Wingen-sur-Moder
- Musée Lalique visit
- Panoramic tour of Strasbourg
- Lunch on board
- Hot mulled wine upon return to ship
- Authentic Alsatian dinner
- Alsatian Christmas Markets quiz
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Strasbourg's festive lights near cathedral
- Visit Place Kléber, Carré d'Or, and Place Gutenberg
- Browse Christmas markets across Strasbourg
Landmarks/POIs Musée Lalique Strasbourg Cathedral Place Kléber Carré d'Or Place Gutenberg - Day 5
Disembarkation
You'll have breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9 a.m. This marks the end of your river cruise experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board)
Included Activities
- Breakfast on board
