Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll board your ship and get settled into your stateroom in Amsterdam. The city itself is full of charming canals and elegant gabled houses, so there's plenty to see once you're ready. Take a walk along the waterways on foot, or head to the Rijksmuseum if you want to check out works by Rembrandt and other Dutch masters. If you're not feeling the museum route, find a local spot to grab some Dutch pancakes or stroopwafels and just relax.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- One complimentary shore excursion in Amsterdam
Optional Activities
- Visit Rijksmuseum
- Explore canals on foot
- Sample Dutch pancakes and stroopwafels
Landmarks/POIs Rijksmuseum - Day 2
Dordrecht
Your ship sails through the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt Delta today, and you'll pass flat farmland, charming windmills, and poplar trees along the way. By the afternoon, you arrive in Dordrecht, which is Holland's oldest city. There's a lot to discover here including centuries-old inner-city harbors and historic monuments like the Grote Kerk and a 13th-century monastery. After exploring, duck into one of the quaint cafes or browse the local shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- One complimentary shore excursion in Dordrecht
Optional Activities
- Explore Dordrecht on foot
- Visit Grote Kerk
- View 13th-century Augustinian monastery (Het Hof)
- Browse cafés and shops
Landmarks/POIs Grote Kerk Het Hof - Day 3
Cologne
Start in Düsseldorf, where Christmas markets line the streets with traditional burgher-style huts selling bratwurst, stollen, and other treats. There's also a Handwerkermarkt for local crafts if you want to pick up something handmade. From there, continue to Cologne where you'll find themed winter markets with handmade gifts and crafts everywhere. The Gothic Cologne Cathedral sits right there providing a nice backdrop to all the holiday festivities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- One complimentary shore excursion in Düsseldorf
- One complimentary shore excursion in Cologne
Optional Activities
- Browse Düsseldorf Christmas markets
- Visit Handwerkermarkt in Düsseldorf
- Shop Schadowmarkt
- Browse Cologne Christmas markets
- Explore Cologne harbor market
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral - Day 4
Rüdesheim
Sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Middle Rhine, and you'll see vineyard-covered hills and dramatic castles the whole way. Pull into Koblenz and visit the Christmas market centered around the Schängel fountain, where you can grab glühwein and festive treats. Later, head to picturesque Rüdesheim and walk through the decorated Drosselgasse with its restaurants, bars, and market stalls playing traditional Rhineland music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- One complimentary shore excursion in Koblenz
- One complimentary shore excursion in Rüdesheim
Optional Activities
- Browse Koblenz Christmas market
- Sample glühwein and Christmas bakery items
- Explore Rüdesheim's Drosselgasse
- Attend musical performances
- Sample Christmas beer and international market fare
Landmarks/POIs Lorelei Rock Schängel Fountain - Day 5
Speyer
Check out Mannheim's Christmas market, one of Germany's oldest and largest with over 160 booths selling handicrafts, glassware, wooden toys, and luxury items like cashmere scarves. After that, move on to Speyer's Old Town winter wonderland. Browse the yuletide treats and holiday shops, then try ice skating if you're up for it. Grab some regional specialties like potato soup and yeast dumplings while you're there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- One complimentary shore excursion in Mannheim
- One complimentary shore excursion in Speyer
Optional Activities
- Browse Mannheim Christmas market
- Shop for handicrafts and handmade items
- Explore Speyer's Old Town market
- Sample Christmas cookies and glühwein
- Ice skating in Speyer
- Taste regional specialties
Landmarks/POIs Water Tower - Day 6
Strasbourg
You're heading to Strasbourg, which is known as the capital of Christmas in France. The cathedral square gets transformed into a winter wonderland, and there's the Christkindelsmärik, France's oldest Christmas market dating back to 1570. Walk through hundreds of stalls filled with colorful wares and fine food. Try some Alsatian specialties like bretzels, bredele, knacks, and pain d'épices while you're exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- One complimentary shore excursion in Strasbourg
Optional Activities
- Browse Christkindelsmärik
- Explore cathedral square
- Sample Alsatian specialties
- Day 7
Breisach
You'll arrive in Breisach, which sits on a basalt rock and serves as a gateway to the Black Forest region. Take time to explore the Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral with its distinctive twin towers that you can spot throughout the city. If you're interested in wine, learn about the city's wine heritage and check out Europe's largest wine cellars, which can store over 160 million liters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- One complimentary shore excursion in Breisach
Optional Activities
- Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Explore wine cellars
- Discover Black Forest gateway
Landmarks/POIs St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 8
Basel
Pull into Basel, Switzerland's best-kept secret. The medieval Old Town turns into a magical yuletide scene with cobblestone streets lined with wooden chalet-style huts selling festive treats and gifts. Walk around with a warming glühwein served in a decorated boot-shaped mug, and browse hand-carved tree decorations and painted ceramics. After breakfast, you'll disembark and head home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- One complimentary shore excursion in Basel
Optional Activities
- Browse Basel Christmas market
- Sample festive treats and gifts
- Enjoy glühwein
