CRUISE SUMMARY
Castles shrouded in legend, bustling metropolises and romantic wine regions, from Basel through the Upper Rhine lowlands, to the impressive Rhenish Slate Mountains and the delta of the river in the Netherlands, this Central European river cruise shows off the full beauty of the region with some truly amazing landscapes. Visit the most interesting cities in four countries and discover impressive monuments, vineyards, castles and ruins as far as the eye can see, on a week of unforgettable experiences.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Cologne
Cologne: Casting off 4:00 p.m.
Fly or rail from London to Cologne and transfer to vessel. Embarkation from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Day 2: Amsterdam
Amsterdam: Mooring 8:00 a.m. – Casting off 11:30 p.m.
“Highlights of Amsterdam” with a canal cruise past the typical merchant houses, afterwards time to explore by yourself.
This excursion will show you all the delights the capital of Amsterdam has to offer. You will start at the pier where your guide will await you. This excursion will start with a walking tour through the city center of Amsterdam. From the old cobble streets of the Red Light District, to the UNSECO listed network of canals. Amsterdam is truly a beautiful city and it is full of history, stories, legends, and places to explore. Walk passed the canals and hear about the vibrant and sometimes tumultuous history of this Netherlands capital. From the city biggest land marks to every day areas of interest. This walking tour has it all wrapped into one. You will make many scheduled stops at most of the city’s most well-known land marks and areas. After or in between the walk your guide will give you some free time for some exploration on your own or souvenir hunting.Then it is time to see the city from a different perspective. Enjoy a 1 hour cruise through the canals of Amsterdam. These canals have been awarded UNESCO’s World Heritage status and taking this cruise will reveal why. See the beautiful houses with their fascinating gables alongside the canals, have a peek inside the famous floating house boats and feel why Amsterdam is also called Venice of the North. The Skinny Bridge, the Golden Bench, an old VOC ship and the Maritime museum are only a few of the highlights you will see.
Excursion to Northern Holland with a visit to Volendam and a trip over Lake Ijssel to Marken.
Day 3: Nijmegen
Nijmegen: Mooring 8:00 a.m. – Casting off 2:30 p.m.
Guided walk through the friendly Hanseatic city of Nijmegen.
Day 4: Cologne / Koblenz
Cologne: Mooring 8:00 a.m. – Casting off 2:00 p.m.
Guided tour through the cathedral city of Cologne with traditional Kölsch beer.
Koblenz: Mooring 10:00 p.m.
Day 5: Koblenz / Middle Rhine Valley / Rüdesheim
Koblenz: Casting off 1:00 p.m.
Guided tour through Koblenz, on the “Deutsches Eck” (German Corner) where the Rhine and Mosel meet, including a cable car ride up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, for fantastic panoramic views of the city
Middle Rhine Valley:
Passage of the famous Loreley.
Rüdesheim: Mooring 7:30 p.m.
Admire the artistic and musical inventions of the past over a glass of wine in “Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet”.
Day 6: Rüdesheim / Mannheim
Rüdesheim: Casting off 3:00 a.m.
Mannheim: Mooring 12:00 p.m. – Casting off 6:00 p.m.
Excursion to the venerable cathedral city of Speyer. Time to make your own discoveries.
Day 7: Strasbourg / Kehl
Strasbourg/Kehl: Mooring 7:00 a.m. – Casting off 1:30 p.m.
Tour by bus and on foot of Strasbourg with a visit to the cathedral of Notre-Dame.
Guided city tour through Strasbourg with a visit to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame: Idyllic half-timbered alleys, cosy wine taverns and of course the impressive cathedral make a visit to this historic city one of a kind experience. The entire city centre of Strasbourg was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988 due to its diverse architecture. At the the Republic Square you can admire the Rhine Palace, the National Library and the Opera. Once you arrive at the Notre-Dame cathedral, your guide will explain in detail the special features and numerous interesting stories about construction and architecture. You will experience first hand when the astronomical clock strikes the “full” hour and different figures of the clock breathe life. After visiting the cathedral enjoy a bit of free time in this beautiful city.
Day 8: Basel
Basel: Mooring 7:00 a.m.
Disembarkation until 9:00 a.m. City tour/walk through Basel through the old town including the market square and Münsterplatz (ends approx. 11:00 a.m. at Basel Bad railway station). Transfer to Basel Airport/Station or add a city stay (prices on request).
Note: For the reverse itinerary starting in Basel, the walking tour starts at Basel Bad railway Station at approx. 2:30 p.m. Baggage can be left at the ship.
The excursions marked in blue are included in your cruise package. The excursions marked in red can only be booked on board. Mooring and casting off times are guidance times. We reserve the right to change itineraries and excursion programmes. If a route cannot be travelled due to low/high water or a ship defect, the shipping company reserves the right to take passengers on this route by bus, to accommodate them in hotels and/or change the route. In certain circumstances it may be necessary to change to another ship.
CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- The whole length of “Father Rhine” across Central Europe
- The Middle Rhine Valley and the famous Loreley Rock
- European history in wonderful Strasbourg
- UNESCO World Heritage Speyer Cathedral
- The Hanseatic city of Nijmegen
- Cruise through four countries: Germany, Holland, France and Switzerland
COLOGNE-AMSTERDAM-RUDESHEIM-BASEL
2022 dates |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Rhein Melodie | Cabin Categories | ||||||
| Dates | |||||||
| 07 Jul | £1,810 | £1,940 | £2,120 | £2,210 | £2,345 | £2,400 | £2,455 |
| 23 Sep | £1,795 | £1,960 | £2,140 | £2,230 | £2,365 | £2,420 | £2,475 |
| 2 Bed Main Deck Rear | 2 Bed Middle Deck | 2 Bed Upper Deck | |||
| 2 Bed Main Deck | 2 Bed Upper Deck Rear | ||||
| 2 Bed Middle Deck Rear | 2 Bed Upper Deck Front |
COLOGNE-AMSTERDAM-RUDESHEIM-BASEL
2023 dates |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Rhein Melodie | Cabin Categories | ||||||
| Dates | |||||||
| 17 Jul, 22 Sep, 06 Oct | £1,840 | £1,960 | £2,160 | £2,275 | £2,465 | £2,530 | £2,605 |
| 20 Oct | £1,595 | £1,745 | £1,930 | £2,025 | £2,160 | £2,215 |
£2,275 |
| 2 Bed Main Deck Rear | 2 Bed Middle Deck | 2 Bed Upper Deck | |||
| 2 Bed Main Deck | 2 Bed Upper Deck Rear | ||||
| 2 Bed Middle Deck Rear | 2 Bed Upper Deck Front |
BASEL-RUDESHEIM-AMSTERDAM-COLOGNE
2022 dates |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Rhein Melodie | Cabin Categories | ||||||
| Dates | |||||||
| 22 May, 28 Jul | £1,810 | £1,940 | £2,120 | £2,210 | £2,345 | £2,400 | £2,455 |
| 16 Jun, 22 Aug | £1,850 | £1,970 | £2,165 | £2,275 | £2,460 | £2,525 | £2,595 |
| 2 Bed Main Deck Rear | 2 Bed Middle Deck | 2 Bed Upper Deck | |||
| 2 Bed Main Deck | 2 Bed Upper Deck Rear | ||||
| 2 Bed Middle Deck Rear | 2 Bed Upper Deck Front |
BASEL-RUDESHEIM-AMSTERDAM-COLOGNE
2023 dates |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Rhein Melodie | Cabin Categories | ||||||
| Dates | |||||||
| 21 May, 24 Jul, 07 Aug | £1,795 | £1,930 | £2,115 | £2,205 | £2,345 | £2,400 | £2,455 |
| 29 Jun | £1,840 | £1,960 | £2,160 | £2,275 | £2,465 | £2,530 | £2,605 |
| 29 Sept | £1,695 | £1,840 | £2,025 | £2,115 | £2,255 | £2,310 | £2,365 |
| 13 Oct | £1,595 | £1,745 | £1,930 | £2,025 | £2,160 | £2,215 | £2,275 |
| 2 Bed Main Deck Rear | 2 Bed Middle Deck | 2 Bed Upper Deck | |||
| 2 Bed Main Deck | 2 Bed Upper Deck Rear | ||||
| 2 Bed Middle Deck Rear | 2 Bed Upper Deck Front |
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a cabin. Prices may be subject to change due to flight availability/pricing. Please call our Reservations Team on 01223 568907 for up to date pricing and availability. Single supplements vary depending on cabin category and date of travel, please call for details.
Cruises for other durations
We also offer a number of cruises on the Rhine and Danube for different durations from 4-13 days
Cruise Only Prices
We appreciate that you may want to make your own travel arrangements and can provide cruise only prices on request
City Hotel Stays
We can tailor-make any cruise itinerary with additional pre or post cruise hotels. Please enquire for our recommended hotels and prices.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Economy flight/rail from London and overseas transfers to and from vessel
- 7 nights cruise including all meals
- Unlimited drinks inc wine, beer, cocktails and all non alcoholic drinks
- Nightly onboard entertainment
- 5 Guided Excursions
- Wifi
- Gratuities
- Port fees and taxes
- Full ATOL financial protection
- Baggage handling fee
No-fly rail options from UK available on this river cruise.
MS Rhein Melodie
MS Rhein Melodie Lobby
MS Rhein Melodie Middle Deck
MS Rhein Melodie Upper Deck
MS Rhein Melodie Panorama Restaurant
