Magical Rhine Cruise - Basel to Cologne

Upon arrival at Basel international airport, find your own way to the cruise port (transfer not included). Today you will embark the vessel and get settled into your cabin. Embarkation begins at 03:00 hrs and the Cruise set sail at 17:15 hrs for Strasbourg. This evening, enjoy your welcome dinner with live music in the lounge. You may pre-book our shore excursion package to experience Basel on a walking tour.
Overnight on board 

Optional: Walking City tour of Basel: Price is Part of Excursion package
During an informative bus tour, you will see the highlights of the city. After Zurich and Geneva, Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland with about 170,000 inhabitants. Basel is composed of two districts, Kleinbasel and Großbasel. The center is the old town of Großbasel. The bus passes the medieval Spalentor, the most famous of the medieval city gates. Then the tour passes the synagogue and St. Paul's Church to the early intellectual center, as Basel has the oldest university in Switzerland. From the Art Museum, you will take a short walk to the Minster. Here you will learn interesting facts about one of Basel's landmarks, such as its exterior and interior architecture. In the church made of red sandstone is the tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam. From the "Pfalz-Terrasse" behind the cathedral, a wonderful view over Basel and the Rhine reveals itself at the end of the city tour.

Enjoy breakfast on board as the ship reaches Strasbourg at 09:15 hrs. Today is free to explore this captivating city, renowned for its UNESCO-listed Grande Île, charming canals, half-timbered houses and striking Gothic cathedral. You may also choose to visit Kehl, the German Rhine town just 02 km away, easily connected by bridges and tramways, offering a seamless blend of French and German culture. Perhaps you may decide to pre-book our shore excursion package to experience Strasbourg on a city tour. Return to your ship in the evening for dinner as it departs at 20:00 hrs, continuing its journey towards Mannheim.  
Overnight on Board

Optional: Walking City tour of Strasbourg: Price is Part of Excursion package
Idyllic half-timbered streets, cozy wine taverns and, of course, the impressive cathedral visit this historic city an experience. Due to the seat of numerous European institutions, such as the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights, a political wind also blows through the border city on the Rhine. The entire city center of Strasbourg was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 due to its diverse architectural heritage. On Republic Square, you can admire the Rhine Palace, the National Library and the Opera. Afterward, stroll through the picturesque Tanners' Quarter. On the way to the historic city center you will encounter the coziness of the Alsatians. Passing old inns and delicatessen stores, the excursion takes you to Notre-Dame Cathedral. Your guide will explain at length the special features of the cathedral and numerous interesting stories about its construction and architecture. In the cathedral itself, things get exciting: you are there when the astronomical clock strikes the "full" hour and different figures breathe life into the clock. After the tour of the cathedral, there will be some free time. The bus, which is already waiting for you nearby, will then take you back to the ship

Begin your day with breakfast on board as the cruise reaches Mannheim at 06:00 hrs. Today you have half day to explore Mannheim, known for its unique grid-style city layout, baroque palace and vibrant cultural scene. You can also visit Ludwigshafen, located directly opposite Mannheim on the Rhine and connected by bridges, together forming one of Germany’s key metropolitan hubs. Return to ship as it departs for Rüdesheim at 13:00 hrs, arriving at 19:00 hrs, followed by dinner on board. As the ship remains docked overnight, you have the opportunity to experience Rüdesheim by night, strolling through the illuminated Drosselgasse, enjoying riverside views, historic half-timbered houses and the town’s charming evening atmosphere. During the day, optional excursions can only be booked on board and are not available for pre-booking.
Overnight on Board

Optional: Excursion to Speyer: Only Bookable onboard
The cathedral city of Speyer looks back on an eventful 2,000-year history, and was already a pivotal point in German history in the Middle Ages. The landmark and most important building is the imperial cathedral of Speyer. Already in 1981, the largest Romanesque building in the world was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. At the turn of the century, the Dreifaltigkeitskirche was still described as "unattractively built in pigtail style". Today, however, it is considered a late Baroque synthesis of the arts.

Optional: Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet: Only Bookable onboard
About halfway down the Rhine from its source to its mouth in the North Sea is the town of Rüdesheim, a wine-growing town in the Middle Rhine Valley. No one can say they know the Rhine if they haven't experienced a sunny day in Rüdesheim. Look forward to your visit to this enchanting little town and don't miss during your Don't miss a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet during your stay. In the Brömser Hof, a knight's residence from the 15th century, some 350 self-playing musical instruments from three centuries are on display. During a one-hour guided about orchestrions, barrel organs and the art of recording and reproducing music mechanically and physically. and play it back. Enjoy a glass of wine and let yourself be amazed by the artistic-musical inventions of past times. times. You will make your way to the Music Cabinet on the "Winzerexpress".

Optional: Day trip to Heidelberg: Only Bookable onboard
The famous castle and the picturesque old town, nestled in a beautiful landscape, make Heidelberg so popular with visitors. During a guided walk through Heidelberg's alleys, you can see for yourself the special charm of this city and its beautiful Electoral Palatine churches, the old town squares and the Old Bridge. A highlight of your stay is, of course, a visit to the castle grounds, where unfortunately only the ruins of the former residence can now be admired. The city's landmark is located about 70 meters above the Neckar River on the slope of the Königstuhl. The castle already inspired poets and artists of the Romantic period to wonderful works

Start the day with sunrise views and breakfast on board in Rüdesheim before the ship departs at 09:00 hrs. The journey continues along the Rhine to Koblenz, arriving at 13:00 hrs, cruising past the famous Lorelei Rock, one of the most legendary landmarks of the Rhine. Located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, Koblenz is one of Germany’s oldest cities. Visit Deutsches Eck, where the Rhine meets the Moselle, explore Koblenz’s historic old town or take in views from Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, before returning to the ship on time. In the evening, the ship departs from Koblenz at 20:00 hrs, with dinner served on board, sailing onwards to Cologne. The ship reaches and docks in Cologne post midnight at 01:00 hrs (next day). During your time in Koblenz, you may choose to book optional excursions on board and is not available for pre-booking.
Overnight on Board

Optional: City tour of Koblenz with Cable Car ride: Only Bookable onboard
With its more than 2,000-year history, Koblenz is one of the oldest cities in Germany. The original Latin name Confluentes (meaning: those who flow together) is due to the city's location. Koblenz is located at the mouth of the Moselle and Rhine, the so-called "German Corner". Get to know the historic old town on a walking tour. The idyllic alleys between the Basilica of St. Kastor, the oldest church building in Koblenz, and the Church of Our Lady give Koblenz a special charm. The walking tour takes you to another landmark of the city, the Schängelbrunnen fountain at the city hall, which is a monument to the Koblenz Schängel, a rascal. Following your tour, a highlight awaits you: a cable car ride across the Rhine to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Experience Koblenz from a bird's eye view and then take a stroll through the fortress park.

Wake up in Cologne and enjoy breakfast on board as the city comes to life along the Rhine river. Cologne is renowned for its iconic Gothic cathedral, one of Europe’s most impressive landmarks, a charming Old Town, Roman heritage and a lively riverside atmosphere. The morning is free and we recommend pre-booking our shore excursion package to experience Cologne on a city tour before the ship departs for Amsterdam at 14:00 hrs.. Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing on board, enjoying onboard entertainment and dinner as the cruise continues northward. 
Overnight on Board

Optional: City tour of Cologne with Kölsch: Price is Part of Excursion package
The cathedral city looks back on a history of more than 2,000 years, which has left its mark everywhere in the city and gives it its unique and at the same time intimate and metropolitan character. In the Middle Ages, Cologne developed into an important ecclesiastical and artistic center. Likewise, the strategic location on the Rhine with its important west-east trade routes contributed to Cologne's importance. Cologne Cathedral has been the landmark of the metropolis on the Rhine for centuries and is the most famous architectural monument in Germany. The cathedral is the second largest church building in Europe - after Ulm Cathedral. Inside it is a shrine of the Three Kings, in which the alleged relics of the Magi are kept, and therefore Cologne also bears Three Crowns in its city coat of arms. During a walk you will experience Cologne with the beloved old and the functional new. Strengthen yourself in between with a glass of Kölsch, the traditional beer of the city.

Ease into the morning with a relaxed breakfast on board as you arrive in Amsterdam at 09:00 hrs, with free time to explore the city at your own pace. Amsterdam enchants visitors with its scenic canals, historic gabled houses, world-class museums and vibrant neighbourhoods. You may also choose to visit Coenhaven, a port area of Amsterdam, or explore Zaandam, a nearby town known for its colourful riverside houses and traditional Dutch character. We recommend pre-booking our shore excursion package to experience city tour of Amsterdam, perhaps you may also book optional tour to North Holland onboard and is not available for pre-booking. Return to the ship in the evening for departure at 19:30 hrs, before continuing the journey towards Nijmegen. 
Overnight on Board

Optional: City tour of Amsterdam with canal tour:Price is Part of Excursion package
Amsterdam is a city that is as vibrant as it is versatile. Modern lifestyle and the flair of the Golden Age combine to form an incomparable symbiosis. You will find ultra-modern architecture and trendy bars as well as idyllic cafés, flea markets and traditional canal houses. Nowhere else in the world are there so many listed old buildings from past centuries as in the Dutch metropolis. The houses stand so close together as if they had to hold each other up to keep from falling over. The canals give the city a special charm and remind you at every turn that you are in the heart of a seafaring and trading nation. They form a canal system that runs through the entire city area and thus shapes the face of the city. Meanwhile, the multitude of canals extends over a total length of 80 kilometers, which has earned the city the nickname "Venice of the North": 165 canals, 1281 bridges, 70 tour boats, 8 wooden drawbridges, 2,500 residential boats and 120 pedal boats will leave a lasting impression on you. Look forward to a canal cruise along the magnificent merchants' houses from the Golden Age, which will be a highlight of your visit to Amsterdam.

Optional: Excursion to North Holland with Volendam and Marken: Only Bookable onboard
Get to know the Dutch province of North Holland, which lies on a peninsula between the North Sea and the Ijsselmeer. Pretty towns like Volendam, for example, tell of a time when the Ijsselmeer still had open access to the sea and was called the Zuiderzee. Enjoy your walk through Volendam before taking the Marken-Volendam-Express across the Ijsselmeer to the island of Marken. Idyllic and steeped in tradition - that's how you can describe this picturesque place in just a few words. Join us for a walk together or discover the small island on your own before the bus brings you back to Amsterdam

The ship arrives in Nijmegen at 04:30 hrs in the early morning. After breakfast on board, enjoy a half day at leisure to explore Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands, rich in Roman history and known for its historic centre, St. Stevenskerk, the Valkhof area and scenic walks along the Waal River. We suggest booking city tour of Nijmegen for better exploration on board as, it is not available for pre-booking. Return to the ship by 14:30 hrs for departure towards Cologne, with dinner served on board as the journey continues. 
Overnight on Board

Optional: Nijmegen city tour: Only Bookable onboard
The Hanseatic city of Nijmegen with its 160,000 inhabitants is the oldest city in the Netherlands and looks back on a history of over 2000 years. The city gives you a particularly impressive welcome when you cross the Waal Bridge into the center: the Waalkade and the silhouette of the city center form an impressive unit. Past and present go hand in hand; historical parts alternate with modern architecture. The city, situated on a ridge on the banks of the Waal, has exerted a great attraction on people for centuries. The city tour leads off the beaten track through small winding streets, in which you can still feel the breath of the Middle Ages. Among other things, it passes the Valkhofpark with castle ruins, the town hall, St. Steven's church, the Latin school and the customs house with mosaic wall

Enjoy breakfast on board as your cruise reach Cologne at 08:00 AM, before you disembark this morning by 09:00AM. Make your own way to the Cologne airport (transfer not included) for your flight back home.