Magical Rhine Cruise - Cologne to Basel

Upon arrival in Cologne, make your own way to the port in Cologne. Embarkation begins at 03:00 PM and the cruise sets sail at 04:30 PM for Amsterdam. Today you embark the vessel and get settled into your cabin. This evening, enjoy your welcome dinner with live music in the lounge.
Dinner and overnight on board 

Morning around 09:00hrs, arrive in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, it is known for its artistic heritage, Dutch’s Golden Age Canal system lined up with Gabled houses with narrow lanes, treasure-packed museums, vintage filled shops and hyper-creative drinking, dining and design scenes and a vibrant nightlife. Rest of the day is free to explore the city of Amsterdam on your own, perhaps you can choose to pre-book one of the following optional tours. Leave the shores of Amsterdam around 19:30hrs and cruise towards Nijmegen.
Overnight on Board

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.

Optional: Highlights 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.

Around 04:00hrs this morning, sail into one of the oldest cities of Netherlands, dating back to 2000, Nijmegen is believed to have been founded by the Romans way back in 01st Century BC. Squeezed between the 16th Century lower Town by the banks of the Waal River and the older Upper town, the compact medieval city center of Nijmegen charms you with its historic cafes, specialist craft coffee shops and a decent smattering of museums. The day is free to explore the city of Nijmegen on your own, perhaps choose from one of the following optional tours. Afternoon around 13:30hrs sail back towards Cologne. 
Overnight on Board

Optional: City walk Nijmegen: Only Bookable onboard
The Hanseatic city of Nijmegen with 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 whole. 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.

Arrive in Cologne at 07:00 hrs, one of Germany’s oldest and most vibrant cities, beautifully set along the banks of the Rhine. Known for its rich history and cultural significance, Cologne is home to the iconic Cologne Cathedral, one of the tallest and most impressive Gothic structures in the world. The morning is free for you to explore the highlights of this fascinating city at your own pace, or you may choose to pre-book one of the optional guided tours. In the afternoon, at around 13:00 hrs, set sail towards Koblenz. Sit back and enjoy the scenic cruise before arriving in Koblenz late evening at approximately 21:30 hrs. 
Overnight on Board

Optional: City tour/walk Cologne with Kolsch:

Price is Part of Excursion package (2026) & Bookable onboard (2027)
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 there 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 coat of arms. During this city tour and walking tour 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.

Indulge yourself in the exploration of Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers and surrounded by the low mountain ranges of Hunsrück, the Eifel, and the Westerwald. This park- and flower-filled city serves as the perfect gateway to the Romantic Rhine Valley and the northeastern entrance to the Moselle Valley. Perhaps choose to book one of the optional tours available. In the afternoon, at around 13:00 hrs, continue your cruise and cruise past the famous Lorelei Rock, one of the most iconic and scenic stretches of the Rhine. Arrive in Rüdesheim late evening at approximately 19:30 hrs.
Overnight on Board

Optional: City tour Koblenz with Cable Car ride:

Price is Part of Excursion package (2027) & Bookable onboard (2026)
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.

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".

Very early in the morning at around 03:00 hrs, you set sail towards your next destination, arriving in Mannheim at 11:00 hrs. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers, Mannheim lies directly across from Ludwigshafen—together forming a dynamic twin-city hub, though each retains its own distinct identity. Mannheim is known for its vibrant cultural scene, grid-style city layout, and the impressive Baroque palace, Barockschloss Mannheim, while Ludwigshafen is recognized as a major industrial center and home to BASF, one of the world’s leading chemical companies. You may choose to explore Mannheim at your leisure or pre-book one of the optional tours available, before departing at 18:30 hrs as your cruise continues onward towards Strasbourg.
Overnight on Board

Optional: Excursion 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 are 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: Excursion 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.

This morning, arrive in Strasbourg at 07:30 hrs, a cultural bridge between France and Germany, known for its seamless blend of medieval heritage and modern progress. Rich in history shaped by alternating French and German influence, the city showcases an impressive mix of Romanesque, Gothic, New Renaissance, and contemporary architecture, along with a unique coexistence of Protestant and Catholic traditions. Your vessel will dock in nearby Kehl, located just across the Rhine, providing convenient access to Strasbourg. The morning is free for you to explore this historic city at your own pace or opt for one of the pre-bookable optional tours. In the afternoon, depart from Kehl at 14:00 hrs as your cruise continues towards Basel. 
Overnight on Board

Optional: City tour/Walk 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.

Enjoy breakfast on board before you disembark this morning by 09:00 hrs. Enjoy a walking tour of Basel before making your own way to Basel airport for your flight back home.

Optional: City tour/Walk 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.

Please book your return flight ticket accordingly, if you are opting for optional tour package which include city tour of Basel