Great Solo Traveller Prices - Standard Ship: Single Supplement from $850
CroisiCruise: MNL_PP
5 Days
Strasbourg | Sankt-Goarshausen | Rüdesheim | Mainz | Gambsheim | Strasbourg
Join a cruise on the Rhine River to explore the oldest, most revered Christmas markets in Europe. Let yourself be swept away by the beauty and charm of long-standing holiday traditions that include dazzling lights, soothing mulled wine, and zesty gingerbread delights. Plunge into the holiday spirit on our exclusive European Christmas cruise.
THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE
- Gala dinner and evening : Welcome cocktail
- All meals included : Refined European cuisine, with table service for lunch & dinner
- Drinks included : With meals
- Open bar : Including Cocktails, Mocktails, Regional wines, Beer, Spirits & Soft drinks (excluding premium list)
- Free Wi-Fi in lounge and bar
- Headsets included for excursions
- Official welcome from the captain and crew
- Onboard activities
- Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
- All port fees included
CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience the magic of Christmas on a Rhine cruise with a special onboard holiday program
- The romantic Rhine Valley and the legendary rock of the Lorelei under the winter sky
- EXCURSIONS INCLUDED:
- Rüdesheim and a tour of its unique mechanical music cabinet museum, a visit to its international Christmas Market, and a hot cup of its local specialty: Rüdesheimer Kaffee.
- Mainz, its cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and one of the most beautiful holiday markets in Germany
- The Musée Lalique, dedicated to the master craftsman of fine glass
- Strasbourg during the holiday season
- Tasting of traditional Alsatian Christmas cookies on board
- Itinerary
- Important Information
Day 1: Strasbourg
You’ll board the ship at 5 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabin, you'll be introduced to the crew at a welcome cocktail. After dinner on board, join for an evening celebrating the Alsatian holiday cookies known as bredeles. Your ship will cruise through the night.
Day 2: Romantic Rhine River - St Goarshausen - Rudesheim
Cruise the Rhine to the legendary rock of the Lorelei, following the twists and turns dominated by dramatic ruins, scenic vineyards, and majestic fortresses. Join in the lounge and taste delicious bredeles!
Your next stop is Rüdesheim, a picturesque village lined with narrow, cobblestone streets and half-timbered homes. Board a tourist train(1) for Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, showcasing 350 self-playing, mechanical music instruments dating from the 18th to the 20th centuries and including delicate musical boxes and a gigantic piano-orchestrion. Then there will be some free time on your own to discover the international Christmas market located in the city's historic downtown area. The 120 wooden chalets set the stage for an authentic German Christmas market displaying artisan objects, great gift ideas, and delicious culinary specialties such as local confections and cookies, and of course, pretzels! The city is also home to one of the largest nativity scenes in Europe.
Return to the ship by walking down the infamous Drosselgasse, lined with numerous cafés and bars. Dinner on board before a quick escape to the city again this evening to taste the exquisite Rüdesheimer Kaffee.
(1) Travel by tourist train is subject to the weather conditions at the time of the tour.
Day 3: Rudesheim - Mainz - Gambsheim
Cruise to Mainz in the early morning. Once you arrive, you will set out for a tour on foot of the city to see many of its remarkably restored sites. This excursion includes an inside visit to the magnificent 1,000-year-old Saint-Martin’s Cathedral. Then stroll down the picturesque streets of the old city to the Gutenberg Museum, which houses two copies of the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed with movable type in the West. Spend some free time on your own before heading back to the ship. Don’t miss the colorful local Christmas market near the cathedral, framed by splendid Renaissance-style buildings. Germany is known for its decorative wooden Christmas carousels, and a larger than life one is usually found at the market in Mainz surrounded by traditional chalets selling handcrafts, souvenirs, and luscious goodies. You might notice that German Christmas markets are more than just a place to buy or sell. In fact, they become a true reflection of everyday life where the locals gather for a quick bite or drink at the end of the winter day. So, join in the holiday spirit and top off your well-deserved vacation.
After the tour, take lunch on the ship and spend the afternoon cruising to Gambsheim. Feel free to join for a bit of onboard entertainment recounting Christmas traditions. Tonight is a festive gala evening. The ship will cruise through the night.
Day 4: Gambsheim - Strasbourg
Once you arrive in Gambsheim, you'll leave by coach for Wingen-sur-Moder and a visit to the Musée Lalique to learn about crystalware-genius René Lalique and his successors. Lalique became one of the greatest names of his time, both as a jeweler and a master glassmaker. His instantly recognizable style was a major influence in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements. Discover the company’s wide range of impressive crystal and glass designs, pieces of jewelry, tableware, lights, and vases. Admire the fabulous collections on your own, and don’t miss the temporary exhibit just for the holidays! Christmas is the perfect time to showcase the exceptional past and present work of Lalique. Continuation towards Strasbourg for a panoramic tour, then return on board in Strasbourg for lunch.
In the afternoon, feel free to set out on your own to admire the lights around the city near the cathedral, the Place Kléber, Carré d’Or, and Place Gutenberg. It’s quite a sight! And don’t forget to browse a few of the Christmas Markets set up across the city. You will be greeted you with a hot cup of mulled wine as you return on board. Enjoy an authentic Alsatian dinner this evening, followed by a quiz to test your knowledge about Alsatian Christmas Markets.
Day 5: Strasbourg
Breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.
INCLUSIONS:
- Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day
- Cabin category of your choice
- Onboard drinks (except for drinks from the special lists)
- The Rüdesheimer Kaffee in the evening of Day 2
- Coach trip on Day 4
- Onboard entertainment
- Assistance from the onboard, multi-lingual host/hostess
- Welcome cocktail
- Gala dinner and evening
- Emergency/repatriation insurance
- All port fees
EXCLUSIONS:
- Drinks on our special lists
- Transfers/travel to and from departure/arrival points
- Cancellation and baggage insurance
- Any services not specifically mentioned in the program
- Personal expenses
For safety reasons, the company and/or the captain of the ship are the only authorities who can modify the cruise itinerary.
Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. All featured tour itineraries and offers may be subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are available in some destinations for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.