Christmas on the Rhine

Embark the ship and settle into your stateroom. Explore Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Walk along the canals that connect around 90 islands by more than 1,500 bridges. Visit the Rijksmuseum to see paintings by Rembrandt and other Dutch artists from the Golden Age. Try local food such as Dutch pancakes or a stroopwafel while you spend time in the city.

Sail along the Waal and Merwede Rivers through the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt Delta. View flat farmland, windmills, poplar trees, and villages along the shore. See how much of the land has been reclaimed from the sea with the help of dikes and windmills. Continue to Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland. Walk through the city to see historic buildings such as the Grote Kerk and the 13th-century Augustinian monastery, Het Hof. Explore the old harbors lined with former warehouses that now serve as homes, and visit local cafés and shops in the city center.

​Included Excursion:
Historic Dordrecht
Discover the famous landmarks that dot the historic neighborhoods of Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland.

Optional Excursions (Extra Cost):
Historic Gouda & Stroopwafel
Try your hand at making Holland’s famous stroopwafelduring a culinary workshop and enjoy your own creation.

Themed winter markets feature across Cologne during the holiday season, inviting visitors to browse colorful market stalls for handmade gifts, beautiful artwork and colorful crafts. The towering Gothic Cologne Cathedral provides a stunning backdrop to the city’s festivities and array of offerings from its red wooden stalls. Beneath the pointed roofs of Cologne harbor’s tented market, unique crafted goods are displayed amid the twinkling lights of boats bobbing in the marina.

​Included Excursion:
Christmas in Cologne
Celebrate the festive season in Germany at Cologne’s Christmas Market and savor traditional Spekulatius.

Optional Excursions (Extra Cost):
Cologne’s Beer Culture & Dinner
Immerse yourself in Cologne’s lively brauhaus culture and sample the pride of the city.

Koblenz is a traditional German country town with a wine heritage that spans centuries; a key ingredient for the warming glühwein that is served from taverns and market stalls during the holiday season. The scent of cinnamon, cloves and spices waft from steaming mugs as the sounds of festivities fill the air from one of the many musical performances, creating a toe-tapping atmosphere. Centered around the Schängel fountain, the Koblenz Christmas market offers all the flavors of the yuletide season from its famous Christmas bakery.

The Rhine River flows through one of Germany’s most scenic regions. As you sail its most picturesque stretch, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Middle Rhine, you will pass vineyard-blanketed hills whose steep slopes require vintners to pick grapes by hand, keeping a centuries-old tradition alive. Splendid castles line the banks, all of which have stories to share, and the Lorelei Rock presides at a dramatic curve in the river. This infamous river maiden mesmerized sailors with her song and lured them to their demise at her feet.

Located in the picturesque Rhine Valley, Rüdesheim is brimming with festive cheer. The vibrant Drosselgasse, a narrow alleyway lined with decorated restaurants and bars, is the perfect place to explore and immerse in the spirit of the holiday season. Traditional Rhineland music provides the backdrop to a tankard of Christmas beer. Market stalls offer an array of tasty morsels from various nations, and local artisans demonstrate their talents with displays of unique, handcrafted gifts.

​Included Excursion:
Historic Koblenz at Christmas
Take a festive stroll around Koblenz to explore its historic past and visit the Christmas market.

Rüdesheim Festive Market
Celebrate the Holiday Season at the Christmas Market of Nations

Optional Excursions (Extra Cost):
Dine in Rüdesheim am Rhein
Raise your glass and give a hearty “Prost!” to a delicious and fun evening.

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
Ascend to Ehrenbreitstein, set high on a hill with magnificent views of Koblenz and the Eifel Hills.

Medieval Marksburg Castle
Visit Marksburg Castle, the only medieval-era stronghold in the Rhine Valley to have never been destroyed.

Wine Tasting & Dinner at Eberbach Monastery
Enjoy dinner in a former Cistercian monastery whose lush vineyards have produced wines for centuries.

Wine Tasting & Dinner at Schloss Johannisberg Estate
Enjoy a delicious dinner of German specialties at the site of one of the Rheingau region’s most celebrated vineyards.

Mannheim’s Christmas market is a holiday season shopping extravaganza, centered around the city’s iconic water tower. One of Germany’s oldest and largest markets, more than 160 booths host vendors from around the world, offering handicrafts and handmade items. Beautiful glassware, and carved wooden toys and games, sit alongside Christmas lanterns, colorful baubles and ornaments, all of which are presented in quaint wooden houses. Luxurious cashmere scarves, sheepskin mittens and felt hats are the ideal purchase to take home as gifts for friends and family.

Speyer’s Old Town transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. With the historic Old Gate as a stunning backdrop, market stalls are brimming with yuletide treats, serving Christmas cookies and steaming mugs of aromatic glühwein. Skaters don their woolen hats and gloves, and take to the ice for some festive fun, while visitors browse for unique handmade gifts. The holiday atmosphere continues into January, bringing the opportunity for New Year merrymakers to enjoy the festivities and sample regional specialties, such as potato soup and yeast dumplings.

​Included Excursion:
Mannheim & Yuletide Market
Celebrate the Christmas season and discover the history and culture of Mannheim.

Speyer & Its Christmas Market
Learn about the Christmas traditions of the Rhineland Palatinate region during a walking tour of Speyer.

Optional Excursions (Extra Cost):
Highlights of Heidelberg at Christmas
Discover Heidelberg, a town so steeped in charm that it stood at the center of the German Romantic movement.

Strasbourg is said to be the capital of Christmas in France, with the city’s cathedral square taking center stage as it is transformed into a winter wonderland. The city’s Christkindelsmärik is the oldest in France, dating back to 1570. Hundreds of stalls are brimming with colorful wares, fine food and mulled wine, bringing festive cheer in abundance. Alsatian specialties feature an array of hearty classics, from bretzels (soft, bread-like pretzels) to bredele (star-shaped spiced cookies), and knacks (sausages) to pain d’epices (gingerbread).

​Included Excursion:
Strasbourg Highlights
Get to know this delightful city steeped in equal parts French and German culture.

Optional Excursions (Extra Cost):
Christmas Flavors of Alsace
Embrace the spirit of Christmas at Europe’s oldest market, sampling mulled wine and delicious festive fare.

Alsatian Wine Tasting
Explore the treasures of Alsace, from its Renaissance beauty and distinct culture to its crisp, clean white wines.

Panoramic Strasbourg by Land & Water
Discover Strasbourg’s mix of German and French culture during a scenic drive and canal boat ride.

Medieval Castle of Haut Köenigsbourg at Christmas Time
Explore a historic castle, discovering its Christmas traditions and walking through its storied rooms.

Gengenbach at Christmas
Discover the yuletide traditions of Gengenbach during a stroll through its Old Town and Christmas market.

In the heart of Breisach’s old town with a backdrop of the Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen’s cathedral, the Weinachtsmarkt is a highlight of the season. Steaming aromatic glühwein served in decorated mugs, alongside tasty yuletide treats, is sold from festive wooden huts and taverns, keeping visitors warm as they browse market stalls for gifts and handicrafts. The nearby Black Forest provides a fairy-tale atmosphere; its towering, snow-covered spruce trees resemble a winter wonderland.

​Included Excursion:
Freiburg Yuletide Market & Organ Concert
Discover Freiburg, the city known for its medieval old town and enchanting Christmas markets.

Optional Excursions (Extra Cost):
Festive Colmar & Riquewihr
Experience the historic charms of Colmar and Riquewihr, and their colorful Christmas markets.

Medieval Staufen & Schnapps Distillery
Explore the charming town of Staufen and sample the wares of a renowned schnapps distillery.

Medieval Staufen & Wine
Explore the charming town of Staufen and sample the wares of an organic winery.

The Colmar Pocket in World War II: Museum & Memorial
Visit the Colmar Pocket, where Allied forces pushed back Nazi troops during the brutal winter of 1944–1945.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of the extensions.