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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · River cruise

Christmas on the Rhine: Cologne & Strasbourg

Seven-day Rhine cruise from London through Germany and France at Christmas

Illustration of Christmas on the Rhine: Cologne & Strasbourg

Vacations By Rail operates a seven-day Christmas river cruise on the MS Amadeus Amara, a five-star ship with English-speaking crew. Passengers depart London on Eurostar, cross Belgium and Germany by train to Cologne, then cruise upstream through six nights, visiting the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg, Speyer, Strasbourg, Mainz, and Rüdesheim before returning to London by train on Day 7. The tour is fully escorted by a Tour Manager and Cruise Director. Days combine guided city tours with free time for independent exploration; excursions include Cologne Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, and the charming streets of Strasbourg. Onboard, passengers enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily with wine and beer at dinner, mulled wine and gingerbread-making afternoons, and a Christmas Day gala dinner with a choice of traditional German or British menus. This suits couples seeking festive holiday ambiance, history enthusiasts, food-and-wine travelers, and those who prefer guided, all-inclusive travel with no logistical planning.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 1,799 is per person; final cost depends on cabin choice (Classic Stateroom on Lower Deck through Deluxe Suite on Upper Deck with balcony).
  • This is primarily a river cruise package; rail travel includes Eurostar to and from London and local trains to Cologne on Days 1 and 7, plus transfers between ports and excursion destinations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Ship

    To Cologne, where we board our luxurious ship ahead of our Christmas cruise

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Brussels, continuing by train to Cologne. Welcome cocktail as you board the new MS Amadeus Amara; first dinner onboard, sailing upstream toward Koblenz.

  2. Day 2overnight: Ship

    To Koblenz and through the scenic Rhine Gorge

    Free time in Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle (Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, Deutsches Eck), then lunch onboard before cruising the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge.

  3. Day 3overnight: Ship

    The historic cities of Heidelberg and Speyer

    Choice of excursion to Heidelberg (Heidelberg Castle, Old Town market square, Karl Theodor Bridge) or Speyer (Romanesque cathedral, historic streets). Afternoon onboard seasonal activities: mulled wine and gingerbread-making.

  4. Day 4overnight: Ship

    Exploring Strasbourg and celebrating Christmas

    Christmas Day guided tour of Strasbourg (Strasbourg Cathedral, Petit France district), free afternoon in the city, then a Christmas-themed gala dinner onboard with a choice of traditional German or British menus.

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    Guided tour of Mainz and free time in Rüdesheim

    Boxing Day guided walking tour of Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum, then sail to Rüdesheim for free time (Rüdesheim coffee, Drösselgasse).

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    Exploring the cultural city of Cologne

    Sail overnight back to Cologne; morning walking tour (Cologne Cathedral, Old Town, Hohenzollern Bridge) followed by a free afternoon (Belgian Quarter, Heinzels Winter Fairytale market, Rhine promenade). Final dinner together onboard.

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    Cruise ends after breakfast; travel by rail to Brussels and join the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where the vacation concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Cruise through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge after free time at Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle.
  • Day 3Choice of guided excursion to Heidelberg's castle and Old Town or Speyer's Romanesque cathedral; afternoon onboard with mulled wine and gingerbread-making.
  • Day 4Christmas Day guided tour of Strasbourg Cathedral and Petit France district, followed by a Christmas-themed gala dinner onboard with a choice of traditional German or British menus.
  • Day 5Boxing Day guided walking tour of Mainz and the Gutenberg Museum, then free time in Rüdesheim for Rüdesheim coffee and the Drösselgasse.

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by an experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 6-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara
  • Five-Star service onboard from English-speaking crew
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • 1st & Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • A superb choice of excursions

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. Eurostar travel from London St Pancras to Brussels and Cologne on Days 1 and 7, return Eurostar to London, and all local rail and coach transfers throughout the tour are included, as are all excursions.
What is included in the price?
The six-night cruise aboard MS Amadeus Amara, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), drinks with dinner each night, a Christmas Day gala dinner, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi, guided excursions, and the services of a Tour Manager and Cruise Director throughout.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the seven days.
What excursions are available?
Guided walking tours in Koblenz, Heidelberg or Speyer (choice), Strasbourg, Mainz, and Cologne. Free time is also provided in several ports for independent exploration.
When does this tour run?
The tour is scheduled for the Christmas season. Check with Vacations By Rail for 2024 and 2025 departure dates.
What stateroom options are available?
Classic Stateroom on Lower Deck (16 sq m), Deluxe Stateroom on Middle or Upper Deck (17.5 sq m with drop-down panoramic window), and Deluxe Suite on Upper Deck (26.4 sq m with private walk-out balcony and lounge area).

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