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Great Rail Journeys · River cruise

Festive Markets of the Rhine & Alsace

Five-day Rhine river cruise from London to Paris via Christmas markets

Illustration of Festive Markets of the Rhine & Alsace

Great Rail Journeys operates this five-day festive cruise from London to Paris, combining rail journeys with a four-night river voyage along the Rhine. The trip departs London St Pancras by Eurostar, crosses into Germany by rail, and boards the luxury ship Amadeus Riva or Amadeus Cara in Cologne. The cruise sails downstream through the Rhine Gorge, past the legendary Lorelei Rock and medieval castles, with stops at Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Speyer, and Strasbourg. Days include guided tours of Heidelberg, where you visit the ruined castle overlooking the city, and a choice of either medieval Obernai or Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral and Petite France canals. Christmas markets and festive lights decorate each port. Onboard, a five-star service includes all meals, a gala dinner on the final evening, complimentary drinks with dinner, and a Tour Manager and Cruise Director throughout. This itinerary suits luxury-seeking couples and history-lovers who prefer guided comfort with time to browse seasonal markets and enjoy cosy moments aboard a decorated ship.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £300 since 4 Jul, to £999.

£1,299£9994 Jul12 Sep

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

  • Stateroom grades range from Classic Lower Deck to Deluxe Upper Deck; your final cabin depends on which tier you select
  • Day 4 offers a choice of excursions; one will be assigned to your group, though you can request the alternative

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard (Koblenz)

    Boarding our luxurious ship in Cologne

    Eurostar to Brussels, then rail to Cologne to board the festively decorated cruise ship, setting sail overnight towards Koblenz.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Onboard (Speyer)

    Through the Rhine Gorge from Koblenz to Rüdesheim

    Explore Koblenz's Christmas market, cruise through the Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock, arrive in Rüdesheim for its Christmas stalls.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Onboard (Strasbourg)

    Heidelberg and Speyer's Christmas markets

    Guided tour of Heidelberg including its ruined castle and Christmas markets, then free time in Speyer.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Onboard (Strasbourg)

    Soaking up the festive charm of Alsace

    Choice of a tour of Obernai or a guided tour of Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral and Petite France, with a gala dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5rail

    Homeward bound

    Disembark and rail to Paris, then the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Amadeus Riva or Amadeus Cara in Cologne after Eurostar and rail from London; welcome cocktail and dinner onboard as the ship is bedecked in Christmas finery
  • Day 2Cruise through the Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape with medieval castles and terraced vineyards
  • Day 3Guided tour of Heidelberg includes the ruined red sandstone castle overlooking the city and the Neckar River; time to explore the Christmas markets and try Glühwein in the Old Town
  • Day 4Choose between a guided tour of medieval Obernai with half-timbered houses and Mont Sainte-Odile, or Strasbourg with its Gothic cathedral and Petite France canals

Included

  • Tour Manager/Cruise Director team throughout your tour
  • 4-night cruise onboard Amadeus Riva or Cara
  • Five-star service onboard, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First & Standard Class rail options available, Eurostar Plus on First Class departures
  • 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
  • Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Also sold by

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

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,349 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar (London St Pancras to Brussels outbound; Paris to London St Pancras return) and international rail (Brussels to Cologne outbound; Strasbourg to Paris return) in First or Standard Class. The package also includes all coach transfers.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes, an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escort the group throughout the five days.
What ship is used?
The cruise is aboard the Amadeus Riva or Amadeus Cara, a four-night luxury river ship with five-star onboard service.
What meals and drinks are included?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day are included. A drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise is complimentary. A spectacular gala dinner is served on the final evening onboard.
When does this trip run?
Great Rail Journeys offers departures in November and December 2026.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be purchased separately.

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