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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail & river cruise holiday

Luxury 7 night Enchanting Rhine Cruise

London to Amsterdam: 7-night Rhine cruise with rail connections

Illustration of Luxury 7 night Enchanting Rhine Cruise

Planet Rail combines tailor-made rail travel from London with a 7-night luxury cruise on the Rhine, starting with Eurostar to Paris and a TGV First Class journey to Basel, where you board your 5-star ship. Over seven days you cruise from Basel through the Rhine, staying in a spacious outside stateroom with all meals, fine wines, and guided shore excursions included. You explore medieval Strasbourg with its Gothic cathedral and astronomical clock, visit Heidelberg's harmonious ensemble of castle and Old Town, sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge past castles and vineyards, tour Cologne's enchanting Old Town and UNESCO-designated cathedral, and spend time in Amsterdam's canal districts and Museum quarter. The ship carries only 156 passengers, creating an intimate atmosphere. You return to London via Inter City train to Brussels and Eurostar Standard Premier Class. This package suits couples and luxury-focused travellers who wish to combine rail journeys with refined river cruising, guided shore experiences, and the leisure of staying in one floating hotel while exploring some of Europe's most historic regions.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of £2,995 is based on an E-grade cabin for two people; final cost depends on cabin grade and occupancy
  • Day 8 requires you to make your own way from your ship to Amsterdam Centraal station before joining the return Eurostar
  • Shore excursions on Days 2, 4, 5 and 6 offer choices; which excursion runs depends on cruise scheduling and availability

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: On board, Basel

    London to Basel and onwards to your luxury 5 star cruise ship

    Your holiday begins at London St. Pancras station as you travel by Eurostar to Paris, with a light meal and drinks served on board in Standard Premier Class. On arrival at the Gare du Nord, your taxi transfer takes you across Paris to the Gare de Lyon to continue your journey to Basel. On arrival in Basel your transfer will take you to your cruise ship, such as the AmaPrima, or one of her sister ships depending on departure date. Embarkation begins at 3pm; check in and settle into your comfortable cabin before the first of many delightful meals.

  2. Day 2overnight: On board

    Breisach, Germany

    Over breakfast choose between two excursions: a walking tour of Riquewihr, a picturesque town which retains many of its features from the 16th century, or a walking tour of Breisach and Freiburg. Breisach houses one of Europe's largest wine cellars; in Freiburg you will visit the historical city centre and the Augustinerplatz, site of Freiburg's Münster, a Gothic cathedral of red sandstone.

  3. Day 3overnight: On board, Strasbourg

    Strasbourg, France

    Capital of France's Alsace region, Strasbourg is situated on the Rhine at the German border. Enjoy a panoramic tour past the Orangery, the European Parliament and the Place de la Republique, then continue on foot with a walking tour of the lovely 'La Petite France' neighbourhood, seeing the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock. The ship is moored overnight in Strasbourg.

  4. Day 4overnight: On board, Rüdesheim

    Into Germany – Speyer, Heidelberg and Rüdesheim

    Arrive in Ludwigshafen with a choice of excursions: a guided tour of Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities, with its imperial Romanesque Cathedral and the 13th-century Altpörtel gate tower, or the Heidelberg excursion, taking in the harmonious ensemble of castle, Old Town and river. Later you sail to the attractive town of Rüdesheim, where you can visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum with around 350 automated musical instruments, and explore the famous Drosselgasse. The ship is moored in Rüdesheim for the night.

  5. Day 5overnight: On board

    Rüdesheim and the Rhine Gorge

    Your exploration of Rüdesheim continues with a choice of three excursions: a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal Statue with a sampling of Riesling wines in the vineyards, a guided bike ride along the Rhine to Schloss Johannisberg, or a hike through the town's beautiful vineyards. During the afternoon, sail along the scenic Rhine River Gorge with its fabled legends and many castles to Lahnstein, where you'll enjoy a visit to Lahneck Castle.

  6. Day 6overnight: On board

    Cologne

    Home to one of Germany's most revered Gothic masterpieces, the Cologne Cathedral, this 2,000 year-old city is also a bustling cosmopolitan hotspot. Join a guided tour through the enchanting Old Town and explore the UNESCO-designated cathedral, ride a bike along the Rhine and through the historic Stadtgarten, or visit a local tavern to taste Kölsch beer and Reibekuchen.

  7. Day 7overnight: On board, Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    Free time this morning before your Amsterdam Canal Cruise and City Tour. Visit the poignant Anne Frank House and the pretty flower market, discover quieter areas like the Jordaan or the Pijp, or feast on the cultural splendour of the Museum quarter. After a busy afternoon relax back on board and enjoy your farewell dinner.

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast say farewell to your floating hotel and make your own way to Amsterdam Centraal station to join the comfortable Inter City train to Brussels, where you join the Eurostar service back to London, relaxing over a light meal and drinks in your Standard Premier Class seat before arrival into London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Choice of walking tours: the 16th-century town of Riquewihr or Breisach and Freiburg, where you visit the Münster, a Gothic cathedral of red sandstone
  • Day 3Panoramic tour of Strasbourg followed by a walking tour of La Petite France neighbourhood and the Gothic cathedral with its famous astronomical clock
  • Day 5Sail through the scenic Rhine Gorge lined with castles; choose between a gondola ride to the Niederwalddenkmal with Riesling wine tasting, a bike ride to Schloss Johannisberg, or a vineyard hike
  • Day 6Guided tour of Cologne's enchanting Old Town and UNESCO-designated Gothic Cathedral, or bike ride along the Rhine through the historic Stadtgarten
  • Day 7Amsterdam Canal Cruise and free time to visit the Anne Frank House, flower market, or Museum quarter before your farewell dinner aboard

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London (Standard Premier service on Eurostar)
  • 7 night Rhine cruise in a spacious outside stateroom on a 5 star ship
  • All meals, and wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Transfers
  • Shore excursions

Questions travellers ask

Is all rail travel included?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar Standard Premier Class from London to Paris and return from Brussels, TGV First Class from Paris to Basel, and Inter City service from Amsterdam to Brussels.
What is included in the cruise fare?
Seven nights in a spacious outside stateroom, all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, transfers, and guided shore excursions at each port.
Is this escorted or self-guided?
Rail travel is independent; you travel on your own between London and Basel. Shore excursions are guided. You have free time in Amsterdam on Day 7.
Which ship will I sail on?
Planet Rail lists the AmaPrima as an example, noting that a sister ship may be substituted depending on availability.
What ports does the cruise visit?
The ship travels from Basel through Breisach, Strasbourg, Ludwigshafen, Speyer, Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, Lahnstein, and Cologne to Amsterdam over 7 nights.
How much walking is involved?
Shore excursions include walking tours of medieval towns, optional bike rides, a gondola ride, and a vineyard hike. Most excursions are optional.

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