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Leger Holidays · Escorted river cruise tour

New Year Cruise on the Romantic Rhine by Rail

New Year river cruise from Cologne to Koblenz by rail and ship

Illustration of New Year Cruise on the Romantic Rhine by Rail

Leger Holidays operates this 6-day, 5-night Rhine cruise timed for a New Year's celebration, combining convenient rail travel from London with a ship-based holiday through Germany. You begin by boarding Eurostar at London St. Pancras International, travel via Brussels, and arrive in Cologne to board the river ship on December 28. Over the next four days, the vessel meanders downstream through the Romantic Rhine region, stopping at Andernach, a walled riverside town, and Boppard, a former Roman fort, before reaching Koblenz on New Year's Eve. There you enjoy a gala dinner and party with fireworks over the city. On January 1, the ship sails back to Cologne for a final day ashore and dinner. The return journey on January 2 reverses the train route: coach to Cologne station, trains to Brussels, and Eurostar back to London. All five nights aboard, every meal, and all rail fares are included. A Cruise Director and Manager stay on board to lead the tour. This itinerary suits couples, solo travellers, and small groups seeking guided comfort with a festive New Year atmosphere.

What to know before you look closer

  • The activity level requires comfort with train changes, stairs, and carrying your own luggage for 30-40 minutes at a time.
  • You arrange your own arrival at London St. Pancras International on Day 1; the package begins when you board Eurostar.
  • Wine tasting at Winningen is optional and costs extra (from GBP 43 to GBP 47 depending on the year).

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard ship

    Make your own way to London St. Pancras International and board the Eurostar to Cologne via Brussels. On arrival, our coach transfers us to our ship. (Dec 28)

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Onboard, Andernach

    Cologne to Andernach

    This morning we sail to Andernach, an attractive walled town, with an optional excursion to Winningen for wine tasting. (Dec 29)

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Onboard, Boppard

    Boppard

    Relax aboard as we cruise towards Boppard, once a Roman fort, with the afternoon free to explore. (Dec 30)

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Onboard, Koblenz

    Boppard to Koblenz

    After breakfast, we set sail for Koblenz, free to explore before tonight's New Year's Eve gala dinner and party, with fireworks over the city. (New Year's Eve)

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Onboard, Cologne

    Koblenz to Cologne

    Happy New Year! We continue down the Rhine, arriving into Cologne in the early afternoon, free to explore before our final dinner aboard. (New Year's Day)

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6rail

    We bid farewell to our captain and crew, transferring by coach to Cologne Railway Station, then by train to Brussels and Eurostar to London St. Pancras International. (Jan 2)

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Brussels, then a connecting train to Cologne, with coach transfer to the ship.
  • Day 2Sail to Andernach, an attractive walled town; optional excursion to Winningen for wine tasting.
  • Day 3Cruise towards Boppard, once a Roman fort, with the afternoon free to explore.
  • Day 4Arrive in Koblenz on New Year's Eve and celebrate with a gala dinner and party, with fireworks over the city.
  • Day 5Sail back down the Rhine to Cologne on New Year's Day, arriving in the early afternoon with time to explore before the final dinner aboard.

Included

  • Return Eurostar from London to Brussels
  • Connecting trains outbound and inbound from Brussels to Cologne
  • 5 nights cruising with full board
  • Welcome drink and Captain's Gala Dinner
  • Services of a Cruise Director and Manager on board the ship
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and Wi-Fi on board the ship

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Leger Holidays includes return Eurostar from London to Brussels and connecting trains from Brussels to Cologne and back.
What is the ship like?
The ship has a capacity of 141 passengers. Five nights of full board are included, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner onboard each day, plus tea, coffee, and Wi-Fi.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A Cruise Director and Manager are on board the ship throughout the cruise.
How much walking is involved?
Activity is moderate. You'll need to be comfortable walking for 30-40 minutes, including stairs and platform changes, while carrying your own luggage during train transfers.
What meals are included?
All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners aboard the ship are included for five nights. Welcome drink and Captain's Gala Dinner on New Year's Eve are included.
When does the tour run?
Departure is December 28, returning January 2. This timing places New Year's Eve on Day 4 in Koblenz.

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