How much does it cost?

From £2,199 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,970 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is rail travel included?

Yes. Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, train onward to Cologne, and return Eurostar are included. First or Standard Class on Eurostar is available; First Class includes Eurostar Plus service.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

It is fully escorted. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team accompany the group throughout the eight days.

What accommodation is provided?

Seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Amara, a luxury river cruise ship. The ship is your base for the entire journey.

What meals are included?

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, plus a New Year's Eve gala dinner. Drinks are complimentary with dinner each night of the cruise.

Which guided tours and excursions are included?

Great Rail Journeys includes guided walking tours in Mainz, Strasbourg, and Heidelberg, plus a brewery visit and tasting in Mainz and access to the Gutenberg Museum. A superb choice of excursions is available; consult the operator for the full list.

When does this trip run?

Only one departure is published: December 2026. Confirm availability and whether additional dates are planned with Great Rail Journeys.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

New Year on the Rhine: Mainz, Basel & Rüdesheim

Eight-day New Year Rhine cruise from London to Koblenz on MS Amadeus Amara

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day New Year cruise on the Rhine, departing London on Eurostar and returning by the same route. The journey centers on a seven-night stay aboard MS Amadeus Amara, a luxury cruise ship that departs Cologne and sails south through Germany and Switzerland to Koblenz. Days blend guided exploration of riverside towns, the medieval charm of Mainz, the French-German blend of Strasbourg, the castle views of Heidelberg, with leisurely cruising time and onboard festivities. Day 4 culminates in Basel with a New Year's Eve gala dinner and celebration aboard ship. Day 5 is devoted entirely to cruising, with viewing decks, a gym, and activities like gingerbread-making and seasonal afternoon tea. The itinerary includes all meals, nightly drinks with dinner, guided city walks, museum and brewery visits, and a Tour Manager escort. Complimentary luggage service carries one case from your home to the ship and back. This journey suits couples seeking a luxurious New Year escape, history enthusiasts drawn to Rhine Valley castles and historic cities, and travelers who prefer guided comfort with included meals and transport.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £300 since 4 Jul, to £2,199.

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

The single supplement (GBP 3,099) is significantly higher than half the double price; confirm cabin options when booking
Only one departure date is published: December 2026; availability and future years should be confirmed with Great Rail Journeys
Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be purchased separately

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Onboard MS Amadeus Amara
Travelling to Cologne where we board our luxurious ship
Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, changing trains to Cologne to board the MS Amadeus Amara with a welcome cocktail, sailing towards Mainz after the first onboard dinner.
Day 2overnight: Onboard MS Amadeus Amara
Guided tour of Mainz and afternoon brewery visit
Walking tour of Mainz including the Gutenberg Museum, followed by a brewery tour and tasting, with free time in the Old Town.
Day 3overnight: Onboard MS Amadeus Amara
An afternoon taking in the sights of Strasbourg
A free morning sailing towards Strasbourg, then a guided tour of the Gothic cathedral, Place Kléber and the half-timbered streets of the old city.
Day 4overnight: Onboard MS Amadeus Amara
Morning sightseeing and New Year celebrations in Basel
Guided tour of Basel's Old Town, Town Hall and Basel Minster, free time in the afternoon, then a New Year's Eve gala dinner with a choice of traditional German or British food and celebrations onboard.
Day 5overnight: Onboard MS Amadeus Amara
New Year's cruise along the breathtaking Rhine
A relaxing day cruising the Rhine with onboard facilities, a gingerbread-making session and a festive afternoon tea.
Day 6overnight: Onboard MS Amadeus Amara
The historic cities of Speyer and Heidelberg
Free time to explore Speyer independently, then a guided tour of Heidelberg's Old Town, Heidelberg Castle and the Karl Theodor Bridge.
Day 7overnight: Onboard MS Amadeus Amara
Rüdesheim and sailing the picturesque Rhine Gorge to Koblenz
Free time in the wine town of Rüdesheim, then sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock to Koblenz, with time to see the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and Deutsches Eck.
Day 8rail
Homeward bound
Disembark in Cologne and travel by rail to Brussels, then Eurostar to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Board the Eurostar at London St Pancras, travel through Brussels, and embark on MS Amadeus Amara in Cologne with a welcome cocktail
Day 2Guided walking tour of Mainz's cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, followed by a visit to the Gutenberg Museum and brewery tasting
Day 4Arrive in Basel and celebrate New Year's Eve with a gala dinner and mulled wine onboard the ship
Day 5Full day cruising the Rhine with onboard activities including gingerbread-making and seasonal afternoon tea
Day 7Sail through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site lined with medieval castles and vineyards, en route to Koblenz

Included

Escorted throughout by an experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara with five-star service and complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
First & Standard Class rail options available; Eurostar Plus on First Class departures; all rail and coach travel throughout the tour
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, including a gala dinner
Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
A superb choice of excursions

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.

Vacations By Railfrom $2,299

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,199 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,970 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is rail travel included?: Yes. Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, train onward to Cologne, and return Eurostar are included. First or Standard Class on Eurostar is available; First Class includes Eurostar Plus service.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: It is fully escorted. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team accompany the group throughout the eight days.
What accommodation is provided?: Seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Amara, a luxury river cruise ship. The ship is your base for the entire journey.
What meals are included?: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, plus a New Year's Eve gala dinner. Drinks are complimentary with dinner each night of the cruise.
Which guided tours and excursions are included?: Great Rail Journeys includes guided walking tours in Mainz, Strasbourg, and Heidelberg, plus a brewery visit and tasting in Mainz and access to the Gutenberg Museum. A superb choice of excursions is available; consult the operator for the full list.
When does this trip run?: Only one departure is published: December 2026. Confirm availability and whether additional dates are planned with Great Rail Journeys.