Enjoy a Christmas with a difference and join us on this magical river cruise through the Rhine valley, visiting the German towns of Cologne, Boppard & Rüdesheim . We’ve taken care of all the traditions for this magical time of year – the ship is seasonally decorated, there’s a mountain of delicious festive food, a fun-filled programme of entertainment and with the ship’s friendly crew at your service throughout, all that’s left for you to do is relax and enjoy yourself!
We travel to the beautiful city of Cologne where we join our ship for a relaxing evening.
This morning we sail to Andernach, an attractive walled town with a pretty riverside promenade. During the afternoon you can join our optional excursion to the picturesque town of Winningen for some wine tasting. Here you can sample delicious local wines and find out all about the cultivation and origin of the grapes and how they are made into wine. Relax on board this evening as we sail overnight to Cochem.
This morning we arrive into Cochem, an idyllic town set against the stunning backdrop of the Moselle River valley. Enjoy a morning at leisure exploring this picturesque town which is dominated by the towering, 11th century Reichsburg castle, which is over 1000 years old and features incredible panoramic views from the top. Lunch is served onboard as we set sail and cruise to Alken.
Relax onboard this morning and enjoy the passing scenery as we cruise towards Boppard, where you have the afternoon at leisure to explore. Once a Roman fort, Boppard is made up of lively squares and quiet lanes where traces of its early Roman heritage are evident. Enjoy a relaxing stroll or indulge in a glass or two of some of the best wines the Middle Rhine has to offer.
Merry Christmas! This morning we leave Boppard and continue cruising upriver to the quaint wine town of Rüdesheim where we will enjoy a traditional British Christmas lunch onboard. This afternoon you can join our optional excursion to Rüdesheim which includes a visit to the wonderful Mechanical Music Museum of Siegfried and a mug of Glüwein. In the evening you can join our optional excursion to see Rüdesheim at night, where you will visit the captivating street known as the Drosselgasse. Alternatively, you can stay onboard and enjoy the festivities.
This morning we sail to Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, cruising through the spectacular Rhine Gorge and past the famous Lorelei rock. Here we have free time to explore the city at leisure.
This morning we continue our course down the Rhine arriving into Cologne during the early afternoon. This beautiful city is the largest on the Rhine and is dominated by its cathedral, a gothic masterpiece which hovers above the rooftops. You are free to explore this vibrant city at leisure before we enjoy our final dinner on board this evening.
This morning we bid farewell to our captain and crew and disembark for the return journey to the UK.
ACCOMMODATION & FOOD
SERVICES
VISITS
Our new 4-star ship has all the ingredients of an unforgettable river cruise; comfort, style and the crew’s unfaltering attention to detail is everything.
MS Arena is completely deserving of its place in our premier cruise collection! Whether you’re cruising the Dutch Waterways, the rivers Rhine, Moselle or Danube, all the way to the Black Sea, this elegant, 4-star ship promises everything you’d wish for – and more – making for an unforgettable river cruising experience.