Classical Rhine Cruise

DAY 1

AMSTERDAM – This afternoon, embark and unpack. Enjoy a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a special Welcome Dinner. Enjoy a rousing Shanty Choir performance to end the evening. The vessel remains in Amsterdam overnight.

DAY 2

AMSTERDAM/UTRECHT – Choose to spend the morning exploring Amsterdam with a relaxing canal cruise. You will be back on board for lunch and set off with us from Utrecht upstream to Cologne.

DAY 3

COLOGNE – After breakfast, view our arrival at the beautiful cathedral city of Cologne. Explore the historic Old Town with its High Gothic architecture, the famous twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, and sample the famous Kölsch beer brewed in Cologne. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon or venture farther afield for a more active excursion to Siebengebirge National Park and the remains of Castle “Drachenfels” (Dragon Rock). After a wonderful day in Cologne, enjoy dinner on board as the vessel continues cruising the Rhine River.

DAY 4

COLOGNE – This morning our AMADEUS vessel takes a special trip down the romantic Moselle River, the largest tributary of the Rhine. This area is the 5th largest German wine region with some of the steepest, terraced vineyards along the river. After lunch, your vessel will arrive in Cochem. Explore the town which is filled with narrow streets, twisting alleys, medieval town gates, churches and walls on your own, or discover the beauty of Cochem and visit the stunning Reichsburg Castle on a guided tour. Later in the afternoon, join a visit to a local winery and sample some of the spectacular wines produced in this region. Before midnight, the vessel continues toward Koblenz.

DAY 5

KOBLENZ/RUDESHEIM – Early this morning, arrive in Koblenz, ideally situated at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle Rivers. Join this morning’s tour exploring the town of Koblenz on foot. This afternoon, spend time on deck as we cruise the most beautiful section of the river – the legendary Upper Middle Rhine Valley. This area is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its dramatic riverbanks dotted with vineyards and picturesque castles. Late afternoon, arrive in the winegrowers town of Rüdesheim. Choose a walking tour of the town, with a visit to the unique Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum’s private collection of self-playing instruments. Or visit a local vineyard for a tasting of the local wines and a walk through the famous Drosselgasse with its wine taverns, garden restaurants, beer bars and live music venues. Back on board, your AMADEUS crew awaits your return with a delicious dinner.

DAY 6

MANHEIM/SPEYER – Before breakfast, your vessel docks in the bustling town of Mannheim, your gate to an excursion to nearby Heidelberg, another old university city with its beautiful Heidelberg Castle. This afternoon’s call is at Speyer, a city known for its cathedral where eight Roman emperors and German kings are interred. Join us for a guided tour of one of the oldest cities in Germany and discover the secrets of the Speyer Brezel, one of Germany’s staple snacks and famously celebrated at the annual Pretzel Festival in Speyer. At night, your floating luxury hotel sets sail to Strasbourg.

DAY 7

STRASBOURG – This morning we arrive in the dynamic capital of Alsace. This beautiful city’s sights include the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster and the Petite France quarter, a former mill and tanner district that still maintains its medieval charm. Half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, and the Council of Europe are among the wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you. The Grand Island, the city center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is connected to the rest of the city by 22 stone bridges.See Strasbourg by canal boat on this morning’s guided excursion. After lunch on board, take in the views of the romantic Rhine as we move toward Switzerland, our final destination.

DAY 8

BASEL – After breakfast, the entire AMADEUS crew bids you farewell and wishes you a safe journey home. We hope to welcome you again soon!

CRUISE INCLUSIONS

Suites & Staterooms

• Luxury accommodation in an outside river-view stateroom of your choice: Spacious Mozart Suites with a walk-out balcony, stateroom cabins on Mozart and Strauss Decks with drop-down Panorama Retractable Windows offering a wide-open view (except AMADEUS Brilliant)
• Individual climate control and in-room safe
• Choice of bed configuration in all categories (double or twin bedding)
• Bottled water in cabin

Gourmet Dining

• Gourmet dining featuring breakfast, multi-course lunches and dinners with menu choices (including vegetarian options), afternoon tea and late-night snack
• Free-flowing hand-selected wines from the best wine regions, draft beer, soda as well as coffee and tea with every lunch and dinner
• Coffee and tea available 24 hours a day in the AMADEUS Club
• Welcome and Farewell Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Gala Dinner

An Array of Amenities

• Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
• Onboard fitness center open 24 hours a day
• All gratuities on board are included in your cruise fare

Voyage of Discovery

• Personalized service of an experienced, multilingual AMADEUS Cruise Director
• AMADEUS digital audio system for all guided excursions
• Variety of enriching onboard programs, including fascinating lectures, cooking demonstrations, local cultural performances, and music by our onboard musicians
• Complimentary use of onboard bicycles for independent exploration
• Onboard fitness center open 24 hours a day
• WiFi is available throughout the vessel including staterooms
• All port taxes, embarkation, disembarkation and lock fees included in your cruise fare