Rhine Christmas Markets (2027) - 8 days Düsseldorf to Basel

Join your ship in Düsseldorf and settle in ahead of your Rhine river cruise. After meeting your crew and fellow travellers, enjoy your first dinner on board as the ship begins its leisurely journey.

Explore Cologne’s old town on a walking tour with your Experience Director and Experience Manager. You’ll see the city’s UNESCO-listed cathedral and visit its Christmas markets, known for their regional crafts, hearty food and local traditions. There’s time to discover more on your own or join an optional visit to the Michael Schumacher Private Collection. Another option takes you behind the scenes of Cologne’s Kölsch beer culture. Back in the heart of the city, the markets offer plenty to experience – from seasonal snacks to local music and handmade gifts.

Excursions

Get to know Koblenz with a Local Specialist who’ll guide you through the city’s old town and landmarks, including the Deutsches Eck, where the Rhine and Moselle meet. The Christmas market fills the streets with its twinkling lights, perfect for browsing local treats and gifts. Later, relax on board as the ship sails through the scenic Middle Rhine, passing castles and vineyard-covered hills. Arrive in Rüdesheim in time to join an Optional Experience wine tasting at Eberbach Monastery, a chance to sample local vintages in one of the region’s most atmospheric historic settings.

Excursions

Climb aboard the Winzerexpress, a mini train that winds through the vineyards and cobbled lanes of Rüdesheim. Travel past timber-framed houses dressed for the season as you ride from the old town to panoramic hilltop views. At the Rüdesheim Christmas Market, stalls showcase local crafts, handmade ornaments and festive treats from across Europe. Then join the Breuer family at their traditional weingasthaus for a Be My Guest experience featuring a lunch of seasonal dishes, local wine and live music. After a scenic sail from Rüdesheim, enjoy a guided stroll through Mainz Christmas market with your Experience Director and Experience Manager, a chance to explore traditional chalets, warming drinks and seasonal stalls set against the backdrop of the city’s cathedral.

Excursions

Spend the day your way in Speyer, with two included experiences to choose from, depending on your interests. You can join a Local Specialist for a walking tour through one of Germany’s oldest cities, known for its Romanesque cathedral and charming Christmas market. Or choose a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a visit to Doktorenhof, a private vinegar estate where centuries-old methods meet local passion. Taste artisan vinegars and learn how this family-run operation supports biodiversity and tradition. In the afternoon, you can enjoy an Optional Experience visit to Heidelberg. Its riverside setting, historic old town and festive market stalls make it a seasonal favourite. Back on board, the ship sets course for Strasbourg.

Excursions

Get to know Strasbourg on a walking tour with a Local Specialist. From half-timbered houses to the city’s soaring cathedral, the old town blends history with festive cheer. Explore the Strasbourg Christmas market, one of the oldest in Europe, known for its handcrafted ornaments and regional delicacies. If you’d like to venture further, choose an Optional Experience to sample wines at a local winery before exploring the Christmas markets of Obernai.

Excursions

riverside elegance and seasonal spirit. Wander through the Christmas market in the historic old town, filled with Swiss crafts, warming drinks and festive stalls beneath the spires of Barfüsserkirche. For those keen to see more, an Optional Experience to Lucerne reveals one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities. See the Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument, stroll through the old town’s painted facades, and browse for classic Swiss souvenirs – from fine chocolate to precision watches.

Excursions

Your festive journey along the Rhine comes to an end in Basel. After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your crew and fellow travellers as you disembark, taking home special memories of Europe’s Christmas markets and riverside charm.