Christmas on the Rhine

Cologne, Coblenz, Ruedesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg & Mainz

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, airline taxes and fees, cruise, many meals, touring & more. *

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance Christmas on the Rhine
Day	Destination/Port of Call	Arrive	Depart
1	Depart USA
2	Frankfurt/Cologne		8pm
3	Coblenz	6am	Noon
	Ruedesheim	7pm	10pm
4	Speyer	8am	1am
5	Strasbourg(France)	1pm	10pm
6	Mainz	Noon	10pm
7	Cologne	10am
8	Cologne/USA
Arrival/departure times subject to change

Departs	New York Kennedy (JFK); other gateways on request
Highlights	Cologne, Koblenz, Ruedesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg & Mainz
Included Features	Round trip flights from New York to Frankfurt via scheduled carriers including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees, with other gateways available on request Train service from Frankfurt Airport to Cologne 6 nights in outside cabins with French balconies on board MS Amadeus Princess All port and local taxes All meals on cruise, (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners) including welcome dinner and captain’s gala dinner Unlimited wine included during dinner service Daily performances by musicians on board Services of a multilingual cruise director throughout All shore excursions as described in the itinerary Modern, wireless audio system “Quietvox” for all excursions during the cruise
Travel Style	This leisurely paced river cruise requires minimal walking and is suitable for most levels of physical fitness.

Pass by hilltop castles, terraced vineyards and waterside villages on this most scenic stretch of river on the German-French border. Shop at the Christmas market in Ruedesheim, and tour the Cologne Gothic Cathedral, housing the relics of the three holy kings.

Christmas Eve is in Speyer, Germany, home to one of the world’s best-preserved Romanesque churches. Awake Christmas morning bound for Strasbourg, France, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy huge savings when you book your Christmas Rhine Cruise all-inclusive package with Friendly Planet. Save your extra cash for all the treasures you’ll find at the gorgeous markets you’ll visit.

Dates, Prices & Options

All prices, fees and deposits are per person, subject to change at any time, and not guaranteed until we receive your final payment.

Tour prices have been increased by $20 per person, due to a fuel surcharge increase imposed by the airline on Aug 22, 2012.

Coming from somewhere else? Before you book, ask us about availability and prices for flights from other cities.

To make a reservation, we only require a per-person deposit payment, which you can pay with your credit card. This non-refundable deposit will be applied towards the cost of your package. You can pay the balance due later by credit card, check or money order. Your final payment is due 75 days prior to departure, or within 72 hours of booking, whichever is later.

Detailed Itinerary

Lueftner Cruises will do its utmost to adhere to the itinerary listed, but reserves the right to change the schedule or port stops.

Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting journey to Germany begins this evening as you check in for your overnight flight.

Day 2: Frankfurt/Cologne. Upon arrival at Frankfurt Airport, proceed to the DB Bahn rail platform to board your train to Cologne. Upon arrival in Cologne, make your way independently to the port for embarkation on your ship, and check in to your “floating hotel” Taxis are readily available at the station. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and welcome dinner on board. The ship casts off and sails upstream towards Coblenz during the night. MS Amadeus Princess. Dinner provided.

Day 3: Coblenz/Ruedesheim. Early this morning, arrive in Colbenz, which stands at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. After breakfast, you may join a walking tour to see the highlights of the city. Return to the ship in time for lunch, and continue cruising along the most famous and scenic stretch of the Rhine towards Ruedesheim. Pass by hilltop castles, terraced vineyards and attractive waterside villages. Arrive in Ruedesheim in the evening. You may choose to visit the attractive Christmas market nearby. The vessel will depart this evening. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided.

Day 4: Speyer. Today, the vessel will dock in Speyer, one of the Roman Empire’s most important settlements. Enjoy a guided walk that includes, among other sights, Speyer’s famous cathedral - one of the world’s best-preserved Romanesque churches. You may be able to attend a Christmas mass in the evening. The ship casts off again after midnight, heading upstream towards France. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided.

Day 5: Strasbourg (France). Enjoy Christmas morning relaxing on board. The ship will dock after lunch in Strasbourg, the ancient capital of Alsace and one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Disembark for a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, which includes a view of the European Parliament building and a guided tour of the inside of the city’s vast and famous cathedral that features carvings as delicate as any piece of lacework. The ship casts off again, this time downstream, after dinner. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided.

Day 6: Mainz. Arrive in Mainz this morning. Discover the town’s traditions, history and lifestyle on a city tour, which includes a visit to the Gutenberg Museum that commemorates 400 years of printing history. Tonight, the captain invites everyone to a special dinner and dance to the accompaniment of the ship’s orchestra. The ship sets sail after dinner. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided.

Day 7: Cologne. Early this morning, the ship will dock in Cologne. After breakfast, join a guided walking tour of the city, which was founded by the Romans and has been an important trading center for many hundreds of years. It is dominated by its vast Gothic Cathedral, which was founded in 1248 as a pilgrimage church, and now houses the relics of the three holy kings. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city on your own. Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided.

Day 8: Cologne/USA. Your cruise comes to an end as you disembark and make your way independently to the Cologne Rail Station for your journey to Frankfurt and connecting flight to the USA, arriving later today. Breakfast provided.

Cruise Ship

MS Amadeus Princess

See specifications, deck plans & photos of the ship.

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