At this most contemplative time of year, you can enter a real winter fairytale. Visit the best Christmas Markets along the Rhine or the Danube, explore some sleepy little towns and riverscapes,warm your self with a delicious glass of mulled wine on board and immerse yourself in the wonderful traditions of the pre-Christmas period.
A full complement of optional excursions are available and may be pre-purchased as discounted packages in advance or on an ad-hoc basis on board.
Arrive in Cologne and transfer from the airport or railway station.
Although the weather in Cologne is mild, even in December, and the thermometer rarely drops below zero degrees, nevertheless, the Rhine metropolis welcomes you with wintery charm.
After embarkation, you will have plenty of time to explore your festively decorated Amadeus ship, followed by a Welcome Cocktail with the on-board cruise management. Thereafter, you will savor your first culinary delights on board at our stylish Amadeus Welcome Dinner, during which our chef will put you in an appropriately celebratory mood for your upcoming winter trip. Late at night your ship will set off for Koblenz.
Departure: 10 pm
Day 2 - Koblenz & Rüdesheim
You reach Koblenz before breakfast and you can explore the romantic town in the northern Rhineland-Palatinate during the course of an extended sightseeing walk, allowing the Christmas flair of the old town to charm you.
Thereafter, your trip continues through the magical Middle Rhine Valley, past the legendary Lorelei rock. The enchanting landscape loses none of its charm in the winter months and this section of the Rhine is rightly considered one of the most beautiful!
Late in the afternoon, you will reach the wine town of Rüdesheim, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Rhine Valley. Discover this picturesque little town during a relaxed stroll and enjoy the pre-Christmas atmosphere, before your ship continues southwards after dinner.
Koblenz walking tour
Rüdesheim walking tour incl. music cabinet museum
Day 3 - Speyer
Christmas magic awaits you again today in Speyer, where you arrive punctually at breakfast time.
You can take a tour to the old imperial residence town of Heidelberg, where you can enjoy not only numerous tourist attractions, but can also admire and enjoy the regional handicrafts, as well as the gingerbread and glühwein available at the romantic Christmas market. After lunch, you have the opportunity to explore Speyer.
Here, too, a beautiful Christmas market awaits you, which you should not miss. Spend a relaxed evening enjoying the contemplative advent atmosphere before you continue to France during dinner.
Excursion to Heidelberg with Christmas Market
Speyer walking tour with Christmas Market
Day 4 - Strasbourg
The south of France welcomes you in the morning with Christmas cheer. Visit the surrounding area and fall under the spell of the wintery Alsace and Obernai. In contrast to these dreamy landscapes, during the course of a city tour, discover the most beautiful aspects of the exciting metropolis of Strasbourg. In the pre-Christmas season, the beautifully decorated shops which set the city aglow with festive light are particularly worth seeing. Of course, you will also visit the Christmas market. As your trip nears its end, round it off with some hot punch and enjoy the romantic atmosphere, before the exclusive Captain’s Gala Dinner in the evening. During your last night on board, your ship remains anchored in Strasbourg.
City Tour of Strasbourg with Christmas Market
Wintery Alsace and Obernai
Day 5 - Strasbourg
Disembark after breakfast and make and transfer to the airport ot railway station for your journey home.
Welcome to the south of France! Either fly or take the train to Strasbourg and embark your festively decorated Amadeus ship.
Enjoy a Welcome Cocktail with the on-board before being spoilt at the Welcome Dinner with selected specialties prepared by our chef, which will put you in an appropriately festive mood for your advent cruise.
During the night, the ship will remain anchored in Strasbourg.
Day 2 - Strasbourg
Today you can enjoy the Alsace river city of Strasbourg. The surroundings are also well worth a visit: Those who wish to do so can take a morning expedition into the wintery Alsace and Obernai, and can admire the landscape of southern France.
In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to explore Strasbourg, where the festively decorated facades and shops invite you for a stroll, while enjoying the pre-Christmas atmosphere. You will, of course, also be able to experience the romantic ambience of the Christmas market before returning to the ship. After dinner, your ship will set sail for Germany.
Wintry Alsace and Obernai
City Tour of Strasbourg with Christmas Market
Speyer
Early in the morning you arrive in Speyer, which was once one of the most important cities of the German Holy Roman Empire.
From here, you can take a trip to the old imperial town of Heidelberg, which looks particularly charming at this time of year. Apart from the other tourist attractions, don’t miss the Heidelberg Christmas market, in order to enjoy its enchanting advent atmosphere.
After lunch, the festive mood continues and you will have the opportunity to enjoy Speyer during the course of a relaxed stroll. Here, too, a beautiful Christmas market awaits you, which you should not miss! At dinner time, your ship continues downriver to Rüdesheim.
Excursion to Heidelberg with Christmas Market
Speyer walking tour with Christmas Market
Day 4 - Rüdesheim & Koblenz
You reach Rüdesheim early in the morning and, after a generous breakfast, you can start exploring this fascinating wine town which, together with Bingen on the opposite side, forms the southern gateway to the Middle Rhine Valley. The picturesque little town is best discovered on a leisurely walk, after which you will continue to Koblenz for lunch.
On the way, you pass what is probably the most beautiful section of your trip – the dreamy, wintery Middle Rhine Valley and the mysterious Lorelei rock, which is associated with countless legends. In the afternoon you will reach Koblenz.
This romantic town in the northern Rhineland-Palatinate is best discovered during an extended walk. In the evening, the festive Captain’s Gala Dinner awaits you. Your ship leaves Koblenz in the evening.
Rüdesheim walking tour incl. music cabinet museum
Koblenz walking tour with Christmas Market
Day 5 - Cologne
Early in the morning, you reach the Rhine metropolis of Cologne, where your trip ends.
Enjoy a relaxed and generous breakfast before disembarkation. Transfer to the airport or station for your journey home.
Launched in April 2020, the Amadeus Imperial is designed to offer our guests an effortless combination of the vibrant energy of a river cruise day with an increasingly calm and intimate ship experience. The new ship offers 72 spacious deluxe cabins (17.5m2 / 188 sq.ft.) and 12 Amadeus suites (26.4m² / 284 sq.ft.) in total. As on all ships built since 2011, the Amadeus Imperial cabins on the Mozart and Strauss decks also feature lowerable panoramic windows along the entire cabin width.
All deluxe cabins and suites are equipped with comfortable, spacious bathrooms, an infotainment system, a flat screen television, a telephone, a cabin safe, a minibar and individually adjustable air conditioning. The suites also have an accessible outdoor balcony with a seating area.
Explore this ship in a virtual 360 degree tour
• Panorama-Restaurant • Panorama-Bar and Lounge • Amadeus-Club • “Café Vienna” with Viennese coffee specialities • Outdoor glass-shielded “River Terrace” • Sun Deck with Lido-Bar, lounge chairs, shade awnings, giant Chess Board and Shuffleboard • Fitness Room • Hair Salon, Massage Room • Gift Shop • Laundry Service • Complimentary bicycles on board • Wi-Fi available • Lift
Stay in one of the elegantly appointed Classic Staterooms or Amadeus Suites and enjoy unexpected little luxuries.
Be transported into a realm of chic comfort in one of the 18 staterooms. The beautiful 172 sq ft design is loaded with high-tech hospitality and swanky décor. Spacious bathroom, small panoramic window (cannot be opened), spacious wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe. Cabins with connecting doors are available on request.
Be transported into a realm of chic comfort in one of the 54 enlarged staterooms. The beautiful 188 sq ft design is loaded with high-tech hospitality and swanky décor. Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
These 12 deliberately designed suites with a lounge area, offer outdoor seating to sip your morning coffee and 284 sq ft of space to relax. Comfortable corner sofa, luxurious bathroom, walk-out exterior balcony, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Depart | Ship | Embark | From |
---|
Nov 28 | Amadeus Imperial | Cologne | £939 | Save 10% | Cabin Upgrades |
Lower Deck | C-4 | 172 ft², Fixed Windows | £939 | Was £999 | |
Lower Deck | C-1 | 172 ft², Fixed Windows | £1079 | Was £1159 | |
Middle Deck | B-4 | 188 ft², Panoramic Window | £1229 | Was £1319 | |
Middle Deck | B-1 | 188 ft², French Balcony | £1299 | Was £1399 | |
Upper Deck | A-1 | 188 ft², French Balcony | £1419 | Was £1539 | |
Upper Deck | Suite | 284 ft², Outside Balcony | £1669 | Was £1799 |
Dec 2 | Amadeus Imperial | Cologne | £939 | Save 10% | Cabin Upgrades |
Lower Deck | C-4 | 172 ft², Fixed Windows | £939 | Was £999 | |
Lower Deck | C-1 | 172 ft², Fixed Windows | £1079 | Was £1159 | |
Middle Deck | B-4 | 188 ft², Panoramic Window | £1229 | Was £1319 | |
Middle Deck | B-1 | 188 ft², French Balcony | £1299 | Was £1399 | |
Upper Deck | A-1 | 188 ft², French Balcony | £1419 | Was £1539 | |
Upper Deck | Suite | 284 ft², Outside Balcony | £1669 | Was £1799 |
Depart | Ship | Embark | From |
---|
Nov 28 | Amadeus Imperial | Cologne | £819 | Save 15% | Cabin Upgrades |
Lower Deck | C-4 | 172 ft², Fixed Windows | £819 | ||
Lower Deck | C-1 | 172 ft², Fixed Windows | £949 | ||
Middle Deck | B-4 | 188 ft², French Balcony | £1099 | ||
Middle Deck | B-1 | 188 ft², French Balcony | £1169 | ||
Upper Deck | A-1 | 188 ft², French Balcony | £1289 | ||
Upper Deck | Suite | 284 ft², Outside Balcony | £1509 |
Dec 8 | Amadeus Imperial | Cologne | £819 | Save 15% | Cabin Upgrades |
Lower Deck | C-4 | 172 ft², Fixed Windows | £819 | ||
Lower Deck | C-1 | 172 ft², Fixed Windows | £949 | ||
Middle Deck | B-4 | 188 ft², French Balcony | £1099 | ||
Middle Deck | B-1 | 188 ft², French Balcony | £1169 | ||
Upper Deck | A-1 | 188 ft², French Balcony | £1289 | ||
Upper Deck | Suite | 284 ft², Outside Balcony | £1509 |
Excursion Packages Owing to the variety of available excursions it‘s often difficult to choose between them – so on this cruise we offer you tailor-made and carefully composed sets of excursions that you can book in advance with 15% discount. All excursions can of course also be booked individually at regular rates on board. CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
Koblenz walking tour | £ 15.00 | ||
Rüdesheim walking tour incl. music cabinet museum | £ 21.00 | ||
Excursion to Heidelberg with Christmas Market | £ 42.00 | ||
Speyer walking tour with Christmas Market | £ 15.00 |
Enquire now about this cruise & speak to one of our friendly river cruising team on 0800 471 4754.
Celebrate all that is magical about Christmas in Continental Europe onboard a luxury floating hotel with wonderful staff and like-minded travelers. Something truly different. Austrian family hospitality makes cruising a relaxed affair. Excursions can be added ad hoc to allow more independent exploration and free time for you. A European facing, luxury cruising experience with English the language onboard. One of our favourite river cruise lines. A European facing, luxury cruising experience with English the language onboard. One of our favourite river cruise lines and the one all the others have learnt from.