What to expect
Cruise The Rhine
Drop anchor along the Rhine
Full Board Package
Meals, drinks with meals & your own cabin with panoramic views
Explore Christmas Markets
Including in Koblenz, Rüdesheim and Heidelberg
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About this trip...
About this trip:
Christmas markets are in full boom during the holiday season. The smell of freshly baked goods fills the air surrounding the festive wooden booths selling artisan gifts. We'll visit several markets during this cruise for an authentic German holiday experience, including those in Speyer, romantic Heidelberg, the Christmas Market of Nations in Rüdesheim, and Koblenz. Book Early to Avoid Flight and Cabin SupplementsActivity Level:
What's this?What's Included
London Heathrow/Cologne/Basel and transfers
Main Deck Sole Occupancy Cabin
All meals included - Drinks included with meals and at the bar als and at the bar
Official welcome from the captain and crew
Included with a group of 10
Fully Financially Protected
What's extra:
- Regional Flights from Manchester - prices available on request
- Cabin upgrades – prices available on request
- Shore Excursions
- Insurance click here
Itinerary
- Cologne
- Koblenz, Germany
- Rüdesheim, Germany
- Speyer, Germany
- Strasbourg, France
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING
Day One: ARRIVAL INTO COLOGNE
After our flight from the UK to Cologne, passengers are welcome to board the ship at 6:00pm. After comfortably settling into your cabin, there will be a Welcome Cocktail where you will be introduced to our crew and fellow Solos guests. Our ship will cruise towards Koblenz throughout the night.
- Dinner
Day Two: DISCOVER KOBLENZ
We’ll spend the morning cruising the Rhine River to Koblenz.
In the afternoon, we’ll set out on an optional tour of Koblenz and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Located at the crossroads of the Rhine and Moselle regions and surrounded by several mountain peaks, Koblenz is a rich mosaic of culture and history. We’ll take the funicular railway up the hill to visit the historic castle, where we'll have a magnificent view across the city and valleys. You’ll immediately understand the strategic importance of this fortress throughout history, as the lands stretch as far as the eye can see.
What better way to wrap up the day than to check out the holiday market in Koblenz? Gingerbread, grilled almonds, cinnamon, and mulled wine scents waft through the air at the city's traditional Christmas market set up at several squares throughout the picturesque old town. We'll remain in Koblenz for the night.
- Full Board
OPTIONAL EXCURSION:
Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, Koblenz offers visitors a rich collection of cultural monuments and historic buildings. Ludwig van Beethoven's mother was born in the city, and Mozart’s family once sojourned here on a trip from Paris to London. We’ll take the funicular railway up the hill to visit the historic castle, where we'll have a magnificent view across the city and valleys. You’ll immediately understand the strategical importance of this fortress throughout history as the land stretches as far as the eye can see. Afterwards, enjoy some free time at the Christmas market, where the yuletide tradition has taken place for centuries. The romantic holiday market runs from the old city to the famous Deutsches Eck. Explore the city on your own before returning to the ship.
PLEASE NOTE:
The order of the visits can change.
Times are approximate.
Cost: £51
Day Three: DISCOVER RUDESHEIM
This morning, we’ll pass through the beautiful and romantic Rhine Valley. The fascinating Rhine River has been the muse for many legends, including the Rock of the Lorelei. Each twist and turn of the river reveals another castle atop a peak above the sprawling vineyards. This afternoon, join us for an optional tour of the city by tourist train and a visit to the mechanical music cabinet museum. We’ll board a tourist train for Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. The museum holds approximately 350 exhibits of mechanical instruments dating from the 18th to the 20th centuries – from delicate musical boxes to a gigantic piano-orchestrion. Afterwards, spend some time strolling through the Christmas Market of Nations, enjoying what the ambiance has to offer. The 120 wooden chalets set the stage for an authentic German Christmas market displaying artisan objects, great gift ideas, and delicious culinary specialties such as local confections and cookies, and of course, pretzels! You’ll return to the ship by walking down the famous Drosselgasse.
After our excursion, we’ll return on board for dinner. In the evening, the famous Drosselgasse awaits you once again with its numerous cafés, bars, and music.
- Full Board
OPTIONAL EXCURSION: We'll leave by coach from Mannheim to Heidelberg. Its unique charm comes from the harmonious combination of romanticism, dynamism, legend and modernity. We'll take a guided tour of the outsides of the Heidelberg Castle on foot. It is partially in ruins, and as such has inspired generations of painters and poets ever since the 18th century. They perceived the damaged castle as a testimony to the grandeur and decadence of human creations. Goethe, Hölderlin, Uhland and Eichendorff celebrated the landscape surrounding the castle while many others took it as a model itself. Don't miss the geometric terraces of the Palatinate gardens, once considered the "8th world wonder”. The gardens' architect, Salomon de Caus, wanted to recreate the harmony with which city, river and hills all around intertwined. After this guided tour, you will take the coach down into the Neckarmünzplatz in the old historic city center for a guided tour on foot. You will admire the Saint-Esprit Church (exterior view) and will have some free time for shopping before taking the coach back to the boat. On the way back you will go through the city centre of Mannheim, where you will find the boat. Cost: £58 PLEASE NOTE
- The access to the castle needs to climb up a 300m gradient.
- We cannot visit the inside of the castle at this time of year.
- Good walking shoes are recommended.
- The order of the visits can change.
- Times are approximate.
Day Four: RUDESHEIM - SPEYER - HEIDELBERG - SPEYER
We'll spend the morning cruising to Speyer. This afternoon, the optional excursion is: Heidelberg and its Christmas Market. We'll leave by coach for Heidelberg for a visit of the city and its castle (exteriors). The city was the center of German Romanticism during the 19th century. After a guided tour of the old town, enjoy some time on your own exploring the enchanting Christmas market. You'll discover some great finds for your holiday shopping at the Marktplatz, Universitätsplatz (with its antique carousel), and the winter wonderland at the Kornmarkt. Tonight we’ll enjoy our gala dinner on board. Our ship will cruise to Strasbourg.
- Full Board
OPTIONAL EXCURSION:A little train will take us through the small alleyways of Rudesheim. The visit will continue on to the Music Museum, located in an old building from the 15th century, close to the Drosselgasse. We'll visit the "Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett" which holds an impressive collection of no less than 350 mechanical musical instruments dating back to the 18th century to the 20th, all spread out on more than 4000 ft². "You won't believe your ears” once you embark on a musical adventure into the world of historical automated instruments. This is a vast collection, dating back three centuries, of fascinating musical instruments that function like computers, ranging from tiny, delicate music boxes to an enormous orchestrion. Tools and machines for the production of organ pipes, cardboard sheet music, rolls of sheet music and perforated disks are also on display in the collection. You will then walk down the Drosselgasse, famous for its small restaurants with orchestras. Free time and return on board on foot.
PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate. Good walking shoes are recommended. Cost: £29 prior to departure - £32 on board
Day Five: STRASBOURG
Enjoying one last buffet breakfast on board, we disembark at 9.00am and transfer to the airport for our flight home. What an experience to go home with!
Accommodation
MS Vivaldi
The MS Vivaldi is named after one of the greatest virtuosos in the history of music, who notably composed 'The Four Seasons'. The ship sails on the Danube, and takes passengers to discover the many wonders offered by this romantic river.
The MS Vivaldi is a superb Premium ship, accommodating 176 passengers, in 88 cabins spread over three decks. Each cabin provides guests with all the comforts they need during their stay. The decoration is stylish and its atmosphere, both elegant and friendly, and in perfect harmony with its surroundings.
Located on the middle deck, the restaurant offers a delicate cuisine in a refined setting, where large bay windows allow guests to fully enjoy the panorama. Also situated on the middle deck is the lounge / bar with a dance floor, while a piano bar welcomes passengers on the upper deck, in an intimate and cosy atmosphere. Comfortable sun loungers are provided on the sun deck, with a large shaded area, the ideal place to relax and admire the surrounding landscapes.
Facilities include
Restaurant: Located on the middle deck, the restaurant is where all meals are served during your cruise. It seats all guests at tables which vary in size with a panoramic view. The atmosphere is casual but elegant.
Lounge Bar: The lounge tastefully decorated, is located at the front of the ship and offers panoramic views. Cocktails and games, dancing, and other forms of entertainment all happen here.
Sun Deck: Take advantage of the sun deck to relax! It is equipped with chairs and deckchairs, allowing you to cool off while enjoying a panoramic view of the magnificent landscapes.
Room includes
Amenities in your Cabin:
TV, Telephone (for internal calls only), Bathroom with shower and toilet, Towels, Safe, Independent air-conditioning, Electricity 220V, Wi-Fi.
Please note that there is no laundry service on board the ship.
Photo for illustration purposes and may not be cabin allocated.
Dates & Prices
Frequently asked questions
What Your On Board Package Includes
To ensure the enjoyment of your cruise, CroisiEurope has opted for the 'fully inclusive' package which includes a number of advantages in the cruise prices:
Accommodation in double cabins ;
Full Board Cruise from lunch or dinner on day 1 to breakfast buffet or lunch on the last day (depending on the chosen cruise programme). All our meals are served in one service. Breakfast is buffet style, and lunch and dinner are served at the table.
Drinks (unless stated otherwise in the cruise program, under "These prices do not include".) The drinks included in the package are those provided by CroisiEurope and consumed as part of the meals taken aboard the boat, as well as in the bar (with the exception of the special bar card and wine list).
WI-FI access;
Port taxes.
On Board Assistance
If there is no Solos Host on board you will be looked by the onboard multi-lingual host/hostess
Language's on Board
Official languages on board : French and English.
Embarkation/Disembarkation
Boarding and check-in on the ship will be indicated on your boarding pass provided in your travel log (after booking). We ask that you respect this schedule. The ship itself is held to respect the schedules of navigation envisaged for the route, in order to respect the program of navigation throughout the cruise. If you arrive earlier in the day, you can generally leave most of your luggage on board our ships. Your agent can also inform our ships that you will be arriving earlier, when booking. At the end of the cruise, the landing is usually scheduled for 9:00 am for all passengers.
In the event that we are responsible for your transfer to the airport, we will ensure that you arrive in time for your flight and connections. At the end of the cruise, the landing is usually scheduled for 9:00 am for all passengers. In the event that we are responsible for your transfer to the airport, we will ensure that you arrive in time for your flight and connections.
How to pay on board?
CroisiEurope only accepts euros on board the boats. We do not accept sterling, US dollars or any other currency. We do not accept travelers checks on board. Make sure you get euros before boarding, which will allow you to pay for all your purchases.
CroisiEurope accepts American Express, Visa and MasterCard. You may wish to contact your bank or the company that issued your credit card to warn them that you are departing on holiday.
Special Diets and Allergies
Please inform us at the time of your booking whether you require a special diet or suffer from allergies. We can then inform CroisiEurope.
Gala Evening: a tradition and a must!
The gala evening is a long-awaited tradition in the world of cruising. This is the night we like to dress up, although no dress code is imposed. The crew all in their dress uniform, are presented to the passengers who are invited have a pre-dinner drink with the captain in the company of the purser, and the head chef.
That evening, the chef serves a banquet paying a special tribute to the world of French gastronomy and the experience of CroisiEurope’s chefs in these matters. Dancing follows this gala dinner in the lounge bar.
Wi-Fi on Board: Stay connected
All the company's European fleet are equipped with free Wi-Fi for passengers. This internet connection is available in all lounges / bars and receptions. The Wi-Fi is free to use.
For passengers who do not have computer equipment, we have equipped each boat with a touch pad that can be lent to them when needed.
Dress Code
During the day, you will be more comfortable in a casual outfit. We advise you to bring clothes that do not wrinkle, or that can easily be transported because there are no ironing facilities on board our fleet. Remember to dress according to the weather, the season and the environment of your cruise e.g light suits and swimsuits for warm weather; sweater or jacket for cooler weather; sweatshirt, rain gear and small umbrella.
Do not forget to bring comfortable walking shoes in your suitcase. They will be very useful during excursions! Regarding dinners, cocktails and galas, it is advisable to dress up a little more without the need, for gentlemen, necessarily to wear a jacket and tie. Finally, on any excursion, when you visit places of worship, make sure to opt for an appropriate outfit, neither too light nor too undressed, so as not to be prohibited entry.
Gratuities
Tipping habits vary from country and culture. At CroisiEurope, they are collected centrally in a box at reception at the end of the stay and shared equally between all members of the crew. This token from our passengers shows that they appreciated the quality of the services and the attention they received during the cruise at all levels. How much should I leave?
A tip between £5 and £10 per day per person is an average, but each passenger is, of course, free to give what they want. An envelope is deposited for this purpose in your cabin during your last evening on board. Slip it in the box provided for this purpose at the reception before disembarking.
Safety on Board
All our ships are certified Bureau Veritas.
Life jackets and life buoy are located in your cabins as well as on the sun deck.
During the presentation of the crew, all safety instructions will be provided.
For safety reasons, it is forbidden to smoke on board any of our fleet as it is a closed environment. However, smokers are invited to go to the sun deck, where ashtrays are provided.
What's Not Included
Drinks from the special lists, or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers - cancellation and baggage insurance - optional excursions (must be reserved and paid for on board or at travel agency) - personal expenses - the concert of Viennese music.
What is Included
Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day - onboard drinks included (except for drinks from speciality lists) - sole-occupancy cabin with shower in bathroom - assistance from the onboard multi-lingual host/hostess - welcome cocktail - gala dinner - onboard entertainment - travel assistance and repatriation insurance - all port fees.
Shore Excursions
Excursions can be booked at the time of booking the cruise, until up to one week before departure or on board the boat. Reservations made before the departure of a package of complete excursions or ‘excursions à la carte’ are at a discounted price compared to reservations made on board. It is possible to choose between two excursion formulas according to the tastes and desires: the "classic package" or the "discovery" package". In the discovery package all the excursions are brand new and give a different and more energized point of view on the proposed destinations.
If the classics are rather "piano", the dynamics are "allegro" with unusual visits. These excursions although sportier still remain accessible to the greatest number of passengers. However, all discoveries are customizable. Each passenger is free to choose one or the other formula when booking before or during the cruise and can mix "classic" and "discovery" for the excursions ‘à la carte’ only.
Travel Requirements
To travel with CroisiEurope you will need to bring a valid national identity card or passport.
Depending on the destination, make sure you have an up-to-date passport. This must be valid for at least six months after the date of your landing. Visas may be necessary for distant destinations.
Medical Requirements
All passengers shall ensure that they are medically and physically fit to undertake a trip. No medical services are offered aboard the ship.
Reduced mobility: adapted cabins
CroisiEurope welcomes passengers with reduced mobility and endeavors to facilitate their access to both the facilities on board and on the available excursions. Before booking, the company requires passengers with reduced mobility to mention their specific needs. People with reduced mobility or have trouble getting around can benefit from adapted cabins. Our ships with 2 decks, meanwhile, are well thought-out in terms of layout, so common facilities (restaurant, lounge bar, reception) on one level: the main deck, which also has cabins.
Some of our excursions can cause difficulties for people with reduced mobility (walking for several hours, destabilizing floor coverings, elevation, etc.), participation in some excursions and travel is subject to the sufficient mobility of the passenger. With the help of https://www.specialneedsatsea.com/ we may be able to arrange further assistance on request.
Electric Voltage
The voltage on board is 220V.
Cabins
All cabins are located above the water level and offer panoramic views of the landscape thanks to large windows or portholes (depending on the boat or deck.)
They are all equipped with toilet, shower and washbasin. Towels, shower gel and shampoo are provided.
Very comfortable, they have many amenities: flat screen television, hairdryer, safe and plenty of storage space.
Depending on the the ship, our cabins have 2 twin beds, a large bed or 2 separable beds.
Our cabins are air conditioned and have a thermostat to adjust the temperature of heating and air conditioning.
