The Magic of Christmas: Savory delights and holiday traditions on a Rhine River cruise

5 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 7 photos
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
96%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
preferred

Health Safety

USTOA

River Cruise
Join us for a cruise on the Rhine River to explore the oldest, most revered Christmas markets in Europe. Let yourself be swept away by the beauty and charm of long-standing holiday traditions that include dazzling lights, soothing mulled wine, and zesty gingerbread delights. Plunge into the holiday spirit on our exclusive European Christmas cruise.
19%
$1,909
From$1,552
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS Experience the magic of Christmas on a Rhine cruise with a special onboard holiday program
    • The romantic Rhine Valley and the legendary rock of the Lorelei under the winter sky
    • EXCURSIONS INCLUDED: Rüdesheim and a tour of its unique mechanical music cabinet museum, a visit to its Christmas Market of nations, and a hot cup of its local specialty: Rüdesheimer Kaffee.
    • Mainz, its cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and one of the most beautiful holiday markets in Germany
    • The Musée Lalique, dedicated to the master craftsman of fine glass
    • Strasbourg during the holiday season
    • Tasting of traditional Alsatian Christmas cookies on board

What's this trip about?

    Join us for a cruise on the Rhine River to explore the oldest, most revered Christmas markets in Europe. Let yourself be swept away by the beauty and charm of long-standing holiday traditions that include dazzling lights, soothing mulled wine, and zesty gingerbread delights. Plunge into the holiday spirit on our exclusive European Christmas cruise.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityStrasbourg
End CityStrasbourg

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel
  • Family Friendly
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Germany
  • France

Attractions

  • Strasbourg

Activities

  • River cruise

Trip includes

    • Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day - cabin category of your choice - onboard drinks (except for drinks from our special lists) - the Rüdesheimer Kaffee in the evening of Day 2 - coach trip on Day 4 - onboard entertainment - assistance from our onboard, multi-lingual host/hostess - welcome cocktail - gala dinner and evening - emergency/repatriation insurance - all port fees.

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 STRASBOURG

You’ll board our ship at 5 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail.After dinner on board, join us for an evening celebrating the Alsatian holiday cookies known as bredeles. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Day 2 Romantic Rhine River - SANKT GOARSHAUSEN - RÜDESHEIM

We’ll cruise the Rhine to the legendary rock of the Lorelei, following the twists and turns dominated by dramatic ruins, scenic vineyards, and majestic fortresses. Join us in the lounge and tast delicious bredeles!Our next stop is Rüdesheim, a picturesque village line...

Day 2 Romantic Rhine River - SANKT GOARSHAUSEN - RÜDESHEIM

We’ll cruise the Rhine to the legendary rock of the Lorelei, following the twists and turns dominated by dramatic ruins, scenic vineyards, and majestic fortresses. Join us in the lounge and tast delicious bredeles!Our next stop is Rüdesheim, a picturesque village line...

Day 3 RÜDESHEIM - MAINZ - GAMBSHEIM

We’ll cruise to Mainz in the early morning. Once we arrive, we’ll set out for a tour on foot of the city to see many of its remarkably restored sites. This excursion includes an inside visit to the magnificent 1,000-year-old Saint-Martin’s Cathedral. We’ll then stroll...

Day 3 RÜDESHEIM - MAINZ - GAMBSHEIM

We’ll cruise to Mainz in the early morning. Once we arrive, we’ll set out for a tour on foot of the city to see many of its remarkably restored sites. This excursion includes an inside visit to the magnificent 1,000-year-old Saint-Martin’s Cathedral. We’ll then stroll...

Day 4 GAMBSHEIM - STRASBOURG

Once we arrive in Gambsheim, we’ll leave by coach for Wingen-sur-Moder and a visit to the Musée Lalique to learn about crystalware-genius René Lalique and his successors. Lalique became one of the greatest names of his time, both as a jeweler and a master glassmaker. ...

Day 4 GAMBSHEIM - STRASBOURG

Once we arrive in Gambsheim, we’ll leave by coach for Wingen-sur-Moder and a visit to the Musée Lalique to learn about crystalware-genius René Lalique and his successors. Lalique became one of the greatest names of his time, both as a jeweler and a master glassmaker. ...

Day 5 STRASBOURG

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $1,552
Price per day$310
Last Updated: 4/25/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
01 Dec 2024
06 Dec 2024
$1,552
02 Dec 2024
07 Dec 2024
$1,266
04 Dec 2024
09 Dec 2024
$1,266
06 Dec 2024
11 Dec 2024
$1,266
10 Dec 2024
15 Dec 2024
$1,266
14 Dec 2024
19 Dec 2024
$1,266
01 Dec 2025
06 Dec 2025
$1,266
05 Dec 2025
10 Dec 2025
$1,266
09 Dec 2025
14 Dec 2025
$1,266
13 Dec 2025
18 Dec 2025
$1,266

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with CroisiEurope.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

CroisiEurope Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
Excellent
90
Great
23
Average
5
Disappointing
5
Terrible
5
Write a Review

Other CroisiEurope Reviews

j

jcwer

Jan 2023

Provided byCroisiEurope

It’s affordable, the atmosphere on board is unique, the routes can be very interesting.

Summary over a cruise on the Haute Seine and Yonne on a barge. As seasoned cruisers, knowing well all aspects of cruising on seas and rivers, we had no experience ab...

h

htrowland

Jan 2023

Provided byCroisiEurope

Great tours and food! Exceptional customer service

As a female solo traveller, I especially appreciated CroisiEurope's summer special waiving single supplements. I am non-EU national, and very much enjoyed the intern...

B

Bronx resident

Jan 2023

Provided byCroisiEurope

A memorable four nights on the Seine - Le Havre to Paris

We had never been on a European river cruise before and chose this one for its brevity, just four nights. We were very happy with our choice and heartily recommend C...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

CroisiEurope

preferred
View Profile

Since 1976 CroisiEurope has pioneered river cruising on the most beautiful waterways in Europe, and we are Europe’s largest and most experienced river cruise line. When you sail with us, you can relax and know that you will be well taken care of.

We have been privileged to take more than 200,000 passengers to the lands of their dreams, for the times of their lives. Our fleet of 30 ships will take you to your choice of dazzling riverside cities in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Belgium — to the romantic Rhine Valley, the Rhône and Saône, the Seine, the beautiful blue Danube, the Douro Valley, Venice, and more — where you can explore and enjoy local food, wine, history, art and culture. We have a dedicated and knowledgeable staff of almost 1,000 people, whose conviviality, attentiveness and professionalism ensures that your voyage will be comfortable and pleasurable. Our staff and crews speak English, and many of them speak other major European languages as well. So you’ll be in the heart of European culture and charm, but you’ll always be able to find someone who understands you.

All our vessels are fully inspected on a regular basis, and are consistently renovated and upgraded to keep pace with safety standards as well as the needs of our customers. Our entire fleet is certified compliant with VERITAS global standards, a guarantee of safety and quality.

CroisiEurope’s headquarters is situated at the crossroads of Europe, in Strasbourg, France, near the banks of the Rhine. This historic, forward-thinking city is the perfect home us: we’re grounded in the past, and excited about the future. We’re an independent, family-owned business — so even though we’re the biggest and most experienced, we’re still small and friendly. We understand the personal touch. 

Come aboard! We can’t wait to show you the sights of Europe.

River Cruising: The Difference

Imagine gliding past quaint villages, ancient hillside castles and stone forts; past sun-drenched olive groves and vineyards, snow-capped mountains and thundering gorges; under glittering night-lit bridges in exotic cities.  Imagine eating first-class French cuisine while floating on a sparkling river, watching the gorgeous landscape pass by.

Envision your ship docking in the heart of a beautiful, historic European city:  its treasures of art, music, food, culture, and history await your leisurely exploration. 

Our trips offer you the opportunity to intimately experience the culture of a region or a country, and to visit some of Europe’s most dazzling cities and towns — in France, Spain, Italy, Germany or Belgium — in ease and comfort.

Our ship will be your floating hotel:  small enough to moor at a town or city port, but large enough to provide you every amenity.  The capacity of just 100 to 200 passengers allows a warm and convivial atmosphere on board, as well as the opportunity for quiet privacy and independence. The pace of our river cruises is relaxed and tranquil; the scenery is gorgeous and changes moment to moment.

And river cruising is smooth, so there’s no need to worry about seasickness.  Unpack your bags, and relax and enjoy the trip. 

Come sail with CroisiEurope, and discover why river cruising is the new way to travel. 

French Cuisine, European Flair

The heart and soul of CroisiEurope is European and international.

Other cruise lines may offer good food.  With CroisiEurope, you’ll cruise the rivers of Europe aboard your own French restaurant.

We carefully design and plan our cuisine and menus in the exacting tradition of fine French gastronomy.  Each meal on your cruise will give you a delightful experience of French haute cuisine.  Our chefs have worked alongside such Michelin-starred greats as Paul Bocuse and Marc Haeberlin; CroisiEurope’s head chef, Alain Bohn, was recently nominated as a member of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. This esteemed French association, created 50 years ago, includes only 250 chefs worldwide.

A large number of our crew and staff speak many major European languages, so you may find yourself able to chat in Spanish, Italian, or Hungarian as well as French and English.

Eco-Friendliness

European countries have long been in the forefront of eco-friendly practices, and CroisiEurope is proud to have been a pioneer in this field since well before these practices became standard.  Our commitment to the environment goes far beyond legal requirements. 

Associations

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • Drinks on our special lists - transfers/travel to and from departure/arrival points - cancellation and baggage insurance - any services not specifically mentioned in the program - personal expenses.
Requirements
Valid national identity card or passport required. Non-EU nationals are advised to consult their embassy or consulate.,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

THE CROISIEUROPE DIFFERENCE

  • All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at the bar
  • Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail
  • Free Wi-Fi onboard
  • Headsets are included for excursions
  • Official welcome from the captain and crew
  • Onboard activities
  • Travel assistance and repatriation insurance
  • All port fees included
Trip ID
croisieurope-MNL_XMASPP

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >