Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise
Discover the magical ambience of Germany's traditional Christmas markets with their host of unique, inspired gift ideas, plus the stunning Rhineland in its wintry splendour.
Cruise through the world famous and dramatic Rhine Gorge before arriving in the renowned wine town of Rüdesheim and spending the afternoon wandering this charming spot. Explore Koblenz, dramatically situated at the confluence of the Rhine & Moselle Rivers, on a guided tour with free time to browse its lovely Christmas market. Discover Bonn on a guided tour of Germany’s historic former capital before arriving back in Cologne, where the rest of the day is free to discover one (or all) of its seven Christmas markets.
At a glance
Highlights
- Enjoy visits to four Christmas markets, including Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Bonn and Cologne.
- Explore Rüdesheim, the quintessential Rhine village with crooked houses sloping down from wooded hillsides.
- Discover the historic city of Koblenz, dramatically located in the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
- Visit the former capital of West Germany and the birthplace of Beethoven, Bonn.
- Enjoy free time in Cologne to explore more than 160 festive stalls at the Cathedral Christmas market and sample a glass of warming Glühwein.
Offers
Raise a glass and enjoy a free drinks package on all European river cruises.
Superior Drinks package on 2024 & 2025 cruises
With lunch in our restaurants:
- Regional and house wines and draught beers, including non-alcoholic
- Soft drinks and juices
From 6pm to midnight in our bars and restaurants, all of the above plus:
- Cocktail and mocktail of the day
- House spirits, mixers and regional wine
- Selection of pre and after-dinner drinks
All Inclusive drinks on 2026 cruises
Enjoy all the drinks included in the Superior drinks package, but now enjoy them from 10am until midnight. Drink as much – or as little as you like.
This package includes:
- Red, white, rosé and sparkling house wines, including non-alcoholic
- A choice of draught beers, including non-alcoholic
- A selection of soft drinks and juices
- Our cocktail and mocktail of the day
- House spirits and mixers including vodka, gin, rum, whisky, martini, sherry, brandy, port and Baileys (excluding liqueurs)
- Daily recommended wines
- Tea and coffee from the bar
What's better than exploring worldwide destinations for the first time? Doing it all with your friends. You and nine or more of your friends or family can travel for less with our group offer, available on all tours, ocean and yacht cruises, and river cruises of 6 nights or less.
Choose to receive 10% off your group’s booking costs back or one free place – simply call 01283 901216 and speak to a member of our dedicated groups team.
Your itinerary
Arrival in Cologne
Travel to Cologne and board your five-star ship.
Fly to Düsseldorf or Cologne, or take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels. On arrival, transfer by coach to your five-star cruise ship moored in historic Cologne, whose skyline is dominated by the spires of its magnificent cathedral. The dedicated English-speaking crew welcomes you on board and helps you to your cabin.
After settling into your spacious and tastefully furnished accommodation, there’s time to familiarise yourself with this splendid ship.
Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim
Sail through the famous Rhine Gorge on our way to Rüdesheim for a guided tour and time to explore the Yuletide markets.
Rhine Gorge
To really get in the Christmas mood, nothing beats waking up on board to find you’re already cruising through an entrancing winter wonderland.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning and relax on board while a kaleidoscope of riverside views drifts by in all their seasonal glory. Wrap up warm and take to the deck for an invigorating breath of frosty air as we pass through the outstandingly beautiful Rhine Gorge, where the river flows a little faster, the vineyard-covered valley sides are steeper and ruined castles sit atop rocky crags. Tales of mysterious happenings here have been passed down over the generations, most famously of all the legend of the Lorelei – the maiden said to have enticed sailors onto the rocks with her irresistible songs.
The festive period is a magical time to visit this picturesque part of Germany, and no country does it better. The historic Yuletide markets here are the ideal places to soak up the spellbinding atmosphere while seeking out unusual presents for friends and family back home.
Rüdesheim
After lunch on board, we arrive in Rüdesheim for a guided tour. The quirky, crooked houses and tiny streets provide the perfect chocolate-box setting for its Christmas market. As you wander the myriad stalls, glistening in the glow of hundreds of fairy lights, stop perhaps for a slice of gingerbread or a warming Rüdesheim coffee with its fortifying shot of locally distilled Asbach brandy and a dollop of whipped cream. And don’t forget to pay a visit to the Christmas shop: open year-round, it’s a treasure trove of all things seasonal, from tree decorations and music boxes to wooden nutcrackers and handcrafted figurines.
As the evening light fades, amble back on board to enjoy a sumptuous dinner in the ship’s excellent restaurant before delighting in the upbeat sounds of Rhenish folk music and dancing with a live performance on traditional instruments.
Rhine Gorge & Koblenz
Cruise through the Rhine Gorge once more, arriving in Koblenz for a guided tour. After a guided tour explore the festive markets.
Rhine Gorge
During breakfast the ship effortlessly glides out of port as we commence a spectacular morning’s cruising. One of the cruise highlights will be our return passage through the magnificent Rhine Gorge so have your camera at the ready to capture some of the most stunning river views, as the captain skilfully navigates our passage between the narrow valley sides that tower above.
Koblenz
As we arrive in the historic city of Koblenz, dramatically located at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Moselle, take in the views over another delicious lunch in the ship’s restaurant. Koblenz is a romantic’s dream; forest-covered hillsides dominate the skyline, whilst the lower slopes are strewn with the pretty, half-timbered buildings so typical of the Rhineland. Enjoy a guided tour, seeing the principal monuments, discovering ancient squares, admiring beautifully restored historic house frontages and quaint hidden passageways.
Located in the atmospheric old town, Koblenz’s Christmas market is one of the largest in the Rhineland. As you browse its enticing stalls, the aroma of hot chestnuts and mouth-watering sausages fills the air; don’t forget to pay a visit to the Christmas bakery, making the famous Stollen – the delicious bread made with candied and dried fruit, nuts and marzipan, traditionally eaten at this time of year.
As the fairy lights glow brighter in the cool evening air, it’s time to head back to the inviting warmth of the ship’s lounge for an aperitif before the Chef’s Dinner is served, as we sail on to historic Bonn, arriving later this evening.
Bonn & Cologne
Learn more about Bonn on a tour, then sail to Cologne where you are free to explore the many Christmas markets.
Bonn
Rising refreshed, after breakfast there’s the opportunity to learn more about this fascinating city, which served as the capital of the West German state from 1949-1990, until the reunification of Germany which restored Berlin as the country’s capital. Whilst it lost the battle to retain the parliament, Bonn still holds the status of a secondary governmental seat, so many government ministries and public bodies still have their headquarters here. But behind its official facade lies a historic and fascinating city and this morning you will enjoy a guided tour of the main sights around the old town, centred around its two spacious squares.
See the city’s most prominent landmark, the soaring spire of the huge Romanesque minster, one of the oldest churches in the country and the attractive pastel pink Rococo old town hall, with its gleaming silver and gold trim, from where an endless list of politicians throughout the decades have appeared on its sweeping staircase.
Bonn is also famous for being the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, and the house where he was born is one of the few old buildings in the city not to have been damaged during the war. Together with the house next door, it now houses a museum dedicated to one of the greatest composers of all time.
You’ll have some free time to wander the seasonal market, centred around the old town; the old town hall’s windows are transformed into a giant Advent calendar and an imposing Christmas tree takes centre stage. Classical music floats on the air, along with the delicious smells of gingerbread and baked apples – simply magical. No visit would be complete without sampling a glass of warming Glühwein, or mulled wine. This delicious concoction is usually made with red wine heated with citrus zest and spices such as cloves and cinnamon. Sometimes it’s drunk mit Schuss, meaning a shot of rum or brandy has been added for extra punch!
Cologne
Back on board for lunch, we make our return to Cologne as the ever-changing river scenery drifts silently by. As the towering spires of Cologne’s cathedral come into view on the wintry skyline, we moor in the shadow of this ancient monument once again.
Christmas creates a special atmosphere here and you have free time to immerse yourself in the city’s seven Yuletide markets, each with its own unique theme. Every year a huge number of visitors are drawn to the more than 160 tastefully decorated festive stalls of the Cathedral Christmas market, impressively set against the spectacular backdrop of the imposing cathedral, where the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland, illuminated with 50,000 LED lights, is a magnificent glittering sight to behold. There’s also plenty of live entertainment to enjoy.
After browsing the market and its Aladdin’s cave of festive gifts and foods, return to the ship to enjoy a final delicious dinner this evening.
Return home
It’s time to say goodbye to your crew and start the journey home.
Available ships
MS Oscar Wilde
- Built
- 2017
- Crew
- 44
- Passengers
- 167
It would be very easy to simply describe the MS Oscar Wilde as ‘luxurious’ but it’s much more than that.
MS Geoffrey Chaucer
- Built
- 2019
- Crew
- 44
- Passengers
- 167
Swiss operated and truly world-class, we are absolutely delighted to present the five-star MS Geoffrey Chaucer.
MS George Eliot
- Built
- 2018
- Crew
- 36
- Passengers
- 132
The five-star MS George Eliot – named after one of the leading English novelists of the 19th century – is 110 metres of fine Swiss engineering and craftsmanship.
MS Thomas Hardy
- Built
- 2017
- Crew
- 44
- Passengers
- 167
It is extremely difficult to convey just how extraordinary this outstanding ship really is and exactly what distinguishes the MS Thomas Hardy from similar vessels.
Extras & upgrades
Opt for a convenient door-to-door service with transport from your home to your choice of regional airport or train station, available as an added optional with every holiday. This can be added to your booking after you've booked online by our reservations team a call, or when you're booking over the phone.
From hotel upgrades to holiday extensions, you can benefit from our Travel Concierge service:
- Add up to two nights before you sail in the destination your river cruises starts from
- Add up to two nights after your cruise in the destination your river cruises ends in
- Change your departure airport (depending on flight availability)
- Book a door-to-door transfer service from your home to your departure airport or airport hotel
If you would like to add Travel Concierge to your European river cruise, please call our reservations team.
Regional Rail upgrades
Why not enjoy a convenient departure from a station close to home? Booking your own cross-country train transport can be tricky when considering station changes and onward train times, so here at Riviera Travel our Eurostar team work hard finding your preferred regional departure to add to your booking.
We offer departures from stations such as Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Derby, Southampton, Bristol, Lancaster and many more. We endeavour to provide connections from as many stations as possible across the country, so wherever you live you’ll be sure to find a local departure to suit you.
It’s easy to book a local departure; simply select the station you'd like to depart from when making your booking online. If your preferred station is not available to select from the dropdown menu in the checkout, get in touch with us and we can request a station for you.
Enjoy a relaxed journey in the spacious and quiet First-Class coach of your regional train. We can add a First-Class upgrade to your booking at any time before departure, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Eurostar upgrades
In order to enjoy your Eurostar experience to the full, you may upgrade to Standard Premier Class on the Eurostar (and onward TGV, where applicable). You’ll get a seat in the spacious Standard Premier coach with a complimentary light meal offered from a selection of sweet and savoury cold snacks, and a drink appropriate to the time of day, served at your seat while you relax in the comfort of Standard Premier Class. Upgrades can easily be added to your booking any time before the final balance has been paid, so please call us to enquire further.
Travel connections
All transfer times listed here are approximate, and dependent on traffic. If you have a question regarding transfer times please don't hesitate to contact us.
Airport or train station | Ship location | Transfer time |
---|---|---|
Dusseldorf Airport | Cologne | 1 hr |
Cologne Airport | Cologne | 30 mins |
Brussels Station | Cologne | 3 hrs 30 mins (including a comfort stop) |
FAQs
Prices are per person, based on one person in a cabin for sole occupancy. The price for this river cruise in Germany includes:
- Full board during your cruise from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day
- Free Superior drinks package
- Complimentary on-board tea and coffee
- Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi (connection speeds may vary)
- All visits and excursions as mentioned
- Return flights or Eurostar
- Coach travel as mentioned
- Transfers from the airport or station to and from the port of embarkation
- English-speaking expert guides
- The services of a Riviera Travel Cruise Director and Concierge
UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Germany however must have a valid passport. For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/germany/entry-requirements.
We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.
- Currency: Euro
- Flight Time: Approx. 1 hr 25 mins to 2 hrs
- Eurostar time: Approx. 2 hrs
- Language: German
- Time Zone: GMT+1
- Country: Germany
Our ships are moving vessels, therefore, you may experience some noise on board. Noise levels tend to be louder when the ship is manoeuvring, docking, and can vary depending on the river conditions and weather. Cabins in the middle and towards the front of the ship are less likely to be affected than those at the rear.
The deposit for this holiday is £350pp, then the remaining balance of the holiday is due a minimum of 101 days before you depart.
You can take a look at our river cruise FAQs to find answers to common questions, or find out about accessibility on our cruises and tours on our mobility FAQs page.
Alternatively, you can take a look at our Why River Cruise page to delve further into life on board, whether it's the onboard dining, onshore excursions, or more about the ships and cabins.
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MS Oscar Wilde | £1,199 pp | Book now |
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MS Oscar Wilde | £1,189 pp | Book now |
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MS Oscar Wilde | £1,199 pp | Book now |
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MS Oscar Wilde | £1,199 pp | Book now |
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MS Oscar Wilde | £1,229 pp | Book now |
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MS Oscar Wilde | £1,229 pp | Book now |
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01 Dec 2025 | TBC |
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MS Oscar Wilde | £1,229 pp | Book now |
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01 Dec 2025 | TBC |
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MS Oscar Wilde | £1,209 pp | Book now |
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River Cruise
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01 Dec 2025 | 17:00 | Cologne - Cruise Only | MS Oscar Wilde | £929 pp | Book now |
River Cruise
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01 Dec 2025 | 12:58 |
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MS Oscar Wilde | £1,149 pp | Book now |
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River Cruise
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01 Dec 2025 | 12:58 |
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MS Oscar Wilde | £1,308 pp | Book now |
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River Cruise
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01 Dec 2025 | TBC |
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MS Oscar Wilde | £1,199 pp | Book now |
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