Duration: 10 Days
Experience the holiday season like never before with a European Christmas cruise through Germany and France. From the beauty of the Black Forest to the glistening lights of Strasbourg’s Christmas markets, you’ll discover traditions and tastes that warm the heart. With views like no other, the shining stalls with crafts, cuisine, and curios come alive with music and merriment. Visit glowing German Christkindlesmarkts as you cruise on the Rhine and Main Rivers through Heidelberg, a traditional Main river village, Wurzburg, Bamberg, and Nuremberg. Enjoy magical experiences on a festive cruise highlighting holiday traditions of France and Germany amid the beauty of the winter season. Christmas traditions, culinary tastes, and charming sights and sounds uplift the holiday spirit on this European holiday cruise to remember.
Traveller Notes
Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December.
Welcome to Switzerland! Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Zurich or Basel must arrive by 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Stroll through the city centre, enjoy the festive illumination and savor Christmas delicacies like waffles, gingerbread, sweets and Swiss raclette.
EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH (D)
History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg's medieval city centre, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.
In the afternoon, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, and enjoy the warmth and glow of the Christmas season.
Alternatively, spend your afternoon leisurely browsing Breisach's lovely Christmas market to sample pretzels, mulled wine, and Black Forest cake.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO STRASBOURG (B,L,D)
Joyeux Noel in Strasbourg
CLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city's gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine-country village.
Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER (B,L,D)
Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle at Christmastime to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat-the world's largest wine barrel After the tour, visit the local German Christmas Markets in Heidelberg.
Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT (B,L,D)
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rudesheim, enjoy a special treat.
Don't miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE (B,D)
Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights in Beautiful Bavaria
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of a picturesque village along the Main River.
DISCOVERY Join a German Cookie-Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WURZBURG (B,L,D)
Old Saint Nicholas, and Nutcrackers Sweet
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the "Pearl of the Romantic Road" with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residence.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Kathe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum-the world's most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations.
Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg's Christmas markets.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG (B,L,D)
Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg-medieval home of Germany's Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg's nativity scenes-from miniature to life-size.
Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NUREMBERG (B,L,D)
Legends and History Lessons
CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds-used by the Third Reich.
Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample Favourite Bavarian fare-bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlmarkt culinary delights.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG (B,L,D)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
