Rhine & Main Christmas Markets River Cruise
Free drinks & live entertainment every night. From £75pp deposit. Travel by Rail or Air
6days from
£1,699*per person
Overview
Join us for a fun and festive ‘all inclusive’ cruise on four-star MS Carmen along the Rhine and Main through Germany as we party to live music, festive entertainment and enjoy magical Christmas markets just a stroll from the ship in Cologne, Rüdesheim, Frankfurt and Bonn. Hosted by the musically multi-talented Keith Slater and ‘Little Miss 60s’ Nancy Ann Lee.
Itinerary
- Depart London St Pancras in the morning on Eurostar to Brussels, arriving in just over 2 hours. Continue by coach to Düsseldorf and the MS Carmen. Alternatively, travel to and from Düsseldorf or Cologne by air from regional UK airports – see flight information and options. Time to settle into your cabin before dinner, free drinks and entertainment on board. Overnight sailing to Cologne.
- This morning we have an included guided walking tour of Cologne. This afternoon is free in Cologne, home to six Christmas Markets. The biggest and most famous is outside Cologne Cathedral, or you may prefer the Alter Markt situated in the old town on the ‘Altstadt. For those with a sweet tooth you can combine a visit to the famous Chocolate Museum with the Harbour Christmas Market. Free drinks, dinner and entertainment on board. Overnight sailing to Rüdesheim.
- This morning we sail through the Middle Rhine passing countless castles, fortresses and sleepy hamlets in the narrowest and deepest part of the river, marked by the legendary Lorelei Rock, arriving in Rüdesheim early-afternoon. You will be free to explore on your own, to visit Rüdesheim Christmas Market and the famous Drosselgasse – a unique cobbled lane just 144 metres long, packed with bars, restaurants and live music a perfect place to enjoy a delicious Rüdesheimer Kaffee made with local Asbach brandy. Free drinks, dinner and entertainment on board. Overnight sailing to Frankfurt.
- We leave the Rhine at Mainz and head East along the River Main, arriving mid morning in the historic old town of Frankfurt, one of the oldest in Germany and home to a Christmas market dating back to 1393! We start the day with an included walking tour of the town followed by free time. There are traditionally five Christmas Markets in Frankfurt housed in the stunning medieval squares. The ship departs Frankfurt late evening, cruising along the River Main to rejoin the Rhine and an overnight sailing to Bonn. Free drinks, dinner and entertainment on board.
- We arrive in Bonn late-morning, where it’s a short walk to the Münsterplatz Christmas market. The façade of the Town Hall is turned into a giant Advent calendar with one new window lit each day of advent. We have an included walking tour of the town followed by free time. Dinner and entertainment on-board. Overnight sailing to Düsseldorf.
- After Breakfast we disembark and transfer by coach to Brussels where we take the Eurostar to London St Pancras arriving during the afternoon. Or transfer to Düsseldorf or Cologne airport for your flight back to the UK. Note: Order of itinerary and Christmas Markets subject to change depending on local conditions. Christmas Markets in Germany tend to open at around midday and close late.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Free drinks
- Live entertainment every night
- Full-board cruise on the four-star MS Carmen
- All excursions included
Our Price Includes
- Escorted return rail travel from London St Pancras to Brussels and coach transfer to Dusseldorf or return flights with luggage to Cologne or Dusseldorf (supplement may apply)
- Five nights' four-star full-board plus cruise on the MS Carmen sharing a Main deck cabin – single cabins and upgrades available
- Beer, wine, selected spirits and soft drinks at lunch, dinner and 6pm to midnight each evening
- Afternoon coffee/tea and cakes when sailing
- All excursions included
- All port and city taxes included
- Lunches – 3 courses
- Dinners – 4 courses
- Late night snacks
- Gala dinner – 5 courses
- Entertainment
- Transfers abroad
- Services of our Cruise Director and Host on Board
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Dates and Prices
Ship Information
Cruise Overview
The Carmen and her sister ship Otello, were built in 1995, completely renovated in 2017 by former owners Uniworld and further updated by present owners in 2023. They are identical in size and space and can accommodate up to 102 guests in a variety of well-equipped, en-suite cabins with hotel style beds.Cabin Details
On the Upper deck you’ll find the reception, lounge and bar and coffee/tea station plus *French Balcony suites, doubles and single (with double bed) cabins. On the main deck is the restaurant and coffee station, plus standard double and single (with double bed) cabins – all with picture window. There is a stair lift between the upper deck reception and the main deck. Cabins all have a double hotel style bed, TV, Wifi, safe, hair dryer, individually controlled heating and cooling system, shower and WC. *’French Balcony’ is a sliding patio door with a railing at waist height placed directly behind the glass – there isn’t a separate space/balcony you can walk out onto. Please note: When docking ships can be moored side by side so views from the cabin may be obscured.Dining Details
The restaurant features large picture windows and is light and airy with modern decor, furnishings and a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Diners can enjoy generous buffet breakfasts, three course lunches and four course dinners.Activities Details
The impressive Reception on the Upper deck gives access to the welcoming lounge and bar, with bar stools, easy chairs, booth style seating, a dance floor and state of the art entertainment equipment. The Sun deck has sun loungers, chairs and a panoramic, conservatory style bar so you can enjoy 360 degree views no matter the weather.Facilities
Facilities – Wifi is available throughout the ship, there is a coffee station available to guests 24/7 and a shop on board. Ship’s stats – Length: 110 metres • Breadth: 11.40 metres • Max passenger Capacity: 126 • Passengers decks: 3Deck 2
Deck 3
Deck 4
Deck 5
Deck 6
Other Information
ENTERTAINMENT:
Nancy Ann Lee is best known as “Little Miss Sixties” where she has received rave reviews for being one of the liveliest tributes to the 60s divas including Lulu whose songs make a huge contribution to the show. Remember Shout, Relight My Fire, Teardrops, The Man Who Sold the World, To Sir With Love and more.
Multi-talented Keith Slater has been a professional musician since 1981 and sings hits from the 60s to present day. He has performed with well known artistes Malcolm Stent, Don Maclean and in award winning bands Inheritance and Vivo.
Payment Terms
£75pp deposit if travelling by rail
£400pp deposit if travelling by air
Balance payment 12 weeks before departure.
Nancy Ann Lee is best known as “Little Miss Sixties” where she has received rave reviews for being one of the liveliest tributes to the 60s divas including Lulu whose songs make a huge contribution to the show. Remember Shout, Relight My Fire, Teardrops, The Man Who Sold the World, To Sir With Love and more.
Multi-talented Keith Slater has been a professional musician since 1981 and sings hits from the 60s to present day. He has performed with well known artistes Malcolm Stent, Don Maclean and in award winning bands Inheritance and Vivo.
Payment Terms
£75pp deposit if travelling by rail
£400pp deposit if travelling by air
Balance payment 12 weeks before departure.
Holiday code
GN485Holiday provided by GN Holidays & Voyages
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by GN Voyages (ABTA Y0291, ATOL 9362). These ABTA and ATOL bonds mean that, when you book a GN Voyages holiday, you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.