Rhine and Mosel River Cruise

Visit some of Europe's most fascinating cities as you sail the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Cologne and look at vineyards and picturesque Rhine castles on your way to charming Rudesheim. Continue to historic Koblenz and cruise through the vineyards along the Mosel River Valley to Cochem and Bernkastel. Tour Luxembourg before you end your program in Paris.

CRUISE SPECIAL - 10% DISCOUNT FOR ALL 2013 DEPARTURES
(Discount is valid in each cabin category on a limited cabin stock and subject to availability)

ITINERARY - 2013 (Vineyards of the Rhine and Mosel)

Day 1 ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE
Arrive in Paris and optional transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city.
Day 2 PARIS
Enjoy Paris’ famous sights during this morning’s guided tour. Start with a panoramic overview in which you will see the Champs Élysées, Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower. Conclude your tour with a visit to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. The afternoon is free for you to explore the “City of Light” on your own. This evening, there is an optional Parisian Cabaret dinner theater excursion. (B)
Day 3 PARIS
Your last day in Paris is free for you to enjoy at your own pace. In the alternative, you may choose to join the optional Seine Cruise & Eiffel Tower excursion this morning, or the optional Montmartre & Illuminations excursion this evening. (B)
Day 4 PARIS - LUXEMBOURG - EMBARKATION
After checking out of your hotel, you will transfer to the Paris Est train station to board a high-speed TGV train bound for Metz. You’ll have free time in Metz to have lunch on your own. Next, you will travel by motor coach to Luxembourg, where you will enjoy a tour of the capital of the Grand Duchy and have a photo stop at the American Military Cemetery, General Patton’s burial place. Tonight, meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner. (B,D)
Day 5 BERNKASTEL
This afternoon, arrive in charming Bernkastel, where you will enjoy a vineyard visit and walking tour. Strategically located in the heart of the Mosel, the town boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. Bernkastel features a medieval marketplace and half-timbered homes with steep gables and beautiful town squares with fountains dating back centuries. Above the town stand the ruins of Castle Landshut, the former summer home of the Archbishop of Trier which was destroyed by a fi re in the 17th-century. You will also enjoy wine tasting with a local vintner. (B,L,D)
Day 6 COCHEM - KOBLENZ
This morning, tour picturesque Cochem, located amidst the steep vineyards and wine villages of the Mosel. You will have your choice of a walking tour and guided visit to the hilltop Reichsburg Castle, featuring spectacular views of the Mosel. In the alternative, you may choose to participate in a guided bike tour (capacity controlled). This evening, cruise to Koblenz. (B,L,D)
Day 7 KOBLENZ - MAINZ
This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Koblenz, a historic wine-producing town on the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine. See the Four Towers, the Church of Our Lady and hear the story behind the Schängel Fountain and City Hall. This afternoon continue cruising on the Rhine River, where you will see the stunning beauty of the Rhine castles and the infamous Lorelei Rock as we sail through the fascinating Rhine Gorge. The ship moors overnight in Mainz.
Day 8 MAINZ OR HEIDELBERG - RÜDESHEIM
Today, decide between two excursions: take a guided walking tour of beautiful Mainz and see the famous Gutenberg Museum, home of the world’s first printed bible. See Mainz’s Old Town, with its narrow streets, Baroque churches and half-timbered houses. After lunch, arrive in Rüdesheim, where you will enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants during your free time. In the alternative, you may choose a full day excursion to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town. Your excursion includes a walking tour of Old Heidelberg. The city is divided by the Neckar River, with the old town on one side and the new town on the other, connected by the Old Stone Bridge. This evening, all passengers have the opportunity to visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. This historic museum houses one of the greatest collections of robotic and self-playing musical instruments from the 18th-20th centuries. (B,L,D)
Day 9 COLOGNE
Arrive in Cologne this morning, where you will enjoy a walking tour of Old Town and Cathedral Square. You will visit the spectacular 13th-century gothic cathedral whose twin spires are amongst the tallest in Europe. Afterwards, you will have free time to linger in the cathedral, browse the many nearby shops or perhaps enjoy a glass of Kölsch, Cologne’s famous beer. In the alternative, enjoy a scenic bike ride through Cologne (capacity controlled). (B,L,D)
Day 10 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Arrive in vibrant Amsterdam this morning. After breakfast, your tour begins with a scenic canal cruise through the city known as the “Venice of the North.” See the fabled Skinny Bridge, and the famous Anne Frank House. Afterwards, enjoy a panoramic motor coach tour of Amsterdam, in which you will see numerous landmarks, including the Royal Palace and a photo stop at the Rembrandt Windmill. You will then have free time to explore Dam Square and shop for souvenirs. (B,L,D)
Day 111 DISEMBARKATION - DEPART AMSTERDAM
Your river cruise vacation ends today and optional transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. (B)

Itinerary outline 2013:
 

REVERSE ITINERARY 

DAY 1, ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Your luxurious river cruise ship is moored near the city center. Meet your fellow travelers tonight at the Gala Welcome Reception. (D)

DAY 2, AMSTERDAM
After breakfast, admire beautiful 18th-century homes, charming churches and 17th-century merchant houses on a guided canal boat tour. Then enjoy a motor coach tour of Amsterdam, including a photo stop at the Rembrandt Windmill, followed by free time in Amsterdam. Enjoy an information briefing as you cruise towards Germany. (B,L,D)

DAY 3, COLOGNE, GERMANY
This morning cruise the Rhine River as the ship arrives in Cologne at lunchtime. After lunch onboard enjoy a walking tour of Cologne and visit the spectacular 13th-century Medieval Gothic cathedral, its twin spires amongst Europe's tallest. Later, there is ample free time to explore on your own as the ship stays overnight. (B,L,D)

DAY 4, RUDESHEIM
This morning, see the stunning beauty of the Rhine castles and the infamous Lorelei Rock as we sail through the fascinating Rhine Gorge. After lunch, arrive in Rudesheim, where you will enjoy an afternoon wine tasting with a local vintner. Explore the Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with wine taverns and restaurants during your free time. In the evening, visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. The ship overnights here. (B,L,D)

DAY 5, MAINZ – KOBLENZ
Today, decide between two excursions: take a guided walking tour of beautiful Mainz and see the famous Gutenberg Museum, home of the world's first printed bible, and then return to the ship for lunch. Another option is a visit to the Koblenz Flower Show, taking place through October in the historic wine-growing town of Koblenz situated at the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine rivers. This special event features 120 acres of magnificent floral displays, exhibitions and events. Exhibit grounds include the hilltop Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which you will visit. The ship continues on to dock in the early evening in the vicinity of Koblenz. (B,L,D)

DAY 6, COCHEM
Enjoy your breakfast as you cruise the beautiful Mosel River with its steep sided banks of vineyards. After lunch, we stop in Cochem, where you will enjoy a guided visit of the Reichsburg Castle and its spectacular views of the river. (B,L,D)

DAY 7, BERNKASTEL
Arrive in Bernkastel and explore this quaint little town on a walking tour. Strategically located in the middle of the Mosel wine-producing region, it boasts over 500 years of documented wine history. (B,L,D)

DAY 8, REMICH - DISEMBARK - LUXEMBOURG - PARIS, FRANCE
This morning, bid farewell to your cruise ship and head to Luxembourg for a walking tour of the Grand Duchy. After lunch on your own, continue to Paris via TGV high-speed train. Arrive in Paris mid-afternoon and check-in to your hotel. (B)

DAY 9, PARIS
Enjoy Paris' famous sights during this morning's guided tour. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, pass the Louvre Museum, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, the Opera, La Madeleine, Les Champs Elysses and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. (B)

DAY 10, PARIS
Your last day in the City of Lights is free for you to enjoy. Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair or choose one of the various optional tours that are available. (B)

DAY 11, PARIS
Optional transfer to the airport for your homebound flight. (B)

Program Includes:

• 7 Nights Deluxe Cruise Accommodation in an Outside Stateroom - 82% of the Staterooms with large French Balconies
• Daily Sightseeing Program as outlined in the Itinerary
• Infotainment System in all Staterooms with Free Internet, Hit Movies, Music Library and English Language TV Stations
• Terry Bathrobes and White-on-white plush Bedding in all Staterooms
• Superb Dining with all Meals included during your Cruise
• Free-flowing Red & White Wines from Europe's great Wine Regions, beer and soft drinks with every Dinner on board the Ship
• Bottled Water in every stateroom replenished daily
• Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner
• Transfer from the Ship to Luxembourg, followed by high-speed TGV train to Paris
• 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation in Paris, including daily Buffet Breakfast
• Special Highlights including Lectures, Theme Dinners, Cooking Demonstration, onboard Music Performances and afternoon & evening Piano Music
• Use of Bicycles to explore on your own
• Services of Professional Cruise Manager
• All English Language on board in a non-smoking Environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck) 
• All local Taxes

2013 Departure dates and prices (US$)
 

*Itinerary slightly modified
** Itinerary slightly modified - in celebration of wine cruise

Port Charges: $147 per person

Single Supplement for Cruise: 50% of twin price; Jr. Suites 100% of twin price.

Single supplement for Land: $390 per person.

Prices are per person in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom with window.
To upgrade to a higher Category, add the following amount per person:

NOTE: Please select bedding configuration at the time of booking. Children are not accepted.

The choices are:
Choice A: Two twin beds
Choice B: One large bed (larger than queen size)

    Ms Amalegro Amadante Amadagio Amacello Amadolce Amalyra Amaverde AmaBella cruiseship description