Cruise Description

Set out on a truly romantic adventure to the land of tulips, windmills, and delicious cheese in the Netherlands. Kick back on board as the world glides by on the Rhine River in Germany—where medieval castle ruins pepper the verdant hills. Visit extraordinary palaces, such as the 18th-century Würzburg Residence, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 1
Passengers are welcome to board our ship in Amsterdam at 6:00 p.m. We'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. This evening, enjoy some free time to explore Amsterdam on your own.

Day 2
This morning, the optional excursion is: Amsterdam. A panoramic tour gives you a glimpse of the historic monuments and curiosities found in the Dutch capital. Windmills, diamond merchants, and the famous flower market are all symbols reflecting The Netherlands and its legacy. Stops include the De Rieker Windmill, one of the oldest in greater Amsterdam. We'll return on board the ship.This afternoon, the optional excursion is: Volendam and Zaanse Schans. We’ll leave by coach for Volendam, a charming village that has preserved its character for over six centuries thanks to the tough vitality of its fishermen. We'll visit a cheese shop (in Volendam or the area) to discover how Gouda cheese is made. Of course, we'll be able to taste the varieties available. We'll then continue on to Zaanse Schans, an authentic open-air museum, where over one hundred typical wooden houses, windmills, and warehouses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries were meticulously relocated in the 1950s. Take a walk through the stunning buildings and the unique peat landscape or watch traditional clog-making techniques. We'll return on board and begin to cruise to Nijmegen.

Day 3
We’ll arrive in Nijmegen early in the morning. Optional excursion: The Netherlands Open-Air Museum in Arnhem. Set off with our host team for a visit to the Netherlands Open-Air Museum in Arnhem. This national museum focuses on the everyday life of Dutch people throughout the country’s history and includes old homes, farms, and factories from different regions. Demonstrations of crafts and skills within authentically decorated buildings make this tour particularly compelling. Discovering the authentic homes, farms, and trams is a real treat. Our favorites are the green-painted houses with decorative gable ends from the Zaan region. We'll spend the afternoon cruising towards Krefeld. We'll remain in port overnight.

Day 4
We'll cruise towards Cologne, arriving at the beginning of the afternoon. Optional excursion: Cologne. We’ll leave from the ship on foot for the center of Cologne. We’ll see the immense, Gothic cathedral—the tallest twin-spire church in the world and the most visited landmark in Germany. Although construction of the church began in 1248, it was not completed until 1880. The twelve Romanesque churches dotting the old city are also among the most famous local attractions. We'll head over to the old city to stroll the streets and pass in front of the famous Farina Fragrance Museum. Enjoy some time on your own to explore Cologne before returning to the ship. Our ship will cruise to Rüdesheim.

Day 5
We’ll spend the morning cruising the romantic Rhine River to Rüdesheim. The fascinating Rhine River has been the muse for many legends, including the Rock of the Lorelei. Each twist and turn of the river reveals another castle atop a peak above the sprawling vineyards. We'll arrive in Rüdesheim in the afternoon.Optional excursion: Tourist train, wine tasting, and the mechanical music cabinet museum in Rüdesheim. First, we'll enjoy a guided tour of the local vineyards on a tourist train. Then, we’ll participate in a wine tasting in the historic rooms of the Bassenheimer Hof. Afterwards, we’ll head to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, located in a lovely, 15th-century building. This museum holds a collection of fascinating musical instruments ranging from tiny, delicate music boxes to an enormous orchestrion.In the evening, the famous Drosselgasse with its numerous cafés, bars, and music awaits you.At the end of the evening, our ship will begin to cruise to Mannheim.

Day 6
We'll cruise the Rhine towards Mannheim, arriving at the beginning of the afternoon. Optional excursion: Heidelberg. We'll set out for Heidelberg, the heart of German Romanticism. Meeting up with our tour guides at Heidelberg Castle, we'll learn about the history of these magnificent, pink-sandstone ruins. The castle has a history that is almost as old as the city itself. From either the Great Terrace or the gardens, enjoy the amazing view of Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the valley. On a clear day, you can see forever...or at least to Mannheim. Also enjoy a stroll through the castle gardens, once considered a masterpiece of their time. Our guides will then bring you to the older section of the city to see the fascinating Church of the Holy Spirit, which has changed denominations more than ten times throughout its history.We’ll return on board in Mannheim and continue cruising to Strasbourg. Enjoy an evening of entertainment. Cruise to Strasbourg overnight. Tonight is our festive gala.

Day 7
We’ll arrive in Strasbourg during the morning. Optional excursion: Boat tour of Strasbourg and a visit to its cathedral (must be reserved before your departure). Discover Strasbourg from the water! We’ll see all the great sites on the riverbanks, from Petite France—listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988—to the European quarter, where institutions such as the Council of Europe and the European Parliament are located. After, we’ll continue on foot to the magnificent Gothic cathedral, built over three centuries. The famous west front is decorated with thousands of figures and its spire measures over 466 feet. The cathedral is built out of pink sandstone from the nearby Vosges Mountains, which gives it its characteristic hue that changes according to the sunlight and the color of the sky. We'll return by tour boat to the ship. We’ll return on board for lunch and continue to cruise to Frankfurt. Enjoy the onboard activities. We'll enjoy dinner on board. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Day 8
We’ll arrive in Frankfurt early in the morning. Optional excursion: Panoramic tour of Frankfurt and the top of the Main Tower. This panoramic tour will take you to the heart of the financial district and the immense skyscrapers dominating the city's skyline. We’ll head to the top of the Main Tower to get a great view of the city from above. Frankfurt's financial district has earned its nickname "Mainhatten." From over 656 feet up, you’ll be able to take in the glorious views of the city spread out below. We'll return on board for lunch while the ship continues to Karlstadt.

Day 9
We'll spend the morning cruising on the Main River, arriving in Karlstadt in the early afternoon. Join us for an optional excursion: Guided tour of Würzburg. We’ll leave by coach for the center of Würzburg. The tour will begin at the Würzburg Residence, the 18th-century palace built by the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg. Discover the 40 rooms decorated sumptuously with furniture, paintings, and tapestries from 18th-century masters. Step back in time as you climb the monumental baroque-style staircase designed by Balthasar Neumann. The impressive rococo-style Imperial Hall is topped with a dome decorated with frescoes and golden stucco. Continue your tour downtown before returning to the ship by coach. We’ll return on board in Würzburg and continue cruising to Nuremberg. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Day 10
Enjoy some free time in Schweinfurt. Explore this charming city with our host or hostess. Schweinfurt's center contains several interesting sites, including the beautiful Rathaus (city hall), Schrotturm (tower), the remarkable St. Johannis and St. Kilian Churches, and the statue of Friedrich Rückert in the Marktplatz. The Georg Schäfer Museum is a quick five-minute walk from our dock. The museum presents a wide range of art from the 18th to mid-20th centuries (Entry ticket not included. German and English language only). Artists include Caspar David Friedrich, Georg Ferdinand Waldmüller, Hans Thoma, Wilhelm Leibl, Max Liebermann, and Max Slevogt.We'll return on board for lunch while the ship continues to Nuremberg. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Day 11
We’ll arrive in Nuremberg early in the morning. Join us for an optional excursion: Guided tour of Nuremberg. Take off on a panoramic tour of the city to see monuments outside the medieval walls, including the Palace of Justice, Nazi Party Rally Grounds and Documentation Center, and the castle area. Fall under the spell of the charming, narrow streets and half-timbered houses before arriving at the Marktplatz for a tour on foot of the Schöner Brunnen and Frauenkirche exteriors led by your guide. During this excursion, you'll have a taste of Lebkuchen, a well-known, local delicacy much like gingerbread. We'll return on board for lunch while the ship continues to Regensburg. Enjoy the onboard activities this afternoon and evening. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Day 12
We’ll arrive in Regensburg in the morning. Enjoy some free time in the city. In the afternoon, join us for an optional guided tour of Regensburg. The first stop our coach will make before Regensburg will be at the Walhalla, an imposing, Greek-style hall of fame built between 1830 and 1842 by Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria honoring distinguished people in Germanic history. One hundred twenty-nine busts of artists and military figures adorn the interior. After, your guides will lead you on foot through Regensburg, where you'll discover the grand Porta Preatoria on the old city's northern wall, the town hall and its Imperial Hall, the Gothic-style cathedral, and Italian-style mansions built by rich merchants in the Middle Ages. The Allies spared Regensburg from intense bombardments during World War II, conserving the ancient architecture for us to enjoy today. We'll return on board for dinner while the ship continues to Passau.

Day 13
We’ll arrive in Passau during the morning. After we arrive, set off on your own or join our host/hostess for a tour of the city. Passau is known as “The City of Three Rivers” since it sits at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers. Our tour will take you to Passau's old town, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and St. Michael's Church. We'll return on board for lunch while the ship continues to Vienna. Tonight we’ll enjoy our gala dinner on board.

Day 14
This morning's optional excursion is a tour of Hofburg Palace and the Sisi Museum. The imperial Hofburg Palace is one of the largest palatial complexes in the world. Its disproportional splendor fascinates history and architecture lovers from around the world. Must-sees include the Imperial Treasury, Imperial Apartments, and the Sisi Museum.This afternoon, the optional excursion is: Vienna, the Capuchin Church, and the Austrian National Library. Construction of this unassuming church finished in 1632. The interior has remained simple and sober throughout the years. The Imperial Crypt beneath the church is the last resting place of more than 145 members of Habsburg royalty, including Empress Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph I, and his beloved wife, Empress Sisi. The next stop will be the Austrian National Library, considered as having one of the most beautiful library halls in the world. A magnificently painted dome with frescoes by Daniel Gran covers the impressive State Hall. Four beautiful Venetian globes with a diameter of over one yard add an accent to the room's imperial flair. After our excursion, we’ll return to the ship.Our optional excursion this evening is a concert of Viennese music (subject to availability). Enjoy the works of masters such as Mozart and Strauss within the legendary "Capital of Classical Music."

Day 15
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.