Romantic Rhine & Swiss Delights River Cruise
Fully Escorted by Karen Kirby!
Book NowThere’s no better way to see the spectacular sights along the Rhine than from the river itself and on this leisurely cruise you can witness the countless treasures of four countries as we glide through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. Along the way you can enjoy all the amenities of our ship as we cruise between the sheer valley walls of the Rhine Gorge and across the lush plains of the Alsace, before crossing the Swiss border where you can venture into some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Our ship is never far away, so after a day of exploring you can return to comfortable surrounds and relax as the crew take care of you –it’s what river cruising is all about.
Day 1
UK to Cologne. Making suitable refreshment stops we arrive in Cologne late afternoon, where we board our shipour ship, sailing overnight to Rüdesheim.
DDay 2
Cologne to Rüdesheim. We arrive in Rüdesheim at approx 3pm. En route, marvel at some of the Rhine Valley’s most famous landmarks including the 130-metre-high Lorelei Rock. Upon arrival in Rudesheim we visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, the world’s best Music Box Museum, by land train from our ship. Enjoy a cable car ride up to the Neiderwald monument and see some fantastic scenery across the Rhine, afterwards there will be free time to explore this picturebook wine town. We set sail at 8.30pm for Speyer.
B, DDay 3
Speyer to Strasbourg. We arrive in Speyer at 8am, a Celtic-Roman city. Enjoy an included visit to the Technik Museum. Wander around inside an original jumbo jet, as well as inspect the inner workings of as ubmarine and a sea rescue cruiser. In the halls you will find the largest space flight exhibition in Europe as well as locomotives, vintage cars, fire trucks, motorcycles, and thousands of other exhibits. Our ship departs for Strasbourg at 6pm.
B, DDay 4
Strasbourg to Basel. We arrive in Strasbourg at 6am. After breakfast we travel into Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region of France and lies on the border of Germany. Encircled by the River Ill, the city centre is home to the Cathedral, Petit France and the Maison Kammerzell. The streets are lined with beautiful half-timbered houses and lovely independent shops. We discover this stunning city aboard a glass-topped canal cruiser with free time afterwards before we return to our ship. We set sail at 4.30pm towards Switzerland for Basel.
B, DDay 5
Basel to Lake Lucerne to Breisach. Join our included full day excursion by coach to the Swiss resort of Lucerne. This scenic journey follows a route that tunnels through the Jura Mountains, before arriving at Lucerne - the historic and scenic heart of Switzerland. Visit the beautiful Chapel Bridge with its prominent water tower, one of the most photographed landmarks in Switzerland. Our ship departs Basel at 6pm for Breisach.
B, DDay 6
Breisach to Alsace to Mannheim. This morning we arrive into Breisach, where the Black Forest meets the Alsace. Board the coach and travel into the beautiful Alsace, stopping at the little picturesque village of Riquewihr where we enjoy wine tasting at the famous Dopff & Irion Vineyard. This afternoon we set sail for Mannheim.
B, DDay 7
Mannheim to Mainz. Our ship arrives in Mannheim at 7am. After breakfast we join our coach and visit Heidelberg, a city which captures your heart and is full of charm and character. We return to our ship for lunch onboard as we cruise to Mainz where we arrive later this afternoon. Mainz is situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Main Rivers, and has been the capital of the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate since 1946. Join our guided walking tour, taking in the university, the pretty pedestrian precincts and the fabulous Romanesque cathedral. We also include entrance to the famous Gutenberg Museum, one of the oldest museums of printing in the world. This evening enjoy your final night onboard as we set sail for Cologne at approx. 9pm.
B, DDay 8
Cologne to UK. We bid farewell to our captain and crew and disembark our ship after breakfast and rejoin our coach for our return journey home. We return to our home area approx. 8pm making suitable refreshment stops.
BB=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included
MS ARENA ****
This fabulous 4-star ship has 96 cabins split over 2 decks. All the cabins onboard the MS Arena feature outward-facing floor to ceiling panoramic windows with French balconies, allowing you to take in the wonderful views of the river and surroundings from the comfort of your own cabin. The spacious cabins feature en-suite bathrooms with a shower and toilet. There’s plenty of space and storage for your belongings, plus air conditioning, TV, telephone, hairdryer and a safe all come as standard. You can choose from accommodation on the Upper Deck or Main Deck (subject to availability); all with contemporary furnishings, providing the ideal home from home on your cruise. Dine on exceptionally fresh and delicious dishes in the Panorama Restaurant, then head up for a drink at the Ambassador’s Lounge Bar. When you’re not at port, the fitness suite, library or sun deck are just a few of the places where you can spend time indulging in the things you love. There’s also the onboard shop for stocking up on souvenirs and essentials, and for your convenience there is complimentary WiFi onboard.
AT A GLANCE
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Return Eurotunnel crossing
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7 nights Full Board onboard the MS Arena
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Ship Porterage
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Welcome Reception including a glass of sparkling wine
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Live entertainment each night
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Hot and cold buffet breakfast
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Captains Party on 1 night
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4 course evening meals with tea/coffee afterwards (first night set meal, there afterwards, choice made at lunch time)
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Early risers & mid-morning tea/coffee
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3 course lunches with tea/coffee afterwards
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Captains farewell 5 course dinner
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Fully escorted by Karen Kirby
(Please Note: Lunch is not included on Day 1 and 8)
Passport required.
TRAVEL OPTIONS
Upgrade your room (subject to availability). Supplements apply, call 01268 777 777, option 1
GROUP BOOKINGS
If you book 20 places all together on a day excursion, short break or holiday ONE GOES FREE
Please find below our pick up points (not all pick up points will be available on all departure dates). View the pick-up point you require, then you’ll see a list of dates which are/aren’t available from your pick up point.
Please find below our pick up points (not all pick up points will be available on all departure dates). View the pick-up point you require, then you’ll see a list of dates which are/aren’t available from your pick up point.
| Name | Address | Contact Details | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barking | Station Parade, IG11 8TU | View | |
| Barkingside | Fullwell Cross, Bus Stop A - IG6 2EA | View | |
| Brentwood | Brentwood, Outside The Dairyman | View | |
| Chalkwell Park | Chalkwell Park Bus Stop, London Road | View | |
| Chelmsford Victoria Road | Victoria Road CM1 1JR | View | |
| Collier Row | White Hart Lane - Bus Stop out Tythe Court RM7 8LZ | View | |
| Corringham Town Centre | Gordon Road, Bus Stop opposite Colbourne Close | View | |
| Cranham | Front Lane/Moor Lane Junction Bus Stop RM14 1XJ Outside Restaurant Opp. Car Park | View | |
| Dagenham | Church Elm Lane, Bus Stop L - RM10 9QS | View | |
| Depot | Depot, Princess Road, Rayleigh | View | |
| Hadleigh Church | Hadleigh Church, Bus Layby | View | |
| Harold Wood | Bus Stop A, Gubbins Lane, RM3 0DR | View | |
| Hockley Spa | Hockley Spa, Bus Stop outside the Library | View | |
| Holiday Inn, Brentwood | Holiday Inn Brentwood | View | |
| Hornchurch. | Hornchurch Town Centre | View | |
| Hutton | Hutton, Bus Stop just past the Chequers Pub | View | |
| Ilford | Ilford, Bus Stop outside 6 Clements Road, IG1 1BA | View | |
| Kavanaghs Rd | Kavanaghs Road/London Road, Brentwood | View | |
| Palace Theatre | Palace Theatre Bus Stop | View | |
| Pitsea | Outside Gala Bingo Hall, Pitsea | View | |
| Queensway | Queensway Bus Stop (Behind the Odeon Cinema) | View | |
| Rayleigh Stn | Rayleigh Railway Station | View | |
| Romford | St Edwards Way - Bus Stop H - RM1 3DQ Out: Romford Shopping Hall | View | |
| Sadlers Farm | Bus Stop on A13, just before Sadlers Farm roundabout, nr Romsey Road | View | |
| Shenfield Stn | Shenfield Station, outside Barclays Bank | View | |
| Shepherd & Dog Crays Hill | Shepherd & Dog, Crays Hill | View | |
| Shotgate | Shotgate Post Office | View | |
| South Green | Grange Parade Bus Stop, South Green, Billericay | View | |
| Stanford Rookery Corner | Rookery Corner Stanford | View | |
| Sun Corner | Sun Corner London Road - Billericay | View | |
| Thames Drive | Thames Drive Bus Stop | View | |
| The Elms | Bus Stop outside Elms Public House, Leigh on Sea | View | |
| The Oak Grays | The Oak Public House, Lodge Lane, Grays | View | |
| Thorpe Bay Stn | Thorpe Bay Station, Acacia Drive (opp Station) | View | |
| Thurrock Services, | Thurrock Services Coach Park, RM16 3BG | View | |
| Trafford House | Outside Trafford House, by Bus Stop, Basildon | View | |
| Upminster | Bus Stop M, St Mary's Lane- Upminster Outside St.Laurence Church RM14 2QJ | View | |
| Vic Hse Cnr, Rayleigh Rd | Vic House Corner, (Rayleigh Road) | View | |
| Websters Way | Websters Way, Rayleigh | View | |
| White Horse | White Horse,Southchurch Road, Southend | View | |
| Whittinghams Grg | Whittinghams Garage, opp Rochford Railway Station | View | |
| Wickford | Halls Corner, opposite Police Station, Wickford | View | |
| Woodford Green | Snakes Lane East, Bus Stop R - IG8 7HU | View |
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