2025 Christmas Markets on the Rhine River Cruise

DAY 1 - NOVEMBER 23
Departure from Canada

Depart Canada on an overnight flight to Amsterdam

DAY 2 - NOVEMBER 24
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Arrive in Amsterdam and transfer to the hotel. Check-in to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation & Meals: 

• Overnight: 4* hotel in Amsterdam
• Included Meals: None

DAY 3 - NOVEMBER 25
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Join our guide on a tour to learn more about this exciting city. 

You’ll have the remainder of the day at leisure: 

Take in the city’s unmatched art collection. Visit the Rijksmuseum to see masterpieces by Vermeer and Rembrandt. Go see the Van Gogh Museum to see some of his most-famous works, such as Sunflowers, Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat, and Self-Portrait as a Painter. 

Stop at the Anne Frank House to see where Anne Frank hid from the Nazis during the occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.

Wander the scenic canals (a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site) and cobbled streets, visit the city’s notorious coffee shops, or even the red-light district.  

Accommodation & Meals: 

• Overnight: 4* hotel in Amsterdam
• Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4 - NOVEMBER 26
Amsterdam, Netherlands - Embarkation

After breakfast at the hotel, take an optional tour to Zaanse Schans to see authentic windmills. Otherwise, spend a few more hours exploring the city before transferring to our river cruise port to board the luxurious AmaCerto. 

Accommodation & Meals: 

• Overnight: AmaCerto
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5 - NOVEMBER 27
Amsterdam, Netherlands

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get to enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, set sail out of Amsterdam. 

Accommodation & Meals: 

• Overnight: AmaCerto
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 - NOVEMBER 28
Düsseldorf, Germany

Enjoy a scenic cruise into Düsseldorf. In the afternoon, take a brief trip to the nearby city of Cologne on a guided tour of its enchanting Old Town, where you will see sites such as the Cologne Rathaus, Germany’s oldest town hall; the Fishmarkt, which dates back to the 12th century and the Great St. Martin Church.

Then visit one of Europe’s largest and most renowned Christmas Markets. Or explore historic Düsseldorf on foot with a knowledgeable local tour guide. Then, be treated to a tasting of Altbier, a clean and crisp beer developed in Düsseldorf that is crafted using traditional brewing techniques. Conclude the tour with a visit to the local Christmas Market. Alternatively, cover more ground with an active bike tour of the city. 

Shore Excursion Options:

• Cologne walking tour and Christmas Markets
• Düsseldorf Walking Tour with Altbier tasting and Christmas Markets
• Düsseldorf bike tour

Accommodation & Meals: 

• Overnight: AmaCerto
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 - NOVEMBER 29
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim, Germany

Cruise through the castle-laden Rhine River Gorge before reaching the winemaking town of Rüdesheim. Once in Rüdesheim, you will have four choices of morning excursions. Wine connoisseurs will want to go to a wine cellar for a wine tasting followed by a Christmas Market visit to enjoy holiday traditions from around the world. Or go on a hike through the vineyards.

Alternatively, you can take a peaceful ride over the vineyards on Rüdesheim’s gondola followed by a visit to the Christmas Market. You may also opt to join a guided bike tour through the town and along the Rhine River before visiting the Christmas Market.

Later in the day, you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet, or taste one of the town’s special delights, Rüdesheimer coffee.

Shore Excursion Options:

• Wine Tasting and Christmas Markets
• Gondola Ride and Christmas Market
• Vineyards Hike
• Guided Bike Tour of the Rheingau and Christmas Markets
• Siegfried’s Mechanical Instrument Cabinet
• Rüdesheimer coffee

Accommodation & Meals: 

• Overnight: AmaCerto
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 - NOVEMBER 30 
Ludwigshafen, Germany

You have the choice to explore two of Germany’s historically rich cities, along with their festive Christmas Markets. Visit Heidelberg, a city that will capture your heart with its mighty castle and historic university. While here, wander along one of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping streets, the Hauptstrasse, soaking up the Yuletide celebrations at the town’s Christmas Markets. Or hike along the Neckar River on the historic Philosopher’s Path followed by free time to enjoy the Christmas Markets.

Alternatively, you can bike along the Neckar River to the medieval town of Ladenburg and visit its Marktplatz, or explore one of Germany’s oldest cities, Speyer, known for the largest Romanesque cathedral in Europe -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You’ll also have time to visit its Christmas Market in front of the “Old Mint” (Alten Münze) in the famous Maximilianstrasse, with a view of the romantic Imperial cathedral (Kaiserdom). 

Shore Excursion Options:

• Heidelberg Tour and Christmas Markets
• Medieval Speyer and Christmas Markets
• Heidelberg Philosopher’s Path Hike and Christmas Markets
• Ladenburg Bike Tour

Accommodation & Meals: 

• Overnight: AmaCerto
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9 - DECEMBER 1
Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg, France is even more alluring during the season of Advent. The Christkindelsmärik dates back to 1570, making it the oldest Christmas Market in France. Enjoy a panoramic bus tour that takes you past the Parc de l’Orangerie, the European Parliament and the Place de la Republique.

Afterwards, walk through the historic town center on the Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and through the lovely “La Petite France” district, where you will see the Cathédrale de Nôtre Dame with its famous astronomical clock and then visit the town’s famous Christmas Market.

You can also choose to explore Strasbourg’s different districts by bicycle. Later in the day, opt to visit Gengenbach’s Christmas Markets and the town’s famous illuminated town hall Advent calendar.

Shore Excursion Options:

• Strasbourg City Tour and Christmas Markets
• Strasbourg bike tour
• Gengenbach Christmas Markets Tour

Accommodation & Meals: 

• Overnight: AmaCerto
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 - DECEMBER 2
Breisach, Germany

Breisach is your gateway to several different excursions. Journey into medieval Colmar, located in the enchanting Alsace region of France. Delight in the half-timbered houses lining the cobblestone streets as you take in the whimsical blend of French and German culture and the town’s wonderful Christmas Markets.

Alternatively, head to Freiburg, founded in 1120 and home to the Freiburg’s Münster, a Gothic cathedral said to have “the most beautiful spire on earth.” Then enjoy free time at the Freiburg Christmas Markets. Those wishing a more active excursion can cycle through Breisach’s countryside.

Shore Excursion Options: 

• Colmar Excursion and Christmas Markets
• Freiburg Excursion and Christmas Markets
• Breisach Wine Country Bike Tour

Accommodation & Meals: 

• Overnight: AmaCerto
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11 - DECEMBER 3
Basel, Switzerland 

Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport to begin your trip home. 

OR

Optional Post-Cruise Tour

Join our optional post-cruise, transferring by coach from Basel to Lucerne. Check into our hotel. Remainder of day at leisure to explore the Christmas Markets on Franziskanerplatz on the waterfront and in the Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern. Stop at the  Culture and Convention Centre (KKL). Wander across the Chapel Bridge and see the famous water tour, find the Lion Monument, or stop at a local chocolate shop to stock up for Christmas. 

Accommodation & Meals: 

• Overnight: 4* hotel in Lucerne
• Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12 - DECEMBER 4 
Lucerne, Switzerland (OPTIONAL)

Day at leisure. Take public transportation to Mount Rigi to visit the Mineralbad and Spa Rigi Kaltbad, a modern spa built in a place that pilgrims have come for 600 years. Go up Mount Pilatus to see the magnificent views. Wander along the top of the old city walls that date back to 1386. Or wander the medieval part of the city, enjoying a local café and doing some last Christmas shopping. 

Accommodation & Meals: 

• Overnight: 4* hotel in Lucerne
• Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 13 - DECEMBER 5
Depart for Canada

Our transfer will take us from Lucerne to Zurich to catch our flight home. 

• Included Meals: Breakfast (if flight itineraries allow)