Main, Rhine and Moselle Explorer
The Rhine and her Tributaries
from
£2,354 per person
10 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £56 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.
- Return UK travel service
Uncover the highlights of the Main, Rhine and Moselle
Embark Spirit of the Rhine in Mainz for an all-inclusive river cruise in 2025 visiting a succession of historic cities and medieval towns.
Spend a relaxing first day cruising the Rhine, with plenty of time to settle in to your cabin and enjoy the facilities on board before arriving in Kehl. From here, join an early morning included excursion to Strasbourg. Admire the city’s medieval architecture as you cruise along Strasbourg’s scenic canals.
Continue your river cruise to spend an afternoon in Rüdesheim, known for its narrow cobbled street or Drosselgasse, which is lined with traditional wine taverns. Cruise through the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine Gorge and onto the picturesque Moselle to reach Cochem, with its hilltop Reichsburg Castle.
Next, visit Koblenz, set at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Explore the city of Frankfurt by coach and on foot during an included excursion. Then, cruise the Main river to Aschaffenburg. Set off on an included walking tour from your ship to see some of the Aschaffenburg’s main sights, such as the Renaissance Johannisburg Palace.
Finally, sail overnight to Mainz, with its medieval market squares, half-timbered houses and Romanesque sandstone cathedral.
Itinerary
Spirit of the Rhine
Travel to Mainz and embark Spirit of the Rhine to begin the overnight sailing towards Strasbourg.
Full day sailing towards Kehl, Germany.
Arrive 1900.
Spend a relaxing day on board Spirit of the Rhine passing predominantly through built-up areas of urbanisation. Settle into your cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship’s facilities.
Depart 1800.
Set off early to the elegant capital of Alsace, Strasbourg, where you can enjoy an included canal cruise, followed by time at leisure in the city. Admire the city’s medieval architecture and the Gothic cathedral with its astronomical clock.
You can choose to return to Spirit of the Rhine for lunch and a relaxing afternoon on board, or remain in Strasbourg to explore independently for the afternoon, returning to the ship using our complimentary transfer service (coach access is restricted in Strasbourg, so there will be a walk of around a mile from the cathedral back to the coach).
Sail overnight.
Arrive Rüdesheim, 0900. Depart 1400.
Scenic Cruise, Middle Rhine Gorge.
The popular wine town of Rüdesheim has a traditional old town of half-timbered houses and is backed by terraced vineyards. Among its main attractions is a long narrow street, the Drosselgasse, which is lined on both sides with traditional wine taverns and overlooked by the glockenspiel tower with its hourly chimes.
This afternoon, cruise through the UNESCO-listed scenery of the Middle Rhine Gorge, passing the fabled Lorelei Rock en route to Cochem.
Continue sailing to Winningen for an overnight mooring.
Scenic Cruise, Moselle River.
Arrive Cochem, 1200.
The small town of Cochem enjoys a scenic riverside setting. Perched on a hilltop high above the town stands the neo-Gothic Reichsburg Castle, and although most of the castle was rebuilt in the 19th century, the original 11th-century keep still survives. The town’s other historic architectural gems include a baroque Town Hall backed by a maze of streets and a quaint market square overlooked by timber-framed buildings.
Depart Cochem, 1300.
Scenic Cruise, Moselle River.
Arrive Koblenz, 2000.
Following the morning in Cochem, spend a relaxing afternoon on board Spirit of the Rhine as she sails through the attractive scenery lining the Moselle.
Depart 1800.
Koblenz, meaning 'merging of the rivers', is situated on the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. At the exact point where the two rivers meet, the Deutsches Eck, there is a monument with a huge equestrian statue of Emperor Wilhelm I. Above the town sits the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, a citadel built by the Prussians between 1816 and 1832.
Sail overnight.
Arrive 0900. Depart 2200.
The modern city of Frankfurt sits beside the Main river and, depending on your mooring, can be reached using our complimentary transfer service. The medieval old town, in the heart of the city, is lined with half-timbered buildings, boutiques and quaint apple-wine taverns.
In the central square, Römerberg, you can see the medieval Römer complex with their distinctive stepped gables and opposite is the Old St Nicholas church. You can explore Frankfurt on a combined coach and walking tour.
Sail overnight.
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
The city of Aschaffenburg is set beside the Main river and an included walking tour from your ship will reveal some of the main sights. The riverbank is dominated by the Renaissance Johannisburg Palace. It's a vast complex, with four wings and two towers, built in the 17th century. In the old quarter, on Theaterplatz square, is a fine neo-classical theatre, arcade and fountains. Nearby, there's a replica of a Roman villa discovered in Pompeii – the Pompejanum – commissioned by King Ludwig I and built between 1840-1848.
Sail overnight.
Arrive 0800.
Mainz is known for its medieval market squares, half-timbered houses, Romanesque sandstone cathedral and St Stephen’s church, which features stained glass windows by renowned artist Marc Chagall. Behind the cathedral in Gutenberg square is a statue of the father of modern printing Johannes Gutenberg, who was born in Mainz in the 14th century.
Disembark Spirit of the Rhine after breakfast and begin your return journey.
Including...
All Inclusive†
Cruise Director
Plus…
- Drinks reception and Farewell dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return flights and transfers
Included excursions
- Canal cruise in Strasbourg
- Tour of Frankfurt by coach and on foot
- Walking tour of Aschaffenburg
Our cruises include excursions at selected ports so you can make the most of the destinations you visit. Find out more about when excursions are available to book.
Interactive maps and audio headsets are available for independent exploration.
†The included drinks are available from 9am to midnight and include non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
from
£2,354 per person
10 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £56 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.
from
£2,354 per person
10 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £56 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.