Gilbert & Sullivan on the Rhine
The Rhine & her Tributaries
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New
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No fly
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VIP on selected river cruises
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All Inclusive
The very model of a Gilbert & Sullivan-themed river cruise
Step aboard Saga’s luxury ship, Spirit of the Rhine, for a seven-night river cruise set to the soundtrack of the music of Gilbert & Sullivan.
Enjoy some of the duo’s most popular works performed live at evening concerts and take the chance to sing along to many of your favourites in the company of your host, baritone and opera expert Peter Grevatt plus his guest pianist and singers, who will perform five live sessions. While music will fill your evenings, by day you can look forward to exploring historic cities and charming towns along the Rhine.
Your holiday begins in Amsterdam where you can take advantage of one of our included excursions to soak up the food, drink and culture before cruising to Cologne where you can visit some of Germany’s most popular visitor attractions on an included city tour. Cruise on to Koblenz and perhaps join an optional tour visiting the imposing Ehrenbreitstein Fortress before mooring for the night in the quaint wine town of Bingen. Stop in Boppard and Andernach – where you might choose to visit the impressive cold water geyser – and enjoy an included tour of Dusseldorf’s interesting Old Town before a lively farewell concert on board provides the finale to your cruise.
Including...
VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland
20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
Free bar open 15 hours a day†
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Cruise Host
Plus...
- Five live Gilbert & Sullivan sessions
- Expert host, baritone Peter Grevatt
- Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return coach travel via Eurotunnel or ferry
Included excursions
- Cologne city tour
- Amsterdam city tour and canal cruise OR Amsterdam Culinary Walking Tour
- Düsseldorf city tour.
†The free bar available in 2023 is open from 9am to midnight and serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Interactive maps and audio headsets for independent exploration
View Full Itinerary
Day 1 UK to Amsterdam

Travel to Amsterdam - a journey time from Calais of 5 hours plus comfort stops - and embark Spirit of the Rhine.
Meet your expert host and fellow passengers, and dine on board as you remain moored here overnight.
Day 2 Amsterdam 🎧

The Dutch capital is rightly popular for its friendly welcome, picturesque canals, world-class museums and galleries and laid-back cafes and bars.
This morning you can experience the local food and culture on an included culinary themed walking tour of the Dutch capital. After disembarking your ship and meeting your guide, take a tram to Central Station from where you will begin a walking tour of the Dutch capital. Along the way look forward to tasting local delicacies including herring, cheese and croquettes and rounding it off with a sweet treat from a bakery.
Alternatively, opt for an included tour of Amsterdam by coach and see the Royal Palace on Dam Square, the floating flower market, the Central Railway Station, which is built on thousands of wooden piles, and the grand 19th-century Rijksmuseum.
Afterwards, enjoy a canal cruise to see the city centre with its pretty bridges and attractive gabled houses up close and view such treasures as the famous Skinny Bridge, the Montelbaanstoren tower and the Jewish Quarter. Spirit of the Rhine sets sail at lunchtime and you will spend the rest of the day and night cruising towards Cologne.
Day 3 Cologne 🎧

Arrive at lunchtime in Cologne, Germany's cultural capital.
Enjoy an afternoon of exploring, either on an included excursion or independently using our state-of-the-art interactive map – don't miss the vast Gothic cathedral, started in 1248 to house the relics of the three Magi but not finally completed until 1880! You can see the magnificent shrine to Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar – now among the patron saints of Cologne – behind the high altar.
Depart later this evening and cruise overnight towards Koblenz.
Look forward to your second concert this evening as you enjoy a musical guide to the lives and work of Gilbert & Sullivan.
Day 4 Koblenz to Bingen 🎧

Having arrived before breakfast, you can spend the morning in Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle.
Discover the attractive riverside promenade and several historic churches, all set beneath the Festung Ehrenbreitstein citadel on top of the hill, which you might choose to visit on an optional excursion this morning. At lunchtime your cruise continues through the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine to the wine town of Bingen.
On board ship tonight get ready for a performance of well-known works from Gilbert & Sullivan.
Your ship remains moored here overnight.
Day 5 Bingen to Boppard 🎧

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Bingen, which is surrounded by rolling hills blanketed in vineyards and sits under the watchful gaze of Klopp Castle. You may like to explore further during an optional walking tour. The charm of the town is part of the reason the fabled Middle Rhine was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set sail late morning and arrive in Boppard at lunchtime. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in the medieval town with a picturesque waterfront promenade or perhaps join an optional visit to Rheinfels Castle and St Goar.
Your ship remains moored here overnight.
Day 6 Boppard to Andernach 🎧

Set sail at breakfast and cruise through the morning to Andernach, from where you might wish to join an optional excursion visiting the world’s highest cold-water geyser this afternoon.
Resume your cruise after dinner and sail through the night, bound for Düsseldorf.
Day 7 Düsseldorf 🎧

Arrive in Düsseldorf before breakfast and look forward to joining an included tour of the city’s famous Altstadt – Old Town – a square kilometre full of churches and art, plus more than 250 bars, restaurants and cafes in the heart of the city. Join an expert guide on a stroll through the picturesque lanes and discover why the Gothic St. Lambertus church has a twisted tower, how The Rider statue of popular elector Jan Wellem came about, where Heinrich Heine was born, and how tailor Wibbel gained fame.
After dinner on board ship join your host and musical guests for a finale concert.
Day 8 Dusseldorf to UK
Disembark Spirit of the Rhine after breakfast and begin your return journey to the UK.
🎧 Interactive maps and audio headset tours available for exploring independently in Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Bingen, Boppard, Andernach and Dusseldorf.
Some of the highlights may only be seen on optional excursions at an additional cost, or by exploring independently.
Walking Grades
1 – Walking at your own discretion. For example, on panoramic coach tours when the only walking is at photo stops.
2 – Minimal walking. Up to approximately 1,640 feet (500 metres) on mainly flat terrain.
3 – Moderate walking. Between 1,640-4,920 feet (500-1500 metres) over mixed terrain with the possibility of some steps.
4 – Considerable walking. More than 4,920 feet (1500 metres) over uneven terrain with many steps.
5 – Strenuous walking. Long distances over rough terrain with climbing, steps and trekking.
£1,649 per person
2 passengers
7 nights Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £20 if not required
The Rhine & her Tributaries
£1,649 per person
2 passengers
7 nights Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £20 if not required