Day 1 UK to Amsterdam

Travel to Amsterdam - a journey time from Calais of 4 hours and 30 minutes - and embark Spirit of the Rhine, which remains moored here overnight.

Enjoy a welcome reception, where you can meet your expert host and fellow passengers, and dine on board.

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 join one of our Unique Experiences which are designed to give you the chance to get under the skin of a destination by enjoying the local food and culture. 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 you could join 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.

After dinner on board, take your seats for an evening of Gilbert & Sullivan favourites from your host and guest musicians.

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 picturesque Bingen, which is surrounded by rolling hills blanketed in vineyards and sits under the watchful gaze of Klopp Castle. 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 sample local produce on an optional wine tasting trip.

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 to Arnhem

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.

Return to your ship for lunch before cruising through the afternoon to moor in Arnhem tonight.

After dinner on board ship join your host and musical guests for a finale concert.

Day 8 Arnhem to UK

Disembark Spirit of the Rhine after breakfast and begin your return journey to the UK.