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The Christmas Market at Mainz- A festive display in Bonn
- Cologne's Christmas Market
Christmas Markets of the Rhine: Mainz to Düsseldorf
The Rhine and her Tributaries
from
£1,342 per person
5 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 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.
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Experience the magical atmosphere of Germany’s Christmas markets
This all-inclusive festive mini cruise in 2025 takes you on a journey along the Rhine to independently visit four Christmas markets, where stalls traditionally sell beautifully hand-crafted toys, colourful decorations and a variety of tempting culinary treats. Sweet aromas of roasting chestnuts and mulled wine can often be enjoyed, as you browse traditional wooden stalls laden with Christmas ware. You may like to relax at a streetside cafe with a glass of glühwein and soak up the festive atmosphere.
The cities of Mainz, Bonn and Cologne provide a historic and beautiful backdrop to the winter wonderland, while the traditional wine town of Rüdesheim invites vendors from across the continent to sell their Christmas goodies at its yearly Christmas market held in its atmospheric old town, surrounded by half-timbered houses. You’ll also have time to relax on board Spirit of the Rhine and watch the winter landscapes of the Rhine Valley drift by – it’s the perfect prelude to Christmas!
This cruise is also available with a reverse itinerary Christmas Markets of the Rhine: Düsseldorf to Mainz. Timings may differ.
Itinerary
Spirit of the Rhine
Travel to Mainz and embark Spirit of the Rhine.
Mainz is known for its medieval market square, which will be hosting the city’s main Christmas market, on the doorstep of 1000-year old St Martin’s Cathedral. Handmade toys, ceramics and candles are among the goods you can expect to find on sale here.
The city’s other attractions include St Stephen’s church, which features stained glass windows by artist Marc Chagall, and Gutenberg square which features a statue of the father of modern printing Johannes Gutenberg, who was born in Mainz in the 14th century.
Depart Mainz, 0900. Arrive Rüdesheim, 1200.
Following a relaxing morning cruising the Rhine, you arrive in the traditional wine town of Rüdesheim, which 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 wine taverns.
The Christmas market is held in the heart of the atmospheric old town, on Market Square, and it features a variety of handmade goods from across the continent, from carefully decorated German gingerbread to tempting French crepes.
Deprart Rüdesheim, 0600. Arrive Bonn, 1300.
Spend the morning cruising to Bonn, where the illuminated facades of the Münsterplatz provide a festive backdrop to the Christmas market that fills the streets. The old town hall is transformed into a huge Advent Calendar, with a different window being lit up each day as they city counts down to the 25th. Browse the brightly lit stalls selling beautiful handcrafted gifts and perhaps treat yourself to a glass of warming glühwein.
Depart Bonn, 0700.
Arrive Cologne, 0900. Depart 2100.
Germany’s fourth largest city is dominated by its mighty Gothic cathedral, which makes an atmospheric backdrop for the city’s main Christmas market. The city is also famous for its eponymous brand of perfume, which has now become a generic term for men's aftershave. Expect wooden toys, arts and crafts, colourful Christmas decorations and cheery Christmas music as you explore the market independently.
Arrive 0000.
Disembark your ship and begin your return journey.
Including...
All Inclusive†
Cruise Director
Plus…
- Drinks reception and Gala dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return flights
Included visits
- Mainz Christmas market
- Rüdesheim Christmas market
- Bonn Christmas market
- Cologne Christmas market
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
£1,342 per person
5 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 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
£1,342 per person
5 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 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.