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Cologne Cathedral and the Christmas Market- Bonn's Christmas Market
- The illuminated streets of Mainz
Christmas Markets of the Rhine: Düsseldorf to Mainz
The Rhine and her Tributaries
from
£1,642 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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Return UK travel service
Browse the stalls of Germany’s Christmas markets
Cruise along the Rhine River during this 5-night all-inclusive festive cruise in 2025 and visit four Christmas markets independently to browse stalls selling hand-crafted toys, colourful decorations and a variety of tempting culinary treats at your leisure.
Sweet aromas of roasting chestnuts and mulled wine can often be enjoyed, as you discover a host of traditional wooden stalls laden with Christmas ware. Alternatively, simply relax at a streetside cafe with a glass of glühwein and soak up the festive atmosphere.
The cities of Cologne, Bonn and Mainz 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 market held in its atmospheric old town of 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: Mainz to Düsseldorf. Timings may differ.
Itinerary
Spirit of the Rhine
Travel to Düsseldorf and embark Spirit of the Rhine. Sail overnight.
Arrive 0800.
Germany’s fourth largest city is dominated by its 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 browse the market stalls at your leisure.
Depart Cologne, 0800.
Arrive Bonn, 1200. Depart 2100.
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.
After walking from Spirit of the Rhine into Bonn, you can browse the brightly lit stalls selling beautiful handcrafted gifts and perhaps treat yourself to a glass of warming glühwein.
Sail overnight.
Arrive Rüdesheim, 1200. Depart 2100.
Arrive Mainz, 0000.
Following a relaxing morning cruising the Rhine you arrive in the 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.
Spirit of the Rhine will set sail this evening to arrive in Mainz at around midnight.
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.
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
£1,642 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
£1,642 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.