Cruising the Rhine: Basel to Amsterdam

8 Day River Cruise

Netherlands, Europe
7 Excursions
Easygoing Pace

Journey through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland as you follow the winding course of the mighty Rhine. Travel between vastly different riverside settlements, exploring the tulip-growing town of Haarlem, Cologne's atmospheric old town and the roaring cascade of the Rhine Falls.

Highlights

  • Visit four countries in one cruise
  • Walking tours of Haarlem, Cologne, Mainz, Strasbourg & Basel
  • Explore the open-air museum of Arnhem
  • See the brightly painted wooden houses of Colmar
  • All-inclusive Cruising - all meals and drinks included in the price

Map Key

Train
Coach
Boat
Airplane
Walking
1
Number of nights

Itinerary

Day 1
UK to Basel

Dinner

Depart on your scheduled flight to Basel where you will transfer to your vessel. Once onboard sample a welcome cocktail as you are introduced to the crew before dinner. You will board your ship at 6 pm. If your arrival is before this time, you will be transferred to the docking area where you are then free to explore the city at your own pace until it is time to board your ship. Take a moment to settle into your cabin and enjoy a welcome cocktail with the crew before dinner.

Day 2
Basel to Breisach

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Spend a morning at leisure in Breisach, giving you the chance to visit the Romanesque St Stephansmunster Cathedral which overlooks the town. An afternoon tour carries you to Colmar where you'll soak in the pastel-coloured houses and winding canals of the neighbourhood of 'Little Venice'. Travel onward to the Unterlinden Museum for a tour of its vast collection of local and international artwork.

Day 3
Breisach to Strasbourg

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a morning of cruising, you will arrive in Strasbourg to explore the medieval remnants of this French city. Walk through diverse districts, including the 'German Quarter' and European District which house the Palace of Europe and the European parliament building, providing a fascinating juxtaposition to the city's more historic sights. Take a guided tour of the cathedral before continuing through the UNESCO-listed Petite France district, a romantic quarter of the city characterised by canals and timber-framed buildings. Later this evening, enjoy an evening of entertainment on board.

Day 4
Mainz to Koblenz

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you will meander down the most scenic stretch of the Rhine. Spend your day absorbing the gorgeous natural scenery carved by the river and viewing the settlements on its banks. On arrival into Mainz, take a guided tour of the city and uncover its colourful history which dates to Roman times. Be captivated by the Romanesque Cathedral as you explore its grand interior, brimming with historic tombs and funerary monuments. Wander through the vibrant streets of the Old Town, stopping at the Guttenberg Museum which houses an extensive collection of printing equipment, materials, and books, including the oldest printed book in the world.

Day 5
Koblenz to Dusseldorf

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Journey onward to Cologne where you'll set out on a walking tour of this bustling commercial and industrial city. Travel into the heart of the city and marvel at the grand facade of the towering Cologne Cathedral. Although its construction began in 1247, this iconic building took five centuries to complete, and the area also boasts 12 additional Romanesque-style churches which circle the cathedral. Continue your tour into the old town with time at leisure to wander this network of historic streets. Later this evening, enjoy a gala dinner on board.

Day 6
Dusseldorf to Amsterdam

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Disembark in Emmerich-am-Rhein to visit the open-air museum in nearby Arnhem. Located in a picturesque, wooded park, the area is home to 80 historic farms, windmills and public buildings which provide fascinating insight into everyday Dutch life, customs and traditions. Immerse yourself in this wonderful experience and appreciate the quaint architecture on show, which ranges from charming, green painted houses to traditional Gelderand farms. Return to your ship for an evening of entertainment.

Day 7
Amsterdam

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This morning, take a coach journey to Haarlem, the 'City of Flowers' which is renowned as the country's vibrant tulip-growing centre. Discover the city's artistic heritage and its unique character and colourful landscape which have inspired generations of painters. Explore the architectural delights of the city gate of Amsterdamse Poort, the main square of Gote Markt and the immense Gothic structure of the Cathedral of St Bavo, with time at leisure to take in more of the city sights before returning to your vessel.

Day 8
Amsterdam to UK

Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking by 9am, and transferring to the airport for your return flight to the UK. If you have a late return flight, you may leave your luggage onboard the ship until 14.00pm and spend your time exploring the city until your return airport transfer.

View Full Itinerary

Your Cruise Ship

MS Symphonie
7 nights
River Cruise, Netherlands
More details

Important Information

The Captain and CroisiEurope reserve the right to alter/modify an itinerary at any time, should safety or external circumstances make this necessary, changes are also subject to tides. This also means that included excursions will alter/modify to match the cruise itinerary.

Some of the highlights may only be seen on optional excursions at an additional cost, or by exploring independently.

If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of €324.50pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. To enter Switzerland, France, Germany or Holland your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. Sources of information include; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

A visa is not required for British nationals travelling to Switzerland, France, Germany and Holland.

Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalized on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.

IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of bookin

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

This river cruise is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves getting on and off the cruise vessel managed by gangways and climbing stairs on all decks on board the vessel. On moderate days the level terrain on walking excursions are cobbled streets. This cruise is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). The currency in France, Germany and Holland is the Euro. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK, however cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country

Credit cards are accepted on board ship and throughout all major cities.

This cruise is All-Inclusive, so you will only need to take a little extra money with you to cover any premium drinks on board and souvenirs, drinks, and snacks purchased when off the ship, as well as any optional excursions you wish to book.

Tipping is at your discretion. There is an envelope in your cabin for this purpose that can be handed to the reception at the end of your cruise. Credit cards are accepted on board and throughout Holland.

Please note that your cruise is shared with international clients from other companies.

An English-speaking Cruise Director will be on board your cruise to help with any queries that you may have. While on excursions included in your itinerary, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking local tour guide. When exploring locally during your leisure time you will not be accompanied by a tour guide.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily are taken onboard the ship. Tables seat 6 people, so you’ll be able to converse and socialise with new friends, whilst never feeling crowded together. Tea and coffee are available on-board the cruise vessel as well as unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, including a variety of wines and beer, both during meals and at the bar. (Premium brands are available at an extra cost).

It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way.

Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information

On your arrival in Basel, Please take the French exit gate at the airport. You will be met by a representative from our local agent, CroisiEurope, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/ CroisiEurope representative will show you to your transfer vehicle.

Embarkation Time: 6pm

If your arrival is before this time, you will be transferred to the docking area where you will be able to leave your luggage. You are then free to explore the city at your own pace until it is time to board your ship.

Disembarkation Time: 9am

If your return flight is after 9am you will be able to leave your luggage onboard the ship (until 14:00pm) and spend your time exploring the city until your return airport transfer. Please note - from 9:00 am on day of disembarkation drinks will not be available in the lounge bar and there will be no other cruise services on board.