Christmas on the Rhine with Saga

Overview

Christmas on the Rhine with Saga

The fragrance of gingerbread and hot Glühwein, glittering decorations and the joyous sound of carol singers… Celebrate Christmas with traditional cheer during this magical cruise, which unites the stunning scenery of the Rhine with the festive traditions of Germany and France. Look forward to an included visit to the beautiful historic quarter of Strasbourg, which is nestled on an island and is a showcase of impressive architectural heritage, such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral and splendid Rohan Palace.

Spend Christmas Eve relaxing aboard Spirit of the Rhine as you sail from Strasbourg to Speyer, where you’ll have the opportunity to attend Midnight Mass. Enjoy the wintery scenery of the Middle Rhine on the morning of Christmas Day as your ship sails from Speyer to Rüdesheim, where you can spend the afternoon at leisure. A traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings will be served on board your ship. On Boxing Day you’ll arrive in the pretty town of Lahnstein, a new port of call for Saga River cruises, where you may like to visit spectacular Marksburg Castle.

What's Included:

  • VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland
  • Included travel insurance
  • 20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Saga Team
  • Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
  • All gratuities on board
  • Return coach travel via Eurotunnel or ferry

    Included excursions

  • Koblenz and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
  • Heidelberg and its castle
  • Strasbourg's historic quarter

Hand Picked By

Hayley Peachy

Saga’s collection has grown to feature a variety of voyages exploring famous waterways such as the Rhine, Danube and Douro, as well as lesser-known waterways in France, Italy and the Netherlands. With a choice of ships reserved exclusively to them, customers can enjoy a grown-up atmosphere on board. They’ve also developed cruise and stay holidays that combine a hotel stay in a famous city such as Budapest and Vienna, with an unforgettable cruise. Contact us to find out more.

Hayley Peachy

Additional Information

  • Departure Date: 20th December 2021
  • Duration: 7 nights
  • Highlights: Enjoy a Frohe Weihnachten on this festive cruise along the Rhine!

Ship Overview

Spirit of the Rhine

This luxury ship is exclusively for Saga guests, and offers a wealth of exciting features, all backed by premium value for money. It’s time to discover your Spirit of the Rhine.

Spirit of the Rhine Profile

  • Length: 135 metres
  • Breadth: 11.4 metres
  • Cruise line: Saga
  • Maiden voyage: 2021
  • Passenger capacity: 190
  • Officers & crew: 40
  • Passenger decks: 4
  • Lift: The lift runs between the middle and upper decks. It does not serve the sundeck which is accessed via 14 steps and the Lower Deck which is 13 steps down from the Middle Deck.
Spirit of the Rhine Deck Plan

Full Itinerary

Day 1: UK to Cologne

Travel by coach from Folkestone to Cologne, via Eurotunnel or ferry, and embark Spirit of the Rhine. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner on board, and cruise overnight to Koblenz.

Day 2: Koblenz

Arrive in Koblenz early this morning and after breakfast on board set off on an included excursion into the city.

Sprawled out across both banks of the Rhine, Koblenz is home to numerous cultural monuments, including a mighty statue of Willhelm I on horseback, which marks the Rhine's confluence with the Moselle. You will also visit the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, a Prussian citadel that overlooks the river. Work started on it in the 11th century and it was at the forefront of a succession of conflicts right through to the end of the First World War.

Spend the afternoon and rest of the day relaxing on board as your ship cruises towards Mannheim.

Day 3: Mannheim

Early this morning you’ll arrive in the city of Mannheim, set beside the Rhine and Neckar rivers.

From here an included excursion takes you to the historic university city of Heidelberg, with its romantic riverside setting and fairytale castle, which you will also visit. Heidelberg Castle is an iconic landmark and its ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures in Europe. Following your visit you’ll re-board Spirit of the Rhine and spend the afternoon on the water sailing towards Strasbourg.

Day 4: Strasbourg

Sail across the border into France early this morning, arriving in the capital of Alsace in time for breakfast on board and an included morning visit to the city’s historic quarter.

There are a number of very attractive sights, including the UNESCO-listed Grand Île, with its picturesque medieval half-timbered houses and the 17th-century Ponts Couverts – covered bridges – that cross the river Îll, but the city's crowning glory is its magnificent Gothic cathedral. Return to your ship for lunch on board and in the afternoon you can either make use of our included shuttle service back into the city, or perhaps join an optional excursion to the beautiful wine-producing town of Obernai.

Your ships moors overnight in Strasbourg.

Day 5: Strasbourg to Speyer

Bid France a fond farewell this morning as you leave Strasbourg behind and enjoy a relaxing day sailing along the Rhine to Speyer, arriving in the early evening. Later, you’ll have the opportunity to attend Midnight Mass and experience the festive traditions of Germany.

Day 6: Speyer to Rudesheim

Spend a peaceful Christmas morning cruising the beautiful Middle Rhine. Then, after lunch, you're free to explore the charming town of Rüdesheim. Linger over a stein of beer in the Drosselgasse, or perhaps join an optional trip to Siegfried's Museum of Mechanical Music.

Look forward to a traditional Christmas dinner on board.

Day 7: Rudesheim to Lahnstein

Depart Rüdesheim this morning and sail to Lahnstein, arriving at lunchtime.

A new port for Saga River cruises, Lahnstein has a scenic setting at the confluence of the Lahn River with the Rhine. From here you can join an optional excursion to Marksburg Castle, an imposing medieval fortress set atop a hill further along the river.

This evening, Spirit of the Rhine will continue sailing towards Cologne through the night.

Day 8: Cologne to UK

Disembark Spirit of the Rhine and travel by coach to the UK via Eurotunnel or ferry.

Additional Information

  • Departure Date: 20th December 2021
  • Duration: 7 nights
  • Highlights: Enjoy a Frohe Weihnachten on this festive cruise along the Rhine!

Cabin and Fares

Cabin TypeGuide PriceAdditional InfoCabinEnquire
Standard TwinFrom £1,199ppDoor to door transfersView Cabin

Standard Twin

--

All cabins are beautifully spacious, and with an average floor plan of 17 square metres they’re some of the most generously-sized on the Rhine. Cabins on the Main and Upper decks all have French balconies with floor-to-ceiling picture windows, offering personal, private views of every destination.

Enquire Now
View Cabin

Standard Twin

--

All cabins are beautifully spacious, and with an average floor plan of 17 square metres they’re some of the most generously-sized on the Rhine. Cabins on the Main and Upper decks all have French balconies with floor-to-ceiling picture windows, offering personal, private views of every destination.

Enquire Now