8-DAYS Classical Rhine Cruise 2026

  • CAD $4,180

  • SEP 7 – 14, 2026 | 8 days / 7 nights

Discover the many beautiful facets of “Father Rhine” on a captivating 500-mile journey from Amsterdam through Germany and France to Basel — or in reverse. Cruise the winding Moselle River, where terraced vineyards line the valley, and admire the legendary Middle Rhine, famed for its storybook castles and the enchanting Lorelei. Explore Strasbourg, capital of the Grand Est region, and conclude in Basel, perfectly situated at the crossroads of France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Itinerary

This afternoon, embark and unpack. Enjoy a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a special Welcome Dinner. Enjoy a rousing Shanty Choir performance to end the evening. The vessel remains in Amsterdam overnight.

Choose to spend the morning exploring Amsterdam with a relaxing canal cruise. After your tour, you’ll travel overland to Utrecht to rejoin the vessel in time for lunch. From there, your cruise continues upstream toward Cologne, offering beautiful views of the Dutch countryside along the way.

After breakfast, view our arrival at the beautiful cathedral city of Cologne. Explore the historic Old Town with its High Gothic architecture, the famous twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, and sample the famous Kölsch beer brewed in Cologne.

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon or venture farther afield for a more active excursion to the seven mountains Nature Reserve (Siebengebirge Naturpark) Germany’s first nature reserve, and to dragon rock castle ruins (Drachenfels). After a wonderful day in Cologne, enjoy dinner on board as the vessel continues cruising the Rhine River.

This morning our AMADEUS vessel takes a special trip down the romantic Moselle River, the largest tributary of the Rhine. This area is the 5th largest German wine region with some of the steepest, terraced vineyards along the river.

After lunch, your vessel will arrive in Cochem. Explore the town which is filled with narrow streets, twisting alleys, medieval town gates, churches and walls on your own, or discover the beauty of Cochem and visit the stunning Reichsburg Castle on a guided tour. Later in the afternoon, join a visit to a local winery and sample some of the spectacular wines produced in this region. Before midnight, the vessel continues toward Koblenz.

Early this morning, arrive in Koblenz, ideally situated at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle Rivers. Join this morning’s tour exploring the town of Koblenz on foot.

This afternoon, spend time on deck as we cruise the most beautiful section of the river – the legendary Upper Middle Rhine Valley. This area is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its dramatic riverbanks dotted with vineyards and picturesque castles. Late afternoon, arrive in the winegrowers town of Rüdesheim. Choose a walking tour of the town, with a visit to the unique Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum’s private collection of self-playing instruments. Or visit a local vineyard for a tasting of the local wines and a walk through the famous Drosselgasse with its wine taverns, garden restaurants, beer bars and live music venues. Back on board, your AMADEUS crew awaits your return with a delicious dinner. In the evening, indulge in the elegant performance of “The Music of the Rhine” onboard, where soprano Bethany Barber enchants you with timeless works by Beethoven, the Schumanns, and Offenbach, bringing the legendary myths of the Rhine to life.

Before breakfast, your vessel docks in the bustling town of Mannheim, your gate to an excursion to nearby Heidelberg, another old university city with its beautiful Heidelberg Castle.

This afternoon’s call is at Speyer, a city known for its cathedral where eight Roman emperors and German kings are interred. Join us for a guided tour of one of the oldest cities in Germany and discover the secrets of the Speyer Brezel, one of Germany’s staple snacks and famously celebrated at the annual Pretzel Festival in Speyer. At night, your floating luxury hotel sets sail to Strasbourg.

This morning we arrive in the dynamic capital of Alsace. This beautiful city’s sights include the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster and the Petite France quarter, a former mill and tanner district that still maintains its medieval charm. Half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, and the Council of Europe are among the wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you. The Grand Island, the city center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is connected to the rest of the city by 22 stone bridges.

See Strasbourg by canal boat on this morning’s guided excursion. After lunch on board, take in the views of the romantic Rhine as we move toward Switzerland, our final destination.

After breakfast, the entire AMADEUS crew bids you farewell and wishes you a safe journey home. We hope to welcome you again soon!

Dates & Prices

Travel Date: Sep 7 – 14, 2026
Prices are in CAD, per person

PACKAGE PRICE (CRUISE) PER PERSON:

Cabin Category Double Occupancy
Category C-1 CAD 4,180 (Before: CAD 4,400)
Category B-1 CAD 4,710 (Before: CAD 5,542)
Category A-1 CAD 4,950 (Before: CAD 6,180)
Suite CAD 5,770 (Before: CAD 7,214)

 

NOTE:

  • Passenger names must match passport.
  • Please ensure that passports are valid up till after six (6) months at last destination.
  • Air cancellation penalties are subject to airline regulations.
  • We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation or comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking.
  • Please contact GLP Worldwide for a quotation.
  • Prices above are in Canadian Dollars.
  • The program and all related travel services described herein are subject to the detailed terms & conditions of GLP Worldwide which are available at any time upon request and which will be provided with your booking confirmation.

Ship Information

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AMADEUS Cara

With AmaWaterways’ co-owner Kristin Karst serving as AmaKristina’s godmother, you know you’ll have a distinctive experience aboard this phenomenal river ship. Both a French and outside balcony in most staterooms allow you to enjoy the ever-changing scenery however you wish. In the marble bathroom, enjoy multi-jet showerheads, soothing bath and body products, cozy robes and hair dryers.

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AMADEUS Queen

The Amadeus Queen sails along on the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers as well as the Dutch and Belgian Waterways.

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AMADEUS Riva

The AMADEUS Riva incorporates the very latest technologies in sustainable travel. The innovative ship’s engine not only enables highly efficient energy management but also significantly reduces CO2 emissions.

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AMADEUS Star

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