21 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,149pp
Flights from UK airports
Escorted tour
Christmas on the Rhine River Cruise with Flights – 8 Days
Christmas Eve in Speyer, Christmas Day in Strasbourg and Boxing Day in Boppard, on a festive river ship with flights and drinks.
8 days
From £2,249 incl. flights
Tour overview
This 8-day river cruise spends Christmas itself on the Rhine, aboard a first-class river ship adorned with garlands, baubles and a grand Christmas tree. The price includes return flights, airport transfers and all visits and excursions. You spend seven nights on board in a well-equipped cabin, with an excellent restaurant and welcoming lounge, a free drinks package, tea, coffee and Wi-Fi. A cruise director, concierge and English-speaking crew look after you throughout, and expert local guides lead the excursions.
Your ship is moored in the heart of Cologne, which looks magnificent at this time of year, with markets beneath its great Gothic cathedral. You wake the next morning already cruising through a winter wonderland towards Koblenz, where the Rhine meets the Moselle, and then sail upstream through the Rhine Gorge, past the Lorelei and castles such as Marksburg, to the wine town of Rüdesheim.
Read more
On Christmas Eve you cruise gently to Speyer, with time to relax on board before exploring the town and its great Romanesque cathedral, followed by Christmas Eve celebrations. Christmas Day is spent in Strasbourg, the self-styled capital of Christmas, whose market has been held since 1570 and whose half-timbered streets and Gothic cathedral make a captivating setting for a festive day ashore, before a celebratory dinner on board.
On Boxing Day, after a light breakfast in the lounge, you can wrap up on the sun deck to watch the scenery before visiting the pretty town of Boppard. The ship then passes the last vineyards and half-timbered houses around Linz on the way back to Cologne, with a final evening on board before your flight home.
The physical rating is low. This cruise suits travellers who want a relaxed, sociable and memorable Christmas away, with the comfort of one festive floating hotel and all travel arranged. Christmas dinner, festive music on board and the company of fellow travellers make for a warm, sociable celebration, while the slow pace of the river means there is time to relax as well as explore. The cruise ends with a final evening on board before your flight home.
Trip highlights
-
Cologne at Christmas (Day 1)
-
Koblenz and the Rhine Gorge (Days 2–3)
-
Speyer on Christmas Eve (Day 4)
-
Strasbourg on Christmas Day (Day 5)
-
Boppard on Boxing Day (Day 6)
-
A festively decorated ship with free drinks
Your route
6 stops from Cologne to Boppard
- Cologne Days 1 & 7–8
- Koblenz Day 2
- Rüdesheim Day 3
- Speyer Day 4
- Strasbourg Day 5
- Boppard Day 6
Why choose this tour
Christmas itself on the Rhine, with every celebration arranged. Flights, drinks and excursions included on a festive first-class ship.
Best suited to
- Travellers who want Christmas away from home
- Solo travellers looking for company at Christmas
- Couples and friends
- First-time river cruisers
Day-by-day itinerary
8 days from Cologne, Germany to Cologne, Germany
-
Day 1 · Cologne Arrive in Cologne
Board your festively decorated ship.
- Hotel
- First-class river cruise ship
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 2 · Koblenz Koblenz
Cruise to Koblenz, where the Rhine meets the Moselle.
- Hotel
- First-class river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 3 · Rhine Gorge, Rüdesheim Rhine Gorge and Rüdesheim
Sail the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim.
- Hotel
- First-class river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 4 · Speyer Speyer on Christmas Eve
Explore Speyer, then Christmas Eve celebrations.
- Hotel
- First-class river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 5 · Strasbourg Strasbourg on Christmas Day
A festive day in Strasbourg and a celebratory dinner.
- Hotel
- First-class river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 6 · Boppard Boppard on Boxing Day
Scenic cruising and a visit to Boppard.
- Hotel
- First-class river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 7 · Linz am Rhein, Cologne Return to Cologne
Cruise back past Linz to Cologne.
- Hotel
- First-class river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 8 · Cologne Return home
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Rhine (7 nights) First-class river cruise ship
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Return flights and transfers to and from the ship
- Accommodation 7 nights on a first-class river ship
- Meals on board as listed, with a free drinks package
- Tea, coffee and Wi-Fi on board
- All listed visits and excursions with English-speaking guides
- Cruise director throughout
Not included
- Lunches on Christmas Day and Day 7
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want an active holiday — this is a relaxed cruise
- You want New Year — the cruise returns before then
- You want to arrange your own flights — flights are part of the price
- You want an ocean cruise — this is a river ship
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £2,249 per person, including flights. 4 upcoming departures.
Flights from UK airports.
22 Dec 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,399pp
Flights from UK airports
21 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,249pp
Flights from UK airports
22 Dec 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,249pp
Flights from UK airports
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
When does the cruise run?
Over Christmas, departing around 21–22 December.
Are flights included?
Yes, return flights and transfers to and from the ship.
Are drinks included?
Yes, a free drinks package, plus tea, coffee and Wi-Fi.
Which countries do we visit?
Germany and France.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 18.
Are excursions included?
Yes, all visits and excursions listed are included.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary