Fairytale Christmastime on the Rhine – Riverside Luxury Cruises

Cruise Itinerary

The magic of Christmas in Central Europe awaits on this brilliant festive time cruise along the Rhine. Board your luxury ship in Basel, the merry meeting point of Switzerland, Germany, and France! Enjoy the twinkling Christmas lights and festive decorations at enchanting Christmas markets where you can shop for hand-crafted gift items, sip soul-warming Glühwein, and indulge your tastebuds with delectable local treats. From Kehl, a city that has alternated between French and German control throughout its thousand-year history, visit stunning Strasbourg. Also stop in Mannheim, with one of the largest palace complexes in the world; and Frankfurt, Europe’s “Mainhattan” hub of finance and business.

BASEL, SWITZERLAND
No other city between Constance and Rotterdam has integrated the Rhine into its city life as grandly as Basel. Pretty art nouveau baths have been installed in the river, there are small restaurants and pubs and bars on its banks, pop concerts are held here, and the residents are all too happy to plunge into the waters for a swim. Another detail not to be missed in Basel is probably the most beautiful museum in Switzerland, perhaps even in the whole of Europe: The Fondation Beyeler, whose transparent building was designed by Renzo Piano. The best thing to do in the old town is just to drift along, and then at some point you will automatically come across the red cantonal town hall or the stately guild houses on Barfusserplatz, which got its name from the “Barfussler” monks.

KEHL, GERMANY
Kehl has a rich history that spans over several centuries. The city was founded in the 12th century, and it served as a strategic location for trade between France and Germany. Over the years, Kehl has been part of various territories, including the Duchy of Wurttemberg, the Margraviate of Baden, and the French Empire. During the Napoleonic Wars, Kehl was the site of several battles, and it was occupied by French troops for many years. In the 19th century, Kehl became an important railway hub, and it played a crucial role in the industrialization of the region. In the 20th century, Kehl was heavily damaged during World War II, and it took many years to rebuild the city. Today, Kehl is a vibrant city that combines its rich history with modern lifestyle.. The Kehl Canal, also known as the Grand Canal d’Alsace, is an important waterway that connects the Rhine River to the Rhone River. The canal was constructed in the mid-20th century to improve navigation and transport between the two rivers. The Kehl Canal is approximately 50 kilometers long, and it passes through several locks, tunnels, and aqueducts. The construction of the Kehl Canal was a significant engineering achievement.

SPEYER, GERMANY
It developed from a Roman military camp and is one of the oldest cities in Germany. It has been a bishop’s seat since the 7th century. And it is not without reason that the cathedral dominates the city of Speyer and is considered the largest Romanesque church building par excellence. 134 metres long, 37 metres wide, protected by UNESCO. Right next door is the Episcopal Palace. In the Middle Ages, Speyer also had one of the most important Jewish communities of the time. The former Judenhof is now a museum. The fact that people in Speyer also enjoy life is evident in wine taverns, cosy pubs and, of course, at the “Brezelfest”, the largest festival on the Upper Rhine, which takes place every year in July. Anyone who sins here as a citizen of faith in the city can absolve himself of his guilt immediately afterwards at confession. After all, there are plenty of churches in Speyer.

MANNHEIM, GERMANY
Ok, it is a former Electoral Palatinate residential town. It is the second largest city in Baden-Wurttemberg and its port facilities are among the largest inland in Europe. Since the city was all but destroyed during the Second World War, it is not exactly considered the pearl of the country today. And yet it is worth a visit. Mannheim is young, also due to the students at the university and the State University of Music and Performing Arts. Incidentally, the city’s National Theatre hosted the premiere of Friedrich Schiller’s drama “Die Rauber” in 1782. Visitors are best advised to stroll along the main shopping street, called “Planken”, because wooden planks were once laid out there to get across the square on dry feet. The old town hall is a gem, and the largest synagogue in Germany is also worth seeing. The Jewish community was an integral part of Mannheim’s population from 1660 onwards. Today, a glass cube in the city commemorates the terrible deportation of the Jews during the Second World War. The 2,400 names of the Jews deported from the city are engraved on it.

FRANKFURT, GERMANY
Frankfurt, the first things that come to mind are the sausages, the banks and finance. A feature even more famous than the sausages is, of course, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was born in the house on Großer Hirschgraben. Here, he also wrote two of his important works, the original version of “Faust” and “Die Leiden des jungen Werther”. His birthplace can be visited today. It is one of a total of 39 museums on the city’s waterfront. An absolute must! And the old town with the Paulskirche, which became the seat of the first German National Assembly in 1848 and where the Peace Prize of the Frankfurt Book Trade is awarded every year, is also a must-see place. Frankfurt, anything else spring to mind? Right. The “Palm Garden” with the “Palm House” from 1869, as well as the “Butterfly House”. A green moment, whether summer or winter.

Charming and poetic, the compositions of Debussy created a beautiful bridge between romanticism and the developing modern world. So too will your ship, the Riverside Debussy, deliver the rich history of Europe along with all the modern comforts that bring you joy. The best of both worlds await you on the romantic Rhine river, where we are creating unique journeys that will allow you to see the old world in an entirely new, and oh so luxurious way.

A river cruise touches the senses. It combines space and time to create a contemplative experience. Sitting on the upper deck in an intimate atmosphere, watching unspoiled, beautiful scenery pass by – these are moments you will never forget.

Marvel at the engineering prowess of the locks. Immerse yourself in the culture of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Enjoy the culinary specialties of the regions the ship passes through. And you only have to pack your suitcase once. Yes, a river cruise in Europe with Riverside Luxury Cruises also means setting out to find yourself.

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Riverside Debussy - Deck 1

Riverside Debussy - Deck 2

Riverside Debussy - Deck 3

Riverside Debussy - Deck 4

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Seahorse Suite

Seahorses enjoy their peace and quiet and like to withdraw. And that’s exactly what you can do in our suite that bears that name. Even in the chic bath, tiled in marble and with double sinks, you’ll have a wonderful amount of space. Perfect comfort in just over 258 square feet (24 m2). The finest materials and art on the walls.

Symphony Suite

At 188 square feet (17.5 m2), you will still enjoy great comfort in a Symphony Suite. Go to sleep under covers of the finest cotton, and begin every day with a tea or coffee in bed as you gaze out into the fresh air. The rain shower in the bathroom will mobilize your energy for the entire day.A small desk gives you the opportunity to take notes – after all, a trip on our ships is full of experiences to write about.

Melody Suite

Varied tones in natural colors melt very harmoniously into a whole.Just downright cozy, as they say in America. A king-size bed and a walk-under rain shower make this suite a charming world in which to live. It’s no wonder that it carries the name Melody. As in all the suites, there is also a flatscreen HD television set here.

Debussy Suite

The great composers commanded their own space. And that’s what you can also do in these signature suites. They are identically furnished, although they carry the names of their respective ships. Each offers more than 500 square feet (45m2) of room and the same service as the Owner’s Suite. Full-length windows, art, fireplace, and a direct view of the water from the king-size bed. For our Bach Suite’s guests, a limousine transfer between the airport or the train station and the ship is included.

Owner's Suite

A dream in 750 square feet (70 m2) on the Debussy, the Owner’s Suite features two bedrooms and two baths. There’s also a stylish living room, where you can sit at the fireplace and read a book, dine privately with the family or sit at the desk and get a few things done on your laptop. Or on your own balcony. This suite guarantees guests a pristine appearance without any effort on your part. Give us your clothes – we’ll wash and iron them. An exclusive limousine transfer between the airport or the train station will be looking forward to bring you on board.

Riverside Suite

Nomen est Omen – the name is a sign. Here, everything goes with the flow of the river. And it can even be seen in the morning right from your bed through the picture window.Enjoy style and comfort in perfect form. And just in case someone has especially moving dreams or the suite is intended for a cruise with a best friend, the king-size beds can easily be converted into two twin beds. For our Riverside Suite’s guests, a limousine transfer between the airport or the train station and the ship is included.