Rhine and Moselle Advent Celebration – Riverside Luxury Cruises

Cruise Itinerary

Christmastime in Germany is the main ingredient of this delectable holiday cruise—with a little dash of Holland added in, just for good measure! You’ll visit some of the Rhine’s most impressive cities: Europe’s bustling financial hub of Frankfurt am Main; Bonn, Germany’s former capital city; awe-inspiring Cologne with its landmark cathedral; Cochem for a visit of Reichsburg Castle; Amsterdam, the show-stopping “Venice of the North” with its network of charming canals; and more. Learn the traditions, encounter the fascinating history firsthand, and indulge your tastebuds with decadent local food and drink. The sights, smells, and feelings from this Riverside luxury cruise will stay with you forever!

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.

COCHEM, GERMANY
OK. Another pearl of the Moselle. Cochem. Only 5,000 inhabitants and yet pleasantly lively. The best thing to do here is to stroll along the riverbank, take a walk up into the vineyards, sit on a bench, look down on Germany and think: It’s so beautiful here! Of course, there is also plenty to see in Cochem itself. Medieval streets and houses – and, above all, the castle. It dates from the year 1000 and, after French destruction, was bought as a ruin by the wealthy Berliner Louis Ravene and rebuilt as a private residence. Hidden doors lead to secret passages, deer antlers hang on the walls. In 1942, Ravene’s descendants were forced to sell it by the Nazis. Today, the castle belongs to the town of Cochem and can be visited on a guided tour (about 40 minutes).

KOBLENZ, GERMANY
One pretty detail in the old town of Koblenz is the “Augenroller”. It is discovered under the tower clock of the old department stores’ on Florinsmarkt. To the beat of the pendulum, the man with the moustache and helmet twists his eyes – and every half hour he sticks out his tongue. According to legend, the robber baron Johann Lutter did this in front of his executioners. But that’s just a small feature in a city that otherwise has great things to offer. The equestrian statue of Wilhelm I at the Deutsches Eck, for example, where the Moselle and Rhine rivers meet. Or the Electoral Palace and, of course, right outside the city gates, the castle Burg Stolzenfels, which was built in 1250 and extensively restored, indeed almost rebuilt, in 1826 according to plans by Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

BONN, GERMANY
A walk through Bonn is a short journey through time in the old Federal Republic of Germany. There is the “Haus der Geschichte” or “House of History”, which reminds us of Ludwig Erhard, of “raisen bombers” and of the Germans’ incipient longing for Italy. There is the old town with the historic fortress belt, the Old Town Hall and the university, where Konrad Adenauer, Ludwig von Beethoven and Karl Marx studied. And there is Bad Godesberg, the once notorious diplomatic quarter. It is nothing short of a stroll between yesterday and today.

COLOGNE, GERMANY
Cologne, that’s the city’s “Tunnes and Schal”, that’s gabled houses on the Rhine front, that’s the Old Market with cafés and streets through which the carnival passes in spring and the gay community moves in summer at Christopher Street Day. These are residents of the city who are known for their casual, humorous and friendly yet direct manner. These are temples of art like the MAKK or the Museum Ludwig with the most extensive Pop Art collection in Europe. And, of course, there’s the cathedral, the Gothic masterpiece, 157 metres high, with the world-famous altar of the Three Kings and the treasury and viewing platform, which you can reach via 509 steps. And Cologne, that’s “Kölsch”, a wonderfully drinkable beer that you drink out of small glasses, and which you can enjoy two, three or four at a time. Well then, cheers!

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Alleys, canals and van Gogh around every corner. Amsterdam is one of the most exciting cities in Europe. The historic centre was built on five million spruce trunks. The experiences this city has to offer are limitless. Paintings by famous artists can be admired in the newly designed Museum Square. Rembrandt and Vermeer in the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh has his own museum dedicated to him – the audio tour is a real experience: a touching journey into the life of the artist, who cut off his ear in Arles in southern France after an argument with Gauguin. The Anne Frank House tells a different, but equally touching story. And if you stroll through Amsterdam’s old town, you will experience real contrasts – Chinatown, with the first Buddhist temple built in Europe and with the famous red-light district.

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.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Riverside Debussy - Deck 1

Riverside Debussy - Deck 2

Riverside Debussy - Deck 3

Riverside Debussy - Deck 4

Select the Cabin to view detail.

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.