Embark on an 8-day festive cruise from Basel to Cologne aboard the S.S. Antoinette. Explore Switzerland, France, and Germany. Discover holiday traditions as you browse Basel’s markets, admire Strasbourg’s glowing tree at Place Kléber, and see Koblenz’s baroque town hall turned into an Advent calendar. Enjoy Uniworld’s “Taste of Christmas” program with gingerbread and spiced wine, and experience the magic of medieval squares, life-sized Nativity scenes, and festive lights. Sail past castle-strewn hillsides and celebrate the holiday spirit in beautifully decorated towns.
Highlights
Write your wish in a Wish Book, which lies open in Basel’s 17th-century Town Hall during Advent.
Join for a a special vinegar tasting at Doktorenhof vinegar estate
Explore the specialty shops tucked into lovingly restored buildings at Mainz’s Old Town
Experience the Christmas markets around the Cologne Cathedral.
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Basel is known for its rich cultural and artistic scene, boasting numerous galleries, theaters, and museums. During this time, the city's Christmas Market attracts visitors from across Europe, and its Christmas Street is adorned with over 100 beautifully decorated and illuminated Christmas trees. During Advent, you can share your Christmas wishes in the Wish Book in Basel's 17th-century Town Hall.
Featured Excursion: Basel Walking Tour with Christmas Market
A special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared this evening.
Strasbourg is invariably described as quaint, a somewhat overused word that, in this case, is perfectly apropos. It’s also been known as the “Crossroads of Europe” for its strategic location, halfway between Paris and Prague. With a friendly local expert, see this historic town with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered homes, giant stork nests, and impossible-to-resist pastry shops that will win your heart. You won’t want to miss the holiday treats like bûche de Noël, the delicious Christmas cake made to look like a yule log.
Featured Excursion: Nights Out: The Strasbourg Christmas Market
Choose between the Strasbourg Walking Tour with Christmas Market or the “Taste of Christmas” Strasbourg Walking Tour.
Your ship left France behind and sailed into Germany during the wee hours of the morning. If you speak no German, here’s one phrase you might want to learn now: “Fröhliche Weihnachten,” or “Merry Christmas!” Today, you can have two choices: Venture into the storied city of Baden-Baden, whose contemporary flair meshes with hot springs, spas, and unspoiled nature, or visit the Doktorenhof vinegar estate for a special vinegar tasting. The atmospheric cellar is like no other you can ever experience, and the candlelit tasting room is decked for the holidays.
Choose between the Baden-Baden Walking Tour with Christmas Market or a Private Doktorenhof Vinegar Estate Visit and Tasting.
Mainz's Old Town brims with specialty shops tucked into lovingly restored buildings. You can find jewelry, leather goods, books, toys—something special for every special person on your list. Or opt to explore neighboring Wiesbaden's Christmas Market. However, you choose to spend your time in Mainz and head back to the ship for a short cruise to Rüdesheim, which, like many cities along the Rhine, dates back to Roman times, when the Rhine was the empire's northern border. Today, Rüdesheim is famous for its beauty and entertaining alley of shops and wine bars called the Drosselgasse.
Featured Excursion: Wiesbaden Twinkling Star Christmas Market
Choose between the Rüdesheim Walk with Local Treats and Christmas Market or the Rheinweinwelten Visit - The Best Rhine Rieslings.
Day 6: Cruising the romantic Rhine River | Koblenz
Spend a spectacular morning onboard your luxurious boutique ship as you sail the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this stretch of the Rhine is extraordinarily picturesque: Castles perch atop cliffs above the water, and each quaint village is marked by the spire of its historic church. After sailing past 40 miles (65 kilometers) of gorgeous scenery, reach the famous intersection of the Rhine and the Moselle. Here, where the two rivers meet, you can find the enchanting town of Koblenz. Watch the waters of the Moselle gush into the Rhine as you stand on the spit of land called German Corner before embarking on a walking tour of Koblenz’s historical treasures.
Featured Excursion: Koblenz Walking Tour with Christmas Market
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,9992-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
Classic
Magnificent appointed riverview stateroom (163 sq ft - 15 sq m) located on the La Countesse Deck. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, waffle bathrobes, and slippers.
French Balcony
Sumptuous appointed riverview stateroom (196 sq ft - 18.2 sq m) located on the La Duchesse Deck. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, waffle bathrobes, and slippers.
Deluxe Balcony
Luxuriant appointed riverview stateroom (196 sq ft - 18.2 sq m) located on the La Princesse with an open-air balcony. Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Asprey bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmer, waffle bathrobes, and slippers.
Suite
Lavishly appointed riverview suite (294 sq ft - 27.3 sq m) with open-air balcony. Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Hermès bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmers, heated mirrors, bathrobes and slippers. Additional amenities and services, are included.
Grand Suite
Luxurious riverview grand suite (391 sq ft - 36.3 sq m) with open-air balcony, and a spacious living room. Savoir Beds of England, built-in closet, safe, hair dryer, individual thermostat, flat TV screen and bottled water. Marble bathroom with Hermès bath and body products, plush towels, towel warmers, heated mirrors, bathrobes and slippers. Additional amenities and services, are included.
Notes
Please Note: Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice.
- All fares are per guest in US Dollars based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted.
- Single Supplement applies for single accommodation. Solo occupancy pricing is dependent on cabin type, contact us for details.
Initial deposit is 15% of cruise fare plus any additional port charges, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Very responsive to questions. Helpful with all arrangements
Roz
1 day ago
The ship company they sent us on was perfect in every detail
lisa wegener
2 days ago
I’m so glad we found AdventureLife. Jess, our planner, was such a pleasure to work with. She readily shared her extensive knowledge about Panama, she offered good suggestions and creative ideas, kept everything organized and handled the details each step of the way.
Tim King
3 days ago
Jessica was wonderful! She made every effort to ensure our trip was just what we wanted.
Celine Krafft
3 days ago
Erin was easy to work with and very helpful. She was patient and helped us figure out the adventure tour we were hoping for in Belize. Can’t wait to go on this trip!
