Christmas on the Rhine
Christmas on the Rhine
Cruise overview
Cruise ID
VIKINGFRY241203
Cruise Line
Cruise Type
River
Ship
Duration
7 nights
Departure Port
Destination
Amsterdam
Departure Date
03 Dec 24
From £5,395pp
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Day 1
Basel (Switzerland)
About Basel
Basel is a city in northwestern Switzerland on the Swiss, French and German borders. It is located on the bend of the River Rhine and benefits from a Mediterranean climate. It is the third most populated city in Switzerland and has been the commercial hub for Swiss arts and culture since the Renaissance. In 1967 the people of Basel voted to acquire two paintings by Picasso, who was so moved by the Basel people that he donated 3 paintings and a study to the city's Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts). Visit the Augusta Raurica, one of the largest Roman archaeology parks in Switzerland, and enjoy a river crossings over the River Rhine by non-motorised ferries. During the summer months, time is spent outdoors, either swimming in the River Rhine, dining al fresco, enjoying open air concerts, cinema, street parties and festivals. Basel is home to over 20 restaurants that have won GaultMillau or Michelin awards, and boasts Switzerland's largest collection of theatre shows, including modern contemporary dance, touring and puppetry theatre.
Day 2
Breisach (Germany)
About Breisach
Breisach is a town located in Southwest Germany on the French border. The town is situated in the Rhine Valley on the banks of the river Rhine and dates back over four thousand years. Breisach and its history can be experienced through the City History Museum, which houses a permanent exhibition taking you from Stone Age through the Celtic, to the Romans and Middle Ages, right up to modern day. St Stephen's Cathedral is home to the city’s famous art treasures, the wheel wells, which are housed in the neighbouring Radbrunnenturm with the forty one metre deep water well. The cathedral is also home to many other treasures including the High Altar of Master HL and wall paintings by Martin Schongauer as well as High Gothic and Roman architecture. A visit to the Blue House, the former Jewish Community Centre, is highly recommended. Now owned by the Friends of Former Jewish Community House Breisach it exhibits memorials to Breisach’s Jewish heritage.
Day 3
Strasbourg (France)
About Strasbourg
Day 4
Mannheim (Germany)
About Mannheim
Mannheim, Germany, is a dynamic city known for its distinctive grid layout and vibrant cultural scene. Located at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers, it features the impressive Mannheim Palace and the lush Luisenpark. The city's modern architecture contrasts with its historical roots, while its thriving arts scene includes theaters, museums, and music festivals. Mannheim is also a key industrial and commercial hub, making it a blend of cultural richness and economic vitality.
Day 4
Rüdesheim am Rhein (Germany)
About Rüdesheim am Rhein
Rudesheim am Rhine is a town in the Rhine Valley in Germany and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rhine Gorge. It is known for its production of Riesling wine and has been popular for its wine making since ancient times. The Medieval Bromserburg Castle is home to the Rheingau Wine Museum and wine is a crucial part of Rudesheimer culture. The town is surrounded with vineyards and wineries, as well as many local wine bars and seasonal wine taverns. Wine tasting is a must do in Rudesheim and dining out is a great accompaniment. The local cuisine is seasonal and is closely intertwined with the wine growing traditions together with soups such as Zwiebelkuchen, Handkäs mit Musik and Spundekäs. Nordic Walking is popular around town, with five adventure trails around the vicinity, as well as many popular cycling routes. Great views of the town can be found from the water, the cable car to Niederwald Monument and the Monument itself. Old Town has the best examples of the town’s architecture with Eagle Tower, Oberstrasse and Rheinstein Castle some key sites to visit.
Day 5
Koblenz (Germany)
About Koblenz
Located in the West of the country, Koblenz is one of the oldest cities in Germany. It is situated on both banks of the river Rhine, at its confluence with the Moselle River. The beginnings of Koblenz can be traced back to its military beginnings around 8 BC. The city is rich in its history and heritage and is easily explored on foot. Take the cable car crossing over the river Rhine for spectacular aerial views or enjoy the city from the one thousand year old fortress, Ehrenbreitstein. The upper middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its unique landscape can be enjoyed and discovered through the interactive multimedia journey at the Romanticum. Historical and architectural sites of interest include Stolzenfels Castle, the Electoral Palace of Koblenz and Old Town. From the romantic winding streets and small squares of Old Town, stroll through the alleyways from the Church of the Holy Virgin to the St Kastor Basilica and enjoy the picturesque buildings and squares along the way. Koblenz is also very popular for its Riesling and strong Spatburgunder wines since the Romans introduced it two thousand years ago.
Day 6
Cologne (Germany)
About Cologne
Cologne is a city in western Germany located across the Rhine river. It is the oldest in Germany, dating back 2000 years and is considered the region’s cultural hub. The city is known for its iconic landmark of the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral set against the reconstructed Old Town buildings. When in Old Town, visit the historic Old Town Hall and the Roman Church Great St Martin, or take time out and sit at one of the traditional breweries and enjoy the scenery around you. Historical sites such as the Roman Dionysus mosaic and the medieval Overstolzenhaus are worth a visit too. Another iconic sight in Cologne is at Hohenzollern Bridge. Here, local and tourist couples affix padlocks to the railings of the bridge and swear their loyalty to each other, they then throw the key into the Rhein to ensure everlasting love. Cologne is home to over 30 stages providing cabaret, free ensembles, theatre and dance and also celebrates its openly gay culture.
Day 7
Dordrecht (Netherlands)
About Dordrecht
Day 8
Amsterdam (Netherlands)
About Amsterdam
Amsterdam combines the unrivaled beauty of the 17th-century Golden Age city center with plenty of museums and art of the highest order, not to mention a remarkably laid-back atmosphere. It all comes together to make this one of the world's most appealing and offbeat metropolises in the world. Built on a latticework of concentric canals like an aquatic rainbow, Amsterdam is known as the City of Canals—but it's no Venice, content to live on moonlight serenades and former glory. Quite the contrary: on nearly every street here you'll find old and new side by side—quiet corners where time seems to be holding its breath next to streets like neon-lit Kalverstraat, and Red Light ladies strutting by the city's oldest church. Indeed, Amsterdam has as many lovely facets as a 40-carat diamond polished by one of the city's gem cutters. It's certainly a metropolis, but a rather small and very accessible one. Locals tend to refer to it as a big village, albeit one that happens to pack the cultural wallop of a major world destination. There are scores of concerts every day, numerous museums, summertime festivals, and, of course, a legendary year-round party scene. It's pretty much impossible to resist Amsterdam's charms. With 7,000 registered monuments, most of which began as the residences and warehouses of humble merchants, set on 160 man-made canals, and traversed by 1,500 or so bridges, Amsterdam has the largest historical inner city in Europe. Its famous circle of waterways, the grachtengordel, was a 17th-century urban expansion plan for the rich and is a lasting testament to the city’s Golden Age. This town is endearing because of its kinder, gentler nature—but a reputation for championing sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll does not alone account for Amsterdam's being one of the most popular destinations in Europe: consider that within a single square mile the city harbors some of the greatest achievements in Western art, from Rembrandt to Van Gogh. Not to mention that this is one of Europe's great walking cities, with so many of its treasures in the untouted details: tiny alleyways barely visible on the map, hidden garden courtyards, shop windows, floating houseboats, hidden hofjes(courtyards with almshouses), sudden vistas of church spires, and gabled roofs that look like so many unframed paintings. And don’t forget that the joy lies in details: elaborate gables and witty gable stones denoting the trade of a previous owner. Keep in mind that those XXX symbols you see all over town are not a mark of the city's triple-X reputation. They're part of Amsterdam's official coat of arms—three St. Andrew's crosses, believed to represent the three dangers that have traditionally plagued the city: flood, fire, and pestilence. The coat's motto ("Valiant, determined, compassionate") was introduced in 1947 by Queen Wilhelmina in remembrance of the 1941 February Strike in Amsterdam—the first time in Europe that non-Jewish people protested against the persecution of Jews by the Nazi regime.
Explorer Suite
Min.
occupancy: 1
Min.
occupancy: 2
- Stateroom size: 445 sq ft (includes private veranda)
- River-view suite with private wraparound balcony offering 270-degree views off a spacious, separate sitting room, and French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door) in sleeping quarters
- 12 PM Embarkation
- 12 PM priority stateroom access
- Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- 42" flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, CNBC, CNN, FOX & more
- Additional 42" flat-screen TV in sitting room
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers
- Telephone, safe, refrigerator
- Individual climate control
- Bottled water replenished daily
- Welcome champagne; mini-bar with wine, beer & soft drinks (replenished daily); daily fruit plate
- Binoculars
- Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- Complimentary in-room breakfast service
- Complimentary laundry & shoe shine services
- Silver Spirits beverage package included
- Private arrival/departure transfer in destination
- Under-bed suitcase storage space
- Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers
- Complimentary Viking Air Plus (US & CA only)
Veranda Suite
Min.
occupancy: 1
Min.
occupancy: 2
- Stateroom size: 275 sq ft (includes private veranda)
- River-view suite with full-size veranda off a spacious, separate sitting room, and French Balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door) in sleeping quarters
- 12 PM Embarkation
- 12 PM priority stateroom access
- Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- 42" flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, CNBC, CNN, FOX & more
- Additional 32" flat-screen TV in sitting room
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers
- Telephone, safe, refrigerator
- Individual climate control
- Bottled water replenished daily
- Welcome champagne; mini-bar with wine, beer & soft drinks (replenished daily); daily fruit plate
- Binoculars
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- Complimentary laundry & shoe shine services
- Under-bed suitcase storage space
- Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers
- Complimentary Viking Air Plus (US & CA only)
Veranda Stateroom
Min.
occupancy: 1
Min.
occupancy: 2
- Stateroom size: 205 sq ft (includes private veranda)
- River-view stateroom with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening to full-size veranda
- 12 PM Embarkation
- 3 PM stateroom access
- Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- 42" flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, CNBC, CNN, FOX & more
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers (upon request)
- Telephone, safe, refrigerator
- Individual climate control
- Bottled water replenished daily
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- Under-bed suitcase storage space
- Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers
French Balcony
Min.
occupancy: 1
Min.
occupancy: 2
- Stateroom size: 135 sq ft
- River-view stateroom with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door)
- 12 PM Embarkation
- 3 PM stateroom access
- Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- 42" flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, CNBC, CNN, FOX & more
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers (upon request)
- Telephone, safe, refrigerator
- Individual climate control
- Bottled water replenished daily
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- Under-bed suitcase storage space
- Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers
Standard Staterooms
Min.
occupancy: 1
Min.
occupancy: 2
- Stateroom size: 150 sq ft
- River-view stateroom with half-height picture window
- 12 PM Embarkation
- 3 PM stateroom access
- Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- 42" flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, CNBC, CNN, FOX & more
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Private bathroom with accessible shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers (upon request)
- Telephone, safe, refrigerator
- Individual climate control
- Bottled water replenished daily
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- Under-bed suitcase storage space
- Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers
Viking Freya
In 2012, the year the first Viking Longships were launched, the editors of Cruise Critic recognised the entire Viking Longship fleet as Best River Cruise Ship. This was the first time this honour had ever been awarded to more than one ship. Viking's fleet has always had a tradition of setting the new standards, and the Viking Longships are no exception. Since their launch, the Longships have received great acclaim for their state-of-the-art engineering, innovative design and outstanding quality.
Ship Facts
| Speed | 15 | ||||
| Width | 11 | ||||
| Length | 135 | ||||
| Capacity | 190 | ||||
| Currency | EUR | ||||
| Language | en | ||||
| Crew Count | 50 | ||||
| Deck Count | 4 | ||||
| Refit Year | |||||
| Cabin Count | 95 | ||||
| Launch Year | 2012 | ||||
| Gross Tonnage | 5000 | ||||
| Electrical Plugs |
|
||||
| Large Cabin Count | 0 | ||||
| Wheelchair Cabin Count | 0 |
Sun Deck
- Shaded Sitting Area
- Putting Green
- Herb Garden
- Walking Track
Upper Deck
- Internet Room
- Library
- Bar
- Buffet
- Observation Lounge
- Aquavit Terrace
- Explorer Suites (Cat ES)
- Veranda Staterooms (A)
- Veranda Suites (Cat AA)
- French Balcony Staterooms (C)
Middle Deck
- Shop
- Reception
- Restaurant
- Veranda Staterooms (Cat B)
- French Balcony Stateroom (Cat D)
Main Deck
- Standard Staterooms (Cat E)
- Standard Staterooms (Cat F)
It’s been said that the best way to know a culture is through its food and wine. Both engage your senses and provide a window into the traditions and essence of a land. Viking's trained chefs are passionate about food and committed to providing a complete culinary experience. The ships’ dining areas are hospitable and inviting; the service is friendly, attentive and personalised. Menu selections include regional dishes and contemporary cuisine to offer a variety of flavours designed to suit any palate. You have choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not just in food selection, but also in where and how you enjoy them. Greet the morning with a croissant and cappuccino on deck, or begin your day with a sumptuous buffet breakfast. Have a casual lunch or dinner al fresco, or join friends in the restaurant. Open seating allows you to mingle with the same guests every evening or meet someone new each day.
The Restaurant
Experience: complimentary
Food: wine
Gaze at breathtaking scenery through the Restaurant’s panoramic windows as you dine on regional specialties and contemporary cuisine. The atmosphere is casual yet elegant, with high-quality table linens, china, cutlery and glassware at every meal.
Aquavit Terrace
Experience:
Food: casual
Revolutionary in concept and design, this spacious outdoor seating area at the bow of the ship is perfect for having a casual meal al fresco, meeting friends for drinks or reading a book, all while enjoying breathtaking views and basking in the fresh air.
As with your stateroom, the public areas are designed to make the most of the splendid views. Whether from the sun deck, the Lounge or the restaurant, a river cruise provides uninterrupted sightseeing, from the time the morning mist rises from the water to when the setting sun announces the end to another remarkable day.
The Bar
Located in the Lounge, the bar is lively and inviting - a gathering place for guests to view the scenery, have a drink and catch up on the day with friends.
Library
Located in the heart of the Upper deck adjacent to the Aquavit Terrace, the library has comfortable seating and excellent reading light. Their ships’ libraries carry approximately 80 books, in various languages but mostly English, and several games such as chess, backgammon and playing cards. Pick up a magazine or board game and enjoy it in the lounge just steps away.
Onboard Boutique
Forget to bring something? Looking for a magazine or some gift items? The onboard boutique on the main deck has everything you need to make your voyage comfortable and convenient.
The Lounge
The lounge has a baby grand piano, where a pianist plays classical and modern melodies during cocktail hour and sometimes at lunch. The music drifts to and through the Aquavit Terrace -a nice accompaniment on warm, sunny days.
The cruise director hosts a variety of informal evening entertainment in the lounge; from pub trivia nights to the cruise slideshow cum sales pitch, it's all done in a spirit of fun and inclusivity. The lounge is also equipped with large pull-down movie screens and surround-sound for movie nights, and regional performers occasionally come onboard to provide additional entertainment.