Admire festive decorations and twinkling lights along streets and squares – even your Scenic Space-Ship will be decked out in all the Christmas finery.

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Delight in the charms of a European Christmas as you cruise along the Rhine. Visit captivating Strasbourg, take in the spa resort town of Baden-Baden, and explore Heidelberg Castle. Marvel at the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge, explore Cologne’s Christmas markets, and discover the canals of Amsterdam.

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Throughout your journey, you will be enchanted by the magical traditions of Christmas, including the fragrant aroma of gluhwein, the warmth of roasted chestnuts and bustling markets bursting with festive excitement.”* 

 

Complete Trip Dates – Dec 7-17, 2026

 

Pre-Cruise Day 0 – Dec 7
Welcome to Zurich, check in at hotel (Central Plaza Hotel or similar).
Enjoy your free time for the remainder of the day.
Please book your flight on Dec 6 to arrive into Zurich on Dec 7.
Inclusions: Dinner

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Cruise Day 1 – Dec 8
Transfer to Basel where the crew of your ultra-luxury Scenic Space-Ship will warmly greet you. Raise your glass to the marvelous cruise ahead of you at this evening’s welcome reception.
Inclusions: Dinner

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Cruise Day 2 – Dec 9
Breisach
Take the morning to enjoy the luxuries of your Scenic Space-Ship. Perhaps enjoy coffee in your suite, delivered by your personal butler, followed by breakfast in Crystal Dining.
You’ll arrive in Breisach, a charming town on the Rhine, this afternoon.

 

Freechoice:
Enjoy local festivities with the following Scenic Freechoice options:

Guided tour of Colmar with Christmas Markets: Take a tour of Colmar, the cultural center of the Alsace region. You’ll stroll medieval lanes lined with delightful Christmas markets and absorb the confluence of French and German architecture. After your tour, enjoy free time at the markets.

 

Guided tour of Freiburg Christmas with Markets: Located on the edge of the Black Forest, Freiburg is a picturesque city. Enjoy a guided walking tour to see the 13th Century Freiburg Cathedral, which survived WWII bombings.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Cruise Day 3 – Dec 10
Kehl
This morning you will wake up in the city of Kehl, the gateway to Strasbourg. Strasbourg is located on the border of France and Germany, making it a unique mixture of both French and German architecture and culture.
Join your local guide on a walking tour of Strasbourg. After your guided tour you have free time to explore the magical markets. Strasbourg has some of the largest and most popular Christmas markets in Europe with the town squares and pedestrian zone coming alive with festive cheer.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Cruise Day 4 – Dec 11
Mannheim
You will arrive in Mannheim early this morning. Known as a ‘chessboard city’ for its methodical grid of streets, it is also the home of some of the world’s most brilliant engineering minds, including Carl Benz, founder of Mercedes-Benz.

Freechoice:
Today you can choose from a selection of Scenic Freechoice on offer:

Orientation tour of Heidelberg with free time: From Mannheim, you will transfer by coach to Heidelberg. Enjoy a brief walking tour of Heidelberg, including the old town, and then enjoy ample free time to explore on your own.

Historical tour of Heidelberg: As well as a guided tour of Heidelberg, this option includes a visit to Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. Explore the courtyard, the balcony that offers an incredible view over the Old Town and view the great Heidelberg Tun, the world’s largest Wine Barrel located in the castle’s Cellar.

 

Enrich

Private classical concert at Bruchsal Palace: Enjoy a private evening concert at Bruchsal Palace. Be greeted at the Palace with a welcome drink before witnessing the grandeur of the theatre room and taking in a fabulous classical concert. Your memorable performance will feature accomplished musicians and a soloist.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Cruise Day 5 – Dec 12
Rüdesheim
This morning you’ll arrive in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for a staggering two millennia. 
Take a mini- train from the pier to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where some 350 musical instruments from the 18th and 19th century play themselves for your enjoyment. You will have time to wander through this beautiful town before returning to your Scenic Space-Ship.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Cruise Day 6- Dec 13
Rüdesheim > Cologne
At dawn, your Scenic Space-Ship will cruise the Rhine Gorge, one of the most picturesque regions on this journey. After sailing past spectacular vineyards and ancient castles, you’ll arrive in Cologne, known for its laidback lifestyle, auto industry and the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland.
Take the time to discover Cologne on a walking tour. Visit the city’s centrepiece and icon, Cologne Cathedral, and its magnificent Christmas Markets, where local vendors sell delicious treats and decorations. 
Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart after dinner, allowing you plenty of time to be immersed in the tastes and scents of Christmas.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Cruise Day 7 – Dec 14
Düsseldorf
Early this morning you’ll arrive in Düsseldorf. The city comes alive during the Christmas season with lively markets, festive music and the scent of mulled wine sweetening the air. The Old Town is brimming with festive revelers and the famed Konigsallee is lined with traditional market stalls. 
Enjoy a walking tour of Düsseldorf with a local guide. Discover traditions of the festive season before free time to explore the city’s Christmas markets.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Cruise Day 8 – Dec 15
Amsterdam
This morning you’ll arrive in Amsterdam and, after breakfast, you’ll be transferred from your final port of Amsterdam the hotel (Inntel Amsterdam City or similar).

This cruise itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from what is stated above. Please refer to the Scenic terms and conditions.

Once checked in at your hotel, you may choose to participate in optional group activities or the rest of the day is free for you to explore the city.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner

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Post-Cruise Day 9 – Dec 16
This is a free day to join optional group activities or for independent activities.
Inclusions: Breakfast

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Post-Cruise Day 10 – Dec 17
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be transferred from the hotel to Schiphol airport for your onward or homebound flight.
Inclusions: Breakfast

Includes: 1 night hotel and 1 dinner in Zurich before the cruise, 2 nights hotel and 1 dinner in Amsterdam after the cruise, cruise includes – all meals, all drinks (alcohol and non-alcohol), butler service, all gratuities, all excursions.

Not included: airfare, “optional” activities, travel insurance, purchases.