Here we start the contemplative Christmas cruise on the Rhine. But you should also get to know the cathedral city with its many buildings and attractions. The best way is to arrive already relaxed one day before your cruise or simply extend your stay after the cruise.
Itinerary
Rüdesheim
Arr 10:00 am Dep 04:00 pmDuring your Christmas cruise you will visit the center of Rhine Romanticism, which once inspired poets and musicians. For example, Brahms composed his 3rd symphony in Rüdesheim. From a cultural point of view, the most famous place in the Rheingau has a lot to offer, including historic aristocratic estates and fortifications. And of course, the coffee speciality "Rüdesheimer Kaffee", invented here, should not be missed on this day on the Rhine.
Trips
Just before Christmas, the city of Rüdesheim glitters in matchless splendour. Come with us and stroll along the atmospheric Christmas market to the largest nativity scene in Germany and try the local mulled wine. During the guided tour, you will also experience the marketplace, the Oberstraße, the world-famous Drosselgasse and the Rhine promenade. And if you do not want to return to your A-ROSA cruise ship just yet, you can simply stay in the old town and enjoy the peaceful bustle.
price:
€ 25 per person
duration:
approx. 2 h
transport:
walking
level:
Moderate
Mainz
Arr 07:00 pm Dep 11:59 pmWith 2,000 years of city history, Mainz is not only one of the oldest cities in Germany, but also a place where great history comes alive at every turn. Traditions are also fully celebrated at Christmastime! Be sure to visit the historic Christmas market on the Domplatz. The illuminated and decorated Mainz Cathedral will surely enchant you.
Frankfurt proves that it can do Christmas as well as business with its tall Christmas tree. Between Römerberg and the historic Paulskirche down to the banks of the Main, one of the most beautiful and oldest Christmas markets in Germany takes place every winter. Market and metropolis offer on this Rhine cruise plenty of material for the gift shopping. Regional products such as Bethmännchen, a marzipan pastry with almonds, or hot apple wine are particularly popular.
Trips
Frankfurt am Main is known as a financial and banking metropolis. The Frankfurt skyline is graced by skyscrapers, but Frankfurt has much more to offer. Explore the old town with your English-speaking tour guide, past the Römer and the Paulskirche. Or stroll along the Museum Riverbank and discover Frankfurt's museums. You determine the programme and we implement it for you!
price:
€ 329 per reservation for max. 4 people
duration:
approx. 3 h
transport:
walking
level:
Moderate
Hint:
This excursion is only bookable on request. We recommend that you make a reservation online.
Let the skyline of Frankfurt with its skyscrapers pass by and experience the financial and banking metropolis. Enjoy a fantastic view over Frankfurt from the approx. 200 metre high Main Tower or discover the old town. We will take you to the highlights of the city in a relaxed atmosphere and according to your wishes!
price:
€ 459 per reservation for max. 4 people
duration:
approx. 3 h
transport:
Private Minivan
level:
Easy
Hint:
This excursion is only bookable on request. We recommend that you make a reservation online.
Known as a financial and banking metropolis, with a beautiful old town and the old opera house, Frankfurt has more to offer than skyscrapers. Explore the centre of Frankfurt at the Römer and the Paulskirche or drive to Alt-Sachsenhausen, where apple wine and historic half-timbered houses await you. Get to know the city in cosy togetherness!
price:
€ 429 per reservation for max. 2 people
duration:
approx. 3 h
transport:
Private car
level:
Easy
Hint:
This excursion is only bookable on request. We recommend that you make a reservation online.
We take you on a private culinary excursion in Frankfurt am Main. The name La Fleur is reminiscent of the famous Château Lafleur vineyard in Pomerol. In this gourmet restaurant, you will get to enjoy a 5-course menu of international standard with wine accompaniment, combined with Mediterranean aspects and regional products. An evening of high-quality dishes prepared by star chef Andreas Krolik, as well as vistas of the Siesmayer flower parterre await you.
price:
€ 1699 per reservation for max. 2 people
duration:
approx. 4 h
transport:
Private car and walking
level:
Easy
Hint:
This excursion is only bookable on request. We recommend that you make a reservation online.
Let the Frankfurt skyline pass by without much effort and marvel at the mighty bank skyscrapers and the quaint old town. Enjoy a relaxed rickshaw ride past Frankfurt's sights and learn interesting facts about the old opera house, St. Paul's Church and life in Frankfurt am Main.
price:
€ 219 per reservation for max. 2 people
duration:
approx. 2 h
transport:
Rickshaw and walking
level:
Easy
Hint:
No rain protection. This excursion is only bookable on request. We recommend that you make a reservation online.
With its modern skyline, handsome old town and traditional apple wine, Frankfurt doesn’t fit into any one category. And that’s a good thing, since this city’s contrasts are what makes it so interesting. This combined bus and walking tour will take you along modern boulevards, past imposing skyscrapers, into the quaint Sachsenhausen neighbourhood with its apple wine taverns, and to the historic Römerberg market square. The square is named after the Römer building complex, which has served as Frankfurt’s city hall since the 15th century. Other impressive sights include the baroque Hauptwache building, the splendid Alte Oper concert hall and the round, neoclassical Saint Paul’s Church, which forms part of the backdrop to Frankfurt’s largest Christmas market every year.
price:
€ 49 per person
duration:
approx. 3 h
transport:
Bus and walking
level:
Easy
Frankfurt
Dep 02:00 amFrankfurt proves that it can do Christmas as well as business with its tall Christmas tree. Between Römerberg and the historic Paulskirche down to the banks of the Main, one of the most beautiful and oldest Christmas markets in Germany takes place every winter. Market and metropolis offer on this Rhine cruise plenty of material for the gift shopping. Regional products such as Bethmännchen, a marzipan pastry with almonds, or hot apple wine are particularly popular.
Koblenz
Arr 01:00 pm Dep 09:30 pmOn your journey to the most beautiful Christmas markets on the Rhine, you will explore Koblenz today. You can expect a variety of delicacies, the Christmas romance of the city and, of course, the smell of mulled wine. Delightful!
Your contemplative Christmas cruise on the Rhine comes to an end in Cologne. However, before you start your journey home with a thousand memories of your trip, why not use the day to look around further in North Rhine-Westphalia or to explore the cathedral city. Once in Kölle, you should also have visited the cathedral. Have a happy new year, see you soon and Ahoy!
The rate A-ROSA Basic incl. Full Board includes the following services:
- Indulge all day, every day: Comprehensive breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, embarkation refreshment and daily teatime snack
- Special Welcome & Farewell evenings
- Culinary treats and regional delicacies
- Culinary dinner experience as part of the included excursion (cruises of 7-nights+)
- Kids Club available on family cruises and all year round on the A-ROSA SENA
- Comprehensive service concept with guest relations management
- Destination Scouts will help you make the most of every city experience with insider tips and recommendations
- Varied onboard entertainment programme
- Water dispensers (Danube, France, A-ROSA SENA)
- A-ROSA App with information about your cruise
- Reserve excursions online in advance
- Book additional e-bike packages (terranova)
Dates & Prices
Arrival & hotel
You want a relaxed arrival and departure? Then choose one of these hotels! Your advantage: You arrive already one or two days before disembarkation and can consciously look forward to the journey with A-ROSA. Or you can let your vacation come to an end in a very juicy way before you start your journey home. All hotels are personally and carefully selected by us to round off your vacation.
The Maritim Hotel Cologne is located directly on the Rhine, only a few steps away from the charming old town, the cathedral and the city centre as well as the central station. The hotel impresses with its extraordinary architecture and has 454 rooms and suites, all of which are equipped with a bathroom/toilet, mini fridge (unfilled), safe, radio, TV and a telephone. In the spacious, glass-roofed hotel lobby you will find a variety of boutiques and restaurants.
Prices include the tax for the promotion and advancement of culture. Not valid during certain exhibitions in Cologne.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Double occupancy
€ 119 pp
Single occupancy
€ 179 pp
Double occupancy
€ 129 pp
Single occupancy
€ 209 pp
Double occupancy
€ 159 pp
Single occupancy
€ 279 pp
Luxury in the middle of the city center is what the Dorint Hotel am Heumarkt Cologne offers you. The panoramic elevator with a view of the cathedral takes you to your chic room, which includes everything you need to work and relax. In addition, an exclusive fitness and wellness area (fee required) with glass-roofed pool and the chic Harry's New-York Bar await you.
Prices include the tax for the promotion and advancement of culture. Not valid during certain exhibitions in Cologne.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Double occupancy
€ 129 pp
Single occupancy
€ 189 pp
Double occupancy
€ 169 pp
Double occupancy
€ 209 pp
Excelsior Hotel Ernst – Cologne's only member of The Leading Hotels of the World – offers a unique combination of tradition and innovation. The hotel’s prominent location near Cologne Cathedral means that it is easy to get to, while the harmonious colour scheme and classic yet modern furnishings create a timeless atmosphere. All rooms and suites have free Wi-Fi for mobile devices and are equipped with SuitePad, the hotel’s digital concierge service. The Michelin-starred restaurant "taku" welcomes you with deliciously authentic East Asian masterpieces. And in the gourmet restaurant "Hanse Stube" you can experience French cuisine with local influences. Access to the hotel gym, sauna and steam bath, use of your hotel room’s minibar and a shoeshine service are all included in the price. Prices include culture tax. Offer not valid during certain trade fairs in Cologne.
We would be pleased to make you an offer based on daily updated rates.
For further information, please contact service@a-rosa.com
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
The listed Steigenberger Hotel is located in the heart of the Rhine metropolis Cologne, just a few minutes away from historic sights. Within a few minutes you can reach Cologne Cathedral as well as the famous Rhine river promenade and other hotspots of the city.
The 305 modern rooms, some of which even have a view over the city Cologne, are more than just a hotel room. The comfortable furnishings of all rooms include air conditioning, satellite TV, desk, free local calls, safe, minibar as well as a Nespresso coffee machine and a kettle for making tea. The bathrooms are equipped with shower or bathtub.
The Bar Bistro 19NullZwo offers the perfect atmosphere with modern colours and shapes for short breaks with delicious coffee specialities, snacks or a treat for body and soul.
We would be pleased to make you an offer based on daily updated rates.
For further information, please contact service@a-rosa.com