Rhine Cruise to Switzerland
Glide past the pretty towns along the Rhine River, experience the Rhine Gorge, explore Alsace’s Strasbourg, see the Black Forest and the breathtaking Alpine scenery on a mountain rail journey into the Bernese Oberland.
What’s Included:
- Booking advice from your Travel Escapes travel advisor
- 7 nights onboard the 5* Riviera River Cruise MS Emily Bronte based on two sharing
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
- Complimentary drinks with all meals and from 6pm till midnight
- Complimentary onboard WIFI
- 10 included experiences
- Return flights from Dublin with 20kg check-in bag per person
- All Airport taxes, charges, and transfers
Single occupancy – limited offer. No single supp on Middle and Upper decks 12th August
Cruise may operate vice versa on different dates
Experience more with so much included
- Marvel at the sights along the Rhine River, including passage through the Rhine Gorge and the river bend outside of Boppard.
- Visit six historic towns and cities, including Strasbourg, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Speyer, Breisach and Lucerne.
- Drive through the folkloric scenery of Black Forest on a visit to the old town of Freiburg.
- See stunning mountain vistas on a railway journey up the Bernese Oberland Mountain range.
- Enjoy a live violin soloist and a folk music performance on board the luxury ship.
Prices
| Dates | Cabin Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 May 2026 | Lower Deck | €2949 | Book Now |
| 18 May 2026 | Lower Deck | €3149 | Book Now |
| 04 Jul 2026 | Lower Deck | €3549 | Book Now |
| 11 Jul 2026 | Lower Deck | €2799 | Book Now |
| 02 Aug 2026 | Lower Deck | €2549 | Book Now |
| 09 Aug 2026 | Lower Deck | €3199 | Book Now |
| 21 Aug 2026 | Lower Deck | €2649 | Book Now |
| 28 Aug 2026 | Lower Deck | €2649 | Book Now |
| 12 Sep 2026 | Lower Deck | €3149 | Book Now |
| 19 Sep 2026 | Lower Deck | €3249 | Book Now |
| 26 Sep 2026 | Lower Deck | €3249 | Book Now |
| 03 Oct 2026 | Lower Deck | €2749 | Book Now |
| 17 Oct 2026 | Lower Deck | €2499 | Book Now |
| 24 Oct 2026 | Lower Deck | €2299 | Book Now |
Agent
Booking Remarks
Optional insurance (conditions apply)A non-refundable, non-transferable booking deposit of 15% is required. Full payment if departure within 16 weeks.
Holidays & offers are subject to availability at the time of booking
These prices are guidelines only and are subject to change and availability. Pricing will be confirmed at time of booking.
Ref RIVIERA
Good to Know
Note ships may differ on various dates.Itinerary maybe in reverse depending on departure date.
Itinerary
Basel, Switzerland
Arrival in Basel
On arrival in Zurich airport, transfer to your ship moored in Basel. The dedicated English-speaking crew will welcome you aboard your first-class floating hotel, ensuring you settle into your luxurious, well-equipped cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship.
Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne & Bernese Oberland
Lucerne
To make the most of the day we depart early and take the short drive to Lucerne, often considered Switzerland’s most beautiful city, spectacularly situated among stunning mountain views.
It has been attracting well-heeled visitors for two centuries, including our very own Queen Victoria. Highly recommended is an invigorating stroll along the Chapel Bridge, a unique covered wooden walkway crossing the lake, supported by stilts and lined with colourful flower-filled window boxes. Not only is it the city’s most iconic structure, it’s a superb way to absorb Lucerne’s regal atmosphere, before we continue our exploration of the best of Switzerland.
Bernese Oberland
As you enter the Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland, the views become quite literally breath-taking! This is the grand alpine heart of Europe with some of the finest mountain scenery on earth, described by the composer Mendelssohn as ‘the most wonderful of all in this unbelievably beautiful country’.
On viewing the legendary snow-capped peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau you’ll be quite simply awestruck. We then ascend by mountain railway for more extraordinary vistas, with the crystal-clear lakes reflecting the meadows and forests below. This truly magical landscape is sure to enchant you.
Later we’ll descend again by mountain railway before returning to the ship. Please note, temperatures will be significantly lower at altitude, even during the summer months, so it’s advisable to pack suitable clothing. Lunch is not included on this full day excursion; however, the ship will offer a packed lunch.
If you chose a more leisurely start to the day, we drive to Lucerne.
Lucerne & Free afternoon in Basel
Lucerne
Enjoy a more comprehensive excursion in Lucerne, with a guided tour of the city. Then spend time at leisure wandering its medieval streets before returning to the ship for lunch.
Basel
This afternoon you can choose to stay on board or hop on our shuttle bus to Basel for time to explore independently. With a mix of historic and modern architecture, Basel seamlessly blends tradition and innovation. While you’re here, head to the old town to explore its narrow winding streets. At its heart, you’ll find the magnificent cathedral with its red sandstone walls, colourful roof tiles, and twin towers. Or you could immerse yourself in the city’s remarkable museums and countless galleries, celebrating its rich tradition of art collecting.
Included experiences:
- Visit to Lucerne
- Option 1: Full day tour to Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland with scenic rail journey
- Option 2: Morning tour to Lucerne and free afternoon in Basel
Breisach, Germany
Breisach
This morning’s cruising is spent gliding through the dramatic scenery of the rift valley separating the Vosges and Black Forest mountains.
We arrive at the ancient town of Breisach, whose historic heart is surrounded by stone ramparts and dominated by the impressive Saint Stephan’s Cathedral, which you can see during time at leisure before lunch onboard.
This afternoon you have a choice of touring the Black Forest and Freiburg or visiting the Alsace wine route with its typical wine villages.
Black Forest and Freiburg
We drive through some of Central Europe’s most stunning scenery – the Black Forest Mountains. This is a fabled landscape of rugged valleys, white-water rivers, cascading waterfalls and rolling hillsides covered with huge, densely packed pine trees – exactly as you expect it to be.
Look out for the Baroque spires of St. Peter Abbey as we drive through the quaint village and stop for a photo of the incredible countryside surrounding St Märgen, on our way to Freiburg. On arrival, we’ll follow a local guide around some of the city’s sights – including the Münsterplatz and the historic Kaufhaus – before time at leisure to explore independently.
Alsace wine route
Travelling, between the vineyards and mountains, along the Wine Route we make our way to Ribeauvillé – a charming village that lies in the shadow of the majestic ruins of the Three Castles of the Lords of Ribeaupierre. After a short walking tour, there’s time to wander its picturesque streets to admire the 15th- to 18th-century buildings and Renaissance squares.
Leaving Ribeauvillé, we head next to Riquewihr. Named the ‘Most Beautiful Village in France’, this medieval town lies right in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards. Famous for both its architecture and its wine, there’s plenty to see during our walking tour. There’s a little free time to explore before heading back to the ship.
As the sun sets and the riverside lights begin to twinkle, enjoy the views through the restaurant’s panoramic windows during tonight’s excellent dinner. Afterwards retire to the lounge to enjoy tonight’s live performance of popular music spanning the years by a highly talented violin soloist, before we slip our moorings to commence our cruise towards Strasbourg.
Included experiences:
- Visit to Breisach
- Afternoon option 1: Scenic drive through the Black Forest with visit to Freiburg
- Afternoon option 2: Scenic drive along the Alsace wine route with visits to Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr
- Live violin soloist on board
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg
This morning, we have arrived in France and Strasbourg, capital of the Alsace region. After breakfast we enjoy a walking tour of its picturesque 16th-century old town – a maze of narrow streets and canals lined with timber-framed houses and sculptured portals.
Unforgettable sights include the stupendous Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, multi-towered Ponts Couverts – covered bridges – and the pretty Petite France quarter of pastel-coloured former artisans’ houses lining the canals. Don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to linger a while in a typical Alsatian café to sample some of the region’s world-famous wines – a crisp Riesling or that particular speciality of Alsace, spicy Gewürztraminer.
Cruise towards Speyer
During lunch, our elegant vessel glides away from our mooring as we commence an afternoon’s scenic cruising. Head up to the sun deck and take in the views from the comfort of a sun lounger or retire to the shady comfort of the lounge to chat over a coffee with newly made friends.
As evening falls, thoughts turn to what might be on the menu tonight, so head to the relaxed ambience of the ship’s restaurant as the chef presents another delicious meal. Retire to the bar as we arrive in Speyer later tonight.
Included experiences:
- Guided tour of Strasbourg
- Free afternoon sailing towards Speyer
Personalise your holiday
Land train tour of Strasbourg
Price: from €8pp
Duration: 30-40 mins
Hop on the Little Train and discover the charming narrow streets of Strasbourg’s old town, the romantic ‘Petite France’, the many quays and covered bridges and the famous Cathedral Square.
Optional excursions can be done after or instead of the guided walking tour.
This excursion can be arranged with your Cruise Concierge on board and is payable locally.
Take a cruise tour of Strasbourg
Price: from €15.70pp
Duration: 1hr 10mins
Discover Strasbourg from a unique perspective – the water! As it flows through the centre of the city, you’ll explore three of Strasbourg’s 15 districts. Along the way, you’ll spot the UNESCO-protect Grande Île, the imperial district of Neustadt, the European Parliament and more.
Optional excursions can be done after or instead of the guided walking tour.
This excursion can be arranged with your Cruise Concierge on board and is payable locally.
Speyer, Germany
Speyer
We remain moored in Speyer this morning to enjoy a guided tour of this delightful medieval gem, founded by the Celts and one of Germany’s oldest cities, celebrated for its illustrious past.
The breath-taking Imperial Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the largest Romanesque churches in the world and also one of the finest. The beautiful four-roomed crypt, with its striking marble floors and pastel-coloured pillars, is the resting place of many Holy Roman emperors and German kings.
Another landmark is the magnificent neo-Gothic Gedächtniskirche, built to commemorate the 1529 ‘Protestation at Speyer’, a significant event when a group of Martin Luther’s followers protested his imperial ban. Henceforth, Luther’s religious followers were known as Protestants.
Cruise towards Rüdesheim
Returning on board for lunch, we commence our cruise once again, so sit back and watch the idyllic scenery slipping past through the panoramic windows: rolling hills and fertile vineyards, home to the Liebfraumilch wines of the region, oxbow lakes, long deserted by the river flow and now havens for bird and wildlife.
This evening there’s a truly memorable occasion – the ‘Chef’s Dinner’, when the chef prepares his superb ‘signature’ dishes for you to enjoy in the splendid surroundings of the ship’s restaurant, featuring delicious specialities of the countries and regions we visit during our cruise. During dinner our vessel arrives in the classic Rhine wine village of Rüdesheim, so you might fancy wandering ashore to enjoy a digestif – perhaps a glass of Asbach, the famous brandy distilled locally.
Included experiences:
- Guided tour of Speyer
- Free afternoon on board, sailing towards Rüdesheim
Personalise your holiday
Visit to the Technik Museum
Duration: At leisure
Price: £23
Discover technology from the underwater world to space. Ever wonder what the inside of a submarine looks like? Or how big a jumbo jet is? From aircraft to vintage crafts, fire engines to mechanical instruments, there’s plenty to inspire and amaze!
Included in your entrance is a ticket to the IMAX theatre where the gigantic screen shows fascinating movies detailing incredible technological feats and natural wonders.
Optional excursion can be done after or instead of the walking tour of Speyer.
Please contact us at least two weeks before you’re set to depart to add the above experience to your booking before departure.
Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany
The Rhine Gorge, Germany
Speyer
We remain moored in Speyer this morning to enjoy a guided tour of this delightful medieval gem, founded by the Celts and one of Germany’s oldest cities, celebrated for its illustrious past.
The breath-taking Imperial Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the largest Romanesque churches in the world and also one of the finest. The beautiful four-roomed crypt, with its striking marble floors and pastel-coloured pillars, is the resting place of many Holy Roman emperors and German kings.
Another landmark is the magnificent neo-Gothic Gedächtniskirche, built to commemorate the 1529 ‘Protestation at Speyer’, a significant event when a group of Martin Luther’s followers protested his imperial ban. Henceforth, Luther’s religious followers were known as Protestants.
Cruise towards Rüdesheim
Returning on board for lunch, we commence our cruise once again, so sit back and watch the idyllic scenery slipping past through the panoramic windows: rolling hills and fertile vineyards, home to the Liebfraumilch wines of the region, oxbow lakes, long deserted by the river flow and now havens for bird and wildlife.
This evening there’s a truly memorable occasion – the ‘Chef’s Dinner’, when the chef prepares his superb ‘signature’ dishes for you to enjoy in the splendid surroundings of the ship’s restaurant, featuring delicious specialities of the countries and regions we visit during our cruise. During dinner our vessel arrives in the classic Rhine wine village of Rüdesheim, so you might fancy wandering ashore to enjoy a digestif – perhaps a glass of Asbach, the famous brandy distilled locally.
Included experiences:
- Guided tour of Speyer
- Free afternoon on board, sailing towards Rüdesheim
Personalise your holiday
Visit to the Technik Museum
Duration: At leisure
Price: £23
Discover technology from the underwater world to space. Ever wonder what the inside of a submarine looks like? Or how big a jumbo jet is? From aircraft to vintage crafts, fire engines to mechanical instruments, there’s plenty to inspire and amaze!
Included in your entrance is a ticket to the IMAX theatre where the gigantic screen shows fascinating movies detailing incredible technological feats and natural wonders.
Optional excursion can be done after or instead of the walking tour of Speyer.
Please contact us at least two weeks before you’re set to depart to add the above experience to your booking before departure.
Koblenz, Germany
Koblenz
Founded by the Romans, this historic city is beautifully located at the confluence of the Rhine and its sister river the Moselle. Discover Koblenz’s maze of medieval buildings in the Altstadt – old town – which is studded with a fine array of traditional shops and classic Rhineland cafés.
On our guided tour of this delightful town, historic buildings appear seemingly at every turn: see the former mint, the Four Towers with their ornamental 17th-century turrets and several fascinating squares and churches, including the 9th-century Basilica of Saint Kastor. The waterfront along the Moselle is stunning too, with the medieval Balduin Bridge, staggeringly still in use.
If you manage to resist the tempting cakes on offer from the beckoning pavement cafés, then you’ll be ready for lunch as we leave Koblenz behind.
Cruise towards Cologne
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon on board as we drift through this lovely Rhineland scenery, past quaint riverside towns with pretty waterfronts and carefully tended vineyards. See the famous ruined bridge at Remagen, which was captured intact by the Allies towards the end of the Second World War, allowing thousands of troops to cross into Germany’s heartland, and the forested Siebengebirge – Seven Mountains – a cluster of ancient volcanic hills that inspired many of the Brothers Grimm’s legends, including Snow White.
During dinner this evening, reflect on the spectacular sights seen and wonderful places visited whilst travelling with us on this magical cruise as we arrive at our final destination, Cologne.
Included experiences:
- Guided tour of Koblenz
- Free afternoon sailing towards Cologne
Personalise your holiday
Cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein fortress and visit
Duration: At leisure
Price: £19.00
Take a scenic cable car over the Rhine River to the impressive Ehrenbreitstein fortress, which stands 118 meters tall on its riverbanks. Built by the Prussians to fend off the French, it’s the second-largest preserved fortress in Europe, with an unparalleled view of Koblenz and the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Here, you can explore the castle’s 1000-year history at leisure before returning to Koblenz by cable car.
Optional excursion can be done during free time or instead of the walking tour of Koblenz.
Düsseldorf, Germany
Return home
It’s time to say goodbye to your crew and start the journey home.
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