Yvette McQueen

MedQueen Tours & Travel

Rhine Highlights River Cruise


RHINE HIGHLIGHTS RIVER CRUISE
Scenic River Cruises
Scenic Eclipse
May 26-June 2 
 
Experience the wonders of Europe’s most storied waterway, cruising the length of the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel. Stroll through fairytale villages, cycle along picturesque waterways, cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and be immersed in history at every turn. 
 
A Scenic Cruise offers a luxury, and truly all-inclusive experience.  Everything is included in your cruise price, from all drinks (including top shelf liquor), a range of Scenic Freechoice options, the services of a butler, and all gratuities, both on and offshore. 
text
 
 Over just eight days you’ll go deep into the heart of Europe, discovering its most striking landscapes, storied castles, historic sites and colorful characters. Explore bustling cities and tiny medieval outposts, gaining insight into the way the continent has changed over the centuries. Visit wineries in Alsace and Bad Dürkheim, soak in the healing waters of Baden-Baden, enjoy a private concert inside the Baroque Rastatt Palace, and marvel at Fabrique des Lumières, a breathtaking digital art installation in a 19th century gasworks. 
 
SPACE SHIP
  • 5-Star Scenic Space-Ships with up to 163 guests
  • Your choice of spacious Standard Suite, or a Balcony Suite with an innovative Scenic Sun Lounge
  • Enjoy a choice of up to five on board dining experiences, from casual to fine dining
  • Innovative Salt Therapy Lounge and fitness area
  • The freedom of our e-bikes – electrically assisted bicycles
  • Scenic Cruise Director to guide and assist & expert local guides
** Double  Occupancy cabins

 

What's included in this trip:

  • Explore the fairy-tale village of Cochem, set on the banks of the Moselle River
  • Discover Heidelberg Castle sitting above the wonderful city of Heidelberg
  • Tour the Roman city of Baden-Baden, famous for its Roman Baths
  • 1 Scenic Enrich experience with a private classical evening concert at the spectacular Baroque Palace of Rastatt – Exclusive to Scenic
  • Delight in the charming Alsace region on the border of France and Germany
  • Personalize your trip with 16 included Scenic Freechoice activities
  • Tailor your journey with a variety of Scenic Freechoice including Active, Your way excursions, Moments, Masters & Music activities and Interactive Encounters
  • 20 meals – 7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L) and 7 dinners (D)
  • Complimentary premium beverages all day, every day* – not just at meal times
  • Butler service for every suite
  • Complimentary full mini-bar restocked daily
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout your cruise
  • Return airport transfers
  • All tipping and gratuities on board and on shore
  • 100 Euro shipboard credit per person
 

 

What's not included:

  1. International Flight
  2. Personal expenses
  3. Travel Insurance
 

 

Itinerary:

Day 1: AMSTERDAM

Your journey begins in the picturesque city of Amsterdam. A labyrinth of narrow laneways and canals lined with beautifully preserved 17th century buildings and charming cafés, the city is a delight to wander.

Board your 5-star Scenic Space-Ship this afternoon, meet your fellow guests and raise a glass to the start of a fascinating journey ahead of you at this evening’s welcome reception.

Inclusions: Dinner
 
DAY 2: AMSTERDAM

Spend this morning in Amsterdam. The Netherlands’ capital is a treasure trove of architectural beauty, galleries filled with masterpieces, 16th-century canals, narrow cobbled laneways, and streets bustling with cyclists. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, much of the UNESCO-listed canal system exists today as it did hundreds of years ago, lined with well-preserved houses and intersected by charming bridges.

Freechoice:
Discover more of the city on one of these excursions:
Canal cruise: Amsterdam has more than 100 kilometres of canals. See some of the prettiest sights of the city on a one-hour cruise along these historic waterways. Admire Golden Age mansions, grand warehouses and narrow bridges.
Walking tour of Amsterdam: Explore Amsterdam on foot, discovering the maze of canals and bridges in the city centre. Your guide will be covering history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture. You also get to taste herring, a local delicacy not to be missed.
Fabrique des Lumières: Art springs to life in this impressive digital art installation, the largest in the Netherlands. Located in a former 19th-century gas works, pieces from renowned artists are projected onto the 17-metre high walls, accompanied by music to create an immersive ambience.
Cycling tour: Amsterdam is known as the bicycle capital of the world. Take a small ferry to the outskirts of town for a biking tour. Your local guide will be on hand to offer information about everyday life of the Dutch people, many of whom you will see getting around on two wheels.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
 
DAY 3: COLOGNE

Arrive in the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne early this afternoon. Cologne suffered extensive damage during World War II but was painstakingly restored over the following decades. Set out on a walking tour of the Old Town, admiring its historic buildings, beautiful squares and the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral. With a late departure tonight, you will have some free time to explore the city on your own and get a taste of the nightlife.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
DAY 4:  KOBLENZ

One of Germany’s oldest cities, Koblenz was founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago and is brimming with history. It sits where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet and promises a mélange of French and German cultures. Koblenz is filled with parks and flowers and is the gateway to both the romantic Rhine Valley and the beautiful Moselle Valley.

Freechoice:
Choose to explore your way with this morning’s Scenic Freechoice:
Walking tour of Koblenz: Join your guide to explore the old town’s winding streets, impressive townhouses, charming squares and historic churches, and visit the famed Florinsmarkt, the former political and economic centre of the city.
Medieval Limburg: Travel by coach to the charming medieval town of Limburg an der Lahn. Walk the historic cobblestone streets lined with perfectly preserved half-timbered houses, visit the cathedral that overlooks the city and see  Alten Lahnbrücke, the Old Bridge that straddles the Lahn River.
Cochem & Moselle Valley: Travel through the beautiful Moselle Valley to the town of Cochem. Take a walking tour through its pretty centre, where cobbled lanes are lined with half-timbered houses, then visit the grand Reichsburg Castle.

Relax on board this afternoon as you cruise through the picturesque Rhine Gorge, where the landscapes could have been pulled from the pages of a fairytale. This 65-kilometre stretch of the river is dotted with some 40 hilltop castles and fortresses that span a period of 1,000 years. Look out for the Lorelei statue, dedicated to the tragic legend of a beautiful maiden.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
DAY 5: MANNHEIM

Arrive in Mannheim this morning. A large metropolitan centre, Mannheim still runs along its recognisable 18th-century grid pattern and is known for its grand Baroque squares, fountains and palace. Your Freechoice excursions today will take you away from the city to discover more of the surrounding region.

Freechoice:
Choose between these immersive Freechoice experiences this morning:
Orientation tour of Heidelberg: Transfer by coach to Heidelberg for a brief walking tour of the city, including the Old Town, and then enjoy some free time. (Note: the walk is not too strenuous but there are some stairs and uneven ground.)
Historical tour of Heidelberg: Take a guided tour of Heidelberg, then visit Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. Admire the views from balcony and the great Heidelberg Tun, the world’s largest Wine Barrel. (Note: the walk is not too strenuous but there are some stairs and uneven ground.)
Excursion to Bad Dürkheim: It’s just a short drive through stunning vine-covered landscapes to Bad Dürkheim. Visit the renowned property of Fitz Ritter, a ninth-generation family-owned vineyard that offers exceptional quality wine. Enjoy a tour and tasting.

Cruise to Rastatt this evening.

Enrich
Private concert at the Baroque Palace of Rastatt: One of the most magnificent historic venues in the region, the Baroque Palace of Rastatt was modelled on the Palace of Versailles, and hosts an evening of grandeur unlike any other. Explore the opulent palace and gardens, before sitting down to a private performance from accomplished musicians and a soloist.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
DAY 6: RASTATT

You’ll awaken in Rastatt, a Baroque town with an abundance of green spaces and two iconic palaces. It’s also the gateway to Baden-Baden, a spa town on the edge of the Black Forest. Its curative waters, thermal baths and luxurious hotels made it a favourite retreat of the European elite in the 19th century.

Freechoice: Explore your way this morning with one of these Scenic Freechoice:
Walking tour of Baden-Baden: Follow in the steps of renowned Europeans who spent summers in this famed spa town two centuries ago. See the elegant Kurhaus, built in the 1820s with a casino and luxury shopping in its colonnade, and explore the remains of the Roman baths.
Baden-Baden spa visit: Relax and rejuvenate in the thermal baths of Caracalla Spa, permanently and naturally heated by thermal waters some 2,000 metres under the earth’s surface.
Schloss Favorite: Once a hunting lodge and summer palace for 18th century aristocrats (though used for seven weeks a year), Schloss Favorite is now the oldest of the German ‘porcelain palaces’ and the only one to survive intact.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
DAY 7: KEHL

Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock in Kehl, just across the border from the French city of Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region. Here, sherbert-coloured, half-timbered houses heave together on the banks of a complex network of canals. It’s a captivating blend of France and Germany, of a Medieval past and an innovative future. Strasbourg has an infectious, youthful energy and you’ll regularly see the locals enjoying spontaneous soccer games and pop-up wine bars.

Freechoice: Explore the region on one of these Freechoice tours:
Guided tour of Strasbourg: See the city’s most important sites on foot, like the cathedral, Petit France and the Grand Ile, and learn about its unique mixture of both French and German architecture and culture. (Note: this is an active walk.)
Alsace wine region: Travel by coach through the pretty Alsace wine region to the village of Obernai for some free time. Then visit Mittelbergheim for a wine tasting in a local cellar.
Cycling through Strasbourg’s countryside: Hop on an e-bike and explore the sights of Strasbourg and its surrounds. With more than 500 km of bicycle trails, you can discover sleepy villages, lush vineyards and charming canals.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
 
DAY 8:  BASEL ---> ZURICH

Your cruise concludes this morning in Basel. Enjoy one final breakfast on board, then disembark, taking with you lifelong memories of a remarkable journey.

Please book your flight to depart out of Zurich after 12:00 PM.

This 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 that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.

Inclusions: Breakfast
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Pricing:  prices are per person for double occupancy.  Single supplement does not apply
 
PAY IN FULL SAVINGS:  Full payment at time of reservation - Discount $1000 off cabin price or complimentary economy airfare [Max $1500 ticket price]
 
FULL Payment required 10 months prior to departure [July 26, 2025]
 
 

Cancellation policy:

Per Scenic Cruise policy

Available Packages

STANDARD SUITE
Available until January 1, 2026

$5,595.00
Deposit: $500.00 per person

Window 160 sq ft
https://cdn.scenicglobal.com/webfile/ship-crystal-jewel-jade-jewel-d.jpg

BALCONY SUITE SAPPHIRE DECK
Available until January 1, 2026

$7,195.00
Deposit: $500.00 per person

Scenic Sun Lounge 205 sq ft
https://cdn.scenicglobal.com/webfile/ship-jasper-opal-amber-sapphire-c.jpg

BALCONY SUITE DIAMOND DECK
Available until January 1, 2026

$7,395.00
Deposit: $500.00 per person

Scenic Sun Lounge 205 sq ft
https://cdn.scenicglobal.com/webfile/ship-jasper-opal-amber-sapphire-c.jpg

DELUXE BALCONY SUITE DECK
Available until January 1, 2026

$7,745.00
Deposit: $500.00 per person

Scenic Sun Lounge 225 sq ft
https://cdn.scenicglobal.com/webfile/ship-jasper-opal-amber-diamond-rj.jpg

JUNIOR BALCONY SUITE SAPPHIRE DECK
Available until January 1, 2026

$7,195.00
Deposit: $500.00 per person

Scenic Sun Lounge 250 sq ft
https://cdn.scenicglobal.com/webfile/ship-jasper-opal-amber-sapphire-c.jpg

ROYAL PANORAMIC BALCONY SUITE
Available until January 1, 2026

$9,995.00
Deposit: $500.00 per person

Scenic Sun Lounge 475 sq ft
https://cdn.scenicglobal.com/webfile/ship-jasper-opal-amber-diamond-rp.jpg

Extra Options

PRE CRUISE - AMSTERDAM
Available until January 1, 2026

$1,295.00
Deposit: $250.00

2 days

POST CRUISE - ZURICH
Available until January 1, 2026

$1,595.00
Deposit: $250.00

3 days