Uniworld’s Rhine Christmas Market Cruises

Uniworld's 8-Day Classic Rhine Holiday Markets itinerary travels through Switzerland, France and Germany for a true taste of Christmas, beginning in Basel and ending at Cologne, or vice-versa. It is the perfect way to combine river-cruising's most beloved pastimes – shopping, decorations and food - on one festive voyage, with the three countries (Germany, France and Switzerland) providing the perfect backdrop for this true connoisseurs' cruise.

In Germany, the signature holiday traditions of medieval towns such as Heidelberg, Mainz, Rüdersheim and Koblenz are all revealed, as well as the majestic city of Cologne, with its vast Gothic cathedral. Stock up on hand-made Christmas decorations and soak up the atmosphere as the city is adorned with festive finery, then feast on gingerbread, traditional stöllen and a mug of steaming glühwein (hot mulled wine). 

The 8-day Rhine Holiday Christmas Market Cruises start on November 30, and include: return flights and private door-to-door transfers on arrival and departure days, a 7-night cruise in a stateroom on the spectacular SS Antoinette, 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners (and complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with dinner) including Captain’s Welcome Gala and Farewell Dinner, 6 shore excursions, fully hosted by English-speaking local guides, a signature lecture on the ‘Christmas Traditions in Germany’, an experienced Cruise Manager and attentive, all English-speaking staff. Prices start at £2,075 per person.

For more info, visit, www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk or the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

AMA's Great River-Cruise Savings

AmaWaterways is offering savings of £175pp and complimentary flights and transfers up to £250 per person on selected luxury Rhine river cruises this summer, a total saving of £425 on a flight-inclusive river cruise package, with prices now from £1588 per person, based on a 7-night sailing from Remich (Luxembourg) to Nuremberg on May 6.

All of the sailings also include complimentary entry to Germany’s famous horticultural festival, The Bundesgartenschau (`BUGA’), which this year takes place in Koblenz, turning the half timbered town into a floral paradise.

Departing on June 24, AMA also has a saving of £425pp off a flight-inclusive seven-night luxury river cruise, taking in some of Europe’s most fascinating cities along the scenic Mosel and Rhine from Amsterdam through the Rhine Gorge to Mainz, before returning to Koblenz, and on to the Mosel River Valley to Cochem and Bernkastel. Now £1588 per person (was £2013), including return UK flights to the value of £250pp, and 7 nights cruising, including champagne breakfasts, lunch and gourmet dinners with wine, daily complimentary shore excursions and entry to the BUGA horticultural festival, free wi-fi and free use of bicycles.

Contact AMAWaterways at www.amawaterways.co.uk river-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Big New Savings With AmaWaterways

Here are four great summer river-cruises with AMAWaterways that all offer terrific savings on their luxury Europe voyages. Well worth booking as these kinds of discounts are not likely to be around for long this year!

May 14: A week in Provence with £590 savings per person; a 7-night cruise through Provence along the Rhone, from Arles to Lyon, visiting Trevoux, Vienne, Tournon, Viviers and Avignon, with wine tasting in beautiful wine-growing regions where famous wines like Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape are produced; now from £1,595pp (was £2,052), including cruise and port taxes, all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner, daily excursions, return flights and transfers.

June 24 : Vineyards of the Rhine, saving £870 per person; AMA has cut the cost of a 7-night cruise on board the luxury river cruiser AmaCello from Amsterdam to Luxembourg. Now available from £1,139pp (was £2,009), including cruise and port taxes, all meals, champagne breakfasts and wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of onboard bicycles, daily excursions and return flights from London.

July 22: Europe’s Rivers and Castles, saving up to £540pp; a 7-night luxury river cruise along the Rhine, from Luxembourg to Nuremberg visiting Trier, Bernkastel, Cochem, Rudesheim, Mainz, Frankfurt, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg and Bamberg, sailing through the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine; now from £1,529pp (was £2,009).

June 27: Legendary Danube, with £520pp saving; a 7-night Danube River cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest, with prices from £1489 per person (was £2,009pp). The sailing cruises to Budapest through the charming towns and beautiful vistas of Hilpoltstein, Regensburg, Passau, Salzburg, Linz, Melk and Vienna.

For more info or to book, contact www.amawaterways.co.uk or specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.