A journey up the entire navigable Rhine, from Düsseldorf to Basel on the Swiss border. We sail through the Middle Rhine gorge with its castles and vineyards, past the Loreley and on to the wine town of Rüdesheim, where we stay overnight. We then continue to Mannheim and to Strasbourg in Alsace before reaching Breisach at the foot of the Black Forest. The cruise ends in Basel. Drinks and crew tips are included on board MS Gloria. The cruise can also be sailed in the opposite direction from Basel to Düsseldorf.
Highlights
- Braubach and Marksburg Castle
- Sailing past the Loreley and an overnight stay in Rüdesheim
- Mannheim and its great baroque palace
- Strasbourg with its cathedral and Petite France
- Breisach and Basel
- Drinks and crew tips included on board
Itinerary
Day 1Embarkation, Düsseldorf
After you arrive on MS Gloria, the ship's cruise manager welcomes you and goes through safety procedures and practical information. At 16:00 we sail up the Rhine.
Day 2Braubach and Rüdesheim
We arrive in Braubach early in the morning and stay until 14:00. Above the small town stands Marksburg, the only castle on the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. In the afternoon we sail past the Loreley and arrive in Rüdesheim at 19:00, where we stay overnight.
Day 3Rüdesheim
The morning is spent in Rüdesheim, where the ship stays until 14:00. The wine town is known for the narrow Drosselgasse lane and the Niederwald Monument with views over the Rhine. In the evening we arrive in Mannheim.
Day 4Mannheim
We stay in Mannheim until 17:00. The city is known for its great baroque palace and its old centre, laid out like a chessboard with blocks instead of street names. Heidelberg is a short distance away.
Day 5Strasbourg and Breisach
We arrive in Strasbourg at 09:00 and stay until 15:00. The old centre with the Gothic cathedral and the Petite France quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At midnight we arrive in Breisach.
Day 6Breisach
A full day in Breisach until 19:00. The small town stands on a rock above the Rhine with St Stephen's Minster at the top. From here it is a short distance to the Black Forest and to Colmar in Alsace.
Day 7Basel
We arrive in Basel during the night, and the whole day is free. Switzerland's third-largest city has a well-preserved old town with the red town hall and the Basel Minster overlooking the Rhine. Overnight in Basel.
Day 8Basel
Disembarkation at around 09:00. Our river cruise up the Rhine comes to an end.
Please note: Sailing times are approximate and may change due to water levels, weather, locks or other conditions.
What is included?
Included
- 8 days / 7 nights on MS Gloria
- English-speaking staff on board
- All meals on board
- Drinks on board
- Crew tips
- All cabins are outside cabins with window
- Port and passenger fees
Not included
- Excursions – available to purchase on board
- Transfers – available to purchase on board
- Transport to and from the ship
Prices and dates come straight from our booking system and are always up to date. We are happy to help with transfers, excursions and flights – just ask in your enquiry.
