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SAVE $500 per person on select 2011 Cruises

Pay in full at time of booking on or before October 31, 2010 to SAVE $500 per person off cruise/tour rate on suites or category 1 and 2 staterooms.

Overview

Share in the joy of the season while cruising along the legendary Rhine through three wonderful countries

Switzerland, France, and Germany provide the perfect backdrop for this true connoisseur’s Christmas Markets cruise. Visit the delightful Christmas Markets of Basel, Switzerland, and Strasbourg, France.

Then continue on to Germany—where many of our signature holiday traditions began—with stops in lovely Medieval villages such as Heidelberg, Mainz, Ru¨desheim, and Koblenz, as well as the majestic city of Cologne, with its UNESCO-listed Gothic cathedral. As you sail the legendary Rhine, especially the 40 miles along the Upper Middle Rhine Valley (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), you’ll be captivated by ancient fortresses, Medieval castles, and half-timbered villages—all set in a winter wonderland.

This cruise offers so much! The personality of each country shines even brighter at this time of year because of each area’s special holiday traditions. Share the joy and magic of the season and enter into a festive mood as you enjoy the cozy holiday atmosphere onboard your exquisitely decorated boutique hotel cruise ship.

Who will enjoy this cruise:Shoppers looking for unique gifts and Christmas enthusiasts looking for the origins of many holiday traditions, including Christmas trees, gingerbread, candy canes, and St. Nick!

Itinerary

Day 1: Basel (embark)

Arrive at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg where you’ll be transferred to the ship. (D)

Day 2: Basel

Featured Excursion: Basel walking tour and Christmas Market

Your city walk introduces you to Basel, Switzerland’s second-largest city. Delight in Basel’s Christmas Market, located in the heart of historic Old Town, and visit the illuminated Christmas Street, which is beautifully decorated with over 100 Christmas trees. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Gala)

Day 3: Strasbourg

Featured Excursion: Strasbourg canal cruise and Christmas Market

Situated halfway between Paris and Prague, Strasbourg is known as “The Crossroads of Europe” and home of the magnificent, single-spire Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral as well as many beautiful half-timbered houses. See Strasbourg as it has been seen through the centuries—on a canal cruise. Enjoy Petite France, which is especially picturesque at this time of year. And visit the oldest Christmas Market in France in a breathtaking setting right in front of Strasbourg’s Gothic cathedral. (BB, L, D)

Day 4: Speyer (Heidelberg)

Featured Excursion: Full-day Heidelberg and Christmas Market

Situated on the banks of the Neckar River, Heidelberg is one of Germany’s most beautiful cities and one of the best-preserved Medieval cities in Europe. It is also home to one of Germany’s oldest universities. Your tour of Heidelberg takes you past the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle, a once-fortified castle, and through Old Town, which is all dressed up for the holidays. You’ll have ample time to explore the Heidelberg Christmas Market, which spans over five squares. Marvel at the Christmas Pyramid rotating inside the tower at the Marktplatz, or take a ride on the carousel. (BB, D)

Day 5: Mainz, Rüdesheim

Featured Excursion: Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum

Enjoy the morning at leisure in the town of Mainz, once home to Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press. Stroll through Old Town and the city square, where you’ll see Kaiserdom, St. Stephan’s Church, and Kurfu¨rstliche Schloss. Explore the St. Nicholas Christmas Market with 1,000-yearold St. Martin’s Cathedral as a backdrop. During the afternoon, cruise from Mainz to Ru¨desheim, located in the heart of the Rhine Valley. Ru¨desheim has been a magnet for romantics ever since the early 19th century. Its rolling hills, historical monuments, and winding alleyways are a real treat. While in Ru¨desheim, you’ll visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum and its unique collection of self-playing musical instruments. (BB, L, D)

Day 6: Rüdesheim, cruising the romantic Rhine Koblenz

Featured Excursion: Koblenz walking tour and Christmas Market

In the morning, you’ll cruise to Koblenz via the breathtaking 40 miles of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its 40 castles strung like pearls on the hillside, and the famous Lorelei Rock, the valley is the perfect example of the romantic Rhine. Once you arrive in Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, you’ll begin your walking tour through romantic alleyways lined with half-timbered houses decorated for the season. You’ll pass by St. Castor’s Church, the Church of Our Lady, Schängel Fountain, and historic City Hall. Afterward, delight in the Koblenz Christmas Market with its dozens of wooden stands offering arts and crafts, spicy mulled wine, and sweet Christmas cakes. (BB, L, D)

Day 7: Cologne

Featured Excursion: Cologne walking tour, cathedral visit, and Christmas Markets

Stroll through the narrow streets of Old Town as you make your way to the cathedral, the city’s beloved landmark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cologne boasts no fewer than five Christmas Markets, so we have planned an entire day in this city for you to discover these markets at your own pace following the tour. Be sure to visit the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market, as well as Alter Markt in front of the City Hall, Neumarkt in Cologne’s shopping area, and the Medieval Christmas Market in front of the Chocolate Museum. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner)

Note: No tours are given inside Cologne Cathedral on Sundays or Catholic holidays.

Day 8: Cologne, (disembark) transfer to the airport

Disembark the ship and transfer to Cologne Bonn Airport for your flight home. (CB or BB)

Pricing Details Per Person

*On these dates cruise operates from Cologne to Basel .

†Prices exclude additional port charges of $112 and are per person, cruise-only based on double occupancy. Other restrictions may apply

A limited number of singles are available for an additional supplement

To upgrade to a higher category, add per person the following prices below:

Owner’s Suite $3,075

Suite $1,395

Category 1 $825

Category 2 $625

Category 3 $425

Category 4 $175

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Europe