ADVENT ON THE RHINE
FEATURING FASCINATING AIDA,
WINTER WILSON & FLOSSIE MALAVIALLE
28 NOVEMBER - 2 DECEMBER 2024

 

Embrace the spirit of Christmas, enjoying Advent on the Rhine. Experience delightful Christmas markets, crisp winter days and beautifully decorated towns as your Rhine River cruise unfolds. Enjoy a carefully curated programme of optional excursions by day and top-quality entertainment by night.

It wouldn't be a Harmony Voyages river cruise without after dinner entertainment from incredible performers and Advent on the Rhine' is absolutely no exception. Expect hilarious verses from Fascinating Aida, festive singalongs with Winter Wilson and powerful, sensitive renditions of much loved songs from Flossie Malavialle to make this a Christmas holiday to remember

Take advantage of our Overland/Cruise package - the ultimate in travel convenience. Say goodbye to the hassle of planning and packing as we seamlessly orchestrate your journey through a picturesque landscape to luxurious cruising, whilst our expertly guided coach tours deliver a rich cultural experience en-route to your river cruise ship. 

With our Overland/Cruise packages, you can forget about long queues at the airport, pulling heavy suitcases and frustrating flight delays. Once your suitcase is loaded, no need to remove liquids, electrical items or empty your pockets. Just board the coach, relax and enjoy your journey to the ship. And don't forget coach travel means you have a little more capacity to buy those special Christmas presents - no baggage weight limitations! The outbound journey includes visits to Aachen and Bruges whilst the return journey takes you to Luxembourg, Dinant and Ypres. This is the perfect bend of exploration and relaxation designed for a fully immersive, stress-free holiday. 

Once aboard your cruise ship, Amadeus Star, you will spend five days within the enchanting and festive atmosphere that surrounds the holiday season along the Rhine River in Europe. The region is known for its charming Christmas markets, beautifully decorated towns, and traditional celebrations that take place during the Advent season. It’s a time when locals and visitors come together to enjoy seasonal treats, shop for unique gifts, and immerse themselves in the holiday spirit against the backdrop of the stunning Rhine.


WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 6 night overland coach/cruise (4 nights onboard MS Amadeus Star/2 nights at 4* B&B Hotel in Aachen, Bruges and Namur/Charleroi)
  • Large, outside river-view staterooms, most with French balconies or walk-out balconies
  • Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe’s famous wine regions, draft beer & soft drinks
    with every lunch and dinner onboard
  • Gourmet dining including breakfast, multi-course lunches and dinners with menu choices (including vegetarian options*), afternoon tea and late-night snack
  • Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Farewell Dinner
  • Services of your onboard Harmony Voyages Tour Manager and an experienced English-speaking Cruise Director
  • 24 hour coffee and tea in the Amadeus Club​
  • Concerts in the lounge after dinner. (Programme to be confirmed)
  • Choice of double or twin bed configuration
  • Staterooms have individual climate control and in-room safe
  • Bottled water in every stateroom 
  • In-stateroom infotainment center
  • On board fitness centre
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard including cabins
  • Complimentary use of onboard bicycles
  • Complimentary state-of-the-art audio headsets for optional excursions
  • All local taxes & port charges

* All dietary requirements can be catered for, however please do let us know in advance of your cruise

OVERLAND TOUR / CRUISE ITINERARY

Wednesday 27 November - BRUGES

Depart Leeds Bradford Airport *06:00 /Manchester Airport *06:00 /Birmingham Airport *08:00 /London Heathrow *10:30 with enroute motorway service pick-ups on request. Arrive Dover for a lunchtime channel crossing to Calais. *Times are approximate. 

From there we make our way to our 4* accommodation in Bruges for about 18:00 giving you time to briefly take in the Christmas markets and enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants in the Old Town

 

Thursday 28 November - BRUGES - AACHEN - COLOGNE

Departing after breakfast we make our way to Aachen, the westernmost city in Germany, where we have time for lunch and the afternoon to wander round. Aachen was the preferred medieval Imperial residence of Charlemagne and the biggest attraction of the town; Aachen cathedral was erected on his orders. In the afternoon we make our way to Cologne ready for embarkation in the afternoon

Settle into your cabin and explore the festively decorated ship. Meet in the bar for a welcome cocktail, an introduction from your Cruise Director & Harmony Voyages Tour Manager and the chance to meet your fellow travellers. Enjoy dinner on board and an evening of relaxation. We depart for Koblenz late in the evening. 

 

Friday 29 November - KOBLENZ/RUDESHEIM

Stay Koblenz 07:00 - 11:00
Stay Rüdesheim 17:00 - 22:00 

We reach Koblenz before breakfast, giving you plenty of time to explore the town at your leisure or take advantage of our optional walking tour. Koblenz is transformed into an atmospheric pre-Christmas paradise, including the city's largest Advent calendar on Jesuitenplatz, composed of the colourfully lit dormer windows of the baroque town hall. We continue through the magical Middle Rhine Valley, considered one of the most beautiful sections of the Rhine and past the legendary Lorelei rock. Late in the afternoon we reach Rüdesheim in the Upper Rhine Valley, a picturesque town with narrow streets and its own Christmas market, where you can take advantage of our second excursion of the day. A walking tour of Rüdesheim takes you to the "Siegfried Mechanical Music Cabinet" with historic self-playing instruments, followed by a guided tour of the old town. 

Today's optional excursions:

Rüdesheim walking tour incl. music cabinet museum

Koblenz walking tour

 

Saturday 30 November - SPEYER

Stay Speyer 08:00 - 19:30 

Christmas magic awaits you again today in Speyer, where you arrive punctually at breakfast time. You can take a tour to the old imperial residence town of Heidelberg, where you can enjoy not only numerous tourist attractions, but can also admire and enjoy the regional handicrafts, as well as the gingerbread and glühwein available at the romantic Christmas market.

After lunch, you have the opportunity to explore Speyer. Here, too, a beautiful Christmas market awaits you, which you should not miss. Spend a relaxed evening enjoying the contemplative advent atmosphere before you continue to France during dinner.

Today's optional excursions:

Heidelberg Castle and Christmas Market

Speyer Walk With Christmas Market

 

Sunday 1 December - STRASBOURG

Arrive Strasbourg 07:30 

The south of France welcomes you in the morning with Christmas cheer. Visit the surrounding area and fall under the spell of the wintery Alsace and Obernai or the city of Freiburg.   

In contrast to these dreamy landscapes, during a city tour, discover the most beautiful aspects of the exciting metropolis of Strasbourg. In the pre-Christmas season, the beautifully decorated shops which set the city aglow with festive light are particularly worth seeing. Of course, you will also visit the Christmas market. As your trip nears its end, round it off with some hot punch and enjoy the romantic atmosphere, before the exclusive Captain’s Farewell Dinner. We stay in Strasbourg overnight.

Today's optional excursions:

Wintry Alsace & Obernai

Strasbourg with visit to Christmas market

 

Monday 2 December - STRASBOURG - LUXEMBOURG - NAMUR/CHARLEROI

Disembark at Strasbourg and head to Luxembourg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where there will be time to take a tourist bus to see the best of this beautiful city. Otherwise take time for lunch, sightseeing and shopping at your leisure. We head onwards to Dinant on the river Meuse for dinner and finally to our overnight hotel in Namur/Charleroi.

 

Tuesday 3 December - NAMUR/CHARLEROI - YPRES

After breakfast we make a short visit to Ypres, famous for the battles fought there in World War I, and the Menin Gate dedicated to the memory of lives lost. There will be time for lunch in Ypres after which we will take a late afternoon sailing (approx. 16:00) and continue back to our original pick-up points during the evening. 

EXCURSIONS

Enhance your Advent On The Rhine river cruise holiday with a choice of carefully curated selection of inspiring excursions and adventures! Our excursions can be booked with us in advance to ensure your place, or on board if you would rather keep your itinerary flexible. Booked excursions include a packed lunch. Excursions are subject to a minimum number of bookings and may be cancelled if there is not enough interest.

*excursion timings are subject to change*

EXCURSIONPRICE PER PERSON
Koblenz Walking Tour£21
Rudesheim With Music Cabinet Museum£29
Heidelberg Castle And Christmas Market£56
Speyer Walking Tour With Christmas Market£25
Wintry Alsace And Obernai£68
Strasbourg With Visit To Christmas Market£66
Total price:£265
Package booking discount (-£41)£224

Package A | for only £ 145 per person

Enjoy a package of these pre-selected excursions for a discounted rate when purchased in advance.

  • Koblenz walking tour

  • Rüdesheim walking tour incl. music cabinet museum

  • Heidelberg Castle and Christmas Market

  • Strasbourg with visit to Christmas market

Package B | for only £ 224 per person

Enjoy a package of these pre-selected excursions for a discounted rate when purchased in advance.

  • Koblenz walking tour

  • Rüdesheim walking tour incl. music cabinet museum

  • Heidelberg Castle and Christmas Market

  • Freiburg with visit to the market

  • Wintry Alsace & Obernai

  • Strasbourg with visit to Christmas market

ENTERTAINMENT

FASCINATING AIDA

Uniquely charming, with diamond-sharp satire, these indomitable women are still the mistresses of their craft and as always their show will feature much-loved favourites and some wickedly hilarious new songs. If you’ve been delighted by Dogging, sung-along to Cheap Flightsor shared their rudest ever Christmas song, don’t miss the chance to celebrate onboard the cruise with these unstoppable performers in their glorious prime!

WINTER WILSON

It is in live performance where these two really excel. Kip Winter and Dave Wilson bring a sense of intimacy to every venue, blending superb, often hard-hitting original songs, stunning harmonies and musicianship with sometimes hilarious humour and tales of life on the road. Kip (vocals, accordion, guitar, flute) ​"simply has a voice to die for” (​ John Roffey, Maverick Magazine), whilst Dave (vocals, guitar and banjo) is now rightly recognized as being amongst the top tier of British songwriters, with his songs sung in folk clubs across the UK and beyond. Together, their voices are sublime.

FLOSSIE MALAVIALLE

Hugely talented, Flossie’s charismatic stage presence, gutsy guitar style, eclectic repertoire and Franglais patter never fail to entertain those lucky enough to hear her. Her voice has been described as “tuneful as a lark and (with) a pureness of quality to stop you in your tracks”. Her songs range from folk favourites by Allan Taylor and Keiran Halpin to Edith Piaf’s No Regrets and La Vie en Rose and Jacques Brel’s Amsterdam and Ne me quitte pas. She also loves songs with what she calls “Va-vavoom” by such singers as Janis Joplin, Carole King, Bonnie Raitt and Kris Kristofferson.

ACCOMMODATION

The AMADEUS STAR offers a total of 70 spacious deluxe cabins and 12 AMADEUS Suites. Similar to other Amadeus ships, the Star's cabins on the Mozart and Strauss Deck also feature lowerable panoramic windows which extend across the entire cabin front and have been specially designed for the AMADEUS ships. All deluxe cabins and suites offer comfortable, spacious bathrooms, infotainment systems, flat screen television, telephone, cabin safe, minibar and air conditioning which can be individually regulated. Furthermore, the suites feature a comfortable corner sofa, luxurious bathroom and walk-out external balcony.

 

 
 

AMADEUS Suite (284.2ft²) with walk-out exterior balcony

Comfortable corner sofa, luxurious bathroom, walk-out exterior balcony, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Mozart Deck

Cruise Only
Price from

£1599

Book Now Request a Call


Cabin A-1 (188.4ft²) with drop-down panoramic window

Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Mozart Deck

Cruise Only
Price from

£1349

Book Now Request a Call


Cabin B-1 (188.4ft²) with drop-down panoramic window

Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Strauss Deck

Cruise Only
Price from

£1149

Book Now Request a Call


Cabin B-4 (188.4ft²) with drop-down panoramic window

Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Strauss Deck

Cruise Only
Price from

£1129

Book Now Request a Call


Cabin C-1 (172.2ft²) with panoramic window

Spacious bathroom, small panoramic window (cannot be opened), spacious wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe. Cabins with connecting doors are available on request.
Haydn Deck

Cruise Only
Price from

£949

Book Now Request a Call


Cabin C-4 (172.2ft²) with panoramic window

Spacious bathroom, small panoramic window (cannot be opened), spacious wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe. Cabins with connecting doors are available on request.
Haydn Deck

Cruise Only
Price From

£849

SOLD OUT

Request a Call


PRICES

Please note: a deposit of £200pp is required to secure your booking.

 

CABIN GRADEDECK CRUISE ONLY (ppp)CRUISE WITH COACH TRAVEL (ppp)
Suite Mozart Deck£1,599£1,949
A1 Mozart Deck£1,349£1,699
B1 Straus Deck£1,149£1,499
B1 Solo occupancyStraus Deck£1,649£1,999
B4Straus Deck£1,129 - SOLD OUT£1,479 - SOLD OUT
C1Haydn Deck£949 - SOLD OUT£1,299 - SOLD OUT
C1 Solo occupancyHaydn Deck£1,349 - SOLD OUT£1,699 - SOLD OUT
C4 Haydn Deck£849 - SOLD OUT£1,199 - SOLD OUT

GETTING THERE

COACH TO CRUISE WITH HARMONY VOYAGES

  • Hostess service on board

  • Regular, off-motorway comfort breaks

  • Comfortable 4* hotels

  • Inbound journey - visit to Bruges and Aachen
  • Outbound journey - visit to Luxembourg and Ypres

  • 1 overnight B&B stay pre-cruise in Bruges

  • 1 overnight B&B stay post-cruise in Namur/Charleroi

Forget about long queues at the airport, pulling heavy suitcases, frustrating flight delays - why not extend your cruise holiday, sit back and unwind on board our luxury coach and take in some of the most sought-after sights and enjoy many beautiful towns along the route.

Once your suitcase is loaded, no need to remove liquids, electrical items or empty your pockets, board the coach, relax and enjoy your land tour to the ship. Let your driver do the hard work whilst you sit back with a cuppa or a glass of something cold, as you travel through the beautiful French countryside.

Wednesday 27 November - BRUGES

Depart Manchester Airport *06:00 /Birmingham Airport *08:00 /London Heathrow *10:30 with enroute motorway service pick-ups on request. Arrive Dover for a lunchtime channel crossing to Calais. *Times are approximate. 

From there we make our way to our 4* accommodation in Bruges for about 18:00 giving you time to briefly take in the Christmas markets and enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants in the Old Town

Thursday 28 November - BRUGES - AACHEN - COLOGNE

Departing after breakfast we make our way to Aachen, the westernmost city in Germany, where we have time for lunch and the afternoon to wander round. Aachen was the preferred medieval Imperial residence of Charlemagne and the biggest attraction of the town; Aachen cathedral was erected on his orders. In the afternoon we make our way to Cologne ready for embarkation in the afternoon

Monday 2 December - STRASBOURG - LUXEMBOURG - NAMUR/CHARLEROI

Disembark at Strasbourg and head to Luxembourg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where there will be time to take a tourist bus to see the best of this beautiful city. Otherwise take time for lunch, sightseeing and shopping at your leisure. We head onwards to Dinant on the river Meuse for dinner and finally to our overnight hotel in Namur/Charleroi

Tuesday 3 December - NAMUR/CHARLEROI - YPRES

After breakfast we make a short visit to Ypres, famous for the battles fought there in World War I, and the Menin Gate dedicated to the memory of lives lost. There will be time for lunch in Ypres after which we will take a late afternoon sailing (approx. 16:00) and continue back to our original pick-up points during the evening. 

Price per person sharing a twin/double: £350

Price per person sole occupancy: £699

If you choose to travel there independently, you will need to fly into Cologne Bonn Airport and home from Strasbourg Airport.

Please contact us if you require assistance with your flight arrangements.

Advent on the Rhine Playlist

FAQs

1Are flights included?
No, flights are not included to allow you the flexibility to travel from your airport of choice to Cologne Bonn and from Strasbourg Airport. If you would like a quote for a fully inclusive package, including flights from the UK please contact the office and we will be happy to assist.
2Which airports do you have to fly into/home from?
You will need to fly into Cologne Bonn Airport and home from Strasbourg Airport. Please contact us if you require assistance with your flight arrangements.
3Are airport transfers included?
Airport transfers can be arranged upon request at an additional cost.
4What time can I board the ship on embarkation day?
You can normally board from 2pm but your stateroom may not be available until after 3pm. You will be able to enjoy the ship's facilities until your room is ready to be occupied.
5What time is disembarkation from?
As the ship has a quick turnaround, you will be required to vacate your cabin after breakfast on the day of departure. If you have a late flight or transfer you may be able to store your luggage on board until later in the day, depending on the ship’s itinerary. The crew on board will be happy to assist, however embarkation/disembarkation day is a day when the crew are busy cleaning, loading supplies and preparing for new passengers.  There will be no food or beverage service once the restaurant has closed after breakfast for disembarking passengers. 
6Is There Wifi On Board?
Yes, WiFi is provided in all public areas of the ship. However, during the trip the signal may be weaker in certain sections of the route. Yes, WiFi is provided in all public areas of the ship. However, during the trip the signal may be weaker in certain sections of the route.
7Is there an elevator onboard?
All AMADEUS ships have a guest elevator, which operates between the Mozart and Haydn decks. The sun deck is not accessible by elevator.
8What is the dress code onboard?
We want to you feel comfortable on board, the dress code is casual during the day and in the evening smart casual. Think what would I wear for a meal out in a restaurant at home?
9What is the electrical supply voltage onboard?
The voltage in hotels and onboard ship is 230V, European standard. To use any electrical product that is not dual voltage (e.g. from the US, Canada, Australia or the UK), you will need a plug adaptor and some devices will require an electrical converter. Many electronic devices have built-in electrical converters, however please check the manufacturer’s specifications for details. A two-pole adaptor is also available at reception.
10Mooring and docking
Local river authorities allocate docking space around ship arrivals and departures in port. Occasionally port conditions require ships to tie up alongside each other, in which case guests may be required to walk through another ship to access their own ship. This is part of the river cruise experience and is perfectly normal and beyond our control. Guests may experience obstructed views from staterooms when the ship is docked.
11What Is The Currency On Board?
The currency on board all AMADEUS ships is EURO. However, you may also settle your account in (GBP) Sterling or (USD) American Dollars
12What about gratuities?
Gratuities for the ship’s staff and crew are not included in your cruise price. You may pre-pay gratuities through our office with a suggested amount of USD 12.00 / EUR 11.00 per person per day. Alternatively, you may wish to tip onboard in cash or add a gratuity to your onboard account.  Gratuities for drivers and guides for optional excursions are not included in the excursion price. A suggested amount is 1-2 EUR per person for half day excursion & 2-3 EUR per person for the full day excursion given directly to the guide and driver.
13What To Pack?
The following items are essential for any destination: sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, and maybe an umbrella. It is recommended that you bring duplicates of prescription eye wear, copies of prescriptions for any medications (generic equivalents are usually easier to obtain), copies of credit card information, and copies of your passport information pages. An adaptor / transformer may be necessary (the on-board power supply is 230V AC/50 Hz) if you bring any electronic devices with you.
14Clothing
Comfortable, casual clothing is appropriate both onshore and onboard and we suggest lightweight clothing that can be layered. Shorts are appropriate for most tours, however long pants may be required for inside visits on some excursions. Your cruise manager will advise when and if this is required. You may find a significant amount of walking over uneven terrain during your time ashore. We recommend comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support. Sturdy sandals are another good option. Don’t forget to pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket (preferably hooded) or even a heavier-weight wind-breaker for cooler temperatures. Also, keep in mind that the ship, coaches and other venues visited on our itinerary are air conditioned and may be quite cool. We recommend that you pack a lightweight sweater or long sleeve shirts and carry them with you on excursions.
15What happens if the artist that I booked to see is unable to perform at the festival / holiday?
As you have booked a holiday, then the holiday will still take place. In the event of a festival where there are multiple artists, the full programme will still be performed and any artists unable to travel will be replaced. In the event of a river cruise or other holiday where only one artist is performing, the artist will be replaced with an alternative artist of a similar genre. The cost of the holiday is not refundable.
16Is a river cruise ship suitable for someone with limited mobility?
Harmony Voyages does not discriminate against persons with special needs. All means of transport used during our cruise itineraries comply with European standards. Most of the vessels have lifts that allow for easy access between decks (except for the Sun Deck). However, the route between the ship and the shore may have major obstacles that must be overcome by all passengers without the use of, for example, a wheelchair. Likewise, often embarkation, disembarkation can be via another ship moored alongside where access to the sun deck is necessary. For this reason, any person with special needs must decide themselves whether a river cruise is for them, before making a booking. In addition, for safety reasons, the transportation of wheelchairs may be prohibited by the ship's management.

We look after you every step of the way

We are a small experienced team who look after you from first enquiry, right through to the end of your holiday. The same people who help you with your booking, will be in the resort or on the cruise to look after you. We are extremely proud of the personal service that we provide and when you need to get in touch, there are no call centres, just the same people you've always being dealing with. Need help with flights, care hire or extra nights? ...we are just a phone call away.

 

Call the team now and we'll be happy to help

Extras