Celebrate this magical time of year with a Christmastime river cruise vacation starting in the Czech Republic, on through the beautiful views of the heart of Germany, and ending in Switzerland. Prague, the beautiful Czech capital, is set on the banks of the Vltava River and a Local Guide will be proud to show you the famous sights. The Christmas market offers rows of brightly decorated wooden huts selling ornaments and Czech handicrafts. Explore to your heart’s content and try a traditional hot sausage from one of the stalls. Board your ship in Nuremberg, Germany, host to one of the oldest Christmas markets. Get into the holiday spirit as you stroll through the illuminated Old Town. 200 stalls sell traditional German Christmas wares and seasonal delicacies. In delightful Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll find nativity scenes built by local citizens throughout the town. Learn about holiday traditions as you cruise to Würzburg, and here walk through the halls of the ornate Bishop’s Residenz—home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted. Then stroll through the Christmas markets while you sip Glühwein (hot mulled wine). Learn how to bake a traditional cookie before arriving at one of the charming small towns with half-timbered houses that are dotted along the Main River. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, visit the unique Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Continue your cruise to Speyer and visit Heidelberg Castle, which towers magnificently over the city, before cruising to Strasbourg, France. This time of year, the historic charm of the city is mixed with the festive aromas, sights, and sounds—creating a truly magical atmosphere! Visit the gothic cathedral with its ancient murals and fascinating astronomical clock. Continue your Christmastime river cruise to Breisach, Germany—gateway to the famous Black Forest, an area of unrivaled natural beauty, before ending in Basel Switzerland.

1. Day 1
   PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

   Sun, Nov 29, 2026

   Welcome to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. This fascinating city straddles the Vltava River with domes, cupolas, spires, and pinnacles highlighting its skyline. Enjoy free time to explore Prague and its surrounding countryside. Sample delicious plum dumplings and traditional Pilsner lager.
   
   
2. Day 2
   PRAGUE

   Mon, Nov 30, 2026

   Gothic Cathedrals, Grand Castles, and Czech Christmas Spirits
   
   CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk to visit Hradčany Castle Grounds; see St. Vitus Cathedral, and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock.
   
   Spend the afternoon on your own to browse the exquisite Christmas Markets of Prague. Stroll through the brightly colored wooden stalls for ornaments and handmade toys and handicrafts.
   
   (B)
   
   
3. Day 3
   PRAGUE–NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

   Tue, Dec 01, 2026

   Enjoy a free morning before your transfer to Nuremberg, where your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
   
   OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NUREMBERG
   
   (B,D)
   
   
4. Day 4
   NUREMBERG

   Wed, Dec 02, 2026

   Legends and History Lessons
   
   CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
   
   CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
   
   Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlesmarkt culinary delights.
   
   Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
   
   EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
5. Day 5
   BAMBERG

   Thu, Dec 03, 2026

   Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes
   
   CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg—medieval home of Germany’s Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg’s nativity scenes—from miniature to life-size.
   
   Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale.
   
   DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
   
   AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
6. Day 6
   WÜRZBURG

   Fri, Dec 04, 2026

   Old Saint Nicholas, and Nutcrackers Sweet
   
   CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residence.
   
   You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum—the world’s most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations.
   
   Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg’s Christmas markets.
   
   Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
   
   EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
7. Day 7
   MILTENBERG

   Sat, Dec 05, 2026

   Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights
   
   CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany’s oldest inn.
   
   DISCOVERY Join a German Cookie-Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.
   
   AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
8. Day 8
   FRANKFURT. EXCURSION TO RUDESHEIM

   Sun, Dec 06, 2026

   Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
   
   CLASSIC Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rüdesheim, enjoy a local special treat. Don’t miss the tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of sparkling winter wonderlands in the city.
   
   EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO SPEYER
   
   (B,D)
   
   
9. Day 9
   SPEYER. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG

   Mon, Dec 07, 2026

   Winter Wonders and a Wine Barrel Fit for a King
   
   CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel. After the tour, visit the local German Christmas markets in Heidelberg.
   
   Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing sailing morning and explore the sights and sounds, tantalizing treats, and seasonal handiwork of Speyer Christmas markets.
   
   This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
   
   EVENING/OVERNIGHT TO STRASBOURG
   
   (B,L,D)
   
   
10. Day 10
    STRASBOURG, FRANCE

    Tue, Dec 08, 2026

    A Gothic Cathedral, Heaven’s Time, and Joyeux Noël
    
    CLASSIC Come along for City Sightseeing, including the city’s gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
    
    You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Alsace, for an afternoon in a French wine-country village.
    
    Savor the warmth and glow of Christmas tradition by spending your free time this afternoon wandering the French winter markets of Strasbourg. Take in the lights, music, and the pleasures of the season.
    
    EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BREISACH
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
11. Day 11
    BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST

    Wed, Dec 09, 2026

    History, Artistry, and the Beautiful Black Forest
    
    CLASSIC Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley, OR:
    
    CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience local traditions and the vibrant Christmas mood.
    
    You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings, and enjoy the warmth and glow of the Christmas season.
    
    EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BASEL
    
    (B,L,D)
    
    
12. Day 12
    BASEL, SWITZERLAND (DISEMBARKATION)

    Thu, Dec 10, 2026

    Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
    
    Flights should not leave Zürich airport before 10 am or Basel airport before 8 am.
    
    (B)