I recently had the pleasure of leading a group of 16 guests on a Christmas Markets River Cruise along the Rhine with Riviera Travel, sailing onboard the MS Geoffrey Chaucer, and I can honestly say it was an amazing experience from start to finish.
What made this trip even more special was that 14 of the passengers were completely new to river cruising, and many were new to cruising altogether. By the end of the journey, every single one of them loved it and was already talking about when and where we should go next, with the Danube firmly on the wish list.
A Festive Welcome in Cologne
Our journey began in Cologne, where we arrived and embarked onto our five-star ship. From the moment we stepped onboard, the crew made us feel incredibly welcome. There was an immediate sense of warmth and festive excitement as we settled in and prepared for the days ahead.
Cologne would feature again later in the cruise, giving us plenty of opportunity to explore its famous Christmas markets, which turned out to be a real highlight.
Cruising the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
One of the most memorable parts of the cruise was sailing through the world-famous Rhine Gorge. Cruising through this dramatic stretch of river was a real treat and set the scene perfectly for our arrival in Rüdesheim.
Rüdesheim was a firm favourite with everyone in the group. It is exactly how you imagine a Rhine town at Christmas, with picture-postcard streets, a cute and quirky atmosphere, and a lovely, welcoming feel. Some of the group even took the cable car up to enjoy the views and visit the monument, which they said was well worth it.
The Christmas markets here were especially good, and wandering around with a glass of Glühwein in hand really got us all into the festive spirit.
Koblenz and Its Festive Charm
After cruising through the Rhine Gorge once more, we arrived in Koblenz, which is dramatically situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. We enjoyed a guided tour followed by free time to explore the Christmas market.
Koblenz felt relaxed and festive, and it was lovely to have time to browse the stalls, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy the seasonal treats on offer.
Bonn and a Return to Cologne
Our journey then took us to Bonn, where we learned more about this historic former capital of Germany on a guided tour. From there, we sailed back to Cologne, where the rest of the day was free to explore the city’s many Christmas markets.
Cologne did not disappoint. With several markets to choose from, there was so much to see and do. One of the lovely touches was the souvenir mugs used for Glühwein. You pay a small deposit for the cup, which you can either return or keep. Needless to say, we now have a few festive souvenir cups at home as a reminder of the trip.
Life Onboard MS Geoffrey Chaucer
Riviera Travel really impressed me on this cruise. The crew were friendly, welcoming, and professional throughout. The food and beverage team were particularly engaging, quickly learning our names and even remembering what we liked to drink. The personal service and attention to detail were excellent.
The food onboard was really good throughout the cruise. We ate most evenings in the main restaurant, and on the final night, as we were celebrating a birthday in the group, we dined in the Bistro. We all made an effort to dress up, which made the evening feel extra special.
To add to the festive fun, on Thursday 11 December, which was Christmas Jumper Day, we all wore our best Christmas jumpers. It was a great laugh and summed up the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of the whole trip.
A River Cruise Everyone Loved
By the time it was time to say goodbye to the crew and start the journey home, it was clear just how much this cruise had been enjoyed. For so many first-time cruisers to come away wanting to do it all over again really says everything.
I have absolutely no hesitation in booking clients with Riviera Travel, and we are already looking to organise another group trip in the future.
Thinking About Your Own Christmas Markets River Cruise?
If you’ve been tempted by the idea of a festive river cruise, I would love to help you plan your own Rhine Christmas Markets adventure or even something new like the Danube. Get in touch with me for friendly, first-hand advice and let’s start planning a river cruise you’ll remember for years to come. Ready now? Give me a call!