Castles of the Rhine on Uniworld

Special Family Multi-Generation River Cruising

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Find inspiration in the romantic, soul-stirring beauty of the fabled Rhine. This is a great family river cruise itinerary and family river cruise program.

Flowers tumble from baskets lining streets of half-timbered houses, and lights glint off quiet canals. A mighty river carries ships and cargo through a landscape shaped by time and history. The spires of medieval churches and castles appear around each bend in the river, and vineyards climb the verdant hillsides.

Cruise along the Rhine—Germany on one side, France on the other. Discover Alsace, whose dual French and German heritage has given it fabulous food and a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Romans. Marvel at castles that were once mighty fortresses and get an insider’s look at one of the only castles on the Rhine that has never been destroyed, Marksburg Castle. Visit historic cities, including ancient Cologne and picturesque Strasbourg; stroll through the fairy tale town of Rüdesheim; and taste delightful white wines in the villages where the grapes are grown. Beethoven and Byron loved the romantic landscapes of the Rhine River, and the beauty that inspired them is still yours to experience.  And because this itinerary is a family river cruise theme, there are staff on board to make the experience exciting for all.

Who will enjoy this family river cruise

Romantics who love the picturesque and the historic will find medieval castles, splendid cathedrals and scenes that have inspired great poets, painters and composers alike.  Other family members who have memories or fantasies of castles.

Generations Family Program (26 June 2021, 3 July, and 10 July 2021)

Share the enchantment of this region with the special young people in your life. These cruises not only feature unique, fun-filled adventures for families to enjoy together, they’re also packed with culturally and historically significant experiences designed to spark creativity and lifelong learning.  There are both staff on board as well as currated shore excursion that are designed to enhance the multi-generation experience.  This family oriented river cruise is only offered on 3 dates during the summer, and while we have a group on the 26 June 2021 Uniworld sailing, there are other dates that may fit your family river cruise dates.

All Inclusive Experience

 

Dining

  • All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredientsFamily River Cruise dining on Uniworld
  • 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions                                                                                     
  • Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
  • Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water

Excursions

  • 6 days of excursions, including "Choice Is Yours" options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
  • Guided “Let's Go,” “Do as the Locals Do” and “Village Day” programs
  • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
  • Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks

Accommodations

  • 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the exquisite S.S. Antoinette, the regal River Queen or the elegant River Empress
  • Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
  • Free Internet and Wi-Fi access

Experiences

  • 4 countries: France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland
  • 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
  • Captivating onboard local entertainment
  • Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture
  • All transfers on arrival and departure days
  • All gratuities, both onboard and onshore
  • Exclusive Generations Family Program on these departure dates.     

Day 1: Basel (Embark)Map Basel to Amsterdam Family river cruise

Arrive at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
Important Note: Uniworld's airport services and transfers to the ship will take place on the Switzerland side of the Basel-Mulhouse Airport. Be sure to enter Customs on the Switzerland side, as guests cannot return to the Switzerland side after they have exited the airport from the France side.
 

Day 2: Breisach

Breisach is your gateway to the Alsatian wine road and your launching point for one of two excursions along the celebrated Route des Vins, which hugs the foothills of the Vosges mountain range. You can visit Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, two of the most picturesque villages in the region, or take a tour of the larger town of Colmar, the capital of Alsatian wines.
This morning, enjoy leisure time as you sail the scenic Upper Rhine to Breisach.  A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Day 3: Kehl (Strasbourg)

See Strasbourg on foot with an insightful local expert, where this historic town with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered homes, giant stork nests and impossible-to-resist pastry shops will win your heart. Kehl, directly across the river from Strasbourg, will be your ship’s base while you explore the Alsatian capital. Experience its historic core as the locals do, with an exclusive walking tour. If you’re feeling adventurous, take advantage of Uniworld’s bicycles or Nordic walking sticks and explore the banks of the river.
You have the entire afternoon to see more of Strasbourg on your own.

Day 4: Mannheim (Speyer)

Speyer—“spire” in English—is well named, since the four red towers of the Romanesque cathedral dominate the Old Town.

Day 5: Rüdesheim, Boppard

Experience Germany’s fabled Rhine River in one of two ways—an exclusive tasting of estate-grown Rieslings at Castle Vollrads or take the long way shoreward from the Germania monument with a vineyard hike.
This morning, you’ll cruise out of Rüdesheim and into the sublimely beautiful and romantic Upper Middle Rhine Valley.

Day 6: Boppard, Koblenz

Get to know Koblenz, a historic town with a colorful past and eclectic architecture, and enjoy a visit to the stunningly medieval Marksburg Castle. As you come upon picture-perfect Koblenz, you’ll sail past Deutsches Eck (German Corner) with its historic monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I.

Day 7: Cologne

History buffs will enjoy an expertly led tour through Cologne’s Old Town, where three medieval gates remain standing, as does the old city hall with its Renaissance façade. Wander through the city’s historical center and take in its charming atmosphere, narrow alleyways flanked by old houses and countless breweries. No matter how you choose to explore Old Town, you’ll also have ample free time to explore on your own.
In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 8: Amsterdam (Disembark)

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, you may continue your adventure with our optional post-cruise Amsterdam extension.
 
 
Amsterdam and family river cruising

EXTENSIONS from Uniworld

Amsterdam

Spend time discovering Holland’s best-known city, which is filled with history, art, architecture, canals, cobblestone streets, museums, bicycles, and so much more.

Included in your 3-day stay:

• 2 nights at the Hilton Amsterdam Hotel (or similar)
• Breakfast daily and all gratuities, service charges, taxes and porterage
• Amsterdam canals and famous Rijksmuseum
• English-speaking expert
• All transfers

Pricing:

$799 per person (for 2 guests)

For solo travelers, there is a single supplement of $359.

Note: This extension is for cruises that begin or end in Amsterdam.

Basel & Lake Lucerne

Basel Family River Cruise

 

Included in your 3-day stay:

• 2 nights at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois (or similar)
• Breakfast daily and all gratuities, service charges, taxes and porterage
• Charming Lucerne—Switzerland in a nutshell
• Basel walking discovery tour
• English-speaking expert
• All transfers

Pricing:

$1,099 per person (for 2 guests)

For solo travelers, there is a single supplement of $399.

Note: This extension is for cruises that begin or end in Basel.

 

Of course we can also customize a pre or post package for you  as well in any cities or areas you prefer.

 

To Register and book this cruise with our group, go to our special page for pricing and further details.  Click here. 

 For other sailings of this themed cruise contact us for dates and pricing.

We have been going to Germany and the rivers for over 30 years, call us at 703-496-4125. or email me at phimmelberger@cruiseplanners.com, a Fairfax Virginia based travel advisor.