| Cruise |
Riverside Debussy, Fairytale Christmas on the Rhine River Cruise ex Basel to Frankfurt |
| Cruise Line |
Riverside Cruises |
| Ship |
Riverside Debussy |
| Destination |
EU Rivers |
| Brief Description |
3 Night River Cruise sailing from Basel to Frankfurt onboard Riverside Debussy |
| Type of Cruise |
River |
| Departure Date |
11 Dec 2025 |
| Cruise Description |
Christmas comes just once a year, so immerse yourself in all things holly and jolly! Your adventure begins in Basel, where Switzerland touches borders with neighboring Germany and France for a true melting pot of cultures and traditions! Other stops include Kehl, an intriguing city that has alternated between French and German control throughout its thousand-year history, and Mannheim, home to one of the largest palace complexes in the world. Guided walks reveal each city’s history, while the Christmas Markets provide the chance to shop for hand-crafted gifts and sample the local culinary delights. Be sure to leave space in your suitcase for all the goodies you’re bound to find! Your adventure concludes in Frankfurt, Germany’s bustling financial hub where music and garlands and dazzling lights create an inviting winter wonderland.
BASEL, SWITZERLAND
No other city between Constance and Rotterdam has integrated the Rhine into its city life as grandly as Basel. Pretty art nouveau baths have been installed in the river, there are small restaurants and pubs and bars on its banks, pop concerts are held here, and the residents are all too happy to plunge into the waters for a swim. Another detail not to be missed in Basel is probably the most beautiful museum in Switzerland, perhaps even in the whole of Europe: The Fondation Beyeler, whose transparent building was designed by Renzo Piano. The best thing to do in the old town is just to drift along, and then at some point you will automatically come across the red cantonal town hall or the stately guild houses on Barfusserplatz, which got its name from the “Barfussler” monks.
KEHL, GERMANY
Kehl has a rich history that spans over several centuries. The city was founded in the 12th century, and it served as a strategic location for trade between France and Germany. Over the years, Kehl has been part of various territories, including the Duchy of Wurttemberg, the Margraviate of Baden, and the French Empire. During the Napoleonic Wars, Kehl was the site of several battles, and it was occupied by French troops for many years. In the 19th century, Kehl became an important railway hub, and it played a crucial role in the industrialization of the region. In the 20th century, Kehl was heavily damaged during World War II, and it took many years to rebuild the city. Today, Kehl is a vibrant city that combines its rich history with modern lifestyle.. The Kehl Canal, also known as the Grand Canal d'Alsace, is an important waterway that connects the Rhine River to the Rhone River. The canal was constructed in the mid-20th century to improve navigation and transport between the two rivers. The Kehl Canal is approximately 50 kilometers long, and it passes through several locks, tunnels, and aqueducts. The construction of the Kehl Canal was a significant engineering achievement.
MANNHEIM, GERMANY
Ok, it is a former Electoral Palatinate residential town. It is the second largest city in Baden-Wurttemberg and its port facilities are among the largest inland in Europe. Since the city was all but destroyed during the Second World War, it is not exactly considered the pearl of the country today. And yet it is worth a visit. Mannheim is young, also due to the students at the university and the State University of Music and Performing Arts. Incidentally, the city’s National Theatre hosted the premiere of Friedrich Schiller’s drama “Die Rauber” in 1782. Visitors are best advised to stroll along the main shopping street, called “Planken”, because wooden planks were once laid out there to get across the square on dry feet. The old town hall is a gem, and the largest synagogue in Germany is also worth seeing. The Jewish community was an integral part of Mannheim’s population from 1660 onwards. Today, a glass cube in the city commemorates the terrible deportation of the Jews during the Second World War. The 2,400 names of the Jews deported from the city are engraved on it.
FRANKFURT, GERMANY
Frankfurt, the first things that come to mind are the sausages, the banks and finance. A feature even more famous than the sausages is, of course, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was born in the house on Großer Hirschgraben. Here, he also wrote two of his important works, the original version of “Faust” and “Die Leiden des jungen Werther”. His birthplace can be visited today. It is one of a total of 39 museums on the city’s waterfront. An absolute must! And the old town with the Paulskirche, which became the seat of the first German National Assembly in 1848 and where the Peace Prize of the Frankfurt Book Trade is awarded every year, is also a must-see place. Frankfurt, anything else spring to mind? Right. The “Palm Garden” with the “Palm House” from 1869, as well as the “Butterfly House”. A green moment, whether summer or winter.
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| Sailing Dates |
| 29 Nov 2025 |
| 11 Dec 2025 |
| 25 Nov 2026 |
| 07 Dec 2026 |
| 19 Dec 2026 |
| Pricing |
| Please enquire for pricing |
Cruise Itinerary
| Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
| 11 Dec 2025 |
Basel, Switzerland |
Embark |
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| 12 Dec 2025 |
Kehl, Germany |
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| 13 Dec 2025 |
Mannheim, Germany |
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| 14 Dec 2025 |
Frankfurt, Germany |
Disembark |
Overnight |
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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