Day 1: Depart home gateway city to Frankfurt


Day 2: Frankfurt (embark)
Featured Excursion: Arrive at Frankfurt Airport where you'll be transferred to the ship. (D)


Day 3: Frankfurt
After a relaxing morning onboard, tour dynamic Frankfurt, said to bethe smallest metropolis in the world. The energy of its cosmopolitancitizens and soaring skyscrapers makes for a sophisticated city thathas become one of the most important hubs in Europe. You will be takenon a scenic drive around this metropolis off the Main, dubbed“Mainhattan.” The skyline of Frankfurt is defined by 50 high-risebuildings, two of which are the tallest skyscrapers in the EuropeanUnion. Visit the historical area around Römer Square, Old Town, theGolden Mile, and Frankfurt's Times Square. You'll also see Goethe-Haus,the childhood home of one of Europe's greatest writers andphilosophers, Johann Von Wolfgang Goethe. You'll then go to GoetheUniversity, birthplace of the Frankfurt school of philosophy, and thebeautiful Botanical Gardens. (BB, L, Captain's Farewell Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Frankfurt city tour


Day 4: Mainz, cruising the romantic Rhine, Cologne
Enjoy the area's natural and cultural highlights from the perfectvantage point of your ship's panoramic deck as your journey takes youalong one of the most beautiful sections of the Rhine River Valley, thescenic 40 miles of the upper middle Rhine Valley towards Mainz.Designated a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site, this area features a stunninglandscape and ancient castles that for many esteemed 19th-centurypoets, composers, and painters embodied a romantic spirit, later dubbed“Rhine Romanticism.” Along the way, you'll pass the famous Lorelei Rockand at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers, German Corner,with its famous monument to Emperor William II. You'll arrive in Mainzin the afternoon. This is a historically significant town becauseJohannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press with movabletype, lived and worked here. Your tour of downtown Mainz includes avisit to the Gutenberg Museum, where you can step back intime to theMiddle Ages while viewing a reconstruction of Gutenberg's printingpress room, which features an actual printing press that works.Inaddition, you'll get to see Gutenberg's first Bible on display, whichis also the world's tiniest Bible. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Mainz walking tour and Gutenberg Museum


Day 5: Cologne
Arrive in Cologne after lunch and stroll through the narrow streets ofOld Town with your guide, passing by tiny squares and little churchesand the awe-inspiring Cologne Cathedral, the city's most famouslandmark and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It took 632 yearsfor Germany's largest cathedral to be completed, and it is one of themost important Gothic churches in Europe. You'll then tour theRoman-Germanic Museum, built on the walls of a Roman villa which wasdiscovered in 1941 and which contained the world-famous Dionysosmosaic. Numerous finds illustrating everyday life in the Roman Empirewill lead you into the heart of the Roman city of Colonia Claudia AraAgrippinensium (the Roman name of Cologne). (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Cologne walking tour and Roman-Germanic Museum


Day 6: Arnhem
Spend the morning cruising before you reach Arnhem, your gateway to theKröller-Müller Museum, which is home to a huge collection of Van Gogh'spaintings-278 to be exact, including “Cafè Terrace at Night.” There arealso works by Picasso, Mondrian, and Rodin, as well as many modernEuropean artists. Your guide will lead you on a one-hour tour throughthe museum. After the tour, you'll have some free time to explore moreof the museum; to go back to that painting you love looking at; and toventure outside and take in the beautiful Sculpture Garden, the largestin Europe, which features works by Rodin. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Guided tour of Kröller-Müller Museum


Day 7: Volendam, Amsterdam
Today, all of your senses will be in for a treat as you visit theKeukenhof Gardens, a 70-acre showcase of over seven million flowers,where spring bursts out in all of its colorful majesty. This is one ofthe most impressive public gardens in all of the world, and it is onlyopen for a few weeks each year. Later in the day, you'll sail toVolendam, where you'll dock in the heart of the village, making it easyfor you to experience early Dutch life. You'll have an afternoon atleisure exploring this quintessentially Dutch village. (BB, D)
Featured Excursion: Keukenhof Gardens


Day 8: Amsterdam
Springtime is the perfect time to enjoy Holland's largest city,Amsterdam. The city boasts history, art, architecture, bicycles,cobblestone streets, museums, and countless canals. Even the simplestof shops has a distinct charm, and every street tells a story. And asan added treat, you'll experience Amsterdam on a canal boat. Along theway, admire sights such as Mint Tower, Dam Square, Royal Palace, andMuseum Square. Later, relive history and be prepared to be moved as youwalk through the very house that served as a hiding place for the Frankfamily during WWII. This is also where Anne Frank wrote her diary, andthe original manuscript is on display. (BB, L, Captain's Welcome Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Canal cruise and visit to Anne Frank House


Day 9: Amsterdam (disembark), transfer to the airport
Disembark the ship and transfer to Amsterdam airport for your flight home.

7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the stunning River Empress

All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients

Complimentary fine wine, beer, and soft drinks during dinner; bottled water in your stateroom; and 24-hour specialty coffees and teas

6 shore excursions, fully hosted by English-speaking local guides

State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions

Complimentary use of bicycles

Captivating onboard local entertainment

Signature lecture: “The Rhine, River of Culture and Trade”

Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners

An experienced Cruise Manager and attentive, all English-speaking staff

All transfers on arrival and departure days (Please see transfer guidelines in the Terms and Conditions)

Port Charges:
Port Charges: $98 (Amsterdam to Frankfurt), $98 (Frankfurt to Amsterdam)

Single Cabin Disclaimer:
A limited number of singles may be available in certain categories on certain vessels for an additional supplement. Please inquire.

Pricing Categories for Itinerary is as follows:

Cat2	Category 4
Cat3	Category 3
Cat4	Category 2

To upgrade to a higher category, add per person the following prices to Cat1:

Category 1	$825
Suite	$1,395