
Rhine & Shine:
A New Year's Eve River Cruise
Celebrate New Beginnings on Timeless Waters
There’s something special about welcoming a new year on the Rhine — where storybook villages glow along the riverbanks and every moment feels both peaceful and full of possibility. This New Year’s Eve journey aboard the Amadeus Aurea isn’t about avoiding the holiday crowds…it’s about choosing a more meaningful way to welcome the year ahead, surrounded by friends who share your love of travel, connection, and beautiful experiences.
Imagine gliding through the heart of Europe, exploring charming towns by day and raising a glass at midnight as the river carries you gently into 2027. No pressure. No noise. Just unforgettable moments, good company, and the comfort of knowing everything has been thoughtfully planned for you.
If you’re ready for a New Year that feels intentional, inspiring, and perfectly paced, this river cruise offers the ideal setting — a place where friendship deepens, stories unfold, and every sunrise feels like a fresh start.
OUR CRUISE ITINERARY

Day 01: December 28, 2026
Cologne, Germany - Embark Amadeus Aurea
Day 02: December 29, 2026
Mainz, Germany
Day 03: December 30, 2026
Strasbourg, France
Day 04: December 31, 2026
Basel, Switzerland - New Year's Eve
Day 05: January 01, 2027
Basel, Switzerland - Happy 2027!
Day 06: January 02, 2027
Speyer, Germany / Mannheim, Germany
Day 07: January 03, 2027
Ruedesheim, Germany / Koblenz, Germany
Day 08: January 04, 2027
Cologne, Germany
To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.








Welcome to Cologne
Pre-Cruise Package
-
VIP Transfer from the Airport to our Hotel
-
One pre-cruise hotel night at Hyatt Regency Cologne
-
24 hour Hop on, Hop off bus tour
-
Transfer to the ship from our hotel

Travel
INFORMATION & FAQ
- 01Celebrate New Beginnings on Timeless Waters Cruise-Only Travel Dates: December 28, 2026 - January 04, 2027 🏰 5-Star New Year's Eve River Cruise at a 4-Star Price 🏰 Category B-1 (Strauss Deck) - Drop-Down Panoramic Window https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9e1ddb_c4bb47cad18247198077304e74699b29~mv2.png Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe. (188.4 sf) Category B-1 (Strauss Deck) - $3,777 per cabin / Twin Share Category B-1 (Strauss Deck) - $5,045 per cabin / Solo Category A-1 (Mozart Deck) - Drop-Down Panoramic Window https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9e1ddb_c4bb47cad18247198077304e74699b29~mv2.png Spacious bathroom, drop-down panoramic window, mini-bar, walk-in wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe. (188.4 sf) Category A-1 (Mozart Deck) - $4,118 per cabin / Twin Share Category A-1 (Mozart Deck) - $6,465 per cabin / Solo Category C-1 (Haydn Lower) - Fixed Window **ONE Available** https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9e1ddb_7d4c840f777b4ca8954ba74cac14650a~mv2.png Spacious bathroom, panoramic window (cannot be opened), mini-bar, spacious wardrobe, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe. (172.2 sf) Category C-1 (Haydn Lower) - $2,867per cabin / Twin Share Category C-1 (Haydn Lower) - $3,266per cabin / Solo Note: All pricing and availability are subject to change without notice until booking is confirmed with a deposit and/or payment as required. All prices are quoted in USD - a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of booking. The final payment is due on or before July 08, 2026 PS: If you have a roommate, just indicated that on your reservations form. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9e1ddb_e3b63ec56f7c43ad99a06e30f88a7f04~mv2.png - - - - - - - - - - - - - Welcome to Cologne Pre-Cruise Package - December 27 - 28, 2026 Package Includes: • VIP Transfer from the Airport to our Hotel • One pre-cruise hotel night at Hyatt Regency Cologne • 24 hour Hop on, Hop off bus tour • Transfer to the ship from our hotel Welcome to Cologne Pre-Cruise Package: $496 / per person
- 02🌟 Your Cruise, Your Way 🌟 Design each day exactly as you like — do it all, or simply relax and enjoy the view. Our carefully curated excursion packages let you dive deeper into the heart of each destination with immersive, inspiring experiences. Choose from one of our discounted packages when you book in advance, or mix and match individual excursions at the regular onboard rate — the choice is yours! Package A | for only $ 340 per person • Mainz walking tour with Gutenberg Museum • Strasbourg with canal boat tour • Basel - Where three countries meet • Romantic Heidelberg with castle ruins • Drosselgasse & Tasting of Rudesheimer coffee • Koblenz walking tour Package B | for only $ 429 per person • Mainz walking tour with Gutenberg Museum • Amadeus Taste: Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting in Mainz • Strasbourg with canal boat tour • Basel - Where three countries meet • Speyer walking tour • Romantic Heidelberg with castle ruins • Drosselgasse & Tasting of Rudesheimer coffee • Koblenz walking tour Here is a list of optional à la carte tours that you may purchase separately when onboard our ship. • Mainz walking tour with Gutenberg Museum ($31) • Amadeus Taste: Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting in Mainz ($68) • Strasbourg with canal boat tour ($97) • Basel - Where three countries meet ($116) • Speyer walking tour ($37) • Romantic Heidelberg with castle ruins ($82) • Drosselgasse & Tasting of Rudesheimer coffee ($43) • Koblenz walking tour ($31)
- 03To reserve your spot, click the Reserve My Spot button to access our secure, electronic reservation form. If you have a roommate already, be sure to indicate that under the line designated as "Roommate Name."
- 04What’s Included: Suites & Staterooms • 7-nights luxury accommodation in an outside river-view stateroom of your choice • Individual climate control and in-room safe • Choice of bed configuration in all categories (double or twin bedding) • Bottled water in every stateroom • Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard • Onboard fitness center open 24 hours a day Gourmet Dining • Gourmet dining featuring breakfast, multi-course lunches and dinners with menu choices (including vegetarian options), afternoon tea and late-night snack • Free-flowing hand-selected wines from the best wine regions, draft beer, soda as well as coffee and tea with every lunch and dinner • Coffee and tea available 24 hours a day in the Amadeus Club • Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner and Gala Dinner Voyage of Discovery • Personalized service of an experienced, multilingual AMADEUS Cruise Director • WO60 Tour Escort • AMADEUS digital audio system for all guided excursions • Variety of enriching onboard programs, including fascinating lectures, cooking demonstrations, local cultural performances, and music by our onboard musicians • Complimentary use of onboard bicycles for independent exploration • All port taxes, embarkation, disembarkation and lock fees included in your cruise fare • Gratuities to shipboard staff and crew 🧭Note: Excursions are à la carte — you choose (and pay for) what you want, and nothing if you don’t.
- 05What's Not Included? • Airfare - will help with research only. • Pre or Post Hotel Stays • Transfers to/from the ship • *Medical/Travel insurance. • Expenditure of a personal nature. • **Visa costs: if required for entering or passing through the various countries. • Transfers and other ground arrangements that are not included in the above itinerary. • Land arrangements before and after the tour dates. • Meals that are not listed in the itinerary. *Strongly recommend purchasing medical/travel insurance. **Although at the time of this writing the Schengen's ETIAS is not required for N. American Passport holders. However, it may likely be required for travel later in 2025/2026. Also, take note that if you are planning on entering the UK either as a tourist you will require an ETA visa which can be acquired online.
- 06IMPORTANT NOTES: This tour is only appropriate for those who can walk independently without an assistive device. Unfortunately, we cannot make accommodations or assist with any mobility challenges. This is not a particularly physically demanding journey; however there is moderate walking over uneven surfaces for some distances, and stairs, as well as sitting or standing for long periods of time, climbing .
- 07Airfare is not included. We suggest that your use Google Flights, Hopper, or another aggregators to find the best airfare. Remember, we are only discussing searching for flights at this point, not the actual booking. We suggest using Google Flights, Hopper, Kayak, and Skyscanner to compare and track flights. Before deciding on a flight, it's a good idea to check options on at least two of these search engines to ensure you've seen all possible options. Do not buy the cheapest airfare unless you are willing to forfeit that money to the airline if your plans change. (Those fares are usually non-refundable, or changeable). While the preceding suggested search tools are convenient, we don't recommend booking flights through them. They often lead to third-party websites, which can cause issues if you need to make changes or cancel your booking. In such cases, the airline won't be able to help you directly. Our advice is to use these tools to search for flights but make your actual reservation on the airline's website.
- 08We strongly advise purchasing comprehensive Medical/Travel Insurance for your trip. For our age group, it's crucial to secure Primary Emergency Medical Insurance with a minimum coverage of $200,000 USD, including emergency evacuation and repatriation. We also recommend an all-inclusive plan that covers trip cancellation and interruption. Many insurance companies offer more favorable terms for pre-existing conditions if you purchase their policy shortly after making your initial trip deposit. If you're unsure about total trip costs due to pending arrangements like airfare, don't delay; simply contact your chosen insurance provider to increase your coverage amount later as needed.




From Our Members
Nice words that have been said about us
December 2023:
"I traveled with WO60 for a Christmas Markets Cruise. The experience was absolutely incredible!! It exceeded my expectations as it was my first solo experience. I was solo, but the experience was anything but. The group of ladies on the trip was so wonderful, engaging, and inclusive. I highly recommend traveling with WO60. I’ve already booked 2 trips for 2025. Denise is a fabulous organizer!"
Peggy CM, San Diego, CA
