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Festive Season in the Heart of Germany 2025
6 Day River Cruise Nuremberg to Frankfurt
Tour Description:
This festive Christmastime river cruise begins in Nuremberg, the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Guided sightseeing shows you its historical treasures, as well as Old Town, illuminated with holiday lights and decorations. There’s plenty of time to visit the Christmas market, one of the most famous in Germany, and be sure to savor some traditional lebkuchen (spicy gingerbread), a specialty of Nuremberg. Next stop is delightful Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, throughout town, you’ll see nativity scenes built by local citizens. Learn about Christmas traditions as you cruise to charming Würzburg, known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road,” and surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. Walk through the halls of the ornate Bishop’s Residence—home to the largest ceiling fresco ever painted, then stroll through the Christmas markets while you sip Glühwein (hot mulled wine). Explore one of the charming small towns with half-timbered houses and narrow streets that are dotted along the Main River. Take a guided walk of one of these picturesque Bavarian villages—sure to be even more appealing lit up with festive lights and decorations. As this unforgettable Europe river cruise ends in Frankfurt, you will never forget the historical treasures of Germany perfectly paired with the views, sounds, and tastes of the joyous holiday season.
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Dates & Pricing
| Sunday 07 Dec 25 — Saturday 13 Dec 25 | Starting at $2,799 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & Sightseeing| Day 1 Nuremberg (Embarkation): | Onboard welcome reception |
| Day 2 Nuremberg: | Choice of Nuremberg guided tour or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market |
| Day 3 Bamberg: | Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; onboard Christmas Traditions lecture |
| Day 4 Würzburg: | Guided tour, visit the Bishop's Residence; Christmas market |
| Day 5 Miltenberg: | Guided tour |
| Day 6 Frankfurt (Disembarkation): | Your cruise ends this morning |
Notes:
- In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
- Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
- Christmas markets generally operate from late November until the third week of December.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1
NUREMBERG, GERMANY (EMBARKATION) Welcome in Nuremberg, where your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Nuremberg must arrive by 3:30 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Indulge in traditional holiday fare and hot libations to warm your heart and soul.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING CRUISE TO NUREMBERG
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Day 2
NUREMBERG Legends and History Lessons
CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, Gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.
Spend free time browsing the spruce stalls of the Christmas Markets of Nuremberg. Sample favorite Bavarian fare—bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled blueberry wine, and countless other Christkindlmarkt culinary delights.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 3
BAMBERG Christmas Customs and Cradle Scenes
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bamberg—medieval home of Germany’s Roman Empire dynasties. Stroll through dozens of Bamberg’s nativity scenes—from miniature to life-size.
Take free time to enjoy the quaint Christmas markets, and warm up with traditional German dumplings, sausage, and a glass of hearty Bavarian ale.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Christmas Traditions Lecture while sailing.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG
BAMBERG-FESTIVE.jpg
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 4
WÜRZBURG Old Saint Nick and Nutcrackers Sweet
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residence.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt German Christmas museum—the world’s most extensive collection of traditional German Christmas decorations.
Spend free time enjoying the festive, warm glow of Wurzburg’s Christmas markets.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MILTENBERG
WURZBURG-FESTIVE.jpg
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 5
MILTENBERG Hidden Gifts and Holiday Delights
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg, a showcase of medieval half-timber homes and home to Germany’s oldest inn a picturesque Bavarian village.
DISCOVERY Join a German Cookie Baking Demonstration on board your ship while sailing.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FRANKFURT
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 6
FRANKFURT (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Frankfurt airport before 10 am.
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Accommodations
Accommodations| Nuremberg | Frankfurt |
Le Meridien Grand Hotel
Superior First-Class
Bahnhofstrasse 1-3 Nuremberg Germany
With the lustrous flair of a classic grand hotel, enhanced with state-of-the-art technology and convenient features, this 190 room historic legend has been hosting international luminaries for almost 125 years. Located in the heart of the ancient city centre, museums, shops, the city's famous market and the Imperial Castle are all just a short stroll away. All air-conditioned guest rooms feature flat screen TVs, in-room safes, Free Wi-Fi Internet access, USB mobile charging ports and elegant Art Nouveau-style marble bathrooms which skillfully highlight the fusion of classic and modern style. There is a Brasserie style restaurant serving authentic German cuisine as well as an Art Deco-style Atelier bar/lounge offering 1920s charm and a large selection of drinks and cocktails.
Superior First-Class
Bahnhofstrasse 1-3 Nuremberg Germany
With the lustrous flair of a classic grand hotel, enhanced with state-of-the-art technology and convenient features, this 190 room historic legend has been hosting international luminaries for almost 125 years. Located in the heart of the ancient city centre, museums, shops, the city's famous market and the Imperial Castle are all just a short stroll away. All air-conditioned guest rooms feature flat screen TVs, in-room safes, Free Wi-Fi Internet access, USB mobile charging ports and elegant Art Nouveau-style marble bathrooms which skillfully highlight the fusion of classic and modern style. There is a Brasserie style restaurant serving authentic German cuisine as well as an Art Deco-style Atelier bar/lounge offering 1920s charm and a large selection of drinks and cocktails.
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
