Castles of the Rhine River All-Gay Cruise 2028 - Adonis Gay Holiday

Castles of the Rhine River
All-Gay Cruise 2028

May 13 – 20, 2028

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Castles of the Rhine River All-Gay Cruise 2028

7 nights from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands

May 13 – 20, 2028
Lüftner Cruises Amadeus Aurea

Amsterdam Rhine Gay Cruise An all-inclusive 7-night deluxe all-gay Rhine river cruise from Switzerland's cultural capital Basel to gay Amsterdam. We are proud to offer a unique river cruise experience unlike any you’ll find on the rivers of Europe today. With this all-LGBT+ full cruise charter on the new Amadeus Aurea, you will be pampered by a crew of forty-six in an atmosphere of total relaxation. We’ve created an itinerary that includes three countries: Switzerland, Germany & The Netherlands.

Embark on an enchanting journey through the heart of Europe, where each city is a hidden gem waiting to be uncovered on your unforgettable Rhine River cruise.

Our gay cruise adventure begins in the picturesque Basel, Switzerland, setting the stage for a voyage filled with awe and wonder. Glide along the timeless waters, discovering the charm of Strasbourg, the history of Speyer, the allure of Ruedesheim, the enchantment of Koblenz, and the vibrancy of Cologne. Finally, bask in the allure of the bustling gay metropolis that is Amsterdam.

Join us as we unveil the undiscovered beauty of these captivating cities, creating memories that will linger in your heart forever.

Marvel at romantic castles perched upon mountains and impressive cliffs that rise to meet the sky, combined with cosmopolitan cities and quaint winegrowing villages, all in one journey. Enjoy the picturesque landscapes along the Rhine as you allow yourself to relax and drift through the centuries of history.

Discover the many beautiful facets of “Father Rhine” during this week long cruise along one of the most important and attractive rivers of Europe.

Castles of the Rhine River Gay Cruise Highlights

• Embark in Basel, widely regarded as Switzerland's cultural capital

• Visit the French wine region of Strasbourg with a canal boat tour

• Enjoy Speyer with a visit to the Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• In Mannheim, visit the picturesque Heidelberg with castle ruins

• Sail past many castles and the Lorelei Rock along the Rhine Gorge

• Experience Koblenz with a walking tour that includes the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

• Enjoy a walking tour of Cochem with a wine tasting

• Visit Cologne with a walking tour and Kölsch tasting

• See the Amsterdam waterways and villages, as well as the city itself

Castles of the Rhine River Gay Cruise Inclusions

• FROM THE TIME YOU LAND UNTIL YOU LEAVE, NEARLY EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED!

• Guaranteed all-LGBT+ charter cruise

• Arrival and departure airport transfers in Basel and Amsterdam

• 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation

• Canal boat tour of Strasbourg, France

• Daytime cruising through the Rhine Gorge past castles and Lorelei Rock

• Walking tour of Speyer, Germany where you'll see the Imperial Cathedral

• Complimentary shore excursions offered daily, including tours of Mannheim, Ruedesheim, Koblenz, Cochem, Cologne and Amsterdam

• Complimentary beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise

• Superb dining: all meals included during your cruise

• Brand g Signature Entertainment

Your Ship - New Amadeus Aurea

The Amadeus Aurea is not just a technical masterpiece but also a floating paradise for connoisseurs. Enjoy relaxing moments in 12 spacious suites with balconies or 67 bright outside cabins featuring panoramic windows. Savor culinary highlights in the elegant Panorama Restaurant or unwind on the sun deck with its outdoor pool and Lido Bar.

For active moments, a state-of-the-art fitness room is at your disposal, while the “River Terrace” invites you to dream. Cutting-edge environmental technologies, such as a hybrid propulsion system and an efficient heat recovery system, make your journey not only comfortable but also sustainable. Set sail with us and experience unforgettable journeys along Europe’s most beautiful rivers.

Enjoy a light and airy lunch at the AMADEUS Lounge, sweeten your afternoon in the Café Vienna, savor each bite in while dining in the Panorama Restaurant, and enjoy a cocktail under the stars at the Lido Bar on the Sun Deck. With numerous breathtaking spots on the Amadeus Aurea, you will always find a new favorite place to discover.

Aurea’s cabins on the Mozart and Strauss decks feature lowerable panoramic windows along the entire cabin width. All deluxe cabins and suites are equipped with comfortable spacious bathrooms, a flat screen television with infotainment system, a telephone, a cabin safe, a minibar and individually adjustable air conditioning. The suites also have an accessible outdoor balcony with a seating area.

More Space for the Love of Luxury
• Elegant and modern,this ship is the natural evolution of AMADEUS fleet. Large enough to offer multiple dining options yet small enough for the famed AMADEUS onboard ambience, Amadeus Aurea inherits the best features of her sister ships Nova, Riva and Cara, but is in a class all of her own

• Heated swimming pool on the sundeck and even more open-air areas

• Many open areas and far more space than ever before

• Every suite has floor-to-ceiling windows with a private balcony where you become one with nature

• 5-star amenities that meets your demands for luxury and comfort more than ever

Entertainment
On a Brand g European river cruise, every night is opening night. Our cruises always include two featured Signature Entertainers who provide nightly entertainment throughout the cruise.

Onboard Parties and Activities
Although the focus of our cruise is mainly on sightseeing and socializing, we do like to mix in a bit of frivolity as well. With that in mind, we’ll plan a couple of themed deck parties during the cruise, for which details will be released closer to the cruise. If you should choose to participate, great – and if you’d rather just be a voyeur, that is totally fine as well!

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I schedule my flights?
Arrival: You should schedule your flights to arrive in Basel (BSL) on or before May 13, 2028. Embarkation will mid-afternoon.
Departure: You should plan to fly home from Amsterdam (AMS) on May 20, 2028 anytime. We disembark from the river boat by 10:00am.

What arrival and departure transfers are included?
Arrival transfers are provided for flight arrivals, from the Basel Airport (BSL) to the ship, or is you are flying in earlier, a transfer will be provided for you to your local (Basel) hotel. You will then be responsible for arranging your personal transfer from your hotel to the ship on embarkation day.
Departure transfers are provided from the ship to the Amsterdam Airport (AMS), Amsterdam train stations, or to an Amsterdam hotel after which no further transfers will be provided.

Contact our team to ensure arrangements outside of these arrival and departure transfers will be included. Booked guests should provide their arrival and departure details 45 days prior to the trip to ensure transfer availability.

What should I expect on the included shore excursions?
Excursions during your travel program are mostly in groups of 25 people led by expert English speaking local guides. Utilizing wireless audio guides enables you to hear every word of your travel guide at absolutely all times. It provides maximum flexibility and convenience without missing a moment of fascinating commentary and is compatible with hearing aids.

What if I have dietary requirements?
We will make every effort to accommodate special dietary requests. Please inform us at least 45 days prior to departure of these requests.

Is there a dress code?
You are on vacation as the last thing we want to impose is a dress code. We will however appreciate you wearing more than a thong or mankini at dinner and in the bar/performance area. Be as dressed up or down as you see fit as long as you are comfortable and dress appropriately for changeable weather.

Will there be smoking areas?
The comfort and safety of our guests is our first priority. Smoking is not permitted in the suites or enclosed, public areas on board. There is a designated smoking area on the Sun Deck. Land properties will have designated smoking areas.

What weather can I expect from this trip?
In June, the days can reach the mid 70s and the evenings are in generally in the 50s. On the river can make it feel a little cooler, so don’t forget a shawl or light jacket.

Castles of the Rhine River All-Gay Cruise 2028 Itinerary
Date	Port	Meals
13 May	Basel, Switzerland	D
14 May	Strasbourg, France	B, L, D
15 May	Speyer / Mannheim, Germany	B, L, D
16 May	Rudesheim / Koblenz, Germany	B, L, D
17 May	Koblenz / Cochem, Germany	B, L, D
18 May	Cologne, Germany	B, L, D
19 May	Amsterdam, Netherlands	B, L, D
20 May	Amsterdam, Netherlands	B

Day 1 - Basel, Switzerland
Once onboard the attentive Amadeus Aurea staff will welcome you and get you checked in to your stateroom, where your luggage will already be waiting for you. Take some time to refresh, unpack, and explore the ship before your official welcome cocktail and a festive welcome dinner.
After dinner, join us in the lounge for a themed Welcome Party.

Welcome Dinner

Day 2 - Strasbourg, France
This morning, we arrive in the dynamic capital of Alsace. This beautiful city’s sights include the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster and the Petite France quarter, a former mill and tanner district. Half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, and the Council of Europe are among the wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you. The Grand Island, the city center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is connected to the rest of the city by 22 stone bridges.

Tour of Strasbourg with canal boat tour – Morning
Enjoy a discovery tour through the beautiful city of Strasbourg. After a short coach trip through the city, the tour continues with a walk through the lovely, historic old part of the town and includes a visit to the famous cathedral Straßburger Münster. During a boat cruise on the river, discover the famous quarter, “Petite France.” This former mill and tanner district still maintains its medieval charm. Some of the beautiful, half-timbered houses on the banks of the river Ill are up to 500 years old. You will enjoy Strasbourg’s half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, the Council of Europe and more.
Walking Grade 2/5: Easy amount of walking which may include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4 hours

Tour of Alsace – Afternoon
On this tour you will drive through picturesque landscape, romantic wine villages and parts of the famous wine route. One stop will be at a local winery, where you can try some of the wines during a wine tasting. Also, you will drive to the beautiful village Obernai. During a stroll through this idyllic Alsatian town, steeped in rich history you will get to know the charm of its traditional half-timbered houses, its Belfry and its town center.
Walking Grade 2/5: Easy amount of walking which may include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4 hours

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 - Speyer / Mannheim, Germany
Tour of Speyer – Morning
Speyer, the time-honored imperial city on the Rhine, looks back on a rich and eventful past. Historic testimonies of ecclesiastical architecture, impressive facades of different building epochs, winding alleys and romantic squares characterize the face of the city today. During the city tour enjoy a short guided tour of the Romanesque Imperial cathedral with its striking twin-towered portal, and visit to the beautiful baroque Church of the Holy Spirit, the Old Gate of Speyer and a visit to the medieval Judenhof, one of the most important Jewish medieval sites in Germany. The Jewish community had a storied history in Speyer reaching back over 1,000 years. View the remains of the Jewish courtyard, which was the central area of the Jewish quarter and consisted of the synagogues, and a ritual bath (Mikveh).
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 2.5 hours

Tour – Romantic Heidelberg with castle ruins – Afternoon
A comfortable coach will take you to the Heidelberg, the world famous University City on the Neckar River. The town is one of the few German cities with a widely preserved baroque Old Town. Heidelberg was discovered quite early by romantics to use for diverse literature, songs and paintings. The tour through Heidelberg begins with a visit to the castle. The formerly splendid residence made of red sandstone has been a ruin, maybe the most beautiful ruin in all of Germany. The castle tour leads also into the castle garden. From the grand Terrace you will have a wonderful view of the city and the Neckar River. The tour continues with a stroll through the enchanting old town, to the Karl-Theodor Bridge, the late gothic Church of the Holy Spirit and the town hall.
Walking Grade 3/5: Moderate amount of walking which will include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4.5 hours

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 - Ruedesheim / Koblenz, Germany
Tour – Rüdesheim wine tasting & Drosselgasse – Morning
Enjoy an unforgettable tram ride on the Winzerexpress and discover the beauty of the Rhine Valley. Visit a typical winery and taste different wines of the region. Afterwards, stroll along the famous Drosselgasse, which is a narrow cobblestone street, first mentioned in the 15th century as an alley used by the Rhine boatmen to reach their homes. Here you can still find numerous half-timbered wine houses, restaurants and shops. Immerse yourself in the history of the village before returning to the ship on the Winzerexpress.
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 2 hours

Koblenz walking tour and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress – Afternoon
Discover Koblenz, one of the most beautiful and oldest cities in Germany with more than 2,000 years of history. During a walking tour in the romantic side streets between the Basilica of St. Kastor and the Church of Our Lady, view the most important sights of Koblenz. Continue your excursion by cable car, built for the International Garden Show, high above the Rhine to the impressively situated Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is the second largest preserved fortress in Europe. The fortress dates back to 1000 CE and evolved to its present form between 1817 and 1828. Today, the fortress houses the Koblenz State Museum with its diverse exhibitions including the history of the fortress, the Army Memorial and a youth hostel.
Walking Grade 5/5: Hard amount of walking will include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 3 hours

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 - Koblenz / Cochem, Germany
Enjoy scenic cruising along the river.

Cochem walking tour & Wine Tasting – Afternoon
Located along the beautiful Moselle wine valley, the harmonious triad of unique Moselle landscape, millenia-old wine culture and history makes Cochem a popular destination. Discover the town with its narrow, winding streets during a city tour.

Visit one of the wineries located directly in the town of Cochem and learn more about viticulture and wine cellar management. The Moselle region is famous for its top wines with the most traditional grape variety being the Riesling, which is also called “the queen of white wines” and is grown directly on the sunny slopes of Cochem. During the excursion you can taste different Moselle wines and learn more about the wine making process.
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 3 hours

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 - Cologne, Germany
Tour of Cologne – Morning
The morning is dedicated to the fascinating cathedral city of Cologne, which has over a million inhabitants. You can expect a young, vibrant metropolis with a rich cultural history and world-famous sights, in particular the Cologne Cathedral. The cathedral city dates back over 2,000 years and is full of history, the traces of which can be seen everywhere in the Rhine region. during the walking tour, explore the area around the cathedral all the way to the old town. As you travel through the narrow, cobbled streets, and the lively squares such as the Alter Markt or the Heumarkt, you will get a feel for life in Cologne from yesterday and today. Since its completion in 1880, the Cologne Cathedral with its two 515ft high towers has been the city’s landmark, as well as the most famous architectural monument and most frequently visited sight in Germany. As your excursion concludes, we invite you to enjoy a glass of typical Kölsch, which is the number one beer in Cologne and large parts of the Rhineland.
Walking Grade 4/5: Moderate walking including stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 2.5 hours

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rhine gay cruise - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Day 7 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tour of Amsterdam – Morning
By breakfast you will have crossed yet another country border to arrive in the Dutch city of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age as the result of its innovative developments in trade. Today, the city has one of the largest historic centers in Europe, with about 7,500 registered historic buildings. The street pattern is largely unchanged since the 19th century. The center consists of 90 islands, linked by 400 bridges. On the city tour through the Dutch metropolis, you will see the Royal Palace, numerous canals and the Museum Quarter. As there is no better way to see the city than cruising on the water, the tour will end by a canal cruise boat trip.
Walking Grade 3/5: Moderate amount of walking which will include stairs and uneven surfaces.
Duration approx: 4 hours

The vessel remains in Amsterdam overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Today we disembark and Transfer to the Amsterdam airport or stay an additional day or two and experience one of Europe’s most fun city’s.
Considered the gay capital of Europe and the birthplace of gay rights, Amsterdam is naturally one of the top destinations for gay tourism. There is a strong LGBT community, and numerous gay-owned or gay-friendly hotels, nightclubs and cafés. Nowhere else in the world will you find so many gay attractions per square meter as in the city centre of Amsterdam. The city is home to a plethora of gay clubs and bars that will suit all tastes and interests. Reguliersdwarsstraat is the most popular gay district in Amsterdam.
For those want to remain additional post hotel nights available upon request.
Breakfast